{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
"You think money defines you?" So Min snapped, her voice trembling with rage and pain. "Maybe it's easy for you to say, but it's not for me. People like me have to fight for every single coin. We work ourselves to the bone while people like you throw cash like it's nothing!"
Her fists clenched.
"You think I'm nothing because I'm poor? That I don't deserve basic respect?"
Lee Seo Jun said nothing. His eyes darkened.
"Fine, I drugged you," she confessed. "But I didn't force you on me. You dragged me to your suite. I regret that night just as much as you. But don't pretend your money makes you the victim."
She turned away and stormed back into the station, tears stinging her eyes. She didn't look back.
Seo Jun stood still.
No one had ever spoken to him like that before.
⸻
Inside, the officer looked up as she sat down.
"Miss Joon So Min," he said sternly, "do you realize what you've done? Mr. Lee Seo Jun is not someone to play with. Why would you drug him?"
"I'm sorry," she whispered, bowing her head in shame. "I didn't mean to—"
"You'll be handcuffed now."
Her head snapped up. "What?"
"You're under investigation. We've received instructions."
Her eyes widened. No. This couldn't happen.
"Please," she whispered, panic rising. "I didn't mean—"
But the officer already signaled his colleague. The cuffs clicked open—
"Stop."
The voice rang out like thunder.
Everyone turned.
Seo Jun was back. He walked down the hallway like he owned it, shoulders squared, eyes unreadable.
"I'm dropping the case," he said flatly.
"Sir?" the officer stammered.
"Let her go."
The handcuffs were lowered instantly. The police obeyed without hesitation.
So Min looked up, confused. Why...?
Seo Jun didn't wait. He walked up, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her outside.
"Hey...what are you doing?" she yelled, yanking her arm away once they were outside.
"Why did you help me?" she asked, breathless.
"Because you're going to work for me."
Her brows furrowed. "What?"
"I said—" He pulled out a business card and placed it in her hand. "Report to me tomorrow."
So Min stared at it. Lee Group Holdings.
She glared. "And what makes you think I'll do what you want?"
His gaze sharpened. "Because if you don't... you'll spend the rest of your life in jail."
Her lips parted in disbelief.
"Do you want to go to jail?" he asked again.
She couldn't answer. Her pride warred with fear.
"I'll drop you off," he said.
"I said no."
"Get in."
"I SAID NO!"
People were watching now,onlookers near the station. Curious eyes. Whispering lips.
So Min groaned in frustration and got in.
⸻
The ride was quiet. Cold.
"Why do you live in that area?" Seo Jun asked finally. "Aren't you scared walking home at night?"
"Not everyone has the luxury of living in skyscrapers," she replied bitterly. "Some of us live where we can afford to survive."
He didn't respond.
"Stop here," she said quickly. "The roads ahead are rough. You'll scratch your fancy car."
He pulled over.
"Don't be late tomorrow," he said as she reached for the door.
She didn't reply,she was already gone.
⸻
Back in her cramped room, So Min sat on her thin mattress, staring at the designer clothes folded neatly beside her. Rita Chase originals,worth more than her rent.
She picked up the business card.
Lee Group Holdings. She opened her browser and searched it up.
And froze.
The Lee Family.
They weren't just wealthy,they were the definition of elite. One of the top families in South Korea. Untouchable. Global.
• Lee Yun Jun, the first son, ran the Gangnam division.
• Lee Seo Jun, the second, had just returned from overseeing their U.S. branches.
• Lee Min Jun, the youngest nicknamed K Play Boy—was a music icon and scandal magnet.
• Lee Jeong, their only daughter, was a top-tier lawyer who had never lost a case.
Their father was barely seen,he ran operations
from behind the scenes.
Their mother, Madam Park Su Ho, owned several luxury fashion lines and was known for her elegance and ruthlessness.
So Min scrolled and scrolled, her mouth parting in awe. Their wealth, their power, their secrecy. Their reputation.
Only Min Jun's face was publicly available,Seo Jun had almost no public images, and the ones that existed were from An Nari.
An Nari. Seo Jun's girlfriend.
So Min's heart dropped.
An Nari wasn't just any influencer,she was rich, beautiful, and educated abroad. She had millions of followers. She had unknowingly posted photos of Seo Jun's cars, his suits, even his bodyguards.
And I...
So Min's stomach twisted. I slept with her boyfriend.
Not just anyone's boyfriend,Lee Seo Jun.
Her friends idolized An Nari. She couldn't even imagine what would happen if they found out. She didn't want to know.
She curled up in bed, arms wrapped around her knees.
What did I just step into?
She closed her eyes.
But sleep didn't come easily.