{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
^
"What happened?" Joon So Min's eyes widened as she stepped into the studio, immediately spotting her boss collapsed on the floor, tears streaming down her face. Patterns and fabric scraps were scattered in disarray all around.
"Someone ordered sixty pieces of new designs... and they want it done in three days," her coworker explained, panic lacing her voice.
"How? That's impossible," Joon So Min muttered, biting her lip.
"Yeah, it's from some huge influencer," the girl said, trembling.
Joon So Min approached Mrs. Park, who barely lifted her head to meet her gaze.
"So Min..." Mrs. Park's voice cracked.
"Ma'am, it's okay. Let's get everyone to work extra shifts. We can do this," Joon So Min said firmly, her heart pounding with the pressure but determined to lift her boss's spirits.
Mrs. Park hesitated, "More workers?"
"No, we can't hire new staff now, but we can push ourselves harder."
"But won't it exhaust everyone?"
"They're ready to try. I promise, we'll pull through."
Mrs. Park smiled faintly, hope rekindling in her eyes.
"Thank you, So Min. Thank you."
^
"So Min, where have you been?" Choi Hura asked as Joon So Min entered her home, slipping off her shoes carefully.
"Overtime... we had a huge sale," Joon So Min answered, voice tired but steady.
"I'm thinking of getting a job too," her mother said thoughtfully.
Joon So Min stopped and looked at her, surprised.
"Why, Mother?"
"I can't let you carry this alone forever. You're young,soon you'll marry and have your own family to care for."
"Mother..."
"Don't stop me. I'm serious. I start tomorrow."
Joon So Min sighed but nodded in acceptance.
"Did you eat?" Choi Hura asked.
"No."
"There's rice in the fridge."
^
The next day, Choi Hura bowed politely to two women in a spacious living room.
"I'm here for the maid position."
One woman scanned her coolly.
"You're hired. Go make breakfast."
Choi Hura blinked, uncertain, but bowed deeply.
The other young woman didn't speak, eyes fixed on the television.
That silent girl was Che Hye, a social media influencer and friend of An Nari, while the woman was her sister-in-law, Jin Chae Hee.
"That bitch An Nari has left town," Che Hye muttered.
"Left?" Chae Hee frowned.
"Her boyfriend dumped her. She was seeing one of the Lee sons. He couldn't handle her attitude."
"Where did she go?"
"Back to the province."
Suddenly, a man's voice called, "Honey."
"Brother!" Che Hye sprang up, rushing to the man in a tailored suit.
"Welcome home," Chae Hee greeted, hugging him warmly.
Kang Seung, her husband and founder of Kang Group, looked stressed.
"My company is near bankruptcy. The investors conned me — I lost everything."
"Con artists?" Chae Hee gasped.
"Yes. Our last hope is the Lee Group. If they invest in us, we might survive."
"How will you reach them?"
"I have a contact who can arrange a meeting. The second son is back and running most of the business here in Seoul."
Chae Hee smiled. "I'll make the call."
As Kang Seung headed to the kitchen, he glanced at Choi Hura,the new maid without a second look.
His greed was clear. He and Chae Hee would do anything to keep their wealth.
Later, in their bedroom, Chae Hee smiled as Kang Seung carried her into the room, his eyes darkening with desire.
"Should I be bad?" he teased.
"Yes," she whispered seductively.
Their passion was fierce but born of ambition.
^
"We'll live well once we're rich," Choi Hura said softly, sitting with Dae and Joon So Min.
Joon So Min laughed lightly.
"Mother, if it's too hard, you can quit."
Choi Hura shook her head.
"The money's good. I like the job,aside from the spoiled rich."
Joon So Min smiled, relieved to see her mother happier than before.
She thought back to their struggles — her father's death, the mountain of debt that once crushed them.
Thanks to Lee Seo Jun's help, she'd cleared those debts and even bought their home back, a secret she kept from Choi Hura to avoid questions.
Though they hadn't reached their best days yet, hope flickered brighter than ever.