{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
Joon So Min woke up to the warmth of Lee Seo Jun still beside her, his breathing slow and peaceful. The memory of last night made her lips curve into a soft smile.
She glanced at her left hand, where the diamond ring glittered even in the morning light. Her cheeks flushed at the sight. Quietly, she tried to tiptoe out of bed, not wanting to wake him.
But his hand caught hers gently.
"Don't," came his sleepy voice. One eye peeked open, gazing at her with affection.
"I just wanted to freshen up," she whispered, blushing as he pulled her closer until she was nestled in his arms again.
"Stay with me," he murmured, pulling the blanket over them both.
So Min chuckled softly at his dramatic clinginess.
"So... the CEO's not going to work today?" she teased.
"No, madam," he replied with a grin, eyes still shut. "I have to stay home with my soon-to-be wife."
The words made her heart flutter. She looked at him, his face calm in sleep again. And in that moment, everything felt perfect.
⸻
"What do you mean I have to get back with Lee Seo Jun?" An Nari demanded, stunned, as her father calmly sipped his tea.
She had just arrived home, her luggage still being carried in by the maids and now this?
"The board only approved my position thinking you and Seo Jun would marry. But now he's with someone else," Mr. An said, eyes narrowing.
"But Seo Jun... he doesn't want me anymore," she muttered bitterly.
"Nari, listen." Her father came closer, lowering his voice. "You need to make him want you again. If you don't, we lose everything,my career, your image, your followers... even your friends."
An Nari's eyes widened. Could she really lose all of that?
"What should we do?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"Do you know the girl he's with?"
"Some poor girl. Joon So Min, I think," she replied with disdain.
"Then it'll be easy." Her father's expression darkened. "I'll plant someone inside Seo Jun's company. They'll steal the contract between him and that girl. Once it's exposed... your job will be much easier."
An Nari looked up, shocked by his ruthlessness. Mr. An just smiled coldly.
⸻
"Mr. Lee will be here soon,why is this office still a mess?" Mr. No muttered, annoyed.
He dropped a stack of documents onto the desk, including a sealed contract file, then picked up the phone to call for a cleaner.
Meanwhile, in the staff quarters, a group of cleaners eyed the new recruit,young, wearing glasses, and looking completely harmless.
"Send that one to Mr. Lee's office," one whispered. "He'll mess up for sure."
"Hey, you," another called out. "Go clean Mr. Lee's office."
The newcomer nodded silently and headed toward the executive floor, broom in hand.
⸻
He knocked quietly at the door.
"Come in," Mr. No's voice responded.
The cleaner stepped inside, clutching his broom.
"You new here?" Mr. No asked, briefly glancing up.
"Yes... sir," the cleaner replied in a quiet, shaky tone.
Just then, Mr. No's phone rang. He stepped out to take the call.
The cleaner moved swiftly. He flipped through the stack of papers, found the contract file, and slid it under the desk.
When Mr. No returned, the cleaner was quietly sweeping, appearing utterly harmless.
Minutes later, with the file hidden under his shirt, the cleaner exited the room without raising any suspicion.
⸻
"Dung Hung, I knew I could count on you," Mr. An said smugly.
"No one suspected a thing, sir. Just a harmless cleaner," Dung Hung grinned, removing his glasses.
Mr. An slid a black box of cash across the table.
"Take your money and disappear. If I ever see your face again, I'll kill you myself."
Dung Hung took the money, nodded, and vanished.
Mr. An opened the stolen contract and smirked.
"This... will ruin her."
⸻
The next morning, Joon So Min's phone rang,
Hye Sua's name flashed across the screen.
"So Min, don't look online. I'm on my way,just stay calm, okay?" Hye Sua's voice was rushed, panicked.
But curiosity won.
Ignoring her friend's warning, So Min opened her phone browser... and froze.
HEADLINE: "Poor Girl Tricks Billionaire into Fake Relationship"
Her photos were everywhere. The internet was ablaze.
Her eyes scanned the hateful comments:
"Who does she think she is? Cinderella?"
"These gold diggers should be jailed."
"She made An Nari break up with her boyfriend!"
"Homewrecker. Hope she suffers."
#IHateJoonSoMin
So Min stared in stunned silence.
Just then, Hye Sua burst through the door and wrapped her arms around her.
"I did nothing wrong..." So Min's voice cracked, tears falling.
"I know," Hye Sua whispered, holding her tighter. "These people believe whatever the internet says. They're cowards hiding behind screens."
So Min wiped her tears and stood. "Mother and Dae are at home. They can't go out because of the press... I caused this."
She ran to them.
"I'm so sorry, Mother," she cried, hugging Choi Hura and little Dae tightly.
"I have to see Seo Jun."
"You can't," Hye Sua said firmly. "It's not safe right now. We don't know what these people are capable of."
⸻
"What's happening?" Lee Seo Jun asked, his tone sharp as he entered the office.
Mr. No looked nervous, handing him a tablet.
Seo Jun read the article. His eyes narrowed.
"Find every account spreading this. File charges. I want lawsuits against each one."
He threw on his suit jacket, his face cold and unreadable.
"I'm going to her."