Yu jin's POV
I froze the moment he stepped closer. Park Min. My stomach twisted, my heart skipped, and for a second I couldn't breathe. He didn't recognize me. Or if he did, he wasn't showing it. And that made everything worse. I didn't know if I should be relieved, angry, or furious. I wanted to ask why. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remembered the night that had changed everything between us, no, that had started everything. But now, seeing him in a crisp suit, eyes sharp, commanding the room, the past didn't fit neatly anywhere.
"Mr. Seo," he said, voice calm. Not a trace of recognition. "Why are you asking such ridiculous questions? Why do you think you deserve to be hired here?"
My throat went dry. I opened my mouth, tried to steady myself. "Because I know I can do this. I know the work, the methodology, the protocols. I may not have spent seven years in a lab, but I've spent the last three years raising a child while keeping up with research, mentoring students, making sure everything was accurate and properly documented. I know what it takes, and I can deliver."
He tilted his head slightly. "You're confident. That's good. But confidence doesn't guarantee results. It doesn't guarantee precision. It doesn't guarantee accountability. Why should I take that risk with you?"
Every word felt like a knife, but I held my ground. "Because I'm not asking you to take a risk. I'm showing that I've already managed similar responsibilities under extreme conditions. I need the opportunity. I'll prove I belong here, if you let me."
He studied me for a long moment, and I felt my hands tense into fists under the table.
Finally, he spoke. "You're in."
The room went silent. Not a pause for discussion, not a whisper of protest, just… silent. My brain refused to process it at first. I blinked, tried to comprehend. I was… in? That was it? That simple?
Of course, it wasn't that simple. He continued. "But there has to be a condition. You will work directly under me, on all projects I assign. Your work must be thorough, flawless, and punctual. Any oversight, any mistake, any failure to meet standards… your position can be terminated immediately. No probation, no safety net. Every detail is my responsibility to evaluate. And you will sign the contract acknowledging this."And everyone around gasped I didn't have the energy too, but before I could talk he continued, "any errors you make, you'll be liable to jail without any assistance from the company."
My chest tightened. Every pharmaceutical intern knew how brutal that sounded. One minor slip, one overlooked calculation, and I could be out. I could be ruined. And worse working under him? That was a fast move but the thought made my head spin.
Ji-hoon, standing beside me, tapped my shoulder quickly. "You don't have to sign that," he whispered. "Think about it. This is…this is dangerous. For you. Don't do it."
I looked at him, his eyes wide and worried. But I couldn't. I couldn't walk away. Not after getting in. Not after proving I could even survive this first round. I could hear the murmurs around the room. Even the other candidates, the ones who had not passed, were looking at me now, shocked.
I took the pen when he slid the contract toward me. My fingers shook. My mind screamed at me not to, but my instincts, my drive, my need to take control of my life, to prove I belonged somewhere, overrode the fear. I signed.
It was done. I was officially part of X Conglomerate. Under Park Pharmaceutical. Under Park Min.
The silence after I put down the pen was heavier than any words. He didn't smile, or didn't nod. He just took the contract, glanced over it, and set it aside. "Welcome to the team," he said, voice flat. "But remember, the condition stands. One failure, one slip, one missed detail, and your tenure ends immediately. There is no appeal. Are we clear?"
"Yes," I said. My voice was steadier than I felt.
Ji-hoon exhaled, putting a hand on my shoulder again. "You're insane," he said softly, half awe, half concern.
"I know," I muttered. My mind was spinning.
Park Min looked at me, with an expression unreadable. "Starting Monday, your first project will be under my direct supervision. I expect you to familiarize yourself with our current trials, protocols, and reporting system before then."
I nodded again, swallowing hard. My throat felt tight. Inside, a storm was building, part anger, part fear, part that familiar old attraction that always made me furious. He had no idea what I was capable of. He had no idea what I had survived. And yet, here I was, trapped under his terms, in a company that didn't forgive mistakes.
"Is there anything else?" I asked, voice steady, though my hands wanted to shake.
"No," he said, finally. "We'll begin Monday." and I just went
home knowing my hell was about to begin.