10. Last night incident

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Euna said, her voice laced with insincerity. She's Soohe's friend and a notorious gossip in the design department. I know she did it on purpose.

"It's fine. Can you please move? I'll clean this up." I force myself to remain patient.

"Of course," Euna said, her voice dripping with malice as colleagues pass by in the hallway. "I assumed you'd been fired, no wonder Designer Joe relegated you to this humble floor. Turns out your betrayal of your own boss sealed your fate."

I pause, my gaze narrowing as I lock eyes with her. "Are you attempting wit, Euna? Your sarcasm falls woefully flat. Gather credible intel next time — your misinformed jabs only betray your insecurity. Thanks for the fleeting attention, though."

Euna's face contorts in frustration as she struggles to craft a retort, but words fail her, and she storms off — stomping her feet in a childish tantrum. Her dramatic exit is a calculated move, broadcasting her malice and ensuring everyone within earshot is aware of the rumors surrounding me.

"Pathetic gossipmonger!" I mutter under my breath, shaking my head in disgust.

Baekhoon emerges beside me, his assistant lurking silently in the background. "Fascinating," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You're guilty as sin, yet refusal is your game. The world sees right through your facade, despite your vehement denials and desperate attempts to shift the blame."

My eyes blazing with indignation. "You!" My voice is a low, venomous hiss, inches from Baekhoon's smug face, his expression unreadable.

Baekhoon speaks calmly, "You're not worthy of speaking to her like that — you're no longer on her level. You must behave here. I welcome you, and I won't let you degrade yourself by selling your body to anyone."

Witnesses swarm around us, their hushed whispers spreading like wildfire as Baekhoon's taunt hangs in the air. My face burns with shame and rage. With a swift, defiant motion, I fling the dirty, dripping rag squarely at Baekhoon's face. Droplets trickle down his cheeks. The crowd surges forward, their murmurs exploding into chaos.

"Hey! What the heck! How dare you!" Baekhoon thunders, his impeccably chiseled face inflaming with rage.

Filthy water mars his flawless, porcelain-like skin. Disgust, shame, and fury wrestle for dominance on his features. A nagging twinge of guilt stirs within me, but he unequivocally had it coming. I refuse to regret standing up to him. The satisfaction of witnessing his composure shatter outweighs my remorse.

Whispers swirl around us, condemning me with vicious intensity as the crowd toes the line, hesitant to cross the one who wields power and signs their paychecks. Chaos reigns, fueled by their cowardice and my defiance.

-o0o-

I've had an incredibly hectic day at the office, tackling endless tasks, and I'm utterly exhausted. Meanwhile, Auntie Yoo has thoughtfully prepared a warm dinner on the table, but she's still lingering, clearly worried about my well-being after last night's excessive drinking.

"Auntie Yoo, who brought me home last night?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Young Master," she responds, her voice measured.

My eyes widen in shock. "What?!"

Auntie Yoo's smile hints at amusement. "And . . . who do you think changed your clothes?" Her laughter echoes, teasing. "What are you afraid of? You're married, after all."

I freeze, Auntie Yoo's words sparking a revelation. "Auntie, stop teasing!" I press, my voice laced with unease. "Was it really him who undressed me?"

Auntie Yoo's soft smile calms my racing thoughts. "No, Ma’am, it was me. I changed your clothes, reassuring myself you were safe."

I nod in deep relief, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. Everything's okay, and I didn't embarrass myself. Thankfully, I'm the graceful type who handles liquor with dignity. When I'm drunk, I simply pass out or ramble incoherently, sparing myself and others any mortifying moments.

"Yongju, get to my office—now!" Baekhoon barks, his commanding presence filling the room.

He strides upstairs, his changed attire a stark reminder of my daring move with the wet cloth earlier. A sly smile spreads within me, my inner triumph simmering.

Baekhoon settles comfortably into the plush sofa in his elegantly designed office, crossing his legs nonchalantly as he gazes at me. I sit poised opposite him, our eyes locking in a silent, intense, expressionless stare. The air is thick with tension as we engage in a fierce, unspoken battle of wills, each waiting for the other to flinch, the silence between us crackling with unspoken challenge.

He exhales sharply, irritation etched on his chiseled face, his eyes narrowing. "You're not going to apologize?" he hissed, anger simmering beneath his words, his deep voice low and menacing. I know he's seething about my audacious move with the wet cloth earlier.

"No," I replied firmly, my voice unwavering, my gaze locked on his, refusing to back down.

"What?" He's incredulous, his eyes widening in disbelief. "You!" He points accusingly at me. "Do you know who carried you to your room when you were on the brink of passing out from intoxication?" he fires back rapidly.

"You," I replied nonchalantly.

"You were vomiting and reeked of alcohol, so I bathed you, washed your hair, scrubbed your body, undressed you, and put you in fresh clothes. You think that was easy?" He rattles off, rapid-fire, his enthusiasm laced with indignation.

"Yeah, yeah... I know," I respond dismissively, unimpressed by his boasts. But wait, did he just say...? "What? What did you just say?"

Was I hearing things? Bathing me? Changing... what?

"You really don't remember?" Baekhoon said, his eyes narrowing.

"I... I had soju and..." I stutter, my mind racing.

Baekhoon's sarcastic tone cuts deep. "Want to sell your body parts? A kidney, lungs, an eye, bones, flesh? Anything?" His fingers tick off each one.

I'm paralyzed by shame and fear. Is Auntie Yoo lying or Baekhoon deceiving me? Anxiety spikes. "You're lying! Auntie Yoo changed my clothes, she told me so," I protest, defensive.

"Believe who you want," Baekhoon said with a nonchalant shrug. "Now, when can I expect the compensation? Time is of the essence — I urgently need funds for new projects and employee salaries. My company teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, and my staff's livelihoods hang in the balance."

"I'll start paying tomorrow," I assure him, trying to placate.

Baekhoon's smile widens, his eyes glinting. "I appreciate your patience. You've got one year minus five days left, after all," he added, his tone dripping with sly satisfaction.

I'm not doing this for Baekhoon's sake — my genuine concern lies with the welfare of our employees. As a low-ranking staff member myself, I empathize deeply. What about those struggling to provide for their families, burdened with rent payments or medical bills? The thought of them going unpaid because of me fills me with overwhelming guilt.

"Um, Baekhoon?" I call out hesitantly.

"Hm?" He turns to me.

"W-was it really you who took me home last night?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Baekhoon nods firmly, his expression sincere. Auntie Yoo's words echo in my mind, confirming his truthfulness.

"S-so, the bathing and... changing clothes..." My voice trails off, embarrassment washing over me.

"That was me, satisfied?" Baekhoon retorts, standing and striding toward the door.

"What?" I hurry after him, grasping his sleeve, holding him back. "Tell me you're lying!" I demand, desperation creeping in.

Baekhoon's laughter fills the room. "Hey, I'm being brutally honest with you. Why would you rather I deceive you?"

I search his face, desperation creeping in. "Because, in a situation as delicate as this, a lie would be far kinder."

"Oh, fine. I didn't do anything, okay? Are you satisfied now? Remove your filthy hands from my clothes!" Baekhoon snaps, his voice rising as he attempts to forcefully shake me off.

I tighten my desperate grip, frustration boiling over. "Stop lying to me, Baekhoon! Tell me the truth, no matter how painful it is!"