7. Baekhoon’s game

"Baekhoon! You're Bastard! Damn!" I yell, my eyes blazing with uncontrollable fury, my finger jabbing accusations at his icy face.

I continue screaming, desperately defending myself as the two security guards drag me out of the room. But who will listen to the cries of a lowly janitor like me?

A crowd gathers outside the CEO's office, their curious gazes fixed on me. Instead of offering help, they whisper among themselves, reveling in my misery. Who dares challenge the CEO's authority to aid someone like me? It's better to suffer in silence.

-o0o-

I lie awake, past midnight, anxiously pacing outside Baekhoon's room, awaiting his return. My mind races with worry, not for his well-being, but for my own fate. Whether he lives or dies is of no consequence — resolving my predicament is all that matters.

My hands itch to throttle him. Where has he gone? Why hasn't he returned? Now, nearing 3:00 a.m., exhaustion consumes me. Two cups of coffee can't fight the sleepiness. Frustration and fatigue entwine, testing my sanity.

Click! Click!

The door creaks open.

Baekhoon's finally back.

I rush downstairs, eager to confront him. “Where have you been?” I demand, my patience exhausted.

Baekhoon meets my gaze with an indifferent expression, looking utterly calm as if nothing's wrong. His nonchalance cuts deep, fueling my raging anger. His guiltlessness after causing me so much suffering intensifies my hatred.

His voice drips with indifference as he asks, "What?" The casual tone ignites a fire within me.

My frustration boils over, words tumbling out in a furious cascade.

That's all you've got? Just 'what'? You're not even pretending to care.

"I need to talk!" I said.

This time, he surprisingly complies with my request. We settle into the middle room, directly in front of the TV. He sits on the sofa, exuding an air of calmness, crossing his legs and folding his arms, then leans comfortably back into the cushions, his eyes fixed on me.

"Say it!" he said.

"Are you behind all of this?" I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. I'm utterly convinced he's the mastermind, intentionally disrupting my peace, stealing my sleep, and shattering my serenity.

Baekhoon's calm tone contrasts sharply with my simmering emotions as he says, "This proves you're quite skilled at reading me."

I know it's not a compliment, but he's openly admitting it. No matter how naive I am, I can easily guess who's behind my sudden demotion, considering... Baekhoon is the new CEO of HK Group.

"So, what's your final decision?" Baekhoon asked seriously, genuinely hoping I'll side with him.

"I'm innocent," I assert. "You're accusing the wrong person. Let's not discuss anything else."

"Do I need to expose all the evidence again? You posted that draft on your social media and illegally sold it, landing HK Group in a plagiarism scandal and costing us heavily. How do you plan to make it right? The livelihoods of my employees hang in the balance, and their fate rests squarely on your shoulders."

I'm stunned. Guilt washes over me for the delayed salaries, but I know I'm innocent.

“You set me up?" I whisper, restraining my anguish. "What trick did you use? What’s your game?" My voice rises as I spring to my feet. Baekhoon's eyes widen as I shove him backward, and he crashes to the floor, my body pinning him down. I grip his collar, my voice a furious growl. "You framed me! My account was hacked! It wasn't me!"

"..."

He brutally breaks free, shoving me backward. Rising swiftly, he turns his back on me and storms away, leaving me seething in a vortex of rage.

"Baekhoon, damn you!" I shouted in frustration.

-o0o-

I eat breakfast alone in the dining room. Auntie Yoo attends to her other tasks after cooking. I invite her to join me, but she declines, citing the household's strict rules. I understand her fears and respect her boundaries.

Lately — I've lost my appetite, sleep has become elusive, and eating feels suffocating. The office nightmare persists, and I'm at a loss for a solution. Without evidence — I'm powerless. Hiring a lawyer is out of the question; the best ones are tied to the influential Byun family. They'll undoubtedly reject me and favor Baekhoon. To make matters worse, I'm strapped for cash.

How can I possibly defend myself when every word falls on deaf ears? Screaming until I'm hoarse won't dismiss the charges or alter the truth, and — without solid, irrefutable evidence to back me up, I'm doomed.

Baekhoon descendent from his room, his eyes piercing with disdain. "You still relish your meals, I observe," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He drapes his tailored jacket over the chairback and settled in, savoring his breakfast with calculated calmness.

"Baekhoon, you're cursed!" I hissed, slamming my fork into the bread, the tines trembling with rage.

My fingers wrapped tightly around the fork and knife, the metal biting into my skin as I struggled to contain my fury. Baekhoon — that infuriating man, deliberately goaded me, feeding the flames of my anger. But I refused to give in. Perhaps, I thought — a calm demeanor would be the ultimate revenge, a poisoned dart that would pierce his ego. I forced a serene smile, masking my seething rage. Smiling amidst hatred hurts them, I reminded myself. I'll turn his malice into a boomerang, letting his venom rebound onto himself.

"Of course, I need to eat," I replied, straining to sound calm. "I need strength to survive and counter your every move."

"Oh really? That’s so scary.” Baekhoon nods nonchalantly, then resumes his breakfast, his silence speaking volumes. His calm demeanor unsettles me, as if my own emotional boomerang has swung back, striking its mark within.

"When did you become HK Group's CEO?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Since marrying you," he replied, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Why?"

"Why now? Why didn't you seize the position sooner?" I press.

His smirk grows wider. "I didn't need it then. But now... I have to, don't I? Tormenting an enemy up close is infinitely sweeter." Baekhoon's eyes glint with malice.

My heart freezes, my blood running cold. His words aren't playful threats — this man is genuinely terrifying. What can I do?

-o0o-

My life changed after the incident outside Baekhoon's office. People I thought I knew now keep their distance, whispering behind my back. Colleagues who once offered warm smiles have vanished, leaving an unsettling isolation.

Insults rain down on me, with some boldly accusing me of leaking company secrets. My self-respect crumbles, crushed beneath their relentless scorn. Though agony wracks my heart, I steel myself, refusing to show weakness, knowing they'll only exploit it.