The office of Geonyeong Trading Corporation. After Jang Kang-cheon was imprisoned, the vice president took his place in charge.

He held the phone with a serious expression.

“Yes? What do you mean, cutting off trade all of a sudden? We need to start production immediately—what are we supposed to do if we have no materials?”

- We'll supply until the end of the contract period. Orders from the top are orders. What else can I do? You should've appointed a proper president in the first place...

“No, but...”

When things first broke out, the only thing that happened was a drop in stock prices—no one said much. But now, as if coordinated, partner companies began cutting ties, and material support was cut off.

The reason: Geonyeong Trading's president was the main culprit who brought a cold wind to all companies.

The crash of Geonyeong Trading, considered the right arm of the Geonyeong Group, dealt a major blow.

Upon receiving a report from the trading company's vice president, the chairman of Geonyeong Group threw his cell phone.

Crash!

“What the hell kind of bullshit is this!!”

“C-chairman...”

The chairman gritted his teeth in fury.

Being immoral? Company image? That kind of nonsense meant nothing. Stock prices might plunge temporarily, but they’d recover quickly.

All companies care about is money. Something else is going on here.

The chairman suddenly recalled the face of a young chairman—an insidious man, like a snake. And the rumors being quietly passed around...

If the rumors were true, even he wouldn’t be able to handle it. The chairman frowned deeply and spoke.

“Secretary Oh, we’re giving up on the trading company. Prepare to sell it.”

“...Excuse me?”

“We’re cashing out before it becomes toilet paper. Just do it!”

“Yes, understood.”

- Geonyeong Group gives up on Geonyeong Trading?

- Geonyeong Trading crashes repeatedly, stock price halves in a week

- Crisis in the corporate world—are we really okay?

┗Every single company I know is absolute trash

┗So embarrassing, Hell Joseon

┗Always whining about Hell Joseon, yet no one leaves

┗Because Hell Joseon still has the best public safety...

┗Exactly. You whine in another country and get shot

┗Meanwhile, Daeseong Group is the only one thriving. Compilation of Godseong’s good deeds (link)

┗Daeseong is out here doing marketing in all this mess

┗Godseong truly shines. Let’s make them #1!

┗Godseong Godseong!!

┗A hero emerges when the nation is in chaos—Godseong!

Ahn Seo-eun quietly chuckled to herself as she browsed the comments in her office.

“It’s not Daeseong, it’s Ahn Seo-eun...”

She didn’t quite like that all the praise was directed at Daeseong, but it still felt good.

Even before signing with Haesu, Seo-eun had predicted the coming of an era where corporate image would be a source of power, and had slowly built it up.

Then Haesu, the joker card, appeared, and now Daeseong had naturally become known in the public consciousness as a righteous, transparent, clean, kind, and sensible company.

As she looked fondly at what she and Haesu had built, a soft smile formed on her lips. That’s when Chief Kang entered.

“President.”

“What is it. Why are you disturbing me.”

“Apologies. The chairman has summoned you.”

Her delicate brow furrowed at the word "chairman." She closed the browser window and rose from her seat.

“Let’s go.”

The Ahn family main residence.

Chairman Ahn Giwon sat on a single-person sofa in the living room. He spoke even before Seo-eun could sit down beside him.

“You, stop playing cop.”

Seo-eun paused mid-sit and stood back up. Her gaze sharpened.

“Why?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know? Are you rebelling?”

“You didn’t say a word when the stock was going up, but now that public sentiment is turning sour, you’re pulling out? No backbone at all.”

Ahn Giwon's brow furrowed sharply at her provocative words.

“The others aren’t fools. They’ll soon realize you’re helping that detective. It won’t end with just being hated. I said stop, so stop. I’ll handle the rest.”

“No. And this isn’t a game. I’m serious. I’ll never stop.”

Finishing her sentence, Seo-eun turned on her heel and walked away. Ahn Giwon clicked his tongue as he watched her retreating figure.

“Tsk. Spoiled rotten just because she’s pretty... Secretary Kim.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Double Seo-eun’s security. 24/7.”

“Understood.”

Clack clack clack clack!

In the hallway of Daeseong E&M’s office, the sharp sound of high heels echoed loudly.

Seo-eun marched with fire in her eyes.

Just from the sound of her heels, the employees predicted her mood and quickly hid behind partitions.

She plopped into her seat in the president’s office, fuming, and waved her hand.

“Water. Ice cold. Lots of ice.”

“Yes, President.”

Chief Kang quickly exited and returned with a glass of ice water.

Gulp, gulp

Seo-eun chugged the water in one go, then crushed an ice cube between her teeth as she muttered to herself.

“Playing cop? A game? Seriously, not even funny. What’s so scary about those filthy corporations...”p>

The sharp coldness of the ice calmed her nerves, and Haesu came to mind. No matter how strong he was, he was still human. This time, over ten professionals had tried to kill him.

She picked up her phone.

- This is Shin Haesu.

His unchanging, even-toned voice. The quick way he answered. Seo-eun somehow felt soothed and smiled.

“It’s me. Ahn Seo-eun.”

- I know.

“Tch, you don’t even know what happened to me.”

- What happened? Did you call the police?

“No, nothing worth calling the police over. And if it were, I’d have called you instead.”

- That would be troublesome for me.

At Haesu’s blade-like reply, Seo-eun instantly deflated.

“...Why?”

- I’m currently in the company car, on my way to Chungju. I’ll be staying there for two weeks as a special instructor at the police academy.

“Ah... special instructor... I see.”

Upon hearing his circumstances, her face immediately softened.

- I’m driving, so if it’s not urgent, I’ll hang up. It’s affecting my focus.

“Huh? Oh, right. Yes, okay. I’ll call you next time.”

- Alright, then.

After Haesu hung up first, Seo-eun stared blankly for a moment, then looked at the mirror on her desk. Her expression had gone sullen again.

It was a strange experience, how just a few words from him could lift or drop her mood like a roller coaster.

Thinking of Haesu naturally led to another woman’s face.

Ring ring, ring ring

The ringtone startled Seo-eun. She looked at her phone—and the name she had just been thinking of was displayed on the screen.

For the first time, that woman had called her first. Feeling oddly guilty, Seo-eun cautiously tapped the call button.

“Yes, Haru.”

- My landlord has left me alone for two weeks.

“Haha...”

- The only adult I know is you, Ahn Seo-eun.

“Ah, yes. I’m honored.”

- I would like to experience drinking alcohol.

“...Huh?”

- The landlord really hates alcohol. This is an opportunity.

“Pfft—ah, sorry. So... you want to drink with me?”

- It’s too much to attempt alone.

Seo-eun covered her mouth with her hand to suppress a laugh, then replied.

“Alright. Are you free today?”

- I am.

“Uh, uh, yes, it’s possible. Then I’ll go see you in front of your building around 7 o’clock after I get off work.”

– Yep.

Click.

As soon as the business was done, the call ended. Seo-eun stared blankly at her phone and let out a small chuckle.

“Unique, she’s an interesting woman.”

Ahn Seo-eun met Haru in front of the Reed Building after work.

She was dressed in a white hoodie, leggings, and sneakers, like someone heading out for a run after work.

In contrast, Seo-eun wore a long dress that accentuated her hips, a leather jacket, and black high heels with red soles.

Perhaps noticing the contrast in their outfits, Haru glanced up and down at Seo-eun before looking down at her own clothes.

Tap.

Seo-eun grabbed Haru by the wrist.

“These clothes won’t do. We’re going out to have fun tonight. It’s an opportunity.”

“Tonight…”

Something about Seo-eun’s words made Haru’s heart flutter.

Seo-eun brought her back home. Looking through Haru’s wardrobe, all she had were workout clothes except for the ones Seo-eun had bought her.

“This won’t do. Let’s just go out and buy something. I’ll get it for you as a little memento of today.”

“Okay.”

Following Seo-eun to a nearby clothing store, Haru put on a tight black mini skirt that hugged her hips and thighs, a white blouse, and low-heeled black shoes.

Seo-eun even applied the same red lipstick she used onto Haru’s lips, who normally didn’t even wear tint.

Seo-eun marveled as she watched Haru standing in front of a full-length mirror with that unreadable gaze of hers.

“Wow, as expected, Haru… You’ve got the vibe of a model. Clothes look better on you than on mannequins.”

“I think so too.”

“Haha… Let’s buy this one. Let’s go.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Seo-eun and Haru decided to go for a light drink at a bar first.

While Secretary Kang was sent back, Bodyguard Kim absolutely refused to leave, no matter how many times he was told to go.

“Then follow from a distance. We want to enjoy some freedom tonight.”

“Understood. I’ll act like I’m not even here.”

“Thanks, I’m counting on you.”

Seo-eun understood Kim’s concern. Once he backed off, the glances they were getting became outright stares.

Just walking about 50 meters from the parking lot to the bar, several men approached them.

“Headed somewhere fun? We’re going too—want to come along?”

“I’d regret not saying this—you're exactly my type. Can I get your number…”

Repeating “Sorry” again and again, Seo-eun led Haru into the bar.

As soon as they opened the door, everyone inside—regardless of age or gender—turned to look at the two women.

“Whoa…”

“Hey, left side, left.”

“Are they celebrities or what? That visual is insane.”

“Sh*t, I’m staking my life to get a seat with them.”

A long-haired man with dyed pink hair downed a shot of soju and stood up, heading straight for Haru’s table.

Swoosh.

But a large man with a threatening face blocked his way. Dressed in a suit that didn’t fit the bar atmosphere, he gave off serious gangster vibes.

“Leave.”

“Y-Yes, sir.”

The pink-haired man backed down without a fight and returned to his seat.

The man glanced at Seo-eun and Haru, then took a seat three tables away.

“This is soju, this is beer, and that’s whiskey. I know there are lots of types, but I don’t know the names either.”

“Then I’ll drink quickly and try them all.”

“Once the side dishes come—oh wait…”

With eyes shining, Haru knocked back a shot of soju.

“Kkuh, why is this glass so small? I don’t even feel… mmm.”

“Are you okay? Here, eat this.”

Seo-eun handed her some round snacks from the default side dishes. Haru took one and immediately chased it down with beer.

“This tastes similar to soda. But a bit worse. There’s a bit of a urine smell too. Why do people drink this?”

“They say it tastes good when you mix the two. Hold on, I’ll make it. I learned it online… uh-oh.”

In the meantime, Haru had poured whiskey into a glass and downed it, undiluted.

“Kuhh… This one feels strange. That weird hot sensation I read about in books… So this is alcohol.”

“Are you okay? You’re not supposed to drink it like that. You dilute it with ice…”

While they were experimenting with the drinks, Bodyguard Kim was busy intercepting guys trying to flirt with them from all directions.

Their next destination was a club.

As they stood in line, both men and women fixated their eyes on them. The guys in line started murmuring.

“Forget the plan—let’s go for them.”

“Okay, I’ll go for the one on the left. No, right. Wait, left!”

“Shut up, I’m going for both.”

As a handsome guy stepped out of the line, others followed suit and began approaching Seo-eun and Haru.

Just as they were about to speak, even before Bodyguard Kim could intervene, the club’s bouncer stepped in.

“Back off. Ladies, come with me.”

The bouncer escorted Seo-eun and Haru inside. Watching this, nearby women grumbled with dissatisfied expressions.

“Why are they getting special treatment?”

“So annoying. What’s so pretty about those plastic faces?”

“Seriously, you can tell they’re fake just by looking.”

The bouncer frowned and glared at them.

“I don’t care if you all leave, but when these two go in, all the guys follow. Got it?”

“Tch, whatever…”

Blocked by the bouncer, Bodyguard Kim was forced to join the men’s line.

Thanks to the bouncer, Seo-eun and Haru entered the club smoothly, linking arms and widening their eyes in amazement.

“Ah…”

“Mmm…”

Even Seo-eun, not just Haru, was in a club for the first time. She’d never felt the urge to go, nor had anyone to go with.

Flashing lights, intense heat, people moving in clusters, narrow spaces full of bodies.

As Haru looked around the club, countless thoughts ran through her mind.

‘It’s like the animal kingdom…’

It wasn’t uncommon to see people practically engaging in sexual acts with just one layer of clothing separating them.

Though shocked by the sight, Haru also saw others dancing, immersed in the music, paying no mind to anyone else. A different emotion began to rise within her.

“Let’s go over there too.”

Seo-eun grabbed Haru’s wrist and squeezed their way to the stage area. Facing each other, they mimicked the dancing women nearby, shaking their bodies.

“Pfft, Haru, you really can’t dance.”

Unable to hear over the loud music, Haru leaned in closer.

“What?!”

“I said, you really can’t dance!”

“Thanks! You too, Ahn Seo-eun!”

“What?!”

Just then, the pink-haired man from the bar slipped in between them.

“Hey there.”

With a hardened face, Seo-eun stepped aside and returned to Haru’s side.

But the man snatched Seo-eun’s hand and said,

“Why are you playing so hard to get? You wanna have fun tonight too, right? Come on, let’s party. I’ve got money.”

Seo-eun let out a small laugh.

“What, money?”