In the restroom, Jinyoung was still in tears as she clutched Mrs. Wang's hand.
"You see… I'm the middle child in my family. No one ever gives me attention. But after I got this job, I finally became my parents' favorite. I don't want to lose that, Mrs. Wang. Please, can't you just understand my—"
"Enough with the emotional blackmail," Nara's sharp voice cut in as she entered the room. She folded her arms and continued coldly, "You know she won't help you. Besides, she's the one who picked us."
"Was I supposed to pick myself?!" Mrs. Wang snapped back.
"What? Is that so hard to do? You've worked here for ages. Didn't you think this was the perfect time to quit?" Nara shot back.
"Are you seriously hating on me right now? Maybe you've forgotten who brought up the quitting idea first," Mrs. Wang retorted, her anger rising.
"It was Jinyoung, not me!" Nara barked.
"Don't mention my name! I'm already shattered as it is!" Jinyoung cried, her voice trembling.
"If you knew you were going to be a crybaby about this, maybe you should have shut your mouth in the first place instead of acting like some big bad girl!" Nara shouted.
"Both of you just shut up!" Mrs. Wang suddenly yelled. The room fell silent. Nara turned to her with a smug smirk.
"And who do you think you are to give such an order?" she sneered.
Mrs. Wang's glare darkened. "What did you just say—"
Just then, one of the restroom stalls opened. A lady stepped out, walked calmly to the mirror, and began washing her hands. It was Sarang.
Without looking at them, she spoke in a calm tone. "Enough with the yelling. It won't change anything for you." She stared at her own reflection while rinsing her hands.
Nara smirked, walking toward her slowly. "You cunning wench. So this has been your plan all along?"
Sarang smiled faintly, still adjusting her hair in the mirror. "Are you surprised? You didn't expect it from a slow-witted, dumb, forever intern, hmm?" She pulled out her lip gloss and applied it with care.
"D–Did you seriously plan all this?" Jinyoung stuttered.
"Yes," Sarang replied plainly. Mrs. Wang and Jinyoung gasped, while Nara only glared harder.
"I seized the slightest opportunity that came my way," Sarang continued with a sly smile. "You want to know how?" she asked with a smile, without waiting for their response she began
" After the accident, I knew all the companies would eventually be handed to Miss Choi—including this one. Unlike you guys, who were busy sulking, I made my move. I made sure the officials noticed me. I worked so they would speak well of me when they finally met Miss Choi. I snooped around, learned when they were holding their meetings, and made sure I was present—doing this and that to catch their attention."
She chuckled. "I even went as far as 'mistakenly' dropping my profile into her file instead of the company's chart. Of course, it was intentional. I knew she was sharp-witted, so she'd notice me eventually. My profile alone proves my capability—thanks to my four years of hard work."
She capped the lip gloss and smirked. "Oh, and did I forget to mention? I knew she was around our section this morning. That's why I joined in your little gossip—just to show where I stood, making sure you spilled your rotten beans right in front of her." Sarang laughed, clearly enjoying herself. "Come on, admit it—that was a smart move."
Only she smiled. The others stood frozen. Then Jinyoung suddenly pushed past Nara, throwing herself toward Sarang.
"That was a very smart move… I wouldn't even have thought of that!" Jinyoung said desperately, hitting her own chest. "Please… hire me back."
"You heard Miss Choi earlier. What's done is already done," Sarang replied coolly.
"She also said the rest is up to you!" Jinyoung insisted. "You're the CEO now, Sarang. You can do anything."
"Can I though?" Sarang tilted her head, smirking. "But honestly… I kind of like things the way they are now." She turned her gaze toward Mrs. Wang. "Right, Mrs. Wang?"
Mrs. Wang stiffened, her breath shaky. After a long pause, she exhaled and reluctantly nodded. "Yes… Ma'am."
. Sarang smiled in satisfaction.
Nara looked at Mrs. Wang with disgust, then back at Sarang with a glare. "There's no use talking to you," she sneered, turning away.
But just as she was about to leave, Sarang's mocking voice followed.
"Be careful, Nara. I'm basically the CEO of Choi Company now. I can make your life frustrating out there if I want to. But I'll let it go. Miss Minjae has already done enough damage to you. Right now, you're just pitiful. It would have been less pathetic if you had swallowed your pride and begged like Jinyoung. Instead, you're just a sheep trying to act brave in the middle of a wolf pack." She smirked. "That's embarrassing."
Tears slipped down Nara's cheek as she wiped them quickly and walked out.
The room grew still. After a moment, Jinyoung spoke weakly. "Sarang…"
"I've heard enough already," Sarang interrupted coldly. "Mrs. Wang, get rid of her from my presence."
Mrs. Wang hesitated.
"Or do you want to lose your job as well?" Sarang added sharply.
Immediately, Mrs. Wang grabbed Jinyoung by the arm and began dragging her toward the exit. "Come on! Just leave! Do you want me to get fired too?!"
As they reached the door, both froze in their tracks. Minjae stood casually by the exit, her back leaning against the wall. Sarang, noticing their pause, turned—and froze as well when she saw her.
Mrs. Wang and Jinyoung slipped out quickly, leaving Minjae to step inside. Sarang bowed slightly, but her heart pounded.
"I see you've already settled into your new position," Minjae said with a faint smile.
Sarang looked up, shocked.
"I saw everything you did back there," Minjae continued. "I'd be a fool if I didn't notice your scheme."
"Miss Choi… I…" Sarang stammered.
"There's no need to fret," Minjae said calmly. "I wouldn't have given you such a big position if that were a problem."
Sarang's eyes widened in surprise.
"Most people would call it sneaky. I call it smart. My grandfather once told me, 'Instead of sitting idle and waiting for your blessings, chase them until you catch them.' And that's exactly what you did."
A faint smile curved Sarang's lips.
"You already know how scheming this business can be," Minjae said.
"Yes. I'm aware," Sarang nodded.
"Then handle it well. I expect results. Don't make me regret giving you this opportunity."
"I promise I won't let you down," Sarang replied firmly, chest lifted with confidence.
Minjae smiled faintly but soon glanced at her wristwatch, a frown settling on her face. Without another word, she turned and left through the exit.
In the hallway, Sang-tae and Jung-shin caught up to her.
"Are you going back to the office now?" Sang-tae asked.
"Not yet," Minjae said. Her tone dropped low. "There's something else I have to do."
She turned to Sang-tae, her expression sharp. "Find out where Lee Seung-min resides."
She took the keys from the driver standing by her sleek car. Sliding inside, she rolled down the window and glanced at Sang-tae once more.
"Send me the address—along with my lawyer," she ordered before driving off.
Sang-tae stood frozen for a moment, baffled. Then he sighed, nodding reluctantly. With Minjae, coping was never easy.
---
At Cheonsan High School
The closing bell had just rung. Mina sat quietly at her desk, her hands trembling. Nervous eyes darted around the room—no one was leaving. It was as though the whole class was waiting for the drama to unfold.
She glanced at the clock and sighed. Minjae hadn't arrived yet.
Then a voice came through the speaker.
"Lee Mina. To the principal's office. Now."
The voice was neither fierce nor gentle—just commanding.
Mina stood confidently, relief flickering in her chest. Her aunt must have arrived. Surely, she would fight for her.
As she walked out, several students followed, eager for the spectacle. They whispered among themselves, excited to see what would happen. Everyone knew Mina was in deep trouble, especially with the bully's enraged parents waiting.
But Mina didn't care. She lifted her chin high and marched straight toward the principal's office.