Early the next morning after the shocking scandal broke out, SCJ Corporation hastily held a press conference to feed the press's curiosity. Or rather, most of the journalists and reporters there had already been bribed by Valko — which was why he felt so confident about handling everything.
Valko appeared with a few assistants, acting as SCJ's official spokesperson. Dressed in a custom-made white Italian suit from head to toe, confident and handsome, he easily answered every question thrown at him — even if most of his answers were well-rehearsed lies.
"As you all know, a heartbreaking incident occurred a few days ago. On behalf of SCJ, I can say that we have fully cooperated with authorities and launched an internal investigation regarding the quality of the meat distributed to customers. I deeply apologize for the delay and inconvenience."
A reporter raised his hand.
"So, can you tell us the cause of the food poisoning that hospitalized 163 students?"
Valko lowered his gaze slightly, pretending to look pitiful, even wiping away imaginary tears.
"It was truly an unfortunate situation that no one wished for. To be honest, our investigation revealed that a few distribution employees had personal grudges against Goten Supermarket's branch. They deliberately leaked substandard meat to The Chau High School's cafeteria in an attempt to damage the reputation of both Goten and SCJ."
The reporters exchanged confused glances. One finally spoke up:
"So you're saying this was purely an accident and SCJ had no involvement?"
"Absolutely," Valko replied firmly. "With our decades-long reputation, this was an isolated act by a few malicious individuals. We've already turned them over to the police. Still, we acknowledge that an employee's responsibility is also our responsibility."
Then Valko suddenly stood up, bowed a full ninety degrees before the flashing cameras, and spoke again with his hand over his chest.
"We are ready to compensate all affected students and provide them with free scholarships through college. We will do our best to make things right for the parents."
The crowd was instantly moved. Reporters were already imagining tomorrow's headlines praising SCJ's "unprecedented recovery efforts." Valko smirked. He knew he had regained control. The company's stock price would soon stabilize—maybe even rise.
But before he could savor the victory, a man stood up.
He was wearing a faded green jacket, his beard uneven, his face unfamiliar. Valko didn't remember bribing him.
"Who are you?" Valko asked instinctively.
The strange reporter chuckled and flashed his press ID.
"Name's Minh, TYN News."
"Ah, Mr. Minh from TYN," Valko replied smoothly. "Do you have a question?"
"No, not really," Minh said, waving dismissively. He scanned the room with a mocking smirk.
"I think most of my questions have already been answered. I just have one last thing I'm curious about."
His eyes sharpened.
"Who exactly are you?"
Valko froze for half a second before laughing it off.
"I'm the spokesperson for SCJ, of course."
"That's not true," Minh said, his grin turning almost twisted.
"I've checked the entire SCJ hierarchy — top to bottom. Your name doesn't appear anywhere. But oddly enough, when I looked up your name elsewhere, I found it linked to Taiwan. Valko R. Jou — Vice President of Jou Telecom, one of Taiwan's biggest telecom companies. So tell me, what are you doing here? Why would a different corporation's executive represent SCJ in this scandal?"
Valko was startled, he was not prepared for this sudden question. Before he could answer, the reporter continued to ask further questions.
"Moreover, according to my understanding, the CEO of SCJ Group — who is also the operator of the Goten supermarket chain and the manager of meat distribution for cafeterias and schools, is someone else. A person with such important information and responsibilities is not here?"
"Ah, she—"
A bead of sweat rolled down Valko's neck as the room went silent. He tried to stay composed, but he hadn't expected this. He could lie about Haruna — the real CEO — but explaining his presence was another story.
Just as he was about to respond, the sound of high heels echoed across the room.
A stunning woman appeared, wearing a short black dress that hugged her elegant frame. Her long, sleek black hair shimmered as she walked in with icy grace. Every man in the room fell silent, mesmerized. Even Valko's heart skipped a beat.
It was Mina.
She moved confidently toward him, standing close—too close—and smiled at the inquisitive reporter.
"Of course he's qualified to speak for SCJ," she said smoothly. "In fact, within my family, he has every right to do so."
Minh frowned, suddenly recognizing her.
"You're Kamakiri Mina, second daughter of SCJ's chairman?"
"That's correct," Mina said proudly. "I'm also a senior executive of SCJ. The current CEO, who oversees Goten Supermarket and the entire meat distribution network, is my sister, Kamakiri Haruna. Unfortunately, she's recovering from surgery in Los Angeles and couldn't attend. So…"
She glanced at Valko with a teasing glint in her eye that made his heart race.
"So my husband, Mr. Valko, is representing SCJ in her absence."
The room exploded with whispers. Reporters scribbled furiously. None of them had heard this before. Minh blinked, genuinely surprised.
"Wait… you two are married?"
"Yes," Mina replied calmly, raising her left hand to show a gleaming wedding ring she hadn't worn in years.
"We've been married for four years."
Cameras flashed like gunfire. Valko couldn't hide his triumphant grin as he slid an arm over Mina's shoulder.
"That's right. She's my wife."
Mina's eyes flickered briefly toward his hand on her shoulder — irritation bubbling beneath her perfect smile — but she kept her composure. The reporters had their story, and that was all that mattered.
Except for the reporter standing there squinting at them. He seemed to sense something unusual about the couple.
After the press conference, Valko rushed down the hall to catch her.
"Mina!"
She turned elegantly, one brow raised and a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Yes? Something wrong?"
Her calm beauty made him lose his words for a moment. He inhaled sharply.
"I just wanted to say… thank you for stepping in back there."
"Oh, that?" she shrugged lightly.
"It was nothing. I only stated the truth. Besides, you're helping SCJ, so I should be the one thanking you."
Valko's heartbeat quickened. She was already turning away when he called out again.
"Wait—Mina!"
She paused, glancing back. His voice trembled slightly.
"Are you… free tonight? Maybe we could have dinner together?"
He didn't know why he said it — maybe impulse, maybe hope.
Mina looked at her watch casually.
"Let's see… around seven, I don't have any meetings."
Valko's eyes lit up.
"So that's a yes?"
She smiled faintly.
"Same place as usual."
And with that, she walked away, her figure disappearing down the corridor.
Valko clenched his fists in excitement, grinning from ear to ear.
"Yes! That's it, Valko! You've still got it!"
He couldn't stop smiling. Mina had been acting strange lately, but he didn't care. All he could think about was her — and tonight's dinner.
He pulled out a small mirror, straightened his hair, and smirked.
"Still handsome as ever."
And in his mind, he was already choosing the perfect victory suit for the evening.
---
That afternoon, the news spread like wildfire. Police had reportedly arrested a suspect accused of mixing low-quality meat into Goten's meat supply for The Chau High School — allegedly out of personal grudge.
Alongside that, another piece of gossip was confirmed to be true: Kamakiri Mina and Valko were actually married. Though unrelated to the scandal, the reveal instantly caught the public's attention. Photos of the stunning couple went viral, and soon Mina became the internet's newest obsession — the most beautiful office woman, unfortunately taken.
Leaning against her motorcycle, Duyen overheard a group of schoolgirls walking by, eyes glued to their phones.
"Look at this couple! They're so perfect together."
"She's a senior manager at SCJ, and from a rich family too. Like, chaebol in k-dramas?"
"Ugh, life's so unfair. She's gorgeous!"
Duyen heard it all. She didn't need to ask who they were talking about.
At first, she'd been genuinely worried about Mina — wondering how she'd handle the scandal. But somehow, Mina had already gotten through it. And now… she'd publicly confirmed her marriage to Valko.
For some reason, Duyen's chest felt unbearably heavy. Not sadness. Not jealousy. Just that crushing weight — like a stone pressing against her heart — reminding her of the distance between them.
She sighed, walking her bike slowly along the pavement near a private school. Across the street was the café — their café — the one she and Mina used to visit together.
She didn't even know why she came here. One moment she was lost in thought, the next she was standing right outside.
Duyen let out a small, bitter laugh.
What am I even doing?
Maybe she'd just let the TV gossip get to her head.
She was about to turn away when she noticed a familiar silhouette through the glass window.
Mina?
Tilting her head to get a better look, she saw Mina sitting across from a blonde woman — clearly foreign. Mina's face looked calm as ever, sipping her coffee. But the woman opposite her wasn't. There was anger, even hatred, in her eyes.
Duyen hesitated for a second, then quietly pushed her bike into the café.
At the table, Mina sat facing Eri — who had returned to her original blonde hair and blue-gray eyes, glaring at Mina with clenched fists. It seemed Eri had already seen the morning news.
Mina, on the other hand, looked utterly unfazed. She even smiled, confident and cold.
"So that's it," Mina said lightly. "You're Valko's little pastime girl, huh?"
Eri's eyes hardened at the phrase 'pastime girl.' She knew exactly how deep that insult went — and how much Mina looked down on her. Still, she bit back her fury.
"So you've known all along?"
Mina just chuckled and shrugged.
"Let's call it… a wife's sixth sense."
"A wife's?" Eri scoffed.
"Don't make me laugh. You call yourself a wife when you won't even let your husband touch you? And now you have the nerve to say that?"
Mina's smirk didn't waver. She leaned back, arms crossed.
"People change. What happened before doesn't matter now. And I am still his wife — on paper, at least. What do you expect me to say? Should I just hand him over to you?"
That broke Eri's restraint. She slammed her hand down on the glass table.
"Shut up, Mina! You know damn well what I mean! You can't just flip your attitude overnight — what are you plotting!? You never loved Valko! So why the sudden change!?"
But Mina didn't flinch. She tilted her head, her tone dripping with mockery.
"You're angry, huh? Angry about someone else's marriage? Or is it because Valko's been ignoring you lately… so you're taking it out on me?"
"YOU BITCH!"
Eri threw her iced tea straight into Mina's face. Mina calmly closed her eyes for a second, brushed her wet hair back, then looked at her coldly.
"There it is. That temper again. I must've hit a nerve, didn't I? You'll always be stuck in my shadow."
That was the last straw. Eri snapped — she raised her hand, ready to strike. Exactly what Mina had been waiting for.
But before Eri could swing, a hand caught her wrist midair — firm, unyielding.
Startled, Eri turned to see a beautiful tomboy in a black leather jacket holding her arm tightly. Mina's eyes widened in surprise.
"Duyen…"
Duyen looked at her, worry clear in her eyes.
"Are you okay, Mina?"
Mina's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.