Seo-jin's voice was cold and sharp over the phone.
"I need a divorce. Immediately."
Before the line even went silent, the door to his office swung open. His assistant stepped inside, carrying a thick file.
"Mr. Seo Lang," he said politely, placing the documents on the desk, "this is the file for the new project. The products are about to launch. Please give it a final review and sign, so the employees can proceed."
But then, unable to resist, the assistant hesitated and blurted out softly,
"Sir… I overheard you talking about a divorce…"
Seo-jin's dark eyes snapped up, glaring. His jaw tightened.
"You're eavesdropping on my calls?" he said icily. "Do you value your job or not?"
The assistant swallowed hard, forcing a nervous smile. "I'm sorry, Mr. Seo Lang. It won't happen again."
The Paper That Changes Everything
Hours later, Seo-jin parked his car in front of the luxury apartment. He stepped out, carrying a set of papers in his hand, his expression unreadable. Inside, Nari Hana sat quietly in her room, staring at her phone lying on the table. She quickly wiped away her tears as the door opened.
Seo-jin walked in, his footsteps echoing against the marble floor. Without a word, he extended the papers toward her.
"What… what is this, Mr. Seo?" Nari asked, confused.
"It's a contract," he replied flatly.
Her brows furrowed. "C-Contract? But we already signed one…"
Seo-jin's eyes flashed. "Shut up. Don't speak until I tell you to."
Nari fell silent, trembling.
He began reading aloud from the contract, his tone slow and deliberate.
"Previously, you signed a temporary contract — six months as my wife, in exchange for one million won for your mother's operation. But now…" His eyes lifted to hers, a faint smirk curling his lips. "Now, this is a permanent contract. Be mine forever."
The papers slipped from Nari's hands and scattered across the floor. She backed away, heart pounding.
"W-What are you saying, Mr. Seo…?"
Seo-jin stepped closer and caught her wrist, pulling her near. His voice lowered.
"Oh, you think too much, Nari Hana. What I mean is — you're already my contract wife. Why not also become my personal assistant? I need someone experienced."
The Threat
Nari gently pushed his hand away, her voice trembling.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Seo. I… I can't take this job."
Inside, her thoughts were a storm. Once, this was my dream — to work here, to be part of this world. But now, I hate it. I hate myself for even wanting it.
Seo-jin's anger flared. He gripped her chin sharply, forcing her to look at him.
"Don't forget, Nari. Your mother's operation may be over, but she's still in a coma. If you refuse me, I'll stop her treatment. I didn't bring these papers to ask you — I brought them to tell you. You will work for me. Because your life belongs to me."
With that, he released her face with a sudden shove and turned toward the door. He paused at the threshold, glancing back once more.
"Be ready tomorrow for work. And remember — this is a secret. No one must know about our relationship."
The door slammed shut behind him.
Outside, Seo-jin's lips curved into a faint smile as he dialed another number.
"Thanks," he murmured into the phone. "For making this happen."
The next morning, Nari Hana's alarm rang sharply at 7:00 a.m. She quickly got up, forcing herself into the shower even though her eyes still stung from last night's tears.
When she returned, the maid was waiting by her door, holding a neatly pressed, branded formal dress.
"Madam, Mr. Lang has instructed that you wear this outfit for the office," the maid said politely, placing the dress along with matching accessories.
Before Nari could answer, the maid bowed lightly and left.
Standing before the mirror, Nari's reflection looked back at her—broken yet unwilling. Her phone buzzed again. On the screen, the name Heart ♥ flashed.
She hesitated. Another message appeared:
Nari, where are you? I miss you.
Her chest tightened, tears pooling once more. She pressed the phone against her heart but quickly wiped her cheeks. Without another word, she dressed herself in Seo-jin's chosen clothes and stepped out.
Outside, the driver was already waiting by the car.
"Madam, shall we leave?" he asked.
Nari gave a faint nod. "Yes…"
The Return to the Company
The car pulled up in front of the towering glass building. Nari's stomach twisted as she stepped inside, her heels echoing on the marble floor. This was the same hall where Seo-jin had humiliated her before.
From across the lobby, Manager Shin spotted her. A smirk curled across the woman's face.
"Well, well. Aren't you the same girl who begged Mr. Lang for a million won? And now you dare show up here again?"
Before Nari could respond, Manager Shin grabbed her wrist and shoved her toward the exit.
"You're not meeting him this time!"
Nari stumbled, but just then, a strong arm caught her. She looked up—and found herself in Seo-jin's embrace.
For two silent minutes, their eyes locked. His icy blue gaze seemed different today, striking directly into her heart.
Seo-jin quickly let go, his expression snapping back to cold indifference. He turned toward Manager Shin.
"She's no outsider. From today, she's an employee of this company—and my personal assistant."
Manager Shin froze, anger flickering in her eyes. But she forced a fake smile.
"Of course, Mr. Lang. As you wish."
Seo-jin nodded once and strode back to his cabin.
"Manager Shin, explain her duties properly."
The Desk and the Files
Manager Shin's voice turned sharp again once Seo-jin was gone.
"Follow me."
She marched Nari through the floor, stopping by the employees. "Everyone, this is Nari Hana. She'll be working with us from today."
Without warmth, she pointed at a small desk near the corner.
"This is yours. Don't expect special treatment."
With that, she walked away.
Nari sat quietly at her desk, trying to steady her breath. Her phone rang—it was her father.
"Nari, come home today. There's something important. And dress properly this time. Don't wear strange clothes like your mother used to."
His words stung. She swallowed her emotions and nodded silently, even though he couldn't see her.
Moments later, an employee named Xio approached, dropping a heavy stack of files onto her desk.
"These ten files need to be read carefully. Make copies of each and deliver them to Mr. Lang for signatures. And don't forget—there's an important meeting tomorrow. Be on time, unlike today."
Without waiting for a reply, Xio walked off.
Nari exhaled shakily, then began reading each file with determination. Hours passed until she finally finished. Rising from her seat, she asked a nearby staff member,
"Excuse me, where's the copy machine?"
"Straight ahead, left side room," the staff replied.
"Thank you," Nari said softly, clutching the files as she made her way forward.
Nari Hana stepped into the quiet room, holding a stack of papers nervously. She glanced at the large copy machine standing in the corner. Its many buttons and lights looked more like a puzzle than a simple machine.
She sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, and muttered to herself,
"Why won't you work? Come on… just start already."
Her frustration grew as she tapped the buttons randomly, then slapped her palms on the machine.
"Please, just work!" she whispered angrily, hitting it harder as if sheer force would bring it to life.
Behind her, a soft chuckle echoed through the room.
"You know… machines don't work that way," a calm, teasing voice said.
Startled, Nari Hana spun around, clutching the papers to her chest.
"Y-you… who are you?" she stammered.
A tall man stepped forward, his smile gentle yet confident. His presence filled the room effortlessly.
"I'm the one who's going to help you," he said with an amused sparkle in his eyes. "Haven't you recognized me yet, Nari Hana?"
Her breath caught in her throat. For a moment, the world seemed to pause as recognition flickered in her gaze.