I wake up the next morning feeling excited and anxious about the day ahead. After combing through Robin's tell-all article a million times, I finally discovered a way to bring him down...but I only have one shot. I grab my phone and call Lee Know.
"Are we ready for phase one of our plan?" I ask.
"Yeah, the 'shareholder meeting' is set for nine o'clock, just like you asked."
"And your dad and Robin will both be there?"
"They said they were going."
"Good. Then let's take Robin down! It's time for him to pay for what he did."
"With interest. I can hear the boys calling for me, and I should probably let you get ready."
"Right...I have no idea what to wear!"
"You always look stunning...but if you're not sure, then you could take a page out of Sofia's book. If you want respect in the boardroom, you've got to wear something that demands it."
"Thanks, Lee Know. I'll see you later."
I take a deep breath, feeling better now that I've talked to Lee Know. I pull out a chic business suit that hugs my curves and feels like battle armor.
If I wanna be a boss in the boardroom today, I'd better look the part.
"Bring it on."
I head to Lee-Russo and find Lee Know waiting for me outside the main conference room...
"Oh wow...you take my breath away, (Y/N)."
"Well, I hope you get it back soon, 'cause we need you to speak in there."
Lee Know pulls me into a quick kiss, letting his lips linger against mine.
"Okay, I'm ready now. My dad and Robin are waiting inside. They definitely suspect it isn't an emergency shareholder meeting, but Robin's not gonna risk his standing in the competition."
"Good. That's what we were counting on..."
Lee Know takes me by the hand and squeezes.
"No matter what happens in there, we will have each other."
I take a deep breath and then nod to Lee Know, who opens the conference room door for me. Robin and Lee's Know's dad sit on opposite ends of the huge conference table.
"Finally! Where is everyone? What kind of shareholder meeting is this? And on a Sunday?"
"I'm sorry for luring you here under false pretenses, but (Y/N) and I need to talk to you both."
Lee Know's dad looks us up and down...then nods.
"I rearranged my whole day for this. Robin, the least you can do is give them a few minutes of your time without complaining. Go ahead, you two." Mason Sr. says.
"I'll start with the root of the problem. Robin. Do you know what he's been up to the past few months?"
"What, are you gonna 'expose' that I've been competing with Lee Know? News flash: Dad already knows."
"It's not that you've been competing, it's how you've been competing. I think we all remember what happened in Monte Carlo..."
"Between the sabotage at the product expo and all the corners he's been cutting in his division, he should've been cut out of the running weeks ago."
"Now Min-ho–" Mason Sr. begins to say.
"But maybe our next little revelation will finally make you come to your senses, Dad."
"I still don't understand why (Y/N) is bringing all this up. It's company business, and she's just an entry-level employee." Robin retaliates.
"We are bringing it up because you violated my trust, my home, and my family... Dad, you know Jordan, the twins' nanny?"
"Of course."
"Robin wanted Jordan to spy on me and Lee Know. Robin planted him to gather information on us and report back." I inform him.
"It's not a crime to ask a nanny a few questions about his employer." Robin huffs clearly caught in our trap.
"It wasn't a few questions, and you know it. You crossed the line, and there's no coming back from it this time." Lee Know states.
"I have to agree. Violating Min-ho and the boys' privacy has nothing to do with winning this competition." Mason Sr. glares at Robin.
I can tell Lee Know's dad is wavering, and I have one last play to make. I reach into my bag and toss my copy of Robin's article on the table.
It's over now, Robin.
"What am I looking at? - Mason Sr. asks with irritation." Mason Sr. asks.
"How did you get this?" Robin asks with terror all over his face.
"A friend. What you're looking at, Dad, is a tell-all about me and (Y/N) that Robin is having published in the morning."
"We're not showing you the article because it contains slander or even because it hurts my feelings. This article proves, once and for all, that Robin isn't fit to be CEO."
"You have no idea what you're talking about."
Robin leaps to his feet, his whole face contorted with fury. Meanwhile, Lee Know's dad picks up the magazine.
"See? Robin's problem is that he takes things too personally. He always has. Read the last paragraph very carefully."
"It took me a while, but then I realized what had been bothering me... The article contains proprietary information about Min-ho's robotic arms. See? I don't have to tell you why that's a problem."
"No, you don't." Mason Sr. agrees.
He slaps the article down on the table. Sounds of it echoes through the room.
"Have you lost your mind, Robin? How could you be so stupid? So impulsive?"
"I wasn't... I'm not..."
"I've heard everything I need to hear. Your department is already hanging on by a thread–"
"I can recover. I just need more time." Robin interrupts Mason Sr.
"No, what you need is to leave the competition. From now on, it's between Min-ho and Sofia, and I won't hear another word about it."
It worked! Robin's out! I can't believe it's finally over.
My eyes meet Lee Know's in a moment of a shared excitement.
"We did it."
"I never doubted you."
"Robin, we have a lot more to discuss, but for now, Min-ho and I have to get that article pulled before it completely ruins us. Wait outside."
Robin snatches the article from the table and marches toward the door. I move to follow him, but not before Lee Know find my hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. As the two of us step out of the conference room, Robin whirls on me.
"How does it feel to ruin my life?"
"Honestly, it feels terrible. I don't like this any more than you do, but you backed us into a corner."
"You and Min-ho have been out to get me since day one."
"That's not true. We just want you to be happy."
Robin hurls the magazine across the hallway. It hits the opposite wall with a loud thud.
"You were supposed to be the one person on my side."
"What're you talking about?"
"When we first met and were planning their stupid engagement party...I guess I thought that you were different. That you understood me. But then you chased after Min-ho just like everyone else. I'll never escape his shadow now."
"Robin, you're the one who changed. You're the one who lied and cheated and put the twins at risk."
"I'd never do anything to hurt them."
"When you hurt Lee Know, you hurt them. That's what being a family means."
"Don't talk to me about family. I've known these people my whole life, remember? Believe me when I say that they'll always put themselves ahead of you. Always."
I stare at Robin, my mouth falling open as he continues to rant.
"You didn't like it when I called you Min-ho' mistress, but that's how the Lees will always see you. Temporary and disposable."
"That's not true–"
"They were willing to let Min-ho be in a loveless marriage just because the Russos had something they wanted. Do you honestly think they'll let you be with their fortune and legacy?"
I clench my fists. Robin's attack causes something inside me to snap. It's not just about business anymore... This is personal.
"You know what? I'm done trying to be your friend." I furrow my brows.
Robin releases a snort of derision.
"You haven't been my friend for a long time."
"I wonder why that is? You've done nothing but lie and sneak around since I met you."
"That's rich, coming from a woman who only met me because she was having a secret affair with my brother."
"You're just jealous because Sofia didn't want you. Don't get mad at me because your secret affair went sour. It's not my fault Sofia was only using you."
My words hit home. Robin's whole body grows still, his face draining of color.
"You don't know anything about me and Sofia."
"Just like you don't know anything about me and Min-ho."
I turn away, struggling to get a grip on myself. I know I shouldn't let Robin get to me, but he knows just where to hit to make it hurt...
"Jordan told me what happened between you and him that night in your apartment, by the way... How you couldn't get enough of him. How you Were practically begging for it."
"Do you even care that you used him the same way you used the rest of us?"
"He got his paycheck. He'll be fine."
"Can you even hear yourself right now?"
"What, like you didn't use him too? Wasn't he just a way to forget Min-ho that night?"
"No, I didn't. And leaning on a friend when you need some comfort isn't using them. You'd know that if you had any friends."
"There it is. I've been waiting for you to finally acknowledge that you hate me."
"I don't hate you. You just make it really hard to like you sometimes."
I shake my head. Even now, even after everything that's happened, my heart can't help but ache for him.
"Sometimes, I think you're your own worst enemy."
"Min-ho already has that position covered."
"Then what about me? Am I your enemy too?"
"Then what about me? Am I your enemy too?"
For a moment, Robin's anger drains away...
"Of course not. Once upon a time, I thought you might even be..."
I hold my breath and wait for him to finish, but he shakes his head and sighs.
"Never mind. It doesn't matter. I've seen who you really are now."
"You can say whatever you want to hurt me. But the truth is, Lee Know won. You'll never beat him."
"And you'll always be the girl who only got a job here because she opened her legs to the right person."
My whole body shakes with fury.
Robin took things a step too far this time...
I strike Robin across the face with a resounding SLAP!
"Ow!"
Robin holds his face in shock.
"You have no idea how hard I've worked to get where I am."
The faint imprint of my palm starts to appear on Robin's cheek, but he doesn't back down. As I hear the click of the conference room door opening, I realize this is my best chance to expose Robin for the person he really is. I raise my voice just enough to cover the sound of Lee Know and his dad stepping into the hall.
"Do you even care what happens to the company? You lied and cheated and snuck around behind everyone's back...and for what? You don't even like Lee-Russo that much."
"Of course I don't like it. This company has done nothing but take from me."
"Then why fight so hard to be in charge?"
"The best way to kill a beast is to take its head."
"Robin! How dare you?!" Mason Sr. growls.
"Dad! It's not what you think..."
He glances around as if searching for the nearest exit, but it's too late. He dug his own grave...and he knows it.
"(Y/N) tricked me! She made me say those things."
"Enough is enough. When will you stop blaming everyone else for your mistakes?"
"But I didn't–"
"You're fired, Robin. Until you learn how to control yourself, I don't want you anywhere near this company."
Lee Know sidles up next to me and wraps an arm around my waist.
"You okay? "
"Honestly...I'm not sure. But it feels good to have gotten all of that off my chest."
Lee Know gives me a reassuring squeeze as Robin storms toward the elevator, finally defeated. I smirk as I remember what he said to me that day in Monte Carlo...
"You should've stayed out of my way, Robin... You're not the only one who knows how to take an enemy down."
A couple days later, Lee Know and I are busy prepping some veggies for a stir-fry lunch while the twins play in the living room.
"I'll be the captain, and you can be my first mate!" Mickey states.
"You were captain last time! I want my own chip, at least..." Mason tells Mickey.
"Thanks again for coming over. Mason and Mickey haven't said anything, but I know they miss Jordan."
"Are you kidding? There's nowhere else I'd rather be. How does it feel to be one step closer to CEO? You still have to deal with Sofia, but you're so close to the finish line."
"It's...not as exciting as I thought it'd be. I don't understand how we got here. Robin and I were best friends. Brothers."
"I'm sure you can repair things eventually. Things are bad now, but give Robin some time. He'll come around."
"What if he doesn't? We're not actually related... He doesn't owe us anything."
The boys' shouts pull us from the conversation.
"Fine! If you're gonna be a butt, then I'm just gonna play by myself!"
"Then gimme back my captain's hat! It's not yours!"
Lee Know sighs as the boys run down the hall to their room, the echoes of their argument chasing them.
"What if the same thing happens to the twins one day?"
"It's not the same. The boys have a bond you and Robin never had. Yeah, they'll have lots of small fights over the years, but the connection those twins have...you just can't compare it to any other siblings relationship."
"That's true, they do basically have their own language."
"Hey. It's gonna be okay, I promise. We'll get through this."
Lee Know shakes himself and tries to smile, but it's obvious he's still thinking about it. Only when Mason and Mickey come tumbling into the kitchen does he manage to hide his expression.
"Why does it smell like green food in here?" Mason asks crinkling his nose.
"Yeah, we want milkshakes!" Mickey demands.
Looks like their little fight if already forgotten...even more proof that these two are nothing like Lee Know and Robin. If only there were some way to convince Lee Know of that...
As Lee Know negotiate with the boys to eat their greens, my gaze falls on a brochure for Adventure Zone, an outdoor ropes course for all ages.
That's it! Some quality family time with the boys is just what Lee Know needs to remind him of what's really important.
Later that afternoon, Carter drops the four of us off in a forest upstate. It's isolated, remote, and full of swinging ropes and daring ziplines!
"Are we gonna climb trees?" Mason asks.
"I wanna got to the top! Dad, will you take me to the top?" Mickey asks.
Lee Know laughs as the twins grab him by the hands and begin dragging him toward the entrance to Adventure Zone.
"This was a great idea, (Y/N)."
"I promised you family bonding. Surviving a treetop adventure in the middle of winter with those two is as bonding as it gets."
"At least it's unseasonably warm today."
It doesn't take long for the twins to get hooked up to their harnesses and start making their way across the platforms.
"Did you two wanna join them on the beginner's course, or were you looking for something a little more challenging?"
"Let's start with something easy."
I glance up at the massive treeline and gulp.
"We should keep things simple. A trip to the ER wasn't what I had in mind for today..."
"You'd be surprised how safe it is. You're hooked up to a double harness the whole time." the worker informs us.
"The beginner's course is perfect. That way, we can all be together." Lee Know smiles.
Lee Know helps me into my safety harness.
"Step into it like it's a pair of pants, and I'll slide it up and secure it for you."
his hands move up my legs until the harness fits snugly around my waist. He takes his time testing and tugging each buckle.
"Safety first, huh?"
Lee Know lets his hands linger as he gazes up at me.
"Can you blame me?"
He brushes up my inner thighs until I gasp, but then he's already on his feet and ready to tackle the ropes course.
"Let's see how steady on your feet you are now."
"You're such a cheater. Today is about family bonding, remember? Eyes on the prize."
"Oh, they are."
Lee Know grins and grabs my harness by one of the metal buckles. Tugging, he brings my hips flush with his.
"Better?"
"You're too tempting for your own good."
Even though I'm on the beginner's course, I'm a little nervous as I step onto the first platform.
If Mason and Mickey can do this, so can I...
Lee Know holds out his hand and waits patiently for me to join him.
"You've got this. Just take it one step at a time."
"Yeah, you can do it, (Y/N)." Mason cheers.
"It's just like a tightrope!" Mickey shouts.
The thrill of being so high up in the trees is nothing compared to the grins on Mickey and Mason's faces as they continue to work the course together.
"I think they officially like it."
We both watch as the twins reach a series of steps that wobble every time we touch one. Mickey takes one look and dashes across at a neck breaking speed.
"Come on, Mason! It's easy. You just have to go super fast."
Mason gets a running start, dashes forward, and...comes to a skidding halt at the edge.
"That one in the middle is swinging too much!"
Lee Know opens his mouth to call some advice to the boys, but I put a hand up to stop him.
"Wait. I think you're gonna want to see this."
"I have an idea. If I stretch super far, I can hold onto this ledge and put my hand out."
Mickey reaches out until his arm is about a quarter of the way across the gab.
"You still have to get past the swinging step, but only far enough to grab my hand. Then I can pull you the rest of the way!"
"You promise to catch me?" Mason asks his brother.
"Pinky promise!"
"And you won't let go?"
"Never!"
Mason draws a deep breath and gets his running start again. This time, he focuses on his brother's outstretched hand... Mason plows right into Mickey, and for a moment, it looks like they might topple off...but Mickey holds his brother firm.
"I did it! I really did it!" Mason cheers.
"Easy peasy. I knew you could make it." Mickey hugs his brother.
"Nice work, boys." Lee Know praises.
They wave at me as they keep making their way through the intricate ropes course. I nudge Lee Know with my hip.
"How would you and Robin have handled that situation when you were their age?"
"You mean if he hadn't already pushed me off he ledge a dozen times? We'd probably be bickering over whose turn it was to go next. But you're right, Mason and Mickey are nothing like us."
"And that's because they have something you never did as a kid. They have you for a father. You're kind, compassionate and caring... I it any surprise they turned out the same way?"
"You really think so?"
"The more time I spend with the three of you, the more I see it."
Lee Know pulls me behind one of the large tree trunks, to give us some privacy. He kisses me softly, his breath a warm whisper against mine.
"What's that for?"
"For making me see reason. For helping me with the boys. For being you."
I twine my arms around his neck and pull him in for another kiss.
"Mmm...my pleasure."
I open my mouth to him, and his tongue dances against mine.
"Thank you for this. I didn't know how much I needed it..."
He trails his hand down my side, his touch possessive.
"How much I needed you."
I sight with satisfaction as Lee Know slides his tongue between my lips and drinks in the taste of me.
"Now this is my kinda 'high adrenaline' activity..."
Lee Know hooks his finger on my harness and pulls my hips toward his. As he holds my body against him, his kisses grow hungrier... Until delighted laughter on the other side of the course reminds us why we're here.
"We should probably try to catch up, or we'll really fail the course."
"Yeah, but we already won at what really matters."
Lee Know leans in to kiss me one last time...
Soon, our time at Adventure Zone is almost at an end, so we all make our way back to the entrance.
"So? What did you boys think?"
"That was the best!" Mason grins from ear to ear.
"It could've gonna higher." Mickey states.
"Did you and Dad even finish?"
"Old people don't know how to have any fun."
"What if this old man says we get milkshakes before we head home?" Lee Know suggests.
"I take it back! You're the most fun!" Mickey blurts.
"That's what I thought..." Lee Know chuckles.
The twins lead the way to their favorite milkshake place.
"Why don't you grab a table and I'll put in our order?"
"Thanks, I'll have a strawberry milkshake with a cherry on top."
"I want that too! With sprinkles!" Mickey shouts.
"Then I want double sprinkles!" Mason challenges.
"Triple sprinkles!"
"They're never getting to sleep after this..." Lee Know chuckles.
"Are you kidding? They'll be out like a light. The higher they climb, the harder they fall."
As the twins clamor over to the table with their milkshakes, I can see what a mess they're likely to make.
"I'm gonna grab some more napkins."
"Good thinking."
I approach the counter and take a handful of extra napkins. I'm about to head back to the table when an unfamiliar woman approaches me.
"You four look like you're having fun..."
"Oh! Thank you."
"Really cute kids. Are they yours?"
"No, I'm dating their dad." I smile.
"Ah, well, they're lucky to have you then. Not every father's girlfriend would be so sweet with them. I don't mean to intrude. I couldn't help but notice how happy all of you seem. Don't mind me."
"The stranger gives me a smile and a wave. She gives the boys one last look before disappearing out the front door."
"Okay, then..."
I shrug off the encounter and head back to the table. As I approach, I find Lee Know and the twins sitting with their heads bent in conspiratorial whispers.
"Why do you three look like you're plotting something nefarious?"
"Because we are! Quick question though...what's 'nefarious'?" Mason blurts.
I pass out the napkins as Lee Know answers the question, and for a moment, everything seems right. Despite the milkshake sugar rush, Lee Know and I manage to get the twins to bed at their usual time. We've just stepped out into the hallway when the elevator pings.
"Are you expecting anyone?"
"Not at this time of night."
A few moments later, the door opens to reveal...
"Oh, good. I was hoping you'd both be here."
"Robin...I hope you're here to apologize. After everything you've done to us..." I cross my arms and glare.
"Look, I'm not here to get into it. You beat me, I get it. But trust me, you want to talk to me."
Robin takes a deep breath...
"Even after all this, you're still the closest thing to family I have, Min-ho. If I can't be in charge of the company, then I want you to have it. Which is why I brought you a gift..."
Robin hands over a USB drive.
"What's this?"
"It's everything you need to take Sofia down. I hope you get everything you've ever wanted."
Robin's eyes meet mine for a fleeting moment before he turns to leave. Lee Know and I plug the flash drive into Lee Know's home computer.
"What do you think it is? Financial records? Personal Records?"
There's only one file on the drive, and Lee Know opens it to reveal a bed with two very naked, very...enthusiastic people on it.
"No...it's a sex tape!"