The next morning didn't feel like a fresh start.
It was as if something was already waiting.
Lin Sae entered the office earlier than usual. The lights were still half-off, the silence almost unreal. For a moment, she froze, her hand still gripping the strap of her bag, eyes sweeping the space as if expecting something to move.
Nothing.
But the unease remained.
— You're early.
She turned abruptly.
Jae Min was leaning against a desk, coffee in hand, watching her with a curious smile.
— You scared me, she breathed.
— That wasn't my intention, he said as he approached. You okay? You've… seemed off since yesterday.
Lin Sae hesitated.
— I just want to check something before everyone arrives.
— The email thing?
Her eyes flickered.
— You know about it?
Jae Min scratched the back of his neck.
— People talk. Not maliciously, just… you know how it is.
Lin Sae forced a slight smile.
— Yes. I know.
He watched her for a moment longer.
— You don't think it was an accident, do you?
The question weighed heavier than expected.
— I don't know what to think yet, she admitted softly.
Jae Min nodded.
— If you need me, I'm here.
— Thank you.
As he walked away, Lin Sae sat down and turned on her computer. The screen lit up, reflecting in her eyes.
She reopened the logs.
Same times.
Same inconsistencies.
And that feeling that something was off.
— Still checking?
Han Nana's voice slid behind her.
Lin Sae didn't turn immediately.
— Yes.
Nana circled the desk and set her bag down with natural elegance.
— You won't find anything new if you look the same way, she said softly.
Lin Sae finally looked up at her.
— And how should I look?
Nana smiled.
— Like someone who's made a mistake.
A silence.
Lin Sae's fingers froze over the keyboard.
— I haven't made a mistake.
— Of course, Nana replied calmly. I'm not saying you did. I'm saying… if someone wants to make you believe that, they won't leave obvious traces.
The words hung in the air.
Lin Sae's eyes narrowed slightly.
— You think someone did this on purpose?
Nana tilted her head.
— I think… in an environment like this, nothing is completely accidental.
Jae Min, passing by, slowed down.
— Wait… are you saying someone's manipulating her account?
Nana turned to him, calm.
— I'm saying don't jump to conclusions too quickly.
— That already sounds like a conclusion, he muttered.
Soo Yeon arrived at that moment.
— Why do I feel like I'm walking in at the wrong time? she asked, setting down her bag.
— Because it's serious, Jae Min replied. Someone might be using Lin Sae's account.
Soo Yeon frowned.
— What? That's not nothing.
— It's probably a system error, Nana said lightly.
Lin Sae looked at her.
— Earlier you said it might not be an accident.
Nana held her gaze.
— I said we shouldn't jump to conclusions.
The contradiction was subtle. But there.
Before Lin Sae could respond, a familiar voice intervened.
— What's going on?
Dong Hi.
He approached, looking from one face to another.
Jae Min spoke first.
— Lin Sae's account may have been used without her knowing.
Dong Hi's expression changed immediately.
— That's serious.
— It's resolved, Nana said smoothly. We found the source yesterday.
— A junior employee, Lin Sae added.
Dong Hi looked at her.
— Are you sure that's all?
The question surprised her.
— I… thought so.
Nana interjected.
— Yes. No need to worry.
But Dong Hi didn't seem convinced.
— I'll check with IT anyway.
Nana's smile didn't move, but her eyes hardened for a fraction of a second.
— Of course. If it reassures you.
Lin Sae watched the scene. Something… wasn't right.
— Let's focus on today, Nana continued, softly tapping her hands. We already have enough to do.
Soo Yeon nodded.
— She's right. There's the follow-up meeting this afternoon.
Lin Sae blinked.
— Follow-up meeting?
— Didn't you see the email? Soo Yeon asked.
— What email?
Jae Min frowned.
— There was a confirmation late last night. Attendance mandatory.
Lin Sae's chest tightened.
— I didn't receive anything.
Silence.
All eyes turned to her.
Nana spoke softly.
— That's strange.
Dong Hi stared at her.
— Again?
Lin Sae's heart raced.
— Can someone show me the email?
Jae Min opened his screen.
— Here.
Lin Sae approached.
Her name was there.
Her address too.
Time: 11:47 PM.
Her chest tightened.
— I didn't get it.
— Check again, Nana suggested.
— Already did.
— Spam?
— Nothing.
Dong Hi's voice deepened.
— That's the second time.
No one joked.
No one minimized it.
Soo Yeon crossed her arms.
— Okay… this is getting really weird.
Nana sighed softly.
— Or just a synchronization problem.
Jae Min shook his head.
— Twice?
Nana looked at him.
— Happens more often than you'd think.
Lin Sae stepped back slightly. Her mind raced. Two emails. Two incidents. Always her. Always explainable. But never clear.
Dong Hi looked at her again.
— You logged out properly yesterday?
The question hit her.
— Obviously.
— I'm just asking.
Her eyes glimmered slightly.
— I know what I'm doing.
— I didn't say otherwise.
Nana subtly intervened.
— Let's not turn this into a bigger problem than it is.
But it already was. Lin Sae could feel it. Something was closing in around her.
— I'm going to see IT myself, she said firmly.
— I'll come with you, Dong Hi replied immediately.
Nana smiled.
— Good idea. Transparency is always better.
Her tone was perfect. Too perfect.
As Lin Sae grabbed her bag, Soo Yeon whispered to Jae Min:
— Am I the only one who finds this weird?
Jae Min stared at Nana.
— No.
At the other end of the room, Nana watched Lin Sae and Dong Hi walk away. Her smile slowly disappeared. Then returned. Softer. Satisfied.
— Be careful, Lin Sae… she murmured.
— No matter how hard you search…
Her fingers brushed her phone in her bag.
— You'll never see me coming.
And somewhere in the system… another message was already waiting to be sent.
Si tu veux, je peux aussi traduire directement le chapitre 6 que je t'avais préparé pour garder toute la continuité en anglais. Veux‑tu que je fasse ça ?