The office was quiet—
but not peaceful.
Jisoo sat at her desk.
Shen Yan across from her.
Neither spoke much today.
Because both of them knew—
something was coming.
"…You've been thinking a lot," Shen Yan said softly.
Jisoo didn't look up.
"…About everything."
A pause.
"…About him?"
Before she could answer—
The door opened.
Jisoo looked up.
And froze.
Min Ho.
Standing there.
Just like before.
But this time—
he wasn't hiding.
"…Jisoo," he said quietly.
Her heartbeat stopped for a second.
"…You remember me?"
And suddenly—
Everything came back.
Childhood days.
Laughter.
Memories she had forgotten.
"…Min Ho…"
She stood up—
And without thinking—
She ran to him.
And hugged him tightly.
"…Where were you…"
Min Ho smiled softly.
His arms wrapped around her.
"…I was closer than you think."
---
Across the room—
Shen Yan stood still.
Watching.
His expression calm—
but his eyes sharp.
Jealous.
He didn't say it.
But it was there.
Jisoo pulled back slowly.
Still holding Min Ho's arm.
"…You were with Tan Lin," she said.
No confusion.
She already knew.
Min Ho looked at her.
Then—
He nodded.
"…Yes."
Silence.
Shen Yan stepped forward.
"…Then explain."
Min Ho exhaled slowly.
"…I stayed beside her on purpose."
A pause.
"…To watch her."
Jisoo's eyes widened slightly.
"…What?"
"…I knew something wasn't right," he said.
"…About the past."
"…About you."
"…About him."
He looked at Shen Yan.
"…So I didn't leave."
Silence.
"…I let her think I was on her side," he continued.
"…So I could know everything."
A pause.
"…And now I do."
Jisoo stepped closer.
"…Then tell us."
Her voice steady.
Serious.
Min Ho nodded.
"…Tan Lin's plan isn't over."
Silence.
"…She's preparing the final move."
Shen Yan's expression hardened.
"…Which is?"
A pause.
Min Ho's voice lowered.
"…She's going to expose false evidence against you."
"…Publicly."
"…In front of everyone."
"…So you lose everything at once."
Silence filled the room.
Jisoo clenched her hand slightly.
"…So she thinks she's winning."
Min Ho nodded.
"…Yes."
A small pause.
Then—
Jisoo looked at Shen Yan.
"…Then we let her try."
He understood immediately.
"…And expose her instead."
Minji stepped forward.
"…We already have proof," she said.
Mr. Kim nodded.
"…We just need her to act."
Min Ho looked at all of them.
"…Then it ends tomorrow."
Jisoo took a slow breath.
Then—
She looked at him again.
"…Thank you."
A small smile.
"…For coming back."
Min Ho smiled lightly.
"…I never really left."
Shen Yan watched them.
Still quiet.
Still slightly jealous.
But now—
He understood.
Three people.
Same side.
Same truth.
And somewhere—
Tan Lin was still planning.
Believing she was in control.
But this time—
She wasn't.