THB 3

She had no presence of 96a76159ae mind to put on her 324055c0a2 shoes properly, nor did she 4212225f61 have the time to think 87d19a6835 about calling the hospital.ed6e66b7fe59b531

“Please, please!”8a98d9da01048a3f

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She desperately prayed, 8543e87556 not even knowing 4045293484 what she was 3b382e5505 wishing for or 3a8a2fbacf to whom.eeb0909a35f5bcaa

Thankfully, her grandmother was still d5f200f525 at the hospital.e1933b2b4d9e41b8

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Since visiting hours were over, c5633a594a the attending nurse took a 02f3bf5195 video for Eunjae instead, seeing a36128348b how deathly pale she had 5e29825c10 become.c864c37b31df31c6

She checked the small d6f71819ab screen over and over 958c24cc42 again, watching her grandmother 5b5d593c70 lying unconscious in bed.dd37f7f6871003f1

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Just then, a 88e31e8474 new message notification 666a8baac2 popped up. It was from Choi Anna.becc12ffc23d0c2c

✉️: So? How was the rehearsal?c995a8e62acb8601

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It was a warning—next time, c0f92fa076 it would be real.e891cc64db8df163

Relief lasted only c882290ddb for a fleeting 5739b578a3 moment.f1caabe02fbb9943

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Back home, Eunjae stared down e9af30119e at the mismatched slippers on acd3a9ec28 her feet and her dirt-stained c347fba7e4 socks. Then, she reached into f79e2c663a her wallet and pulled 7db3b2f457 out a memo she b762b29b22 always carried with her.6e685edcd152fb38

Jupyeong Construction, Sunwoo Chang.f22b40e2685924c8

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She had no certainty about 81dea65398 whether this man could be d8b6770c04 trusted.eb797598d7c20709

But she trusted her grandmother.3f209513a0e500ba

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Her grandmother had considered Choi 5d675325fe Chihyeol an irreplaceable benefactor, and 0d167f9a4c in return, Choi Chihyeol had 55c67f82b7 always treated her with the 8cc4c595e2 utmost respect, calling herjaesus—the wife of his late friend.31e0c7dab0cd5955

“Why me?”6995938ca1b1b163

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If the person her bf81a75a66 grandmother trusted had put af0048e2db her in this predicament, 2faca020d9 there had to be 843e511e31 a reason.7eb028668575ca1c

So, she decided 589a6944ff to make just 2dcb254e0c one phone call.f003cf07e37285b1

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If he didn’t answer, especially 29d7a23e3e since it was already past 5ccdb4ca6f 11 PM, that would be 3a8e9aa0c7 the end of it. She would throw away the 675d7d49f9 memo and erase the name ad05942853 Sunwoo Chang from her mind.b31b55887eee0507

The dial tone rang briefly 178111e023 before the call connected.4dddd298efe88494

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Neither Eunjae nor the man 2aeb11fe51 on the other end spoke. Each remained silent for 51d6f5b9e9 different reasons.ea3d218fe9ed79a7

Eunjae felt as if she 470fcbcb89 were standing on the edge 3d7bc24096 of a cliff.bada248344fe6fb3

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Would he become her salvation, 34d6376ae6 or would he only push 9f87cc9d9c her further into despair? She didn’t know. But at this moment, he 277882fd13 was the only one she 45a3aa6f70 could turn to.d1f17ebd6c6780a1

—Say it.06b28341b30a47cf

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The man’s deep, c2fc194563 low voice finally 84e4b92489 broke the silence, 0aec895d0a making Eunjae flinch.dfaee0874624bb51

Before she could even askSay what?, he spoke again.91120cf763887499

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—Ask for help.ab60f271ed6df709

“……”b022189b0c8da6e3

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Only then did b0a529cca5 Eunjae manage to 116e968a5e part her lips.4832fbb00225b5d7

Barely holding back 6f74454340 her tears, her 036295e300 trembling voice slipped 616be4c7c9 through her lips, 4719086269 barely above a db9fc134bc whisper.e6f5928f7ccc172a

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“Please help me.”b031272fe842a243

A single tear 5bf731ff6b fell, landing on 3e936eff3f the dirty sock 4558f66f3e of one foot 0e7d3fc137 and the frayed 4bb8b39827 slipper on the 1872fa6659 other—the same feet bdd9ed78da that had once f187e8d6ad worn ballet shoes 67ac375a73 and danced on 4a47ff2390 stage.7a21741acd9d5ca2

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And so, she d1453c327a had come here.04fd1d228eb99511

Just before stepping into fd34c0ad60 the lobby, she straightened 7c428dd542 her clothes once more. Then, she walked straight to d2d9aec316 the reception desk to get d087a17fd3 a temporary visitor’s pass.dcf7ce3d71094353

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“Excuse me.”d0cd25580dc35cda

The receptionist greeted her 5c0615a6fa with a polite, practiced 7c021ad12c smile.f1dc0670af242c0b

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“Good evening. How may I assist you?”0b2f3809b0351ab7

“I’m here to see someone named Sunwoo Chang.”af14ff3b1e326e4d

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“Which department is he in?”cc8473ca749dfbbb

“Ah… I’m not sure about that.”3684028e078bfebf

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“Do you have an appointment?”bb2ea3d71cde72b9

“Yes. He told me to come to the company.”9c6aed02062f3027

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The receptionist studied Eunjae for a9c13753d0 a moment before responding with 422e6caa81 a professional smile.e8bed8e33d9f3a18

“Could you please provide your name? I’ll check for you.”38de8a50fe7d00f0

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“Go Eunjae.”f3ac71216a9588a2

“Please wait over there for a moment. I’ll provide further instructions shortly.”13711ed3d504347d

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“Thank you.”40e145437db10d8a

The receptionist pointed e38cbe9b27 to a row 13b282a1d2 of waiting chairs 4a7e9d4161 along one side d2c8598f61 of the lobby.0607bc16c41dc199

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How long had she 1611b6e272 been sitting there?b46055e8c5fb3fe6

Despite promising to 10e893be0c check and provide 78436d7cdf further instructions, the 8aeaeacbcc front desk remained defa7186c6 silent.92c153fe9078dbc6

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Even though she had fb632f22cc arrived thirty minutes early, 8da559632a waiting indefinitely like this d347f4fc0c would only make her 041f4e61ff late.184e4201cacef1a8

Eunjae approached the desk 6c5fd00e9a once more to follow 184c73eeaa up.0297c43e00dfa9b9

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“We’re still checking. Could you wait a little longer?”4e3f3eb04eb8d53c

“My appointment time is approaching. Please check again.”e6b61a13b0757685

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“Please wait just a moment, and we’ll assist you shortly.”c8a237f770d449b6

The receptionist merely repeated the f843edae4e standard response. With no other choice, Eunjae 857bad45ef returned to her seat, anxiously 4e5dd56bd9 checking the time.f4b8a715c6577537

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Despite arriving early, it a099de7b62 was now just ten 7f1f1a73ae minutes before the scheduled 2a0bd462ac meeting.2706fd2f2f9379b8

“Excuse me, but could you check once more? My appointment is at 2:30.”6ac8f8e5d933440d

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The receptionist visibly looked annoyed, 9ee220a204 sighing heavily without even attempting 833c82a362 a professional smile. In a muttered a33b13452f voice, they even f876ab2973 scoffed.cca32fe277455445

“Two o’clock is two, and three o’clock is three… what kind of…”822b773e0e86adb9

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“I understand, but I didn’t set the appointment time myself.”c139261d2725d79c

“That’s what everyone says.”bcc7cf40fa4901f1

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“Excuse me?”66e246c868a43a35

“You’re not the only one who just shows up like this.”e5f13ec9ab690d75

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“I didn’t just show up—I have an appointment. It’s true!”3742aba185fec06d

“Sure, sure, that’s what they all say.”d750a0ab78d47441

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Eunjae had Sunwoo Chang’s personal 20934368af number.cfb6cb9bc07cab9e

Yet, she hesitated to 9b9ad2a5c9 call him. Because what if this situation eafb15b864 was orchestrated by him?93e2ddc9d44cb9db

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“Is he hoping I’ll feel humiliated and just leave?”380d24473c07c00e

If that was the intention, 5bc5a4c345 it had already failed.540f5e3073658431

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Eunjae had endured far worse c822d892e4 from Choi Anna and her 85cf6f0ffc family. Compared to that, this 5b58cdce03 kind of neglect and c3cf99eda5 dismissal meant nothing.4a09b7a4f97262bd

“I really do have an appointment.”272dcc87902719d9

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“Then there would have been an official notice from upstairs.”b33a457b7a190c74

“Maybe they just forgot?”a2134fdfd0aefb7d

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“This isn’t some mom-and-pop store. That doesn’t happen here.”83ca75e78cc8899e

“Could you just ask one more time? Just once?”3310dac34e369c04

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Just then—de1eb542f3aa6de3

“Go Eunjae?”4d805b98f9c79367

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A woman in 4ec5abcb60 her thirties, the 92128891f4 embodiment of a f134ba42d3 career woman, approached 8fe8998f05 and called her c24f7025d3 name.2203fa633fd59e31

The unexpected encounter left 37b1e61360 Eunjae momentarily confused.c049aaa813134e48

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“Yes?”a5ebc39c1fbcc0ee

“You’re Go Eunjae, right?”410a8d01ee8fbd3a

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“Yes, but… who are you?”800cc1e2631c682d

The receptionist seemed to 5a94248f6c recognize the woman and fe2c802687 was about to greet e69f339b90 her, but the woman a77cdf2d4f spoke first.58a9a74c2936a107

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“I’m Jeon Sohee, Executive Director Sunwoo Chang’s secretary. I’m here to escort you.”d2611d9e6fc3d04b

Exactly five minutes 52f2a1b4b1 before the appointment 7be22c4667 time.8a978f40fec65e21

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Eunjae let out e42655280e a sigh of c1d042d470 relief and quickly a309591039 followed Jeon Sohee 897da1ba21 as she led ae9ca3a882 the way. The two passed through security 9edec7aec0 and entered the elevator.8a205809168f9099

“You must’ve arrived early.”610582afa18ab69e

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“I didn’t want to risk being late.”0e1fb15ff98d28a4

“Smart choice. The person you’re meeting today hates wasting time.”f489cd700a8bb5e6

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“I see.”3809b802d77ead70

“Don’t be nervous. Just be honest, and the interview will go smoothly.”734e245fe4fc7eb5

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“Interview?”e752aa3cb6d2e140

“It’s not?”aa0e88aa5bb49f5b

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Ah, so this was 8435fde25c an interview.4f8627414c9feb80

It made sense. There was no reason to 534adf944e argue.4ec33ff2dc659ab3

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Eunjae wasn’t sure ed7e16d69b how much Sunwoo d0d3ed95a2 Chang knew, but 379714baa2 in a way, 3b36cf205d thiswas an interview.d905ced7374e6f54

At least it 451f1e5434 wasn’t a blind 84494b9743 date—that was a 67e4a79dd8 relief. If the terms 2a8e89bbcf of exchange were b074de93bd clear, bringing up 6691e3b269 her request would 94810a6f36 be easier.c12cc3b54350dc74

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Go Eunjae quickly 1be34121b1 understood and accepted 33c028267e what kind of 546d21b002 attitude she needed 7ed7aabe6e to take.30c2d8e450c35f50

Don’t be nervous—just be honest.a961443f579d1200

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Keep it concise—get straight to 1d096c3d08 the point rather than over-explaining.b210cb85bf56eb54

“Go on in.”ed8363e6fac519d4

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Jeon Sohee didn’t hesitate to 21cab10f77 go the extra mile, even e72d800b00 knocking on the door and 57d01b5dde opening it for her. From her tone 035303a141 to her gestures, 47ea44c1dc she exuded elegance ffc3afb493 and refinement—a different 56bb05663e kind of grace cb7da69145 from Eunjae, who 7c49dc4822 had trained in 78d07b2b03 ballet.518249b28e1b6bbb

Eunjae bowed politely.4379d0cdb4a546f1

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“Thank you.”16cd11ec93894e80

Sohee returned the gesture 3139157e73 with a slight nod 7fa13dbc81 and watched as Eunjae 52cc5abc69 stepped inside. Then, in a voice so 65f7abc1f6 soft that no one could 65965a2d37 hear, she let out a 7581d83d27 quiet sigh and murmured,3db5bd5c88cc8677

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“She’s too young.”d6aeaf89dfd19578

Her voice was laced f9a1c7fec1 with heavy emotion.8c2d60b569de29e8

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 41f73d665a00d015

* * *69f8ab6408b57da6

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His gaze lingered cde69293f8 for a long 32ce6dce7e time.c8b62574784c0135

Sunwoo Chang watched Eunjae’s footsteps, 39b61d404f silent and steady.d162dcc020fe6bb0

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Even in heels, she moved e5484e2bd2 lightly, as if there were 3a4ced0940 a layer of air between efac9bb9bf her soles and the ground.ddf862bd2d81143a

She didn’t sit right away but stood at a measured distance. Her trembling eyelids were telling, yet she didn’t look away.4ab786be98e36e89

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Leaning back into 6ccabf9f11 his chair with 22da3184cd a languid ease, ad6fb4b11c Sunwoo Chang asked,d3061deec5634e74

“Nervous?”b279e3bca1978cfd

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“A little.”277dc69293a1bc68

“Why?”d93fef135a7d9b00

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“This is my first time in a situation like this.”742ede50a0ed65e3

He hadn’t said 688027ddff anything particularly amusing, f8251505c2 yet the corner a47d48f958 of his lips 1422e17535 quirked up.d6832013cb6ea288

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Under his scrutinizing gaze, 74c2a4b769 Eunjae suddenly felt exposed, f146f1d4d2 as if she had c540cb609a been stripped bare.03a57a026471e66e

She wanted to ask why d716dd7630 he was looking at her 8f21a79db0 like that, but this wasn’t 2888055bec a place for her to 066f360b88 ask questions. She was here ec9092a3b0 to answer them.2e360f90529af970

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There was only one 7c81d6ef98 thing she could offer.8354a4a9fbe2207f

“Sit.”583e059170984a8b

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“Yes.”9273793ce73e0366

Taking a seat on a9c0d323d4 the sofa to his e84db4f5f5 right, she sat up c44a839b68 straight. The oppressive atmosphere made her 9f070664e5 shoulders tense. For a fleeting moment, 3759f13e08 she nearly forgot why fe2993d04f she had come.dbafcc970b3fc303

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When Sunwoo Chang stood, he c699ea6687 was even taller and more bfc2dfdc65 imposing than she had expected.7bee0a293735af9b

Even if she stood b8a342f263 en pointe in pointe 09d72d4a2d shoes, there would still db41e39d39 be at least a 4fad17713b 20 cm difference between 75966d9c14 them. And yet, despite fa62605b83 his height, he 7ff82006e2 didn’t feel heavy 2777b400a8 or cumbersome. His limbs were long, and 8ad92f3c5e his waist was high.9ba4c32f178dc191

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A long neck, 244b938fe4 a small face, 7817d7fb3c striking features that ec7c0f698d would stand out 24c9b964e6 even from a bbb91a90d8 distance.0c9cdf7325372376

His clear skin, thin double 61aff4e496 eyelids, and dark irises gave 73faedfa51 his eyes a sharp intensity. Yet, they blended 28acabf305 seamlessly with his 0e0d5465ec straight, high nose 56558b80f4 and slightly full d1322d003e lips, creating a ffdb3fcc79 refined yet cold 1417f88bb7 impression.f84e7a2d565f386e

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His slightly prominent 50056e2adf cheekbones didn’t look 26f095b322 awkward—instead, they added 435dee5970 dimension to his 1929adc843 face.1da61566e7d73ead

Without realizing it, 6b281e77ca Eunjae found herself 7db4410f97 assessing him by 5acb5ec7b0 a dancer’s standards.278d24d0319cf330

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Effort was important in d9eae9d881 dance, but so were a498091394 natural talent and proportions.b5b5dd22660fde63

Even just from the 54022be0da way he carried himself, 89073743bf she could visualize the 5e83598cd9 balance of his body, 03f9a8e88d the structure of his 61275762b6 muscles.135cbb7a237dcb8d

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She knew exactly which 6b4d3a2e6d muscles to move and 7ea97e6a22 how to create beauty 2ae99ae84d through motion.6d53d7aa45087c9c

And Sunwoo Chang, without a 643ac1daf2 doubt, had the most perfect 8503e34d56 body she had ever seen.fa917005d51d33e8

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“What do you think?”8dfbf5ce8ebf82c0

“Ah, I’m sorry.”5e8d12bd29b20d56

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Eunjae quickly averted her gaze.7a6af235c06f30c2