Inside the lavish boutique, Ji-an stood in the fitting area, slipping into an elegant dress with the help of an attentive attendant. The soft fabric glided over her skin, hugging her figure in all the right places. Meanwhile, Yeon-jin, ever the perfectionist, browsed through the racks, picking out a few more options.

  “Try this next,” Yeon-jin said, draping a delicate, shimmering dress over the divider. “And this one too. We’re not holding back today.”

  Ji-an sighed. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

  “Of course. It’s not every day I get to style a comeback queen.”

  At the seating area, Joon-ho casually browsed the boutique’s catalog while sipping his coffee. Seul-bi sat beside him, scrolling through her phone. The boutique manager, a well-dressed woman with years of experience catering to the elite, approached Joon-ho with a refined smile.

  “Kang Joon-ho-nim, we’ve just received new collections from Paris and Milan. Would you like to take a look?”

  Joon-ho nodded, setting his coffee aside. “Show me.”

  As the manager flipped through the latest arrivals, Joon-ho spoke in a low voice. “Also, if any of my old girls still shop here, make sure they don’t get priority treatment anymore. Better yet, cut them off entirely.”

  The boutique manager’s expression didn’t falter, but her eyes gleamed with understanding. “Understood, sir. We’ll ensure your preferences are met.”

  Nearby, Yeon-jin overheard the exchange and smirked. Ji-an, having just slipped into another dress, stepped out of the fitting room and caught the tail end of the conversation.

  “Wait… what was that about?” Ji-an asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Joon-ho glanced at her, his gaze sweeping over her new outfit before responding smoothly. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

  Ji-an felt a strange mix of surprise and shyness. Was he… paying special attention to her?

  “Hmm,” Yeon-jin hummed thoughtfully before her eyes sparkled mischievously. “You know, Ji-an, a full transformation isn’t complete without the right lingerie. Something sexy, maybe lace? You’ve got a great figure, time to show it off.”

  Ji-an’s cheeks turned slightly pink. “What? I don’t need to—”

  Yeon-jin draped an arm over her shoulder. “Trust me, a little boost in sexiness never hurt anyone. You need to embrace every part of this rebrand.”

  Joon-ho, hearing the suggestion, smirked as he sipped his coffee. “I agree.”

  Ji-an shot him a glare. “Of course, you do.”

  Yeon-jin laughed. “Come on, let’s at least take a look. If nothing else, it’ll be fun.”

  With a sigh, Ji-an allowed herself to be dragged toward the lingerie section, mentally preparing for the teasing that was sure to come.

  Yeon-jin’s eyes gleamed as she sifted through the boutique’s most luxurious pieces, her fingers skimming over silk and lace. Then, she held up a particularly daring see-through lingerie set, barely more than an intricate web of lace and sheer fabric.

  “This,” she announced triumphantly. “This will make jaws drop.”

  Ji-an’s eyes widened in horror. "Yeon-jin! That barely covers anything!"

  Yeon-jin smirked. "Exactly the point. You need to embrace the full range of your transformation. What better way than with a confidence boost like this?"

  Joon-ho, who had been listening from nearby, raised an amused brow. "I have to say, I’m interested in this direction."

  Ji-an shot him a withering glare. "You. Stay out of this."

  Yeon-jin waved the lingerie enticingly. "Come on, just try it. For fun. You might surprise yourself."

  Ji-an groaned. "I swear, if I die of embarrassment, it’s on you." Meanwhile, Yeon-jin, ever the opportunist, smirked and took the chance to try on the lingerie herself. She turned to the mirror, striking a playful pose. "You know, this actually looks amazing on me. Maybe I should grab a few sets while we're here."

  Joon-ho glanced over, his smirk widening. "Are you modeling for Ji-an or for yourself?"

  Yeon-jin winked. "Both, obviously. But if Ji-an doesn’t want to try it, I might just take it home myself. Can’t let good lingerie go to waste."

  A few moments later, Ji-an stepped out in a stunning, sophisticated dress that accentuated her figure without being too revealing. The boutique’s lighting highlighted the intricate embroidery, the way the fabric shimmered subtly with her every movement.

  Joon-ho set his cup down, his expression unreadable for a moment before he spoke. “Perfect.”

  Yeon-jin grinned, clearly pleased. “Told you she cleans up nicely.”

  Joon-ho turned to the staff. “Prepare the accessories. Let’s finish the look.”

  As Ji-an tried on the selected accessories—an elegant necklace, delicate earrings, and a bracelet—she caught her reflection in the mirror. For the first time in a long while, she didn’t just see Seo Ji-an, the fallen idol. She saw someone stronger, someone ready to take back her place in the spotlight.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  And this time, she wouldn’t let anyone take it from her.

  As Ji-an admired her final look in the boutique’s mirror, the boutique manager approached Joon-ho with a polite but urgent tone.

  "Kang Joon-ho-nim, journalists have gathered outside the front entrance," she informed him.

  Joon-ho barely reacted, only taking a slow sip of his coffee. "Of course, they have."

  Ji-an tensed. "Already? That was fast."

  Yeon-jin sighed dramatically. "Of course. You stepping out of a luxury boutique with Joon-ho? They probably think you're shopping for a wedding dress."

  Joon-ho set his cup down and stood up. "We’ll take the side exit into the salon."

  The boutique manager nodded. "I’ve already informed the salon staff."

  Ji-an gave him a curious look. "You already knew about the side exit?"

  Joon-ho smirked. "Of course. I own the building."

  Ji-an blinked. "The boutique too?"

  Joon-ho shrugged, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And the salon next door. And the café beside it."

  Yeon-jin nearly choked on air. "Hold on. So you own this entire block?"

  Joon-ho smirked. "More or less."

  Yeon-jin shook her head, muttering, "Rich bastard."

  With no other choice, the group slipped through the discreet side door and entered the high-end salon. The moment they stepped inside, a stylishly dressed man with sharp eyes and a confident smile spotted Joon-ho and immediately strolled over.

  "Joon-ho! I was wondering when you'd drop by again," the stylist greeted casually. Then, his gaze flickered to Ji-an, and his eyes gleamed with intrigue. "And who’s this? Another one of your little projects?"

  Joon-ho’s smirk didn’t waver. "Seo Ji-an. You might have heard of her."

  The stylist blinked before his face lit up. "Seo Ji-an? The Ji-an? Oh, honey, this is exciting!" He clapped his hands together. "You have such a strong aura—this is going to be amazing!"

  Ji-an chuckled awkwardly. "I’ll take that as a compliment."

  "Of course, darling! Now, let’s get to work. We’ll make sure you shine like a goddess reborn."

  Ji-an was guided to a luxurious station where she was pampered with a full treatment—manicure, pedicure, and hairstyling. The experience was indulgent, the kind of treatment she hadn’t received in years.

  Meanwhile, Joon-ho leaned back against the counter, watching the scene unfold with a faint smirk. "Yeon-jin, Seul-bi, do you two want anything?"

  Yeon-jin grinned. "You’re paying?"

  "Obviously."

  "Then sign me up for the works," she said cheerfully, dragging Seul-bi with her. "Come on, we deserve some luxury."

  As they settled in, Joon-ho stretched lazily. "I’ll be at Moonbucks next door. Call me when you're done."

  Yeon-jin blinked. "Moonbucks? You mean your café connected to this place?"

  Joon-ho gave a lazy smirk. "I like convenience."

  Ji-an stared at him, processing this new revelation. It seemed there was still a lot she didn’t know about Kang Joon-ho.

  As Ji-an stepped out of the salon, the transformation was undeniable. Her new dress hugged her silhouette elegantly, accentuated by the carefully chosen accessories that added a touch of refined luxury. Her freshly styled hair cascaded in soft waves, complementing her poised and graceful demeanor.

  Yeon-jin let out a low whistle. “Now this is a statement.”

  Ji-an, still adjusting to the feeling of being completely polished from head to toe, smoothed her dress. “It’s a bit much, isn’t it?”

  Yeon-jin scoffed. “No, it’s just enough.” She tilted her head, eyeing Ji-an critically before grinning. “Honestly, I’ve always thought you had that hidden elegance, but damn, Ji-an, you clean up better than I expected.”

  Ji-an rolled her eyes. “Thanks, I guess?”

  Yeon-jin looped her arm through Ji-an’s and gave her a playful nudge. “Trust me, you’re going to have people tripping over themselves to get a second look. And if they don’t, I’ll personally drag them back for a double take.”

  Ji-an sighed, but a small smile played on her lips. "You really don’t hold back, do you?"

  "Never." Yeon-jin smirked. "Now, let’s go knock some socks off."

  They made their way toward Moonbucks, where Joon-ho was waiting. As Ji-an entered, the café's warm lighting softened the sharp contrast of her elegant appearance, but it did nothing to diminish the sheer impact of her presence.

  Joon-ho, who had been casually sipping his coffee, looked up—and for a brief moment, he was silent. His gaze traced over Ji-an’s transformation, and something flickered in his eyes. This was the Ji-an he remembered from his future memories—the woman who stood at the pinnacle, commanding attention with effortless grace.

  Yeon-jin smirked, nudging Ji-an playfully. “I think you just stunned our dear CEO.”

  Joon-ho leaned back slightly, swirling his coffee. “Not bad.”

  Ji-an arched an eyebrow. “Just not bad?”

  He smirked. “You’ll know when I’m truly impressed.”

  Before Ji-an could fire back a response, Joon-ho set his cup down and stood. “Let’s go.”

  As soon as Joon-ho and Ji-an stepped out of Moonbucks, the cameras began flashing relentlessly. Unlike the more aggressive reporters from Eclipse’s agency, some of the more seasoned journalists—those who had covered Joon-ho at past corporate events and high-profile gatherings—exchanged knowing glances before speaking up.

  “Kang Joon-ho-nim, you always make bold moves, but this one is interesting,” one reporter remarked with a chuckle. “A former idol making a comeback under IMFG? That’s not your usual business venture.”

  Joon-ho gave a small smirk, adjusting his cufflinks. “I’ve never been predictable, have I?”

  Another journalist, a middle-aged man who had interviewed Joon-ho multiple times at economic forums, nodded thoughtfully. “You’ve always been strategic in your investments. If you’re backing Seo Ji-an, then there must be a good reason.” He turned to Ji-an, eyes sharp with curiosity. “Seo Ji-an-ssi, do you have any comments on your comeback?”

  Ji-an hesitated for a fraction of a second before straightening her posture. “I appreciate the interest, but as Joon-ho-nim said, an official statement will be made soon.”

  A female reporter, who had covered luxury brand collaborations that IMFG was involved in, smiled knowingly. “Kang Joon-ho-nim, the way you’re handling this feels deliberate. You wanted this exact media attention, didn’t you?”

  Joon-ho didn’t deny it. Instead, he simply met her gaze with his usual calm confidence. “Public perception matters, and I make sure to shape it properly.”

  The group of veteran journalists chuckled, clearly used to Joon-ho’s measured way of handling the press. However, a younger, more eager reporter leaned forward. “Is this a purely business relationship, or is there something more personal between you and Seo Ji-an-ssi?”

  The other reporters fell silent for a moment, eyes flicking between Joon-ho and Ji-an, waiting for his response.

  Joon-ho’s smirk deepened, but his expression remained unreadable. “You’re all free to speculate,” he said smoothly, “but as I said, once the announcement is made, you can judge for yourselves.”

  That single line sent murmurs through the press. The ambiguity, rather than shutting down rumors, only fueled them further.

  Just then, the limo pulled up, its sleek exterior gleaming under the streetlights. Seul-bi stepped out, opening the door with practiced ease.

  “Well, that’s our cue,” Yeon-jin said cheerfully.

  As they stepped into the limo, the cameras continued flashing, capturing the moment as the doors closed behind them. The murmurs and excited chatter of the reporters echoed outside, already spinning their own narratives.

  Inside, Ji-an let out a slow breath. “That was intense.”

  Yeon-jin smirked. “You better get used to it. That’s the price of stepping back into the spotlight.”

  Joon-ho, seated across from them, simply studied Ji-an for a moment before speaking. “You handled it well.”

  Ji-an met his gaze, determination flashing in her eyes. “I’ll have to if I want to survive this industry again.”

  Joon-ho’s lips curled into the faintest hint of approval. “Good. Then let’s keep going.”

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