Minra knew something was wrong.

  The moment she sat down, the tension was off.

  Eunhe looked like she was trying too hard to be normal.

  Jiho was suddenly way too interested in his food.

  Suan was smirking.

  And worst of all?

  Reyne looked absolutely thrilled.

  Which could only mean one thing.

  She was in danger.

  So, naturally—

  When Reyne leaned in and asked,

  "So, Minra. How was your business trip?"

  She choked.

  Coughed.

  Nearly died.

  And Reyne?

  Reyne grinned like he had just won the lottery.

  .

  Minra, still recovering, wiped her mouth.

  Tried to act casual.

  Tried to act normal.

  "Uh… It was fine?" she said. "Business stuff. Meetings. Reports. The usual."

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  Reyne tilted his head.

  "Just the usual?"

  "Yep."

  "Nothing interesting happened?"

  "Nope!"

  Too fast.

  Too high-pitched.

  Too suspicious.

  Eunhe sighed, rubbing her temples.

  "You’re making it worse, Minra."

  "I’M NOT MAKING ANYTHING WORSE!" she snapped. "BECAUSE THERE’S NOTHING TO BE WORSE!"

  More silence.

  More stares.

  Reyne, completely delighted at her outburst, leaned in even more.

  "Okay, okay, I get it."

  Minra exhaled.

  Finally.

  Finally, he was backing off.

  But then—

  "So, did Mr. Hwa take a good care of you?"

  Minra slammed her drink down.

  "REYNE!"

  “It’s just a normal question??”

  The moment lunch was over, Minra quickly rushed for her desk.

  She needed to scream.

  And since screaming in real life would get her fired, she went for the next best thing.

  [Minra]: "Shuun, I’m losing my mind."

  The reply came instantly.

  [Shuun]: "What happened?"

  Minra huffed, typing furiously.

  [Minra]: "My coworkers won’t stop teasing me about my boss."

  A pause.

  Then—

  [Shuun]: "Oh?"

  Minra frowned.

  Oh?

  OH?!

  THAT’S ALL HE HAD TO SAY?!

  She kept going.

  [Minra]: "They keep saying I’ve been acting weird. That he’s been acting weird. That SOMETHING happened when NOTHING happened!"

  Another pause.

  Then—

  [Shuun]: "Nothing happened?"

  Minra froze.

  Because.

  Because why did that sound like doubt?

  Like he didn’t believe her?

  Like he knew something she didn’t?

  Her fingers hovered.

  Then, slowly, she typed—

  [Minra]: "Why do you sound like that?"

  [Shuun]: "Like what?"

  [Minra]: "Like you don’t believe me."

  Another pause.

  Then—

  [Shuun]: "Maybe because I think you’re in denial."

  Minra stiffened.

  Her pulse jumped.

  Because—

  BECAUSE.

  "NOT YOU TOO, SHUUN!"

  .

  [Minra]: "What do you mean DENIAL?"

  [Shuun]: "I mean exactly what I said."

  [Minra]: "There is nothing to be in denial about!"

  [Shuun]: "Are you sure?"

  Minra wanted to throw her phone.

  Because.

  Because why did he sound so smug?

  Like he already knew the answer?

  Like he was just waiting for her to figure it out?

  And that only made her more frustrated.

  [Minra]: "This is a conspiracy. A coordinated attack. My coworkers are crazy. YOU are crazy. I am NOT in denial."

  A pause.

  Then—

  [Shuun]: "If you say so."

  Minra groaned.

  Because.

  Because why did that make her feel even more flustered?!

  Why did it feel like Shuun was seeing right through her?

  And worst of all?

  Why did she feel like he wasn’t wrong?

  .

  Across the office—

  HyunSeong put his phone down.

  Smirked slightly.

  Because.

  Because she was already losing the fight.

  And soon—

  Very soon—

  She’d have no choice but to admit it.

  And when she did?

  When she finally realized what he already knew?

  He’d be right here.

  Waiting.

  Because this time—

  He wasn’t letting her run.

  .

  Chapter 39: "The Woman in Denial"