Chapter 30
Laurel pov
The next morning, I looked to my side only to see SEO Hee already dressed.
"Why are you leaving this early?" I asked.
"Your house is far from mine, and I still need to pick up a file too. Gosh, I have a meeting at eight," she said, rushing around the room as she searched for her things.
Soon after, she said goodbye and left.
I went downstairs only to find Eric making toast.
"Good morning, big sis," he said.
"How was your night?" I asked.
"I slept like a newborn," he replied proudly.
"Are you going anywhere today, or…"
"Yes, I'll be going to my office today."
"So Eun Woo will come pick you up, right?" he asked, sounding concerned.
"No. I'll go by myself."
"That means I'll be home all alone," he said dramatically.
I smiled.
"We're going somewhere this evening."
"Where?" he asked, suddenly excited.
"Nicholas' dad's place."
"Does Nicholas live there?"
"No, but his younger brother does. If you're lucky, you might see him."
He tried to hide his smile.
"You aren't even excited about meeting your friends," he said.
"All they do is annoy me," I replied, placing the cup down.
"I won't be long, so get ready," I said as I headed back to my room to dress for work.
When I arrived at the company, I stood outside for a moment, looking up at the building.
It really does need renovation, I thought.
Then I walked in.
Suddenly, I was stopped by the attendant at the front desk.
"Sorry, that entrance is for main staff only."
"Oh, okay," I replied calmly.
"Do you have an appointment with anyone in there?"
"Yes."
She looked at me again.
"With who?"
"Eun Woo."
She smiled in disbelief.
"How would someone like Mr. Eun Woo know someone like you? There are no vacancies in the company."
Then she dropped the phone back onto the desk and ignored me.
I smiled faintly.
A few minutes later, another lady came and stood beside her.
"Why is she here?" she asked.
"She claims she's asking for Mr. Eun Woo, but I know she's here to beg for a job."
The second lady ignored her completely and walked over to me.
"Good morning, ma'am. What can I help you with?"
"I'm asking for Eun Woo."
She nodded politely.
"One moment, please."
She dialed a number.
"Someone is here looking for you, sir."
Then she covered the receiver slightly and looked at me.
"What is your name, ma'am?"
"Davis Laurel."
"Okay, ma'am," she said into the phone. "Her name is Davis Lau...."
She froze mid-sentence and stared at me.
"You are Davis Laurel?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Immediately, Eun Woo came running out with five board members behind him.
"Good morning, Miss Laurel," he said, bowing fully.
"Why didn't you say you were coming today?" he asked quickly.
"Do I need permission to come to my company?" I asked.
"No, ma'am."
I stopped and looked at the first lady. She was visibly shaking.
I smiled at her, then walked past.
As we headed toward the meeting room, I asked Eun Woo what they had been discussing.
"It is about a company that wants to work with us," he said.
"Ignore that," I replied. "We have a project to win."
He nodded immediately.
I walked into the boardroom.
Head up.
Face straight.
They all stood as I walked to my seat.
"Good morning, ma'am."
"It took you quite some time to show yourself."
"I never knew you were this young."
"Nowadays, things just work in different ways."
I smiled faintly.
"Exactly. Looking up is why I sit here, and you sit over there."
The room went silent.
"You may have shares. You may be older. But that changes nothing."
I leaned back slightly.
"I am your boss."
Their expressions hardened, but none of them spoke.
"If anything like this happens again, my actions will not be this gentle."
They murmured under their breath, daring not to say more.
The meeting continued, and I explained that we needed to drop businesses that would not profit us and focus on what would.
Emotion was expensive.
Strategy paid better.
The meeting lasted two hours before I dismissed them.
I walked out while they remained seated, and Eun Woo quickly followed behind me.
"How sure are you about this project?" he asked.
"It came from a reliable source," I replied.
He nodded.
"I'll get back to you by nine tonight," I said as he opened my car door.
The moment I got in, I called Eric.
"I'm on my way. Are you dressed?"
"Yes," he replied immediately.
I stepped on the accelerator, driving fast through the streets of Seoul.
Eric was already waiting at the gate, dressed like he was attending an awards ceremony.
I looked at him and laughed.
"What is this?"
"You said I should dress well."
"Yes, but why are you dressed like you're about to receive an award?"
He smiled proudly and got into the car.
"How far is it?" he asked.
"Not so far. About three hours."
The drive was filled with music and Eric's nonstop talking.
I slowed down and pointed out the window.
"That house over there is Nicholas' house."
"It's not far from ours," he said, then turned sharply. "Wait, Laurel… why did you buy a house close to Nicholas' place but far from SEO Hee's?"
I smiled.
"Nicholas is more mature than SEO Hee."
"True," Eric said instantly. "Oh my… won't she be disappointed if she hears that?"
"Well, you said it too."
I smiled as I drove past the winding roads.
A few hours later, Eric had fallen asleep in the passenger seat when we arrived at Mr. Min's house.
The gates opened slowly.
"Eric," I said, tapping his shoulder. "We're here."
He woke with a start and quickly fixed his clothes.
I stepped out of the car and looked around.
Everything still looked the same.
Nothing had changed.
The same stone pathway.
The same trimmed trees.
The same silence that always made the place feel richer than it needed to be.
"We're really here," Eric whispered.
We walked inside and saw the maid first.
Miss Shin.
Too nice.
Too loud.
Too dramatic.
Her eyes widened the moment she saw me.
"Laurel!" she screamed.
Then she turned and ran deeper into the house.
"Mr. Min! Laurel is back! Laurel is back!"
I closed my eyes briefly.
She really had not changed.
Still so noisy.
Mr. Min walked slowly down the stairs.
"Laurel," he said.
For a moment, I simply looked at him.
Time had changed him.
He used to stand taller, stronger, healthier. Now his steps were slower, his shoulders lighter.
What happened? I thought quietly.
I walked toward him.
The moment I reached him, he pulled me into a hug.
"I knew you would thrive," he said, smiling. "I always said so."
My expression softened.
Miss Shin beamed.
"I prepared Laurel's favorites! Tteokbokki and everything else!"
"Uncle," I said, stepping aside. "This is Eric."
Eric bowed respectfully.
Mr. Min smiled at him.
"Take care of her," he said gently. "People like Laurel act strong, but they carry too much."
Eric nodded seriously.
"Yes, sir."
"Come," Mr. Min said. "Let's go to the meeting room."
He led the way.
"When did you get back?" he asked once we sat down.
"Yesterday."
"I don't think Nicholas knows," he said. "He said he was coming to my place today."
I smirked.
"That sounds unfortunate."
He laughed.
"The peace in this house will finally return."
I raised a brow.
"The house became less lively when you left," he continued. "Even until now."
"I'm back now," I said with a small smile.
He opened a drawer and brought out a file of documents.
"I already told my friend about you," he said.
He placed the papers in front of me.
"You are now in charge of the project."
I looked at him.
"I thought you said he needed to see me first."
He smiled slowly.
"It was I who wanted to see you, Laurel."
The room became still.
"You have grown into a strong and capable woman," he said. "And I am proud of that."
For once, I had no sharp reply.
Then suddenly
A loud crash echoed from the next room.
We all looked up.
Another crash followed.
Mr. Min sighed deeply.
I stood.
"Nicholas," I said flatly.