Genius
The office was... loud.
Not in sound-but in energy.
Whispers.
Glances.
Judgment.
Kang Sera didn't even need to look up to know that half the floor was watching her like she was some kind of walking scandal.
"... If you're going to stare," she said calmly. flipping a page, "at least bring snacks. I perform better with an audience."
The whispers died instantly.
Jung Minwoo coughed, trying not to laugh.
"...You're really not helping your image," he
muttered.
Sera didn't look up.
"I don't have an image," she replied. "I have a survival plan."
Inside the CEO's Office
Han Jiheon stood by the window, eyes cold,
unreadable.
His gaze drifted toward the glass wall-
Toward her.
She was working.
Not pretending.
Not struggling.
Working.
Efficiently.
Neatly.
Like she had done this a hundred times before.
"...Interesting," he murmured.
A soft knock.
"Come in."
Director Choi Yuna stepped inside, arms crossed.
"You brought your wife to the company," she said bluntly. "And made her your assistant."
"Yes."
"...Are you testing her or punishing her?"
A pause.
"...Both."
Yuna's lips curved slightly.
"I assume you're expecting her to fail."
"Obviously."
"And if she doesn't?"
Silence.
Jiheon's eyes darkened slightly.
"...Then she becomes a problem."
The Trap
A few minutes later-
The door opened.
"Come in."
Sera walked in casually, holding a file.
"You called for your underpaid assistant?"
"Sit."
"...Bossy."
But she sat.
Jiheon placed a thick folder in front of her.
Heavy.
Complicated.
Messy.
"Handle this."
She raised a brow.
"...That's it? No explanation? No emotional support speech?"
"Figure it out."
She opened it.
Her eyes scanned the pages.
Contracts. Financial statements. Partnership proposals.
And-
Her gaze paused.
Just for a second.
"...Oh."
She looked up at him.
"You want me to handle this?"
"Yes."
"...Are you sure?"
"Yes."
A pause.
Then-
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"...Alright."
She closed the file.
"Deadline?"
"Three days."
She stood up.
"Make it one."
And walked out.
Outside
The moment she stepped out-
Minwoo rushed over.
"What did he give you??"
She handed him the file.
He flipped it open.
And froze.
Oh no
"What?" she asked.
"This project is a mess," he whispered. "Two companies fighting over shares, unclear contracts, financial inconsistencies this has been pending for months
Mhm
He gave you THIS on your first day??"
Sera shrugged
"Maybe he believes in me."
Minwoo stared at her
No. He wants you to fail."
Ah
She smiled.
"That makes more sense."
The Work Begins
She sat dow
Opened the file again,
This time-
Her expression changed.
Completely
Gone was the playful smile.
Gone was the lazy attitude
Her eyes sharpened.
Focused.
Precise.
"Alright," she murmured.
"Let's see what kind of disaster you are."
Hours passed.
She didn't stop
Didn't joke
Didn't look around.
Numbers flowed through her mind like a second language.
Patterns
Errors
Hidden clauses.
"There it is," she whispered.
Her pen tapped the paper.
"You sneaky little problem."
Meanwhile...
Inside the office-
Jiheon watched.
Again
"She hasn't moved in hours." Minwoo said
quietly
"She's pretending."
I don't think so"
Jiheon didn't respond.
But his gaze-
Didn't leave her.
Evening
The office started emptying.
Lights dimmed
But Sera-
Was still there.
Minwoo approached carefully.
"You should go home."
"No"
You've been working all day."
"Yes"
"You're going to collapse."
She paused
Then looked up at him.
I already did once. It was very inconvenient."
He blinked.
Fair point.
Late Night
Silence
Complete silence.
Sera leaned back in her chair,
Done
She stretched:
That was fun
The Next Morning
Jiheon entered the office
Calm. Cold Unbothered.
He expected-
Failure
Excuses
Confusion
Instead-
A file sat on his desk.
Neatly organized.
Perfect.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He opened it.
Page by page.
His expression-
Didn't change.
But his grip on the paper tightened.
Impossible."
Every issue
Solved.
Every inconsistency-
Explained.
Every loophole-
Closed.
Not just fixed.
Improved.
Outside
Sera sipped her drink peacefully,
Minwoo stared at her like she had just performed a miracle.
What are you?"
She smiled.
"Underpaid."
End Scene
The office door opened.
Jiheon stepped out.
Slowly
His gaze locked onto her.
Sharp.
Different.
Kang Sera"
She looked up
"Yes, dear employer?"
A pause
Then-
*Who taught you this?"
Her lips curved
Dangerous. Playful
"Life"
Silence
And for the first time-
Han Jiheon felt it
Not control.
Not indifference.
But-
Interest.