Chapter Seven
581 Words
It began with a single message.
A colleague nudged Ji-eun’s shoulder that morning, pretending to smile.
“Hey, Ji-eun… you’re famous now.”
Confused, she turned to look at the phone the colleague held up.
Her heart stopped.
There it was — a blurry image of her leaving Joon-ho’s building. The cruel headline screamed across the screen:
“CEO’s Secret Lover? The Poor Girl Who Tamed Kang Group’s Cold Prince”
Ji-eun’s breath caught in her throat.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
“She seduced him.”
“No wonder she got the job.”
“Such a low-class girl, aiming high.”
She could feel their stares burning into her skin.
Her hands shook as she clenched them into fists.
This isn’t true. I didn’t…
---
Joon-ho Reads the Headlines
In his office, Joon-ho stared at his tablet, his jaw tight.
The same headline glared back at him.
His chest ached — not with shame, but fury.
They’re attacking her… because of me.
He slammed the device down, drawing startled looks from his executives.
“Leave,” he said, voice like ice.
Alone, he ran a hand through his hair, trying to think.
This wasn’t just gossip — it was aimed to ruin him. To ruin her.
And he had no doubt who was behind it.
---
A Confrontation
That afternoon, Ji-eun stood before him in his office, trembling.
“I swear I didn’t… I mean, I would never —”
“Stop.”
His voice was soft, but firm.
“I know you didn’t. Don’t explain yourself to me.”
She looked at him, eyes wide.
“Then what do we do?”
He was silent for a long moment.
Then:
“We stay strong. Let them talk. The truth will burn the lies in time.”
But in his heart, he knew — the board would be stirred. His enemies emboldened.
And Ji-eun… she’d be the one to suffer most.
---
The Board’s Doubts
As expected, the board demanded a meeting.
Gray-haired men with greedy eyes and polite venom in their words.
“Your personal choices are reflecting poorly on the company, Kang Joon-ho.”
“Perhaps we should reconsider your position.”
He met their eyes without flinching.
“I earned this seat. My father’s will sealed it. If any of you think you can take it — try.”
They fell silent, cowed by his cold authority.
But the damage was done.
Doubt had been sown.
Exactly as his stepmother planned.
---
Ji-eun’s Pain
Alone in the restroom, Ji-eun splashed cold water on her face.
She bit her lip to stop it from trembling.
She’d worked so hard. Fought so long.
And now, her name was mud.
Not because of any mistake — but because of a world that saw her as nothing but a poor girl reaching too high.
Her phone buzzed — a message from the hospital.
Her grandmother’s condition was worsening.
Tears finally spilled over.
But only for a moment.
Then she straightened, wiped her face, and walked out.
I can’t break. Not now.
---
The Stepmother’s Victory — For Now
In her mansion, the stepmother sipped tea, watching the news coverage.
Every word, every image was exactly as she wanted.
“She won’t last long under this pressure,” she murmured.
“And when she’s gone, my son will have his rightful place.”
But in her triumph, she overlooked one thing —
Ji-eun’s spirit.
And Joon-ho’s growing resolve to protect her.
---
- Writer
