The elevator doors slid open to the president's floor.
Everyone froze.
Gasps. Whispers. A few jaws even dropped. Every pair of eyes turned in one direction—Na-ri.
She didn't stop or smile. Her heels clicked against the floor as she walked confidently to her office, her head held high, eyes forward.
No hesitation. No greeting. Just quiet shock in her trail.
People at their desks exchanged glances. Even the interns looked up, completely confused.
"Is that… Miss Kang?"
"She looks… different."
Minji stepped out of a second elevator. As she walked past some clerks, one of them gave her a look as if asking for answers. She quietly shook her head, mouthing, I don't know.
She didn't. Not really.
Na-ri had already settled in, sitting at her desk, flipping through a few documents calmly like she'd been doing this every morning. As if she wasn't just reborn today.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in," Na-ri said without looking up.
The door opened and Minji stepped in.
"Good morning, Miss Kang," she greeted, her tone formal.
Na-ri glanced up and nodded. "Morning."
"The chairman requested a meeting with all board members at ten. It's about the company's 70th anniversary event."
"Prepare everything for the meeting," Na-ri said, placing the document aside. "Make sure everyone gets the memo."
"Yes. Anything else you need?"
"No. You can go."
Minji turned to leave, but halfway to the door, she paused. She looked back, her voice softer now, casual. "Are you okay?"
Na-ri looked up. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I'm worried," Minji replied honestly. "You disappeared yesterday, and now today… you're different. The way you look, the way you carry yourself. It's like…"
Na-ri cut in gently, "I'm sorry about yesterday."
She smiled faintly. "About how I look… Do you not like it?"
Minji blinked. "No, that's not it."
She reached for the doorknob but hesitated, turning back with a soft grin. "I love it. You look beautiful."
Na-ri's smile widened a little. "Thanks."
The door closed quietly, but her confidence just got a boost.
---
In another office on the same floor, Ji-a sat at her desk, reading through a contract. But her mind wasn't focused. She stopped mid-sentence and leaned back in her chair.
Something felt off.
Na-ri didn't just change her look. She changed everything—her presence, her tone, even her attitude. Something was going on. Something big.
Her thoughts were interrupted when her secretary walked in.
"Miss Ji-a, it's time for the board meeting."
Ji-a stood up slowly. "Let's go."
They got into the elevator. A few seconds later, it stopped on another floor. The doors opened.
There she was again.
Na-ri.
With Minji standing beside her.
Ji-a blinked hard, eyes going straight to the shoes. Those shoes… Her chest tightened. She didn't even hear what Na-ri said in greeting. All she could see were the butterfly rhinestones glinting under the elevator lights.
No one said anything. Just quiet tension.
---
The conference room was already filled when they arrived. Every board member and major shareholder was present—Ji-a's mother, her uncle Jung Jin-ho, and her aunt Kang Mi-na.
The room felt heavy. Everyone was waiting.
Soon, the double doors opened again.
Chairman Kang stepped in with his secretary behind him.
Everyone stood. A round of soft greetings followed.
The chairman nodded at them with a warm smile. "Thank you all for coming," he began. "As you all know, Empire Group will be celebrating its 70th anniversary in two days."
He paused, letting his eyes scan the room. "This isn't just a number. It's a legacy. One we built together—through sweat, sleepless nights, ideas, and teamwork."
There were light nods around the room.
"The gala will be held at Royal Hotels. We've secured the entire ballroom for the evening. It will be an event to remember—not just for our business partners and shareholders, but for our workers, too. Everyone who has helped build Empire deserves to be honored."
He turned toward Na-ri.
"This year, I'll be leaving the full planning and execution to our President, Miss Kang Na-ri. I believe she will handle it with excellence."
Then he looked at Ji-a.
"Ji-a, I want you to support her fully. Give her all the help she needs."
Ji-a forced a smile and nodded slightly. "Of course, Chairman."
"Good. That will be all."
Everyone stood as he began to leave.
But Na-ri got up too and walked over to him.
"Grandfather," she said softly.
He stopped, surprised at her approach.
She reached out and hugged him.
"I'll make sure it's perfect," she whispered. "I promise."
He chuckled as he pulled back slightly. "I trust you."
Then she took a step back and lifted her dress a little to reveal her shoes.
"Do you like my shoes?" she asked in a louder tone, making sure everyone could hear.
The old man laughed. "They suit you. You look so beautiful today."
"I love them," she added playfully. "I feel like wearing them forever."
It was a lie.
They pinched her toes and made her uncomfortable. But she wore them for one reason.
Ji-a.
Ji-a, who now stood behind her with her fists clenched.
Na-ri giggled, acting like a little girl showing off her favorite gift.
But inside, she was boiling with quiet rage.
And Na-ri knew it. She bought those shoes deliberately to taunt Ji-a. She knew how much Ji-a wanted those shoes.
Ji-a stared at her, jaw tight.
Everything had changed.
Na-ri was no longer the same.
And she wasn't here to play nice anymore.
Ji-a couldn't take it anymore.
Her blood was boiling. Every word, every smile, every laugh from Na-ri felt like a slap to her face. The giggling, the shoes, the hug—it was too much.
She grabbed her files and stood up quickly.
Her secretary followed behind as they both walked out of the conference room. Ji-a didn't say a word. She just wanted to breathe.
They stepped into the elevator.
But before the doors could close, Na-ri and Minji walked in.
Ji-a blinked.
Na-ri stepped in calmly, still holding her phone. Just as the elevator started moving, it began to ring.
She looked at the screen.
Tae Joon.
She smiled and answered. "Hey babe."
His voice came through the phone sweetly, full of fake concern. "Babe, are you okay? You disappeared on Saturday. I've been worried."
He kept talking like nothing had happened.
"I was thinking maybe we could hang out later… It's been so long since we had dinner together at a nice restaurant. I want to treat you."
Na-ri's voice turned soft and playful. "Really? That sounds so nice."
She laughed a little. "Okay, I'll see you soon… Love you."
Her tone was warm, but her thoughts were cold.
"What a shameless bastard.
You slept with my cousin last and here you are acting like nothing happened.
You want to treat me to dinner?
Do you think I'm that stupid?"
She ended the call, still smiling like a teenage girl in love.
Then she turned to Minji, her voice louder and full of mischief.
"I think Tae Joon is going to propose to me today. I'm so excited."
Minji's eyes widened. "Really? Oh my God, congratulations! That's amazing."
Na-ri giggled and looked at Ji-a. "Aren't you happy for me?"
Ji-a blinked and forced a smile. "Of course. I'm happy for you. Congrats Nana."
But her fists were clenched tightly behind the file she held. Her nails dug into her skin.
Her heart pounded so hard she felt like screaming.
The elevator slowed.
Ding.
Na-ri's floor.
She stepped out, waving sweetly. "Bye, Ji-a."
Ji-a lifted her hand stiffly and waved back.
The moment the doors closed again, their smiles dropped.
Ji-a turned to her secretary, her face cold and tense.
Na-ri turned to Minji, her face was unreadable.
Neither said a word.
But inside, they both knew…
The war had just begun.