Back at the manor, while Jiyeon worked on refining our proposal, I retreated to my office. My role in this venture was different; I was here to support Jiyeon and ensure her dreams were realized. And sometimes, that meant taking actions she didn't need to know about.
I closed the door behind me, the solid oak providing a comforting barrier between my world and Jiyeon's. I sat at my desk, my fingers drumming on the polished surface as I considered the best approach to our problem. Ms. Kim was a nuisance, but nuisances could be dealt with. I picked up the phone and dialed a number I reserved for situations just like this one.
The line clicked after the second ring. "Yes, Ms. Min?" The voice on the other end was calm and professional, just as I expected.
"I have a situation that requires immediate attention," I said, my voice cold and precise. "There is a woman, Ms. Kim, who is competing for a property that is crucial to our plans. I need her out of the picture."
The voice on the other end didn't hesitate. "Understood. We'll handle it discreetly. Do you have any specifics?"
"I need her to lose interest in the property entirely. Make it clear that pursuing it further would be detrimental to her. I trust you know how to handle this?"
"Absolutely, Ms. Min. We'll take care of it." Your next chapter is on m v|l-e'-novelhall.net
I hung up the phone, a sense of calm washing over me. This was the part of my world that Jiyeon didn't need to know about—the quiet, efficient elimination of obstacles. I trusted my contacts to handle Ms. Kim in a way that would leave no traces back to us. Jiyeon's dream was too important to be derailed by someone else's ambitions.
Later that evening, Jiyeon found me in the office. Her face was bright with excitement, a stark contrast to the cold calculations that had occupied my mind moments before. "I think the proposal is ready," she said, holding up a neatly bound document. "I can't wait to show Mr. Thompson tomorrow."
I smiled, pushing thoughts of Ms. Kim to the back of my mind. "That's wonderful, Jiyeon. I know he'll be impressed."
"Thank you for all your help, Yura. I couldn't have done this without you."
"You don't have to thank me," I said, standing and walking over to her. I placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm here to make sure your dreams come true."
I sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "Jiyeon, it's complicated."
Her eyes blazed with a mix of hurt and anger. "It says here you're planning to force Ms. Kim out of the competition. You're having someone threaten her?"
"It's not like that," I said, reaching out to touch her arm, but she pulled back.
"Then what is it like, Yura? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're going behind my back to get rid of her."
"I'm doing this for you," I said, my voice rising in frustration. "To make sure your dream isn't destroyed by someone else."
Jiyeon's expression hardened. "But not like this. I don't want to achieve my dream by hurting others. That's not who I am, and I thought it wasn't who you were either."
"I'm protecting you," I insisted, trying to make her understand. "Sometimes, you have to make tough decisions."
She shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "This isn't a tough decision, Yura. This is wrong. I can't believe you would do this."
I took a step back, feeling a coldness seep into my bones. "Jiyeon, please understand. I'm trying to help you."
"Help me? By betraying everything I stand for?" Her voice cracked, the pain evident. "I can't be a part of this, Yura. Not if it means sacrificing my integrity."
For a moment, we stood there, the silence between us thick and heavy. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the struggle between her love for me and her principles.
"Jiyeon," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Please, I... I didn't mean to hurt you."