Baek Ihae's dissatisfied expression earned her a weary sigh from Seo Ihum.
"I'm not going to hit you or kill you."
"Really? Swear on your life."
"I will—as long as your strange behavior doesn't cross the line into harming my people."
My people.
He obviously meant Seo Dogyeom and Seoyeol.
Dogyeom showed little reaction, but Seoyeol's face brightened instantly, as if he'd reached the same conclusion she had.
Apparently, hearing even that much affection from a father who rarely expressed any emotions was enough to move him.
Poor kid.
My people...
The fact that Baek Ihae wasn't included within that circle was so obvious that, for a brief moment, she felt an unexpected bitterness.
"Fine. It's a promise. But if you break it, you owe me a hundred million won."
Seo Ihum's face remained perfectly calm, as though that amount of money meant nothing to him.
"And you'll cancel my engagement to Seo Dogyeom."
This time, a faint crease appeared between his brows.
He looked far more bothered by canceling the engagement than by paying a hundred million won.
You ridiculously rich man.
For a split second, Baek Ihae seriously considered taking a punch if it meant walking away with a hundred million won.
"Do whatever you want."
Finally satisfied with the answer she'd gotten, she grinned broadly.
Seo Ihum lowered his gaze back to the documents on his desk.
What he didn't know...
...was that this careless permission would become one of the greatest sources of stress in his life.
Only three days had passed.
"...Are you all right, Boss?"
The giant of a man, built like a bear, asked cautiously.
Seo Ihum sat at the table, frowning at a stack of paperwork. Dark circles had already formed beneath his eyes.
Even exhausted, his handsome face carried a dangerously captivating charm.
"If you were me, would you be all right?"
"...No, sir. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."
"Fix it? The hell are you talking about..."
With an irritated click of his tongue, Seo Ihum tossed his pen aside and slipped a cigarette between his lips.
Someone immediately stepped forward to light it.
Gray smoke drifted lazily through the room, mirroring the frustration weighing heavily on his mind.
"I never realized I needed to watch every single word I said. That kid keeps giving me entirely new life experiences."
"I... never imagined Miss Baek would actually pull childish pranks like smacking you on the back of the head and running away."
They all knew she wasn't an ordinary girl.
But no one had imagined she'd use elementary school pranks...
...on Seo Ihum.
The first day had been unforgettable.
She'd walked over as if she intended to greet him politely.
He'd let his guard down.
Then she'd suddenly jumped into the air—
Smack!
She slapped the back of his head before cheerfully running off.
Seo Ihum had frozen on the spot.
Even Bear Uncle—Oh Seobang—had nearly foamed at the mouth from sheer shock.
How can she look at the Boss's terrifying face... laugh... and brush it off as an accident?
He didn't know exactly what kind of relationship existed between Seo Ihum and Baek Ihae.
But he couldn't help becoming wary of her.
Despite her young age, she was fearless.
And there was no telling what she might do next.
She couldn't be the spy... could she?
They had recently learned that an enemy spy had infiltrated the organization and were secretly investigating.
He knew it was unlikely.
Still...
Every time he looked at Baek Ihae, suspicion crept into his eyes.
After that first incident, she continued her bizarre attacks whenever she encountered Seo Ihum.
Sometimes she'd smack him squarely between the shoulder blades.
Other times she'd suddenly poke him in the side.
At least she doesn't hit him in front of the young masters.
Perhaps she was trying to preserve his dignity.
Instead...
She'd unexpectedly wrapped him in a hug from behind.
Even Seo Dogyeom had frozen in stunned disbelief at the sight.
She truly was an incredible young lady.
Completely oblivious to the rumors already spreading about her throughout the organization.
"But... thanks to her, your reactions to anyone approaching from behind have become much sharper!"
Trying his best to cheer his boss up, Oh Seobang smiled brightly.
Seo Ihum slowly turned to look at him.
His mood seemed even worse than usual.
It was enough to send chills down Oh Seobang's spine.
"Stop smiling."
"..."
"Before I rip your mouth open."
"Y-Yes, sir."
Oh Seobang barely managed to suppress the urge to relive a childhood accident and wet his pants.
Miss Baek really is amazing.
How could anyone play pranks on someone as terrifying as Seo Ihum?
He almost admired her.
Seeing Seo Ihum jerk his chin toward the door, Oh Seobang quietly left the office.
"Haa..."
The breath he'd been holding escaped the moment the door closed.
Waiting outside was a graceful young woman who smiled softly.
"The Boss seems to be in a particularly bad mood today."
She had slender limbs that looked as though they'd never known hard exercise, paired with an elegant, pure beauty.
Cha Iryeong.
She was responsible for handling the organization's legitimate business affairs.
"Yeah..."
Oh Seobang whispered despite his enormous build, afraid the Boss might overhear.
"I'm scared to death."
His timid appearance made Cha Iryeong giggle.
Ah... that's healing.
Among the organization's members, she was quietly popular.
Seo Ihum had taken her in after finding her abandoned by her parents and wandering the streets.
She had grown up under his protection ever since.
Determined to repay his kindness, she worked tirelessly to improve herself.
As they walked away together, Oh Seobang asked,
"Still no new information?"
She shook her head.
"No. Whoever it is has covered their tracks better than expected."
She sighed.
"We're fairly certain it's a spy planted by one of our rival organizations. Right now, we're focusing our background investigations on everyone who joined within the last few years."
Cha Iryeong had been the first person to suspect there was a spy.
She was also the one who quietly warned Seo Ihum.
If she hadn't... we'd have walked right into their trap.
We have to find them quickly and strike first.
The Boss pretends otherwise... but he's obviously worried that the young masters might get caught up in this.
Oh Seobang silently resolved to work even harder so Seo Ihum wouldn't have to shoulder everything alone.
Still...
The only person he truly trusted was Cha Iryeong.
"Thanks. If anything comes up—no matter how small—tell me immediately."
"I will."
She smiled with crystal-clear sincerity.
"The Boss's safety comes before anything else."
Her innocent smile made her seem utterly harmless.
Ah... I think I'm getting addicted to this.
Completely unaware of the reputation she'd earned throughout the organization over the past three days, Baek Ihae grinned to herself.
Especially yesterday.
That surprise back hug in the cafeteria...
Those muscles were incredible.
She burst into laughter.
Seo Ihum's stiff, completely frozen reaction afterward had been strangely adorable too.
"I keep telling myself I'm only doing this to sharpen the old man's instincts..."
She hummed happily as she opened her bedroom door.
Lately she'd started leaving earlier than usual just to avoid Seo Dogyeom coming to pick her up.
"What exactly do you mean by 'sharpening his instincts'?"
"...!"
Baek Ihae nearly jumped out of her skin.
Someone had been standing just outside her door.
It sounded as though they'd heard every word she'd muttered.
I didn't even sense anyone there!
Wait... they don't think I'm suspicious, do they?
Heart pounding, she slowly turned her head.
Then...
She froze.
Standing before her was an exceptionally beautiful woman.
With her pure, delicate appearance, she looked completely out of place in a gangster family.
"W-Who are you? We've never met before... but you're unbelievably beautiful!"
The woman smiled gently.
"Thank you, Miss."
She gave a polite bow.
"My name is Cha Iryeong. I assist the Boss. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Cha Iryeong.
Even her name is pretty!
Beaming from ear to ear, Baek Ihae quickly bowed back.
Then—
Huh?
Why does the top of my head suddenly feel like it's burning?
It felt...
As though someone were glaring at her with murderous intent.
She immediately lifted her head.
Cha Iryeong was still smiling sweetly, looking as innocent as ever.
Was I imagining it?
"I thought we'd be seeing each other often," Cha Iryeong said warmly. "I haven't had a proper chance to introduce myself, so I hope you'll forgive me for coming to you like this."
"If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Oh, not at all! You're not bothering me."
"I'm glad to hear that."
She smiled gently.
"There are many men here, so I'm sure there will be times when you feel uncomfortable. If that ever happens... I'd be happy if you relied on me."
She's beautiful... and kind, too!
Baek Ihae nodded enthusiastically.
She was just about to ask if they could become friends—
When suddenly—
[WARNING!]
[Your life is in danger!]
...My life?
Baek Ihae hurriedly looked around.
Seo Dogyeom wasn't nearby.
Neither was anyone else.
The hallway contained only herself...
...and Cha Iryeong.
[WARNING!]
[If you do not leave your current location within five seconds, you will be killed!]
Found you, spy!
But why the hell are you trying to kill me the very first time we meet?!
And not even in the dead of night.
It was broad daylight.
Baek Ihae felt as though her heart had leaped out of her chest and was performing circus tricks all on its own.
