Na-ri was on the phone, her voice calm and professional, giving instructions to someone on the other end. Her posture was perfect as always, one leg crossed over the other, her pink designer suit hugging her frame like it was made just for her.
Just then, the door opened.
Ji-a walked into Na-ri's office, pretending to be all smiles.
"Oh my gosh, Na Na," she said sweetly. "You're glowing today! That pink suit is so beautiful on you."
She didn't lie. Na-ri was beautiful. That pink outfit looked expensive, and it made her look powerful. Her skin was glowing, and her makeup was done perfectly. She looked like someone who had the world at her feet.
Ji-a leaned against the edge of her desk.
"So…" she dragged the word with fake excitement, "how was the date? Did he propose?"
She looked like she cared, but inside she was boiling with jealousy.
Na-ri looked up from her phone and placed it gently on the table. Her soft smile vanished. Her face turned sharp like a blade.
She didn't play along.
She struck like lightning.
"Miss Jung Ji-a," Na-ri said coldly, her voice loud and clear. "Are you dumb?"
Ji-a froze.
Na-ri stood up.
"Were you not given one simple task?" she asked, walking around her desk slowly. "Just one. And yet, you failed."
Ji-a blinked, confused. "W-What are you talking about?"
Na-ri didn't hold back. "The invitation. To the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. You didn't send it. Do you not have a brain? Do you understand how important that man is to this company? We need to be on his good side. And you forgot to send the invite. What exactly were you doing instead? Shopping? Daydreaming?"
Ji-a's mouth opened in shock. Her face turned pale. She didn't expect this.
Na-ri stared at her like she was nothing.
In the past, Ji-a had made this same mistake. And back then, Na-ri covered for her. Quietly, without making a fuss. She saved her. Again and again.
Not today.
Ji-a stammered, "Na-ri… it was just a mistake. Why are you being so mean? I'm your cousin."
Na-ri laughed coldly.
"And so what?" she said, folding her arms. "Because you're my cousin, I should continue cleaning up after you? Haven't I done enough? Remember the mistake you made with the contractor? I took the blame. The missed report from the tax department? I covered it. The meeting with the Japanese investors? You were late, and I saved your face."
She stepped closer.
"And what did you learn? Nothing. You keep repeating your mistakes. You take your position for granted. Starting today, 20% of your salary will be deducted for three months for repeated negligence. Maybe you'll finally learn something."
Ji-a's eyes widened. Her face turned red.
She couldn't take it anymore.
"Kang Na-ri! What is this all about?! It's just a small mistake! Why are you acting like this?"
Na-ri didn't even flinch.
"Small mistake?" she repeated coldly. "You must not care about Empire Group to call it small. That man has the power to destroy us with a word. You must want all of grandpa's hardwork to disappear? You're lucky I spotted your stupidity early. Now, we'll have to go and apologize to the minister personally. And you better pray he accepts. If he doesn't, your punishment will get worse."
Na-ri turned towards the door.
"Let's go."
Ji-a stood there, her hands shaking. She was still in shock.
"Miss Jung," Na-ri shouted sharply. "I said let's leave. We don't have all day."
The entire presidential floor went silent.
People turned to look. The walls weren't soundproof — everyone had heard what just happened.
Na-ri adjusted her sleeves and turned to Minji with a calmer tone.
"Call the minister's office," she said, "and make reservations. We're on our way there."
Minji nodded quickly.
Ji-a followed behind Na-ri, her mind a mess. Her chest was heavy with embarrassment. She was used to being treated like a princess. This was the first time someone humiliated her in public.
Inside the elevator, the mood changed.
Na-ri's tone suddenly softened. She smiled at Ji-a sweetly and even held her hand.
"I'm sorry for yelling," she said in a kind voice. "I had to do it for your benefit."
Ji-a looked at her, confused.
Na-ri continued, "The last time I helped you, people started gossiping. Saying your mistakes were ignored because you're the Chairman's granddaughter. The President's cousin. My cousin. They said it's because your mom is the Vice President and Your dad is the Director. They say you're protected from everything. Some questioned your position and called it nepotism."
She squeezed Ji-a's hand gently. "I didn't want people talking bad about you. You understand, right?"
Ji-a nodded slowly. Her heart was still beating fast. She didn't know what was real anymore.
Na-ri smiled wider. "By the way, I'm so happy. Tae Joon proposed to me."
She gave a small happy sigh.
"I feel unstoppable. With a loyal fiancé like him… and a sweet cousin like you beside me."
Then, she twisted the knife deeper.
She lifted her foot slightly to show off her shoes.
"Look," she said, smiling like a child. "Aren't they beautiful?"
Ji-a's lips twitched. She forced a smile, but her eyes looked glassy. Her chest ached. Her throat tightened. She felt like screaming. Crying. Those were the shoes she had wanted more than anything. Na-ri knew that.
This wasn't just a normal workday. Na-ri had just embarrassed her like she was nothing — and now she was acting sweet like none of it happened.
Na-ri tilted her head and looked at her.
In her mind, she thought…
"You played me for years. Now it's my turn. But I'll be worse. It's time you got a taste of your own medicine."