The Attack

The episode opens with an intense moment. Seok-ho stands in the hallway, alert, watching as a man in a hoodie approaches. His presence is threatening, his posture rigid and purposeful. Seok-ho’s instincts immediately take over, and without hesitation, he steps in front of Seo-yeon, positioning himself as a shield between her and the incoming threat.

Seo-yeon: (alarmed) "Who is that?"

The man takes another step, but Seok-ho is faster. With expert precision, he grabs the man’s arm and spins him around, using his own momentum to take him to the ground. The struggle is brief but intense, and Seok-ho restrains him swiftly.

As the attacker’s hoodie slips off, revealing his face, the room goes silent. The staff members gasp in shock.

Staff Member: "That’s... him!"

The man on the ground is none other than Ji-ho, a former employee who had been fired by Seo-yeon for committing fraud under the previous management. His career had ended with Seo-yeon’s leadership, but it seems he’s come back with dangerous intentions.

Seo-yeon: (shocked) "Ji-ho... what are you doing here?"

The room falls into stunned silence. Ji-ho’s eyes burn with anger, and he struggles to break free from Seok-ho’s grip. With one last push, he manages to scramble to his feet, desperately making a run for the exit. Seok-ho is poised to pursue, but Seo-yeon, still processing the shock of the encounter, grabs his arm.

Seo-yeon: (firmly) "Let him go."

Seok-ho hesitates, his protective instincts warring with Seo-yeon’s command. Finally, he releases his hold, watching as Ji-ho disappears into the distance, his anger palpable even from afar.

The Aftermath

The tension in the air is thick. The staff slowly return to their duties, but the image of Ji-ho’s face lingers in everyone’s mind. Seo-yeon is visibly shaken, her nerves on edge after the unexpected confrontation. She decides to stay in the company building for the rest of the day, her thoughts spinning.

Later that evening, a phone call delivers shocking news: Ji-ho has died in a car accident.

Seo-yeon: (confused) "How... how could this happen so suddenly?"

The news is a jarring twist, leaving Seo-yeon unsettled. The fact that Ji-ho’s death follows so quickly on the heels of their encounter fills her with unease. She can’t help but feel that something isn’t right.

Overcome with confusion and a sense of responsibility, Seo-yeon decides to visit Ji-ho’s family to offer her condolences. It’s a gesture of goodwill, but it only adds to the growing mystery surrounding Ji-ho’s sudden death.

The Condolences Visit

Seo-yeon and her driver arrive at Ji-ho’s family home, the atmosphere immediately oppressive. The family members stare at her with an intense, cold gaze, their eyes full of silent accusation. The tension is thick as Seo-yeon tries to keep her composure under their watchful eyes, but the hostile reception leaves her shaken.

As they prepare to leave, Seok-ho notices something that sends a chill down his spine: a group of people, some in cars, is watching them from a distance. Their eyes are fixed on Seo-yeon, and the weight of their gaze feels unnerving.

Seok-ho’s protective instincts flare up once again. He doesn’t hesitate, quickly pulling Seo-yeon into the back seat of her car, securing her seatbelt with urgency.

Seok-ho: (calmly but firmly) "Hold tight. We need to leave now."

Seo-yeon, her heart pounding with anxiety, trusts Seok-ho implicitly. She doesn’t question him as the car speeds off, but soon, the sense of danger becomes more real. Seok-ho glances in the rearview mirror and realizes they’re being followed.

A black car swerves dangerously close to theirs, attempting to force them off the road. The tension escalates as Seok-ho accelerates, weaving through traffic, his hands expertly maneuvering the wheel to avoid collisions.

The High-Speed Chase

Seok-ho’s eyes narrow, and his focus sharpens as the car behind them stays on their tail. The driver is relentless, trying to ram them off the road at every turn. But Seok-ho’s driving skills are honed from years of survival, and he expertly drifts around corners, narrowly avoiding collisions.

The adrenaline surges as they race through the streets, Seok-ho pushing the car to its limits. The car behind them mirrors their every move, unyielding in its pursuit.

Just as Seok-ho pulls off a daring drift to narrowly avoid another attack from the pursuing car, his phone buzzes with a call. It’s from the driver.

Driver: (frantically) "Ma’am, your house is surrounded by reporters! They’re all over the place. Everyone’s suspecting you because of what happened with Ji-ho!"

Seo-yeon: (panicking) "What do we do?"

Seok-ho doesn’t respond verbally. His focus remains entirely on evading their pursuers. He speeds up, taking sharp turns, his body language determined and protective.

After a few more heart-stopping maneuvers, Seok-ho manages to shake off the attackers, leaving them far behind. As the car slows, the immediate danger subsides, and Seo-yeon exhales a shaky breath, relief flooding her.

A Safe Haven

Finally, Seok-ho pulls into a quiet street and parks his car. They arrive at his modest apartment, far from the luxurious world that Seo-yeon is accustomed to. The small, unassuming space is a stark contrast to the mansion she calls home, but it’s here, in this simple apartment, that Seok-ho offers her a moment of safety.

As they step inside, Seo-yeon’s shoulders slump with exhaustion. The events of the day have taken their toll on her. The attack, Ji-ho’s death, and the high-speed chase have left her drained. She sinks into a chair, the weight of everything pressing down on her.

Seo-yeon: (quietly) "I don’t understand what’s happening in my life. Everything feels like it’s falling apart."

Seok-ho watches her with a soft, understanding expression. He can’t erase the pain she’s feeling, but he can offer her comfort. He moves to the small kitchen and begins preparing a simple meal—ramyeon, something he knows will bring her a moment of solace amidst the chaos.

As Seok-ho cooks, Seo-yeon wanders around the apartment, her eyes taking in the stark differences between this place and her own life. Her gaze lands on a box on a shelf, curiosity compelling her to open it. Inside, she finds a school uniform—the very same uniform Seok-ho wore when he was younger, the one that had been torn by his aunt. The sight of the faded, tattered fabric stirs something deep within her.

Seo-yeon stares at the uniform for a long moment, the memory of Seok-ho’s painful past beginning to settle in her mind. She can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for him, the silent understanding growing between them as she holds the small, worn piece of clothing in her hands.