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Chapter 3: 

The office was quieter than usual that afternoon. The hum of computers and the occasional ringing phone filled the otherwise still space, but Seo Hyun-jin could feel a different kind of energy crackling through the air—an invisible thread connecting her to Cha Joo-wan.

She was reviewing reports at her desk when the door to the corner office opened. Joo-wan appeared, holding a stack of documents, his expression unreadable yet commanding.

— “Secretary Hyun,” he said, his voice low and deliberate. “I need you to go over these before the end of the day.”

Hyun-jin nodded, taking the papers with a hand that betrayed just a hint of trembling. The closer she stood to him, the more aware she became of the subtle scent of his cologne, the warmth radiating from his body, the intensity in his gaze.

— “Of course, sir,” she replied, forcing professionalism into every word.

They worked in tense silence, the only sounds the rustling of papers and the occasional click of a pen. But every so often, their eyes met, and for a fraction of a second, the air seemed to ignite. Hyun-jin felt a heat rising in her chest she hadn’t felt in years—an intoxicating mix of anger, curiosity, and something dangerously intimate.

Joo-wan leaned over her desk to point out a detail in the report, his hand brushing against hers. Hyun-jin’s breath hitched, and she quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the document.

— “Seo Hyun,” he murmured, his tone softer now, “you’re more perceptive than you realize.”

She felt a shiver travel down her spine. His words weren’t just about the report—they carried an undertone, a reminder of all the unspoken history between them.

Hyun-jin’s mind raced. How was she supposed to maintain composure? Every glance, every touch, every subtle smile from Joo-wan seemed designed to test her, to draw out feelings she had long tried to suppress.

The day wore on, and soon the office emptied, leaving just the two of them. Hyun-jin stood, gathering her things, trying to appear confident.

— “Sir, I’ll finish these first thing tomorrow,” she said, her voice steady despite the rapid beating of her heart.

Joo-wan’s dark eyes followed her every movement. Then, in a voice low enough for only her to hear, he said:

— “Be careful, Secretary Hyun. Sometimes the past has a way of catching up… in ways you never expect.”

Hyun-jin’s pulse quickened. The words were a warning, a promise, and a challenge all at once. She left the office feeling a mix of exhilaration and dread. The game had begun, and she wasn’t sure if she could win—or if she even wanted to.

Outside, the city lights shimmered against the evening sky. Hyun-jin took a deep breath, telling herself she could resist, that she could focus on work. But deep down, she knew that Cha Joo-wan was no ordinary CEO—and that this summer, her carefully constructed walls were in serious danger of crumbling.

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