It's Way Too Late To Stay Locked Up Inside Ourselves

4 pm

What the hell am I even doing here.

Se-ri had asked herself that question before. But now she was on stage inside the Queens Group auditorium on national television.

She straightened her back and flexed her toes within the tight constraints of her heels. The bright lights felt increasingly hot on her skin. Her feet ached. Se-ri shifted again uncomfortably as a bead of perspiration wound its way slowly down the back of her neck.

Standing between her eldest brother Yoon Se-jun and her mother, the emotional tumult of the day was beginning to wear on her. Se-ri blinked hard to focus and instead saw flashes of light. I forgot to eat today. It occurred to her that it was the first time that had happened since Jeong-hyeok had come to stay. She gnawed at her lip thinking about him watching this spectacle.

Yoon Jeung-pyeong was in the middle of delivering a prepared statement regarding his younger son's resignation. Hundreds of members of the international press sat stone faced as her father confidently offered assurances that the company would get to the bottom of the allegations and rebound. Se-ri wondered if anyone else found those words coming out of his mouth ironic. Beyond the crowd, the company logo loomed large. The longer she stared at it, the more the "Q" and "G" blurred before her eyes.

As her father spoke passionately about tradition and her family's leadership in technological innovation, Se-ri felt uncomfortable in her own skin. She had spent her entire life yearning to stand with him before the world as a Yoon. Now, even despite the circumstances, she was on the precipice of triumph. One brother was banished to watch this unfold from a conference room; the other stood sullenly next to her, passed over. She was the heir to this tradition of which her father spoke. And yet, it all felt so empty. Tradition meant corruption; family represented isolation.

Se-ri's attention snapped back to the podium when the Vice President for Communications stepped forward and thanked everyone for their time. Rows and rows of press immediately stood up like reverse dominos. It began as a steady murmur and then a relentless wall of sound rose toward them. Se-ri squinted as camera flashes assaulted her eyes. The reporters were now pressing toward the stage.

Yoon Jeung-pyeong had said in advance that they would not take questions. Clearly the press had other ideas. He jerked his head at his family and began to walk off the stage. Yoon Se-jun glanced at her, eyes wide. Yeah, I don't think that went well either.

Se-ri turned to follow her eldest brother off stage. It felt like they were fleeing from a riot. As she circled around the podium, one reporter broke past corporate security and yelled directly at her.

"Ms. Yoon! Ms. Yoon! Are you having an affair with the son of the Chief Prosecutor?"

Se-ri froze. Her mouth went dry. What did he just say?

Then a female voice joined in. "Ms. Yoon! Any comment on Agent Ri Jeong-hyeok? Why was he at your apartment?"

The room started to darken and Se-ri felt her knees buckle. All of a sudden, someone was at her side.

It was Han Jeong-yeon.

"Just hold on to me. Don't look at them."

Her mother slipped her arm through hers and supported her weight. Se-ri stared at her in shock as she faltered.

"One foot in front of the other, Yoon Se-ri."

Se-ri swayed as the room spun. How could they know? What would this mean for Jeong-hyeok? Panic clawed its way through her chest. Han Jeong-yeon's arm tightened and she felt herself being moved forward. As soon as they reached offstage, Do Hye-ji rushed to the other side. Agent Park hovered right behind her.