What will happen when the principal's granddaughter has to disguise herself as a boy in an elite all-boys school and face a triple threat from three boys who quickly see through her mask?
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The lobby of Bang Business Empire's main office teemed with activity as people streamed in and out of the revolving entrance. Among the throng, Hana hesitated, uncertain if she truly wanted to leave the comfort of her seat.
At seventeen, navigating the affairs of a corporate empire thrust upon her was unfamiliar territory.
She glanced around, noticing the solemn looks from employees who recognized her from rare visits in the past. Surrounded by vigilant guards, creating a protective perimeter, she contemplated the elevator ride ahead.
What if someone lay in wait for her there? What if her life was in danger?
These thoughts swirled in her mind as she considered her next move. The urge to use the restroom interrupted her contemplation. Addressing the head of her security detail-a towering figure reminiscent of Dwayne Johnson-she requested a moment of privacy.
"No can do, Ma'am," he replied firmly yet respectfully.
Hana winced inwardly. "Just this once? I'll be safe inside," she pressed, hoping to persuade him.
After a brief hesitation, he relented with a nod. "This is the last time," he cautioned. "We'll need to assign a female guard for such situations."
"Thank you," she murmured, already dreading the awkwardness of discussing personal matters with male guards.
Gathering her essentials from her sling bag, she prepared to enter the bathroom when a figure appeared beside her, startling her. He couldn't have been older than eighteen or nineteen.
Attempting a small smile, she hoped he would take the hint and move on.
Instead, he lingered, eyeing her with an appraising gaze that set off alarm bells. Instinctively, she reached for her phone, ready to call for help if needed.
"Hello," she greeted cautiously, trying to maintain composure. "Are you a staff member or a visitor? Perhaps an applicant?"
"I'm a guest, and my father is an investor here," he replied casually, flashing a disarming smile.
"Which investor?" she probed, scrutinizing him more closely. His brown hair, dull hazel eyes, and an unsettling tattoo-an Italian phrase encircling a small gun atop a black heart-raised her suspicion.
"So," he began, seemingly unperturbed by their location near the bathroom, "what brings you to this building today?"
Her mind raced for a plausible answer that wouldn't reveal too much. "I have a meeting with Ms. Yoo regarding an upcoming ceremony," she improvised, watching his reaction closely.
"Ah, I heard the heiress is quite young," he remarked, his confidence not faltering.
A flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Was he lying? There was no ceremony, and everyone in the company knew her grandfather was overseeing operations until she turned twenty-one.
"Interesting," she replied cautiously, devising a plan to extricate herself from the conversation. "Excuse me, I really must use the restroom," she pointed towards the bathroom door.
"Of course, don't let me stop you," he said with a gracious gesture.
Entering the bathroom, she breathed a sigh of relief. It was empty, allowing her a moment to gather her thoughts. She did need to use the facilities, but this also served as her escape plan. She quickly alerted Mr. Jones, her head guard, about the suspicious individual and waited until he confirmed assistance was on the way.
Returning to the lobby, which had emptied considerably, she hoped to avoid encountering the stranger again. He gave off an unsettling vibe, and his persistent curiosity about her only heightened her unease.
But as she glanced around, she caught sight of him entering through a side door. Was he following her? A nudge from one of her guards brought her attention back to them.
"Can I help you?" she asked bluntly as they closed ranks around her.
"I thought you said you were here for a meeting," he countered smoothly.
"And I thought you were too," she retorted, her suspicion growing. "But there's no Ms. Yoo in this building."
He seemed unfazed, continuing to engage her in conversation. "You're heavily guarded, as they say," he remarked casually.
With Mr. Jones and the guards now beside her, she sped towards the exit, relieved to see her limousine waiting outside.
"Let's get out of here," she urged, feeling the weight of her impending move to the academy-a place full of boys, away from the dangers that seemed to follow her.
This was going to be an interesting chapter in her life, fraught with challenges and possibly deadly if she let her guard down. Only time would reveal what awaited her next.
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This book has a hint of danger and mystery, so I hope you would still like it nonetheless.
