Play Along And Win Me Over (JenLisa )

20: [SECRETARY]

JENNIE POV

I stepped through the grand entrance of RJK Corporation, my presence immediately acknowledged by the guards who bowed deeply before holding the doors open for me. As I strode inside, my sharp heels clicking against the pristine marble floors, employees instinctively straightened up, lowering their heads in respect as I passed.

I barely registered their greetings. My mind was already racing through the unfinished work I had left behind yesterday. I shouldn't have left it, I admitted to myself, but my priority had been elsewhere- Lili mattered more.

As I approached the elevator, a sudden murmur from my left caught my attention. The noise grew louder near the receptionist’s desk, punctuated by hushed whispers and uneasy glances.

"It’s the Head Manager again."

"She always treats the employees under her like that."

"She doesn’t even do her own job. She just orders others around."

My jaw clenched. My morning was already packed, and I had no patience for workplace drama, yet something about the murmurs, about the fear in them-made me turn.

A small crowd had formed near the reception area. My gaze sharpened, pushing past the employees, and that’s when I saw it...

A woman in uniform, her face twisted with anger, smacking an employee.

"You're so stupid! I told you to bring the package here, and you didn’t come back. So stupid!"

The younger woman, barely holding back her tears, kept her head bowed. "I was only gone for five minutes, Ms.," she whispered, her voice trembling.

But instead of backing down, the manager raised her hand again.

That was it.

"I think you need to stop right there."

My voice cut through the air like a blade, slicing the tension clean in half. The room froze.

The gathered employees stiffened, their eyes widening in shock before they quickly bowed their heads at my presence.

The woman, Rebecca, judging by the fearful recognition in her eyes, whirled around, prepared to snap at whoever dared to interrupt her authority. But as soon as she locked eyes with me, she turned ghostly pale.

"M-Ms. Kim?!" she stammered, stepping back, her confidence crumbling.

"Yes, it is," I said coolly, crossing my arms. "Now both of you, state your names and positions."

"I-I… umm…" Rebecca fumbled, the sheer weight of my gaze reducing her to a blabbering mess.

"Speak properly, will you!" My voice turned sharp, making everyone flinch. Employees who had begun to slink away quickly returned, standing as still as statues.

Rebecca swallowed hard. "I am Rebecca Yi, the Head Manager of the Marketing Department, Ms. Kim," she finally managed.

How did she even get this position? I thought, utterly unimpressed.

"I am Yeri Kim, the Assistant Manager," the younger woman spoke softly, her voice laced with quiet dignity despite her red-rimmed eyes.

I turned my gaze back to Rebecca. "You're fired."

Gasps erupted around us. Rebecca collapsed onto her knees, her face contorted in shock and desperation.

"B-But, Ms. Kim, please! I-I’m so sorry! It won’t happen again-"