My Precious Family 3 [Jenlisa]

Chapter 550: Lisa's workaholic effect

[FLASHBACK]

Irene often heard the words, "How nice would it be to be you?" Be it from men, especially women, admired and envied her. How could they not? Irene was beautiful, smart, and was well born to boot. She was an overachiever from a young age and then graduated with flying colors from the most prestigious university abroad.

Even when she reached adulthood, Irene continued to make waves. Her influence in their family business was close to her father, who was leading their family business. On top of that, she also started her own company, which was steadily growing throughout these years.

Irene's achievement could fill a few long pages. It was as if in everything she did, starting from sports to academics, and then in the fierce, cruel adult life, she excelled in it. One could argue it was because she had the support from the Bae family, but they could never disregard that she was truly a magnificent young lady.

This was the very reason many assumed she would be Lisa's wife. Both of them were great in everything, and putting them in the same picture just seemed perfect. No one would even object if Irene and Lisa ended up together. The world would rejoice.

What others didn't know was the pressure of being Irene Bae.

"These are the documents Mr. Manoban told me to deliver to you." Irene gazed at the papers placed on her desk. "He said he needed it tomorrow morning."

Morning?

Irene weakly glanced at the digital clock on the side of the table. It was already three in the morning, and Lisa's assistant was telling her he needed them tomorrow morning.

"Does he think I am his staff?" she whispered, lifting her eyes to the person standing in front of her desk.

The second she locked eyes with Jisoo, she could feel the exhaustion swirling in his eyes. The dark bags under his eyes were evident that no concealer could ever hide. They were the same as hers. Good thing Jisoo had a good look to make up for the exhaustion plastered on his face.

"Mr. Kim, isn't it a little late for you to deliver these documents at this hour?" she asked in a light and joking tone. She didn't have the heart to pour her frustration on him, as it seemed he was also overworked.

Jisoo smiled helplessly. "My boss is still working, Miss Bae. I can't fall behind."

"Goodness. I want to scream at you, but it seems you are in a much more pitiful state." Irene pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling her head throb. Ever since starting her own company, she couldn't remember when was the last time she had eight hours of sleep. The longest sleep she had for months now was six hours. Hence, her headaches were growing frequently.

"Are you alright, Miss Bae?" Jisoo lowered his head to check on her. "Have you eaten anything for dinner?"

Irene peeled her fingers from the bridge of her nose, smiling. She couldn't even remember having a proper meal throughout the day, let alone having a decent dinner. At this point, she was having second thoughts, as if asking Lisa for a partnership was even the right call. The man was a workaholic and if those who worked for/with him slack, they would lag behind.

"Don't worry about me, Mr. Kim. Thank you for asking, though." She offered him a smile, reaching for the document he personally delivered, which meant it was important. "You should rest now. I'll send my response first thing in the morning."

Jisoo didn't say anything anymore as he lowered his head. "Alright. Have a good night, Miss Bae."

"It's already morning." She humored, watching Jisoo straighten his back. Jisoo looked so exhausted that he didn't have the spare energy to even respond to her humor. He didn't idle as he turned on his heel, almost dragging his feet.

'Lisa really thinks everyone should keep up with him,' she thought, keeping her eyes on Jisoo's back. The man was walking slower than his normal pace, which was understandable. For sure, Jisoo had been working nonstop since morning the day before.

Irene took away her focus from the retreating man as she gazed down at the documents before her. Another deep exhale slipped past her thin lips, and she opened the folder to read them.

'I can't fail,' was what she told herself when she felt like sleeping. 'No one said starting a business isn't hard, but for sure, it'll all be worth it.'

Proving to everyone she could make a name for herself without the help of the Bae family forced her to work hard. Seeing Lisa work ten times harder than everyone else despite being the young CEO of an already established company compelled her to do the same. She couldn't fall short.

'That's right.' She nodded, squinting her eyes as the letters on the paper shook. 'Lisa is already leading their family business, but he's still working harder than anybody else. What right do I have to complain?'

Irene closed her eyes as she felt her body swaying. When she opened her eyes, she shook her head to wake herself up. However, the letters on the papers continuously shook, making her a little nauseous.

'I should... send these tomorrow...' her eyes and body felt heavy, and before she knew it, the darkness consumed her like she was a vulnerable prey who couldn't fight back.

Jisoo reached for the knob when he heard a loud thud from behind him. His reaction time was slow, and he wondered if he were hallucinating. But when he looked back to check, Irene wasn't sitting behind her desk anymore. He slowly cast his eyes down, and that second, his pupils instantly went wide.

"Miss Bae!" all the tiredness and sleepiness Jisoo felt magically disappeared, seeing that Irene fainted from her seat. "Miss Bae!"

Jisoo immediately rushed to her, shaking her shoulder. He first checked her breathing, and when he felt her slow yet warm breaths, he carried her in his arms and took her to the nearest hospital.