THE BITCH CEO (Im Nayeon)

57

NO ONE'S POV

"CEO Im is coming! CEO IM IS COMING, EVERYONE!" one of the IMC employees shouted frantically as he sprinted toward the elevator, looking as if he were being chased by a lion.

"She's coming back?" another employee standing behind the reception desk asked her coworker, wide-eyed.

"I don't know. I haven't heard anything about her in years. I thought she left for the USA for good," the other replied, her tone panicked as the weight of the news sank in.

"Good morning, Miss Park," the employees greeted in unison when COO Park Jihyo walked briskly toward the reception desk.

"What's going on here? Why is everyone running around like it's an emergency?" Jihyo asked, her sharp eyes scanning the lobby, where chaos reigned.

The two receptionists exchanged nervous glances before answering.

"Someone yelled that CEO Im is coming, Miss Park," one of them explained.

Hearing this, Jihyo let out a small laugh, quickly realizing that the commotion was about none other than her best friend—the very person who terrified everyone in the building.

She shook her head, amused, and muttered under her breath, "Im Nayeon... Im Nayeon... You have no idea how much you scare these people." Still chuckling, she stepped into the elevator to head to her office, leaving the panicked lobby behind.

But minutes later, the tension in the lobby reached its peak as the most intimidating CEO of IMC, Im Nayeon, finally arrived.

The sharp click of her heels against the marble floor echoed ominously, silencing the whispers and halting every movement. Employees froze in place, their eyes wide with apprehension.

"It's like déjà vu," one receptionist murmured to the other.

"Good morning, everyone," Nayeon greeted suddenly, her voice calm yet commanding, paired with a smile that no one expected.

The room collectively gasped in shock.

The CEO they knew—the cold, unapproachable Im Nayeon—never smiled, much less greeted anyone.

"Good morning, CEO Im. Welcome back," Miss Hwang, Nayeon's loyal secretary, said with a bow as she approached her.

Despite Nayeon's three-year absence, Hwang Yeji had remained her secretary, a decision made by Nayeon's father, who held the CEO position during her time away. He had always trusted Yeji's ability to handle his daughter's infamous personality.

"How have you been, Miss Hwang?" Nayeon asked casually as they stepped into the private elevator leading to the top floor.

Yeji stared at her boss in disbelief, the usually sharp-tongued CEO now speaking with unexpected warmth.

"Are you... really my CEO?" she finally asked, her confusion etched on her face.

"Why? Do I look too pretty to be real?" Nayeon teased, flashing a bright smile.

Yeji blinked, her jaw dropping in astonishment.

"Yes, it's really me," Nayeon confirmed with a small laugh as her secretary remained speechless.

"I can't believe it," Yeji finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Is it because I'm not the tyrant CEO you were expecting?" Nayeon quipped, throwing a sly glance her way.

"No, CEO Im! That's not what I meant!" Yeji stammered, lowering her gaze in panic.

But to her surprise, Nayeon only smiled, showing no sign of anger.