The flowerbed - Aespa's Giselle x M!Reader

The aftermath

Morning light streamed through the windows of the SM Entertainment building as I stood outside CEO Lee's office, adjusting my tie for the third time. My reflection in the glass door showed someone I barely recognized—thinner, with fading bruises still visible at my temple, but standing straighter than I had in months. In my hand was the folder Karina had prepared, containing documented evidence of everything the group had endured under Choi's management.

Giselle squeezed my other hand gently. "Stop fidgeting. You look fine."

"Should you even be here?" I asked, though her presence was the only thing keeping my anxiety at bay. "This is supposed to be a private meeting."

"Try and make me leave," she challenged with that half-smile that still made my heart skip. "Besides, what affects you affects all of us now."

Before I could respond, the door opened. CEO Lee stood there, looking more human than I'd ever seen him—his usual crisp appearance slightly rumpled, dark circles under his eyes hinting at sleepless nights following the Jung scandal.

"Y/N-ssi," he gestured us inside. "And Giselle-ssi. Please, sit."

His office felt different from the last time I'd been here, when he'd fired me over the scandal. The intimidating space now seemed smaller, humbler somehow. On his desk sat files with familiar names—Jung, Choi, Prime Entertainment.

"First," Lee began, settling behind his desk, "I owe you both an apology."

That wasn't what I'd expected to hear.

"The company failed you. Failed all of you," he continued, his gaze steady. "We should have seen what Jung was doing. What Choi was doing to the group. The fact that it took a near-tragedy to expose this..." He trailed off, genuine regret in his eyes.

"With respect, sir," I said carefully, "apologies don't undo what happened."

"No, they don't," he agreed. "Which is why I asked you here today." He pulled out a folder and slid it across the desk. "This is part of our restructuring plan following the Jung scandal."

I opened it cautiously, scanning the first page. My eyes widened as I took in the title.

"Director of Talent Welfare and Development?" I read aloud.

Lee nodded. "A new position, reporting directly to me. Overseeing the well-being of all artists under the SM label, with authority to step in if you see concerning management practices."

My mind raced. This wasn't just a job offer—it was systemic change.

"The board has agreed that the old methods are no longer acceptable," Lee continued. "We need someone who understands both sides—management demands and artist welfare. Someone the idols already trust."

Giselle's hand found mine under the table, squeezing tightly.

"Your first priority would be implementing new training protocols," Lee explained. "Setting standards that prioritize health and safety. No more sixteen-hour practices without breaks. No more managers like Choi."

It was everything I would have asked for—a chance to prevent anyone else from suffering what aespa had endured. But something still felt missing.

"And what about aespa specifically?" I asked, feeling Giselle tense beside me.

Lee's expression softened slightly. "They'll be assigned a new manager, of course. Someone carefully vetted, who understands—"

"I want to remain as their manager," I interrupted. Then, realizing my bluntness, added, "Sir."

Lee's eyebrows raised. "Along with the director position? That's a considerable workload."

"I can handle it," I said firmly. "I need to be there for them. For their comeback, for everything. They deserve consistency after everything they've been through."