Anger never builds; it only tears down. In the heat of a single moment, it can feel like strength, an armor to hide behind. But when the fire fades, all that's left are the ashes of what once mattered. Anger doesn't solve anything-it devours patienc...
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I don’t care how many times the world tests us — I’ll choose you every time.
Chapter 35: Spend
The atmosphere inside the boardroom was tense but controlled—every word, every click of the pen, every nod was deliberate. Gaeul sat at the head of the long glass table, posture poised and sharp as she listened to one of her directors present quarterly figures. Her expression was unreadable, cold yet composed, a mask honed through years of dominance in the corporate world.
But just as her CFO began to discuss a new expansion proposal, the double doors burst open. The sharp sound echoed through the room, freezing everyone in place. Gaeul’s sharp gaze immediately shot toward the door, irritation already brewing before she even saw who had dared to interrupt.
Her secretary, Inhyuk, rushed in—visibly pale and breathless. The room collectively shifted, a few executives glancing uneasily between their furious CEO and her panicked assistant.
“Inhyuk,” she hissed, voice low but cutting like a blade. “This had better be good.”
He hurried forward, leaning close enough so only she could hear. His voice trembled slightly as he whispered, “Boss, there are police officers in the lobby. They said they have a search warrant to search the entire building.”
For a second, Gaeul didn’t move. Her perfectly manicured fingers, which had been resting on her pen, tightened until her knuckles whitened. Then her jaw clenched, and the subtle calmness in her expression shattered.
“Excuse me,” she said suddenly, forcing a polite smile toward the room. “Please continue without me. I’ll return shortly.”
Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she exited, Inhyuk following close behind. The moment the doors shut behind them, the smile vanished.
“Why the fuck were they allowed in?” she snapped, her voice echoing down the hallway. The controlled CEO façade was gone—what remained was raw irritation and fear.
“They showed a warrant, Ma’am,” Inhyuk replied quickly, keeping pace beside her. “They said if we refused to cooperate, you could be charged with obstruction of justice.”
“Obstruction of justice,” she muttered under her breath, venom coating every word. Her mind was already racing—how had this happened? Who leaked something?
She jabbed the elevator button repeatedly, her irritation barely contained. As soon as the doors opened, she turned to Inhyuk, her eyes narrowing like a predator cornered.
“Call my lawyer—now. Tell him everything,” she ordered coldly. “And make sure to get rid of everything. You know what I mean.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said quickly, bowing slightly before rushing off.
