Huan Jing grabbed Aanya's hand in panic and stopped her right there. She knew the strict office rules all too well.
Huan Jing: "Are you crazy, Aanya? You can't go back up! The rule for the Boss's cabin is—not even a bird can flap its wings there unless he calls for them himself. And you ran out of there as if a ghost was chasing you!"
Aanya clutched her throat; her breath was still rapid. "But my ID card is there! Without it, how will I come to the office tomorrow? And if he sees it..."
The Madness of the Two Friends
Huan Jing pushed Aanya into an empty corner so no one could see them. Both were acting completely crazy:
Aanya's Fear: Aanya kept tugging at her hair and hopping slightly. "Huan, he was calling me 'Mrs. Jeon'! He remembers everything! I am dead!"
Huan Jing's Antics: Huan Jing covered Aanya's mouth and began pretending to shiver with fear herself. "Shhh! Speak softly! If the 'Wolf Boss' hears that you still think he is 'Jungkook,' he will never give your ID card back!"
Both grabbed each other and started spinning in circles, letting out a silent scream, as if they couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
Qian's Sudden Arrival
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the corridor. Both became like 'statues' instantly. Qian was passing by, holding Aanya's ID card in his hand.
He saw the two girls standing there holding each other in a strange way. He took a deep breath, walked up to Aanya, and extended the card toward her.
Qian: "Miss Lu, your 'visiting card' was left on the Boss's table. Be careful next time... the Boss doesn't like people who leave 'evidence' (khulasa) behind."
Qian gave Huan Jing a strange look, as if saying, 'Are you starting again?',
Aanya quickly flipped her ID card over to look. She thought there might be a serious message, but when she read it, her eyes widened in anger.
Zain had written in stylish English on the back of the card:
"Caution: Mrs. Jeon is high on 'Oppa' power. Do not let her near any Korean posters—she might start a family on the spot!"
Aanya stomped her foot in anger. "This... this 'Wolf Boss' is making fun of me! Does he think I'm a child?"
Huan Jing stepped forward, snatched the card, and burst out laughing upon reading the message. "Hahaha! Aanya, the Boss turned out to be quite a dark horse! His sense of humor is amazing!"
Standing there, when Qian heard this, he turned his face away, but his shoulders were shaking. He was trying to suppress his laughter but failed. He gave a faint, genuine smile.
Huan Jing's gaze immediately went to Qian's face. She pointed her finger in astonishment and screamed.
Huan Jing: "Oh boy! Sir... are you smiling? Aanya look, the Grumpy Sir is smiling! I have to admit, Sir, you look even more handsome than the Boss when you smile!"
Aanya also forgot her anger and looked at Qian. "Yes... Huan is right. Your face has opened up, Sir."
Both girls came very close to Qian and began staring at him as if he were a wonder of the world. Qian suddenly became awkward. He immediately resumed his 'Cold Look' and cleared his throat.
Qian (Flustered): "Ahem... don't talk too much. Focus on your work, otherwise the Boss won't like the message."
Qian left the place quickly, but his ears had turned red with embarrassment.
Zain's Cabin: The Predator's Gaze
Up in the cabin, Zain was watching the CCTV footage on his laptop. He saw how Aanya got angry reading his message and how the two were teasing Qian.
Downstairs, Aanya and Huan Jing were both working. Huan Jing was teaching Aanya the work methods. Zain slammed the file shut and leaned back in his chair. His mind was still occupied with finding that killer with the Dragon Tattoo, yet he had no inkling that Lu Kang, whom he wanted to put to death, was Aanya's beloved uncle.
The New Desk and Small Joys
Down in the HR department, Aanya was very happy sitting at her new desk. She carefully cleaned her ID card (on which Zain had written the funny message) and wore it around her neck.
Huan Jing (Teasing): "Look at that, how your face is glowing just by getting a new desk! And this ID card is now no less than a 'Love Letter' for you, isn't it?"
Aanya glared at her. "Shut up! It's just a card. And anyway, the Boss mocked me; he didn't praise me."
The two friends were still laughing when suddenly silence fell over the entire floor.
The Intercom: "Miss Lu, To My Cabin!"
Suddenly, the intercom on Aanya's desk rang. Aanya pressed the button fearfully.
Zain's heavy and cold voice came through the intercom:
"Miss Lu... come to my cabin. Now."
Aanya's heart stopped for a moment. She saw that everyone in the office—seniors, juniors, and even the cleaners—had stopped working and were just looking at her.
Office Gossip:
"Why is this girl going to the Boss's cabin every day?"
"It seems her 'Oppa' antics have actually caught the Boss's fancy."
Huan Jing whispered, "Aanya... it seems the 'Wolf' is hungry again. Go, but be careful! Don't let him finalize the names of those two kids this time!"
Aanya grabbed her bag and, swallowing hard, moved toward the lift. She felt everyone's eyes piercing her back. Everyone thought Aanya's luck was shining, but Aanya felt like she was heading into the lion's den once again.
Aanya pushed the door open gently and entered. Her heart was beating so loudly she felt Zain must be able to hear it.
Aanya: "M-May I come in, Sir?"
Zain didn't lift his head. He was signing a file. The muscles in his arms were clearly visible through his expensive shirt. He said in a cold yet deep voice:
Zain: "Yes. Come in, Miss Lu."
Aanya stood in front of his desk, wringing her hands together. The silence was so deep she felt her breath catching. Suddenly, Zain pushed the chair back and stood up. His intimidating 195 cm height surrounded Aanya like a shadow. His height was completely overwhelming her. He leaned down and looked into Aanya's eyes, just as he had done last night.
Zain: "Miss Lu, before starting work... go and bring a coffee for me."
Aanya only gave a faint 'Yes' and quickly rushed out of the cabin. Her face was becoming so hot she felt she would melt.Aanya clutched her head in anger and embarrassment and stomped her foot hard on the ground.
Aanya (To herself): "Oh my god! Where have I gotten stuck? Was I out of my mind to come here? Why did I sign that contract? That 'Wolf' is mocking me and I... I am making coffee for him!"
She was so stressed that she almost added salt instead of sugar to the coffee by mistake. Her mind kept drifting back to that 'Byeon Woo-seok' and 'Jungkook' talk.
"If I run away from here, that contract will ruin me. And if I stay here, this Boss will drive me crazy!" She slammed her hand on the pantry counter in frustration. While she was still in her dilemma, she felt someone staring at her. She looked up and saw a girl standing there—Xiao.
Xiao: The Shadow of a Beautiful Senior
Xiao was wearing very professional and expensive clothes; everything about her was perfect. She gave a slight smile looking at Aanya, but there was a strange secret in her eyes.
"You are the one, right?" Xiao helped Aanya and set the coffee machine correctly. "My name is Xiao, I am a senior here. And you... you are that 'Famous Newcomer' who accidentally went to the 17th floor? The one whose interview happened right in the lift?"
Aanya swallowed hard and nodded slowly. Xiao handed the coffee mug to Aanya and leaned near her ear, whispering:
"He is a man with a heart of stone, Aanya. Zain Yan never shows mercy to anyone. He hunts until the prey is completely destroyed. He hasn't let you go... he has entangled you."
The Old Terror Returns
Hearing Xiao's words, Aanya's hands began to tremble. Immediately, the scene of the 17th floor flashed before her—Zain's blood-stained hand, his ruthless eyes, and that scream.
Aanya (To herself): "Is Xiao right? Is Zain only joking with me so that he can give me even more pain later? Am I really the next target of his hunt?"
Aanya felt as if the walls were closing in on her. On one hand was the 'Funny Zain' who was teasing her as 'Mrs. Jeon,' and on the other was this 'Terrifying Zain' about whom Xiao was warning her.
Trembling, Aanya entered Zain's cabin with the coffee mug. Xiao's words about the "predator" were echoing in her mind. As soon as she got inside, she saw Zain shouting very badly at an employee over the phone.
Seeing Zain's anger, Aanya got so scared that her hands faltered. Just then, Zain suddenly jerked his hand, causing Aanya to lose her balance