The next morning—
Lucy walked into the company building like she always did.
But she didn't get far.
She stopped.
Right at the entrance.
Something was wrong.
Police officers stood near the reception.
Not one.
Not two.
Several.
Still.
Watching.
Men in black suits stood around them.
Bodyguards.
Their eyes sharp, scanning everything.
No one was talking.
No phones ringing.
No footsteps rushing.
Just silence.
Lucy's brows slowly pulled together.
"…What is going on?" she whispered under her breath.
Her eyes moved around the room.
Staff members stood in small spaces.
Heads lowered.
No one dared to look up.
Even the supervisor—
Was standing stiff.
Her hands slightly shaking.
Lucy felt something twist inside her chest.
Cold.
Heavy.
She took a step forward.
Then another.
Her shoes sounded louder than they should.
Tap.
Tap.
And then—
Every head turned.
At once.
Lucy froze.
Her breath caught.
They were all looking at her.
No one spoke.
But their eyes said enough.
Confusion hit her first.
Then—
Fear.
She swallowed and kept walking.
Slowly.
Trying to act normal.
Even when nothing felt normal.
And then she saw him.
Standing at the center.
Surrounded.
But not touched.
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Just stood there like everything around him belonged to him.
Lucy's steps slowed.
Then almost stopped.
He lifted his head slightly.
And looked at her.
Their eyes met.
Blue.
Deep.
Cold.
But… beautiful.
Too beautiful.
For a second—
Lucy forgot where she was.
His eyes…
Why are they so…
She caught herself.
Then his voice came.
Calm.
Clear.
Cutting through the silence.
"Is she the one?"
No one spoke.
No one dared.
They just nodded.
One after the other.
Lucy felt her heart drop.
Her hands went cold.
Her breathing changed.
"What…?" she whispered.
She didn't even realize when she moved.
Didn't realize when her knees hit the floor.
"I didn't do anything," she said quickly, her voice shaking.
"I didn't take anything. I swear… I'm just an ordinary person trying to survive. Please…"
Her words echoed slightly in the quiet room.
No one helped her.
No one spoke for her.
He just looked at her.
No anger.
No pity.
No reaction.
Just… watching.
Lucy's hands trembled against the floor.
Her head slightly bowed.
Waiting.
Hoping.
But nothing came.
He exhaled slowly.
A quiet sigh.
Then turned.
And started walking away.
Lucy's eyes widened.
That was it?
He reached the door.
Paused.
Without turning back—
"I will get back to you when I have the time."
A beat.
"You should be ready for whatever is coming your way."
Then he walked out.
The door closed.
And only then—
Did the room breathe again.
The officers moved first.
Then the bodyguards followed.
The tension didn't leave immediately.
It lingered.
Heavy.
Lucy slowly pushed herself up.
Her knees weak.
Her hands still shaking.
She looked around.
The way they were looking at her now—
Had changed.
Not curiosity.
Not confusion.
Hate.
People walked past her.
Not saying anything.
But their silence was loud.
The supervisor stopped in front of her.
Close.
Too close.
"If I lose my job because of you," she said quietly, her voice tight, "I will make sure I end your career."
Lucy didn't respond.
Couldn't.
The supervisor walked away.
Lucy stood there.
Alone.
"Lucy…"
Clara rushed to her.
Held her arm.
Steadying her.
"I know you didn't take those files," Clara said softly, wiping her tears.
Lucy looked at her.
Her eyes still wet.
Still lost.
"You need to work hard to prove your innocence," Clara continued.
"Before that wicked boss of ours comes back."
Lucy blinked slowly.
"…Boss?"
Clara nodded.
"Trust me when I say this—he doesn't forgive. He doesn't care if you feel pain or not. He enjoys ruining people's lives."
Lucy swallowed.
Her throat felt dry.
"I will advise you to stay away from him," Clara added.
"By finding out who really took those files before he comes back."
Lucy stared at her.
"…He is the owner of the company?"
Clara looked at her, surprised.
"Yes, of course. You didn't know?"
Lucy shook her head slowly.
Clara sighed.
"He has so many companies. He doesn't stay long in the country. He's always traveling. Maybe that's why you don't know him."
Lucy went quiet.
Her mind replayed everything.
His eyes.
His voice.
His words.
Be ready for whatever is coming your way.
Her fingers slowly curled into her palm.
For the first time
She felt it clearly.
This wasn't something small.
And whatever was coming—
She wasn't ready for it.