The fluorescent lights of the Aegis Corp office flickered like a dying heartbeat. Min-jun stared at the stack of documents on his desk. It was 2:00 AM.
"Min-jun! Where is my iced Americano?"
The voice belonged to Choi, the Senior Manager. Choi was a man who wore suits that cost more than Min-jun's yearly rent but possessed the personality of a wet trash bag.
"I'm finishing the audit you requested, sir," Min-jun mumbled, his eyes bloodshot.
"Did I ask for an audit? I asked for coffee!" Choi slammed a hand on the desk, intentionally spilling a bottle of ink over Min-jun's hard work. "Oops. Looks like you'll be staying another four hours. Clean that up, Errand Boy."
Min-jun's fists clenched under the table. He was the top of his class in college, a genius with numbers, yet here he was, being treated like furniture. He did it all for Elena—the ice-queen Vice President. He believed if he worked hard enough, she would finally notice him.
As Choi walked away laughing, Min-jun's phone buzzed. It was an anonymous text.
"Check the safe in the CEO's office. Your name is on the embezzlement files. You're the scapegoat, kid."
Min-jun's heart plummeted. He wasn't just a doormat; he was the sacrificial lamb.
He crept toward the executive wing, his sneakers squeaking on the polished marble. He found the door slightly ajar. Inside, voices whispered.
"Is the kid handled?"
Min-jun froze. It was the CEO.
"He's worked himself to the bone," a feminine voice replied. Min-jun's breath hitched. Elena? "He's pathetic, really. He thinks I actually like the way he looks at me. Once the police find the 'evidence' in his locker tomorrow, the company will be cleared."
Min-jun felt like his soul had been hollowed out. The woman he loved wasn't just indifferent—she was the architect of his ruin.
Suddenly, the lights in the hallway surged. A heavy hand landed on Min-jun's shoulder.
"You shouldn't have come here, Min-jun," Choi whispered behind him, a wicked grin on his face.
Before Min-jun could scream, a heavy blow struck the back of his head. Darkness rushed in, but through the fading light, he saw Elena step out of the office. She didn't look sad. She looked bored.
If I survive this, Min-jun thought as he spiraled into the void, I'll make sure you never feel bored again.