"It's this a game?" Ingrid asked, voice sharp and eyes narrowed.
"No," the Executive Director replied calmly.
"THEN HOW, IN FUCK'S NAME, AM I SUPPOSED TO RECRUIT SOMEONE WHEN YOU'RE SENDING ME ON VACATION!?"
It was lunchtime. Ingrid stood in the Director's office, her frustration on full display. The Executive Director had just informed her of an assignment from the top—recruiting a key individual for Won Group.
"You think it's going to be easy sneaking away and poaching the rival company's best employee?!" she shouted.
"Don't blame me," he replied, his hands calmly clasped, elbows resting on the table. "These orders came from above. Either the Vice President… or the Chairman himself."
He spoke like he was channeling the Vice President's cryptic tone:
"You cut it, before it kills the tree."
Standing now, he walked toward the window.
"Ingrid, I tried. Honestly. But this one's on you. There are only two possibilities."
He glanced over his shoulder.
"Either they believe you can pull this off... or they want to watch you fail, just to kick you out."
He lit a cigarette, then casually offered her one.
She raised a palm. "No thanks. I don't smoke under stress. Never have."
The Director nodded, taking a drag.
"Well, I didn't think this day would come. But since it's a reevaluation, the Chairman hasn't given up on you—yet."
Ingrid looked down at the photo in her hand—a woman, brunette, mid-20s. She turned to leave when his voice stopped her.
"Oh, and one more thing. For this project, I'm assigning Shan Wolf as your assistant."
She paused, visibly irritated. "Why?"
He smiled. "Because the VP wants it."
Ingrid's stomach sank. She already understood the setup.
---
Meanwhile, in the stairwell...
Shan Wolf had Rae Yoorin pressed against the wall, drilling her with questions and something more primal.
"Why did Gang Si Won quit?" he asked, taking her from behind with rapid, urgent thrusts.
"I—hell—ah—I don't know!" she panted between moans.
He spun her around and lifted her up, slamming into her as he finished deep inside.
"You're getting good at being submissive," he mocked as he zipped up. "Just admit you like it."
"Fuck you, idiot," she scowled.
They straightened their clothes and left the stairwell, unaware that someone had seen them.
From the shadows, Mei Yoo Jun stood silently, her expression unreadable.
---
Back in the office, Mei Yoo Jun sat at her desk, staring blankly at a sheet of paper. Her mind replayed what she saw—Shan Wolf and Rae Yoorin, tangled together like animals.
"Should I tell Ms. Mikage?" she thought.
"But… it could break her heart."
Kang Min nudged her back to reality.
"Hey, Yoo Jun. You okay?"
"Oh—sorry. Just… got a lot on my mind."
"Boyfriend stuff?"
"What?! N-no! Not that!" she blushed.
She excused herself to the restroom. As she approached, a hand landed on her shoulder.
"AHHH!" she yelped, stumbling backward. Her pantyhose-clad rear hit the floor.
Shan Wolf stood above her. "Whoa, you okay? Wasn't trying to scare you."
"No, Shan… I was just thinking too much," she muttered, embarrassed.
"Alright, upsy-daisy," he said, offering a hand and pulling her up. Their faces stopped too close—awkwardly close.
"Umm… sorry," they said in unison, stepping apart.
"Oh, right. I heard you were looking for me, Yoo Jun?"
"Huh? Oh—r-right. The Director and Ms. Mikage want to see you."
Shan nodded and headed off. Mei Yoo Jun remained frozen, heart pounding.
---
Inside the Executive Director's office, Shan entered, slightly disheveled. The Director needed only one glance.
This is doomed, he thought.
"I was wondering why the VP chose someone like you," he said.
"The VP chose me?" Shan thought, curious.
"You'll get the rest from your manager. Dismissed."
Shan nodded and exited. Ingrid followed shortly after.
"Ingrid," the Director said as she passed.
"Yes?"
"If the VP chose you and him for this project… you already know what they expect, don't you?"
He smirked as she exited with an annoyed sigh.
---
Top floor balcony. Sunset.
Shan and Ingrid stood alone under the golden hue of the fading sun.
"Headhunting, huh?" Shan said, breaking the silence.
"Yeah. And it's no joke. My position—and now your job—are on the line."
She leaned against the railing, arms crossed under her chest, right hand to her forehead.
"Here," she said, handing him a photo. "The woman we're supposed to recruit. Too bad I can't help. I'm on paid vacation starting tomorrow."
Shan raised a brow, took the photo… and froze.
"…Eva?"
Ingrid noticed his reaction.
"You know her?"
"Knew her," he muttered. "It's personal."
"Well, if you do, maybe we stand a chance."
She briefed him on the target—Min Rin Kin. 25. JK Group. Ranked second in the business sector. Promoted to team leader, youngest in their finance department.
"But here's the catch," Ingrid said. "She got her degree in Britain… on a Won Group scholarship."
Shan's brows shot up. "Bullshit. You're saying Eva was one of our scholarship kids?"
"Yep. Which means if she didn't join Won Group, she had to pay it all back."
"So she paid it back just to work for JK Group?"
Ingrid nodded. "Cold, right? And dumb too."
"She won't be easy," Shan muttered, staring at the photo.
"Why do you call her 'Eva'?" Ingrid asked.
"Nickname," he replied, lips curled in a private smile.
Ingrid smirked. "Seeing that smile, I'm guessing you've got a plan. A Wolf knows how to hunt its prey."
Shan didn't flinch.
"Deadline?" he asked.
"One week. Starting now."
"Give me two days." Shan said with confidence.
"Two days? You must be insane."
Shan stepped in close, Ingrid backed into the wall. Their faces inches apart.
"You all don't know what I know about Eva."
He tapped her nose with his finger.
"Oh? And what's that, bastard?" she said, gripping his tie as she pulls him closer to her.
Shan smiled and said.
"Eva… is a nymphomaniac."
Chapter 22 — End.