My lawyer

The next day, Carrie and the rest of the racial squad stood at the airport entrance. Mr. Evans, dressed like a man who'd mastered the art of staying unbothered, blended effortlessly into the crowd, if not for the entourage of bodyguards giving him away.

"I can't believe you're leaving already—you just got here," Ava said, her voice tinged with sadness.

"Well, blame Carrie. She can't stand to see me for even a minute," Mr. Evans quipped, flashing a smile.

"I'm just trying to be protective," Carrie replied, arms crossed.

"A 21-year-old girl thinking she can outdo ten full-grown bodyguards—classic," he chuckled.

"I'm 22," she rolled her eyes, "and yes, I'll protect you if I have to."

Leo chimed in, "So… our plan's flopped? No more helping Na-eun, no dramatic rug-pulling?"

"We weren't taking her down in less than a week anyway," Jae-wook sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Sir, your flight is ready," Mr. Jake, the ever-polished butler, said softly.

"This is why I wanted to come by private jet. I hate being told when to leave," Mr. Evans muttered, irritated.

"Wait, you have a private jet?" Leo blinked. "Carrie, why didn't you tell me?"

Carrie ignored him and turned to her father. "Just… get home safe, okay?"

"Come here," he said, pulling her into a hug. "I'll be back sooner than you expect."

"Don't make me wait too long," she whispered.

"Promise," he smiled. Then his gaze drifted to Jae-wook. "Come closer."

Jae-wook hesitated but stepped forward. Mr. Evans pulled him into a sudden embrace, whispering, "I like you are a good guy, Her love language is touch. Hug her, reassure her, let her know things will be okay. She needs you more than she'll ever admit. And you—well, you need her too." He released him and gave a knowing look.

Jae-wook nodded silently.

"Leo, Ava," Mr. Evans said with a smirk. "Too old for hugs. Just send a list of what you want." Without waiting for a reply, he turned and vanished behind his wall of guards.

Carrie let out a deep sigh. "Alright. Time to get serious."

"Can we at least get home first?" Ava groaned. "Just hearing the name Na-eun gives me hives."

"If we get it right, you'll hear her name and smile, not shudder," Carrie said confidently.

Leo nodded. "Let's finish this. We've waited long enough."

"You guys go ahead. I'll meet you at home," Jae-wook said.

Carrie raised a brow. "Where are you off to?"

"It's a secret," he smirked.

"If your 'secret' involves threatening Na-eun, drop it," she warned.

"She deserves it, don't you think?"

"No. I'm glad I found out everything, even if it hurt. Let's cross her off the hit list, okay?"

Jae-wook stared at her for a beat, then relented. "Fine. But I have another surprise."

"Then we'll see you at home," Carrie said, gesturing to Leo and Ava. "Shall we?"

---

An hour later, they were back in the living room, lounging in anticipation. The doorbell finally rang.

Carrie sprang up and opened it. Her smile faltered.

"Why is he with you?" she asked, her tone icy, eyes fixed on the man beside Jae-wook.

"He's my lawyer," Jae-wook said casually.

"He is or he will be?"

"Well… he will be."

"Are you out of your mind? Him?"

"Excuse me. I'm standing right here," Mr. Justin said, unimpressed.

Carrie ignored him completely. "He lost his job for being a terrible lawyer. Let me spell it out—a very. Bad. Lawyer."

"Don't forget I'm still your lecturer, I still have a upper hand in your life as a student" Mr. Justin said, almost threatening.

"Carrie, can I talk to you for a moment?" Jae-wook asked.

She bit her lip. "Fine." She forced a smile toward Mr. Justin. "Make yourself at home," then disappeared with Jae-wook.

Ava leaned in toward the confused lawyer. "So… are you really getting your job back?"

"Depends on what she says," Leo said, then shuddered. "She usually looks so calm… but man, she must really hate you."

"Tea?" Ava offered cheerfully.

Mr. Justin blinked. The whiplash of emotions in this house was whiplash incarnate.

Meanwhile, in the hallway:

"I'm listening," Carrie said, arms still folded.

"Could you smile? You're scaring me," Jae-wook said with a half-laugh.

Instead of smiling, she launched into a rapidfire rant. "Are you out of your mind? Do you want a reminder of why he lost his job? His attitude is a walking red flag! He's the most unprofessional, cocky—"

Jae-wook just smiled.

"Are you seriously smiling right now?" she snapped.

"You look like one of those bubblehead cartoons when you're mad. It's cute. Makes me wanna kiss you."

"Don't even think about it." She jabbed a finger at him. "I may be small, but these fists don't lie."

"I kinda wanna know what that feels like. A punch from a mini-human."

"I wouldn't do it," Carrie said.

"Why not?"

"Because you'd catch my fist and pull me in."

Jae-wook raised an eyebrow. "Is that your fantasy?"

Carrie's voice dropped. "Focus. That's not why we're here."

"But you're blushing."

He stepped in closer. She backed up until her spine met the wall. His face was inches from hers. Carrie's breath caught. Her eyes fluttered shut.

Then… nothing.

She opened them to see him smirking.

"Were you expecting a kiss?" he teased.

She shoved him away. "You're so annoying! And you still haven't explained why him?"

"He needs my fame. I need his hunger. A desperate man fights hardest. He'll win because he has to."

Carrie looked skeptical, then slowly nodded. "Fine. I still don't like him. And he doesn't like me either. But I'll be professional."

Jae-wook reached for her hair, but she caught his hand mid-air.

"I'm still mad at you."

He tilted his head. "Why?"

"You… never mind." She turned to leave, but he caught her wrist gently, running his fingers through her hair, closing the space again.

BANG! Ava burst in.

"Okay! Mr. Justin is ancient. Let's vote on whether he stays or goes. I have Netflix waiting."

Jae-wook groaned. Carrie flushed and backed away.

"Timing, Ava. Ever heard of it?" He said.

Ava smirked. "Oh, I've heard of it. I just choose to ignore it."

"Let's just get this over with" Carrie said and walked out. Leaving Ava and Jae-wook behind, Jae-wook stood judging Ava's whole existence.

"Hey! It's not my fault, the old man keeps blabbing gibberish" she said defensively and also walked out.