nakshu2307

Haneul Seo had always been a bright spark—cheerful, ambitious, and full of life. In her early teenage years, she had harbored an innocent yet deep crush on Ra Hyeon, the untouchable senior at her school. He was everything she wasn’t—cold, reserved, and completely out of reach. A boy with sharp eyes and an aura of effortless power, already groomed to inherit his father’s vast business empire.

For two years, Haneul loved him from afar, unaware that his heart already belonged to someone else. When she finally learned the truth, the heartbreak was a quiet storm—one that pushed her to let go and focus on her own future. And that’s exactly what she did.

Determined to prove her worth beyond fleeting high school crushes, she threw herself into her studies, earned a place at a prestigious university, and graduated with top honors. Her hard work paid off—by the time she was in her mid-twenties, she had secured a position as a legal advisor in one of the country’s most powerful corporate firms. In a male-dominated field, she was the only woman on her team, yet she thrived. Confident, fearless, and stunningly charismatic, she became a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, Ra Hyeon had been living a different life—one of privilege and expectations. After completing his education abroad, he returned to Seoul, where his father wasted no time in handing him the reins of the family empire. At just 28, he became the CEO of Hyeon Group, a multibillion-dollar conglomerate. He had always been a man of control, but something about the city felt different upon his return. Perhaps it was because he was no longer the untouchable senior, and perhaps… it was because fate had other plans.

When Haneul and Ra Hyeon’s paths cross again, it isn’t as a starry-eyed schoolgirl and an indifferent senior. This time, she stands as his equal—or perhaps, even as his adversary. In a world where power and ambition rule, will the embers of a forgotten crush reignite, or will they be forced to clash in the battlefield of corporate politics?

One thing is certain—Haneul Seo is no longer the girl who once admired him from the shadows. And Ra Hyeon? He might just realize that some people are impossible to ignore.

Tangled in Fate

The elevator doors slid open, revealing the grand, bustling lobby of Hyeon Group. Employees stole glances as Ra Hyeon and Haneul walked side by side, their presence commanding silent attention.

Haneul kept her expression neutral, her focus entirely on the work-related errand they were supposed to handle—until Ra Hyeon's voice cut through the air.

"Give me your number."

She blinked. Wait, what?

Turning to him, she found his expression as unreadable as ever, his gaze fixed ahead like he hadn't just dropped a bomb on her.

Ra Hyeon barely spared her a glance. "Your number. I might need to reach you outside of office hours."

Haneul internally groaned. Of all times, he asks now?

Did he really need it, or was this some subtle power play? His tone was indifferent, professional—but something about the way his fingers lightly tapped against his phone, waiting, made her feel like he was testing her.

But before she could even respond—

A loud voice cut through the lobby.

She turned, only to see a man striding toward her with determination in his eyes.

And then—he pulled out a bouquet of roses.

Why today of all days? That too, in front of this jerk?! Wow, just WOW. This totally made my day.

Gosh, first respond quickly to the jerk—no, not the one with the flowers, the bigger one.

The silence in the lobby was deafening. Eyes were darting between her, the man with the flowers, and—most dangerously—Ra Hyeon, who now had his full attention on the unfolding scene.

Haneul could feel the weight of his gaze, unreadable yet intense. Was he… amused? Irritated? She couldn't tell. But what she did know was that she needed to handle this fast.

Without missing a beat, she turned to Ra Hyeon first.

"Here, CEO," she said quickly, typing her number into his phone. "For professional use only."

His fingers brushed against hers as he took his phone back, his gaze flickering with something unreadable. There was a pause—brief but noticeable—before he tucked his phone away, his expression as composed as ever.

Meanwhile, the entire lobby had gone silent, waiting for her answer to the guy who just confessed.

Haneul inhaled sharply, steeling herself. If there was ever a time she wished she could disappear into thin air, it was now.

The guy stood there, eyes hopeful, holding the bouquet out to her like a scene straight out of a drama. The difference? She wanted nothing to do with it.

She could already hear the whispers around them, people holding their breath for what she would do next.

And out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ra Hyeon still standing there. Watching. Waiting.

The Worst Possible Timing