The office was quieter than usual, but the silence felt deceptive — like a pause before thunder.
Hye-rin could feel it in the stares that followed her down the hall, the whispers that faded whenever she passed. It had started two days ago, after that ridiculous article:
> "LJ Group CEO Lee Joon-hyuk Engaged to His Secretary?"
She'd told herself it didn't matter — that the fake engagement was part of the deal anyway. But today, after the call from the loan office, the lie suddenly felt like the only lifeline she had left.
Her mother's words echoed in her head: "They're coming again, Hye-rin. I don't know what to do…"
She didn't think. She just went to him.
When she entered his office, Joon-hyuk was already scrolling through his phone, probably reading the latest gossip. His expression was unreadable. "You've seen the news, I assume."
"Yes," she said quietly. "That's what I came to talk about."
He set his phone down. "If this is about damage control, I already—"
"I want to move the wedding up."
The words came out faster than she intended. His gaze snapped to hers. "What?"
She swallowed. "You said the marriage would help stabilize the company's image. The rumors are already out. Why wait?"
Joon-hyuk studied her for a long moment — too long. His voice, when it came, was softer than she expected. "You're suddenly very eager to marry your 'narcissist boss,' Miss Kang."
She forced a smile. "You're the one who said this is business. I'm just… doing my part."
He stepped closer, eyes narrowing slightly. "You're hiding something."
Her heart tripped. "I'm hiding a headache from dealing with your PR department."
For once, he didn't push. He just sighed, rubbing his temple. "Fine. We'll arrange it sooner. But if you regret this—"
"I won't," she said quickly.
When she left his office, her heart was racing. Not from guilt — but from how easily he'd agreed.
He thought she wanted to play along with the lie.
He didn't know it was the only truth she could afford.