HS 1

Chapter 1

“I’m quitting!”

Seven months had passed since Yoona boldly threw her resignation letter on the desk and walked out of the company. Now she lay sprawled on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

For the first month, it had felt like paradise — the world seemed beautiful, and she couldn’t understand why she had endured so much humiliation just to keep working there. She regretted not quitting sooner.

After countless nights of overtime and giving up her weekends in loyalty to the company, what she got in return was having her work stolen.

The design proposal she’d completed through nosebleeds and exhaustion bore her senior’s name alongside the team leader’s — not hers.

“Manager, I worked on this design from the very first draft. You know I never once left work on time during that project.”
“I know, I know. But I gave you the opportunity, didn’t I? Who would entrust the company’s main branding design to a third-year employee? You got that chance because I believed in your potential. Isn’t that something to be grateful for?”

Her team leader was no different from the backstabbing senior.

“Let’s not make things so harsh between us, Yoona. You did work hard — I know that. But can you honestly say Manager Hong didn’t help you at all?”

Yoona had trembled with anger at his absurd words. She’d tried to let it go — until the performance review came out.

She’d been given the lowest rating.
Her design was hanging proudly in the company lobby as part of the new rebranding project — and yet she was rated at the bottom.

Outraged, she rushed to HR.

“You seem to work excessive overtime without clear achievements. We’re monitoring employees like you who intentionally do that just to claim overtime pay.”

Humiliated beyond endurance, Yoona threw her resignation letter and walked out.

At least she was free now — no one to exploit her, no fake smiles, no ulcers. She’d find another job soon enough. Or so she thought.

Months turned into half a year, and now even her mother sighed whenever their eyes met.

It wasn’t supposed to take this long. She’d been applying aggressively for jobs, but she’d failed at the final interview six times already.

“Yoona, lunch is ready.”

At her mother’s call, she sat up quickly.

Right — food first, thinking later.

She went to the kitchen where her mother, smiling kindly, set a bowl of rice in front of her.

“Aren’t you eating too, Mom?”
“Just watching my daughter eat makes me full.”

Her mother, phone in hand, chuckled sweetly as she walked into the living room, chatting animatedly with someone.

That was strange. Just this morning, she’d been scolding Yoona about being unemployed.

“Oh, my Yoona? She’s just taking a short break. That company worked her too hard! They even made her come in on weekends — the poor thing had nosebleeds from overwork! Big companies aren’t always good, you know. She was so stressed she couldn’t even eat, so I told her to quit! And she’s a Korea University fine arts graduate — she’ll have no trouble finding a new job.”

Her mother kept emphasizing “Korea University fine arts” like it was a badge of honor.

Yoona blinked. Was this really my mom?

Then her mother’s voice changed:

“Oh yes, if she teaches your son, he’ll definitely pass. She even taught private art lessons when she was in college — the kids loved her!”

Yoona froze mid-bite. That wasn’t entirely false, but she’d only done part-time tutoring during summer breaks.

“Seung-jae, was it? He’ll pass this year for sure.”
“Mom, I only worked part-time at that academy, I—”

Her mother turned sharply, putting a finger to her lips — shh.

So, someone named Seung-jae was preparing for college art exams, and this was a request for private tutoring.

Entrance exam tutoring…

That usually paid a lot more.
She could make money, ease her mother’s worries, and buy time to keep job-hunting. Perfect.

Her mother came back, gulped down a glass of barley tea, and sighed in relief.

“Whew, that was a long call. My throat’s dry. Yoon-ah, there’s a lesson offer — want to take it?”
“Sure, if it’s exam tutoring. Who’s the student?”
“A friend of Young-sun’s knows someone — her son, a retaker. Doesn’t like the regular academies.”
“Where does he live?”
“Hannam-dong. Oh, and he’s the second son of Seoho Electronics.”
“What? Seoho Electronics?”

Yoon-ah’s eyes went wide. Seoho Electronics — that Seoho Electronics?

“Yes, the biggest conglomerate in the country, the one topping market capitalization.”

She couldn’t believe it.

“Apparently the kid has a terrible temper. He’s already gone through over ten tutors.”

Of course.

“Mom, you really want to send your only daughter there? I’m still job-hunting! I even went to an interview yesterday—”
“Ten million won.”
“What?”
“The monthly lesson fee — ten million won. Plus a bonus if he gets into a top art university. So? You in?”

The next day, Yoon-ah stepped out of a taxi and followed her phone’s navigation.

The neighborhood was lined with fortress-like walls and security cameras spaced at regular intervals.

It was the kind of place where CEOs and chaebols lived — silent, empty, and heavily guarded.

“Is this it…?”

She stopped before a massive gate that completely hid what lay beyond.

Ten million won a month. Even if she didn’t last long, three months meant thirty million. Enough for a small officetel with her savings — a space with her own art studio.

A dream.

And freedom from her mother’s sighs.

“That family has two sons. You’d know the first — he’s often in the news. The second’s a late-born child, raised spoiled because he was sick as a kid. That’s probably why his temper’s so bad…”

Please. I’ve survived worse.
Yoon-ah had endured two years and four months of hellish overtime and verbal abuse. She could handle one moody rich kid.

She took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell.

Just then, a sleek black Jaguar glided toward the gate. The driver’s door opened, and a tall man in a black suit stepped out.

The afternoon sunlight of late spring caught on his sharp features as he strode toward her —

It was Kwon Seung-won, Executive Director of Seoho Electronics, and eldest son of Chairman Kwon Jeong-hwan.