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[Slow burn] - [Infinity song]

In the meeting, Jay found himself sitting across a stern-faced board of executives. The room echoed with an air of condemnation as they discussed the recent controversy.

"You've brought disgrace to the company, Jay," one executive accused.

"I don't see why my personal life has to overshadow my professional contributions," Jay asserted, frustration evident in his voice. "Sora has been an essential part of my support system, helping me navigate the challenges of this fucked up system you made."

"You think your personal problems matter to the company? You're delusional," one executive scoffed.

"I've worked hard for this company, and my dedication shouldn't be dismissed because of a personal connection," he argued, a hint of desperation in his tone. "There's more to me than the image you're trying to paint."

As Jay desperately tried to defend himself, the executives were relentless in their verbal assault.

"Your little therapist escapade is nothing but a stain on our reputation," another chimed in, his tone dripping with disdain.

"And here you are, acting like your mental well-being is more important than the company's image. How selfish can you get?" a third executive sneered.

"You're replaceable, Jay. Remember that," the chairman added coldly, shutting down any semblance of empathy.

They continued berating him, labeling his actions as foolish and self-centered. Jay's attempts to reason were met with mockery, leaving him with a sinking feeling of isolation as the executives tore into him without mercy.

"Next week, we're holding a press conference then you will go to an interview," declared the chairman, cold eyes fixed on Jay. "You will publicly deny any association with that therapist. We're deleting those compromising pictures, and there will be no trace of her in your life. Understood?"

Jay nodded, feeling the walls closing in. They took his phone, blocking Sora's number, and ruthlessly deleted all their messages. The executives seized control of his social media, erasing any connection between him and Sora.

It was a calculated effort to salvage his image, leaving Jay with a sinking feeling of helplessness as they orchestrated his public disassociation from the person who had once been a source of solace.

The aftermath of the launch party wreaked havoc on both Jay and Sora's lives. A leaked picture, not by a reporter but a former employee, thrust them into the unforgiving spotlight once again.

The company, reluctant to lose Jay as their money source, spun a statement claiming the woman in the photo was his cousin.

K-pop fans weren't easily deceived. Speculation arose about her being Felix's rumored pre-debut girlfriend, and when it leaked that she was also Jaehyun's cousin, the backlash intensified.

Sora found herself labeled as K-pop's "homie hopper," facing vile comments and losing patients as nurses and doctors looked down on her.

A week passed with no word from Jay. Sora wondered if he was ghosting her or consumed by the Fate tour in Asia. The silence left her in a painful limbo, haunted by the repercussions of a leaked photo and the harsh judgments that had tainted her once-promising career.

On the day of the press conference, Jay faced a harsh reality. The hate intensified, making it unbearable for him to step outside without facing a barrage of boos. His social media followers fluctuated; some deserted him, while others defended his right to love whomever he chose.

As he glanced through the windows, the sight of people camping in front of the company with "kick Jay out" banners and their trucks amused him.

Despite the chuckle, the weight of their relentless judgment lingered. "Fucking jobless people..." he muttered, attempting to brush off the bizarre and hurtful behavior that had become a haunting backdrop to his life.

Sora's life had become a relentless storm of challenges. The clinic turned hostile, patients dwindled, and colleagues looked down on her. Reporters shadowed her every move, making even mundane tasks feel like a battlefield.

The relentless scrutiny extended to her home, with people camping outside, forcing her to seek refuge with Jaehyun until the storm passed.

The pressure took a toll, and in the midst of the chaos, she couldn't help but reflect on her past with Felix. The realization hit her like a wave – the fragility of relationships in the face of public scrutiny.

She understood why Felix had ended things, recognizing the harsh reality that when the spotlight turns harsh, everything can crumble. The once-promising life she had built seemed to be slipping away, leaving her grappling with the weight of public judgment.

The day had been an arduous journey for both Jay and Sora. Jay faced the press in a high-stakes conference that would determine the fate of his career, while Sora, on the other hand, confronted a board meeting that spelled an inevitable end to her professional journey.

For Jay, the pressure hung in the balance between keeping or losing his job. The outcome would shape the trajectory of his future in the limelight. Meanwhile, Sora's board meeting left her with the stark realization that her job was slipping away definitively, an irreparable loss that weighed heavily on her shoulders.

As Sora began packing her belongings, a comforting hand stopped her – her secretary, Jungsuk.

"Sora, please don't give up. You're the best psychologist here; there's no way they'd fire you," he pleaded.

"I broke a rule, Jungsuk, and I should face the consequences," Sora replied.

Jungsuk sighed and insisted, "Let me help you at least."

Sora smiled at his supportive gesture and hugged him, expressing her gratitude. "Thank you so much, Secretary Jungsuk. You've always been there for me. I'll put in a good word for you; don't worry."

However, Jungsuk looked down with guilt and muttered, "I'm really sorry, Sora. Please forgive me."

Before she could inquire further, her phone rang. It was a call from the chairman's secretary.

"The meeting is canceled," the secretary informed Sora.

"Last minute? Why?" Sora questioned.

"I don't know, but the chairman wants to see you," the secretary replied.

Neither Sora nor Jungsuk knew much about the chairman. The only information circulating was that she was an old, sweet lady; only the board executives had the chance to meet her, not the doctors.

Sora entered the office with trembling hands, contemplating the years of hard work that might be discarded due to this mistake. The consequences seemed magnified by the celebrity status. If Jay were an ordinary person, perhaps the scrutiny wouldn't be as harsh.

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