There had been no sign of Jiah and Seokjin in the Bejiwoo for the past five months.

However, during that period, In-Kang and Company became embroiled in a controversy involving illegal activities. The company's stocks plummeted, causing distress for Bejiwoo as they received warning letters from the company, threatening closure unless a sum of money was paid.

Hoseok spent days and nights at his office, tirelessly working on designs. He felt troubled as Amber repeatedly rejected his sketches, claiming they didn't align with Bejiwoo's aesthetic.

Yoongi's assistance was limited. Ever since Seokjin's departure, Yoongi had taken on Seokjin's tasks. Amber offered no help, insisting that Hoseok solve the issue himself.

Stressed and helpless, Hoseok's patience thinned. He hurled his sketchbook against the wall. Amber saw that, but pretended she didn't

**********

Jiah had received no communication from Bejiwoo. However, she found out that Hoseok had fired Seokjin too. Jisoo informed her, though she didn't disclose the reason for his dismissal. Humiliated, despite the substantial salary she earned as Hoseok's P.A., Jiah decided to not beg for her job back.

Nevertheless, her dedication had enabled her to pay off half of her father's debt, providing some relief.

For the time being, she assisted her father at his barber shop. She felt it wasn't the right time to search for a new job. Reflecting on her past struggles before joining Bejiwoo, combined with lingering hurt from Hoseok's actions, she believed she needed some time to heal.

One day, as her father trimmed a client's hair, Jiah managed the counter. Suddenly, a shadow sized up at the entrance. Jiah and Mr. Lee turned, surprised to see an unexpected visitor dressed in sneakers, a grey t-shirt, and black jeans.

Mr. Lee stared at his astonished daughter, rendered speechless.

The man at the door looked at Jiah and tentatively asked, "May I... talk to you?"

**********

Jiah obtained her father's permission to bring the guest to their house. She offered him a cup of water and, for the past ten minutes, an awkward silence filled the living room. An undercurrent of anger persisted within Jiah as she clutched her fists on her thighs, afraid of misspeaking.

The palpable silence reverberated with their heartbeats, shattering the coldness in the room.

All of a sudden, the man rose from the couch, knelt on the ground, and lowered his gaze to the beige, laminate floor. Jiah finally looked at him.

Maru's gaze remained fixed on the floor. He murmured, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what my family has done to you."

Jiah's fists clenched even tighter, trembling. Hidden tears of sorrow and disappointment flowed freely. Through gritted teeth, she muttered, "Your apology won't bring my mom and Hoseok's sister back."

A heavy silence merged with Jiah's angry, shaky breaths. Maru struggled to find words. At first, Jiah doubted the sincerity of the apology, until Maru confessed, "I knew something suspicious about the company all along."

"Why tell me now?" Jiah demanded. "What's the point?"

A pause. Maru exhaled slowly. "The first time I tried, Mr. Yoongi stopped me. I asked Wendy to reach out and bring you to me. But my plans didn't go the way I expected. My father kept me busy."

"I don't want to hear your excuses," Jiah declared, shutting down Maru.

Maru glanced at her briefly before lowering his gaze once more. He whispered, "I'm sorry."

Behind her sharp gaze, Jiah had always suspected that Kang Maru and Wendy Son were not involved in the scheme. Subtle details in the news had hinted at the guilty parties. Despite these hints, Jiah could could make up who were guilty and who were not.

Still, the notion that Kang Maru was connected to In-Kang left her unsettled.

Shifting her gaze away, she muttered, "If that's all you have to say, leave."

Kang Maru looked up. Without hesitation, he said, "I need your help."

Jiah observed him from the corner of her eye, allowing silence to linger as she waited for Maru to elaborate.

The apologetic look in his eyes transformed into determination. He voiced, "Help me bring down In-Kang."

"How can I trust you?" Jiah asked, her tone brimming with skepticism.

"You can get your boss involve," Maru suggested.

"Boss?" Jiah arched an eyebrow. "My father is my boss."

Maru's determination wavered in a blink. "Pardon?" he uttered.

"My father is the boss," Jiah clarified, her expression devoid of emotion. "Or rather, Mr. Lee Jonghwa is my boss. Would you like to speak with him?" She raised both eyebrows.

"No," Maru replied, shifting uncomfortably. He inquired, "you aren't working under Bejiwoo anymore?"

Jiah shook her head.

"Why not?" Maru's voice conveyed astonishment, surprising Jiah that In-Kang wasn't informed.

Avoiding eye contact, Jiah shrugged her shoulders. "Since Hoseok's involvement seems necessary, I'll back off"

"It's not necessary... but," Maru hesitated, "do you have anybody from Bejiwoo you can trust?"

Jiah's gaze wandered as she contemplated. She returned her attention to Maru and replied, "I'd say Kim Seokjin. But, he was fired too!"

"What?" Maru's face contorted in disbelief. He murmured, "What's gotten into Hoseok?"

Sighing, Jiah responded, "If you need someone actively engaged with Bejiwoo, you'll have to search on your own."

**********

In the end, Maru hesitated to search for them alone, fearing Wheein and Yoongi. Meanwhile, Jiah aimed to avoid Hoseok. Thus, they had no alternative but to meet Seokjin, who currently worked as a waiter in a Japanese restaurant.

Fortunately, Seokjin was on a lunch break when they arrived. And so, the three of them met. Maru sat opposite Seokjin, whose penetrating gaze shot daggers. Jiah, situated beside Seokjin, noticed Maru's nervous actions—licking dry lips, fidgeting fingers—as his stare seemed fixed on something behind her.

She was certain he was focused on the loose bundle on her head.

"What do you want?" Seokjin grumbled, grabbing a cup of watermelon juice. He added, "Be quick. I'm short on time." He sipped from the straw.

Maru glanced at Seokjin, then at Jiah, who nodded in encouragement. This encouraged Maru to say, "I need your help."

Seokjin looked at Maru through the tail of his eyes, widened. Pushing the straw with his tongue, he lowered the cup, crossing his arms. "Get to the point."

"Uhm... Let's take down In-Kang and Company together," Maru proposed.

Seokjin blinked twice, unfolding his arms and leaning in. He whispered, "Aren't you part of In-Kang?"

"I am part of In-Kang," Maru affirmed.

Seokjin leaned back, squinting. He inquired, "what's with the sudden?"

"Well," Maru's gaze shifted between Jiah and Seokjin. "You haven't heard rumors about me and In-Kang?"

"Nope. I haven't been up to date with news since I got busier," Seokjin admitted. He exhaled deeply. "Besides, I blocked whatever related to the In-Kang. Seeing your father's big nostrils sort of annoy me. Doesn't your father trim his nose hairs?" His question earned a smack on his thigh from Jiah, resulting in a yelp.

Maru was left dumbfounded by the older man's question.

Jiah told Maru, "don't answer him," and glared at Seokjin, mouthing at him, "what kind of question is that?" Only toget a shrug from the older man. She then returned to face Maru and asked, "by the way, what's your plan?"

Maru's eyes brightened as he asked, "you trust me?"

"Of course not," Jiah replied, widening her eyes and scrunching her eyebrows. "Don't forget, I hold a black belt in karate. You'd be in trouble if you had other motives."

Seokjin directed a widened-eyed, exaggerated look at Maru. "She's scary. Scarier than the devil. She nearly took a man's life once. I'm dead serious!"

Jiah stared at Seokjin as if she was so done. He let out his squeaky laugh when he realized her expression. Sighing, she muttered, "I should've taken Maru to Bejiwoo..."