Minra shouldn’t have felt bad for him.
Reyne had single-handedly turned their last meeting into a disaster.
She had spent the entire time fixing his mistakes.
So why— why was she now standing in front of her boss’ office, defending him?
Shuun sat behind his desk, expression unreadable.
"Miss Seo.” he said, calmly. "You don't need to take responsibility for Mr. Reyne’s incompetence."
She swallowed.
"I know, sir. But…"
She hesitated.
Shuun raised a brow, waiting.
Minra clenched her hands.
"He’s reckless. He runs his mouth too much. But he’s also… good at what he does. He just needs guidance."
A pause.
Shuun’s sharp gaze didn’t waver.
"You believe he deserves another chance?"
She took a deep breath.
"Yes, sir. I’ll teach him how things work properly. I’ll make sure he doesn’t mess up again."
Silence.
Then—Shuun exhaled.
"Fine."
Minra blinked.
"Sir?"
"You have one more chance," Shuun said, voice steady. "Make sure he doesn’t waste it."
She nodded quickly, relieved.
But as she turned to leave, she swore she felt his gaze linger.
.
The second Minra and Eunhe stepped into the next negotiation meeting, they already knew something was wrong.
The executives sat across the table, too smug.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
They were going to use Reyne’s last disaster against them.
And the worst part?
There was nothing they could do about it.
One of the executives, a middle-aged man with sharp glasses, smiled.
"Given the… unusual nature of our last discussion.." he said smoothly, "..we believe it’s only fair that your company compensates us appropriately."
Minra’s fists clenched under the table.
"We have already offered a full prototype.” she said, carefully.
"Yes, but considering the unprofessional behavior of your representative, we believe further adjustments should be made. Perhaps additional discounts? Or extra free services?"
Eunhe’s expression tightened.
It was unfair.
They were using Reyne’s past mistake to squeeze them dry.
And worst of all?
They had no leverage to refuse.
If they lost this deal, it would be a huge loss for the company.
Minra felt trapped.
But then—Reyne moved.
.
He slammed his hand onto the table.
The entire room went silent.
Minra’s heart stopped.
Eunhe stiffened.
The executives?
They looked pleased.
They were expecting another disaster.
They thought they had won.
But then— Reyne spoke.
And this time, his voice was cold. Sharp. Calculated.
"With all due respect," he said smoothly, "we are not here to discuss past mistakes. We are here to discuss business."
Minra’s eyes widened.
This wasn’t the Reyne she knew.
This wasn’t the reckless, playful, irritating Reyne.
This was someone completely different.
"Our company has already provided an exclusive free prototype—something we rarely offer." he continued. "Additionally, we have revised the designs to fit your brand’s exact specifications. All with the hard work of our talented designer."
Then he gestured to Minra next to him.
His voice was calm. Professional.
There was no trace of his usual arrogance.
"Your request for further discounts is not based on business logic, but personal leverage.” he said, eyes sharp. "And frankly, it’s transparent."
Silence.
The executives stiffened.
"Mr. Reyne—"
"Please." he cut in smoothly. "We’re all professionals here. Let’s not pretend this is about anything other than getting an unfair advantage."
Minra’s breath hitched.
The executives?
Visibly uncomfortable.
They couldn’t refute his words.
Because he was right.
And worst of all?
He had just destroyed their entire strategy in seconds.
.
As soon as the meeting ended, Minra and Eunhe pulled Reyne into the hallway.
"What the hell was THAT?!" Eunhe demanded.
Reyne stretched lazily.
"A successful negotiation?"
"That was not YOU—" Minra accused. "That was— someone else."
He grinned.
"What, you don’t like the serious me?"
"I don’t know WHO that was!"
Eunhe crossed her arms.
"Since when did you know how to do that?"
Reyne shrugged.
"Eh, you really think I got hired here just for my looks?"
Minra narrowed her eyes.
"So you were capable of this the whole time?"
"Maybe."
"AND YET, YOU LET ME SUFFER IN EVERY MEETING?!"
He laughed.
"You were handling it so well. Thought I’d let you shine."
Eunhe sharply inhaled.
"Reyne, I swear to—"
Before she could finish, a voice interrupted.
"Miss Seo."
Minra froze.
She turned—and there stood Shuun.
Expression unreadable.
"Sir.." she stammered.
"My office. Now."
Minra’s heart dropped.
Reyne smirked, playfully.
"Hmm.. someone's getting special attention again."
She stomped on his foot before following Shuun.
.
The moment Minra stepped inside Shuun’s office, the door clicked shut behind her.
For a long second—silence.
She didn’t dare look up.
But then—
"Miss Seo." he said slowly. "What do you think of Mr. Reyne?"
She blinked.
"Sir?"
"Your honest opinion."
Minra hesitated.
And then—she took a deep breath.
"He’s reckless. Impossible. A headache."
A pause.
"But…"
She exhaled.
"He’s also good. He understands people. He reads situations faster than anyone I’ve ever seen."
Shuun was silent.
Then—he nodded.
"I see."
She frowned.
"Sir?"
"You defended him once before." he said, studying her.
Her breath hitched.
"Do you always fight for people who don’t deserve it?"
Minra froze.
That sounded dangerously personal.
She had no idea how to answer.
And worst of all?
She had a terrible feeling this wasn’t the last time Shuun would test her.
.
Chapter 05: “The Fan and The Man She Doesn’t Know”