The weekend had passed, leaving behind whispers of secrets and unspoken words. Hye-Jin, accompanied by her loyal bodyguard and secretary, GuWon, stepped into the sleek, modern corridors of Seoul Dynamics. The air was thick with anticipation and the scent of polished ambition.
In the hallway, they encountered Bo-Young. She approached with a practiced smile, her hand extended in a gesture of professional courtesy. "Hello, I'm Lee-Bo-Young, President Park-Min-Joon's newly appointed personal assistant," she said, her voice smooth and untroubled, as if the past had never cast its shadow.
Bo-Young led them to the meeting room, her demeanor calm and composed. The room was a testament to modernity, with its glass walls and state-of-the-art technology, a fitting backdrop for the monumental partnership about to be forged.
HJ Corporation was on the brink of signing a contract with Seoul Dynamics, a strategic alliance that promised to revolutionize the industry. Tomorrow, the world would witness the dawn of this collaboration at a grand press conference. President Park-Min-Joon would make his first public appearance and announce his engagement, a revelation that had everyone guessing about the identity of the woman who had captured the heart of the wealthy 35-year-old.
As they entered the meeting room, the gravity of the moment settled over them. The cooperation and contract between Seoul Dynamics and HJ Corporation were more than just business; they were a promise of innovation and progress.
Seoul Dynamics, renowned for its cutting-edge robotics technology, sought to expand its horizons and enhance its offerings. Their expertise in logistics transport robots, autonomous driving systems, and proximity detection systems was unparalleled.
HJ Corporation, a titan in the manufacturing and industrial sectors, was eager to embrace these innovations to optimize their processes, boost efficiency, and reduce costs.
GuWon began outlining the contract, his voice steady and authoritative: 1.Joint Development: A collaborative effort to create next-generation robotics and automation systems tailored to HJ Corporation's needs, including custom-designed logistics robots and autonomous systems for their plants.
2. Technology Integration: Seoul Dynamics would seamlessly integrate its advanced robotics technology into HJ Corporation's infrastructure, deploying autonomous driving robots and proximity detection systems to streamline operations and enhance safety.
3. Research and Innovation: The partnership would focus on joint research initiatives, exploring new applications of robotics in industrial settings and participating in industry-academic cooperation projects to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
4. Training and Support: Comprehensive training and ongoing support from Seoul Dynamics to ensure smooth implementation and operation of the new systems.
5. Market Expansion: A joint effort to explore new market opportunities and expand their global presence, leveraging their combined expertise and resources.
As the details of the contract were discussed, the room buzzed with a sense of purpose and potential. This cooperation was poised to bring significant benefits to both companies, driving innovation and setting new standards in the robotics and automation industry.
Hye-Jin glanced at Bo-Young, who maintained her professional facade. The past lingered like a shadow, but the future was bright with promise. The stage was set, and the players were ready. The next act of their intertwined destinies was about to unfold.
————
Lee-Bo-Young entered Min-Joon's office, her presence a storm brewing in the calm. "I heard tomorrow at the press conference you're going to announce your engagement," she said, her voice a blade cutting through the silence.
A green light, shimmering like a diamond, emerged from her hand. "Heart core?" Min-Joon's voice trembled with recognition.
She smiled, a cruel twist of her lips. "You know she can't survive without this," she said, referring to Hye-Jin.
"I never knew you were this cruel," Min-Joon whispered, his heart heavy with disbelief.
Bo-Young, an immortal with the power to remove a human's heart core with a mere touch, looked at him with eyes full of sorrow and vengeance. "You turned me into this, Park-Min-Joon."
"What do you want in exchange for her heart core?" he asked, desperation creeping into his voice.
"Marry me," she demanded, her voice cold and unyielding.
"This can never happen," he replied, his resolve firm.
"You know I'm not that cruel. I won't crush the heart core. I'll keep it safe until the day you agree to marry me," she said, her words a chilling promise as she walked out, leaving Min-Joon in a storm of despair. Crushing the heart core would mean Hye-Jin's death.
-———-
The next day, the grand press conference buzzed with anticipation. The President of Seoul Dynamics, the rumored boyfriend of Hye-Jin, CEO of HJ Corporation, made his entrance. Arm in arm with Hye-Jin, he announced their engagement, set for two weeks hence.
He spoke to the reporters about their groundbreaking project. On the screen, the contract details flashed, only to be replaced by an image of a pregnancy scan. The room fell silent.
Lee-Bo-Young, the host of the event, seized the moment. "Min-Joon Oppa, I'm pregnant with your baby," she declared, her voice echoing through the hall.
Chaos erupted. Reporters clamored for answers. Min-Joon grabbed a mic, his voice a roar of denial. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"
Hye-Jin, her face a mask of calm, stepped forward. "I trust my boyfriend. He would never do such a thing. This event is dismissed," she said, her voice steady even as her heart burned with pain.
The internet exploded with speculation. Some doubted Hye-Jin's trust, others pitied her, and many questioned Min-Joon's integrity. Amidst the storm, After they went back home Min-Joon called Hye-Jin repeatedly, but she did not answer, her silence a fortress against the chaos.
————
The pivotal moment came one stormy evening, the sky mirroring the turmoil in their hearts. Hye-Jin sat alone in her office, the dim light casting long shadows on the walls. Her phone buzzed incessantly with messages and calls from Min-Joon, but she couldn't bring herself to answer. The weight of the scandal and Bo-Young's ultimatum pressed heavily on her chest.
Suddenly, the door to her office swung open, and Min-Joon stood there, drenched from the rain, his eyes filled with desperation and determination. He stepped inside, his presence a stark contrast to the cold, sterile room.
"Hye-Jin, please," he began, his voice breaking the silence. "We need to talk."
She looked up, her eyes meeting his. The pain and uncertainty in her gaze mirrored his own. "What is there to talk about, Min-Joon? Everything is falling apart."
He moved closer, his steps hesitant yet resolute. "I know this is hard. I know you're hurting. But you have to believe me. I didn't do anything with Bo-Young. She's lying to manipulate us."
Hye-Jin's eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. "How can I be sure? How can I trust you when everything points to the contrary?"
Min-Joon knelt before her, taking her hands in his. "Because I love you, Hye-Jin. I would never betray you. We have to face this together, or we'll let her win."
The room was silent except for the sound of the rain pounding against the windows. Hye-Jin's heart was a battlefield of emotions, torn between love and doubt. She could see the sincerity in Min-Joon's eyes, the raw vulnerability that he rarely showed.
"Min-Joon," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm scared. Scared of losing you, scared of being hurt."
He squeezed her hands gently, his voice a soothing balm. "I know. But we can't let fear dictate our lives. We have to fight for what we have, for our love."
In that moment, Hye-Jin felt a flicker of hope. She realized that despite the chaos, despite the uncertainty, their love was worth fighting for. She took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening.
"Okay," she said, her voice firmer. "We'll face this together."
Min-Joon's face lit up with relief and gratitude. He pulled her into a tight embrace, the warmth of his arms a stark contrast to the cold storm outside. They held onto each other, finding solace in their shared strength.
This moment, this decision to stand united, marked a turning point in their relationship. It was a testament to their love and their commitment to each other, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, their bond unbreakable.