Winter's outstanding beauty always instantly captivated people's attention wherever she went.
The modest black skirt suit she wore today particularly accentuated Winter's charming features and slender figure.
Curious gazes began to stick to Winter's back.
"Hey, Winter Yoo!"
At the sudden sharp voice, Winter almost raised her hand to her forehead without realizing it.
Winter quickly composed her crumpled expression. Then she turned around with a bright smile.
"What? Did you just sneer at me?"
The owner of the annoying voice was Attorney Elise Chae, Winter's law school classmate.
As always, Elise was wrapped in luxury brands from head to toe. From her tweed suit to the pearl buttons attached to it, her outfit was flamboyant. Elise was famous as the only daughter of Dominic Chae, the most influential partner lawyer at Seolbeop.
Winter sighed and replied.
"Of course not."
What kind of trouble was she trying to pick on the first day of work? Winter's already complicated mind started to throb.
Elise shot Winter a sharp look and said,
"You did. Why are you looking down on people again?"
Here we go again. Winter just sighed again at Elise's nitpicking.
Elise narrowed her eyes and looked Winter up and down.
Her eyes were saying, I can't believe I have to see that annoying face at work now, after law school.
Winter knew the reason well.
Elise was born with a golden spoon, unparalleled even in the legal world.
Naturally, people in the legal world were busy lowering themselves and uttering sweet words in front of Elise.
Except for one person, Winter.
Winter was never the type to be swayed by someone's wealth or background from the start. In any situation, Winter never lost her composure.
Unable to stand this, Elise had been dying to get at Winter since law school.
"Winter Yoo, why don't you go buy some clothes first? How could you come wearing such shabby rags on your first day? You're lowering our company's standards."
Winter calmly replied, unperturbed by the nitpicking.
"And you, where did you leave your manners on your first day? Criticizing other people's clothes, how low-class."
"You really! Hey, is it true that you're this year's top recruit?"
Elise snapped with an irritated face. Regardless, Winter didn't bat an eye as always.
Winter didn't realize that Elise always felt inferior in front of this calm and relaxed attitude. Of course, she also didn't know that Elise envied Winter, who was the opposite of herself, always anxious and overly conscious of others' eyes.
After a moment, a smile of triumph appeared on Elise's face.
"Hah, as expected, she must have been wagging her tail and drooling all over the place, unable to shake off her old habits."
"What?"
"Winter Yoo, you acted all prim and proper in law school, but when you were a secretary here, didn't you seduce a handsome lawyer and get your hair pulled by his mother? In front of everyone at the company?"
Winter sighed again and looked at Elise. Had someone scrubbed that pretty mouth with a dirty rag? Why did she always spread malicious gossip about others while maintaining such a refined face? Winter couldn't understand it at all.
"I heard that lawyer even broke off his engagement because of you. Is that why you went to law school in a fit of anger after getting fired from the company?"
Elise sneered with one corner of her mouth raised. She seemed to think this was finally her chance to deliver a proper blow to Winter.
"Hey, I heard your dad ran off with another woman and your family is dirt poor. So where did all that money for tuition and living expenses come from? Do you have some amazing sponsor hidden away?"
Elise spoke loudly as if she wanted everyone to hear. People who had been watching from the corner of their eyes now began to openly stare at the two of them.
"Well, a leopard can't change its spots. I wonder which poor man you seduced this time to work your magic and snag the top spot. Did he leak the entrance exam questions to you?"
"That," Winter said gently, maintaining a calm smile, "is all nonsense."
"What?"
"What are you going to do if you keep spreading these baseless rumors and lies?"
"W-what did you say?"
"Just like an uneducated, ignorant child."
"Hey, Winter Yoo!"
"What are you going to do if you get sued for defamation for spreading false information everywhere? You could end up with a criminal record in an instant for speaking recklessly, you know?"
Winter continued, speaking as if she was deeply concerned.
People gathered around the two women engaged in the verbal sparring, murmuring amongst themselves.
"What's so great about being first anyway? If you're envious, just say so."
"When did I ever say I was envious of someone like you?"
"Then maybe you should pray every day to be reborn a little smarter next time."
"Why, you-!"
"Though I doubt prayer would help with that."
"Hey!"
Elise's voice trembled, unable to contain her anger.
"Are you done talking?"
"Not quite yet."
Winter continued calmly.
"I'm just living my life diligently, you know. Unlike some people, I don't have a golden parachute, cheat codes, or daddy's connections. What else can I do but work hard with my own abilities?"
Elise flinched for a moment. She seemed unable to come up with a retort.
If fair standards were applied, in truth, Elise's skills were not even at a level to dream of joining Seolbeop Law Firm.
The special treatment Elise received was solely due to her father, Attorney Dominic Chae. From her hiring to her team assignment, her father's influence was everywhere.
Winter stared directly into Elise's eyes.
Elise's face began to contort, clearly stung by Winter's words.