"I heard it takes a whole lot to get to B level. You guys must have worked hard," Minjae said. The room fell dead silent as everyone exchanged surprised glances at the unexpected compliment.
"Y-yes, Ma'am," Gayeon replied. "But it's nothing, really."
Minjae tilted her head slightly. "Of course. I can see clearly—it truly is nothing."
Her words made them exchange nervous glances.
"I heard you guys produced a couple of successful products," Minjae continued. "But I can't help but doubt it, base on what I see here. Like they said, charity begins at home, but I don't see the charity anywhere here. So permit me to judge." Said Minjae
Immediately, Gayeon blurted out, "You can judge, Ma'am—" She froze mid-sentence, realizing what she had just said. Mentally, she scolded herself for speaking too much nonsense,as she bit her flower lip in regret, while some of her team members gave her odd looks.
Minjae studied her for a moment before speaking. "I'll give you all the benefit of the doubt, thanks to your reputation. Therefore, I look forward to your product coming out on top this year."
The team inwardly sighed in relief.
"Do not worry, Ma'am. We will be sure to win this year," Gayeon said with a relieved smile.
Minjae gave a small smirk. "Of course. You wouldn't want to drop down to Team Z, would you?"
The team's happiness froze in an instant. They processed her last words in silence. Without another word, Minjae turned and left with her escorts, while the team bowed until she disappeared from sight.
"She didn't just threaten us, did she?" Jun Ho asked nervously.
"That was definitely a threat," Byun Wook, one of the male team members, confirmed.
Mrs. Kwon, the older female, sighed and sank into a chair. "I guess it's a must we win this year, or we'll find ourselves back at square one."
One by one, the others sat down as well, except for Min Gayeon, who remained standing, lost in thought. In her mind, a scene replayed: Mr. Nam, the leader of Team A—Team B's rival team—and her personal rival.
She imagined him smirking that infuriating smirk of his, saying, "Look who's back where they belong."
"No!" Gayeon yelled, snapping out of her thoughts. Everyone turned to her in shock. She let out a breath before slumping into her seat, feeling boneless.
She suddenly grabbed Jenny Yu, the female team member beside her. "We have to win," she said desperately. "Or do you plan on seeing your ex back in Team Y?"
At once, Jenny's expression changed. She turned to the others urgently. "We have to win at all costs."
The rest of the team exchanged glances, each of them imagining the worst-case scenario if they lost.
Then, out of nowhere, Byun Woo mimicked Gayeon's voice playfully: "You can judge, Ma'am~"
The others burst into laughter as Gayeon scoffed. "You're laughing because she wasn't talking to you directly."
Her remark only made them laugh more.
"Her presence gives me goosebumps," Jenny muttered, rubbing her arms.
"Yeah, she's so cool," Kim Cheol said with admiration.
"More like terrifying," Jun Ho corrected.
In The School Principle's Office
Mina and Olivia stood in the spacious office, waiting for Principal Hong, who was still handling matters outside.
Olivia folded her arms across her chest, leaning against the wall. Her confidence had fully returned, and she now glared at Mina, who stood opposite her, her back resting against the other wall.
"This is not the end, Lee Mina," Olivia smirked.
Mina didn't react. She ignored Olivia completely, already knowing where this conversation was headed.
Just then, Principal Hong walked in, finishing a phone call. He set the phone down on his desk with a frustrated sigh, taking a moment to compose himself.
Finally, he turned to them. "What just happened out there?" he asked, looking at Olivia first.
Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Why are you asking me? Ask her."
Mr. Hong shifted his gaze to Mina, expecting an explanation. But Mina wasn't interested in explaining anything. She stayed silent, ignoring his stare.
His patience thinned. "Lee Mina!" he barked. This was unlike her.
"You see that?" Olivia started pointing at Mina
"You should check the CCTV footage and see how crazy she was acting." she added with a frown.
Mr. Hong turned back to Mina. "Lee Mina." His voice was sharper now.
Mina finally looked at him. "She's right," she said, crossing her arms. "You should check the CCTV. That way, you'll see everything for yourself instead of asking questions."
His jaw clenched. "Do you think this is a joke? Do you realize what your actions have caused a fellow student?"
Mina met his gaze, unfazed. "What? Is he dead? Should I care?"
"Mina!"
"They caused it!" Mina shouted, her voice breaking. "And when I say 'they,' that includes you, Mr. Hong!"
"What?" he frowned.
Tears welled up in her eyes. "You knew this was going on all along, and you turned a blind eye. No—you supported it. All in the name of pleasing them and their families. What about me?!"
Olivia scoffed. "Who else is he supposed to please? You? Your Lee family that has no rank, no power, no influence. Just a marriage certificate to a Choi. Oh wait, a divorce one."
"Of course, he has to treat me well," Olivia continued smugly. "Moreover What does he gain from doing you such a favor? A 'thank you' and some change from your poor daddy?" She smirked. "You should bow when i talk, Lee Mina. You're no match for this school. Maybe you'll stand a chance when your mother takes back custody. Who knows, i can make you one of us, Oh, wait—she can't, cuz she's still sleeping."
Mina's entire body tensed. She was about to react when Principal Hong stepped in.
"That's enough." His tone was calm but firm.
Olivia smirked, pleased that her words had clearly struck a nerve. Mina looked like she was about to cry, but she held herself together.
Olivia turned to Mr. Hong. "I believe I'm done here, Principal Hong."
He gave her a small nod, and she glanced at Mina one last time before walking out.
As Mina turned to leave as well, Mr. Hong called after her.
"The boy's parents are coming tomorrow. Bring your guardian. And when they make a fuss, do not react or say anything," he warned. "I'm saying this for your own good."
Mina wiped a tear from her cheek, turning back to him. "I'll make you pay for this, Mr. Hong," she whispered. Another tear slipped down her face, but she quickly wiped it away and walked off.
Mr. Hong let out a frustrated sigh, loosening his tie.
Just then, his phone rang again. He picked up, only to hear an angry female voice yelling on the other end.
"Who did this to my son?!"
Mr. Hong winced, pulling the phone slightly away from his ear. "Please, calm down, ma'am. We can discuss this tomorrow with the girl and her father."
There was a pause. Then, the woman scoffed. "A girl? A girl did this? What family is she from?"
Mr. Hong hesitated. "Uh… you wouldn't know them even if I told you."
The woman let out a cruel chuckle. "So we're talking about a nobody?"
Excitement flickered in her voice at the thought of crushing a helpless girl and her family tomorrow.
"She better show up, or this won't end here," she warned.
Mr. Hong sighed. "Do not worry, ma'am. Please remain calm."
But deep down, he knew things were about to get worse.