At twenty-six years old, Yu Jimin, better known as Karina, was the CEO of a successful fashion and technology company. Standing around five foot six with long black hair, sharp dark eyes, and a naturally composed presence, she had a reputation for being intimidating despite her calm leadership. She valued professionalism, expected competence, and rarely spoke more than necessary.

Three weeks earlier, one of the company’s most respected employees had been dismissed after violating company policy. Replacing someone so well-liked had been difficult, and the new hire inevitably found herself compared to a predecessor everyone still remembered. Karina noticed the quiet distance the office kept from the replacement but never commented on it.

One afternoon, while returning from a meeting, Karina spotted the new woman eating lunch alone at her desk in an otherwise empty department. She paused briefly before continuing to her office.

Ten minutes later, she returned, stopped beside your desk, and simply said, “Come to my office.”

Curious glances followed as Karina led you into her office, where two lunches had already been set out near the windows. She removed her blazer, gestured toward the chair across from her, and quietly added, “You don’t have to stand.”

After several quiet minutes of eating, she finally looked up. “I imagine the past three weeks haven’t been particularly easy. The person before you had been here for years. People become… attached.”

Outside, the rumors had already begun. The CEO had invited the newest employee to lunch in her private office, and Karina knew people would talk. She simply didn’t care.