Chapter 19. Patience Running Out (1)

Translator: Lili

As soon as lunchtime arrived, the team members scattered in all directions. Normally, high-ranking executives had staff assigned to handle their meals, so this level of blatant disregard was unusual.

So this is how it’s going to be, huh?

Sera wasn’t the type to shrink under petty ostracization, but as the same thing kept happening, a stubborn defiance welled up inside her. Up until now, she had relied on her secretary to bring her salads or sandwiches, but today, she decided to step out of her office.

“Where’s the employee cafeteria?”

“Pardon?”

The secretary’s response was filled with confusion, as if questioning why she would ask such a thing. Sera simply smiled.

“I’m hungry. I’d like to eat.”

Ignoring the secretary’s dumbfounded expression, Sera walked off confidently. The moment the notorious oddball of the Sungwon Group stepped into the cafeteria zone, a quiet ripple of murmurs swept through the surroundings. Sera, acting as if she didn’t notice a thing, checked the menu and proceeded inside.

Ever since becoming Shin Sera, she had eaten like royalty, wearing only the finest clothes. But every now and then, she missed the simple foods she had enjoyed in her previous life—like tteokbokki or ramen. Fortunately, today’s menu included a set of tteokbokki, soondae, and fried snacks.

Everywhere Sera stepped, the crowd parted like the Red Sea. It was understandable; after all, when had an heir to a conglomerate ever chosen to eat alone in the company cafeteria?

Under the weight of countless stares, Sera deliberately took her time with her meal. It was an act of defiance—What, have you never seen someone eat before?—but by the time she returned to her office, she felt nauseous from indigestion.

“Haa…”

No matter where she went, she was treated like an outsider.

How had the real Shin Sera endured this kind of atmosphere?

Letting out a deep sigh, Sera gathered her resolve once more and turned her attention to the documents her secretary had handed her.

A monthly executive meeting for Sungwon Group’s management was scheduled for the following week. She knew absolutely nothing, and at this rate, she was bound to make a complete fool of herself. Since she couldn’t expect any help from her team, she had no choice but to study alone.

As she wrestled with the materials, an unexpected visitor entered her office and greeted her politely.

“Good afternoon, Vice President.”

Sera couldn’t hide her surprise when she saw the tall middle-aged man. They had never exchanged greetings before, let alone had a conversation. But she knew exactly who he was—Baek, the chief secretary, and Shin Chairman’s right-hand man.

“What brings you here, Chief Baek?”

“Do you have a moment?”

“Yes, of course. Please, have a seat.”

Sera welcomed him, unable to conceal her tension. She had no clue why the chairman’s closest aide would seek her out.

“I’ll keep it brief, since I know you’re busy.”

Chief Baek turned his tablet towards her so she could see the screen.

“This is a site where employees can post anonymously. There are several posts about you on the Sungwon Trading timeline.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

Sera’s expression hardened as she read the titles of the captured posts.

[Title] (Photo) The audacity of eating alone in the cafeteria (Likes: 21 / Comments: 63)

[Title] If you were a chaebol heir, would you rather eat tteokbokki alone for 1 billion won vs. starve and keep your pride? (Likes: 3 / Comments: 32)

[Title] Tbh, our cafeteria’s tteokbokki is pretty good lol (Likes: 5 / Comments: 7)

[Title] Don’t be too harsh; promoting solo dining culture is a good thing (Likes: 12 / Comments: 15)

[Title] Honestly, I’m curious to see what she does next (Likes: 2 / Comments: 11)

All this… just because she ate a meal in the cafeteria?

Sera, eyes wide with disbelief, tapped at the screen, but since it was a screenshot, she couldn’t view the full content. Chief Baek, watching her reaction, continued in a measured tone, careful not to agitate her.

“Since you’re in a highly visible position, incidents like this are bound to happen. The posts have already been deleted by the site administrator.”

“…They mocked me just because I ate in the cafeteria?”

She had only acted out of defiance after being shunned, tired of eating the same sandwiches every day. Sera’s voice wavered with frustration, and Chief Baek’s expression turned slightly awkward as he read the distress beneath it.

“Everyone treats me like I have the plague and avoids me—what do they expect me to do? It’s not like I enjoy being alone.”

Sera knew Chief Baek’s visit was a warning—an implicit order not to damage the group’s image. But she couldn’t hold back her grievances. No matter how much she pretended to be fine, the constant ridicule was wearing her down.

“I understand that this must be difficult for you.”

However, Baek’s response was entirely different from what Sera had expected. She looked up in surprise, only to find him offering her a rare, sympathetic smile.

“Life is often like this. Things don’t go as planned, and sometimes you find yourself dealing with unintended consequences.”

“…”

“I only came to give you a heads-up about the situation. But I hope you won’t dwell on it too much. It’s nothing more than meaningless nonsense.”

“…”

“In simpler terms, it’s just bullshit.”

For a moment, Sera was stunned. She hadn’t expected such crude language from a man with such a noble, refined air.

She had braced herself for a reprimand or a sharp warning, but instead, Baek had offered something she hadn’t even realized she needed—warmth. The first bit of genuine kindness she had felt since landing in this insane drama world.

‘Don’t trust anyone. Have you already forgotten how Lee Seonkyung betrayed you?’

Even as she struggled to suppress her rising emotions, she felt dangerously close to tears. In the end, Sera couldn’t bring herself to say anything and simply lowered her head.

Baek, as if understanding her turmoil, remained by her side for a long while without saying another word.

***