"What's the plan?" Manager Park asked.
"We watch her. Closely. No direct confrontation yet. We need proof."
"And if she escalates?"
"Then we shut her down. Permanently."
Hayes looked at Soorin.
"Ms. Han. You'll be working closely with Jiwon in coming weeks. I need you to observe. Report anything unusual."
"You want me to spy on her, sir?"
"I want you to help us protect LUMEN."
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Okay."
"Good. Dismissed."
★☆★☆★☆
Outside the office, Soorin leaned against the wall.
Her mind spinning.
'Spy on Jiwon. Report anything unusual.'
Hayes was asking her to be his eyes.
To watch. To listen. To betray a colleague.
Even if that colleague might be destroying everything.
Her phone buzzed.
Minjae.
[Practice ends at 7. Want to grab dinner after?]
She stared at the message.
'Normal. This is normal. Just a guy asking me to dinner.'
[Sounds good. Where?]
[That place in Itaewon you mentioned. The one with the good bibimbap.]
[Perfect. See you at 7.]
