Bora showed signs of sadness and rejection as she looked in Lina's direction. She returned to her seat and acted forlorn. No matter how others tried to comfort her, her mood didn't change, which cast Lina in a negative light. Because of this, the other students began to change their perception of Lina.
Meanwhile, Lina ignored everyone and was preoccupied with thoughts about the dormitory she used as an excuse to leave the Choi family.
Bora had reminded her about the small space students could rent within the school, but since it was a close-knit environment and everyone knew each other, it would be obvious that she wasn't really using the room.
She needed to act carefully until her eightenth birthday.
Although, thinking about it, she didn't really need to worry about the Choi couple now. However, recalling the past, there were several instances where the couple took advantage of her naivety and trapped her in various situations that led to her downfall.
This time, in order to return the favor, she had to wait for the right opportunity to trap the couple instead.
But how? Lina racked her brain for various options, yet even by late afternoon, she still couldn't come up with a solid plan.
"Never mind... maybe I can ask Mr. Yang for some advice," she muttered to herself.
That afternoon, as Lina was walking out of the school gate, she noticed a black car parked just outside. She instantly recognized who it belonged to.
She hesitated at first but decided to approach. The familiar driver stepped out and greeted her with a polite nod before opening the car door. Inside sat Lee Joon who was waiting for her to enter.
Lina sat quietly, unsure of what to say. The visit was too unexpected. She could only greet the man softly and remain silent in her seat.
Lee Joon set aside the document he had been reading and instructed the driver to go.
Soon, they arrived at an upscale French restaurant nestled in the heart of the city. Though she didn't know what was going on, Lina followed Lee Joon's lead without question.
She watched him walk a few steps ahead of her and couldn't help but marvel at their height difference. Sometimes, she wondered how she managed to stay composed in front of someone with such an imposing presence.
Along the way, several people glanced at them. The waiters quickly guided them to a private room, where a large table was filled with beautifully arranged dishes.
Seeing the amount of food on the table, Lina felt a surge of happiness. After a long day of classes, she was starving.
They both sat down, and with Lee Joon's gentle encouragement, Lina began picking up food and savoring each bite. The dishes were delicious, and after a tiring day of classes, she was more than happy to indulge.
Lee Joon quietly watched as the girl ate with such gusto. Today's meeting had been unexpected, even for him. But given the circumstances, he couldn't wait any longer—he needed to ask her directly what was going on.
That morning, he had been informed of the sudden change in Lina's situation. After looking into it, he discovered that she had chosen to leave the Choi household.
He didn't blame her decision, especially after the truth that had recently come to light. Still, knowing that she was now living elsewhere left him deeply concerned.
"Where are you living now?"
Lina accidentally spats out the food in her mouth when Lee Joon asked the question. She hadn't expected him to bring it up. Did that mean he had been keeping an eye on her?
Lee Joon quickly grabbed a napkin and gently wiped the sauce from the corner of her mouth. Then he paused, realizing that his action might have crossed a line.
Lina pretended not to notice the awkwardness of having such a towering man clean up after her. Instead, she acted like a child, savoring the moment of being pampered by him.
She took her time before answering.
"I left the main house to stay in the dormitory. I need to study harder this year," she explained, her voice calm but show hesitation as she avoided meeting his eyes.
Lee Joon's gaze remained steady, but he didn't press further. He knows she is lying.
Dormitory? He doubted it. Knowing her, she wouldn't choose a crowded, shared space unless she had no other choice. Something about her answer felt like a cover.
He watched her carefully, his eyes narrowing just slightly. The seriousness in his expression made it clear that he didn't believe her. Not one bit. And unless she chose to tell the truth herself, he had no problem digging deeper to get real answers out of her.
Lina nervously glanced at Lee Joon's expression. She knew that face all too well. He wasn't buying her excuse—not even a little.
She racked her brain, trying to come up with another reason, another lie to use. But then, a sudden thought crossed her mind.
Why not just tell him the truth?
What was the point of hiding it anymore? Maybe… maybe she could ask for his support instead.
If he was on her side, the things she found difficult to handle on her own could be dealt with more easily.
Why had she never thought of it before?
This man was the ultimate golden thigh she could cling to. There was no one in her circle more powerful than the Lee Family in the entire city. Considering Lee Joon's influence, not just locally but even internationally, someone like Han Bin didn't even compare.
And really, who was Han Bin?
Just a nephew from a second-branch family. Forget the Lee Family, his own family barely held weight in the complicated web of elite bloodlines.
In contrast, sitting right in front of her was the true power behind the most influential household—the current Head himself!
Lina changed her mind.
She took a deep breath, then slowly began to speak and narrate the truth she recently uncovered, stories that had shaken the very foundation of her life.
Lee Joon listened intently, his full attention on her. He didn't interrupt, didn't speak. He just let her talk, and as she unraveled the truth piece by piece, his expression began to shift.
From calm... to cold, and to anger.
With each revelation, his jaw clenched tighter. His fingers curled into a fist beneath the table, but he kept his voice steady, waiting until she finished.
When Lina finally stopped talking, the room fell into a heavy silence.
Lee Joon sat back slightly, his eyes still locked on her. The air around him felt charged, his usual composed aura now laced with quiet fury.
"I should've known something was wrong," he said, his voice low but firm. "I should've looked closer."
He wasn't just angry at the people who hurt her, he was angry at himself for not seeing it sooner, for letting her go through it alone.
His gaze softened just a little as he looked at her again. "You shouldn't have had to endure all of that by yourself. From now on, you don't have to."
There was no hesitation in his words, only certainty. Whatever plans he had before this meeting, they no longer mattered. Now, there was only one priority, her!
Seeing his reaction to her injustice, Lina felt a surge of emotion rise within her. She tried to hold back the tears threatening to fall, but it was hard. Until now, she had felt completely alone in the quiet battle she had begun against the couple who wronged her.
All this time, she had carried the weight on her own, shouldering the pain, the fear, and the uncertainty.
But now, knowing that someone was finally standing beside her, someone powerful and willing to help, it filled her with a warmth she couldn't put into words.
Their eyes quietly met. For a long moment, neither of them spokes. The noise outside faded, and all that remained was the silent exchange between them.
In Lee Joon's eyes, Lina saw something unwavering, a promise which is fierce and unspoken.
In hers, he saw pain, strength, and a trust she had never given so freely before.
They didn't need to say the words aloud. The connection was there, carved deep between them.
The two continued their dinner in a quieter mood, the earlier heaviness replaced by a sense of mutual understanding. Between bites, they discussed more details about Lina's current situation—her plans, her fears, and the delicate balance she was trying to maintain.
After the meal, Lina sent her temporary home address to Lee Joon and hesitantly brought up her concern.
"I might need your help with the dormitory situation," she admitted, glancing at him carefully.
Without hesitation, Lee Joon pulled out his phone and made a swift and precise call. His voice was calm but authoritative while issuing instructions to someone on the other end.
"It's done. Your excuse is now airtight. The Choi's won't be able to question it."
Lina stared at him, stunned by how easily he handled something that had stressed her the whole days.
Glimpse of the past:
A young Lina sat on the swing, quietly sobbing as she tried to wipe the blood from her scraped knees. Her small hands trembled while her eyes blurry with tears.
Without a word, a shadow fell over her. A clean white handkerchief appeared in front of her, offered by a tall boy with serious eyes.
She looked up and recognized him, the boy who lived on the other side of the mountain. Her grandfather once told her he was the grandson of an old friend. A quiet, nerdy boy who didn't like being touched.
Lina stared at the handkerchief, hesitating.
Lee Joon didn't wait. He gently took her hand, placed the handkerchief in her palm, and sat down on the swing beside her.
They didn't speak. The swings creaked faintly in the breeze as the two sat in silence, side by side.
That day, something unspoken formed between them. It was a quiet, precious connection that lingered, growing stronger through the passing years.