"MNET," I thought, my gaze unwavering as I stared at the logo above. I was trying to compose myself, dispelling the nervousness that had settled in the pit of my stomach, knowing I'd soon meet the people I'd be working with. Originally, I was set to start my job here in a week's time, having recently received the news that I had been accepted as a member of the production staff. But everything changed last night when the head emailed me, saying I needed to start immediately due to a change in the production schedule.

I remembered getting drunk to celebrate when I received that email. Jeanna had insisted we go to a club near this building, and it was quite the unforgettable night. The club had a peculiar theme each Friday – wearing masks upon entry. Unfortunately, we didn't have any with us. I thought we'd be turned away at the door, but Jeanna surprised me by whispering something to the bouncer, getting us inside instantly.

I couldn't help but gawk at Jeanna, but she just laughed and playfully smacked my shoulder, which hurt enough that I ended up playfully smacking her head in return to get her to stop. For Jeanna, the party was a blast. She danced with numerous guys in the crowded dance area while I quietly sat at our table, sipping on tequila. I observed the people around me, enjoying their quirks and the vibrant atmosphere.

My attention, however, was drawn to another table where a group of foreigners sat, savoring their drinks. As their booze ran out, they hit the dance floor, wowing everyone with their impressive dance moves, albeit a bit provocatively. Some onlookers ogled at their moves, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes in disapproval.

One of the girls seemed to notice my reaction and, for some reason, approached my table. She leaned over the sofa, locking her gaze with mine, her breath brushing against my cheeks, and she made a popping sound with her lips before asking, "Got a problem with us, love?"

Her voice sent a shiver down my spine, and I managed to raise an eyebrow in response. I explained that I didn't have a problem; it was just that the explicit dancing had taken me by surprise. The girl found my discomfort amusing and burst into laughter, clutching her tummy. While I stared at her, growing more irritated, she was making me embarrass myself. So, I thought I'd add fuel to the fire by saying something that would provoke her.

Instead, she caught me off guard by kissing me passionately. I tried to resist, but she had both her arms around my neck and waist, making it nearly impossible for me to move. She was exploring my mouth with her tongue, and I couldn't break free. My eyes went wide, as I felt a strange mixture of disgust and curiosity. The kiss lasted for what felt like an eternity, and it was as though the world around us had faded into oblivion. When she finally pulled away, she locked her intense gaze with mine.

Her eyes were captivating, and I found myself lost in them, momentarily forgetting that we were in a crowded club. I felt like I had ventured into an abyss that filled me with a peculiar mix of weariness and nervousness. I swallowed hard, unable to tear my gaze away from her.

She was undeniably dangerous.

The girl giggled and moved away, and I noticed my trembling hands on my thigh. She was acutely aware of my reaction but never broke eye contact. As she departed, she left me feeling profoundly embarrassed. "You've just experienced your first kiss, love," she said, and I couldn't help but feel my cheeks flush, never wanting to go clubbing again in the future.

My head throbbed in pain, and my stomach churned in response to everything I had drunk the night before. I nearly wanted to cover my mouth, feeling the acids rising in my throat, but fortunately, it was just my imagination. Otherwise, I might have vomited and jeopardized my job.

"Damn it, Jeanne," I thought. "I'll never join your escapades again."

I entered the building and made my way to the room where the production staff and crews were gathering to discuss our tasks and responsibilities during the shoot.

The boardroom tables were already occupied by many Koreans as I entered the conference room. I found a vacant chair in the corner at the back of the room. Some of them greeted me with smiles, some nodded in acknowledgment, while others seemed to either ignore me or simply not notice my presence. In the center of the room, a woman was engrossed in discussing the production, and the rest of us listened attentively.

As I focused on taking notes during the discussion, I sensed the colleague sitting next to me stealing glances whenever I shifted my head. I tried to ignore it and concentrated on the discussion, jotting down essential points in my small notebook. However, one girl, who resembled a character from a childhood cartoon I used to watch, couldn't stop staring at me. She appeared curious about my background, making odd whispered noises and glancing at me and the woman in the center. It nearly raised my eyebrows in surprise, but I didn't want to create a disturbance, so I tried to disregard her persistent attention.

Ms. Choi, the woman at the center, concluded her discussion, and we received the details about the production plans. It was clear that this reality show would involve a lot of drama and excitement to captivate the audience. Colleagues began preparing to leave the room as they were assigned to manage various dancer groups, and I noticed that I hadn't been assigned a group.

I stood up and approached Ms. Choi. Before I could ask her about my assignment, she smiled warmly, extending her right hand for a handshake. "You're Y/N, right?"

I accepted the handshake and nodded respectfully. "Yes, I am, Ms. Choi. It's an honor to work here, especially since it's my first experience in this kind of environment."

As the other staff members left the room, Ms. Choi and I were left alone. She settled back into her chair and gestured for me to sit beside her, which I did. After adjusting her attire and hair, she began to ask me questions. "It's also an honor that you've already thought about what's best for you. Your father seems quite pleased with your life choices."

Her words made me uncomfortable as she seemed to know about my personal life and my father's involvement in the company. I knew my father had bought the company to keep an eye on me, despite my decision to leave our clan with my mother. However, he was mistaken in his judgments about us. My mother and I had worked hard to build a life without his influence.

Recalling the past brought a familiar ache to my heart, but I tried to maintain my composure, releasing a soft sigh as I sought a moment of reassurance.

"It's inappropriate to discuss that with me, especially since I have the option to leave both this role and the company after our meeting," I asserted, looking