Watershed - an event or period that marks a turning point. 

---

Earlier that day~

"Did you send the evidence to him?" Yoona inquired, retrieving a drink from the refrigerator before returning to Yuri and handing her one as well.

"Yes, Ms. Lim. I already sent the evidence, and now he keeps spamming me about it," Yuri confirmed. Yoona nodded in satisfaction upon hearing the news.

"Can I ask you a question, Ms. Lim?" Yuri's voice held a touch of hesitation.

"Go on," Yoona encouraged, her focus returning to the papers in her hand.

"Are you prepared to leave the Jung family?" Yuri's question hung in the air, and Yoona paused to deeply contemplate its implications.

The weight of Yuri's question settled on Yoona's shoulders, causing her to momentarily halt her movements. She gazed into the distance, her thoughts churning as she considered the gravity of the decision she was facing.

"We're already walking a tightrope by digging deeper into the board members' secrets, especially Mr. Tyler's father," Yuri continued, her words measured. "It could lead to a chaotic situation if they find out, or worse, you might lose everything in an instant."

Yoona's eyes remained distant as she weighed Yuri's words. The room was filled with an atmosphere of seriousness as both of them understood the stakes.

"I'm aware," Yoona finally replied, her tone contemplative, aligning with her solemn expression. "And that's why Jennie is pivotal."

She let the words hang in the air, allowing the implications to sink in. Her gaze shifted back to Yuri, her eyes resolute as she continued, "Sending the evidence to her father is a significant stride forward. It signifies that I'm ready to let go of everything tied to them in order to build something new, something that's truly mine."

Present time~

Jennie's giggles echoed through the air, her amusement evident as she observed Yoona's and Yuri's surprised reactions. Deciding to take the lead, she confidently walked past them into the house. "Could you two bring my luggage inside? It's quite heavy," she called out casually as she made her way towards Yoona's room.

Stunned by the unexpected turn of events, Yoona and Yuri exchanged baffled glances, temporarily frozen in disbelief.

"I—I guess we should," Yuri finally managed to say, snapping out of her daze. She started to follow Jennie's request, guiding the luggage inside while Yoona continued to stare at the situation.

Yoona blinked at the sight of her room's door ajar, the reality of the situation sinking in. She couldn't muster a single word as she peered at her room, slowly taking in what had just occurred. She forced a smile, trying to process the absurdity of the moment. "I'll go talk to her. You continue working on your own stuff in your room. I'll join you soon after she falls asleep," Yoona assured Yuri, her voice a mixture of astonishment and fatigue.

Giving Yoona a nod, Yuri seemed to be processing the unusual events just as much as Yoona was.

With Jennie already asleep in her bed, Yoona quietly entered her room. She approached Jennie and observed the girl's slumbering form, noting that Jennie was wearing one of her hoodies. Suppressing a sigh, Yoona gently placed Jennie's luggage near her cabinet. She wondered if the hoodie had been borrowed without permission and shook her head, thankful that she could at least discuss their plan with Yuri.

Returning to Yuri's room, Yoona knocked on the door, and Yuri promptly opened it. "So, where were we?" Yoona asked, recentering their focus on their plan.

The two of them continued strategizing, engrossed in their discussion. Unbeknownst to them, time flew by, and the sun began to rise.

As Yuri left to take care of her own matters, Yoona took the opportunity to freshen up with a quick shower, knowing that the day ahead would be demanding.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Yoona prepared breakfast for herself and Jennie, tending to the kitchen as she waited for Jennie to wake up from her slumber. A steaming cup of coffee stood beside her, offering a much-needed source of energy to face the day.

"Babe." Yoona turned, finding Jennie walking towards her with a longing expression. "I miss you." Just as Yoona was about to respond, Jennie pulled her into a tight embrace.

As they eventually separated, Yoona studied Jennie's face, puzzled. "Why were you crying?" she inquired, noticing the traces of tears. "Did something happen?"

Jennie's lips quivered, her emotions still raw from the previous night. She wanted to cry again, but her pride held her back. She couldn't let herself appear immature in front of Yoona, especially for such childish reasons.

Observing Jennie's struggle, Yoona reached out and held both of Jennie's hands, her touch gentle. "I think I deserve an explanation, especially with that luggage of yours," Yoona said softly, her fingers tracing soothing patterns. "What's going on?"

Meeting Yoona's gaze, Jennie let out a sigh. "I missed you," she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability. Though Yoona's response didn't surprise her, Jennie was astonished at herself for bringing such a big luggage the previous night. "I was angry with you yesterday, so I blocked your number to get back at you..." Jennie paused, watching Yoona's reaction closely. "...but when you didn't call or text me, I started feeling empty. And then, my thoughts spiraled, and I worried that you were turned off by my behavior."

A smile threatened to form on Yoona's lips as she listened to Jennie's explanation. She struggled to contain her laughter, finding the situation oddly endearing. "You've got quite the creative way of expressing your feelings," she remarked, a playful glint in her eyes.

After breakfast, Yoona found herself trying to convince Jennie to return home. Despite the girl's resistance, Yoona understood that Jennie's parents were probably concerned and upset about her actions.

A call from Yuri interrupted their conversation. "Hello?"

"Ms. Lim, you need to come here immediately," 

Yoona's eyebrows furrowed in concern. She glanced at Jennie, who was still holding onto her arm. "What's wrong?"cc

Yuri let out a sigh on the other end. "The board members, including Mr. Tyler's father, held a secret meeting against you," she revealed, concern lacing her words. "Ms. Son overheard their plans and informed me."

"I see... I'm on my way now." 

"I'll hang up the phone now Ms. Lim." 

Hanging up the phone, Yoona returned it to her pocket and looked at Jennie with a worried expression. Concern was evident on her face as she inquired, "Is everything okay? Are you alright?"

Yoona's soft smile helped to alleviate Jennie's concern. "There's an emergency at work, so I need to go back," she explained gently. "I'll see you at school tomorrow, okay?" Jennie managed a bittersweet smile, understanding that Yoona had responsibilities to attend to, even though she wished they could spend more time together. "Head inside now," Yoona instructed, and before Jennie entered, she pulled Yoona into a deep kiss, cherishing their fleeting moment together.

As Jennie entered her house, she was greeted by a tense atmosphere. Her parents were seated on the luxurious couch, looking stern and serious. Her father's expression was devoid of joy, while her mother's face showed a mix of concern and disappointment.

It was her father who spoke first, his tone commanding. "We need an explanation about last night, young lady." He gestured for Jennie to sit in front of them, and she obediently complied, a sense of anxiety creeping in. She exchanged a nervous look with her mother, silently pleading for assistance, but her mother's signal indicated that she should face her father's questions.

"Sit here in front of us, Ruby Jane," her father's use of her full name only increased Jennie's apprehension, signifying that a scolding was imminent.

With a nervous swallow, Jennie took a deep breath and approached, taking a seat while lowering her head in a mixture of embarrassment and anxiety.

"Where were you last night?" Her father's stern voice sent Jennie's heart racing. The intensity in his tone was palpable, making her feel a mixture of fear and anxiety. "Don't make me repeat myself, Ruby Jane. Where were you last night?" Slowly, Jennie looked up, her trepidation evident in her gaze. Her father's presence was truly intimidating, and she felt a wave of nerves engulfing her. She silently prayed that she wouldn't mess up and make things worse.

"Where did you spend the night?" he pressed on with another question. Jennie grappled with the urge to confess that she was with Yoona, but her concern for Yoona's wellbeing held her back. She feared that her father might contact Yoona and confront her, and she didn't want Yoona to be subjected to her father's harshness. Who knew what he might say or do?

"Dad, what are you talking about?" she managed to stutter, hoping to divert his attention.

Her father, however, raised an eyebrow as he toyed with a ring on his finger, his demeanor conveying his disappointment. "You left in the middle of the night with your luggage packed. So, where did you go?" His expression spoke volumes, implying that he already knew the answer. "Obviously, you went to be with that young man. Need I name him? The same guy who attempted to take you away before."

Jennie's inner turmoil escalated. She grappled with whether to admit she had been with Jongin or not. If she denied it, her father would likely press further to know who she was with, and she didn't want to implicate Yoona. Panic swirled within her as she tried to come up with a believable story. Perhaps she could say she was with her friends? But her father seemed to have anticipated this and informed her that he had already spoken with them, contradicting her potential lie.

"You won't fool me, Ruby Jane. I already spoke with your friends, and they said you weren't with them." His voice was becoming louder, his frustration evident. "So, where did you disappear to? Of course, to that reckless young man you're seeing." The anger in his voice intensified as he voiced his disapproval.

Despite her anxiety, Jennie finally managed to summon some courage. "Please stop calling him 'stupid,' Dad," she interjected, though almost immediately, she regretted interrupting him. 

She heard him bitterly chuckle, causing regret to flood her for daring to talk back to him. Her gaze quickly dropped, her heart racing as she realized she might have worsened the situation. "Did you hear your daughter?" he directed his words to his wife, and then turned his gaze back to Jennie. "So, my suspicions were right. You were with him this whole time. You're not only defending your pathetic boyfriend, but you're also learning to challenge your father? Is this the kind of influence he has on you?" His anger was palpable, yet he seemed to be restraining himself, aware of the line he was treading.

Jennie stumbled over her words, wanting to clarify but also fearful of further provoking her father's wrath. "I-I'm not defending him just because we'd dated, but because no one should be called pathetic. He didn't do anything wrong—"

"THEN WHERE WERE YOU LAST NIGHT?!" he erupted once more, shattering the uneasy silence that had fallen over the room.

The tension hung thick in the air, the weight of his accusation sinking in. Jennie's eyes welled up with tears, her emotions too overwhelming to conceal. Her mother exchanged a concerned glance with her husband, silently pleading with him to relent. However, he seemed resolute, convinced that a lesson needed to be taught.

"Tell me the truth, Ruby Jane. Where did you run off to last night?" His tone had calmed, but both women knew it was a facade. There was an undercurrent of impending eruption, and they feared it was only a matter of time before he unleashed his anger once again. Jennie's father had no intention of letting the matter rest. He struggled to comprehend that his daughter could act so recklessly.

"This is the first time you've run away, and you did it for someone inconsequential. What you feel for him isn't genuine love, Ruby Jane. This infatuation won't lead to anything good. Are you taking in everything I'm saying? Speak up."

Jennie's apprehension deepened, her fear of losing Yoona clashing with her father's anger. Tears streamed down her face, her eyes red and puffy. Her mother's heart ached to comfort her, but they both knew that Jennie needed to learn a lesson first.

"I... I love her," Jennie finally managed to articulate. Her words hung in the air, causing confusion to ripple across her parents' faces. Sensing their bewilderment, Jennie took a shuddering breath and continued, her voice shaky. "I broke up with Jongin. I wasn't with him last night."

That statement brought a sigh of relief from Jennie's father. "Then where were you last night?"

The moment of truth had arrived. Jennie felt as if she were standing on the edge of a precipice, her heart pounding in anticipation. She hoped beyond hope that her father would accept her choice. She no longer wanted to hide her feelings for Yoona; she was ready to shout her love from the rooftops.

With a deep breath, Jennie nodded firmly and answered, "I... I went to Yoona's place."

Her father's eyebrows knitted in scrutiny, his gaze sharp and calculating. "Your substitute teacher?" he inquired, wanting to confirm. Meanwhile, Jennie's mother couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the casualness with which her daughter referred to Jennie's teacher by her first name.

Jennie affirmed with conviction, "Yes."

Jennie's father stood up from his seat and motioned for her to follow him. "I need to talk to you in private, Ruby Jane. Come with me."

Jennie left her mother in the living room with an apologetic hug, promising to return soon to explain everything. She entered her father's study, her heart pounding once again as she looked at him behind his desk. He seemed to be caressing something, and Jennie's eyes briefly caught sight of a brown envelope.

"You mentioned earlier that you love her. Who are you referring to, Ruby Jane?" Her father's tone was firm, as if she were on trial, required to speak the truth. Jennie felt like every word she said held immense weight, as if her entire future depended on her honesty. "I have a name in mind, but I want to hear it from you. Who is it?"

Jennie's throat tightened, her hesitation palpable in the air.

---

"Fill me up." Yoona's voice was almost monotone as she stared blankly out of the expansive window, the city lights below resembling a sea of stars. Her wine glass met her lips, the taste barely registering on her tongue.

"I was here, talking with my IT team, ready to share the data with you when I saw Ms. Son instead. She confessed that all the members of the board had a secret meeting. Their intention was to replace you, Ms. Lim."

Yoona's expression remained inscrutable as she listened to Yuri's account. She held up her hand, silencing her before she could reveal more. "That's enough," Yoona stated calmly. She took another sip of her wine, finishing the glass before placing it down with deliberate precision. Her gaze fixed on Yuri, her voice steady. "Tell me, Yul, is Chairman Jung involved in this secret meeting?"

"Yes, Ms. Lim," Yuri answered.

Yoona's laughter cut through the air, a mix of bitterness and disbelief. It was a sound that sent a shiver down Yuri's spine. With an abrupt, almost violent motion, Yoona swept her belongings off the table, sending them scattering. Her anger radiated off her in waves, her demeanor shifting from calm to a seething intensity. The atmosphere around her seemed to crackle with tension.

Yuri debated whether to