Chapter 15
Jamie trailed behind Yejin as she led him to the office. Dressed in a formal gown that accentuated her height and poise, Yejin exuded the aura of a high-society figure—confident, commanding, and almost regal. Her heels clicked assertively against the marble floor, each step echoing her undeniable authority.
Jamie, in contrast, felt disheveled and sleepy. His bangs, stubbornly falling over his forehead, seemed to taunt him with their refusal to stay out of his eyes. He blew at them in frustration, but they promptly fell right back into place. Rolling his eyes at his own childishness, Jamie realized they had already entered the room.
The familiar office, where his father had spoken to him a few days ago, was unchanged. The conversation he'd had here was still vivid in his memory. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on his older brother, Kun, who was deep in conversation with a man Jamie didn't recognize. The two seemed to share a camaraderie that suggested a close relationship.
However, Jamie's attention was quickly drawn to the man lounging on the vast sofa. The same intimidating presence from earlier that day now felt more contained but was still unsettling. Despite the earlier panic, Jamie had managed to steady himself. Now, his focus was on maintaining composure as the man's gaze shifted from his face to his outfit. The gleam of amusement in the man's eyes was unmistakable, but Jamie refused to react.
His father, finishing a conversation with Yejin, gave Jamie a nod. "Jamie," he began, his tone serious. "The individual who threatened you is in the basement. He's proving to be quite a challenge."
Jamie kept his expression neutral. "Thank you for handling this, Father." The words felt awkward, but he hoped they conveyed the respect he intended. Everything was proceeding according to his plans; he just needed to wait for the conclusion of his father's efforts.
"This young man here," his father continued, gesturing to the man who was still scrutinizing Jamie, "assisted us in locating the bug. I want you to thank him personally."
Jamie forced a smile and inclined his head in respect. "Thank you for your help, Mr...?" he prompted, his old habit of waiting for formalities still intact.
"Mr. Lee," the man replied, his gaze unwavering.
Jamie nodded, bowing once more. "Thank you, Mr. Lee."
Unexpectedly, Mr. Lee's tone turned warm and patronizing. "What's your name, sweetheart?" he asked.
A collective gasp filled the room. Yejin's eyes narrowed, Kun's frown deepened, and Jamie could sense the shock from everyone present. The endearment was both surprising and disconcerting.
Jamie's expression hardened. "Mr. Lee, while I appreciate your help, I prefer to be addressed by my name. Kim Jamie, sir." His tone was formal and detached, a stark contrast to the warmth Mr. Lee had used.
Mr. Lee chuckled, a smirk playing on his lips. "What a cute name for a beautiful man," he said, laughing heartily.
Jamie's irritation flared, but he managed to keep his face a mask of indifference. The laughter was a direct insult to his dignity. He clenched his teeth, fighting the urge to retaliate. "Thank you. My mother would be pleased to hear that," he replied flatly, trying to keep his emotions in check.
Mr. Lee hummed thoughtfully, and Jamie took it as his cue. "I'll be going now," he said. "I still have schoolwork to finish. Good night, everyone." He bowed once more, not waiting for any responses, and swiftly exited the room.
As Jamie closed the door behind him, he could feel Mr. Lee's eyes lingering on him. He hurried down the hallway to his guest room, the distance feeling interminable.
Once inside, Jamie locked the door and threw himself onto the bed. His heart raced with a wild beat against his ribs, and an unfamiliar rage simmered within him. The audacity of Mr. Lee's behavior had struck a nerve, and Jamie was struggling to process the insult. He gritted his teeth, his mind swirling with indignation.
Never before had he been so openly mocked in front of so many people. The laughter, the patronizing tone—it was a blow to his ego that he couldn't easily forgive. He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing to calm the storm inside.
End of Chapter 15.