A Chance Encounter
The morning sun cast a pale glow over Seoul’s towering skyline, its rays catching the glass facades of the city’s most prestigious buildings. Soo-min’s heart hammered against her ribs as she stood outside the imposing structure, the headquarters of Daehan Enterprises. A sleek monolith of steel and glass, it seemed almost otherworldly—a stark contrast to the cramped, aging apartment she called home.
Her palms were clammy, fingers twisting the strap of her worn bag as she took a tentative step inside. The lobby stretched wide and immaculate, the polished marble floors reflecting the soft hum of whispered conversations and clicking heels. She swallowed hard, feeling the weight of countless eyes she imagined on her—on the girl with threadbare shoes and a secondhand blazer, her hair pulled back hastily, eyes wide with a mixture of hope and anxiety.
Candidates in tailored suits flitted around, their confident strides and poised smiles breeding an atmosphere of quiet competition. Soo-min’s breath hitched; for a moment, she wished she could disappear into the shadows. But the urgency in her chest—the need to escape the relentless grip of poverty—propelled her forward.
A receptionist…