"Minister, please forgive me. I lose my mind when I heard the news because it was so unexpected, but -

"

"Just because you lose your mind, does it mean that you can disrespect the Chairwoman?

" Garcia Han interrupted Director Park in an unyielding voice. Her sharp gaze was still fixated on the Director.

"No, I don't mean that.

" Director Park shook his head continuously. He was at a loss for words!

"What I tell you to do is to kneel and apologize to my daughter, not explaining yourself or apologizing to me.

" Garcia Han firmly said, enunciating each word.

"And because of your reluctance, you must kneel here until Nicole accept your apology. Until then, don't even dream of leaving this office.

"

Nicole hid her pleasure of witnessing such a scene and turned to Garcia Han.

"I'm fine, Mother. There's no need to go to such length.

" She said with an almost pleading voice. Just as she thought, it only frustrated Garcia's more!

"I've told you countless times not to be too soft! This is why people disrespect you and mistreated you!

" Garcia Han snapped.

Nicole already realized that. It's why she decided to give her all to protect herself. She will be tough from now on!

"I'm still waiting, Director Park. The longer time you waste, the more your case is severe.

" Garcia Han was running out of patience and Colin Park could feel that. He knew that he had no other choice.

Feeling defeated, he finally rose from his seat and dropped to his knees in front of the Chairwoman.

"I was wrong, Chairwoman. Please forgive me.

" He whispered as he narrowed his eyes at the floor.

Nicole opened her mouth but Garcia Han suddenly rose from her seat.

"You can let him stay like that until you are satisfied. Stop being too soft. I have meetings, so I will leave now. You can tell me when you're done with him.

" She said to Nicole and briefly glanced at Colin Park.

"Minister, please -

"

"You should be grateful, Director Park. If I were to punish you my way, you will hate it more than this.

" She coldly said to the Director and left Nicole's office right away.

A hint of amazement could be seen in Nicole's face the moment Garcia Han left. She never witnessed him treating the Director this way!

She narrowed her eyes at Colin Park who was still kneeling on the floor. What an obedient man! The Minister already left but he still remained like that just because she told him to!

"Seems like your master has turned her back on you.

" She simply commented as she gazed at Director Park.

"What do you want?

" The Director asked her. His tone was much more formal than before. Had he finally learned his lessons?

Nicole smiled at his question.

"My step-mother just ordered me to not be soft and as you know, I cannot defy her. That means you will have to remain that way for a bit longer.

"

She tapped her fingers on the magazines which were placed on the table.

"Well, this is not too bad either. It's better than you standing and yelling at me.

" A light chuckle escaped her lips.

"She doesn't know your true nature. If she knows, she will not trust you.

" Director Park lifted his head and looked up at Nicole. There was still a hint of rage in his eyes.

"Do you still not understand anything, Director Park?

" Nicole mused. She rose from her seat and walked to the counter in the corner to prepare some tea for herself.

"No matter how much longer or hard you worked for her, you are still a dog who can be easily replaced. That's the reality. Those years you spent serving her were nothing.

"

She returned to her seat with a cup of tea and flashed a smile at the Director who stared at her the whole time.

"But in my case, it's different. Even if I rebelled or defied her many times, she couldn't replace me. Like it or hate it, I'm still the daughter whom she personally raised though we are not blood-related. Don't you think so?

"

"Do you think you will be able to defeat your step-mother? Don't be silly, Chairwoman. You'll regret -

"

"When did I ever say that I will defeat her?

" Nicole snapped, interrupting Colin Park.

"It's the opposite. I cannot defeat her so I decided to become an obedient daughter. Just that decision alone can bring you to your knees. What other things will be possible? I'm really curious now.

" A smile never left Nicole's face the whole time.

Director Park was burning with anger on the inside! However, he couldn't do anything but only clenched his fist. He tried his best to suppress his anger. He couldn't afford to offend her more yet it seemed like the young Chairwoman was adamant to make him lose his self-control!

"I think I started to understand why you stick to her like a glue while she only treated you like a dog,

" Nicole remarked with a mocking smile.

"Do you think you're any different? The moment you decided to be obedient to her, we are the same. You are nothing but your step-mother's puppet.

" Director Park spatted, glaring at the Chairwoman.

Nicole simply laughed at his words but in a split second, her face darkened and even the Director finds her intimidating!

"If I were you, I will be careful with my words. Look at yourself, Director Park; so helpless and pathetic. Don't tell me you want to kneel here for the whole day. I have a meeting in the afternoon here in my office and it will be quite embarrassing for you.

" She clicked her tongue and shook her head.

"The proud Director Park is kneeling at the Chairwoman's office. Do you want that to become the talk of the employees for the next few days?

" Nicole asked sarcastically.

Colin Park gritted his teeth but he was scared to say anything now. What if that really happened? His reputation will go downhill and he will lose face in the company!

Pressing both her hands against the table, Nicole leaned forward, narrowing the distance between them with a bit and she looked at him right in the eyes.

"I warn you to carefully choose your words from now on. I might be the step-daughter of your boss. I might be my step-mother puppet like you said but never forget one thing.

"

She paused and continued by saying,

"I'm Nicole Yang, the only daughter of Zachary Yang, the man who build this company from the dust. The blood of Zachary Yang is flowing in my every vein. What's more? I'm the true owner of Yang Group. Fifteen years ago and even now, I'm the one and only owner of this company. So if you want to remain in this company, don't you dare belittle me again. Remember that.

"

Was it because Garcia Han was the one who raised her? Maybe that's why her actions resembled the Minister so much! That's what Director Park thought. The Chairwoman's words and dreadfully low voice could even send a shiver down his spine! The world knows how great of a businessman Zachary Yang was!

"I bet you are thinking about how I take after my step-mother. Think about it, Director Park. She might not give birth to me but she raised me in her own way. It will be a miracle if I don't resemble her.

" Nicole calmly said.

Out of all the things she said, how Garcia Han raised Nicole her own way caught the Director's attention the most. He was well aware of what the devil's way was!

Nicole smiled once again and calmly took a sip of the tea as if she was in a casual meeting.

"Well.

" She started.

"You are old enough to be my father, so it would be rude of me to make you kneel this long. You might not know but one of the few good things that my step-mother taught me is to respect my elders.

" She lightly chuckled as if she also didn't believe what she said.

"Why don't you consider yourself lucky and get up now? I bet you are also busy with the problems of the construction business. So, leave before I change my mind.

" She said with an annoyed face, pointing at the door with her chin.

Swallowing his little pride left, Director Park stood up and turned to the door. He was about to take a step towards the door when he heard the Chairwoman.

"I still remember me telling you to mind your manners.

" Nicole pointed out. She lifted her head and once again, she smiled at him.

Tightly clenching his fist, Director Park turned around and bowed. Nicole waved her hand to dismiss him and he left the office with a hardly suppressed anger.

Her office door was shut and Nicole's fake smile instantly dropped. She let out a breath and quickly poured a glass of water for herself. She used too much energy for the show that was just unfolded!

Once she finally calms down herself, she called Garcia Han and told her that she had just finished dealing with Director Park. Putting down the phone, she darted her eyes to the door when she heard the sound of the knocking. Clearing her throat, she responded,

"Come in.

"

Her secretary, Julia Cha made her way to her and bowed.

"Chairwoman, your fiance is here.

"

That soon? She glanced at her wristwatch and frowned. She asked to meet him at lunchtime and it was indeed time for lunch now.

"Let him in.

" She said and Julia Cha walked out. After a split second, Leon Jung stepped into her office.

He didn't take a seat and instead, he stood a few steps away from Nicole.

"Why do you want to meet?

" He asked, putting his hands inside his pocket. His appearance was quite haggard compared to other days. Maybe because he spends his time in the hospital since last night.

"I have something to tell you,

" Nicole replied and rose from her seat.

"About Aston Kang?

" Leon deadpanned. His men were very reliable just like he said. They already informed him that the actor visited his fiancee in her residence last night and he already had an idea of what's going on between them.....