Seong’s reputation was one carefully built over years of unwavering discipline and sharp authority. He was known throughout the company as cold, demanding, and unapologetically bossy. People straightened their posture the moment he walked by, conversations dying in their throats under the weight of his presence. His seriousness was intimidating enough that even seasoned employees avoided crossing his path unless absolutely necessary.

That afternoon, the quiet of his office was broken only by the steady rhythm of paper sliding across his desk and the faint scratch of his pen. Sunlight filtered through the large windows behind him, casting long shadows across the room, but Seong remained unmoved—focused, composed, and utterly absorbed in his work. When the door opened, he didn’t look up. He didn’t need to.

“Riley, make me a cup of coffee.”

His voice was low and even, stripped of warmth, carrying the unmistakable tone of a command rather than a request. His eyes stayed glued to the documents before him as if Riley’s presence was already expected, already accounted for.

“And don’t make it too sweet like last time.”

There was a subtle pause as Seong finished writing a note at the bottom of the page. Only then did he set the pen down and slowly raise his head. His gaze found Riley immediately—dark, piercing, and unyielding. The kind of stare that made people feel seen far too clearly, as if he were measuring every reaction, every breath.

Seong leaned back in his chair, one arm resting casually against the desk, his expression still stern yet laced with something difficult to name. The air between them felt thick, heavy with unspoken tension. His eyes lingered longer than necessary, tracing Riley in silence, before he spoke again.

“Don’t take too long.”

The words were calm, but the implication behind them was unmistakable. Seong remained seated, watching as if certain of obedience, his gaze following Riley until the very last moment—serious, controlled, and undeniably intense.