Natalie and her best friend Maya were wrapping up their shift at Eversage, glancing through skincare brochures and discussing dreams amid the soft hum of the office.
Maya, smirking: "You know, one day I’ll marry a rich guy, do absolutely nothing but shop, and live in luxury."
Natalie laughed, brushing back her hair: "I’m not saying no to luxury... but I’d rather own the business or at least be the face of it."
Maya nudged her: "That’s more like you."
The door opened. In walked a handso young man in an impeccable suit, flanked by three silent bodyguards. Red hair, sleek, early twenties.
Natalie and Maya stood and bowed in unison:
"Good afternoon. Welco to Eversage—how may we assist you?"
Before they finished speaking, Manager Layla rushed out:
Layla breathless: "Oh—Young Master Jason, you’re here early! Sorry for the delay."
Jason smiled: "No worries. Leading the way?"
He nodded at Natalie and Maya with a polite bow before following Layla deeper into the office, bodyguards flanking the reception area.
As soon as Jason disappeared, Maya whispered to Natalie:
Maya: "Did you see him? He’s gorgeous."
Natalie rolled her eyes: "Focus."
Maya thumbed through her phone: "Wait—Jason Yun. The one in the news, broke his engagent."
Natalie gasped softly as she saw a photo of Jason Yun.
Maya: "So... what’s he doing at our little company?"
They entered a stylish corner office. Jason sat across from Layla, reclining casually.
Layla puzzled: "Jason, we got your email—but followed up about purchasing Eversage?"
Jason nodded: "Correct. I’m interested in two things: acquiring Eversage, and hiring one of your employees."
"Which one, exactly?"
Jason sat back in his chair, fingers steepled lightly as he looked her in the eye.
"Natalie."
Layla blinked, clearly surprised. "Natalie... from front desk?"
Jason nodded once. "Yes. I’ve reviewed her public presence, her interactions with custors, and her marketable charm. She’s sharp, well-liked, and has the kind of charisma I want representing a new brand."
Layla didn’t respond right away. Her fingers tapped against the edge of her tablet.
"Mr. Yun, with all due respect... you’re not just offering her a job. You’re coming into a company, mid-day, talking about acquiring us, and now you want one of my employees. This is... unusual."
Jason’s expression didn’t shift, but his tone softened slightly.
"I understand how this looks, and I don’t an any disrespect. I wouldn’t ask for her if I didn’t think it would benefit all parties involved. This isn’t poaching—it’s promotion. And not just for her."
Layla tilted her head. "Promotion?"
"Yes," Jason replied smoothly. "As of this morning, the acquisition paperwork has been signed. I’ll own Eversage within the next 48 hours, if not sooner. So technically, I’m not pulling her away—I’m moving her up."
Layla’s eyes widened briefly. "That... was fast."
Jason gave a small smile. "Efficiency’s a necessity in this world."
Layla exhaled, leaning back in her chair. She was still processing, but the weight behind his na—and the calm certainty in his voice—left little room for pushback.
"And you really believe Natalie’s right for this?"
Jason’s answer ca without hesitation. "I do. The café-salon hybrid I’m launching needs soone with authenticity. She doesn’t just look the part—she is the part. People follow her for a reason. I’m just giving that reason a platform."
There was a long beat of silence before Layla finally nodded slowly, eyes still filled with reluctant curiosity.
"Alright then. You want to speak to her directly?"
Jason gave a faint smile. "If you don’t mind."
Layla tapped the intercom button and spoke clearly into the mic.
"Natalie, please report to the office."
Natalie’s heart thumped as she approached the door. She exchanged a quick, nervous glance with Maya before stepping inside.
Jason stood beside Manager Layla, calm and composed, his gaze following her as she walked in.
"Hi..." Natalie began carefully, clutching her na tag. "You asked for ?"
Jason offered a polite nod. "Yes. Natalie, I’m Jason Yun."
"I... know," she said, blinking. "From earlier."
He smiled faintly. "I’m launching a new business venture—sothing that combines high-end café service with a beauty salon. And I’d like you to be the public face of the salon side."
Natalie blinked. For a second, she didn’t speak.
"...Wait. What?"
Jason continued, tone smooth but serious. "I’ve seen your social presence. I’ve looked at the way you carry yourself at the front desk. You’re personable. Presentable. You draw people in. I need soone like that. I need you."
Natalie sat down slowly, eyes darting between him and Layla.
"Sorry, this is... a lot. Are you offering a job? Outside Eversage?"
Jason shook his head. "No. You wouldn’t be leaving Eversage. As of noon today, I bought it."
Natalie blinked again. "...You bought Eversage?"
She turned to Layla in disbelief. "Is that true?"
Layla gave a small, slightly amused smile. "The paperwork’s being finalized. It’s legitimate."
Natalie turned back to Jason, still wide-eyed. "And just like that, I’m... promoted?"
He gave a single nod. "If you accept. You’d be front-facing—leading a small but visible team, building an image people can trust. You’d work closely with Hendricks, soone I’m sure you’ll like. Of course, we’d renegotiate your pay and benefits. You’d have full creative input on the beauty side of the business."
She leaned back in the chair. "Wow. I an... I’ve always wanted sothing like this. But usually these things take months, not minutes."
Jason gave a half-grin. "Call it recognizing talent early."
There was a long pause before Natalie finally spoke again.
"...Can I ask one more thing?"
"Of course."
"Would it be alright if Maya—my best friend—ca too? We’ve worked every job together. I’d feel better having her with ."
Jason didn’t even hesitate. "Yes. I was already planning to extend the offer to her. You two work well as a pair—it’d be foolish to split you up."
Natalie’s surprise deepened.
"I do my howork."
Jason then reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a clean, matte-black envelope. He slid it gently across the table.
"This is your bonus. Consider it a welco gift—and a thank you for accepting the position."
Natalie didn’t touch it imdiately. She just sat there, quietly processing everything. After a mont, she gave a slow, genuine smile.
"...Alright. I’m in."
Jason stood and offered a hand. "Glad to have you on board."
She shook it, still stunned but smiling.
Outside the office, Maya was practically pressed against the wall, trying to listen in. When Natalie ca out grinning, she squealed in anticipation.
Why do you look so happy? What happened in there?
Later, as Jason and his bodyguards stepped into the SUV and the doors clicked shut, he leaned back against the seat. He wasn’t checking ssages—he was thinking.
"In the original novel, the protagonist used C&B’s rise to quietly build his own skincare empire. A moisturizer he designed from scratch—clean, effective, and backed by word-of-mouth—turned him from a nobody into a national na."
Jason stared out the tinted window, his expression unreadable.
"I don’t know the exact ingredients. I don’t have his stroke of genius or his luck. But I do have sothing he never did—this app."
"With the right inputs, this thing can eventually produce the information on sothing even better than what he created. Sothing market-shifting. Ga-breaking."
"That’s why I bought Eversage. Not just because it’s stable—but because I need a base. A ready-made platform with loyal users and an actual identity I can control."
He pictured Natalie and Maya behind the counter. People who were well-liked, authentic, and unknown to the protagonist—non-threats, for now.
"When the Yun family finally starts to eat itself... I’ll be ready. Even if I fall, I’ll fall with my own empire underneath . And if I rise? This will be one of the reasons why."
Jason allowed himself the faintest smirk.
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