Gyeong-eun stood before the mirror, tension on her face.

She'd been preparing the words for days, and now she practiced them standing before the glass.

"I will make Ilhyeon Hotel the finest in the Republic of Korea, the finest in Asia — and beyond that, the finest in the world."

She finished and looked into the mirror, checking what expression she wore and where her gaze went once the words were done.

"Very good."

Watching from behind, Seong-ho offered his praise.

Gyeong-eun turned toward him, the paper with her remarks still in hand. "I'm so nervous I could die."

"You don't need to be that nervous."

Seong-ho patted her shoulder and turned her back to face the mirror. He tapped lightly at her lower back to straighten her posture, then spoke to her reflection in the glass. "Do it with confidence. Every one of the Ilhyeon Hotel staff is waiting for you, and no one else."

At his heartening words, Gyeong-eun spread her chest wide and drew a deep breath. Firming her lips, she steadied herself and nodded. "You're right. This will be my workplace and my life from now on, so I mustn't be nervous from the very start."

"Exactly. Ilhyeon Hotel is our new home."

Gyeong-eun looked much more at ease. Turning her head to him, she said, "But you're really not coming?"

She looked at him with a gaze full of regret.

Seong-ho smiled lightly and drew her into an embrace. "If I show up — the man who was gripping and shaking Ilhyeon Hotel until just recently — the attention will scatter. Today's lead is you, and every eye should be on you, so I can't go."

He took her hand and came out of the room. Still smiling at the reluctant Gyeong-eun, he offered one more word of encouragement. "You'll do well. So don't worry — just do as you always do. The rest will flow naturally on its own."

At that, Gyeong-eun shook off her worry. "You're right. It's a place you've laid such good groundwork for, so worrying would be an indulgence."

She…