Chapter 70: A Twist of Fate

I nearly screamed in the sacred interview room. Rubbing my eyes, I checked again, but the name tag clearly read Bae Ji An. Flipping through her resume confirmed it.

Is it… a coincidence?

With trembling hands, I scanned her details: A National University, English Literature, senior, graduating soon, 4.2/4.5 GPA, 950 TOEIC score, family of mother and older brother, age 23…

Considering Do Yoon is 25, her being two years younger matched the original novel perfectly.

Even without all that, her face was proof enough.

I stared at Bae Ji An, dumbfounded.

The heroine of this world is sitting in front of me?

The realization hit like lightning, flooding me with shock and fear I’d never felt before.

The familiarity I’d gained with interviewing vanished, replaced by a whip-cracked alertness.

She didn’t resemble So Eun Bi, who was cast for this role in the original world, nor the college girl I once mistook for her at Do Yoon’s school. She was the embodiment of the novel’s early, innocent illustration, sitting right there. It was bizarre I hadn’t recognized her instantly.

My mind spiraled into chaos.

First question: Why is she applying to Haewon E&M?

Bae Ji An was supposed to join Haewon Electronics. That’s where she meets Do Yoon, the new director, and the story begins. Do Yoon, now a 25-year-old senior, would graduate next year at 26. He’d need years of experience before joining Haewon Electronics, so… she shouldn’t be getting a job here now.

In the novel, she struggled with job applications, barely landing a contract role at Haewon Electronics. On her first day, she spills coffee on Do Yoon’s white shirt—a classic unlucky heroine trope.

I hadn’t known Haewon E&M was among the companies she failed to join.

Swallowing hard, I thought.

I need to fail her… right?

I glanced at her, eyes shaking.

Despite some nerves, she spoke calmly and confidently, staying on topic without being aggressive. Among the applicants I’d seen for hours, her demeanor stood out as exceptional.

Why is she so good?

It’d be easier if she weren’t. Honestly, she was the best of the six, but failing a faultless candidate pricked my conscience.

Noticing my trembling hands, the team leader beside me signaled with her eyes, asking if I was okay.

No, I’m not.

I scanned her resume again. Her grades likely earned scholarships, her English score was stellar, and she’d attended college straight through without a break, showing determination to graduate and work quickly. I checked her experience:

• Haewon E&M Broadcasting Content Division, part-time (8 months)
• Haewon Plaza University Supporters (4 months)
• International Short Film Festival Online PR Team, 2nd Cohort (2 months)
• Campus Broadcasting Club (1 year)

Biting my lip, I searched for a rational reason to fail her.

Her major isn’t media-related, she’s young with limited experience, and her marketing background is thin…

But honestly, she’d done nearly everything a 23-year-old could. Her major and overseas experience didn’t matter much. What stood out was her 8-month stint at Haewon E&M—likely office work during summer and winter breaks over two years.

If they rehired her each time, her work was solid. Companies often initiate such rehires.

I hesitated to give her all 1s on the evaluation sheet, my hand shaking.

Why… why am I agonizing over this? Isn’t it wrong to tank someone’s career for personal reasons? Isn’t that worse than kidnapping my brother’s girlfriend?

Lost in turmoil, the discussion and final presentation ended in a blink. The seniors asked questions, and applicants gave brief answers. Thinking I was too tense, the team leader nudged me, signaling to ask something.

Startled, feeling drained, I composed myself and managed one question.

“Ms. Bae Ji An, why apply here? Your major doesn’t seem related.”

My tone came out colder than intended due to nerves. She flinched but answered calmly after a moment.

“Media has always been my friend and teacher. During high school, Channel HW’s Beautiful Night and Poetry comforted me through exam stress and financial struggles. My stories were selected multiple times, and I received heartfelt advice. That helped me endure tough times, so now I want to create and share quality content here. With my English skills, I can connect Haewon E&M’s content with people worldwide.”

The seniors nodded, impressed. I grew more anxious—she answered too well for a sudden question. I pressed further.

“Why work part-time in the content division but apply to marketing?”

Her cheeks flushed slightly.

“I wanted to work in marketing, but no part-time roles were open there. I applied to another division to stay close to my goal. Though I haven’t worked directly in marketing, there’s overlap with content creation. My experience will be useful.”

Not perfect, but solid. Her attitude was excellent. I couldn’t fathom why she failed other interviews in the novel.

She mentioned Beautiful Night and Poetry, a one-hour midnight show where panelists—psychologists, poets, lyricists, and celebrities—empathized with viewers’ stories. It was well-received but canceled early due to low ratings. Good intent, but not entertaining.

Her stories were selected multiple times.

I recalled her background. In the novel, she worked part-time throughout school. After losing her father early, she grew up with her mother and a jobless, idle brother, making her the de facto breadwinner.

Before meeting Do Yoon, her life was far from hopeful.

Suddenly, I pictured Do Yoon’s first impression—gritting his teeth, alone in a mansion-like house. His face overlapped with Bae Ji An’s.

If I failed her here, she’d struggle for years more…

Wait.

Why do I need to fail her?

Then it hit me differently. If she worked here, she wouldn’t meet Do Yoon at Haewon Electronics, meaning the novel might not start at all.

Another realization struck.

Wouldn’t that be better for me? And for her, getting a job quickly?

If Do Yoon didn’t fall for her, I wouldn’t kidnap her. He wouldn’t awaken to seize Haewon Group, nor dig into my birth secret out of revenge.

If none of this started?

Maybe… Do Yoon’s inexplicable coldness toward me could end.

I could even punch back at this damn novel’s flow!

My heart pounded with new possibilities. This is it.

I gave Bae Ji An a slight smile. After the applicants left, I unhesitatingly gave her all 5s on her evaluation.

Even if I score her high, it doesn’t guarantee she passes.

I’m just a rookie senior in my first year of first-round interviews. Executives make the final call.

Whatever happens next… she’ll handle it.

If she fails, I gave her 5s, so I owe her no apologies. With that, my mind finally eased.

By late December, Bae Ji An proudly made the final acceptance list.