The Tall Heiress Strikes Back
-1-
After Seo Ji-ah overpowered Kang So-ra, things wrapped up quickly. I'm not sure if someone called the cops, but they showed up at the cafe, heard the full story, and hauled her away. So-ra thrashed and screamed the whole time, but it was all for nothing.
"Hah, ah."
I only realized it as her shouts faded into the distance—my body went limp, and I collapsed right there. The officer asked me to come to the station as the victim, but I was in no shape for that.
"This is voluntary accompaniment, right? As you can see, he's clearly the victim here. He's not in any condition to be questioned right now. We'll have him come in once he's calmed down, with his lawyer present. That okay?"
Ji-ah noona was speaking up for me, but her words barely registered. With the situation calming down and the tension easing, a delayed wave of stress and adrenaline crash hit me hard. Cold sweat dripped down my skin, heat flushed through me, my chest tightened, and breathing felt labored. Before long, my vision flickered black, and my body went completely slack.
-2-
The moment I saw Kang So-ra being dragged out while clinging to Jae-hyun, something inside me cracked.
How dare that nobody!
Rage boiled up for a second, but seeing her charge at me mindlessly was just baffling. I subdued her easily with the self-defense I'd trained in since childhood and handed her over to the police. As I turned to check on the stunned Jae-hyun, my heart dropped when I saw him stagger and collapse.
Unlike me, frozen with my mind gone blank, the Cafe Owner immediately called 119.
If only I'd acted faster... if I'd just dealt with that bitch yesterday after hearing the story.
I had the power to do it. I'd catch hell at home, but who cares.
"Are you the guardian? You'll need to ride along."
"Y-yes!"
The owner hurriedly scribbled her number on a scrap of paper, begging me to call if anything came up. Clutching it, I jumped into the ambulance with them.
Please, please be okay...
The paramedic said his vitals were stable and not to worry, but it went in one ear and out the other. Jae-hyun—this man—just collapsed. How could he be fine?
I wanted to head straight to Severance Hospital, but it was too far, so we went to the nearest ER instead.
"Guardian for patient Yoon Jae-hyun?"
"Y-yes!"
"Tests show nothing serious. No underlying conditions, so it's probably just neurasthenic syncope. Did he go through any sudden psychological shock or severe stress?"
"...Yeah, looks like it. He's been having trouble sleeping lately, and his condition's been off."
Because of that damn stalker bitch—what has she put Jae-hyun through?
At least it wasn't anything major. Thank God.
"He woke up midway but passed out again?"
"That's exhaustion from the tension releasing. He's just sleeping now—no need to worry. Want an IV drip or some nutrients if you're concerned?"
"Please do. And can we move him to a private room right away?"
The ER was too noisy and chaotic. If he was just worn out and sleeping, I wanted him in a quiet, comfortable spot to rest properly. Money was no object.
We got the private room immediately, and I called Kim Manager.
I should've insisted on security right after hearing the story yesterday.
Should've kept that trash stalker away from the cafe from the start.
"Kim Manager? It's Seo Ji-ah."
["Yes, miss. Is something wrong?"]
"Something came up."
-3-
I stayed by Jae-hyun's side until Kim Manager arrived. He slept peacefully, breathing softly, though he'd occasionally frown and toss. I'd hold his hand tight and gently stroke his messy hair until he settled.
Yeah, Jae-hyun. Even in your dreams, don't struggle. Don't hurt. That's all I want.
Knock knock.
As I watched him sleep in the quiet room, a knock came. She must be here. I stepped out so Jae-hyun wouldn't wake and see.
A middle-aged woman with a neat bun showing faint grays, impeccably wrinkle-free suit—Kim Manager.
"Is the young master okay?"
"Luckily, just fainting and exhaustion. He's sleeping now."
"Good. That's a relief."
Kim Manager, from Future Strategy Planning, handled owner family risk management and group fixes. As Grandma's direct subordinate, she was core personnel—loyal and capable after years at her side.
"I need this handled quickly."
"Of course. I've already arranged security. If needed, I can book a hotel for him temporarily."
"What about that bitch?"
"She's detained at the station. Legal team's on it—planning to keep her there as long as possible."
Her report was seamless. Background on So-ra came too: gloomy, ugly loser loner. Stalking history from school, disowned by family after. Freelance web novel writer—BL and adult stuff. Basically a cheap smut peddler.
"Ha! I knew she was trash, but damn, she really is."
I irritably swept back my hair.
How do I crush her?
"Kim Manager."
"Yes, miss."
"Handle this cleanly, out of Jae-hyun's sight. As naturally as possible. You get me?"
Illegal means if needed. She eyed me, gauging, then bowed slightly.
"Shall I assign one of ours as your college acquaintance? File restraining order and eviction, then get proxy from young master to wrap it fully on our end."
Jail time, even brief, then quietly erase her. A few months locked up, out of sight, and Jae-hyun would forget naturally.
"I trust you'll handle details. Just make sure she never shows near him again."
"Understood. But miss, the family's asking about the young master."
"Sigh~ Tell them I'll visit soon and explain. And definitely say leave the youngest's love life alone!!"
Not yet. Not yet. Jae-hyun, with his spring-sun warmth, wouldn't change easily knowing my background. But still... just in case.
I wasn't ready. When we were truly alone together—then, at latest then, I'd tell him. For now, I wanted to be just plain Seo Ji-ah to him.
-4-
As the nutrients finished dripping, Jae-hyun stirred.
"Mm, ngh—"
Sleepy-eyed, rubbing his face, tossing cutely. Seeing him awake and fine washed away my lingering worry.
"Jae-hyun! You with us? Feeling okay?"
"Huh? ...Noona?"
Still groggy, he blinked slowly, scanning around. I propped him up as he sat, and then it hit him—he widened his eyes in shock.
"D-did I pass out? Why?"
"Stress and tension buildup, they said. You fainted, fell asleep again, just woke up."
"Oh... r-really?"
He scratched his head, embarrassed.
"Huh? Noona! What about you? You okay? Hurt anywhere?"
"I'm fine. Shouldn't I be worrying about the one who fainted?"
Snapping alert and asking about me first—how could I not laugh? Was there another guy this sweet and lovable? He always made my heart race, the rascal.
-5-
The nurse removed the empty IV soon after. Then knock knock—someone rapped on the door.
A neat-looking man in his mid-30s entered. Slicked-back hair, perfectly tailored suit—elite vibe all the way.
"Uh... who're you?"
"Yoon Jae-hyun? Nice to meet you. Lee Jong-cheol, Seo Ji-ah's college senior."
Ji-ah noona's... college senior? Why was he here?
I blinked dumbly, and she clapped with a wink.
"About the stalking—I asked if he could help."
"No worries on fees. I owe Ji-ah from school anyway. Consider it adult networking."
Adult networking—what's that?
Volunteering pro bono suggested they were close, but "Seo Ji-ah ssi" and his stiff politeness didn't scream old pals.
"—Discharge first, then pick a convenient day for a quick station visit and statement. Sign a power of attorney after, and I'll handle the rest. No stress there."
"Ah, okay."
Like an AI robot. Speech, demeanor, movements—measured to perfection. Seemed tense, but no reason for him to be, so probably my imagination.
"Filing restraining order and forced eviction from her residence. Prosecution too, of course. Heard she sent physical items?"
"Yeah, found it at my door this morning. Brought it inside just in case."
"Good call."
He detailed trial plans, desired outcomes—legal jargon flew over my head, but gist: I'll crush her crime and get jail time.
Dubious if her acts warranted prison, separate from my rage. But he swore it, so trust for now.
"Oh, right. Discharge when?"
"Probably right after you leave, sir."
He checked his watch, frowning slightly.
What?
"Suspect's detained, but high chance of release within 24 hours. She was emotionally unstable and violent at the scene... Better stay elsewhere tonight, not home. Ideally cautious till filing. Too late after trouble hits."
Spot on. Not super dangerous solo unless armed, but life's unpredictable. Above all, no more worrying those around me—like Ji-ah noona, gripping my hand silently, face pale.
"Got it. I'll be careful."
"Yes. Then."
He bowed crisply and left. Total robot—purely professional. But reliable for the job. Cool, rational; he'd defend well.
"Jae-hyun, um. What now? We can discharge anytime... Got anywhere besides home?"
"...Maybe crash at a friend's for a few days. But the cafe—should I take off?"
"Probably smart. She might show up raging."
"Even without me, she'll probably demand where I am."
"Then report business interference."
Sigh~ Feels like a huge hassle for the owner. Rubbing my dry face changed nothing. She'd hit the cafe regardless. My routine: home, cafe, gym.
"Ugh. Sorry for dragging everyone down."
"Why's it your fault? That crazy bitch's. Don't think like that."
Her stern face: no guilt.
"You're the victim. Prioritize you. Lucky nothing worse—no telling if..."
Her dizzy expression said it all.
Watching her, a fundamental question hit: Was this just neighborly affection for a cute dongsaeng?
Even in this reverse world... wasn't it too much? What was I to her? And she to me...?
When I thought So-ra might harm Ji-ah noona, my thin rationality snapped. Showing my rough side—did she lose respect? Pure friendship? Matching feelings? Really?