"But, that night..."

With the mention of 'that night', Minho couldn't help but laugh in ridicule. The laugh tugged at his wound a little, putting him into pain, "Back then, I offered to take responsibility, but you pretended that nothing happened. Why are you concerned about it now? I know I was wrong, so what do you want me to do about it?"

"Se-ra, do you want to hold onto your fiance with one hand and cling onto me with the other?"

"I am willing to give up on him..."

"But, I don't want you," Minho replied swiftly without a trace of hesitation.

"Are you sure that Krystal is the person that you want, then?"

"I'm not sure about anyone. But, it's not like I can't survive without being in a relationship," Minho sneered before he pointed to the door, "If that's all you came here for, please leave. Stop wasting your time here."

"The fact that I've announced my retreat means that I will never turn back."

"Please give me another chance..." Se-ra started crying in front of Minho. The pain in her eyes looked like it was tearing her apart. The Se-ra at this time was probably the most similar to the originally pure Se-ra that followed by Tiffany's ​side. "I truly want to be with you."

"I no longer have any feelings for you. What use do you have for an empty shell like me? Don't you have any self respect?" Minho asked. "Se-ra, leave this place and enjoy the rest of your life with your fiance. Stop letting your mind wander."

If Minho's previous words hadn't fully hurt Se-ra, the mention of self respect was like a sword that lodged itself deeply into her heart.

Self respect...

Of course she had self respect. And, it was because of this self respect that she could no longer reach out her arms towards Minho.

A certain writer once said, "If you still maintain your self respect when talking about love, there is only one reason, the person you truly love - is yourself!"

Minho had exhausted all his energy, so he decided to close his eyes and get some rest. At this time, Se-ra was left looking insignificant and displeased.

"Minho. Don't forget your decision today. You are the one that doesn't​ want me."

After speaking, Se-ra turned to leave. As she walked out the door, she ran into Sooyoung.

As soon as Sooyoung saw Se-ra, he looked at Minho questioningly. But, Minho simply shook his head, "It's nothing."

"Se-ra has changed too much. I can't quite recognize her anymore," Sooyoung didn't question Minho any further as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"She was previously by the Madam's side through many ups and downs. So, I thought she was a good person. Who would have thought that her true self was hidden so deep inside. I guess, only time could reveal a person's true nature."

"Was my sister frightened by what happened today?" Minho asked, changing the subject.

"Of course. You were covered in blood!"

"What about Krystal..."

"She doesn't know yet," Sooyoung sighed. "What was the reason for your actions this time? Aren't you afraid that Krystal will end up like Se-ra?"

"I've know Krystal since we were kids. She is not that kind of person," Minho explained. "By the way, don't tell her about this incident."

"OK. The Madam told me to do as you say. Anyhow, get some rest, you've just come out of a surgery..." Sooyoung placed Minho's phone on the bedside table and Minho immediately picked it up and turned it on.

As soon as it turned on, Krystal's messages flooded in,

"You aren't angry at me, are you? You wouldn't treat an old classmate like this, right?"

"Do you still remember the Japanese restaurant near our school? The old lady there used to give me a few extra pieces of sushi."

"I wish I could eat it again."

Minho held onto his phone. He originally wanted to send her a reply, but after typing out a few lines of text, he ended up deleting them, one word at a time. "Forget it...Sooyoung, can you drive me somewhere?"

"In your current state?" Sooyoung asked with doubt.

"Nothing major has been damaged, right? In that case, let me follow my heart for once." Although Minho's face looked pale, his eyes contained a hopeful glow. A glow that had also appeared in Sooyoung's eyes at one time.

So, Sooyoung did not stop him, "OK, I'll take you where you need to go. But, if you feel any form of discomfort or pain, you need to tell me."

Minho nodded his head. Afterwards, under Sooyoung's protection he arrived outside the school that he and Krystal once attended and bought a whole heap of Japanese food from the restaurant they once frequented.

"Should I deliver it for you?"

Minho sat in the front passenger's seat as he closed his eyes and shook his head. "No need. I can go there myself."

Like he had said before, he wanted to follow his heart this time. He no longer wanted to experience any regrets.

Although Sooyoung was worried about Minho's injuries, he still drove him over to Krystal's home.

At that time, Krystal was just leaving the house. As soon as she saw Minho in his car, she immediately ran over, "Why are you here?"

"Didn't you try to call me a few times? I'm here to apologize," Minho smiled.

"Did you visit our old school?" Krystal smiled in surprise as she received the bag of food from Minho's hands.

After seeing the smile on Krystal's face, the dullness in Minho's heart disappeared, "Little Monkey, let's forever remain friends."

"Of course," Krystal's gaze was focused on the food that Minho had brought, "Old classmates will never change."

Minho nodded his head as he forced a smile on his face and turned to Sooyoung, "Let's go home."

"You're leaving? Don't you want to eat together?"

"No, I can't, I still have some things to deal with. You enjoy it yourself," Minho immediately gestured for Sooyoung to open the car door. Before Krystal could even respond, Minho had already driven away.

Seeing this, Sooyoung did not question Minho whatsoever. He simply drove him back to the hospital in one piece as Krystal watched him disappear from her sight. She had absolutely no idea what thoughts were running through his head while he went to buy her food from their memories.

But...the media were nosy. A few members of the paparazzi captured​ photos of the two and placed the images online. Originally, it didn't attract much interest, but...

...there were people that knew of Minho's injury. So, the fact that he appeared safely in front of a beauty, naturally meant that his injuries weren't that serious, right?

Others may not have seen, nor did they have the opportunity to investigate further into it, but Se-ra saw with her own eyes how Minho lay weakly in the hospital bed. She had only left the hospital not long ago, yet these photos already appeared online.

Did Minho really like Krystal that much? So much that he'd drag his injured and limp body all the way to see her?

Se-ra realized that things didn't seem right. Krystal must not have known that Minho was injured because Minho wouldn't have wanted her to know of the cause. So, she began to wonder if Krystal would also disregard everything and reciprocate Minho's feelings if she knew the truth...

At the time that Krystal received Se-ra's phone call, she was in the middle of stuffing her face with food. After all, this food contained a lot of memories and was bought by Minho, so she especially cherished it.

"Hi, it's Se-ra. Let's meet."

Krystal pulled the phone away confusedly before returning it to her ear, "If you have something to say, then just say it. I don't want to see you."

"I'll meet you in the lobby of Glory Hotel. You have 30 minutes. It's regarding Minho. If you don't come, you will regret it," Se-ra said as she looked at the watch on her wrist before she hung up.

Krystal sighed at Se-ra's arrogant and unreasonable attitude. It wasn't like she was a small assistant that followed her around. What right did she have to demand her to come and go as she pleased?

However, even though it made her uncomfortable, the mention of Minho's name left her with no choice but to put down the food in her hands. After tidying up a little and getting changed, she left her house and headed for the hotel.

In less than 20 minutes, Krystal was led into the hotel by a bellboy. As soon as she spotted Se-ra sitting by the window, elegantly sipping a cup of coffee, she immediately walked over and asked, "Whatever it is, speak!"

Se-ra lifted her head and looked at Krystal. She had a mysterious look in her eyes that made Krystal extremely uncomfortable.

Krystal looked questioningly into Se-ra's eyes. This was the first time that the two women had met in private.

"Have you seen today's news?" Se-ra already had her phone opened to an article as she handed it to Krystal.

Krystal took the phone from Se-ra's hands suspiciously. It didn't take long before she realized the main point, "This can't be possible, I just saw him not long ago."

"Anything is possible. I also saw him just before he came to see you. I was by his side the entire time," Se-ra smiled. "I can confirm that he just came out of surgery and his injuries are, in fact, quite serious."

"But, why..."

"This is why I am here to see you," Se-ra retrieved her phone and looked at Krystal in seriousness. In a slightly helpless and contemptuous voice, she continued,

"Minho and I have made up...I'm sorry that he used you all this time. His injury this time was all because of me, but this incident has allowed us to see how we feel about each other; we are truly in love."

"So, could I please ask you to keep your distance from now on?"

"I don't believe a single word that is coming out of your mouth," Krystal replied. "I am going to ask him to explain in person..."

"Go ahead. If it comes from his lips, it will be easier for you to accept," Se-ra smiled as she did a welcoming gesture.

Krystal turned around angrily as she headed for the exit. But, at this time, Se-ra suddenly held her back, "I was just joking..."

"What?" Krystal's​ mind was muddled up by Se-ra's confusing words.

"I said, I was just joking. You're well aware that I am already engaged, so there's no way I would turn back. But, Minho did indeed get hurt because of me."

This time, Krystal did not hesitate as she directly threw a slap across Se-ra's face, "Do you know how disgusting you look?"

"I've heard bits and pieces about you. You were once a great assistant by Tiffany's side. But...what happened to you? Why have you changed so much? How are you really like as a person?"

"You are well aware of the pain that Minho suffered because of you. To break away from the past, he gave up on the singing career that he loved and retreated from the entertainment industry. What else do you want from him?"

"Why do you think you are still standing here today? It's because Fany Unnie is a grateful person; she remembers all that you have done for her. Otherwise, did you think that you could still survive in Seoul?"

"Se-ra, you should remain level-headed. Have you thought about the way that the Hwang Family has treated you?"

"It's obvious that Minho would never turn back, and even if he did, did you think you are doing the right thing by degrading someone that loves you wholeheartedly?"

Se-ra did not say a word. To be exact, Krystal had already read her mind. So, all she could do was smile.

"What about you? What are your feelings towards Minho?"

"It's none of your business," Krystal growled. "Se-ra, I am not the one that should distance myself from Minho, you are...No matter what you want to do, Minho and I are not from the entertainment industry. We don't care if you want to create hype or do anything else. It has nothing to do with us!"

"If you want Fany Unnie to still consider you as a friend, I think you know what to do."

After speaking, Krystal left the hotel without looking back. As she walked away, she anxiously contacted Tiffany, "Fany Unnie, where is Minho right now?"

In reality, Krystal actually believed that Minho had gotten hurt because of Se-ra. After all, Minho was a righteous person that viewed relationships highly. But she wondered, didn't he feel that it wasn't worth it?

Even so, regardless of the reason for his injuries, the fact that Minho went so far to buy her food from their childhood, was proof enough that Minho was a silly idiot.

...

Not long after returning to the hospital, Minho fell into a deep sleep. After all, the weather was cold and​ he had just awoken from his surgery not long ago. So, when Krystal walked into the hospital room, he remained asleep in bed without a clue that she had arrived.

It turned out that the silly idiot had indeed traveled all the way to buy her food even though he was seriously injured...

"You..." As soon as Sooyoung saw Krystal appear at the hospital, he was full of curiosity. Didn't Crown Empire have everything under wraps? Had their line of defense been broken?

"Se-ra came looking for me..." Krystal explained. "She told me that this idiot was injured."

"Would she really be that nice?" Sooyoung's image of Se-ra had been completely ruined. To him, she was practically in the same category as Yang Xi and Ye Lan.

"I feel bad for this idiot. Why would he still risk his life for a woman like that?" Krystal looked at Minho disappointedly. She was so tempted to wake him up right at that moment.

Sooyoung realized something wasn't right as he raised an eyebrow questioningly, "Is that what Se-ra told you?"

"Uh huh."

"And you believe her just like that?"

"If not, what other reason would he have? Anyhow, it doesn't matter. I already hit that woman. You can leave Minho with me from now on, I'll take care of him. After all, he has helped me many times in the past."

Sooyoung gently held his head with a helpless expression. It wasn't easy for Minho to be a hero, yet the beauty that he saved misunderstood him...

But, he was going to leave the explaining for Minho to do himself.

"Miss Jung, there are a few words that I would like to say to you. After all, I think of Minho as family."

"He has made a lot of mistakes in love, I'm sure you've seen how badly he's been hurt. I hope he won't come across another woman that wants to play around with him while they have another man in their heart..."

"He does not lack female friends. And if he wants, there are plenty of women who are willing to be his girlfriend."

Sooyoung's expression was serious. Within his dark pupils, only the image of Krystal existed. He wanted her to know that he wasn't joking.

Krystal glanced at the bedridden Minho before looking back at Sooyoung as she nodded her head in a cautious but confused manner.

She understood why Sooyoung was acting so serious, but she didn't completely understand what his words meant.

A moment later, Minho awoke from his sleep. When he opened his eyes and saw Krystal sitting by his bed, he was a little stunned. He covered his stomach and sat up, "How did you find out?"

"Se-ra came looking for me and told me that you got hurt because of her."

"Really?" Minho laughed. However, he had no intention to explain things to her, "Don't worry, I have Sooyoung here to take care of me."

"Sooyoung has a family and wife, why would he stay here to take care of you?" As she spoke, Krystal poured out some takeaway chicken soup that she had ordered and placed it in front of Minho, "That's why you should leave that job to me."

"Is this a team building exercise between classmates?" Minho gave a slight smile as he received the bowl from Krystal.

"Can't you just ignore that woman?"

"I don't think it's possible!" Minho replied as he took a sip of soup.

However...

...the woman he was referring to was not Se-ra, but someone called, Krystal...

...

Meanwhile, Sooyoung returned to Hyatt Regency to report on Minho's condition. Of course, he also mentioned how Se-ra deliberately provoked Krystal. After taking in all the information, Tiffany remained calm as usual. But, her words contained a deeper meaning and a slight sense of ridicule

"Has someone cast a spell on her? She's completely changed."

"Madam..."

Tiffany did not say anymore as she turned to look at the man that was hugging her with one arm while working.

Taeyeon sensed his wife's gaze, so he said to Sooyoung without lifting his head, "Take all the good artists that are currently in Se-ra's hands and allocate them to other managers. From now on, she will only be in charge of those that are banned from taking jobs and those that have a bad record. This will pose as a warning to her."

"Is that all?" Sooyoung felt that keeping Se-ra around would eventually lead to trouble.

"Rather than sending her somewhere else to scheme. We might as well keep her in our line of sight."

Sooyoung understood Taeyeon's intention, but for someone that was once so close to Tiffany to suddenly become like a stranger, made him feel a little unsettled.

However, it was normal for relationships to grow and fall apart within the industry. Even though Tiffany felt that her relationship with Se-ra was a pity, she did not force it to go the other way.

Because, her main priority at the moment, was the FT Awards and Hwang Na-ri!

After everything that she experienced, Tiffany started to view things differently. Especially since she was currently 6 months pregnant, the level of importance that some things held in her heart had begun to change.

February 28th was announced as the official day of the FT Awards Ceremony. So, all the biggest entertainment websites began to guess who they thought would win in each category. But, as a highly prestigious award in the industry, the FT Awards managed to maintain its secrecy as always.

Although there was a slight interlude during the selection stage, everyone knew that the final winners would definitely be well-deserved.

Regarding this matter, the internet was already filled with discussions.

_"I never took notice of the FT Awards. But, because of the huge battle that went on, it attracted my curiosity. I'm sure I'm not the only one."

_"You can add me to that!"

_"Me too!"

_"It's strange. Logically speaking, Crown Empire's Tiffany caused the biggest drama, so it makes sense for everyone's attention to be focused on her. But, the most amazing thing is, everyone still has complete trust in the fairness of the FT Awards."

_"That's because Tiffany is unpredictable. Perhaps she'll win the award, reject it and then change to become a singer."

_"Those with true talent have the right to act recklessly."

_"Go Tiffany!"

_"The awards ceremony is almost here, I can't wait to find out who the winner of The Best Newcomer Award is."

Faced with the hype from the netizens, Taeyeon did not feel anxious. Because in his heart, Tiffany was already the best actress.

That night, inside Tiffany's walk-in wardrobe at Hyatt Regency.

Sunny had delivered the outfit that Tiffany was to wear to the ceremony the next day. Looking at the silver gown on her body, Tiffany felt a little foreign.

"It's been a while since I've dressed up like this. I suddenly feel a little odd," Tiffany mumbled. She then asked