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Fate-or perhaps a twist of luck-intervened at the perfect moment. Yeri burst through the doors, her presence like a sudden gust of wind that shifted the room's tense atmosphere.

She moved with a purposeful stride, her face set in a determined expression as she took in the chaotic scene unfolding before her.

Taerae stormed out of the hotel, his steps heavy and filled with frustration. His anger seemed almost tangible as he pushed through the doors, leaving a wave of tension behind him.

Haein, struggling to keep her composure, turned to him, her voice laced with barely contained fury.

"You couldn't even last two days. No, you just had to ruin everything because of your fragile ego."

Taerae, equally enraged, took a step closer to her. His eyes flashed with defiance as he retorted, "This would've gotten exposed with or without me!" The air crackled with the intensity of their exchanged words, each one fueling the fire of their mutual frustration.

Jake, sensing the escalating tension, stepped between them with an authoritative presence. He placed himself firmly between Haein and Taerae, creating a physical barrier that underscored his desire to defuse the situation.

"Why don't you release your anger someplace else?" he suggested, his tone brokering no argument.

Taerae's eyes flickered with annoyance as he rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by Jake's intervention. With a final, disdainful glance at Haein and her friends, he turned on his heel and stormed off, his anger trailing behind him like a dark cloud.

Winter, sensing the mounting tension, stepped in with a calming tone. "Haein, go easy on him. I mean, Jake would've had to sign our papers, so we were doomed from the beginning."

Her words seemed to offer a slight reprieve from the anger that had just been exchanged. The others nodded in agreement, their expressions softening as they processed the situation.

Jake, still standing between Haein and the aftermath of Taerae's outburst, added, "Winter's right. We came up with a plan without fully considering the consequences." He looked at his fake wife, trying to convey reassurance, though the situation was far from ideal.

Haein let out a weary sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Now I have to search for a new university. Yay," she said, her voice laced with resignation and frustration.

Jake, noticing the dejection in her expression, tried to offer a comforting look. He stepped closer, attempting to bridge the gap between their current predicament and a more hopeful outlook.

Despite his effort to reassure her, Haein remained visibly downcast.

Amidst the disarray, Jay came running toward them, breathless and urgent.

"Jake, Mr. Kang is looking for you!" he announced, his tone a mix of anxiety and concern.

His face tightened as he absorbed the news. He glanced at Haein, who met his worried look with a tight-lipped, almost forced smile.

She watched him go, her heart sinking. She knew the day's events had left them in a precarious position, and the last thing they needed was another round of scrutiny. As Jake disappeared down the hallway, she tried to steady her nerves, hoping that somehow, things might still turn around despite everything.

Jake walked into Minho's office, his heart pounding with anxiety. He bowed deeply, the respectful gesture barely masking his nervousness. His father-in-law, sitting behind his large mahogany desk, gave a curt nod and gestured for Jake to take a seat.

As Jake settled into the chair, he tried to steady his breathing. Minho's sharp eyes bore into him, and he could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

"This was all Haein's plan, right?"

Jake shook his head, his voice steady but filled with remorse. "No, it was mine."

Minho's eyebrows furrowed, a mix of disbelief and irritation flickering across his face. "Don't cover for her. I know my daughter."

"No, really, Father," Jake insisted, trying to defuse the tension. "It was my plan. My sister suddenly showed up at the hotel, and the dean came too, so Haein and I panicked."

"So you decided to act like the owner, huh?"

Jake lowered his head, feeling the weight of guilt. The silence in the room was palpable as Minho's voice rose in frustration.

"I entrusted you with my daughter so that she could learn from you. Instead, you've become like her."

Just as Jake was stewing in his own guilt, the office door swung open, and Haein walked in, her face set with determination. "It was my idea, and I'm ready for any punishment," she declared, her voice firm.

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and strode out of the office with a quick, resolute pace.

Jake watched her leave, his confusion palpable. Minho's gaze followed his daugther's retreating figure, and to Jake's surprise, a smile slowly spread across Minho's face.

"This is the first time she's sacrificed herself for someone," he mumbled, a note of approval in his voice. His eyes softened, reflecting a sense of pride and relief. It was clear that Minho saw this as a significant turning point for Haein-a sign that she was beginning to grow and change.

Jake was left in the room, feeling a mix of emotions. Haein's selfless act had not only shocked him but also touched him deeply.

The fact that she was willing to take the fall for him was a testament to her character, and despite everything, he felt a surge of gratitude and affection for her.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Jay trudged through the neighborhood, taking swigs from his honey jar with every step. To say he looked miserable was an understatement; he looked utterly defeated.

Despite his somber mood, Jay managed to muster a smile for everyone he passed. His face was a mask of forced cheerfulness. An old lady, noticing his distress, approached him with concern etched on her face.

"Son, what happened? Are you okay?"

"Ahjumma, always do good in your life. You never know how things will turn out."

The old lady, taken aback by his cryptic and odd response, hurriedly walked away, clearly unsettled by the encounter. Jay watched her retreat, another swig of honey following his words, as he continued his solitary journey through the neighborhood, each step heavier than the last.

As he continued his aimless wanderings, he passed by a quaint café where his old boss, Inha, was enjoying a quiet moment. Spotting him, Jay's face lit up, and he rushed over.

"Oh, boss! You're looking good today, you don't look like a man who was in the hospital."

Inha glanced up, clearly annoyed, and waved his hand dismissively as if swatting away a fly.

Unfazed, Jay got closer and held Inha's hands, desperation evident in his eyes. "Look, if you need anyone to clean your house, you can call me," he pleaded.

Inha, clearly weirded out, pulled his hands away. "Man, what are you doing? Have you lost it?" he muttered, his discomfort growing.

Unbeknownst to Jay, Jake's sister had been watching the entire scene unfold from a nearby table.

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his odd behavior and the desperation that seemed to radiate from him. She decided to stay and observe, curious to see how things would play out.

Soomin sighed as she stepped in, grabbing Jay by the arm and dragging him away, not before throwing a scathing glare at Inha. She pulled her brother's best friend to a more secluded area and crossed her arms, ready to get to the bottom of things.

"Why are you here? Did you guys get off early? If so, where's Jaeyun?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Jay, avoiding her gaze, stared at the ground, seemingly counting the ants marching by. "Ants are amazing, right? They're never unemployed," he mumbled absently.

Realizing what he'd just said, Jay stiffened and forced a smile at Soomin, trying to cover his slip-up.

Soomin crossed her arms and stepped closer to Jay, who still avoided her gaze. "Park Jongseong, is there something you want to tell me?" she asked, her voice firm and demanding.

He winced at the use of his full name, knowing he was in trouble. "I swore on my brother not to say anything," he mumbled.

"You don't have a brother,"

"I swore on my sister," Jay quickly amended.

"Jay, you're an only child," Soomin snapped back.

"Haein is my sister," he said, desperately trying to maintain his facade.

Soomin's face contorted with anger. "So it has something to do with that witch," she accused, her voice rising.

Jay bit his fist, a look of panic flashing across his face. Haein and Jake were going to kill him for sure. He sighed, realizing he couldn't keep the secret any longer.

Soomin crossed her arms, glaring at Jay. "I'll give you my cooking book, just for God's sake, talk."

Jay calculated his options. Soomin was bound to find out sooner or later, so he might as well get something out of it.

He sighed, defeated. He began recounting everything: how they started with washing dishes, the desperate plan to pose as hotel executives, and the constant fear of being exposed.

Her expression shifted from curiosity to shock, then to anger as Jay described their navigation through the charade, the roles they played, and how they ultimately got caught.

Her face hardened, lips pressed into a thin line, as he detailed how Haein lied and treated Jake poorly throughout the ordeal. By the end of his story, her eyes were blazing with frustration.

Well at least if he died, Soomin could tell their story of how to become billionaires.

Soomin's eyes blazed with fury as she knew exactly what to do next. Shaking her head, she mumbled, "I've had enough of that girl," and walked away with a determined stride.

Jay called out behind her, "Where are you going?"

"Somewhere."

That "somewhere" turned out to be Haein's house. Soomin arrived and began ringing the doorbell repeatedly, each press more insistent than the last. When the maid finally opened the door, she was met with a steely gaze.

"Where's Haein's aunt?" she demanded, her voice cold and unyielding.

The maid, slightly taken aback, nodded nervously and led her to the garden. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden hue over the meticulously kept flowers and manicured lawn.

Beomja sat in the midst of it all, casually sipping her coffee and flipping through glossy magazines. She looked up as Soomin approached, her eyes narrowing slightly. She forced a smile, though it was obvious she didn't like Jake or his family.

"Oh, what brings you here?" Beomja's tone was polite but strained, her eyes betraying a hint of annoyance.

Soomin, her voice laced with determination, said, "You will tell me everything you know about this marriage. Something in me knows it's fake."

Upon hearing this, Beomja's smile widened. She rose gracefully from her seat and gestured for Soomin to follow her. "Very well, then. Let's talk inside."

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