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Chapter 12
Junhyeok’s uncharacteristic remark made Hajayoung flinch her eyebrows irritably as she looked at their overlapping hands.
“You have no filter in front of your elders. Mind your manners.”
“But it’s nice to see. Why not?”
Yongchan gave a kindly smile toward Hajayoung, who was bristling. Chairman Ha just cleared his throat unnecessarily.
“Ahem. Ahem.”
“Ah, and there’s something I need to tell you all.”
At Junhyeok’s firm voice, everyone’s attention focused on him.
“Go ahead, tell us.”
“She is going to make a comeback.”
It wasn’t a discussion, but a notification.
The air grew heavy instantly, and Sohye tried to subtly pull her hand away from his grasp. But Junhyeok pressed down firmly, not letting go.
“Doing what?”
“I’m informing you that she will resume her activities as an actress.”
Chairman Ha pursed his lips disapprovingly and closed them, while Yongchan looked at Junhyeok as if wanting to hear more details.
“Her memory has stopped at twenty-five, when she was most active. And most importantly, it’s what she wants.”
“It’s sudden, but I suppose it’s only natural.”
At Yongchan’s words, Sohye responded with an awkward smile instead of an answer. Hajayoung’s complexion grew increasingly dark, but as always, she restrained herself in front of Yongchan.
“Besides, as Dr. Kim said, suddenly changed environments would be difficult for the child, so she might need such an outlet. Don’t you agree, Father-in-law?”
Yongchan looked at Chairman Ha, trying to persuade him. Chairman Ha, who had been biting his lips, reluctantly chimed in with a displeased expression.
“She’s given us a great-grandson and has done her duties well enough, so I won’t oppose it. However, you must not forget that you are part of H&N. You understand what I mean?”
Chairman Ha’s anachronistic remark was somewhat laughable, but she responded with a gentle expression and tone.
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“And one more thing.”
Immediately after Sohye’s answer, Junhyeok’s voice followed. He straightened his posture and finally released Sohye’s hand. Just as Sohye was looking down at her hand, which still felt warm—
“I will be staying in Korea.”
“Wh-what?”
The wrinkles on Chairman Ha’s furrowed brow deepened and contorted.
“I’m telling you I won’t be returning to Chicago.”
Sohye couldn’t help but doubt her ears. She had believed, as usual, that Junhyeok would soon return to the US…
“What about the American branch then!”
Worried about the company, Chairman Ha raised his voice abruptly.
“The merger project for the American branch will conclude smoothly. The negotiations and agreement drafting are already finished, and merger approval should come soon. Regarding system integration and organizational restructuring after the merger, professional managers will—”
“Executive Vice President Yoon Junhyeok! I entrusted you with that position because I trusted you, even though not a drop of my blood runs in your veins! Are you saying you’ll wash your hands of it after the merger?”
Originally, Junhyeok’s responsibility was only up to delivering the merger outcome. Though taken aback by Chairman Ha’s hypocrisy, Junhyeok thoroughly hid his emotions.
“My wife has lost her memory.”
Chairman Ha glared with reddened eyes, veins bulging, but Junhyeok continued in a dry voice.
“How could I possibly return to the US and work as if nothing’s wrong? I can’t do that. If you don’t approve, Chairman, I’ll even submit my resigna—”
“I will go to the American branch.”
Yongchan, who had been sitting with a grave expression, stepped in. Chairman Ha’s glaring eyes shifted toward Yongchan.
“Darling!”
Hajayoung, who had been quietly observing the situation, suddenly raised her voice.
“Jayeong, stay out of this. We’re discussing business matters—what place does a woman have interfering?”
At Chairman Ha’s characteristic blunt remark, Hajayoung firmly closed her lips, but her eyes were filled with venom.
“Given my greater experience compared to Junhyeok, I think it would be better for me to go directly.”
Chairman Ha was well aware of Yongchan’s extensive experience and expertise as a professional manager. Once he calculated which option would benefit the company more, Chairman Ha’s expression flipped like the palm of his hand.
“If you’re going, then of course that’s good. Then, Junhyeok, you must ensure your father’s absence isn’t felt at headquarters.”
After leaving his instructions, Chairman Ha went to his room. Yongchan looked at Junhyeok and smiled benevolently.
“That’s good. I was actually thinking it would be nice if you stayed in Korea.”
Junhyeok staying in Korea…
Sohye was even dumbfounded. Him staying in Korea meant she would be living under the same roof with her suspicious husband.
While pretending to have amnesia, many things were changing before her eyes.
***
Hajayoung, who had gone up to the second-floor living room of Hydrangea, complained to Yongchan with a tearful expression.
“The company has so many employees—you don’t absolutely have to go. I’ll talk to Father again. Okay?”
“I should go. That would make me feel more at ease.”
But Yongchan showed firm determination. Pouting, Hajayoung huffed and entered her dressing room. A chilling voice escaped through her trembling lips.
“Ha, can’t even handle one thing properly!”
Although it was her private dressing room, she locked the door and scanned her surroundings as if wary of being watched. Then she approached the safe at the back of the dressing room. With nimble fingers, she entered the code, opened the safe, and took out a phone.
“Stupid bastards.”
She muttered irritably to herself and turned on the powered-off phone. Then she dialed the most recent number.
“It’s me.”
-Yes, Madam.
The voice, mixed with a metallic tone, was quite respectful.
“President Kim. Is this the best you can handle a job?”
-I’m truly ashamed about this matter.
“Indeed. Why did you make so many mistakes, unlike your usual self?”
-I’m truly sorry. How she woke up perfectly fine… I’ll find another opportunity to handle it properly—
“Not for a while. The suicide note—are you sure it was left in the car?”
Hajayoung carefully lowered her voice.
The suicide note was a scenario Hajayoung had personally designed.
-Yes. It was placed in the glove box.
“Really? But why hasn’t it been discovered yet?”
If Sohye’s memory remained and the note was discovered, she would be in trouble.
-I’ll look into it.
“One more thing—check out the person who supposedly found her after she fell at Yongbawi Daesan.”
-Pardon?
“She says she can’t remember, but I have no idea whether she truly can’t remember or is just pretending.”
She didn’t take Sohye’s claim of memory loss at face value. Half-believing, half-doubting, she was merely watching.
“We need to confirm whether the first witness might have heard any nonsense.”
-Understood.
“Given Eun Sohye’s personality, she definitely wouldn’t just ignore someone who saved her life. Keep close watch and if you catch any leads, find out immediately.”
***
During dinner, Hajayoung tried to persuade Chairman Ha not to send Yongchan, but Chairman Ha wouldn’t budge, saying it was for the company.
Although the commotion had started because of her, Sohye remained thoroughly an observer, just watching. Eventually, Hajayoung’s gaze, filled with resentment and anger, turned toward Sohye.
After finishing the meal, Junhyeok and Sohye returned to Lilac. Standing in front of the entrance, Sohye naturally reached to enter the passcode but stopped short.
“This space must feel awkward for you, Ms. Sohye.”
*For you too.*
She wanted to retort, but only offered a faint smile instead.
Junhyeok smiled slightly and entered the passcode.
“Remember it well.”
The door opened, revealing the entrance hall unified in white marble, a long corridor, and the living room. The living room remained exactly as it was—from the ivory fabric sofa to the armchair where she used to fall asleep while putting Hajun to bed.
It felt like a theater stage. On that stage, Junhyeok was affectionately acting out his lies, while she was acting out her amnesia. A play whose ending was unknown—whether it was a comedy or a tragedy.
She only needed to perform her assigned role, but the mere fact of being alone with him made her stomach clench with tension that spread throughout her body.
