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Chapter 19
Jang Joo-bin gestured with her finger for the secretary to take away the tea set that Lee Soo-ha had brought. After all the fuss earlier, a single comment was all she gave.
“Right. I also brought gifts for my sisters-in-law. I realized this is the first time we’re all together.”
Kang Da-som handed shopping bags to Jung Ha-na and Lee Soo-ha. To Ha-na, she gave a Cavalier French leather paperweight and writing set. To Soo-ha, she presented a Santier de Flode pouch bag.
“Soo-ha, your makeup colors suit you so well. I thought this tone would look lovely on you. It’s linen from the south of France, so the texture feels amazing on the skin.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Oh my, I got a writing set?”
“Yes. Sung-hoon oppa told me you like writing. This is from one of my favorite workshops. I picked out a paperweight and pen. The pen’s delicate—perfect for someone whose handwriting carries elegance. It fits someone refined like you.”
At Da-som’s soft-spoken words, Ha-na and Soo-ha’s expressions couldn’t have been more different. Joo-bin seemed pleased with Da-som, showering her with compliments. Even Soo-ha forced a smile, trying to play along.
By dinnertime, only Yoon Ji-hwan—the eldest son and a director at Cheonmyeong Group headquarters—showed up. Neither Yoon Sung-hoon nor Yoon Jin-woo came.
Dinner itself passed without incident, and afterward Joo-bin, claiming fatigue, withdrew to her room.
“Da-som, I heard you had a birthday party recently?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I should’ve gone. I’m sorry work kept me busy.”
“Oh, don’t worry. It was just a light gathering with acquaintances.”
“A light gathering? Come on. Who hosts a birthday at a hotel and calls it light? I heard even Madam Choi from the Aria Foundation was there?”
“Yes. She only stopped by to say hello.”
“Would you like to come sometime? To Aria Club, I mean. I can invite you as a guest member. Interested?”
As Ha-na sipped her coffee, she sneaked a glance at Soo-ha, then let out a laugh.
Aria Club.
A private women-only society located in Seonam-dong, inside an entire building dedicated just for them. Chaebol wives and daughters gathered there for events, philanthropy, and networking. Within elite circles, whether or not you were a full member of Aria often determined your social standing.
Soo-ha had tried countless times to gain entry. She’d even lowered her head before Ha-na on several occasions, begging. Each time, Ha-na had brushed her off with flimsy excuses. Now, for the first time, Ha-na herself was extending the topic—directly to Da-som.
Soo-ha’s pride shattered. Her face stiffened.
“Aria Club? What kind of place is that?”
Feigning ignorance, Da-som widened her eyes innocently. Perhaps convinced, Ha-na seized the chance and grabbed her hand.
“It’s nothing much. There’s a little indoor garden, and they run a really nice café there. We just go for coffee.”
“That sounds wonderful. But if it’s just you and me, it might feel a little awkward.”
Da-som glanced sideways at Soo-ha. Clearing her throat, Soo-ha forced a strained laugh.
“Haha… Sorry. I’ve been swamped with work lately, so I won’t be able to.”
“I see. Then since you invited me, I’ll go.”
“Great. I’ll reach out then, alright?”
“Yes. Please do.”
Ha-na went on about Aria Club at length, while Soo-ha, unable to take it anymore, excused herself—pretending she had forgotten a matter with Ji-hwan.
Night fell. Not intending to stay over, Da-som excused herself too. Since she hadn’t told Baek Seong-tae she was leaving, he scrambled to the parking lot when he heard the news, quickly pulling the car around.
“If you planned to leave, you should have told me…”
Before he could even start the engine, a manila envelope was thrust into his hands.
“Take it.”
He was forced to accept it.
“You should open it.”
Hesitantly, Seong-tae slid the documents out. His fingertips trembled at the sight.
/UL2015_Cheonghae_Test_Temporary_Storage/
It was something he could never forget. A burden he was doomed to carry for life.
“How… How did you find this out?”
“I know why you act like a dog for my brother.”
“Was this Director Kang’s order?”
“If it were my oppa’s order, I wouldn’t have shown you. Does how I found out really matter? Or is it more important that you approached my brother with this purpose from the beginning? I think for oppa, it’s the former.”
“Are you… threatening me?”
“This isn’t a threat.”
Casually, Da-som pulled a compact from her bag and fixed her makeup as if nothing were out of the ordinary. There was even a hint of amusement in her demeanor.
“I want you on my side, Chief Baek.”
“Director Kang is your brother.”
“Who?”
Her lips, freshly painted in crimson, curled as her gaze flicked upward. Through the car window, her eyes burned with intensity.
“You know better than anyone what I’ve endured… that he’s not the brother you think he is.”
Seong-tae had served Kang Young-jun for seven years. He and Da-som hadn’t interacted much, but they knew each other’s essence better than most.
“All of this—was it an act?”
“I want revenge. Even if you refuse, I’ll turn a blind eye to whatever you’re planning.”
His mother had once been the R&D head of UL Cables’ undersea cable division. Under pressure to meet deadlines, she’d bypassed a safety valve and rushed overnight testing in a pressure chamber. An accident occurred.
Young-jun had been a director for barely a month. The company washed its hands of it, pinning the blame as personal negligence and processing it as an industrial accident.
“What… What do you want me to do?”
At that moment, Ha-na’s car was pulling out. Da-som pointed toward it.
“Can you handle it?”
Before her words even faded, Seong-tae started the engine.
Thud.
Their car jolted as it clipped the side of Ha-na’s vehicle. The driver, startled, leapt out.
“Are you alright, madam?”
“Oh dear, I’m so sorry. Chief Baek must’ve made a mistake.”
“As long as no one’s hurt, I’m fine…”
“I’ll inform unni and make sure insurance covers it. Truly, I’m sorry.”
Da-som apologized on Seong-tae’s behalf, even pressing her business card into the driver’s hand. By then, Ha-na had walked over, noticing the scratch.
“Sorry about this.”
“Don’t be. Mistakes happen. Chief Baek’s only human.”
“My apologies. Entirely my fault.”
“Don’t worry. Just a bit of paint scratched. Since no one’s injured, it’s fine.”
To Da-som’s surprise, Ha-na let it go coolly. They agreed to settle car repairs later and went their separate ways.
Meanwhile…
“Uh, I’m Lee Min-jae. Starting today, I’ll be working as your manager.”
“I’m Yoon Jin-woo. Please take care of me.”
“Then shall we begin with the film meeting?”
Min-jae gestured toward an empty conference room. Just as Jin-woo was about to enter, Lee Sang-tae approached him.
“Jin-woo, what’s this about switching managers all of a sudden?”
“It happened that way.”
“Why are you speaking so formally? After everything I’ve done for you—this is how you stab me in the back?!”
He grabbed Jin-woo’s hand forcefully. Jin-woo shook him off and met his gaze directly.
