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Chapter 17
The hotel was already bustling early in the morning, busy with preparations for the Architect of the Year Awards.
Chief Han, dressed in a suit gifted by Yoonjae, and Secretary Kwon were just as occupied with getting ready for the ceremony.
“I’ve worked in other companies before, but I’ve never seen corporate benefits like this. The award goes to our executive, yet even a secretary like me gets a new suit.”
Secretary Kwon’s lips curved upward and showed no signs of coming down.
“That’s why you shouldn’t think about leaving us, Secretary Kwon. Stay with us for a long time.”
A soft chuckle slipped from Chief Han’s mouth.
“But honestly, everyone already knows Secretary Chae is beautiful. Still… isn’t she just breathtaking tonight? Usually, they say clothes make the person, but in this case, Secretary Chae makes the clothes shine. With her here, I doubt I’ll be able to focus on the ceremony at all.”
Just as Kwon had said, eyes began to gather, one by one, on Suyeon, who was wearing a peach-colored flared dress.
“See? What did I tell you? Everyone’s staring at Secretary Chae.”
“…”
Despite Kwon’s playful remarks, Suyeon merely gave a faint smile and said nothing. The dress felt strange on her, like clothes that didn’t belong to her skin—uncomfortable and unfamiliar.
By now, reporters and construction executives had begun streaming into the hotel for the ceremony. Politicians, business leaders, and those eager to make their presence known crowded the lobby until there was hardly an empty seat left.
Not long after, President Jung and Kim So-hye arrived.
So-hye wore a black gown encrusted with hundreds of tiny jewels, shimmering under the lights. The moment she caught sight of Suyeon standing among the secretarial staff, her eyes narrowed.
She recognized at once that Suyeon’s dress was from a famous designer—an outfit far too expensive for a secretary’s salary. The corner of So-hye’s lips curled upward.
“Welcome.”
At Chief Han’s greeting, Suyeon bowed her head with a blank face. But just the sight of So-hye’s face made the humiliation of that night come rushing back. Suyeon bit down on her lower lip.
“So, Secretary Chae. We meet again.”
At So-hye’s words, Chief Han looked at Suyeon in surprise.
“You know Secretary Chae? I thought you hadn’t had the chance to be introduced yet.”
“That’s what I thought. Isn’t it customary for a new secretary to come introduce herself to both the president and me? Strange that Chief Han doesn’t seem to know such a basic courtesy.”
“The president was away on business. I planned to introduce her properly once he returned.”
So-hye’s sharp gaze swept over Suyeon before her lips twisted into a crooked smile.
“I almost didn’t recognize you. Dressed like this, you look like a completely different person. It just proves that money really does make the person.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Suyeon replied softly, lowering her gaze.
“This is your first time meeting her, dear, isn’t it? She’s the new secretary in Executive Jung’s office.”
“Pleased to meet you. My name is Secretary Chae Hayoon.”
President Jung’s gaze fixed on her.
Despite So-hye’s barbed words, Suyeon’s face and eyes didn’t waver. Cold, enigmatic—her expression stirred an involuntary twitch in the president’s brow.
“Were you hired through the proper channels?” His words dripped with suspicion.
The air went still.
“Such an obvious question—you’ll only make Secretary Chae uncomfortable.”
Yoonjae’s sudden voice cut in, and So-hye’s lips twitched with a faint, unreadable smile.
“You knew I’d returned from my trip, yet this is the first I see of you.”
“As you know, I’ve been busy.”
“Too busy to even spare a moment for your father?”
Yoonjae gave a dry laugh. A father, yes—but never in his heart.
“Secretary Chae, don’t just stand here. Go take your seat. What are you doing, as if you’re being punished? Chief Han, let’s go.”
“See you later, President.”
“I’ll be off as well.”
As Yoonjae and Suyeon’s backs retreated, President Jung’s brows furrowed. Beside him, So-hye whispered:
“Don’t ask her questions that might unsettle her.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Do I have to walk on eggshells around a secretary now?”
“She isn’t just any secretary. She’s the one Executive Jung cherishes most. Come on, let’s take our seats.”
Hooking her arm into his, she led him toward the hall.
The ceremony drew near, and Yoonjae sat in his reserved seat.
“Are you all right, sir? I think I’m more nervous than you are. You must be a natural on stage.”
Under the lights, Yoonjae in his tailored suit looked utterly unshaken. At Kwon’s teasing, he only offered a faint smile.
Suyeon’s eyes, seated beside him, turned toward the large screen on stage.
Images played—buildings designed by Yoonjae, along with Do-won Construction’s history. Words appeared across the screen: A climate-conscious architect. Green design in harmony with nature.
Suyeon’s gaze lingered.
Do-won Construction’s redevelopment had once turned a peaceful village into rubble.
And yet, here he was—celebrated as an eco-friendly architect who never harmed nature.
A bitter taste spread through her. She rose quietly.
“Excuse me, I’ll just go to the restroom.”
Even as she walked through the hotel, words like green architecture and harmony with nature flashed across the screens everywhere.
Inside the restroom stall, a hot breath escaped her lips. Closing her eyes, she tried to steady herself—until voices drifted through the air.
“They’re not even hiding it anymore, are they?”
“Who?”
“Who else? President Jung of Do-won.”
Two women touched up their makeup, whispering to each other.
“Did you see her dress? It looked fit for a film festival. Imagine how much flirting it must’ve taken for her to reel him in like that.”
“How shameless. His wife isn’t even cold in her grave, and she’s already flaunting herself as the new mistress of Do-won. Even showing up at his son’s award ceremony like she belongs here.”
“Did you know? My son went to elementary school with Executive Jung. He was so famous back then—everyone knew who he was. You’d think he spent every vacation abroad, but no. Apparently, he went to stay with his grandfather in some countryside village.”
“That explains why he skipped so many school programs.”
Lowering her voice, the woman leaned in.
“Well, who’d want to stay with Kim So-hye as a stepmother? I’d take the countryside too.”
“The important part is… he had an accident there.”
“An accident?”
“My son said he almost drowned. He was gone from school for weeks. They say he even suffered memory loss afterward.”
“Are you serious?”
“But the most shocking part? Rumor was… it happened because of Kim So-hye’s son. That boy was the reason Executive Jung fell into the water.”
Suyeon’s brows knit together.
Kim So-hye’s son…? Memory loss…?
The women continued, oblivious.
“Are you sure?”
“Don’t you know his reputation? He transferred into my son’s school later. From the start, his temper was insane. His nickname was literally ‘the rabid dog.’ Kids avoided him like the plague.”
“Sounds just like So-hye’s son.”
“He could never beat Executive Jung—whether in studies or sports. Jealousy eats at kids like that. Still, it’s a miracle Jung survived. Honestly, who even knows if that boy is really the president’s child.”
“Watch your mouth. If someone like him overheard, you’d vanish without a trace.”
Suyeon’s brows drew tighter and tighter.
“Still, you have to admit—it’s incredible. To rise so high in the construction world and win an award like this. If his real mother were alive, she’d be so proud.”
“They say rich families are already lining up their daughters for him. Now? It’ll be worse.”
“Of course. If I had a daughter, I’d have begged my husband to arrange a meeting with him. But alas, no daughter.”
“Forget it. They say he has no interest in women at all—only work. Dozens of proposals already rejected. No one even dares bring it up anymore.”
The sound of more people entering silenced them, and they quickly left.
Suyeon emerged soon after, her steps slow as she walked back to the hall.
Accident.
Kim So-hye’s son.
Memory loss.
Even as she walked, the words tangled and spun inside her head.
