Chapter 06
“…Ah.”
When she regained consciousness, it was dawn, and a dim light filtered through the window bars.
Heejae sat up, looking around in confusion.
She had fallen asleep on the sofa, yet now she was lying on a bed.
“You’re awake?”
The bedroom door opened, and Kyobin appeared, dressed and seemingly ready to leave.
Judging by his appearance, he had spent the night at Heejae’s house and was now preparing to depart.
“I’d like to go to work together if possible, but I have a busy morning schedule, so I need to leave now.”
Who had asked for that? Who had asked to go together?
Heejae mustered courage and spoke to the back of Kyobin as he turned to leave:
“D-don’t come here anymore.”
Clutching the blanket tightly around herself, Heejae was on full alert, with nothing on but the sheets.
Kyobin stopped, turned his head slowly, and said:
“I don’t plan to go back to how things were with you. I think I… lost my mind yesterday too. It was a mistake.”
Even though she had said she disliked him, she had instinctively embraced his neck.
She had allowed some leeway, so she thought that as long as she clarified her stance, the situation would change.
However, Kyobin’s dry gaze scanned her as if bored.
“You think me saying that will make me suddenly listen and obey, huh?”
She knew that a warning like this wouldn’t instantly correct his reckless behavior.
“You know me. I do whatever I want.”
Ignoring her words, Kyobin headed toward the door but paused, remembering something else.
“This evening, my father said to bring you for dinner.”
At the mention of Chairman Shin Hyunggil, Heejae lifted her head abruptly to look at Kyobin.
The guardian who had recognized her potential and invested in her for years.
He was inviting the “traitor” Heejae to a dinner.
“If you don’t want to act up in front of the adults, behave yourself.”
With a thud, the bedroom door closed.
Only after his presence had completely vanished did Heejae collapse onto the bed.
It was time to face a trap even harsher than Kyobin—the one that had bound her so tightly.
The evening she had only hoped wouldn’t come had arrived.
After work, Heejae headed directly to the mansion of the Shinil Group owner family.
Arriving at the entrance, she gazed up at the mansion, astonished.
It had been ten years since she had left this place.
After graduating high school and entering university, she had lived in dorms, and even when preparing for exams, she had stayed in a study room, living independently.
Though Chairman Shin occasionally saw her thanks to his continued support, those visits were rare.
“Oh, Heejae, you’re here!”
As she crossed the garden, Madam Han, an employee who had worked at the mansion since Heejae was young, ran out to greet her.
“I don’t know how long it’s been. You’ve grown into such a fine young lady.”
Madam Han had watched Heejae since middle school and greeted her with awe.
Although she occasionally saw Chairman Shin, this was the first time Heejae appeared in a sharp suit, fully representing herself.
Since becoming a prosecutor, she had even refused the Chairman’s invitations, cementing her “traitor” reputation.
“Who would have known? Our little girl who worked with us would grow into such an accomplished lawyer and be formally invited by the Chairman.”
Heejae smiled awkwardly. Madam Han would have known that Heejae had defied the Chairman to become a prosecutor.
“How is your mother?”
Madam Han cautiously asked after Heejae’s mother, Kyungin.
Even after Heejae left the mansion for university and full independence, her mother had continued working there.
But when Heejae defied the Chairman’s wishes, her mother was dismissed.
Heejae, now a lawyer capable of supporting her mother, did not worry. Her mother quickly found a new job, and they built a new home.
“Yes, she’s well. Madam is healthy too.”
“Same as always,” Heejae replied as she walked into the mansion.
Though walking across the verdant garden did not make her tense, entering the house brought a heavy pressure on her shoulders.
Madam Han led her to the second floor.
As Heejae ascended the stairs, the tension crawling up her spine stiffened her neck.
On the second floor were the Chairman’s bedroom and private study. Madam Han guided her to the study.
Knock, knock.
Heejae swallowed dryly as her throat tightened.
“Come in.”
After a brief silence, the Chairman’s deep voice spoke.
Madam Han opened the study door, gesturing for Heejae to enter.
Heejae bowed slightly to Madam Han before stepping inside.
The study, with large windows revealing the green garden swaying in the wind, had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a desktop desk at the center.
The Chairman sat with his chair turned toward the window, his back to her.
“You’ve come.”
Without turning toward her, he spoke, likely seeing her reflection faintly in the window.
“Thank you for inviting me, Chairman.”
Heejae bowed as the study door closed behind her, leaving only her and the Chairman in a sealed, suffocating space.
“I formally greet you again. I am Choi Heejae, lawyer representing Shinil Group.”
She retrieved her business card from her jacket pocket and presented it on his desk.
“You acted as if you’d stay holed up in the prosecutor’s office, yet you resigned in less than a year.”
The Chairman criticized the “traitor” directly, without hesitation or filter.
Heejae, however, did not flinch.
“As I mentioned, it was to gain experience as a prosecutor.”
Even when first appointed, Heejae had informed the Chairman by phone, asking him to wait until she gained sufficient experience.
“Isn’t that quitting too early for experience?”
Even though he only showed his back, she could imagine the tone dripping with ridicule.
