ANS 30

Chapter: 30

When Yuhyeon returned to his office, his face was set in a grim expression.

It was because of what Taejun had said just moments ago.

“So, if possible, try to persuade Chairman Jeonghoon for me. I’m already worried that the adults might end up on bad terms because of me.”

The idea that Taejun was being set up on a blind date with Jinsol had already been absurd enough, but learning that Jeonghoon himself was involved came as a genuine shock.

Back when Taejun had first returned to Korea and taken the position of Head of the Overseas Sales Division, strange rumors had spread throughout the company.

People whispered that Jeonghoon intended to change the line of succession.

A ridiculous rumor—or so Yuhyeon had always believed.

“Director Cha sure has it easy. Aren’t the two of you supposed to be rivals?”

No matter how much the executives gossiped like that, Yuhyeon had never been shaken.

He had always considered Taejun family, and thought everyone else was simply trying to pit them against each other.

After all, he was Jeonghoon’s biological son.

No matter how capable Taejun was, Yuhyeon had never doubted that, unless his father had completely lost his mind, the company would eventually be handed down to him.

But Jeonghoon arranging a blind date between Taejun and Jinsol—the only daughter of the Korea Motors Group—was an entirely different matter.

“That’s impossible.”

Had those rumors not been rumors after all?

Yuhyeon’s tightly clenched fist trembled faintly.

He had ignored everyone’s concerns.

He had treated Taejun like a real older brother without the slightest reservation.

All because he had been absolutely convinced Taejun would never surpass him.

What did talent matter?

Yuhyeon had been born to the right parents.

Taejun, on the other hand, was an orphan who didn’t even know the faces of the people who had given birth to him.

“No matter how much Father acknowledges Brother Taejun, handing the head of the Seonwoo Group over to an orphan with no family background would be the same as driving the company into the ground.”

Yet no matter how much he tried to calm himself, the anxiety refused to disappear.

For the first time, Taejun’s existence felt threatening.

Perhaps it was because Taejun had always served as proof that no matter how capable someone was, a poor background would always hold them back.

That belief had motivated Yuhyeon for years.

He reached over and pressed the intercom.

“Secretary Jeong. Come in immediately.”

His uneasiness grew by the second.

Such a thing could never be allowed to happen.

If there were any suspicious movements, he would cut them off before they had the chance to grow.

After work, Jian followed Juhye to an elegant sushi restaurant.

Since it had only recently opened, everything inside looked clean and modern.

As soon as they sat down, an employee came over to take their order.

Juhye picked up the two empty glasses beside her and poured water into them.

“This place only accepts as many orders as they prepare ingredients for each day, so everything’s incredibly fresh. It just hasn’t become famous yet, but I bet it’ll be hard to get a table later. Here.”

“Thank you.”

Jian accepted the glass and took a sip.

While they chatted across the table, the sushi they had ordered arrived.

The moment Jian picked up a piece of salmon sushi with her chopsticks and placed it into her mouth, she frowned.

“Wow… this is really delicious.”

“Right? I’m glad it suits your taste too. Mmm… it’s so good.”

Good food quieted the storm that had been raging in her head all day, if only for a little while.

There was Taejun…

And on top of that, there was Sojin, her half-sister.

After Jian ignored her calls, Sojin had even sent a text message.

Call me as soon as you read this. Thanks to you, the whole family’s in complete chaos right now. What if something happens to Dad? Contact me while I’m still asking nicely.

The commanding tone was unbelievable.

It made Jian want to ask just who Sojin thought she was to speak to her like that.

At first she’d intended to ignore the message as well.

But she knew avoiding it wouldn’t solve anything.

There’s no reason for me to contact you. I’ve already done everything I could. Deal with the rest yourselves.

Once she’d actually sent the message, she realized saying something like that wasn’t nearly as difficult as she’d imagined.

If only she’d understood Junyeol’s true feelings sooner, she surely wouldn’t have suffered as much.

At least it hadn’t dragged on any longer than this.

What? You ungrateful bitch!

That message marked the beginning of a long string of texts, most of which consisted of insults.

Who’s the ungrateful one here?

Jian clenched her teeth.

She kept telling herself to forget about it.

But the memories refused to stay buried.

Just then, a small amber-colored bottle was gently placed in front of her.

“…!”

Snapping out of her thoughts, Jian looked up at Juhye with widened eyes.

She felt guilty for having completely lost herself in her own thoughts while sitting with someone else.

“Assistant Manager. This is for you.”

“For me? What is it?”

“A bottle of aromatic oil. It’s really good for insomnia.”

Jian’s eyes widened.

She’d been having trouble sleeping lately.

How had Juhye noticed?

“I struggled with insomnia for quite a while myself. But ever since you transferred to our team, you’ve looked exactly like someone who hasn’t been sleeping.”

“Oh…”

“I’m sorry if I misunderstood. But even if it’s not insomnia, applying this to the back of your neck helps relieve tension and makes it easier to sleep. You should give it a try.”

“You bought this for me?”

“Of course.”

Jian awkwardly reached for the bottle.

This was the first time she’d ever had a coworker close enough to have dinner with after work.

It was also the first time someone had given her such a heartfelt gift.

She almost burst into tears over something so small.

The bottle was barely the size of her finger.

Yet its meaning felt many times greater.

“Just put about three drops on your fingers and gently massage it into the back of your neck.”

“Okay. I’ll definitely try it tonight. I never expected this… Thank you so much for the gift.”

Jian had never even celebrated her birthdays properly.

Forget presents—she’d never even received a birthday cake.

Ever since she was born, she’d grown up hearing that she’d ruined Junyeol’s life.

Maybe he’d looked after her when she was very young.

But none of those memories remained.

Whenever her birthday came around, she intentionally stayed out until late.

Meanwhile, Sojin’s birthday parties were always grand celebrations.

“Next year, let’s invite your friends over and throw you a birthday party too, Jian.”

“It’s okay. I don’t want one.”

Every time, Junyeol would whisper those words while nervously watching the rest of the family.

But Jian could never accept.

She didn’t want to make things harder for him.

Nor did she want her friends to witness the abuse she endured at home.

She preferred them remembering her as nothing more than the carefree daughter of a wealthy family.

That was far better than exposing the wounds she desperately wanted to hide.

Then one day, after years of birthdays passing without celebration…

“Happy birthday, Jian. Thank you for being born… and thank you for coming into my life.”

It was Taejun, holding out a cake and a present.

For the first time in her life, someone had truly celebrated her birthday.

Why do I have so many memories of him?

The vivid recollection brought a small smile to Jian’s lips.

He had left her to live through ten years of hell.

Then suddenly returned…

Only to ask her to become his partner.

If that was all you wanted, then you shouldn’t have clung to those old wounds.

He’d acted as though she were the woman he’d never been able to forget.

Without realizing it, Jian must have been hoping for something.

Even while pretending not to know Taejun from beginning to end.

My life really is pitiful.

With a bitter smile, she finished the rest of her beer.

Oddly enough, it didn’t taste bitter at all today.

Moments like these were when she got drunk the fastest, so she decided to pace herself.

Still, she was grateful that today she had someone willing to clink glasses with her.

The cold beer slid smoothly down her throat.

Some of the heaviness in her chest finally eased.

“Assistant Manager.”

“Yes?”

“Um… this might be something uncomfortable to hear…”

Unlike her usual self, Juhye trailed off hesitantly.

Hearing the uncertainty in her voice, Jian suddenly grew nervous.

She had only just started feeling close to Juhye.

If she asked about the rumors involving Yuhyeon or Taejun, things would never feel comfortable again.

Holding her breath, Jian waited for what came next.

After a brief hesitation, Juhye continued.

“If you’re ever having a hard time… please tell me.”

“…What?”

It was nothing like Jian had expected.

Juhye awkwardly played with her glass before forcing a small smile.

“I personally hate it when people say, ‘You look like you’re having a hard time, so tell me what happened.’ When you’re mentally exhausted, it just feels like they’re satisfying their curiosity while pretending to be kind.”

“…”

“So no matter what the reason is, if you’re having an especially rough day… I’d really like it if you’d ask me to have a drink—or even just dinner—with you.”

Jian had always been suspicious of people.

But she could see nothing but sincerity in Juhye’s eyes.

Why would she go this far… for someone like me?

It wasn’t gratitude she felt.

It was guilt.

Her own presence had practically delayed Juhye’s promotion.

Even if Juhye hated her because of it, Jian wouldn’t have blamed her.

Instead, she was treating her with genuine kindness.

Jian didn’t know what to do with herself.

“If it’s uncomfortable, you can just say no…”

“No.”

Jian shook her head.

“I’d like that. I’ll definitely ask. So…”

She swallowed nervously before continuing.

“If you’re ever having a hard time too… promise you’ll do the same with me.”

“Of course.”

The brightness that instantly spread across Juhye’s face made Jian’s chest tighten with emotion.

She was happy.

Happy that she’d finally found someone she could truly share things with.

But then—

Come home.

The short, abrupt message from Taejun instantly dragged Jian’s mood back to the bottom.