🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 21
“What are you planning to do? Wouldn’t it be better to call off this marriage now?”
While hearing the shocking news from Secretary Shin, Sung-hoon stopped in front of Joo-young.
He looked at her silently, then glanced down at the phone in her hand.
“Secretary Shin, I’ll call you back later.”
Joo-young deliberately mentioned who she was talking to.
It wasn’t that she thought Bae Sung-hoon would misunderstand, but she didn’t feel like explaining who she had been on the phone with either.
The moment she ended the call and slipped her phone into her handbag, Sung-hoon spoke.
“Why did Secretary Shin call all of a sudden?”
“It’s about work.”
Work. In other words, none of your business.
When Joo-young drew that clear line, Sung-hoon quietly raised his eyebrows—a gesture that said he had no intention of crossing it anyway.
Then he smoothly changed the topic.
“Allen hasn’t greeted the chairman yet, right?”
“Not yet. I was planning to go greet him with you.”
“Then shall we go?”
Sung-hoon offered his arm.
All the guests at the party were people who at least knew either Bae Sung-hoon or Choi Joo-young.
Because of that, subtle gazes naturally followed them wherever they went.
It was only natural.
After all, Bae Sung-hoon and Choi Joo-young were the couple setting the internet on fire these days.
Aware of those gazes, Joo-young smiled gracefully and placed her hand on Sung-hoon’s arm.
Beneath the fine fabric of his tailored suit, the firm muscle of his bicep gave her a strange sense of tension.
“Let’s go.”
The two of them began walking slowly toward where Chairman Arden stood.
“When did you arrive, Mr. Bae?”
“About fifteen minutes ago.”
“Then you must’ve waited quite a while… What were you doing in the meantime?”
“If you’re asking whether I was chatting up other women while you were gone, the answer is no.”
Ha! Ridiculous.
Joo-young let out a small laugh.
“Whether you were chatting or flirting, I don’t care. Just remember, this is an important occasion for me. Act accordingly. If you mess it up, I’ll make sure to charge you for damages.”
“Oh, how terrifying.”
He said it lightly, with no trace of fear in his tone.
The faint curve of his lips showed, as always, that he was enjoying the situation.
“So, how should I act? Like a man in love?”
“No. Don’t do anything. Don’t try to say something helpful, either. Just…”
Joo-young looked him up and down.
He wore a dark navy suit to match her sapphire-blue dress. A simple silver tie pin gleamed with a small paraiba tourmaline at its center.
He looked handsome—perhaps even more handsome than usual.
That much, at least, was her honest thought.
“Just stay next to me like you are now.”
Like a flower—
Beautifully.
Ssshhh—
The sound of running water filled the room as Joo-young stared blankly at the sink.
Now she understood. Why Bae Seok-jae had shown such open dislike and wariness toward Bae Sung-hoon.
Even with blood ties, families went to court over inheritance. To think of losing his share to someone not even related by blood—no wonder he burned with anger even in his sleep.
How should I play this card…?
Tap, tap.
She drummed her fingers on the marble sink, endlessly calculating how to maximize the outcome.
For now, she had to return.
If she stayed away too long after saying she was going to the restroom, people might get suspicious.
“…Why are you here?”
As soon as she stepped out, she spotted Bae Sung-hoon leaning against the hallway wall.
Uncrossing his arms, he pushed off the wall and walked up beside her.
“You told me to stay next to you, remember? I’m just following orders.”
“Since when have you ever been so obedient?”
Sung-hoon only shrugged, not offering a real answer. It wasn’t irritating so much as absurd.
The two of them exited the corridor and headed back.
Joo-young forced a polite smile and addressed the bartender.
“One non-alcoholic cocktail, please.”
“I’ll have the same.”
Drinks in hand, they stood facing the garden.
The sky had grown dimmer than when they first arrived, though the space didn’t feel dark—thanks to the string lights wrapped around the garden like a Christmas tree.
Those glowing lights brought back memories.
“Mom! Look at this!”
“Wow~ My little princess! When did you get big enough to hang the star on top of the tree all by yourself?”
She must’ve been around eleven.
During winter break, she’d gone on a trip to Poland with her mom, and they decorated a Christmas tree together.
She’d jumped around in excitement, thrilled over something so simple.
“I’m gonna grow even more! I’ll wear pretty heels like you, and dresses too! I’m gonna steal all your clothes, Mom! Heehee.”
The little girl who had to stand on tiptoe and stretch her arms to reach the top of the tree—
Now she never decorates Christmas trees.
Instead, she wears high heels every day, as if serving penance.
“Why?”
The sudden question broke through her thoughts.
Memories vanished in an instant as she blinked and turned toward him.
“What?”
“Haven’t you already achieved what you wanted? You handled the meeting with the chairman perfectly.”
“So?”
“So then…”
Sung-hoon reached out and brushed his thumb under her eye—
as if wiping away a tear.
“Why do you look like you want to cry, my dear?”
“…!”
Joo-young quickly turned her head away.
She touched the corners of her eyes, but there were no tears.
Had she cried without realizing it? No—thankfully not.
Relieved, she pretended to fix her makeup, lightly tapping under her eyes with her finger.
“You really don’t know the first rule about women, do you? You’re not supposed to touch their faces without permission.”
“Oh, is that so? I must’ve forgotten. I’m not one to dwell on past relationships, you see. I’ll remember that next time.”
Just then—
Someone approached them, clearly acquainted with Sung-hoon.
He set his cocktail down on the bar and leaned toward her slightly.
“This is Park Chul-yong, CEO of Queens Entertainment.”
After whispering a quick introduction, Sung-hoon greeted Park with a friendly smile.
They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. Then Park turned toward Joo-young.
Reading the unspoken request for an introduction, she stepped forward with a professional smile.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Joo-young from CS Department Store.”
Thump.
Thump.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, loud and clear.
Koh Hye-na slid open a wooden door.
She had come to a Michelin one-star French restaurant in Gangnam, though not for a meal.
Knock, knock.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
The door opened again, and a neatly dressed restaurant staff member entered.
Because she’d arranged in advance for the meal to start upon her arrival, the staff carried a plate in both hands.
He carefully set it down and began explaining the amuse-bouche in a polite tone.
“Please enjoy your meal.”
“…Thank you.”
But the look in Hye-na’s eyes wasn’t ordinary—she was on edge, watching him warily.
Then the staffer grinned.
“So, when are you gonna pay for the service?”
His tone abruptly changed—mocking, lazy, taunting.
And it wasn’t just his tone that changed.
His entire demeanor flipped, as if he suddenly stood above her.
He placed a hand on the back of her chair, leaning in close.
Hye-na turned her head to avoid him, but he leaned even closer, closing the gap.
“For the record, there’s no paying later.”
The “staff member” wasn’t a waiter at all.
He was Koh Hye-na’s ex-boyfriend.
