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Chapter 23
Chairman Choi Kwon-yong met Joo-young’s eyes. There was a sharp glint in them — the kind that silently asked why is Bae Sung-hoon here?
But since she hadn’t been informed of anything beforehand, Choi Joo-young was just as bewildered.
“…Yes, that’s right. I introduced him to you at the party the other day. I’m honored you remember, Chairman.”
“Of course I remember. His face left quite an impression.”
Just then, Sung-hoon turned his head toward Joo-young.
He must have heard her voice and felt her gaze. His eyes widened slightly — as if surprised to see her.
“See? Even that surprised face looks like some Hollywood actor.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Heh… Joo-young let out an awkward laugh.
Otherwise, she might have grabbed Bae Sung-hoon by the collar right there and demanded to know why he was here.
After all, the world knew them as a couple — in the middle of a passionate relationship.
Whether coincidence or not, it would be natural to seem happy to see him.
And besides, no one gets angry when someone praises their lover.
“I didn’t expect to see you again, Chairman Arden.”
Sung-hoon approached and offered his hand to Chairman Arden.
“I didn’t expect to see you here either. Your name was… Sung-hoon, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, sir. Bae Sung-hoon of Sungwoon Hotel.”
Sung-hoon also extended his hand to Chairman Choi.
“It’s been a while, Chairman Choi. How have you been?”
“Oh, you know me. Always the same.”
“What brings you here today? Ah—were you perhaps preparing a surprise for your lovely partner, and we just happened to interrupt?”
At Arden’s teasing question, Sung-hoon glanced briefly at Joo-young, then replied with a tone of mock confession.
“Actually, I came to buy her a gift. But I suppose I picked the wrong department store for a surprise, didn’t I?”
Buy a surprise gift here, when you know I’m right here?
At least come up with something believable.
Joo-young couldn’t help but admire Sung-hoon’s way with words.
But Chairman Arden, who only knew the public face of the Bae Sung-hoon–Choi Joo-young relationship, seemed to interpret it differently.
“Hahaha! I like that. I like people like you. Business is about numbers, sure—but at its core, it’s about people. Those who care for their loved ones tend to do business well too. I should buy my wife a gift tonight.”
Chairman Arden laughed heartily.
“President Choi, you cherish your partner, don’t you?”
“Of course. I treasure him like family.”
“That’s good to see. Then please extend that same care toward our ELDO Group’s brands.”
“I’ll do that, Chairman.”
“Excellent. I’m looking forward to future collaborations between us and CS Department Store.”
Chairman Arden extended his hand first — something he almost never did.
Joo-young took it.
“Please look forward to it. I won’t disappoint your expectations.”
As she shook his hand, her gaze met Bae Sung-hoon’s over Arden’s shoulder.
Chairman Arden left with a pleasant smile.
But as the saying goes — one mountain down, another ahead. Now, she had to deal with Chairman Choi.
“I’ve been wanting to have a meal together, and now we finally get the chance, Representative Bae.”
They were in a Japanese restaurant on the 5th floor of the department store.
At Choi’s suggestion, they sat down for a meal — and, for some reason, Go Hye-na was already there waiting.
As Sung-hoon filled Choi’s empty glass, he said politely,
“I should’ve arranged this meeting first, but I’ve been thoughtless. My apologies, Chairman.”
“Haha, not at all. As long as you care for our Joo-young more than I do, I couldn’t ask for anything better. Don’t you agree?”
Choi turned a smiling face toward Joo-young.
To an outsider, he might look like a warm, loving father.
But to Joo-young — who knew his true nature — he looked like the exact opposite.
A crocodile, smiling before the kill.
The bile of disgust rose up her throat; acid burned her chest.
She wanted to spit it out then and there, but instead she forced herself to smile back.
It had been a long time since they’d smiled at each other — even if this was all pretense for the eyes around them.
Choi emptied his glass.
“So then, how are things going between you two these days?”
“As you can see.”
“As I can see — you mean, like the photos floating around online?”
“Yes.”
“What is it about our Joo-young that you like so much?”
“Well, my darling… I mean, Joo-young—”
Sung-hoon turned toward her and suddenly reached under the table to clasp her hand.
“She’s cute when she’s not honest about her feelings. Like a cat caught in the rain, maybe.”
In that instant, for some reason, Joo-young remembered the day she met him again after their blind date.
A damp, cold, miserable day.
Her hand tensed in his grip, trembling slightly.
She knew perfectly well that being compared to a rain-soaked cat wasn’t a compliment.
“Haha! You know our Joo-young well!”
Choi’s laugh snapped her back to her senses.
Joo-young pulled her hand away and slapped Sung-hoon’s lightly off hers.
“You two look good together, Representative Bae.”
“Thank you, Chairman. Here, let me pour you another.”
“Ah, thank you, Representative—no, should I call you my future son-in-law now? Hahaha! The drink tastes sweeter when poured by him!”
Their fake laughter scattered beneath the chandelier.
During the meal, Joo-young excused herself to take a phone call from Secretary Shin.
She claimed it was an urgent business matter — but in truth, it was a prearranged escape.
“Thank you, Secretary Shin.”
Knowing full well what it meant for Joo-young to dine with Choi Kwon-yong and Go Hye-na, Secretary Shin had deliberately called to give her a reason to step out.
It was only ten minutes, but enough to keep her sane through that hellish meal.
“I’ll hang up now—”
“Was that Secretary Shin again?”
A voice came from behind her — Hye-na.
She raised her voice, loud enough for the person on the other end to hear.
“Every time you’re having some precious family time, that secretary of yours just happens to call, huh? What a coincidence!”
“I’m sorry, Secretary Shin. I’ll hang up now.”
Joo-young took a firm step forward, closing the distance between them.
“Family time? Since when were you and I family, exactly? And speaking of manners — being rude to my staff like that was very unpleasant.”
“Why? Feeling guilty? Are you protecting Secretary Shin because there’s something going on between you two?”
“My, you’ve gotten quite imaginative since we last met.”
“Better than lacking imagination, don’t you think?”
“Sometimes, having less is better. Ever heard ‘too much is as bad as too little’?”
“And yet, you live exactly like that, don’t you?”
At that, Joo-young went silent — not because she had nothing to say, but to let Hye-na continue.
“You’ve got everything, don’t you?”
“…”
“Money, power, status. You were born the only daughter of CS Group’s chairman. You’ve never lacked for anything — you’ve had it easy your whole life!”
Selfish woman.
Hye-na’s voice dripped with resentment.
