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Episode 18
Kang Young-jun glanced back and forth between Kang Dasom and Baek Sung-tae. Pulling out his phone to check his schedule, he gave a small nod.
“Fine. Do as you like.”
“Thank you, oppa.”
“What’s the big deal? Someday, you should have your own secretary too.”
“If you know someone suitable, please recommend them.”
“I’ll look into it.”
Dasom finished her meal first. She bowed politely and left the dining room. After washing up and changing, she stepped out into the corridor, where Baek Sung-tae was waiting.
“And oppa?”
“The Vice Chairman has already left for the office.”
“I see. Well, we have a place to stop by. Could I trouble you to drive today, Sung-tae?”
“Of course.”
Sung-tae slid behind the wheel while Dasom settled into the back seat. She immediately dialed a number.
“It’s me, Director Min. Did you prepare what I asked for last time? …Good. I’ll come pick it up now.”
On the other end, Min Yu-rim’s polite voice answered.
Dasom ended the call and leaned back against the seat.
“Thank you for covering for me earlier.”
“I judged it was better than troubling the Vice Chairman with unnecessary matters. Don’t think I did it for you, my lady. It was simply the lesser evil.”
“You really are loyal, Sung-tae.”
“……”
“Why, I wonder? Don’t mind me. Just thinking out loud.”
When the car rolled to a stop, Sung-tae glanced back. Dasom smiled faintly, shifting the subject.
“To Cheonmyung Department Store, please.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She made a brief stop for shopping, then headed to the family’s residence in Seonam-dong.
“You’re early,” one of the housemaids greeted.
“Yes. There was no traffic.”
Dasom nodded lightly, and Sung-tae stepped forward, offering a bouquet. A heady fragrance drifted up immediately.
“I bought these on the way. Thought they’d suit the dinner table.”
“I’ll place them with the arrangements.”
“Thank you.”
“Please rest comfortably in the living room. Would you like some coffee?”
“Tea will be fine.”
The maid bowed and carried the flowers away. Dasom was halfway through her cup when commotion sounded near the front door.
“Oh my, someone arrived before me? Dasom, was it you?”
Jung Hana slipped into house slippers as though she lived there herself. Having visited Seonam-dong often, she carried herself with practiced ease.
Dasom rose and bowed politely.
“Hello, unni.”
“Hello, Dasom. Funny seeing you without Jinwoo.”
“Same here. Ah, and since you’re older, please feel free to speak casually with me.”
“Oh no, there are manners between younger and older.”
“I’ve only been dating Seong-hoon for a short while. I could learn a lot from you.”
Dasom smiled gently as she set down her empty teacup. Hana plopped herself onto the seat beside her.
“Really? You don’t mind?”
“Not at all.”
“Then I’ll drop the formalities. Honestly, Seong-hoon changes girlfriends so often. Sometimes I get sick of being nice to every one of them. Ah—not that you’ll be replaced. You two really do suit each other.”
“I understand what you mean.”
Dasom reassured her with another soft smile. They chatted idly for a while.
“If you stopped at the department store, we might’ve run into each other.”
“If I’d known, I would’ve gone shopping with you. It’s a pity I don’t have your number yet.”
“Number? Oh dear, that won’t do. Let’s exchange now. We’ll be seeing each other often.”
They exchanged numbers. Holding Hana’s contact saved on her phone, Dasom’s lips curved faintly.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Because… I really wanted to be closer with you, unni. I’m glad we finally exchanged numbers.”
“You’re fussing over nothing. By the way, your outfit is gorgeous.”
They traded compliments until Jang Ju-bin descended the stairs. As if rehearsed, both Hana and Dasom rose to greet her.
“Dinner’s not for hours. Why are you here so early?”
“Why else? To see you, Mother,” Hana chirped, darting forward with playful affection.
Despite enduring years of harsh in-law life, Ju-bin had only borne sons. Though she once vowed she’d never subject a daughter to such treatment, she often vented that yearning by keeping her daughters-in-law under sharp watch.
“This is my first time visiting you. Coming late wouldn’t have been proper, so I came early in case you needed help.”
“What help? I only asked you here casually. Sit comfortably.”
Ju-bin sat naturally in the seat of honor.
“Oh, Mother—this is for you.”
Hana passed over a slim, ribboned box.
“You shouldn’t always bring gifts. Didn’t I tell you not to?”
But her hands were already untying the ribbon.
“It’s a limited-edition table book from France. There was an exhibition on salon culture, and I thought you’d like it.”
It was an Espar de Lode artist edition, complete with stand. Ju-bin flipped through the pages and gasped.
“This isn’t a book, it’s art! This is why I adore Hana. How on earth did you get it?”
“Just luck.” Hana smiled modestly.
So that’s how she won them over, Dasom thought. In her past life she’d never noticed, but now it was clear—Hana’s charm was pure strategy.
Dasom gripped her own small shopping bag tightly. Spotting it, Hana commented.
“Oh, looks like our little sister brought something too.”
Ju-bin turned to Dasom, who rose slightly and placed the bag on the table.
“It’s just a small thing. I thought it might please you, but forgive me if it doesn’t. It’s a brand I like lately. Seong-hoon said you’re sensitive to scents…”
“That’s fine.”
Ju-bin murmured as she unwrapped it.
“But what’s popular these days? They all smell the same to me.”
“That’s natural. But this one’s unique. It was made in collaboration with a French sculptor.”
“Petit Maison? Never heard of it.”
“It’s only in Paris. This was a limited edition, released with the Orsay Museum archives. Not even available online yet. I got it through a friend, and I thought you might enjoy it.”
Ju-bin touched the ceramic drops and inhaled. The delicate sculpting and subtle fragrance were pleasing.
“Lovely. Not too strong either. Perfect for the study. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Why sit so far away? Come closer where I can hear you.”
Ju-bin beckoned, and Dasom obediently shifted nearer. As dusk painted the sky, Lee Soo-ha arrived—half an hour early, yet already the others were deep in conversation.
Unlike the two women’s simple elegance, Soo-ha was decked in designer tweed, pearls, and jewelry, her hair and makeup obviously done at a salon.
“Mother, I’m terribly sorry for being late. The traffic—”
“I thought you had an abundance of time today. Never mind, sit down.”
She pointed to the seat beside Dasom. Soo-ha forced a smile and moved there.
“I was afraid arriving too early might be rude. Next time I’ll come sooner.”
“Fine.”
“Ah, and this is for you.”
She handed over a large shopping bag stamped with a department store logo. Inside gleamed a Benoît signature crystal teapot.
“Oh, Benoît? So crystal’s in fashion again?”
“I heard you love tea. This line is limited edition this year.”
“Ah, yes. Lady Shin gave me one before too. But back then, the cups were original cut crystal. This one feels… lighter. Has the manufacturing changed?”
