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Chapter 21
Jung Hana had always been a woman who excelled at playing with people’s hearts.
Because Jang Jubin doted on her, and because Yoon Ji-hwan and Lee Soo-ha had gone years without having children, Hana had naturally been pushed aside and treated with neglect within the family.
Had she not borne a son late in life, it would not have been surprising if she had been divorced already.
One thing was clear—Yoon Ji-hwan didn’t particularly like Lee Soo-ha either.
“…Anyway, she’s such a killjoy. So when you gave me that gift last time, you have no idea how refreshing it felt.”
“Unnie, you already told me that last time.”
“That’s how much I appreciated it.”
“I understand. But to be honest, I don’t really like Soo-ha either.”
Kang Da-som subtly sided with Hana, murmuring in a demure voice.
“Oh my, really? Why not?”
“Because I used to do ballet. She once said something like, ‘A woman who only uses her body.’”
“She’s insane. Absolutely insane. Acting like she’s so brilliant just because she’s smart. Hmph.”
Finding a companion in her distaste, Hana began to open up more. Da-som, of course, understood perfectly well why Hana was confiding in her: it was because she was Yoon Sung-hoon’s girlfriend.
Since the family matters were too entangled for Hana to easily cut ties with Sung-hoon, Da-som knew she could always find a way to gain the upper hand.
Despite claiming to treat Da-som like a younger sister, Hana instinctively ordered her about like a handmaid. It was habit. But Da-som never minded and carefully catered to her mood.
“In truth, who’s really humoring whom here?”
Jang Jubin might have been known as difficult, but Hana was no less exacting.
“So, I actually have a good idea, unnie.”
“A good idea?”
“Yes. You’ll be getting married soon anyway, right? But if we keep behaving like this between us…”
Da-som trailed off deliberately. Her meaning was clear—although she too disliked Soo-ha, it was better to be mindful of appearances.
“So, I think you should exercise a bit of influence.”
“Influence? How?”
“With the Aria Club. I heard that every year each member can recommend two new full members. If you used one on Soo-ha, it would make you look good and it would also help our relationship, don’t you think?”
Hana had recently recommended Da-som as a full member of the Aria Club, partly to irritate Soo-ha. Soo-ha had been trying desperately to get another member’s recommendation, but those who knew that Hana was deliberately blocking her had politely declined.
No one wanted to get involved in a daughter-in-law feud within the Cheonmyeong Group.
“Hmmm.”
Hana sipped her coffee idly. The suggestion wasn’t bad, but she didn’t look entirely enthusiastic either.
“And remember, you said there’s a charity event in September?”
“The annual one? Ah, yes.”
Hana instantly understood what Da-som meant without her finishing the sentence.
The Aria Club, being an exclusive membership club, had many internal rules. But newcomers weren’t automatically taught all of them. The key was who recommended you and how quickly you grasped the unspoken codes.
If Soo-ha were recommended by someone else, she would learn the rules. But if Hana herself recommended her—Hana could simply keep quiet.
“You’re the only one I’m telling this, but I honestly don’t have anything to showcase at the charity event.”
At these events, members often gave short performances or hosted cultural displays. Hana wasn’t without talent, but she had nothing that would appeal to the refined tastes of society wives.
So every year she had simply volunteered as staff.
At that, Da-som leaned forward and clasped her hand.
“Unnie, you have me.”
“Hm?”
“You used to be a trainee, right? So you can dance. Why not learn ballet? I was once invited as a principal dancer, you know. My skills are more than decent.”
The Aria Club barred men from entry, but during the charity event, exceptions were made. Hana, who loved being the center of attention, had always felt uneasy relegated to staff duty. Da-som’s offer sounded tempting.
“Really? Now that you mention it, I did some modern ballet before.”
“With your long figure and graceful lines, you’ll do wonderfully.”
“Ha, you never run out of sweet words, do you?”
Though Hana blushed and protested that the praise was too much, she clearly wasn’t displeased.
“To be honest, I was anxious when I thought about becoming a daughter-in-law of Cheonmyeong Group. But with someone like you by my side, I feel reassured.”
“Me too.”
“Then let’s share updates with each other from now on. Having an older sister has always been my dream. We’re on the same side, after all.”
“Shall we?”
So, the two women set up their own quiet arrangement.
“Oh, and unnie, I do have one request.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about Sung-hoon oppa. He has… quite a few women around him, doesn’t he? I’m not saying it’s terrible, but still… if you ever notice a woman showing interest in him, could you discreetly let me know?”
“My, my, pretending not to care but you are a little jealous, aren’t you?”
“It’s not jealousy. I’m just… the anxious type.”
Da-som’s eyes trembled ever so slightly, as though she were nervous. Hana reached out and gently reassured her.
“Don’t worry. Sung-hoon’s wisened up these days. If he turns his eyes away when he has a girl like you, then he’s lost his mind.”
“Yes. Then, I’ll trust only you, unnie.”
By using Soo-ha as a common enemy, Kang Da-som had successfully drawn closer to Jung Hana.
A few days later.
Da-som went on a date with Yoon Sung-hoon. At the hotel, Min Yu-rim trailed behind, helping with the shopping bags Sung-hoon picked out.
When they finished, Sung-hoon leaned close and spoke.
“Mom wants you to come over for dinner tonight.”
“Alright.”
“What on earth did you do to make her like you so much?”
He knew Da-som sometimes dropped by for meals when he wasn’t around. He had introduced other girlfriends before, but none had ever managed to win over Jang Jubin’s prickly temper—Da-som was the first.
“I didn’t do much.”
“Really?”
“Oh, by the way, oppa. Here.”
She handed him a folder of documents. Sung-hoon skimmed through them, then widened his eyes in shock.
“How did you…?”
Cheonmyeong Electronics was an albatross within the conglomerate. If these papers were accurate, the contract would be a must-have for the group.
The shocking part was that the higher-ups themselves had not yet realized it.
“I just wanted to be helpful. At dinner, you can slip it in casually.”
“Thank you. Truly, you’re the only one who looks out for me.”
He pulled her waist close and kissed her deeply, tongue and all.
Blushing, Da-som shot an embarrassed glance at the chauffeur.
“Later, oppa. Not here.”
“Sorry, sorry. You’re just too beautiful.”
When he finally let go, he coughed awkwardly. The chauffeur’s indifference, however, made it clear—Sung-hoon had done this with many women before, right in the car.
They soon arrived at the Seo-nam-dong mansion.
“Who’s here?”
“Young Master Jin-woo is inside.”
“Jin-woo? Out of nowhere? Didn’t he say he was busy with a movie or something? Strange.”
Every Friday, the family usually gathered for dinner at the Seo-nam-dong residence. Since becoming an adult, Yoon Jin-woo had rarely joined. Only Hana consistently showed up.
The only reason Jin-woo hadn’t been completely cut off was thanks to Hana.
Arm in arm with Da-som, Sung-hoon strode into the living room.
“Well, well, long time no see. What’s the occasion?”
“You were the one who told me to come back home once in a while, hyung.”
“Oh my, Da-som! Hello.”
Hana, sitting on the sofa with Jin-woo, waved cheerfully.
