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Chapter 18.
After pushing Seo-a into the room, Seunghyun composed himself and walked toward the living room as if nothing had happened.
Seeing him approach, Min Pil-seong frowned deeply. He looked around the spot where Seo-a had just been standing and asked irritably,
“Where’s my granddaughter-in-law, and why are you coming out?”
That damned “granddaughter-in-law” out of nowhere again.
“You’re the one showing up early in the morning, Grandpa. Did you ever barge in like this even when Jihyun lived here?”
“You brat. I came because it’s you. Jihyun never caused me a moment of worry! I came to drag you hiking before you laze around all weekend.”
Pil-seong shook his hiking backpack in front of him as proof. Seeing the heavy bag, Seunghyun’s expression twisted mercilessly.
He really came prepared.
With an incredulous expression, Seunghyun crossed his arms.
“You should’ve called first.”
“If I called, you would’ve run away.”
“If you’d called, at least I wouldn’t have been shocked like this. And what was that about matchmaking?”
Apparently annoyed by the childish nagging from his much younger grandson, Pil-seong dug at his ear and answered half-heartedly,
“It’s been two weeks, hasn’t it? Did you forget? You were supposed to meet one woman every two weeks. Since you’re too slow to do anything, I have to step in.”
“I thought we settled that already. I told you I’d handle it.”
“At the rate you move, that’ll take years! Anyway, what’s that girl’s name? She’s your girlfriend, right? What are you hiding her for? What kind of family is she from?”
The barrage of questions made Seunghyun’s eyes narrow sharply. Min Pil-seong, a man who had built his empire with his bare hands, was hopelessly weak to dramatic storylines—much like Seunghyun’s mother, who called trashy dramas “classics.”
Still staring right at him, Seunghyun suddenly knelt on the floor. Pil-seong’s eyes widened in shock.
“You—w-what are you doing?!”
“Are you going to interfere?”
“What?”
“Us dating. I’m asking if you’re going to interfere.”
“What nonsense are you saying? Why would I interfere! Get up this instant! Since when do you kneel like that! And at least put on a proper shirt!”
Prideful as always, Pil-seong banged his cane on the floor as he scolded. It was exactly the reaction Seunghyun expected. Internally delighted, he lowered his gaze and put on a troubled expression.
“…I’m in a normal relationship right now. Seo-a is my subordinate. And, yes… she’s someone I really like. A lot. But you know how it is. Office romances.”
Seunghyun surprised even himself—lying so smoothly without a shred of guilt.
Pil-seong looked truly stunned. He stared down at his kneeling grandson and let out a hollow laugh before pressing his lips together.
“Grandpa… I’m an executive. She’s an entry-level employee. If rumors spread, the only one who gets hurt is Seo-a. That’s why we’ve kept it a secret.”
“You’re telling me someone who just came back from the States managed to snag such a pretty girl?”
“…It’s an old relationship. We broke up while I was abroad, but—I couldn’t forget her…”
Seunghyun dramatically shut his eyes and turned away.
He wished he could squeeze out a tear, but acting wasn’t that easy. Still, it was enough. The emotional swell in Pil-seong’s eyes proved it.
“So… for ‘our Seo-a’s’ sake, could you please leave us be? Please help me, Grandpa.”
Forcing himself to endure the cringe, Seunghyun emphasized her name. Pil-seong rested both hands on his cane and stroked his chin, lost in thought.
One second. Two. It felt like dozens. Then he spoke.
“Seunghyun.”
“Yes.”
“How am I supposed to believe you?”
The air chilled instantly.
When Seunghyun lifted his head, Pil-seong let out a long sigh and gave a faint smile.
“Bring the girl out. I’ll ask her myself.”
A vein bulged on Seunghyun’s forehead.
“She’s hiding out of embarrassment! Your secretary barged in at dawn—how do you expect her to think straight?”
“…Is she someone you’re seeing casually?”
“No!”
The sudden direct hit made him shout. Pil-seong’s gaze drifted toward the room where Seo-a was hiding, then he stood with the help of his cane.
“Alright, alright. Hrmm. I’ll go hiking alone today.”
“Grandpa… I’m not a kid anymore. Isn’t it time you stopped meddling in every part of my private life?”
Seunghyun stood as well and clenched his fists.
“To you it’s meddling, but to me it’s concern. If you’re serious, then be responsible. Don’t make another family’s precious daughter cry. I’m not opposed. Actually, I’m thrilled. That girl is far better than those celebrity-types or whatever. Much prettier. Much nicer. So hold onto her tight.”
“…What?”
“I said, let’s go eat! What’s wrong with your ears? Why do you keep asking back?”
The cane thumped again. Pil-seong glanced up and down at Seunghyun’s bare torso. After scolding him earlier, he now clicked his tongue, oddly proud.
“You brat, the more I look at you, the more you look exactly like me when I was young.”
“What are you even—!”
“I’m going. Don’t come out. That girl’s name was Seo-a, right? Tell her I’ll see her soon.”
And just like when he came in, Pil-seong left after saying everything he wanted. The apartment looked like a hurricane had passed through.
Seunghyun grabbed his messy hair and exploded the moment the door closed.
“That sly old fox!”
Avoid the fox, meet the tiger, as the saying goes. He’d made everything worse.
Just then, the door to Seo-a’s room opened silently.
“…Director…”
He turned around, startled.
Holding the door frame, Seo-a stepped out with lifeless eyes and dark circles that looked like they’d sunk an inch deeper. Guilt stabbed whatever was left of his conscience.
Like a zombie, she dragged herself into the living room.
“Baek Seo-a, look… that is…”
But she walked right up to him and thumped her forehead into his chest.
“What are you going to do. I heard everything. Girlfriend? Dating? A tiny little… office romance?”
“Let’s talk, Ms. Baek.”
“Ms.? Why are you suddenly speaking formally? Huh? I can’t even think straight right now. My life is such a mess I don’t see anything anymore, so just bear with me.”
“Baek Seo-a!”
Calling her name desperately, Seunghyun grabbed her shoulders as she leaned in aggressively.
“…Eight years of housing and food deducted at once.”
Her movements froze.
“And I’ll return the confiscated items. And extend your stay. Will that get you to sit and talk?”
Her already big candy-like eyes grew even bigger. Seunghyun’s gaze drifted to her tiny shoulders. They fit perfectly in one hand. And why were her eyes so bri—… sparkly?
“You’ll take it back anyway.”
Her sudden shift in tone made his breath return to normal.
“I won’t. If you want, I’ll put it in a contract.”
“…What are you planning? Are you actually trying to date me? Me?”
As if.
Startled by the sweat pooling in his palm, Seunghyun swiftly withdrew his hands. Behind the now-curious Seo-a, he could almost see a wagging tail. He blinked rapidly.
His eye twitched.
“Director.”
His legs gave out and he slumped onto the sofa. She steadied herself by planting a hand on his shoulder, frowning impatiently as he stayed silent.
“If you’re making a proposal, give me something specific—”
“Fake.”
The word slipped out impulsively. He froze. He didn’t know why that was the first word that came to mind—except that some nameless emotion inside him felt like speaking more would topple everything like a leaning Jenga tower.
“Fake…?”
Her long hair fell and brushed his cheek. Morning sunlight warmed the sofa beneath them.
Seunghyun brushed the hair away and took her hand from his shoulder, holding it.
“You… know how to act, right?”
Whistling happily, Pil-seong reached the underground parking lot—only to stop short when a sedan pulled up in front of him. The door flew open and Min Jeong-hwan jumped out, startled to see his father there.
The attendants immediately bowed nearly ninety degrees.
Jeong-hwan approached, glancing between the apartment entrance and his father.
“Father. What are you doing here?”
“Came to see Seunghyun. Why are you here?”
“Seunghyun is here? Not at a hotel?”
“Of course he’s here. What? You didn’t know? Then why are you here?”
“…I had other business…”
“Other business? Good grief, a father doesn’t even know where his own son lives? Tsk.”
Jeong-hwan swallowed a groan at the reprimand. If Seunghyun lived here, then what about that kid? The house?
“And that brat—turns out he has a girlfriend! Cute girl. Apparently they’re secretly dating at work.”
“…What?”
Jeong-hwan’s face twisted. He motioned for the attendants to step away. They moved back several paces, though they surely heard.
Lowering his voice, he asked,
“What are you talking about, Father? Seunghyun? Dating someone? At work?”
“Leave him alone. Stop making a fuss. A normal girl from an ordinary family is far better than some fancy family name. Look at Taehyun—married into a great family and divorced in less than a year.”
“Even so, an office romance is unacceptable. Who is she? Did you see her?”
“I saw her. Very pretty. So let it be. It’s good for his public image too—third-generation chaebol dating quietly. And they suit each other. She’s lovely. Just lovely.”
“Hah…”
With hands on his hips, Jeong-hwan gave Secretary Ahn a sharp look, but the man—practically Pil-seong’s right arm—didn’t flinch or offer any hints.
“Anyway, whatever you came here for, leave it. I’ll handle it.”
With that, Pil-seong tightened his backpack straps and climbed into his SUV. The vehicle left the parking lot with all attendants in tow.
The moment it disappeared, Jeong-hwan hurriedly pulled out his phone and called Jihyun. No answer—likely because of the time difference.
What on earth did that boy do?!
Pacing with frustration, Jeong-hwan sank into his car seat again.
‘Dad, my friend is… weird. The roommate? Her father was a firefighter. Died in the line of duty in 2003.’
People knew Seunghyun had survived a fatal fire—but not how he survived. Only the family knew.
They made sure the public never found out. A seventeen-year-old couldn’t bear the weight of public scrutiny and blame.
‘There are tons of firefighters in Korea. Don’t say weird things. And treat your friend well. Just don’t let her get involved with your brother.’
‘My brother? Please. As if I’d want Min Seunghyun anywhere near Seo-a.’
‘Watch your tone.’
And then eight years passed. So long that she forgot the girl even existed.
Jeong-hwan had only come to check on her briefly after sending her abroad.
But now—this shocking disaster.
He clutched the back of his head.
“…Oh dear, Mother…”
