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chapter 30
“Ugh.”
A short gasp escaped from Yeonseo’s throat. She had provoked him first, yet it felt as if she was the one being devoured. His scent began to seep into her heated skin.
Just as he reached out to unbutton the blouse Yeonseo was wearing with a flick of his fingers, he abruptly stopped everything.
“Hah.”
She exhaled, her breath still uneven, and looked up at Doheon.
“Hmm, I can’t stand doing this in the office.”
He wiped his lips with the back of his hand as he spoke. Straightening the collar of Yeonseo’s blouse, he tilted his head slightly.
“Let’s meet at the hotel after this, in that suite.”
Yeonseo touched her cheek with the back of her hand. Her body temperature, which had shot up like water boiling in a kettle, showed no sign of dropping.
She noticed the corner of his mouth slowly lifting—a clear sign of enjoyment.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, there was a hurried knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Doheon spoke in a calm, composed voice as if nothing had happened, then walked toward his desk. From the look of it, it was almost impossible to guess what had just occurred.
The person who entered unsteadily was Director Choi. He looked like he had been running; sweat glistened on his forehead.
“Executive Director, there’s a problem with the MOU signing plan with BXK Group.”
A faint crack appeared on Doheon’s face, then vanished. He sat in his chair with casual composure.
“If there’s a problem, we’ll just solve it.”
“……”
“Why so surprised?”
He tapped the desk twice with his pen, lightly scolding Director Choi.
“Well… it’s just that—”
“What happened?”
“It seems BXK’s partner companies are strongly opposed to this MOU.”
“Opposed when the contract is right in front of us?”
Doheon pressed a finger to his temple. Director Choi’s face was still pale.
“Yes, it was such a sudden change in stance that we didn’t know how to respond…”
“The reason?”
“It seems this was orchestrated by their side again.”
“They really don’t give up, do they.”
Doheon’s gaze grew thoughtful, as if something had caught his attention.
“Get me the list of those partner companies, schedule meetings with the representatives, and have the legal team check the liability for damages for the investment so far. Since this is basically a deliberate breach, shifting the responsibility onto them will leave them with nothing to say.”
“Yes, understood.”
The MOU was worth trillions of won, and it had faced difficulties in the past, so the chairman and shareholders had high expectations.
If the MOU, which was just a week away, failed, it would surely tarnish his previously unblemished reputation.
“And…”
Doheon’s instructions were not yet finished. His eyes had darkened slightly.
“Yes, please go on.”
“Find out the recent movements of Executive Director Seogangjae and that secretary, and report everything in detail.”
Director Choi glanced between Yeonseo and him, gauging the situation.
“Is this something I’m allowed to hear?”
It seemed he was asking if it was okay for her to hear this, given the missing subject in the sentence.
Doheon didn’t respond. Director Choi nodded as if he had immediately understood his intention.
“Yes, then. Understood.”
Director Choi adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses, bowed slightly, and promptly left.
Yeonseo watched him skim through the documents on the desk with a composed expression, feeling puzzled.
Is he really okay? This seems like a serious problem. Yet he looked calm, as if this happened all the time.
“Um… is this related to my brother-in-law?”
Since there was an unspoken understanding that she could ask, she felt it was okay to question.
“It’s just that I thought it might be related.”
Doheon paused the pen in his hand; the scratching sound ceased into the air.
“Probably.”
Yeonseo’s eyebrows fluttered aimlessly. How could he do such horrible things, and even continually put his younger sibling in jeopardy?
She heard Doheon muttering.
“For the way he acts, it’s childish, like a seven-year-old brat.”
Yeonseo exhaled once. She wasn’t completely unaware of their relationship, but the truth was even more grim than she had imagined.
“Why… why would he do that?”
“Because he probably doesn’t have the courage to do things fairly. He’s been obstructing in similar ways all along, and there’s already plenty of evidence.”
Goosebumps rose on Yeonseo’s thin arms.
How could a family be worse than strangers? When she first met Doheon, she thought he had everything—unlike her, a wealthy heir with no lack in life.
Now, Doheon seemed close, yet he appeared to be alone, protecting himself in a dry and twisted family dynamic.
She began to understand why he had worked so relentlessly. With family constantly pointing a gun at him, could he ever have a peaceful day?
“You must have been really lonely.”
How had he endured, and survived all this?
“I used to think you had everything, but the more I see, the more I realize how much you’ve lost. You must have been completely alone, with no one on your side.”
He rested his chin on his hand, his expression frozen. To give him space with all that on his mind, Yeonseo decided to leave.
“I’ll… step out then.”
Yeonseo bowed slightly and turned.
Just as she turned, she heard a voice calling her back.
“Wait…”
She turned slowly. Doheon was staring at her, silent.
A brief moment of silence passed.
“Can you just hold my hand once?”
“Your hand?”
“Yes.”
Doheon’s request was odd. Despite their intimacy, he hesitated as if it were a difficult favor.
And in this situation, suddenly asking to hold hands was uncharacteristic of him. It was as if he wanted to rely on her.
Yeonseo continued to gaze at him, and Doheon let out a small, helpless laugh.
“Caught off guard, huh? You look like you just saw a madman.”
Yeonseo stepped closer and raised her large hand. Their rings clinked together with a metallic sound.
“No, anytime.”
“……”
“I’ll hold it.”
His Adam’s apple moved slowly as he swallowed.
“Anytime?”
“Yes.”
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Seeing him show some color, Yeonseo felt slightly relieved. No matter the situation, she knew she could run to him and hold his hand willingly.
If it could be a small comfort to someone who had always fought alone.
The promised hotel, Room 7682.
As she walked along the carpeted corridor, memories of countless embraces and exchanged glances flashed through her mind, from the tense moment signing the contract with Doheon.
The room was exactly the same as before. The humidity, the flowers in the vase, even the quietly drifting dust.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Yeonseo stared blankly at the buildings outside. After the contract was over, she would have to prepare to part from him…
The thought made her eyes well up.
Her goal had been to reveal the relationship between her grandmother and Geum Seonae, using her connection with Doheon as a means—but somehow, she had grown to like him this much.
Even in moments of desperate waiting, she thought of Doheon.
Time passed. Even after 10 p.m., he had not arrived. She felt she could not sleep until she saw him.
By 11 p.m., her hopes had waned, and she lay down quietly.
With the dim desk lamp on, she stared at the ceiling, wondering if he had forgotten their hotel meeting. He was probably busy resolving what Kangjae had caused.
While dozing lightly, she heard the door open. She forced her heavy eyes open.
“…You’re here?”
Doheon walked in, adjusting his tie. He looked exhausted, far from his usual composed self.
“Is it going well?”
“Yes.”
He collapsed onto the bed, holding Yeonseo close.
“Thank goodness.”
His familiar scent filled the air around her. Even with just the fragrance, it felt as if she had entered a world where he was everything.
“It’s almost over now.”
“Almost over?”
“Once this is wrapped up, the full inheritance transfer will start. It’s what I promised my grandfather, and proving my ability is practically done.”
“I see…”
Yeonseo understood the meaning behind his words. The contract was almost over. She no longer had any use to him.
“So, this contract is over too, then.”
Doheon lifted his head, resting his chin on his hand as he looked down at her.
“Once everything’s finished, I’ll transfer 10 billion won as promised. And you, Yeonseo, will be free.”
“Free… I’ll be free.”
Her voice sank noticeably. Freedom—the word felt strangely awkward.
She had yet to find all the clues about her grandmother’s death. Even putting that aside, did she truly want this?
