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Chapter 16
Suyeon tossed and turned all night, her mind crowded with tangled thoughts.
By dawn, she had managed less than two hours of sleep before heading off to work.
The world outside didn’t reflect her restless heart.
That morning, every major portal site’s front page was plastered with articles about Yoonjae, who had just been named Architect of the Year.
When she arrived at the executive office, a cake and champagne—ordered in advance the day before—were already waiting. Not long after, Yoonjae entered, immaculate in his tailored suit.
The moment he stepped inside, Secretary Kwon set off a confetti popper.
“Goodness!” Yoonjae flinched slightly.
“Congratulations, Executive Director. Winning Architect of the Year is truly remarkable.”
“Congratulations, sir.”
Secretary Han, Suyeon, and Kwon offered their greetings. A faint smile tugged at Yoonjae’s lips.
“Why are you all making such a fuss? You’ll embarrass me.”
Kwon shook his head with genuine pride.
“You overcame such fierce competition, sir. This is not just your triumph—it’s an honor for Do-won Construction itself.”
And indeed, it was. After three failed attempts, finally receiving the award was profoundly meaningful, even for him.
“All thanks to everyone’s efforts. I’m grateful.”
Yoonjae headed into his office. Suyeon followed closely behind.
“I didn’t prepare any flowers since I know you don’t care for them.”
“Flowers don’t matter.”
“The award ceremony will be tomorrow morning at eleven, at Hotel Nuovo. I’ve booked an appointment at a boutique this afternoon at two for your attire.”
“Is Secretary Chae accompanying me?”
“I thought it might be more comfortable for Secretary Kwon to assist with the fitting. I’ve arranged for him to go instead.”
“Then change it back.”
“…Sir?”
“Kwon has other matters to handle. You’ll go with me for the fitting.”
“But I already confirmed his schedule—”
“Something urgent came up. I asked him personally. Have the car ready by one-thirty.”
“…Understood.”
When Suyeon stepped back out, Kwon approached her.
“Secretary Chae, because of the award, there’s an interview scheduled with a magazine the day after tomorrow. I’ll need to meet with the reporter. That means you’ll have to accompany the Executive Director for the fitting.”
“I know. He already told me. Good luck with the meeting, Secretary Kwon.”
At the appointed time, a sedan was waiting in front of the building.
Inside the car, Suyeon adjusted her skirt, which had ridden up above her knees. Before she could tug it down, Yoonjae silently handed her a small lap blanket from the seat.
“…Thank you.”
Her voice trailed off as she turned her gaze to the window. Under the harsh sunlight, she watched people rushing along the sidewalks.
If only Yong-sun were still alive…
If he had seen that I’d joined the company of Jung Yoonjae, grandson of Chairman Jung—what would he have said?
The thought tangled inside her head like an unraveled skein of thread. Breath caught in her throat, escaping as a faint cough.
“Driver, lower the AC slightly,” Yoonjae instructed, his eyes lingering briefly on the back of her head.
The fitting room bustled when they arrived. Designers and staff hurried forward the moment Yoonjae appeared.
“Executive Director, welcome.”
“We’ve heard the news—congratulations on the award!”
One of the designers handed him a bouquet, which Suyeon accepted on his behalf.
Over ten suits were prepared. Piece by piece, Yoonjae tried them on—checks, stripes, bold cuts, classic fits.
No matter what he wore, every outfit seemed crafted for him alone.
From a short distance away, Suyeon watched, her heartbeat wavering.
Through the unbuttoned shirt placket, his sculpted frame was revealed—broad shoulders, a tall build, a body trained from years of sport. Ordinary ready-made suits could never contain him.
She quickly dropped her gaze, but when she dared glance back, Yoonjae’s eyes were already fixed on her, his lips curved in a subtle, knowing smile.
The fitting concluded, and a designer approached Suyeon.
“Would you step this way, Miss Chae?”
“Me?” She blinked in confusion.
“Yes, it’s time to select your attire.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
Yoonjae stepped closer, his tone calm, almost casual.
“Nothing to be surprised about. This is a gift to my entire secretary team in celebration. For Secretary Han and Secretary Kwon, I’ll choose myself. But for you, it’s different. I don’t know your size or taste. So—you’ll try them on.”
Suyeon froze, flustered. The designer only smiled and gestured for her to follow.
Inside the fitting room, racks of clothing awaited. After hesitating, Suyeon picked the most modest outfit she could find. When she stepped out, Yoonjae’s gaze locked onto her.
She wore a tie-neck blouse with a pencil skirt. The elegance was understated, yet refined.
He didn’t look away. His dimples deepened as he smiled.
“With your sense of style, Secretary Chae, I doubt we could find an outfit that doesn’t suit you. This may be the plainest choice, but I imagine the others would flatter you just as well.”
“Then we’ll take them all,” Yoonjae said smoothly.
“Executive Director!” Suyeon protested.
But the designer nodded eagerly. “Shall I prepare the purchase?”
“No, really—this one outfit is more than enough,” Suyeon insisted. “They’re beautiful, but I won’t have any occasion to wear them.”
Yoonjae’s eyes flicked to other dresses.
“That beige blouse and burgundy skirt would look good on you. So would that peach-colored dress. You tend to wear darker shades—try lighter ones this time. And perhaps a dress that’s less formal, something elegant without being stiff.”
“Executive Director!”
He rose and walked toward her slowly, deliberately.
“Tomorrow’s ceremony will gather every affiliate of the Do-won Group. Even President Jung Gil-soo and Madam Kim So-hye will be present. For just one day, I want my people to be the finest, the ones who shine brightest.”
His gaze bore into hers, unwavering.
“Tomorrow is a special day for me. I want it to be just as special for you.”
Suyeon could only press her lips together, unable to reply.
Later that evening, she returned home laden with shopping bags.
The clothes were worth far more than several months of her salary.
It was excessive. Too much—even if it were meant as compensation for the humiliation she’d suffered from Kim So-hye.
Her chest felt strangely hollow. She set the bags down, pulled out a small box from beneath her desk, and opened it.
Inside lay an old diary and a photograph of herself with Yong-sun.
In the picture, beneath a blooming peach tree, Yong-sun smiled brighter than anyone. Beside him stood a little girl in a white dress—herself.
Her fingertips lingered on the photo, eyes glimmering.
Her father’s company, Ilseong Construction, had been a modest firm compared to Do-won. But with creativity, integrity, and eco-friendly design, it had grown steadily. By the time she was born, it was already earning recognition in the field.
If not for the sudden fire, Ilseong might have risen to rival Do-won as one of Korea’s leading construction firms.
But overnight, everything was lost.
Ilseong faded from people’s memory, though her father’s buildings still stood in the city, unyielding.
Suyeon clenched her jaw.
Whatever secrets Do-won hides about my parents’ deaths…
Whatever truth they tried to bury…
I will uncover it.
That was the last choice left to her—the only way to honor her parents.
