Chapter 6
“Of course she’s sly — like mother, like daughter from that entertainer bloodline!”
Hee-young bit her elegant lips in frustration.
Seung-jo’s biological mother had been a famous actress. A woman of unparalleled beauty who enjoyed wealth and popularity.
In truth, she had a cunning mind. She was an extraordinary woman who managed to satisfy Chairman Tae of Taehwa Group — both his difficult personality and his colorful romantic life.
She was so skilled in bed that the chairman’s satisfied moans echoed day and night near his bedroom.
The Hee-young couple, along with the Taehwa family, openly gossiped about Seung-jo’s mother as if she were nothing more than a vulgar woman.
But Seung-jo never responded. He simply let it pass.
Even at a young age, he never flinched at his parents’ shameless behavior.
“Shameless and arrogant brat!”
Hee-young’s shoulders trembled, but she flinched when she met Seung-jo’s beastlike eyes.
Seung-jo let out a small laugh.
“I guess I really do take after my mother.”
“W-what?”
“I must be pretty good at charming people. Even the busy CEOs seem eager to find connections to get appointments with me.”
“Just like your filthy mother! You know how good she was in bed, don’t you? Even your flighty father was completely bewitched!”
“……”
“You’ve taken after her in every way, so I’m sure the women you mess around with are just thrilled every night!”
Blinded by her desire to insult him, Hee-young yelled without filter. Seung-jo, who had been quietly listening, curled his handsome lips into a smirk and responded smoothly.
“I am good… but unfortunately, I can’t demonstrate it in front of you, Auntie.”
“W-what did you say?”
Hee-young, Na-ae, and Jae-woong all cleared their throats awkwardly.
Jae-woong, who had been to the sauna with Seung-jo several times, knew what Seung-jo looked like naked and couldn’t refute it. He simply turned away with a displeased face.
“My woman’s very shy, you see. She can barely even make eye contact with me.”
Seung-jo added casually as he shifted his gaze.
Inside the company’s anniversary celebration hall — attended by executives and select staff — his eyes were drawn to a woman seated far from him.
Deputy Manager Sun Hae-joo of the Business Support Division.
Just minutes ago, she had been clumsily following his tongue in a kiss inside a hotel room. Thinking of her, Seung-jo let out a low laugh.
A warm heat began to pool low in his abdomen.
“Sang-yoon’s mother! How dare you say such things here!”
At that moment, Na-ae grabbed the water bottle from the table and splashed it on Hee-young.
“Kyaaa!”
Soaked and trembling, Hee-young screamed.
“You’re always defending Seung-jo, that entertainer’s son!”
“Seung-jo is my pride — he’s Taehwa’s present and future, and the face of this company!”
Seung-jo brushed the droplets off his soaked suit with indifferent fingers, smiling slightly.
This was the Taehwa family he had seen and grown up with for decades — the reason why he’d left them the moment he became independent.
“Is that why you’re considering Kang Se-rin from Sungjin Group for Seung-jo’s match?”
Jae-woong asked Na-ae stiffly, drawing Seung-jo’s attention.
“Se-rin was also invited to our new car launch event in New York. Seems like she fell hard for you. Didn’t you see the bouquet she sent through Soon-yi earlier? She couldn’t make it today but still made sure to send that.”
Na-ae beamed, pleased with Se-rin’s devotion.
It was a match arranged by the Sungjin Group chairman’s wife and Na-ae. A secret arranged date for Seung-jo, which eventually led to their meeting in New York.
Apparently, Se-rin had liked Seung-jo so much that she canceled her return flight to spend more time with him.
Though Seung-jo didn’t seem any different afterward.
“Sungjin Group, with no son of their own, really wants you. Se-rin is putting in great effort to win your heart. Isn’t she a great match for you?”
Na-ae smiled confidently, believing that picky Seung-jo would find Se-rin suitable.
“Hae-joo?”
Hae-joo was waiting by the elevator to return to the Taehwa Group’s 50th anniversary celebration after a bathroom break when someone called out to her.
“Ms. Soon-yi!”
A warm smile spread across Hae-joo’s face. The middle-aged woman in a forsythia-yellow dress was none other than Ms. Soon-yi.
“I figured I might run into you today, since it’s the anniversary event.”
Soon-yi was the long-serving caregiver and personal secretary to Madame Na-ae of Taehwa.
“You look like you’ve lost weight again. Did you eat breakfast?”
“I’ve been eating too well lately, actually.”
Hae-joo smiled and gently held Soon-yi’s hand.
“That’s good to hear. I’ve been worried since we haven’t seen each other.”
“You’re always too caring, Ms. Soon-yi.”
Hae-joo chuckled warmly at her doting mother-like concern. But then Soon-yi sighed softly.
“Your uncle’s been quiet lately, hasn’t he? He seems oddly well-behaved these days.”
“Maybe he’s finally come to his senses. I really hope he stays that way…”
Hae-joo couldn’t hide her feelings, and Soon-yi, who had seen her being hit by her uncle Man-chul, gently stroked her hand in sympathy.
“Where are you headed? There’s still time — I’ll accompany you.”
“I should go get my award as one of the company’s outstanding employees. You look wonderful today too, by the way.”
Soon-yi inspected her cheerfully, complimenting her ivory dress that lit up Hae-joo’s pretty face. The slim belt emphasized her feminine silhouette.
Passersby would’ve stopped to admire her — but Soon-yi could only look at her with eyes wet with unspoken emotion.
“Ah, this dress…”
Hae-joo trailed off. It had been a gift from Seung-jo the previous weekend.
After they spent the night together, he had taken it from his private residence’s dressing room — including the dress, shoes, and handbag, all luxury brands.
To Seung-jo, the cost meant nothing. But to Hae-joo, it was more than a year’s salary.
What made her heart tremble, though, was something else — the perfect shoe size, and her favorite ivory color.
He never forgets those things…
Even now, Hae-joo could smell Seung-jo’s scent lingering on her. She inhaled deeply.
Noticing Soon-yi’s lingering gaze, she quickly tried to hide her unease and pressed the elevator button.
“Which floor? Let me at least ride down with you.”
“Busy girl! I’m fine, really.”
Hae-joo smiled and took Soon-yi’s hand, guiding her into the elevator.
“First floor. There’s a flower delivery for Madam Na-ae.”
“A flower delivery?”
“Yes. You know how close Chairman Kang of Sungjin Group and the Madam are. Do you know his daughter, Kang Se-rin? The Madam seems to care a lot for her.”
As she reached to press the button, a chill ran down Hae-joo’s spine.
Still, she smiled brightly and accompanied Soon-yi to the first floor.
“Oh my, did you just get groceries?”
Hae-joo’s cheeks were red from the autumn breeze as she entered Seung-jo’s Seocho-dong residence, carrying heavy grocery bags.
“If you want something to eat, just tell me. You’ll get me scolded by the Executive Director!”
“Just for today, please. I had time to spare. You haven’t started dinner yet, right?”
“No, but surely you’re not going to cook yourself?”
Smiling faintly, Hae-joo placed the grocery bag on the kitchen island.
Even at the company celebration, her thoughts had never strayed far from Seung-jo.
