Chapter 12

As Man-cheol had confidently predicted, Na-ae was thoroughly pleased with Hae-joo. Every time Hae-joo helped ease Na-ae’s boredom, Na-ae would hand over money to Man-cheol in return.

Man-cheol spent that money lavishly, drinking excessively or splurging it on his friends.

This arrangement had been going on for years now, and Man-cheol was very satisfied with it.

“You paid off all my debts and even let me work as a gardener at Taehwa Group. Far from being tired of it, I still feel like I’m dreaming.”

“Why do you still remember such trivial things?”

“Hae-joo and I will be paying back that debt until the day we die! If you ever ask me to fake my death, I’d do it in a heartbeat! There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Taehwa Group!”

“That’s why I like you. You know your place.”

Na-ae smiled as she listened, enjoying the conversation.

“People should know their place. These days, there are just too many people who don’t.”

“Absolutely! Couldn’t agree more! Just look at our Hae-joo. Unlike other girls, she wouldn’t dare lay eyes on your grandsons.”

“Exactly. That’s why I like your niece.”

Na-ae happily bit into a glutinous rice cake, powder dusting her lips.

The way Hae-joo’s soft and skillful hands massaged away the fatigue of the day felt incredibly soothing.

Na-ae looked down at Hae-joo with experienced eyes. Calm gaze, gentle voice, always careful.

If it weren’t for her rogue uncle, she would’ve grown up to be just another sweet, well-loved girl somewhere.

Is that why you caught Seung-jo’s eye?

Na-ae suddenly furrowed her brows with irritation. Summoning Hae-joo on a whim today was also because of that.

Seung-jo’s oddly protective attitude toward Hae-joo… and his unexpected words—rare, given how he usually never meddled in the servants’ affairs.

“Stop treating her like your personal secretary or employee again.”

That day’s words lingered uncomfortably in Na-ae’s mind. She had always strictly managed the staff working in the mansion.

It was necessary, especially because of her accomplished grandsons. Na-ae never tolerated women who clung to Seung-jo.

Hae-joo, who at eighteen had earnestly massaged her legs with those small hands, was no exception.

Na-ae had always ensured Hae-joo only came to the mansion when Seung-jo and Sang-yoon weren’t around.

“Ma’am, Director Tae Seung-jo is here. Said he’d be late because of a business trip, but he came early.”

Even when unexpected situations arose, Na-ae always handled them smoothly.

“Strip. Everything. Even your underwear!”

At Na-ae’s harsh shout, many women would burst into tears and run out, or worse, deliberately wander the halls naked to catch Seung-jo’s eye.

But by the time she became a university student, Hae-joo was different. Though her eyes welled up with humiliation, she didn’t utter a single complaint and undressed in front of Na-ae.

Hae-joo’s body was beautiful. One that would only become more mature and lovely with age.

That irritated Na-ae even more. She left Hae-joo standing there naked and walked out to greet her grandson Seung-jo with a bright smile after his long business trip.

“Our Director Tae is back?”

Little Hae-joo, stripped down to nothing, had to hide trembling inside the room, covering her lips with small hands in fear that Seung-jo might hear her breathing.

She had always known her place better than anyone.

Na-ae, feeling her suspicions ease a little, finally lowered her gaze softly. Her eyes lingered deliberately over Hae-joo’s growing chest as she asked teasingly:

“You run into Seung-jo often at work, don’t you?”

“I’ll be more careful from now on, Ma’am.”

“Of course. And you’re to keep your visits to my room a secret from Seung-jo. Unlike Sang-yoon, he hates using subordinates for no reason. He has strict personal standards, despite how he may seem.”

“Yes, you don’t need to worry.”

“Good. Let’s take a bath together next time. Nothing beats hot seolleongtang after a nice soak.”

Hae-joo bowed her head to hide her face. As soon as Seung-jo’s name came up, her eyes trembled without fail.

Na-ae’s stare made her chest feel crushed under a heavy stone.

“The Madam had many outings today. Make sure she gets well pampered!”

Just then, Man-cheol laughed heartily and playfully shouted at Hae-joo.

That was when Madam Soon knocked on Na-ae’s door.

“Ma’am, you have a guest. It’s Kang Se-rin from Seongjin Group.”

“Se-rin?”

Na-ae smiled, her lips curling with welcome. She lifted the hem of her dress and stretched out her stiff legs for Hae-joo to continue massaging.

* * *

“I told Chairman Kang I’d arrange a meeting soon. Couldn’t even wait, huh? Tsk tsk!”

Man-cheol left, and Hae-joo continued massaging Na-ae’s legs. The mansion was now bustling with activity due to the arrival of Seongjin Group’s only daughter, Se-rin.

“Visiting Seung-jo’s busy office this morning wasn’t enough, and now you’re playing golf with him?”

“Yes, my father must be feeling very anxious. Usually, he’s such a calm person when it comes to business matters.”

Se-rin held her teacup and smiled gently. Her porcelain-like face was smooth and beautiful.

“I know. Chairman Kang’s usually a steady type in business. But around our Seung-jo? Always getting antsy. Tsk!”

“Well, who wouldn’t get antsy around Director Tae Seung-jo? Even among my friends, everyone’s dying for just one meal with him.”

“And yet, you’re the one sitting next to him now.”

“I’m really grateful, Ma’am. My father was overjoyed after discussing marriage plans with you.”

Se-rin smiled shyly. Hae-joo, still kneeling at Na-ae’s feet, was like a complete invisible being between the two women.

“Of course, I was the happiest. To think I’ll be marrying Director Tae Seung-jo…”

Se-rin lowered her eyes demurely, catching her breath in excitement.

So it’s really true… They’re getting married.

Hae-joo’s heart ached at the confirmation of the rumors she’d hoped weren’t true. But she didn’t show it, quickly hiding her trembling gaze as she continued massaging Na-ae’s legs.

“I even went to the OB-GYN alone today for a check-up.”

“Really? Good girl.”

Na-ae nodded approvingly, looking satisfied.

“Naturally, being young and healthy, they said I should have no trouble conceiving right away. Once we’re married, I want to have Seung-jo’s child as soon as possible.”

“Good mindset. You can have one, then another. Just keep having them.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Se-rin shyly held her flat lower belly under her designer skirt and smiled.

“Seung-jo takes after his father in that regard. Not lacking in stamina at all. The bedding in Chairman Tae’s room was always damp—it was scandalous.”

Se-rin blushed at the embarrassing remark. She remembered how she had orchestrated a coincidental encounter with Seung-jo while he was on a business trip in New York.

Recalling Seung-jo’s charming figure from that time, a wave of sexual tension and excitement flushed through her body.

Se-rin moved her demurely folded legs and scooted over to sit closer beside Na-ae.

“Ma’am, I know this is a strategic marriage, but I want to become a wife who is truly loved by Seung-jo.”

She clung to Na-ae’s arm with a sweet, girlish smile.

“Given how beautiful Seung-jo’s mother was… I’m worried I won’t seem like a real woman in his eyes.”

“That all depends on your effort, doesn’t it? The woman who gave birth to Seung-jo wasn’t ordinary. She had my picky son wrapped around her little finger.”

Na-ae thought back to Seung-jo’s birth mother. Twenty-seven, in the full bloom of her beauty when she caught the eye of Chairman Tae.

A woman too clever and shrewd to be just an actress. The one who melted Chairman Tae’s playboy heart and kept him faithful until the end.

Na-ae had never been fond of that fox-like daughter-in-law, but she couldn’t deny that she had turned the once irresponsible Tae Chairman into a capable company president—all thanks to Seung-jo’s mother.