WAF 16

Chapter 16

From the morning onward, it had been nonstop meetings.

Starting with the affiliate company management evaluation report, followed by the executive meeting, and even a private lunch with Professor Lee—only after all that was Do-hoon finally able to return to his office.

As soon as he stepped inside, he loosened his tie and let out a shallow sigh.

He’d been losing sleep for days because of Eun-ha, and now he felt even more exhausted.

Lately, Do-hoon had been dreaming about her almost every night—dreams in which she was always trying to seduce him.

Even to himself, it felt insane.

He had never so much as glanced at another woman before, yet his desire seemed to surface only when it came to Eun-ha, which even he found strange.

While he was lost in thought, a knock sounded. Young-chul entered, holding a report.

“Here’s the report on Haneul Foods. I’ve quantified their financial status, management capability, and technological assets to evaluate their investment potential.”

“Good work.”

Do-hoon accepted the report with a satisfied look. Whether it was investment or acquisition, data and research were the foundation.

“But, Director,” Young-chul added, “something strange came up during the investigation.”

“Strange?”

“Several employees resigned around the time of CEO Yeo’s accident—most of them from the product R&D department. Also, according to the remaining staff, the CEO had been busy preparing a new product launch, but there’s no trace of any related data.”

“Really?”

There was definitely something off about that.

“Look into it a little deeper. Better to clear up anything suspicious.”

“Understood.”

“Ah, and check into the CEO’s accident as well.”

“The accident?”

“Yes. From what I can tell, there are a lot of things about it that don’t add up.”

Maybe it was because the accident happened in a place where Eun-pyo had no reason to be.
Or maybe it was because the company had gone bankrupt almost immediately after the CEO’s death, as if they’d been waiting for it. The more he thought about it, the more it bothered him.

The fact that the hit-and-run driver still hadn’t been caught also nagged at him.

And on the day he announced his engagement, why had Se-hoon and Sun-joo reacted with such shock when he mentioned Haneul Foods?

That question, too, refused to leave his mind.

‘I’ll find out soon enough—about Haneul Foods and about the CEO’s accident.’

Shaking off his stray thoughts, Do-hoon gave his head a short shake.

Young-chul lingered, as if he had something else to say.

“By the way, Director…”

“Yes?”

“Madam from Pyeongchang-dong might contact your wife directly. She called me out of the blue asking for her number.”

“I see.”

Do-hoon’s expression didn’t change. He seemed to have expected this.

“She must be eager to play the mother-in-law. Let her.”

“But… the young madam is still quite young. Will she be all right?”

There was concern in Young-chul’s voice. He knew that Do-hoon and Eun-ha were bound by a contract marriage of sorts—Do-hoon had told him everything.

So he was worried that if Sun-joo met Eun-ha, she might catch on.

“She must’ve been prepared for that when she agreed to this.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. She’ll be fine. She’s stronger than she looks—and good at hiding her emotions.”

Do-hoon spoke while recalling Eun-ha’s determined expression when she’d proposed marriage to him, and the way she’d forced herself to stay composed even when her pride was wounded.

He didn’t know how Sun-joo would act, but he was sure Eun-ha wouldn’t be easily intimidated or overwhelmed.

“So don’t worry too much, Chief Park.”

“Understood.”

Only then did Young-chul finally relax.

“This must be it.”

Checking the address in Pyeongchang-dong, Eun-ha steadied her breathing.

The neighborhood was so vast that it had taken quite a walk even from the nearest bus stop.

“Wow, it’s enormous.”

She couldn’t help but marvel at the towering, expansive walls surrounding the estate.

“So this is how the chaebols live…”

It was the kind of mansion she’d only ever seen on TV—seeing it in person was something else entirely.

“I just hope I can handle this.”

The call had come two hours earlier.

At first, she’d rejected the unfamiliar number several times, but when she finally answered, it turned out to be a secretary calling on behalf of Mr. Do-hoon’s mother.

“Madam would like to meet you. I’ll text you the address.”

That was all. So Eun-ha had hurriedly left the hospital and rushed to Pyeongchang-dong.

Taking a deep breath, she pressed the doorbell.

Beep!

Even the sound of it was intimidating.

“Who is it?”

A voice—probably a house staff member’s—came through the intercom.

“I’m Yeo Eun-ha. I’m engaged to Director Choi Do-hoon.”

“Ah, one moment please.”

A brief silence followed, then the gate clanked open.

“Please come in.”

As the heavy door swung inward, Eun-ha drew another deep breath and stepped inside.

From outside, the mansion had looked large—but from within, the true scale left her speechless.

A lawn larger than a school playground stretched between two buildings, and the manicured trees and flowers made it feel like a park in the middle of the city.

The more she saw, the more she realized just how immense the Chois’ wealth was.

At the entrance, the same staff member greeted her.

“Welcome. Please wait a moment—Madam will be out shortly.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Eun-ha was led to a guest sitting room filled with expensive porcelain and paintings.

While she was quietly taking in the luxurious decor, she heard footsteps approaching and rose to her feet.

Sun-joo appeared, dressed elegantly and carrying herself with poise—the very image of a refined matriarch.

At once, Eun-ha recognized her as Do-hoon’s stepmother and bowed politely.

“Hello.”

“So, you’re the one marrying Do-hoon?”

“Yes. I’m Yeo Eun-ha. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Good. Sit down.”

The air was frosty from the very start.

But Eun-ha had prepared herself for this atmosphere, so she calmed her nerves and sat down as instructed.

Sun-joo spent a while studying her without speaking. Her looks, her demeanor—everything about her was the type men liked. She even looked younger than her age.

“You look quite young. How old are you?”

“Uh… I’m twenty-five this year.”

“Oh my…”

Sun-joo let out a short, incredulous laugh.

So Do-hoon, who had always pretended to be indifferent, had chosen exactly the kind of woman men went crazy for—pretty, delicate, and young.

If the two were truly in love, then Sun-joo could clearly see what his “type” was.

“Well, age isn’t everything, I suppose.”

She muttered under her breath, half-mocking. Then she continued aloud:

“I just find it surprising that Do-hoon’s even seeing a woman. He’s always buried in work—at home and at the office.”

In truth, Sun-joo had called Eun-ha here to probe their relationship. She figured she might catch some inconsistency if they talked long enough.

But meeting her in person—so young and seemingly harmless—took the wind out of her sails.

Still, she couldn’t forgo the interrogation entirely.

“So, where and how did you two meet?”

“Ah… in Las Vegas. I was there briefly for work, and Mr. Do-hoon said he was there on vacation.”

“Las Vegas?”

“Yes. We kept in touch after that, and once I returned to Korea this year, we started seeing each other more often.”

Eun-ha carefully followed the story she and Do-hoon had agreed upon—avoiding anything too personal or suspicious, but adding enough detail to sound natural.

Sun-joo watched her sharply, as if trying to catch a lie.

But since Eun-ha had merely embellished the truth, she could remain composed.