Chapter 24

“You’re going to the sauna with the Elder tomorrow, right? Then come a little early and have lunch, Haejoo.”

Sooni looked at Haejoo fondly, like a daughter.

“Yes, I will. Is Madam Jin Heeyoung not going to be home tomorrow either?”

“Mm-hmm. She’ll be going to the gathering with the Elder. I just wanted to feed you a proper meal before they come back.”

Haejoo nodded and smiled. Heeyoung, the wife of Chairman Tae Jaewoong and Seungjo’s aunt, had always disapproved of Haejoo visiting Naae’s room. She even frowned when she saw Sooni secretly packing side dishes for Haejoo, which is why Haejoo had always declined.

“They’ll probably get married soon, right? The Elder seems to really like Serin.”

“Yes, they suit each other well.”

“You’re so beautiful and kind—I hope you find someone good too, Haejoo.”

“Someone good…”

Haejoo’s steps slowed. Her gaze trembled as she looked at the gallery building.

“Oh my, listen to me rambling. Of course you must be dating, maybe even have a fling going on, like kids do these days!”

Sooni, who had long sensed something going on between Haejoo and Seungjo, lightened the mood on purpose.

“I’ll take care of the Elder, so stay as long as you want.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Haejoo smiled faintly.

“Phew…”

Once Sooni went inside the gallery, Haejoo took a deep breath as she walked through the beautifully landscaped garden.

She had tried so hard not to care about Seungjo, to ignore Serin standing so confidently by his side. But the image of Serin clinging to his arm, smiling coquettishly, kept slowing her steps.

Every time Serin pressed her ample chest seductively against Seungjo, Haejoo’s heart would race.

…They’ll be sharing the same bed every night once they’re married anyway. So why does it matter so much…?

Haejoo reached for her mother’s necklace and fiddled with it, trying to erase the image of the two. That was when—

“Bored? Want to have a glass of wine with me?”

Startled by a stranger’s voice, Haejoo turned around.

A young man in a white dress shirt and a light pink suit was standing there.

“I heard you’re someone Elder Hong Naae from the Taehwa Group cherishes. Am I right?”

“Who are you?”

“Kang Daekyung, president of Seongjin Foods. Oh, and Serin—who’s about to marry Executive Director Tae Seungjo—is my cousin, too.”

Daekyung licked his lips while ogling Haejoo. Despite wearing just a plain blouse, skirt, and coat, her beauty made his lower abdomen twitch.

“Let’s have a glass of wine in the lounge, babe.”

“Excuse me?”

Haejoo’s face went pale. Daekyung rubbed the front of his pants suggestively as he took a step toward her.

“Not a wine person? Then should I pull up my car and we can have some fun there instead?”

“What are you saying…?”

“Serin said we’re the same age. You can’t pretend to be so innocent at our age. That girl’s lived a pretty wild life too…”

His eyes were dangerous.

Haejoo began stepping backward.

“No need for all this talk between players. Just come here—let me touch your chest first.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“Pretend nothing! You knew I was looking at you—you were wiggling your ass on purpose, weren’t you? Bending over to show off that big chest, acting all innocent—”

“I was picking up the Elder’s handkerchief…”

Haejoo instinctively crossed her arms to cover her chest. The handkerchief had fallen while Naae was wiping her mouth. She’d never imagined someone would see it like that.

“Sure, sure. Playing shy, huh? I get it.”

“Go away!”

Haejoo shouted in panic. Daekyung grabbed her wrist with a grin.

“Girls like you always squeal more after I touch them. Just wait. You’ll love it.”

“Get away! I said go away!”

“A gardener’s niece from the Tae family should be honored to sleep with me. Scream all you want! Go ahead!”

Daekyung began dragging Haejoo behind a thickly wooded part of the garden. She scratched and struggled, but he was absurdly strong.

Annoyed, he threw her into an empty gallery studio. He pushed her onto a sofa, climbed on top, and unzipped his pants, breathing heavily.

“Damn, you smell amazing.”

He buried his nose in her neck and swallowed thickly. His breath reeked of alcohol. Haejoo was already in tears, and her voice trembled with fear.

“Please, stop… I don’t want this…”

No matter how much she pushed or kicked, Daekyung wouldn’t budge.

“One more scream and I’ll get your uncle fired from Taehwa! You too! My uncle’s marrying into the family! You don’t want to ruin that, do you—”

Just as he started yelling threats and reached to unbutton her blouse—

THUD—!

Daekyung’s body flew off and crashed to the floor.

“What the f*ck—?!”

A black shoe stomped mercilessly on his hand.

“Kang Daekyung.”

Haejoo’s eyes widened in shock as she saw Seungjo.

“Who are you threatening to fire? Should I start by slicing off what’s between your legs?”

“E-Executive Director Tae—! Aaaagh!”

Seungjo calmly pressed harder with his foot. On the outside, his expression was composed, but Daekyung felt as if his wrist was being severed.

“Should’ve stayed in your sleazy little world. Know your place before getting hard in front of people.”

“I-I’m from Seongjin Group, we’re about to be family!”

“You’ll be in jail before that happens.”

“S-Secretary Lee! Where’s Secretary Lee?! This psycho’s killing me! Is she your girlfriend?!”

SMACK!

Seungjo grabbed Daekyung’s hair and slapped him hard. The sound was violent—enough to make Haejoo tremble.

“Can’t you tell just by looking?”

“…!”

Haejoo stopped breathing.

Seungjo’s handsome face showed no emotion. Cold. Unwavering.

“F*CK! If I knew she was your secret lover, I’d never have touched her! Why would I— I wouldn’t roll in bed with Tae Seungjo’s woman—!”

With a scream and a burst of blood, Daekyung passed out. Seungjo tossed his limp body aside like garbage and threw his suit jacket over Haejoo.

“I—it’s just…”

“Why are you the one trying to explain?”

Haejoo’s nose turned red. Seungjo looked over her and gently lifted her into his arms.

“I can walk. I’m not hurt. Nothing happened.”

“Nothing? That bastard was practically in heat trying to have his way with you.”

His voice turned cold again.

“Put me down. There are people outside…”

“And you’re saying you’re not hurt?”

Seungjo frowned as he looked down. Her shoes were gone—she’d been dragged barefoot from the garden. Her pale feet were covered in dirt and grass, with small scratches from the stones.

Seungjo’s expression grew even colder. He felt hotter with rage than he did watching Daekyung follow Haejoo like a rabid dog.

He wanted to cut off Daekyung’s hands and gouge out his leering eyes.

“I appreciate you saving me… but if I go out like this, people will misunderstand. The Seongjin Group family is here too. You’d be the one facing the fallout.”

Even in that moment, Haejoo was worried about his reputation.

Seungjo’s lips twisted into a bitter smile.

“If you walk out of here alone, looking like that, people will say that Seonhaeju was secretly fooling around with both Taehwa Group’s Tae Seungjo and Seongjin Foods’ Kang Daekyung.”