CHAPTER 34……………………………….
“Just wait. I’m watching for the right moment too.”
Getting up from his seat, Min-hyung walked toward the sofa, his eyes sweeping over Yeran’s voluptuous body.
“As expected, being the daughter-in-law of the Hanho Group sure has its perks. No matter how many mistakes you make, it’s not easy to push you out.”
Min-hyung, well aware of how much Yeran adored Hyuk-jin, deliberately provoked her.
Securing the hotel was important to him, but so was finally getting his hands on Yeran—the woman he had secretly desired for a long time.
On the day Yeran had called him in anger, he finally managed to spend a night with her.
But that was the only time.
Though they had agreed to “help” each other, Yeran had intentionally avoided him since then.
So you give yourself once and think you can manipulate me as you please? I can’t believe you see me that lightly. Disappointing, Oh Yeran.
Yeran, disgusted by the subtle glances Min-hyung kept giving her, leaned forward with a practiced smile, pretending not to mind.
“With your skills, Oppa, it shouldn’t be that hard. Am I wrong?”
Realizing she was trying to stoke his competitive spirit toward Seoyoung, Min-hyung smirked inwardly.
Look at this one.
Seeing through her obvious provocation, he leaned back against the sofa and crossed his legs.
His relaxed expression made Yeran raise an eyebrow.
“Of course it’s not hard. But a proper deal should feel like a proper exchange, don’t you think?”
Yeran’s eyes sharpened.
Not hard, he says. If I’ve already made you fail twice, shouldn’t you be the one to take her down next?
Comparing him to Hyuk-jin—and finding nothing superior about him—Yeran smiled sweetly.
“Of course. I’m free today. What about you, Oppa?”
“Knew it. Yeran, your boldness is your charm. If you make time, I’ll make time even if I don’t have any. Isn’t that right?”
A victorious smile curled on Min-hyung’s lips. The way he licked them was downright greasy.
“Well then, shall we go now, Princess? It’s almost quitting time, so let’s start with dinner.”
“Sure.”
Rising from his seat, Min-hyung held out his hand. Yeran took it with a reluctant smile.
“You know the shareholders’ meeting is coming up, right? You have to take that woman down, Oppa.”
Holding his arm, Yeran spoke firmly, her eyes locking onto his.
“Of course. Don’t worry. Even if she’s the Hanho daughter-in-law, without a proper hit, Seoyoung will struggle big time.”
“I really wish I could see that with my own eyes. Such a pity.”
Just imagining it made Yeran beam.
“…What?”
Arriving late to work after a fiery night with Yeran, Min-hyung scowled deeply at Secretary Park’s report.
“Why are Executive Director Cha Hyuk-jin and the Hanho Construction team suddenly here?”
His good mood evaporated instantly.
Secretary Park, intimidated by Min-hyung’s mercurial temper, lowered his gaze.
“All I know is they’re here for a business agreement. Since there have been leaks recently, security is tight. No one except the Strategic Planning Team is allowed into the director’s office.”
“The Strategic Planning Team went in?”
Min-hyung’s voice softened slightly.
“Yes.”
“Fine. Let’s watch for now. Tell me immediately if anything new comes up. You can go.”
“Yes, Vice President.”
After Secretary Park left, Min-hyung ripped off his jacket and threw it on the sofa.
“What the hell are you plotting, Hyun Seoyoung?”
Clenching his fists, he quickly grabbed his phone and pressed a speed-dial button.
“Seoyoung finally moved, Mother. Cha Hyuk-jin and the Hanho Construction team are at the hotel right now.”
—We’ll have to move faster, then. You find out what that girl Seoyoung is scheming this time.
“Yes, Mother.”
Hanging up, Min-hyung smirked crookedly.
“She must think teaming up with Cha Hyuk-jin will fix her problems. Let her enjoy the delusion for now. It’ll hurt more when she crashes.”
He typed out a text and received a prompt reply.
Reading it, a slow grin spread across his face. A chuckle slipped out.
“That’s it for today’s meeting. Great work, everyone.”
Seoyoung clapped lightly, dismissing the group.
“Thank you.”
The Carlos Hotel team and the Hanho Construction team stood, exchanged polite bows, and left the room.
“Good work.”
Hyuk-jin gently patted Seoyoung’s shoulder.
“You too. Thanks to you, things will move faster.”
“Do you have a clue who the internal mole is?”
“No, not yet. Everyone’s been dedicated—no one is easy to suspect. But I’m still investigating.”
Seoyoung frowned faintly.
“My grandfather told me to come home early today. If you’re done, want to leave now?”
“Grandfather?”
Seoyoung blinked wide eyes at him.
“Why not ask him for help? A granddaughter-in-law’s request might work better.”
“You think it’s okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“We’re just…”
Seoyoung shut her mouth before saying a contractual couple. Hyuk-jin’s eyes narrowed.
“No… You’re right. At this point, I’ll grab onto any lifeline. I’ll ask him.”
“Good. It’ll be more effective in diverting their attention than if I stepped forward myself.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
Hyuk-jin walked to the door and opened it.
“Ladies first.”
“Thank you.”
Seoyoung smiled and stepped out.
“Oh? Director Hyun?”
Walking down the hall, they ran into Min-hyung heading toward the meeting room.
“It’s been a while, Vice President.”
Hyuk-jin stepped up beside Seoyoung.
“Executive Director Cha, perfect timing. I heard there was a meeting today—it ran long.”
Min-hyung flashed a friendly smile.
“Yes, given the situation.”
Hyuk-jin smiled warmly and pulled Seoyoung closer by the shoulder.
“I heard you arrived last weekend, Seoyoung. When are you coming by Hannam-dong?”
Min-hyung glanced at Hyuk-jin’s hand on her shoulder, then casually shifted focus.
“Grandmother said this weekend works for her. We’ll visit Saturday for lunch.”
“Really? Then I should clear my schedule too. Congratulations again on your marriage.”
Smiling widely at Seoyoung, Min-hyung then extended a hand to Hyuk-jin.
“Executive Director Cha—no, should I say brother-in-law now? Since we’re family, let’s meet more often.”
“With the Carlos partnership and all, I’m sure we will. Though who knows after the shareholders’ meeting.”
Hyuk-jin tightened his grip during the handshake.
The pressure was so strong Min-hyung had to clench his jaw to keep from grimacing.
Seeing his strained expression, Hyuk-jin smiled and released his hand.
“Well then, we have plans, so we’ll get going. Seoyoung, shall we?”
“Yes. Goodbye.”
Holding Hyuk-jin’s hand, Seoyoung gave Min-hyung a small nod.
Watching the two walk away hand-in-hand, Min-hyung bit his lip.
After the shareholders’ meeting, the one disappearing from here won’t be me—it’ll be Hyun Seoyoung, Cha Hyuk-jin.
He could hardly wait to see how Cha Hyuk-jin’s face would twist then.
Turning around, fuming, Min-hyung pulled out his phone. The call connected quickly.
—Min-hyung Oppa?
“Yeah. You free right now? Come to the hotel we met at last time. I’ll send you the room number when you get there.”
When he was in a bad mood, burning it off with his body was best.
Yeran came to mind first, but she would just avoid him with excuses—so he called one of the women he met casually.
“I’m leaving work now, so keep that in mind. If it’s not urgent, don’t call.”
Giving Secretary Park a brief set of instructions by phone, he headed straight to the elevator.
In the parking garage, he spotted Hyuk-jin and Seoyoung’s car exiting and ground his teeth.
Seeing the two sitting side by side, chatting comfortably, irritated him to no end—so much that he wanted to shatter it.
