CHAPTER 29……………………………
“They say you’ve been busy lately, but you never miss an event like this.”
“If I’m invited, I should come. It’s a good occasion.”
Geonwoo replied with a faint smile, and the man’s gaze naturally shifted to Hana.
“Your wife came with you as well.”
His eyes lingered briefly. There was courtesy in them, but also curiosity.
Hana dipped her head slightly in greeting.
“It’s my first time meeting you. I’m Seo Hana.”
“I’ve only seen you in photos, but you’re even more beautiful in person.”
“You’re too kind.”
Her voice was calm, yet a faint discomfort brushed the corner of her heart. It sounded less like a compliment and more like an evaluation.
But at a gathering like this, even displeasure couldn’t show on her face.
“President Jung is truly blessed. To have such an outstanding wife.”
The man laughed and lightly patted Geonwoo on the shoulder. Geonwoo let out a short chuckle and gently pulled Hana closer by the waist.
“I’m the grateful one. I’m fortunate to have someone who’s stayed by my side so steadfastly.”
His tone was soft, his gesture natural. The perfect image of a devoted husband—one no one would ever doubt.
But Hana knew. It was all an act.
The tenderness he displayed in front of others was far removed from reality.
And every time she saw him like this, she felt something strange.
As if the warmth he performed was as stiff and frozen as the coldness between them—something hardened by the very situation she had created.
That distance unsettled her. Yet what confused her even more were the fleeting moments when she found herself wanting to lean, just for a second, into the warmth of his performance.
They continued their formal conversation for a while—business matters, foundation work, the upcoming overseas conference.
After the man left, others approached one after another. They offered greetings; the couple smiled, responded, clinked glasses.
Amid the endless stretch of socializing, Hana felt her fatigue steadily piling up.
But she couldn’t show it. As the daughter-in-law of Ilju Group, she had to be flawless.
Geonwoo glanced at her and called a waiter.
“A glass of water, please.”
“Yes, sir.”
The waiter brought the water, and Geonwoo handed it to Hana.
“Drink this instead of champagne.”
“Thank you.”
She took a sip, catching her breath. She was grateful for his consideration—even in a crowded place like this, he still paid attention to her.
“Just hang in there a little longer. We’ll move seats soon.”
“Okay.”
At that moment, a murmur rose near the entrance of the banquet hall. People’s gazes shifted in unison.
Son Serin had arrived.
In an instant, it felt as though all the lights in the hall focused on her.
She wore an emerald-green dress. The off-shoulder design revealed her shoulders and collarbones in a sensual style, the waist fitted tightly, the skirt flowing all the way to the floor.
A large emerald necklace gleamed at her neck, diamond earrings sparkled at her ears. Her hair was styled elegantly up, her makeup glamorous yet refined.
“Wow, her aura is different.”
“That dress silhouette… not easy to pull off, but she’s perfect.”
Whispers and admiration spread through the air as attention naturally gravitated toward her.
Serin slowly turned her head, surveying the hall. With just a glance, she knew she commanded the room.
Then her gaze stopped at one spot. A gradual smile curved her lips. Holding her glass, she began to walk in that direction.
Her movements were slow and graceful.
As if she enjoyed every eye that followed her.
“Geonwoo!”
She greeted him brightly. Geonwoo merely inclined his head. Serin stepped closer, and her gaze shifted naturally to the side.
Still smiling, she slowly looked Hana up and down. Her eyes moved gently, but there was a sharp edge within them.
“Hello.”
Serin extended her hand with a radiant smile.
“This is our first time meeting like this, right? I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Son Serin.”
“Seo Hana.”
Their hands met. It was a brief handshake, yet an odd current passed between them. Serin applied slight pressure with her fingertips before releasing.
For a moment, their eyes locked.
There was a challenging gleam in Serin’s gaze, as if she found it hard to believe that Hana was Geonwoo’s wife.
“Your dress is beautiful.”
Serin glanced at Hana’s dress as she spoke.
“White tones are hard to pull off unless your skin tone supports them, but it suits you well. You look innocent. Though perhaps a bit simple for a banquet.”
It sounded like praise, yet her tone subtly scraped at the listener.
“Thank you.”
Hana smiled briefly. It appeared humble, but it was also defensive.
“You look wonderful as well, Ms. Serin.”
“Thank you.”
Serin beamed.
“It was flown in from Paris. They said it’s from the new season.”
As she spoke, she slightly lifted the skirt. Under the lights, the emerald silk shimmered softly.
“Paris really is the center of fashion.”
Her gaze returned to Hana.
“Have you been to Paris, Ms. Hana?”
Hana’s eyes flickered away for a moment.
“No, not yet…”
“Oh, I see.”
Serin nodded with an effortless smile.
“I make sure to go at least twice a year. Shopping, attending Fashion Week… there’s never a dull moment.”
She casually brushed her hair back with her fingertips. Even that single gesture seemed carefully calculated in its elegance.
After a brief hesitation, Hana lifted her champagne glass again. The bubbles burst in her mouth, but she tasted nothing.
Geonwoo’s gaze lingered on Serin for a moment. The way she seemed to subtly enjoy the situation grated faintly on his nerves.
A slight crease formed between his brows.
“Chairman Son isn’t here tonight?”
Geonwoo asked, as if redirecting the conversation.
“He’ll be here shortly. His meeting ran long.”
Geonwoo nodded. Then Serin tilted her head slightly.
“By the way, that suit looks great on you tonight.”
Her gaze slowly traveled from his shoulders to his tie, then up to his face.
“Thank you.”
His reply was short—neither cold nor warm. Just polite distance.
Without a word, Geonwoo placed his hand on Hana’s waist again. This time a little more firmly, as if drawing a boundary.
“Shall we?”
“Yes.”
Hana nodded.
“We’ll excuse ourselves. See you later.”
“Of course.”
Serin responded with a gentle smile.
The strength in his hand around Hana’s waist was firm, yet his gesture remained smooth—as if protecting her, or perhaps leading her away from the scene.
As they turned and walked away, Serin watched them until the very end, then slowly lifted her champagne glass.
Each time the bubbles burst inside the glass, her gaze wavered slightly. A smile still lingered on her lips, but behind it, complicated emotions rippled like faint waves.
After a moment, as if nothing had happened, she approached others nearby and began exchanging greetings.
Low laughter and the clinking of glasses surrounded her.
Yet even then, her gaze occasionally drifted toward the retreating figures of Geonwoo and Hana.
On their way toward the table, Geonwoo spoke in a low voice.
“Don’t mind what she said. It’s not even worth listening to.”
Hana quietly nodded.
