Chapter 33
Even if he was a monster, Donghee was more than willing to be bewitched by one this handsome.
“I heard you were sick. Sorry I couldn’t come sooner. I’ve been swamped with work.”
At Ray’s sweet whisper, Donghee stammered out a reply.
“Th-that’s understandable. I-I get it.”
Stop stammering. Stay calm.
“Thanks. I knew you’d understand.”
Ray smiled gently after speaking softly.
If he smiled like that a few more times, Donghee felt like her heart would leap out of her chest and run away.
What kind of blessing is this? she was thinking when—
“It’s been a while, Lady Chloe.”
Startled back to reality by the cheerful voice, Donghee turned her head, having been lost in Ray’s dazzling smile.
The voice belonged to a beautiful woman standing just behind Ray.
Her golden hair, radiant like sunshine, and her pink eyes resembling cherry blossoms reminded Donghee of sweet ice cream.
“Who…?”
Donghee asked, trying not to sound intimidated.
The reflection in the mirror showed Chloe had a very pretty face too, but the woman standing across from her now was beyond just “pretty.”
“Oh my, did you forget me already? I’m Erma.”
“Erma?”
Erma’s hand rested on Ray’s shoulder.
Anyone could tell they weren’t just ordinary acquaintances, and Donghee’s eyebrows shot up.
Her heart, which had been fluttering over Ray, instantly turned cold.
“Erma is my secretary and an old friend. We’ve known each other forever, so why are you acting like it’s something new?”
Ray smiled as brightly as sunlight while speaking.
Secretary and an old friend.
That must mean they’re always together.
As Erma gently withdrew her hand from Ray’s shoulder—perhaps noticing Donghee’s fixed gaze—Donghee smirked.
Well, well. Look at these two.
Her previously dazed mind suddenly cleared as if someone had dumped ice water on her.
I’m not putting up with this. Not a chance.
Donghee smirked slyly, dropped her stiff posture, leaned back comfortably in her chair, crossed her legs, and picked up her teacup again.
It had cooled a bit, but the aroma was still pleasant.
“You came to meet your fiancée but brought your secretary along?”
Her voice was colder and more rigid than before, but Ray didn’t seem to notice and replied with a bright smile.
“I came straight from work. Sorry.”
He didn’t look the least bit sorry.
Erma—or whatever her name was—now confidently took a seat next to Ray. Sitting side by side, they looked annoyingly perfect together.
“So, what brings you here?”
Donghee’s heart, once giddy, was now freezing by the second.
“Why else? I came to get what you promised.”
“What did I promise?”
Donghee’s voice sharpened as a bad feeling started to creep in.
“You said you’d invest in my business, remember?”
“Me?”
Donghee pointed to herself.
“You were pretending not to know Erma earlier too—today you’re really going all out with the jokes. But it’s fine, it’s fun. Anything related to you, Chloe, is fine with me.”
Well, I’m not fine with it.
Donghee said nothing, just stared coldly at him and waited for his next words.
“I heard money’s flowing in the Grace territory these days. Maybe it’s a sign our business will do well. I was just thinking—”
“What kind of business is it?”
“Huh?”
It was the first time Chloe had ever interrupted him, and Ray’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I asked what business it is. I’ve been so forgetful lately.”
“Chloe, your memory’s really getting bad. How would you know what my business is?”
This was worse than she thought.
Donghee was the one feeling dumbfounded, but Ray was the one chuckling like she was the ridiculous one.
“You said you’d invest without even knowing what the business is?”
“Because you trust me. My success is your success, Chloe.”
Ray whispered sweetly.
This bastard.
You’re managing your estate like crap and promised to throw money at your fiancé?
To someone who clearly thinks I’m an easy mark?
She could already imagine how the servants must’ve pitied her behind her back.
Ray, completely unaware of the storm building in Donghee’s mind, kept speaking in a sugary voice.
“It’s not a lot. I was going to ask for 50 gold, but since Grace territory seems to be swimming in money, just invest 500 gold instead. I’m so lucky to have a fiancée like you, Chloe.”
Ray suddenly got up and sat next to her, speaking in that sweet voice. His perfume stabbed her nose.
As his long, beautiful fingers gently stroked Chloe’s cheek, Donghee felt goosebumps rise across her skin.
The scent from his perfume was so overpowering her nose felt numb.
“Can I take it today?”
His lips came closer to her cheek.
Ignoring Ray’s antics, Donghee stared across at Erma. Erma, who had looked annoyed a moment ago, suddenly gave a wide smile as their eyes met.
These bastards are dead.
Stupid Chloe. Pathetic Chloe. Pitiful Chloe.
No word could accurately capture just how much of a doormat Chloe had been.
But not anymore.
“There’s no rush, right? But if I could take it today, that’d be great.”
Ray whispered, his lips almost touching her cheek.
Donghee could no longer hold back. She grabbed his lips, which looked like fish roe, and squeezed them tight.
“Get lost.”
Ray’s eyes bulged in shock as his puckered lips were held mid-air.
His once-beautiful eyes now looked like cheap plum-flavored candy.
“Mm?”
He blinked in confusion, lips still clenched.
Donghee winced at the slimy, sticky feeling on her fingers and pulled her hand away.
Whatever he’d put on his lips made them slick and gross.
“I said, get lost.”
She stood up without sparing Ray another glance.
Looking at Erma, who was standing dumbfounded just like Ray, Donghee asked coldly.
“Who told you it was okay to come here?”
“Pardon?”
“You’re not just shameless—you’re stupid too. You two really suit each other. I’ll step aside, so have fun. Just don’t come begging for money like beggars next time.”
“Chloe! That was a little harsh!”
Ray jumped up, protesting.
Every time he moved, his cheap perfume made her want to gag.
Donghee frowned and jabbed his chest with her finger.
“I’m not investing in you. I’m not marrying a man who sees me as a pushover. So please, take your precious friend and get lost. Butler!”
“Yes, my lady!”
Handsome, who had been waiting outside, rushed in.
“Don’t ever let them in again.”
The butler looked around, trying to make sense of what just happened.
Everyone at Grace Castle knew about Chloe’s obsessive love for her fiancé.
But what was unfolding before him now made no sense.
“Chloe! This is a misunderstanding! Erma and I aren’t anything. I only have you. What am I supposed to do if you reject me now?”
“Ray!”
Erma cried out, shocked by his words.
Ray shoved her away and tried to run to Chloe.
Erma, losing her balance, fell to the floor.
With tears welling in her big eyes, she looked like a tragic heroine sprawled like a mermaid on the ground.
“Ray!”
“Shut up! Why did you even come and ruin everything like this!”
Ray shouted at her.
Not wanting to deal with either of them anymore, Donghee walked out of the parlor. But Ray followed and hugged her from behind.
She never thought a romantic back hug could feel so repulsive.
“I didn’t know you hated Erma this much. I’ll come alone next time, okay? Don’t go. Let’s go somewhere quiet…”
His whisper near her ear sent shivers down her spine.
Ray’s hand slid from her waist upward.
Is this bastard crazy?
Donghee shuddered and yanked his arms away.
Then she turned around, smiling coldly.
“Are you sure Erma means nothing to you?”
“Of course! I only have you!”
“Then this might be a problem.”
“What… what problem?”
“You mean nothing to me too.”
“Chloe!”
Ray’s eyes flared as he grabbed her wrist tightly.
He squeezed so hard Donghee couldn’t help but cry out.
“Agh!”
“My lady!”
The butler, shocked by the scream, ran over and tore Ray away.
Despite his appearance, Ray was surprisingly weak and was easily separated.
Compared to Handsome’s size, Ray looked small.
“Butler. Get them out of here. My eyes and nose are rotting.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The moment the order dropped, the butler quickly brought other servants to drag the two out.
“Chloe! I don’t even need 500 gold! Just give me 50! You promised to give it today!”
That shamelessness must’ve been nurtured by the old Chloe.
Donghee shook her head and shouted,
“Aena! Throw salt on them! Coarse salt!”
“Huh? But that salt is expensive…”
“Expensive? Salt? Then just kick them out.”
Startled by the price, Donghee changed her mind mid-shout.
Even salt was too good for those two.
