CHAPTER 14……………….
“Or should I say… sleeping with the enemy?”
Stopped at a red light, Seoyoung murmured quietly as she watched the pedestrians crossing the street.
Marrying a man she’d thought of as a rival—
it felt like a very fitting expression.
She might not be able to build the warm, happy household she’d dreamed of,
but the thought that she had entered into a marriage she’d once pushed far out of her life sent faint ripples through her heart.
It would be a dry, emotionless marriage—very unlike what she had imagined.
Jinkyung and Minhyeong were shocked by Seoyoung’s sudden marriage announcement, but their surprise didn’t last long.
The wedding procedures for her and Hyukjin moved forward with incredible speed.
Three days after the public announcement—
In the VIP room of a Korean fine-dining rooftop restaurant at the prestigious Kalos Hotel, the families of Hyukjin and Seoyoung sat facing each other.
The room had an open view overlooking the vast cityscape that would glitter with lights at night.
The elegant, tranquil interior matched the high-end Korean restaurant’s atmosphere perfectly.
Kalos Hotel was highly ranked not only for its Korean cuisine, but also for its Western and Chinese restaurants.
The sky lounge—famous for its atmospheric café—was fully booked year-round for anniversaries, events, and gatherings, despite the high prices.
With a view pleasing to the eyes and food pleasing to the palate, the place had excellent reviews.
“Good evening. It’s been a while, Chairman Park.”
“I didn’t expect we’d meet again like this, Chairman Cha.”
Chairman Cha Geunho and Chairwoman Park Bokja exchanged polite smiles, their eyes wrinkling warmly.
“Thank you for giving such a wonderful granddaughter to my grandchild.”
Chairman Cha turned toward Seoyoung, who sat neatly at the end of the table, smiling brightly.
“It’s I who should be grateful that you’re letting my granddaughter marry a young man you hold dear.”
Park Bokja smiled even wider at Hyukjin.
While they complimented each other’s grandchildren, both had already finished their own calculations.
How Hyukjin and Seoyoung ended up deciding to marry didn’t matter.
Their union would greatly influence both corporations’ strategies.
After the two chairpersons exchanged pleasantries, Seoyoung’s aunt Jinkyung and uncle Jingyu—who were attending in place of her late parents—also greeted Hyukjin’s parents.
“The restaurant is so refined and lovely. Knowing how much of our future daughter-in-law’s work contributes to Kalos Hotel staying at the top of the industry makes it even better. We’re so happy to have such a capable daughter-in-law.”
“I heard Seoyoung has several business plans in mind for the future as well. I’m really excited to see how far she’ll go.”
Seunghoon and Mihyun kept smiling proudly, clearly pleased with such a smart and beautiful future daughter-in-law.
Knowing that Seoyoung had only joined the Shinhwa Group family ten years ago, they made a point to beam especially brightly at Jinkyung—
Minhyeong’s mother and Kalos Hotel’s competitor.
A silent assertion that their family now stood behind Seoyoung, who would soon be their daughter-in-law.
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“She’s lacking in many things, but you speak so kindly of her. We’re the ones grateful to have a son-in-law like Cha Hyukjin.”
Unlike Jingyu’s brief thanks, Jinkyung’s words held a sharp edge.
Seoyoung’s face stiffened slightly.
She knew very well that her aunt’s words were not simply polite humility but her true feelings.
Seunghoon and Mihyun, who had heard about the recent Kalos Hotel shareholders’ meeting, were a little surprised at Jinkyung’s tone but hid it well, smiling even brighter.
“Lacking? Impossible. Hyukjin chose her himself—there’s no way.”
At their response, Jinkyung’s smiling lips tightened.
She realized that if she kept belittling Seoyoung, she’d only end up insulting Hyukjin’s judgment.
In the end, she swallowed her bitterness, lifted the corners of her mouth, and nodded.
“I’m glad you feel that way. Seoyoung is very fortunate.”
A moment of awkward silence settled over the room before a knock sounded.
Restaurant staff entered pushing service carts.
“You must all be hungry. Let’s enjoy the meal first.”
Chairman Cha, who had been listening to his son and daughter-in-law speak with the Park family, smoothly shifted the atmosphere.
Thanks to that, Chairman Park, who had begun to frown at Jinkyung’s attitude, relaxed and picked up her spoon.
“Our restaurant is quite famous on social media too, Grandfather. I hope it suits your taste. Mother, Father—please enjoy your meal as well.”
As the dishes arrived, Seoyoung smiled warmly and served food to her soon-to-be in-laws.
Unlike Jiwon, the stiff and reserved eldest daughter-in-law, Seoyoung’s bright and considerate manner delighted the Cha family.
They all showed affectionate smiles and began their meal.
Hyukjin raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise before giving Seoyoung a bright smile he had never shown before.
“You should eat a lot too, Seoyoung.”
“You as well, Hyukjin.”
She returned the smile and lifted her spoon.
The sight of the two caring for each other was wonderful—
to those who didn’t know it was a contract marriage, it looked completely genuine and sweet.
She had this side to her?
Jinkyung and Minhyeong, who had never seen Seoyoung act so polite and gentle, widened their eyes.
While the two felt displeased about the marriage, the rest of the families watched the couple with pleased expressions.
In the warm atmosphere, Jinkyung and Minhyeong forced down their irritation, pretending to eat while scanning the room.
The more they saw Seoyoung earning points with the in-laws, the more sour their mood became.
Forcing a smile, Jinkyung bit the inside of her cheek to control her anger.
That fox. How on earth did she win them over like that?
Jinkyung had never been fond of her younger sister’s daughter.
Unlike herself—ambitious and greedy from a young age—her youngest sister Jinhee had always been the beloved, bright one.
When Jinhee ran away from home to marry a poor artist whom Chairman Park disapproved of, Jinkyung hadn’t worried—
she had silently cheered.
If Jinhee cut ties and left, the share Jinkyung would receive only grew.
And the share she could pass on to her children would grow as well.
But when the news of Jinhee’s death suddenly arrived, and Seoyoung was brought into the family home, Jinkyung felt an unexpected sense of alarm.
She could see how often Chairman Park drank alone late at night afterward—
how deeply she missed her youngest daughter despite never showing it.
That stubborn old woman, who had refused to reach out even in regret, had finally cried only after her daughter died.
Jinkyung knew exactly how much she regretted it, even if she never said a word.
She had assumed that some time later, the old woman would send Seoyoung away again.
After all, Jinhee’s daughter had no role left in a company where every seat was already taken.
But bringing Seoyoung into the family changed things.
Even if she didn’t show it openly, Chairman Park clearly intended to leave Seoyoung a significant share—
a final gesture for her lost daughter.
The old woman had aged enough to grow sentimental.
Jinkyung had been slightly relieved that Chairman Park couldn’t openly favor Seoyoung without contradicting her usual strict attitude—
but then the girl had pulled this stunt.
I wanted to secure the hotel for Minhyeong as soon as possible…
Jinkyung’s eyes flashed sharply as she glanced sideways at Seoyoung.
