Episode 17………………………………
– English Translation
“Everyone, don’t worry. The partnership signing ceremony will proceed as planned. As the vice president, I can take Acting Director Hyun’s place.”
“Then… shall we begin right now?”
A reporter raised his hand and asked.
The other reporters also looked at Min-hyung expectantly.
They would’ve preferred taking photos of Hyun Seoyoung and Cha Hyukjin over Jung Min-hyung, but since the situation was already ruined, they only wanted to finish the event quickly and leave.
Seeing the reporters’ eager reaction, Min-hyung smugly threw a glance at Hyukjin.
“Still insisting we wait?”
It was too obvious. But Hyukjin kept his lips tightly shut and didn’t answer.
Then Min-woo, standing beside him as his secretary, nudged Hyukjin in the ribs and whispered quietly.
“Does it matter who signs the agreement? Everyone knows this deal is happening thanks to your marriage with Director Hyun. Don’t make this bigger than it is—just let Vice President Jung Min-hyung lead it, Executive Director Cha.”
Hyukjin’s brow narrowed.
He disliked the smirk Min-hyung wore while watching Oh Jin-ho fidget like a puppy that needed to poop—but Min-woo wasn’t wrong.
Everyone knew the business agreement was made possible because of Hyukjin and Seoyoung’s upcoming marriage.
Which meant the best course now was to follow the plan.
But whenever he thought of Seoyoung, who had devoted herself wholeheartedly to preparing this partnership, he couldn’t bring himself to say yes so easily.
She was right on the brink of achieving her goal of becoming the president of the Karlos Hotel.
Yet he was supposed to sit back and let someone else—Min-hyung of all people—appear in the official photos for her achievement?
“Did she really get into an accident or something?”
It was strange that someone so thorough and responsible hadn’t contacted him at all.
“Excuse me, are we really going through with the signing ceremony like this?”
Someone’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
There’s no helping it, Hyukjin thought as he lifted his head.
They couldn’t start the partnership with the image of everything falling apart.
“We’ll begin now. Let’s proceed, Chief Lee.”
Hyukjin stiffened his expression and signaled to Min-woo.
Employees from Hanho Construction and Karlos Hotel rushed to finish the final preparations.
With the announcer’s introduction, Hyukjin and Min-hyung stepped forward.
Hyukjin’s expression was unreadable except for a faint lift of his lips.
Min-hyung’s face, however, bloomed like a flower in full spring.
Though Min-woo mouthed repeatedly for Hyukjin to relax his face, Hyukjin ignored him.
Why the hell would I smile brightly while shaking hands with this bastard?
He found Min-hyung’s sudden appearance extremely suspicious.
Add to that the fact that Seoyoung still hadn’t contacted anyone or shown up—anyone could see the situation was strange.
But this was business.
He couldn’t ruin everything just because of a personal feeling.
The two sat at the table, and staff placed the contract documents before them.
The moment their hands reached for the pens—
“Wait, please!”
Everyone in the ballroom turned their heads, and Min-hyung’s face hardened visibly.
Breathless, Seoyoung hurried inside.
After calming her breathing, she walked steadily between the reporters watching her.
She exchanged a brief look with Hyukjin, then stood in front of Min-hyung and gave him a bright smile.
“From here on, I’ll take over, Vice President.”
Karlos Hotel – Director’s Office
While the secretary arranged the tea, Hyukjin examined Seoyoung closely for injuries.
“Did something happen on the way here?”
“Yes. A minor fender-bender.”
“Then why didn’t you answer your phone?”
Hyukjin frowned, scanning her again. She didn’t seem badly hurt.
Seoyoung let her eyes droop apologetically.
“I’m sorry. You must’ve been worried. The other driver dropped my phone, and it broke. The insurance agent said they’d handle everything, but the driver kept accusing me of trying to run away, so it took longer than expected. And I only had Director Oh’s number saved, so yours didn’t even come to mind right away…”
She sighed deeply as she recalled the chaotic moment.
“Here’s my card and the insurance info. Can I go ahead? I really have something urgent to get to.”
“You think I’m not busy? And how am I supposed to trust you? You say your phone broke—how do I know the insurance agent is actually coming?”
“I’m really sorry. I really do have an urgent appointment. You saw me talking to my office just now…”
“No. You’re not going anywhere until the insurance rep arrives. That’s final!”
The driver was sweating nervously yet crossed his arms, refusing to budge.
There was nothing she could do.
Realizing she wouldn’t make it in time, Seoyoung borrowed another phone to call ahead—but…
What was Secretary Oh’s number again?
Hyukjin’s number…?
The ceremony time was approaching, and because she always used speed-dial, none of the numbers came to mind.
It was hell.
Only after twenty minutes did the insurance agent finally arrive—considered fast, apparently.
Afterward, she rushed out.
In the taxi, she prayed Hyukjin would somehow buy her time.
When she arrived at the hotel, she didn’t even wait for the elevator and ran up to the 3rd floor in heels.
The moment she burst into the room—just before they signed—it felt like a dream.
Sweating lightly and out of breath, she’d never been so grateful to be just barely on time.
Thinking about it even now made her palms sweat.
And all of it was thanks to Hyukjin, who had ignored Min-hyung’s pressure and held things back.
“Whatever the reason, we signed together, so it’s fine. Are you sure you aren’t hurt? It was still a car accident—let’s at least get an X-ray.”
Hyukjin rose as if ready to drag her to the hospital immediately.
“No, it really was just a light bump. The traffic light was changing, so we were barely moving.”
Since she refused to stand, Hyukjin let out a low sigh and sat back down.
“But isn’t something a bit strange?”
“What is?”
“Vice President Jung Min-hyung. He showed up at the perfect moment, almost as if he knew you’d be late.”
“That… is suspicious.”
Now that she thought about it without panicking, the two events—her being trapped by the driver and Min-hyung timing his appearance—did feel connected.
“Anyway, thank you, Hyukjin. If the saying ‘the bear does the work while the fox takes the profit’ were ever true, today would’ve been it.”
“Well… we’ll see if he’s even worthy of being called a fox.”
Hyukjin narrowed his eyes as if even that was giving Min-hyung too much credit.
Then he leaned forward, voice serious.
“One thing’s certain: until your appointment as president is finalized, you absolutely cannot let your guard down around him.”
“You’re right. Thinking that today’s accident might have been orchestrated by him… it really gives me chills. I’ll be careful.”
Seoyoung shivered slightly, goosebumps rising on her skin—then quickly smiled again, as if embarrassed.
Her innocent smile, so different from the stiff, formal reports he’d read about her, made Hyukjin chuckle softly.
Just then, there was a knock.
Min-woo entered, frowning almost imperceptibly at the warm atmosphere between them.
Seoyoung immediately sensed it.
Something cold flickered in Min-woo’s gaze.
Did seeing Hyukjin look at her so gently… make him jealous?
Her thoughts scrambled, especially after remembering the kiss they’d shared recently.
But without certainty about what existed between the two men, Seoyoung forced her smile away.
