CHAPTER 19 …………………………………
‘What’s with this woman? I didn’t mishear her, did I?’
At the rude remark, Seoyoung forced strength into her eyes, which were about to narrow.
Pretending not to have heard anything, she avoided the woman’s gaze and replied to the greetings around her with an even brighter smile.
As she tried to recall where she’d heard something like that before, an incident from a few days ago suddenly surfaced in Seoyoung’s mind.
‘Don’t tell me that woman is…?’
After greeting the people around them, Seoyoung and Hyukjin headed toward the minibar when one of her eyebrows rose slightly.
Lightly holding onto Hyukjin’s arm, she quietly asked,
“Whose daughter is that woman?”
Hyukjin looked at the woman Seoyoung gestured toward and frowned faintly.
“Her name is Oh Yeran. She’s Chairman Kang of Hwayoung Group’s most beloved granddaughter. She grew up spoiled ever since she was young, so she’s a bit ill-mannered. Don’t pay attention to her and just ignore it.”
Hyukjin also found Yeran’s words rude but pretended not to hear them on purpose.
There was no need to bother responding.
Seoyoung nodded but bit her lip hard.
She wore a smile on the outside, but now that she truly felt she had entered a new jungle, a bitter twinge brushed the corner of her mouth.
Receiving the champagne handed to her by the bartender, Seoyoung gestured again in Yeran’s direction.
“Is she my age?”
Minhee was Seoyoung’s cousin and the same age.
“Yes. Come to think of it, she seems to be quite close to Jung Minhee as well.”
Hyukjin, who had been looking toward the central hall, turned his gaze to Seoyoung. There was a hint of curiosity in his eyes, as if he had realized something.
“Did something happen between you and Oh Yeran?”
“No. I’m just a bit curious.”
Seoyoung casually sipped her champagne and nodded.
People gathered in the lounge drank, laughed, and chatted. Some got up on the stage to dance and enjoy themselves. Watching them, Seoyoung thought their lives were enviably carefree.
At that moment, Yeran approached, ordered a glass of wine from the bartender, and naturally greeted Hyukjin.
“It’s been a while, Hyukjin oppa.”
Yeran didn’t spare Seoyoung so much as a glance, let alone a greeting, and spoke while staring only at Hyukjin.
“Grandfather said I’d be having a matchmaking meeting with you, so I never imagined you’d announce your marriage to another woman so soon. What do you think about canceling it now and marrying me instead? Hwayoung Group can support you far better than Shinhwa Group can.”
Yeran spoke of breaking off the engagement casually, as if Seoyoung weren’t even standing there.
Just like Hyukjin said, it was as if she had thrown away even the concept of manners, and her outrageous behavior made Seoyoung let out a hollow laugh. But she stayed silent and simply watched the two.
“Do I look like someone who lacks ability to the point that I’d need someone else’s backing?”
Hyukjin let out a short, incredulous laugh and looked at Yeran.
“Seoyoung not only has a great figure, but she’s extremely smart. She’s far more valuable to me than you. And unlike you, she’s cute and lovable too.”
“What? This woman is cute?”
Yeran snorted as if she couldn’t believe her ears and glared at Seoyoung with dagger-like eyes.
“Why else would I be marrying her? Don’t talk nonsense anymore and learn some manners, Oh Yeran.”
As if he didn’t want to deal with her any longer, Hyukjin turned away and took Seoyoung’s hand.
“We’ll be at another table, so enjoy your time.”
Hyukjin gave only a slight nod and pulled Seoyoung along without waiting for Yeran’s reply.
Seoyoung also tipped her head slightly in acknowledgment before following Hyukjin.
They hadn’t even taken a few steps before Seoyoung suddenly stumbled and spilled the champagne in her hand.
The unfamiliar high heels she normally didn’t wear had been uncomfortable already, and Yeran had deliberately stuck out her foot, making her lose her balance.
As champagne splashed, Yeran swiftly dodged it and then tossed her freshly handed wine straight onto Seoyoung’s face.
Wine stained not only Seoyoung’s face but also her ivory dress, leaving conspicuous marks.
“Oh my, I’m so sorry. I tried to avoid the champagne, and without realizing it…”
Yeran pretended it was an accident, even though she had tripped her on purpose, and showed an exaggeratedly apologetic expression.
Seeing her apologize so publicly while people were watching, Seoyoung clenched her fists tightly.
Knowing full well it was intentional, she accepted the apology through gritted teeth.
“No, it’s partially my fault too.”
A sly smile flickered across Yeran’s face.
Not missing that expression, Seoyoung’s eyes darted to the wine glass held by the man standing next to Yeran.
Pretending to brush the wine off her face and dress, she lightly flicked his hand.
The wine sloshed and spilled all over Yeran’s clothes. The man beside her stepped back in surprise and spilled his drink as well.
“Ahh! What is this?!”
Yeran stood frozen, drenched in twice the amount of wine, her hands raised helplessly.
Wine trickled down her deeply cut neckline and left dark stains on her beige dress.
The area fell silent for a moment. Only the music continued, with a few people audibly holding their breath.
Yeran had clearly seen that Seoyoung did it on purpose right before her eyes, and her expression twisted like a demon’s.
“You—!”
Though fuming, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.
Everyone knew by now that her earlier “accident” hadn’t been an accident, and since Seoyoung had forgiven her, she had no grounds to throw a tantrum alone.
Seoyoung looked at her with the same exaggeratedly apologetic expression Yeran had worn moments earlier and said,
“Oh my, I’m so sorry, Yeran. This time it was my mistake.”
Seoyoung offered the handkerchief Hyukjin had given her earlier.
“Forget it!”
Yeran slapped Seoyoung’s hand away and took a handkerchief someone else offered, wiping the wine from her face.
“Our clothes are ruined, so we’ll be heading out.”
Hyukjin, suppressing a laugh that threatened to burst out, stepped forward. He held Seoyoung’s hand quite affectionately.
“Right. Let’s meet next time at the wedding hall.”
“Take care, Ms. Seoyoung. It was a pleasure meeting you today.”
Receiving the greetings of the surrounding people, Seoyoung quickly followed Hyukjin out of the lounge.
She pretended to be fine, but she felt extremely uncomfortable showing her face in such a messy state.
Still, getting back at Yeran the same way she was wronged made her feel a little better.
“Pfft!”
Hyukjin’s lips twitched.
“Just laugh.”
When Seoyoung snapped irritably, he couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst into loud laughter.
“Is it that funny seeing me like this?”
“No, haha— I just found it incredibly satisfying that you got her back so cleanly.”
It had been a long time since he had laughed like that.
Once it started, the laughter didn’t stop easily.
However, when Seoyoung glared at him, her expression clearly displeased, he finally managed to hold it back.
“Stop laughing and hurry. I feel gross and just want to go home quickly.”
“Sorry. My hotel is the closest—let’s go there.”
“No, just take me stra—”
As Seoyoung began to ask him to take her straight home, her ankle twisted, and she lost her balance.
The stilettos she wasn’t used to were the problem.
“Are you all right?”
Hyukjin quickly grabbed her arm and looked at her with concern.
“I’m fine. So let’s just— ugh!”
When she tried to step again, Seoyoung winced in pain and grimaced sharply.
“Oh dear. Looks like you sprained your ankle.”
Without hesitation, Hyukjin slipped his arm under her knees and lifted her up in a princess carry.
“Ah!”
Startled by the sudden movement, Seoyoung instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
“This is the quickest way. So don’t say anything. And we’re going to my hotel.”
“But—”
“What are you afraid of? We’re going to be married anyway.”
Seoyoung shut her mouth at that—at the words “we’re getting married.”
This was the same man who had said he wanted to test their bedroom compatibility before marriage.
Since they were going to be married soon anyway, it felt silly to act too prudish, so she eventually nodded.
As soon as they arrived at the suite, Seoyoung went straight into the bathroom and took off her dress, placing it outside.
She turned on the shower and adjusted the temperature before stepping in.
While massaging shampoo into her hair and washing her body, she recalled Yeran’s words and actions.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she felt.
‘The friend Minhee was on the phone with back then must’ve been Oh Yeran, right?’
Birds of a feather flock together, indeed—her behavior was as low-class as it gets.
It was obvious she liked Hyukjin, and she didn’t even bother to hide it, going so far as to act outrageous in front of everyone.
The fierce look in Yeran’s eyes—eyes that suggested she could do anything—kept lingering in Seoyoung’s mind, unsettling her.
