Episode 17 

There was a firmness in Taeseok’s arm around her waist that Lee Seo had never felt before.

“Why are you doing this? What if someone sees us?”

“I’m just putting my arm around the waist of the woman I’m about to marry. Is that such a crime?”

Lee Seo hurriedly brushed off Taeseok’s arm. He had only touched her waist, just as he said, but her whole body felt like it was on fire.

“I’m the type who likes physical affection—of course, only with my woman.”

How could he say things like that with such a straight face?

Lee Seo’s brows furrowed slightly as she looked at Taeseok.

Was Han Taeseok really the Casanova, the legendary womanizer she’d only heard about in rumors?

If she’d known it would be like this, maybe she should’ve dated someone—anyone—at some point.

Feeling like she was the only one losing out by being inexperienced, Lee Seo muttered sharply with a crooked smile.

“If you keep doing this, I’m adding another ‘no-touch’ clause to our agreement.”

“Didn’t you know? That contract ended a long time ago.”

While the two stepped outside, the clothes Taeseok had ordered were being loaded into the car.

“Sir, I’ll see you again. Have a lovely time, both of you.”

With the manager’s farewell, the car began to move.

The heat from earlier hadn’t quite faded, and now the thought of meeting Taeseok’s family from the powerful Kanghwa Group made her stomach tighten with tension.

At a red light—

Taeseok turned his gaze to Lee Seo, who was sitting stiffly, lips tightly pursed. Unlike his usual self, his expression grew soft as he looked at her.

He couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

“Han Taeseok, you’re laughing? Must be nice for you.”

“No need to get that worked up. You seem overly nervous.”

“It’s not like that. I’m just…”

“You say that, but your face says otherwise. If you’re that nervous, just think of it as business. Isn’t this what you specialized in?”

She had never had a proper relationship before, and now she not only had a husband overnight, but had to meet his family.

It would have been weirder not to be nervous in such an overwhelming situation.

“I did work at an agency, but I’ve never had to meet in-laws as a fake wife before.”

Though this marriage was a sham, they had to keep up the act for two years. Just thinking about deceiving people made her feel suffocated.

“Try to relax. I’m right here with you.”

“What’s with that tone? Did you forget we’re not married yet? So stop acting like my husband.”

“Seems like you forgot—once you signed the contract, we’re already married.”

“Han Taeseok, none of this feels weird to you? At all?”

“What’s so weird? It’s just a contract added to the marriage.”

The car stopped in front of a house in Pyeongchang-dong.

“As expected…”

Even from the outside, Pilsoon’s house wasn’t just luxurious—it was excessive in scale.

Tall walls, a fortress-like structure, and CCTV cameras monitoring every angle made it clear that not just anyone was welcome here.

She hadn’t even gone inside yet, nor met his family, but Lee Seo already felt pressure rising in her chest. She let out a shaky breath.

If she could, she would have run far away. But it was too late—she’d crossed a line she couldn’t return from.

At the sound of the intercom, two housekeepers came out and carried in gift boxes and fruit baskets that Taeseok had prepared.

“Please, come in.”

Following them, they walked down a path lined with beautifully manicured trees.

A strange scent blew in with the wind and brushed past Lee Seo’s nose.

A few steps in, Taeseok offered his arm.

“What are you doing?”

“There are surveillance cameras all over the garden. We’re about to be married—linking arms would look natural, wouldn’t it?”

Hesitating for a moment, Lee Seo took his arm.

The moment she grabbed it, her wildly pounding heart and light-headedness somehow eased a little.

Soon after—

As they entered, Pilsoon sitting on the sofa came into full view.

Even younger than in the photos and documents Taeseok had shown her—by at least ten years—her youthful appearance caught Lee Seo’s eyes.

Standing beside Taeseok, she bowed politely.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Lee Seo.”

“Hmm.”

Pilsoon said nothing, just stared, her brows furrowed. Her discomfort was written all over her face.

“If you’re here, sit.”

Her voice was cold, emotionless.

The gifts were set down in the living room.

“No need for such gifts.”

“He prepared them.”

Taeseok had asked his assistant to get gifts and fruits for both Pilsoon and Hyejeong.

Not because he truly cared, but because it was part of their contractual plan to make Lee Seo presentable as the future daughter-in-law of Kanghwa Group.

Strange space, awkward tension.

Only the low voices of Pilsoon and Taeseok echoed through the overly spacious room.

She expected hostility, but this cold, sharp atmosphere was even worse.

In the midst of the silence, Hyejeong came down from the study.

“I’m Choi Lee Seo. Nice to meet you.”

Lee Seo stood and greeted her, and Hyejeong’s eyes scanned her up and down.

“Sit down. No need to stand uncomfortably.”

Even as she spoke, Hyejeong’s eyes remained fixed on Lee Seo.

“I’ve been waiting. Our Taeseok never even looked at women before, and now he’s suddenly getting married—it shocked us all. It’s nice to meet you.”

Her demeanor was the complete opposite of Pilsoon’s.

With a raised brow and a sweet smile, Hyejeong gave off a dual nature—both warm and icy.

She was the type who’d do anything for her son, Ji Tae.

Having married the chairman at a young age, she now feared nothing.

“Now I see why Han Taeseok’s acting like this. You’re stunning. Isn’t that right, Mother?”

Though her words were praise, everything about Lee Seo irritated Hyejeong—the pure face, slim figure, and glossy hair.

“You’re very beautiful too, ma’am.”

“Thank you. You look so young—twenty-three? Twenty-four?”

“Twenty-seven.”

“Oh my. I thought you’d just graduated college.”

As they exchanged small talk, tea and snacks were brought out. Meanwhile, Lee Seo felt like she was drenched in cold sweat from enduring their stares.

She felt exposed, like being judged completely naked.

She just wanted to vanish from this place, somehow.

Watching her, Taeseok took off his coat and laid it across her knees.

“I’m fine.”

“I thought your outfit might be uncomfortable.”

It wasn’t just the coat. Taeseok’s warm hand gently rested on hers.

“You look good in anything. Why’d you wear something uncomfortable?”

He tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear.

If this warmth was real and not just part of the contract…

Lee Seo’s cheeks turned red.

The heat from his hand passed through her like fire.

If he hadn’t been Kanghwa’s CEO, he could’ve been a successful actor with that natural charm.

Even she wasn’t the only one startled.

Pilsoon and Hyejeong’s expressions stiffened as they watched the display.

“Mother, are we seeing the same person? Our Taeseok isn’t even married yet, and he’s already so full of love. Who knew he was such a sweetheart?”

At Hyejeong’s comment, Pilsoon finally spoke.

“They say it’s been over a year since they met.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Lee Seo tried not to lower her head, but her gaze dropped on its own.

“This is all so sudden. A wedding announcement out of nowhere—and we know nothing about the young lady.”

“Please speak freely.”

“Good. Then I’ll ask. As you might know, our family is… not ordinary. What does your father do?”

Her face hardened, eyes sharp.

Her gaze pierced into Lee Seo like needles.

“My father…”

“They divorced when she was young.”

“What? D-divorced?”

“Is divorce that shocking? Even our family has—”

Seeing Taeseok trail off, Pilsoon clenched her lips.

“Are you her spokesperson now? I was asking her.”

“She’s not just ‘the young lady.’ As I said earlier, her name is Choi Lee Seo. Since the wedding isn’t yet official, perhaps ‘Miss Lee Seo’ would be more appropriate.”

‘So this is how you want to play it…’