Chapter 48

“What on earth happened here?”

Hyejeong, who had arrived late, surveyed Pilsoon’s room, now in complete disarray. Amidst the fast-moving assistants, Pilsoon’s back was still heaving up and down in anger.

As she recalled Iseo’s face, who had spoken so calmly and precisely as if finally revealing hidden fangs, Pilsoon bit her lips again. The more she thought about it, the more furious she became, a chill crawling up the back of her neck.

“Don’t tell me this happened because of the new daughter-in-law?”

“New daughter-in-law?! Are you really able to say that so easily after seeing this mess?”

Like shattered glass strewn across the floor, Pilsoon’s heart was torn to pieces, and hot rage surged from deep within her chest.

If she put her mind to it, getting rid of Iseo by Taeseok’s side wouldn’t be hard. But Taeseok was no longer the naive child who once abandoned his birth mother. Acting rashly could backfire terribly.

Knowing this better than anyone, Pilsoon’s mind was close to exploding from the chaos of her thoughts.

She shook her head to dispel the unpleasant images, and a blue vein bulged on her temple.

“She’s definitely not normal. So insolent.”

“That’s probably why she managed to snag President Han. We should hurry Ji-tae’s marriage for your sake. I worry something might happen to you if you keep getting this worked up every day.”

Though she spoke as if concerned, Hyejeong’s words only grated on Pilsoon’s nerves.

Jian’s eyes immediately landed on Iseo’s face as she entered the office.

“What happened to your face?”

He looked puzzled as he noticed the bandage on her cheek.

“It’s nothing.”

“Doesn’t look like nothing.”

Jian narrowed his eyes, scanning Iseo’s face intently.

“You’ve always overreacted more than I did whenever I got hurt, even as a kid. Still the same?”

“Of course. You’re my friend.”

At the word friend, Jian’s face clouded slightly, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“I scratched myself while working. You know how clumsy I am. Don’t worry about it.”

Despite her reassurance, Jian’s frown deepened. He tried to dismiss the thought, but the faces of Pilsoon and Hyejeong on the wedding day flashed through his mind, and an uneasy feeling stirred inside him.

Pushing aside the discomfort, they moved to the conference room for a meeting with the rookie project group.

Right on time, the project group members entered the room.

“It’s our first time meeting face-to-face. I’m Lee Jian, team leader of the planning department.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Iseo, art director.”

The five team members introduced themselves, and the leader, Yeonjun, reached out to shake Iseo’s hand.

“Looking forward to working with you, Art Director.”

As an idol on the verge of debuting, his stunning looks and soft voice lingered in the air.

The meeting focused on the first album’s concept, and Yeonjun’s gaze never once left Iseo’s face while she spoke. Jian noticed it and casually remarked,

“Isn’t our director exceptionally beautiful?”

“Right? I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before… I just can’t recall where.”

Jian didn’t look pleased at all as he watched Yeonjun.

“Well, we’ll see you at the photo shoot the day after tomorrow.”

With that, the meeting ended. As Iseo turned to leave, Yeonjun’s lips curled into a smile as he watched her retreating figure.

A memory she wished she could erase forever.

When she awoke from a horrible nightmare that morning, Iseo was already gone.

As she stepped outside fully dressed, Aesook was hurrying nervously down the hallway.

“President.”

Noticing Aesook’s different expression, Taeseok asked in a low voice,

“Is something wrong?”

“I thought you should know. There was an incident between the chairman and the young madam this morning. The chairman threw a cup and ended up scratching the young madam’s face.”

In that moment, Aesook saw it—the same look Taeseok had once given Pilsoon and Hyejeong long ago.

But this time, the look wasn’t from a child. It was the chilling glare of a man filled with cold, deadly intent.

“Where is she now?”

“She said she had work and left early. She begged me not to tell you, sir.”

Aesook stepped in front of Taeseok as he began to move.

“President, the young madam is a wise woman. She’ll handle this well. Please, just this once, can you pretend you don’t know?”

Though he understood her reasoning, the thought of the obvious situation filled him with rage.

After work, Iseo sent a text to Taeseok and headed to Soonyoung’s apartment.

As soon as the doorbell rang, Soonyoung rushed out to greet her. The moment Iseo saw her mother’s face, emotion surged in her chest. She took a shallow breath, trying not to show it.

“What brings you here without notice?”

“I missed you, Mom.”

Silently, Soonyoung gently rubbed Iseo’s back.

“You told him you were coming, right?”

“Of course, I’m not that careless. I told him.”

“But your face—what happened? Are you hurt?”

“Just a little scratch.”

“You need to be more careful.”

Soonyoung’s eyes welled up as she gripped Iseo’s hand tightly.

Knowing her daughter had always kept her pain to herself, and understanding how difficult it must be to live as a chaebol family’s daughter-in-law, Soonyoung had been constantly worried since the wedding.

“You’re doing okay, right?”

“Of course. Han Taeseok takes such good care of me. He even sent a bunch of things—from food to a whole new wardrobe and fridge. The house is overflowing.”

“Taeseok did all that?”

“He sends supplies every three days. Even though he’s busy with work, he really goes out of his way.”

Touched by Taeseok’s thoughtfulness, Iseo’s nose stung with emotion.

“How’s the chairman’s health?”

“He’s fine. Everyone’s doing well.”

Soonyoung looked at her daughter’s slightly slimmer face, more so than at the wedding.

“Is Han Taeseok good to you?”

“If he’s like this to my mom, imagine how he treats me. He’s been amazing—don’t worry about me.”

“Your birthday’s the day after tomorrow. It would’ve been nice if we could’ve had dinner together, but I suppose it’ll be hard with the elders.”

“I came just to see your face, Mom. That’s enough for today. I’ll make time again soon, and we’ll go out and eat something delicious and talk a lot.”

As Iseo stood up, Soonyoung held her hand, and their unspoken emotions passed between them.

Soonyoung had raised Iseo on her own, and she was her one and only precious daughter—just looking at her made her heart ache.

At that moment, as Iseo said goodbye outside,

Inyoung stepped out of the elevator and spotted the two women.

Choi Iseo?

Recognizing her, Inyoung approached.

“Hello!”

“Oh? Inyoung, long time no see.”

“Do you know her?”

“Are you Iseo’s mother?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my, I didn’t know. No wonder you looked so familiar when we first met—you’re Iseo’s mother.”

“So you know my daughter?”

“Of course. Then I guess I should become better friends with you too.”

Inyoung’s eyebrows twitched as she smiled oddly.

“Mom, I’ll see you later.”

Iseo gave a brief wave and headed to the elevator, and Inyoung’s gaze lingered on her back.

As she left her mother and walked outside,

The evening sky had dimmed, and the wind that blew from somewhere made it feel a bit chilly for late summer.

She rubbed her arms as she walked,

When a long shadow fell before her eyes.

“Taeseok?”

Taeseok, dressed in a dark navy suit, got out of his car and opened the passenger door.

“What are you doing here?”

Without a word, Taeseok took her hand and helped her into the car. As he fastened her seatbelt, his gaze brushed her cheek, and for a brief moment, his brow furrowed deeply.

Realizing what he saw, Iseo spoke first.

“It’s just a scratch. My mom and everyone keeps asking, and I’m starting to feel embarrassed. It’s really nothing.”

“Does it hurt? What if it leaves a scar? Should we go to the hospital?”

“I told you—it’s really nothing. Just a work accident.”

Not wanting to reveal the truth, Iseo turned her gaze out the window.

“Looks like the rainy season is about to start. The wind feels like it.”

She soon noticed they weren’t heading toward Pilsoon’s house.

“Wait, where are we going?”

“Don’t you think you’re being a bit much?”

“What?”

“Don’t tell me you forgot your own birthday?”

“How did you know?”

“Do you really think a husband wouldn’t know his wife’s birthday?”

As Taeseok focused on the road, a sweet scent drifted toward her.

After driving for some time, the car stopped in front of a hotel in Yangpyeong.

“Why are we here?”

“Because I wanted to be with you.”

Taeseok looked at her with deep, intense eyes, and Iseo’s heart began to flutter.