Chapter : 22
Finally, the botanical garden’s commemorative ceremony was held.
The remodeling of the East Wing of Jinju Botanical Garden, after all the finishing touches, was a tremendous success.
The vast botanical garden, the adjoining outdoor garden, and even the café for visitors—nothing was lacking.
“Starting the first day of August with a ceremony… it somehow makes me even more excited.”
Naturally, Ju-hye’s heart had been racing since early morning.
On the first day of the ceremony, only those who received invitations were allowed, while general visitors could attend starting the next day.
So the number of visitors was moderate, but most of them were associated with Jinju’s affiliates, making it a place where she could not afford to let her guard down.
“Phew…”
Ju-hye, dressed neatly in a formal suit, personally greeted the guests and exchanged pleasantries.
Even during the ceremony, important guests kept arriving, seeking her out.
It would have been convenient if her family or relatives helped, but they were only planning to attend the commemorative party in the evening, so she couldn’t rely on them.
“Director, the central route has been organized. The remaining guests will be guided to the West Wing.”
“Okay, please continue.”
Thanks to the solid support of her staff, the ceremony proceeded smoothly.
Under the large banner, she cut the ribbon and also conducted interviews with journalists gathered separately.
Wreaths sent by some guests were placed in visible spots so that no one would feel slighted.
Ju-hye’s diligent efforts shone through, and thanks to her, the ceremony concluded safely.
“Senior, good work.”
As the sun began to set outside, Jun-hwi, dressed in a black suit, approached her and spoke.
Ju-hye, just out of the changing room, smiled softly and welcomed him.
She looked stunning in a pale pink dress, having changed from her pure white suit.
“You worked hard, Jun-hwi. You don’t need to work at the party, so just relax.”
“You’ve done all the hard work, senior. When will your husband arrive?”
“Hmm… he should be arriving soon. I’d better go down.”
Checking the time, she moved toward the West Wing of the botanical garden, where a crowd had gathered in the prepared space.
As people spotted her, they approached in turn to greet her.
“Ju-hye!”
The first to see her was her eldest brother, Jin Su-ha.
“Brother, when did you get here?”
“I just arrived. By the way, the ceremony was amazing.”
“You just got here… how did you…?”
“I received the recorded file. It was really impressive.”
Su-ha smiled warmly and complimented her, and several others nearby chimed in.
Blushing from the flood of praise, Ju-hye felt her cheeks turn as red as apples.
“I also enjoyed your speech. It was very persuasive and impressive.”
“No matter how well I did, I can’t compare to you, brother.”
“From what I see, you’re catching up fast. Father would have been very pleased if he saw this.”
Chairman Jin had regained consciousness but was still unable to move around easily.
A fleeting sadness crossed Ju-hye’s eyes at the thought that her father could not attend.
Still, since her brothers had witnessed everything firsthand, the ceremony’s main purpose had been fulfilled.
“I hope this ceremony has made my brothers think positively…”
Even if she were to divorce Dae-hyun, she did not want to step down as director of Jinju Botanical Garden.
However, recalling what Su-gyeong had said before, she felt a twinge of anxiety—due to social repercussions, she might be forced to relinquish her position.
That was why she needed to prove her capability to her brothers at this very event.
“I heard that CEO Seo arrived early.”
“What? Not just for the party?”
“Yes, probably upstairs.”
Su-ha quickly provided the information as Ju-hye glanced around.
“Thanks, brother. I’ll greet him later.”
Ju-hye smiled brightly, holding his hand briefly before turning around.
She had expected him to arrive late, so the news that Dae-hyun had come early left her flustered.
Had he even heard her speech at the ceremony?
“If he did… what would he have thought?”
She wanted to hear his honest opinion.
After all, he was a famous businessman who had offered advice even when she first started managing the botanical garden.
Although this was his first visit in person.
Hurrying upstairs, she noticed fewer people than before.
In the hall-like space, drinks were stacked in a pyramid, and outside, the terrace resembled Santorini.
“Where is he?”
No matter how much she looked around, she couldn’t see Dae-hyun.
Ju-hye held a glass and headed to the terrace, thinking he might be there.
“Ah…”
But the moment she reached the terrace, she blinked in awe at the view.
The garden beyond the white-decorated terrace railing was incredibly beautiful.
“Right… that day, we talked on the terrace too. Come to think of it…”
She suddenly recalled the day she had reunited with Dae-hyun at a Jinju Construction commemorative event long ago.
Back then, they had sipped drinks on a terrace overlooking the sea and discussed marriage.
“Are you a woman who can benefit me?”
This terrace had no sea, but instead, trees and shrubs densely covered the garden.
Thanks to them, the outside view sometimes looked like a wave of deep green.
The leaves swaying like waves repeatedly pulled her back to the past.
She regretted not accepting his proposition back then…
“Yes, I can be beneficial to you.”
Now, Ju-hye had nothing to offer him as a benefit.
She had neither given him a child nor helped advance Jinju Construction.
Dae-hyun could have become the CEO of Jinju Construction through marriage, but all the subsequent achievements were his alone.
Since all accomplishments were built entirely by his own efforts, Ju-hye could not claim any stake.
“If only I had a stake… then maybe I could have spoken more confidently.”
Why had he met his mistress behind her back? Since when had it been secret?
Could it have been even before their marriage? Suspicion bubbled up instinctively.
If she had no pride left at all, she might have boldly mentioned the mistress and demanded a divorce.
“Ju-hye.”
At that moment, a familiar voice startled her, and she turned around.
There stood Kang-il in a brown suit.
“So you’re here. I thought you’d be downstairs.”
He held a glass in his right hand and pushed up his glasses with his left, smiling.
“Please, come in, Kang-il. And your sister?”
Ju-hye eased her racing heart and smiled casually.
Kang-il slowly approached her side, looking out over the terrace.
“She’ll be a little late. I arrived early because she insisted I come first to congratulate you… just me for now.”
“Thank you. Then, Yoon-hee…”
“She’s being looked after for now. By the way, congratulations on the botanical garden ceremony. It’s really impressive.”
Hearing continuous compliments, she felt slightly uplifted.
Of course, as the youngest daughter of Jinju Construction, some of the praise might have been mere courtesy, but today, she wanted to take it at face value.
She wanted to prove that she could run a company properly.
“The praise from the CEO of Roun Hotel is too generous.”
“Not at all. Considering the garden’s scale, our hotel should be embarrassed in comparison.”
Kang-il approached casually, smiling.
Though his expression was relaxed, she sensed words unspoken behind his moving lips.
“It’s a bit hot. Shall we talk on the terrace?”
Ju-hye read the hint and moved accordingly.
They walked to a quieter part of the terrace, and he quickly followed.
Opening the small glass door, the fluttering curtain shielded them lightly from view.
“Do you have something to say?”
At her tentative question, Kang-il’s eyes changed.
He wiped the smile from his lips and whispered seriously,
“I heard you intend to divorce.”
“Pardon?”
“Is that still your decision?”
A cold, straightforward question.
For a moment, she wondered if Ju-young had told him, but judging by his attitude, it seemed he had heard directly from Dae-hyun.
Ju-hye remained silent in acknowledgment, and Kang-il spoke with urgency.
“Was Seo Dae-hyun really that bad during your marriage?”
“That’s…”
Kang-il sighed deeply and pressed his fingers to his temple.
His expression and tone exuded certainty, as if the answer was obvious.
“I can roughly guess. That guy probably obsessed over you and annoyed you. In that process, you could easily have grown tired of him.”
Ju-hye intended to listen quietly, but what he said felt completely strange.
It was the exact opposite of what she knew to be true.
