CB 22

Chapter 22 –

Seungjo’s biological mother never taught him love. She never showed what love looked like either. She was a woman who had lived contentedly with the power and money of Taehwa Group. Chairman Tae, his father, had been infatuated with the pleasure of holding such a woman day and night.

In a way, it wasn’t much different from a marriage of convenience—a mutually beneficial arrangement.

That way of thinking was something Seungjo’s mother constantly preached to him.

“Love? It’s a fancy word chased by people who have too much time and no desires.”
“Does your heart have to race for it to be love? What I share with Chairman Tae is a form of love too.”

Not only his parents, but everyone around Seungjo was like that. Love was no more than a dry word scribbled on paper.

If there was one anomaly in Seungjo’s life, it was his aunt Yeyoung’s decision.

“Don’t you regret stepping down as CEO of Taehwa Group’s department store? If you want, I could give it to you as a wedding gift, Auntie.”

That’s what Seungjo had asked, once and only once—on Yeyoung’s wedding day. Back then, he asked if she regretted giving up her position. Now, he found himself wondering if she regretted choosing her husband.

For some reason, a dull ache throbbed in Seungjo’s chest. A kind of pain he didn’t want to acknowledge.

“You were secretly envious of us.”
“…”
“You were curious about a life with Eunwoo—something you’ve never seen and can’t even imagine.”

At that moment, Seungjo thought of Haejoo. Wearing an apron and bustling around the kitchen in his residence. The image of himself watching her silently, arms crossed, with a faint smile on his lips. The moments he walked up to her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.

Nothing special—just ordinary acts. Natural and unprompted, strangely tender for someone like him. Burning with desire.

What the hell is this suffocating feeling?

Unable to hold it back, Seungjo muttered a curse under his breath—something he rarely did.

Two nights later,

“The gallery’s theme this time is Blue Moon. I think a soft ash-gray dress would suit the occasion better than something too white, Madam.”

Haejoo laid out one of the outfits the personal shopper had matched with a pair of shoes for Na-ae.

Apparently satisfied with Haejoo’s taste, Na-ae let out a small hum and unfastened the buttons of her silk slip-nightgown.

Haejoo helped her change. Though old, Na-ae’s body was lean and unexpectedly firm for her age.

“People are absolutely desperate to see our Seungjo’s face!”
“It’s like that wherever you go, Madam.”
“Still, I’m pleased today. Families with real value will be attending.”
“Then you’ll have to look even more dignified.”
“Exactly! I need to appear healthy and strong. That’s how I become a source of strength for Seungjo. With Jae-woong and Sangyoon’s families sticking together like glue, I need to be the pillar holding up our Taehwa heir.”

“Please don’t worry too much. No one takes the executive director lightly.”

Smiling softly, Haejoo picked a brooch from the lacquer jewelry case. It was a ruby peony brooch—one of Na-ae’s favorites. It looked simple at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it was made with the finest ruby, radiating an elegant vintage charm.

“Tsk, you always understand me so well, Haejoo.”

Na-ae once again clicked her tongue in admiration at Haejoo’s impeccable sense. A subtle yet powerful presence was always more terrifying than a blatantly fierce one.

Calmly, Haejoo pinned the brooch near Na-ae’s chest. A satisfied smile appeared on the older woman’s seasoned lips.

“Madam, we should leave soon.”

Sooni knocked politely, ready for their departure. Na-ae checked herself in the mirror one last time and exited the room with Haejoo.

Sooni sat in the front passenger seat while Haejoo took her usual place beside Na-ae, who disliked long car rides due to discomfort.

About twenty minutes into the drive, Na-ae instinctively reached out her hand, and Haejoo took it gently and began massaging it.

“Stop that! Don’t you dare touch me again. What if Seungjo sees us and goes mad again?”

Na-ae abruptly pulled her hand away, pouting slightly as if she regretted missing Haejoo’s firm and skillful touch.

“I don’t mind, Madam. Besides, the executive director isn’t here.”
“Still! I’ll be scolded by Seungjo. As he says, I’ve overworked you for more than ten years now.”

Haejoo’s eyes flickered faintly. She glanced down at her perpetually thin hands. And just like that, Seungjo came flooding back into her thoughts.

A man who never gave her a piece of his heart. Cold and never needlessly kind—but still managed to shake her emotions in unexpected ways.

“Still, if it really bothers you, please don’t hesitate to call me, Madam.”
“Ah, you’re nothing like your vile uncle… You’re too soft, Haejoo.”

Na-ae shook her head. It was out of pure selfishness that she had kept Haejoo at her side for so long. Sometimes, she even wondered what it would’ve been like if Haejoo were her real granddaughter. But no matter how sharp and capable she was, a child from a poor, troubled background would always remain just that in society’s eyes.

Only the best people could stand beside her grandson, Seungjo.

She brushed off her stray thoughts and handed Haejoo a gallery booklet.

“Serin’s mother, Mrs. Park, studied art in France since she was ten. She’s not a painter, but her knowledge is vast.”
“You also enjoy art, Madam. I’m sure you two will get along.”
“She wouldn’t be a bad mother-in-law for Seungjo.”

Haejoo nodded slightly as she looked down at the booklet. A perfect match—even down to in-laws.

Just then, the car arrived in front of a five-story gallery building. As Haejoo helped Na-ae out of the car, Chairman Kang and his wife, Mrs. Park, rushed out to greet them.

“Oh my, thank you for coming all this way, Madam!”

Haejoo bowed politely as well. The four of them entered the gallery, where they soon spotted Serin and Seungjo standing together.

“Seungjo arrived early too.”

Haejoo’s hand gripped the booklet tightly. Serin was clinging to Seungjo’s arm, beaming as they greeted other elite guests.

“Don’t they look perfect together?”

Na-ae’s pleased voice rang in Haejoo’s ears like a dull pain. That’s when Seungjo’s gaze met hers.

“…!”

As if he had sensed her presence all along—his eyes pierced straight through Haejoo’s pounding chest.

It was the same cold, distant gaze he had at work. Empty, yet for some reason, she thought she glimpsed a flicker of desire. She told herself it must’ve been her imagination.

Flustered, Haejoo quickly averted her gaze. From a distance, she thought she heard the faint sound of Seungjo scoffing.

“How’s this dress? The designer and I spent days deciding, based on your suggestions.”

Serin asked as she lightly held the hem of her dress. Ever since they met at the café, she had been calling Haejoo often around the time she knew Haejoo got off work—asking all about Seungjo’s preferences.

His favorite colors, styles, and whether he had any women around him—Serin was relentless.

Though Haejoo found her exhausting, Serin might become Seungjo’s wife. So, she had been honest about his tastes.