Chapter 23

“Huh?”

“I mean, you helped me with the dress and all, and today my relatives and friends are here too. You do know only people with gallery invitations can attend, right? That means they’re all VIP or higher.”

“Ah…”

Haejoo was momentarily caught off guard and couldn’t respond right away.

“From your hesitation, it seems you’re not seeing anyone, right?”

“Sorry, but I don’t feel the need for a man right now.”

“Pfft, Haejoo, opportunities like this don’t come often. Most of the men here own at least one solid business.”

“Really, I’m fine. I appreciate the thought, though.”

What’s with the attitude? She’s just a pretty face acting all high and mighty!

Serin bit her lower lip in frustration. Even though Haejoo had been helpful, she was still irritating. Serin thought she wouldn’t feel at ease unless Haejoo had a boyfriend. She forced a fake smile.

“Come on, wouldn’t meeting a well-off guy here be a lucky break for you…”

“I can’t leave the elder alone for too long. Excuse me.”

Cutting Serin off, Haejoo returned to Na-ae’s side.

That girl really knows how to look down on people in the most subtle way!

Serin clenched her fist in irritation—just then, someone slapped her shoulder in a familiar, cheerful way.

“Hey, who was that just now? Damn, she’s gorgeous.”

It was her cousin Daekyung, a womanizer notorious for his scandals—just as bad as Taesangyun, the president of Taehwa Group.

“Executive Tae, we want in on that new business project you’re working on.”

“It’s not even officially started yet.”

“Come on, have you ever recklessly jumped into a doomed project? No! And even when President Tae messed up, you smoothed it out and turned it into a highway to success! That’s you, Executive Tae Seungjo!”

They were in the VVIP lounge inside the Seongjin Gallery. From young entrepreneurs in their 20s to seasoned chairmen, all eyes were on Seungjo.

He sat with one leg crossed, holding a wine glass, idly scanning the paintings worth billions that hung before him.

“I heard Chairman Tae Jae-woong isn’t supporting his incredibly capable nephew but doing everything he can to block your path?”

“Exactly! Wasn’t it Chairman Tae Jae-woong who snatched up the seat as Taehwa Group’s chairman right after your parents passed away in that accident—before the funeral was even over?”

“Taehwa Group may dominate Korea’s economy, but human decency still matters! That’s why you need allies like Chairman Kang of Seongjin Group, and people like us!”

“Hey now, Chairman Lee. Aren’t you being too greedy? You tried to piggyback on President Tae Sangyun’s project and nearly lost everything. Finally learned your lesson?”

“I have no interest in climbing any corporate ladders,” Seungjo said evenly, instantly silencing the room. He was there solely out of obligation, holding a senior position at Taehwa Group.

“Do I look like I got here thanks to your help?”

Chairman Kang Jichan cautiously interjected, sensing the mood.

“Ahem… Of course, we all know how selective you are when choosing partners. But you know, no business can move forward on one man’s strength alone.”

“Well. I’ve seen more partnerships collapse from too many people trying to climb aboard than succeed.”

“W-what are you saying!”

The greedy chairmen turned their eyes toward him. It was common knowledge among the business elite that simply getting involved in one of Seungjo’s ventures could yield billions.

They weren’t trying to support him—they were trying to profit off their connection to him.

“Still, isn’t it better with support—”

“But Chairman Kang,” Seungjo said, setting down his wine glass, his gaze turning icy. Jichan froze under that look.

“Is all this group consensus among you chairmen really about supporting me, the executive of Taehwa Group? Or is it about cozying up to your future son-in-law?”

“Well, that…”

“You seem to be making assumptions. There hasn’t been a single official announcement about any engagement.”

Jichan’s neck turned red as if scolded by someone far younger. His anger flared, likely because Seungjo’s words had struck a nerve.

“How could you say that! You know Seongjin Group is your best marriage option outside of Taehwa! We’re going to be in-laws eventually, and you embarrass me like this?”

“Have I ever agreed to marry your daughter?”

Seungjo asked without a trace of emotion. Jichan, stunned, blinked hard—and Serin, who was also there, trembled.

“Whatever you may have heard, there will be no preferential decisions in any of my projects based on personal ties. You’re welcome to ‘piggyback’ off me instead of Tae Sangyun, but only based on merit—your companies’ official investment proposals.”

Seungjo stared directly at one of the expensive paintings. His words made it clear: he would not be swayed by bribes or relationships. It was part of what made him so alluring, and Serin’s heart pounded.

As he glanced around and casually left his seat, Serin rushed to follow him.

“Executive Tae, I’m sorry. My father’s been in a good mood lately and drinking more. You know how people say all sorts of things over drinks.”

With a charming smile, Serin clung to Seungjo’s arm, just like she had at the gallery.

“I’m starting to get annoyed.”

“…Sorry?”

Seungjo looked down coldly at her hand on his arm. He found it ridiculous how she was pressing her large chest against him.

“Are you hoping to turn me on in a place like this? Or are you just like this around all men?”

“I… I just…”

“Whatever your intention is, you failed. So stop.”

To Seungjo, Serin wasn’t seductive—just bothersome and annoying. Serin blushed to the tips of her ears with shame.

No man had ever rejected her—especially not when she flirted like this. Usually, they were the ones begging to jump into bed with her.

She quickly withdrew her hand, trying to seem like a modest woman. Seungjo took out a cigarette from his suit jacket and walked past her.

Leaning on the gallery’s second-floor railing, he placed the cigarette at his lips. His eyes immediately searched for one woman.

“Haejoo, your legs must be tired. I’ll take care of the elder for a bit. Go rest in the garden.”

He easily found Haejoo with Sooni. She had been in his line of sight from the moment she stepped out of Na-ae’s car.

Seungjo furrowed his brow.

Not once has she said she’s tired.

Watching this naïve, stubborn girl stay by Na-ae’s side all day made his chest tighten with unease.

At that moment, his friend Dohwan, who had been coming up from the lower floor, spotted him. They had attended the same university.

“News of your wedding’s got my dad already wondering what gift to send.”

“Marriage isn’t such a big deal. It’s boring.”

“You? The mighty Tae Seungjo? The man who moves the stock market with one word? Your wedding is like a tsunami.”

Dohwan grinned playfully. But when Seungjo kept staring intensely in one direction, Dohwan followed his gaze—to Haejoo.

“The girl who’s been next to your grandmother all day? I think she works for your family. But people are going crazy over how pretty she is.”

Seungjo’s jaw tightened.

“Which bastard.”

His voice was low and menacing. Dohwan stared at him, startled.

“Come on, it’s just guy talk. Don’t act so surprised. Don’t tell me… did you already make a move on her?”

“That’s the problem with guys—they talk like they’ve got trash in their mouths. Try being more respectful.”

Seungjo gave a faint, bitter smile and took the cigarette from his lips.

Dohwan, unnerved, rubbed his arms and asked with curiosity,

“Wait—are you serious? She looks young… She’s not a college student, right?”

Seungjo didn’t answer. Instead, he watched Haejoo walking toward the back garden. Then his eyes narrowed as he spotted a man following her.

Seongjin Group’s Kang Daekyung?