Chapter 37
There was no family to rely on.
According to what the “secret boyfriend” she had met in her dream had let slip, he had no family. That statement could be interpreted in two ways.
First, it could mean that his family existed, but their relationship was so bad that there was no one trustworthy around him.
“That applies to anyone.”
She herself had blood relatives, but that didn’t mean they were people she could easily trust.
“It’s not worth putting too much meaning into.”
But if the second interpretation was correct—if he literally had no family at all, truly all alone in the world—
“Then it can’t be Jung Hee-do.”
Jung Hee-do had the family of Jung Hae Ocean, who not only supported him but practically cherished him.
Even when they disliked what he did, his grandfather and the rest of the family still respected his wishes and supported him unconditionally. Seung-eon had seen that with her own eyes.
Then what about Seo I-soo?
“He may not be in Korea right now, but Seo I-soo has an older brother.”
She didn’t know much about their parents, but she did know that Seo I-soo had an older brother.
Woo-jin had met his friend Seo Ji-won back in elementary school—and Seo Ji-won was none other than Seo I-soo’s niece. Seo I-soo’s brother had moved to the United States for his daughter’s sake.
That left only Yoo Hyun-jun.
But since this was a sensitive matter involving family, it wasn’t something she could just directly ask.
“That would be way too rude.”
Imagine suddenly blurting out, “Hey, are all your family still alive?”
So instead she circled around the question.
“You said you live alone, right, Team Leader Yoo?”
In the car, stopped at a red light, Yoo Hyun-jun turned his eyes toward her. At first, his gaze was puzzled, like he didn’t understand the question. Then, slowly, his expression softened and his pretty eyes rippled with warmth.
When Seung-eon was startled by the way his eyes curved in half, Yoo Hyun-jun raised the corner of his red lips ever so slightly.
“If I say I live alone, will you come over whenever you want?”
“Huh?”
“If you say you’re coming, I’d welcome you anytime, but…”
Trailing off, Yoo Hyun-jun glanced sideways at her flustered silence, then looked back at the road and murmured.
“If you come, you’d better be prepared.”
Because I won’t let you leave until morning.
Spoken just above a whisper, his words left Seung-eon frozen in shock, unable to utter a single syllable. Yoo Hyun-jun didn’t look back at her.
Vroom.
The car surged forward again.
Thump-thump.
Her heart, caught off guard, skipped strangely inside her chest.
“Did you forget, Senior? From today it’s WGF. Isn’t that why you were looking for me?”
WORLD GAME FESTIVAL.
WGF for short.
Held at the largest convention center in Korea, it was an event that not only drew domestic audiences but also the world’s top gaming companies, showcasing both existing titles and new releases to attract potential customers.
“If you intend to relaunch Echo, this event is crucial.”
Because of Seung-eon’s accident, the company had suffered a six-month delay, and the release of Echo had been postponed.
Now that she had returned, Seung-eon had declared that Echo’s launch would resume by the end of the year, and in preparation, this WGF had been her sole focus since awakening.
Even the crash course of information from Secretary Chu—meant to refresh the memories lost in her amnesia—had been for the sake of WGF.
“Team Leader Yoo will be in charge of WGF preparations. All you need to do is meet the domestic and international buyers he brings you. As for meetings with platform companies, Director Jung has already scheduled those.”
At such events, company CEOs like Seung-eon typically met with major global corporations to strengthen business partnerships.
Most of the major terms had already been negotiated beforehand; all that remained was for the CEOs to meet in person and sign.
“Mm.”
Through the VIP entrance, Seung-eon met with a famous company representative flown in from Finland and finalized the cooperation agreement.
All the while, Yoo Hyun-jun—constantly checking his wristwatch—let out a low murmur, drawing Seung-eon’s black eyes to him.
“Our company’s main event isn’t until tomorrow, so the urgent matters are wrapped up. There’s still time before the opening ceremony. What would you like to do?”
Unlike normal game festivals, WGF’s first morning was focused on B2B meetings, with general visitors only allowed in from the afternoon.
The opening ceremony would be held at 6 p.m. and live-streamed globally.
Government officials, association leaders, and local dignitaries would all attend, along with industry leaders—like Seung-eon of LUKIN, who had been invited as a VIP.
But she still hadn’t decided whether to attend.
“By the way, the marketing team will handle all media interviews. Please avoid approaching the booth for now. Especially the press. It’d be bad if you ran into them. Facing the media now would only bring trouble.”
As Secretary Chu had stressed, she needed to stay away from reporters. With her memory still incomplete, even a small slip could explode into a major PR disaster.
So Seung-eon had planned to finish the necessary signings and then head straight back to the office.
“Since you just returned, everyone will understand if you don’t attend.”
Perhaps sensing her hesitation, Yoo Hyun-jun added reassuringly.
He smiled gently, and after a moment’s thought, Seung-eon shook her head.
“My personal circumstances already delayed the new release. I can’t just leave right away.”
“Would you like to take a look around first?”
“There are reporters, so I can’t attend openly. Just let me know when our employees arrive at our booth—I’ll go greet them then. Is there a waiting room for me?”
“Of course. I’ll notify the organizers.”
“Thanks.”
With a polite nod from her, Yoo Hyun-jun’s eyes curved in that kind, irresistible smile.
After finishing a quick phone call with WGF staff, he turned to her.
“By the way, Senior. Want some coffee?”
“…Coffee?”
“The organizers are going all out for this event. I think I saw the champion of this year’s barista competition working in the VIP lounge.”
Now that he mentioned it, Hyun-jun had always had a keen interest in coffee.
Though he didn’t say it outright, the eager gleam in his eyes made Seung-eon laugh.
“Don’t you mean you’re the one who wants to drink it?”
“Ha, caught me.”
He shrugged, smiling brightly.
After a brief pause, Seung-eon nodded.
“Well, there won’t be any reporters in the VIP lounge anyway.”
Access there was restricted to those with special passes—CEOs, executives, global partners, or invited influencers.
Reporters had their own press room, so Secretary Chu’s worries wouldn’t come true here.
“Lead the way.”
At her command, Yoo Hyun-jun grinned and walked ahead, and Seung-eon followed.
“Don’t you understand?”
But just as they entered the VIP lounge—
Her ears caught a shrill, sharp voice.
“It’s not that hard! I just asked for a matcha espresso whip latte, with matcha first, then the espresso shot on top. Whip cream on the side, and keep the layers separated. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”
“P-President, please, that’s enough…”
“What do you mean, enough? Aren’t you the champion of some world barista contest? How could you win if you can’t handle something this simple? What was WGF thinking, putting you in the VIP lounge? Call Manager Kwak right now!”
The lounge, which should have been calm and leisurely, was instead filled with this outburst.
So that’s what it was.
It was none other than one of the infamous console company directors—known for outrageous demands at every event—filling the room with her complaints.
She’s at it again.
Seung-eon recognized her instantly.
They had met several times at women’s business gatherings.
“Oh my, isn’t that CEO Kang? I heard you left your cushy path to suffer at LUKIN, and it shows—your skin’s so rough now!”
More than ten years older than Seung-eon, yet dressed scandalously casual and overly revealing, the woman always picked fights with her for no reason.
“Why even bother engaging with that? Just ignore her.”
That had always been Secretary Chu’s response, keeping his face impassive no matter what she said—so much so that Director Choi once snapped, “Kang! Get rid of that rude secretary already!”
This is exactly why I shouldn’t get involved with her.
Watching her throw a tantrum even here, at such a formal event, Seung-eon clicked her tongue inwardly.
“Unbelievable… someone’s actually ordering that.”
Hyun-jun muttered under his breath, clearly seeing Director Choi for the first time.
“I thought that menu only existed in Echo.”
