Chapter 08
I responded nonchalantly.
“Well… objectively speaking, that would make sense.”
“…….”
“But I don’t really care about conditions or anything like that…”
Yet, as I mumbled on, a question arose in my mind.
‘…Why are they asking me this?’
I wasn’t the client—they were supposed to be asking the Center for consultation, not me.
“No… why is my opinion coming into this? An objective perspective is important, not my personal thoughts, right?”
Rian, who had been staring at me intently, let out a silent snort of amusement.
His lips curled slightly in a way I couldn’t interpret.
“Just…”
It was an enigmatic expression, impossible to read. His red eyes—so striking within those long slanted eyes—shone even more vividly today.
Facing Rian like this, I felt slightly unsettled.
‘This isn’t the guy I usually see.’
Sometimes he exuded this kind of aura. Normally, he maintained the smooth, charming demeanor of someone like Chase, but in a moment, he could become weighty and serious.
‘It’s like two souls exist within one body.’
The staff seemed as taken aback as I was. I could feel the atmosphere in the Center shift awkwardly in an instant.
Fidgeting with my sleeve, I suddenly refocused. My eyes landed on the clock on the wall.
“Enough. Back to the point… we need to decide within ten minutes whether we’re going to execute the request.”
“…….”
“Currently, Marquess Johan Veloster is on his way to the Center. He’s scheduled to arrive at exactly 10:00.”
At my words, Heaven swallowed the juice in his mouth with a gulp. Isadora and Finn glanced at the time.
‘It’s 9:50.’
The Johan I know would never be late for an appointment.
“So, what will it be?”
“…….”
“We either tell Marquess Veloster the truth and cancel the request here, or we keep it a secret among ourselves and push through.”
Finn ruffled his hair in frustration.
“Wow… so it’s basically, do we keep our conscience and end up broke, or pocket the money and throw our conscience away.”
“Damn it… I even planned what I’d do with the incentive…”
Heaven sulked, pressing his face flat against the desk.
Isadora spoke.
“I’ve already stated my position. I believe it’s right to tell the truth.”
“But Dora, why now? You go crazy over money usually.”
Indeed. I, too, wondered why Isadora—the most materialistic of the group—was suddenly acting morally upright.
When Heaven asked, Isadora pushed her glasses up with her index finger.
“Though it feels wasteful to refuse an incentive that fell into our laps, protecting the accomplishments we’ve built up over time is also important.”
“…….”
“I’ve contributed significantly to Willow Counseling Center’s reputation for ‘100% dating success.’ After all, I’m the employee who drafted the most love letters.”
“…….”
“I want that record to remain unbroken forever.”
Ah… I see.
‘So it’s not about money versus honor; she just chose honor.’
Finn and Heaven agreed with Isadora.
“I don’t think we should start something we know will fail.”
“Money is tempting, but let’s protect our reputation instead.”
Rian, seated at the desk, muttered while shaking his legs.
“Too bad. It looked like it could’ve been fun.”
Seeing the staff react this way, I had no choice but to relent.
‘No, this is actually good for me.’
From the start, I didn’t want Johan and Violet to get together.
‘That doesn’t mean an opportunity falls to me…’
I had already heard whose heart Johan leaned toward. Therefore, I couldn’t approach him anymore.
‘My love may have failed spectacularly… but at least I don’t have to lie to Johan, and that’s somewhat relieving.’
At that moment, the doorbell rang at the main entrance, and Johan entered the Center.
‘Jesus Christ…’
As always, his presence absolved all my sins with that sacred beauty.
I greeted him, trying to act casual.
“You’ve arrived.”
“You got here on time.”
Johan checked the clock and smiled, noting it was exactly 10:00.
‘Hah… I have to part with those beautiful dimples.’
I didn’t like watching Violet and Johan flirt, but at least the request gave me reason to meet him…
Then, unexpectedly, several men entered behind Johan.
‘Hm…?’
All five carried large baskets in their hands. Food baskets.
Johan exchanged glances with the staff.
“I know I’ve asked you for a special task outside your usual duties, and that it might inconvenience the Center.”
“…….”
“However, since you all agreed willingly, I wanted to give you a small token of thanks.”
The men placed the baskets on the empty table. Finn and Heaven, as if teleported, were already inspecting the food.
“Steak… lobster…”
“What is this? What’s it called?”
“Foie gras.”
“Wow… there are salmon eggs too.”
“Not salmon, sturgeon roe.”
Wasn’t this supposed to be a ‘small’ token of thanks?
‘Such a wealthy male lead…’
Johan had presented a three-course delicacy as a bribe.
Finn and Heaven, gulping down saliva, swarmed me immediately.
“Center Director, let’s do it.”
“Come on, let’s just do it.”
These guys…
‘How do they switch stances so quickly every time?’
I didn’t respond but looked to Isadora.
She quietly spoke, staring at the lavish spread.
“Earlier, I belittled Marquess Johan Veloster’s kindness to everyone, didn’t I?”
“…….”
“Upon reflection, that was an incredibly careless remark. The Marquess is a good person.”
One corner of her mouth lifted ever so slightly.
“Let’s turn the tables, in the name of Willow Counseling Center.”
Once again, the staff succumbed to capitalism.
I had no choice.
‘And I can’t just send Johan away now that he brought food.’
I approached Johan and greeted him.
“Thank you, Marquess.”
“I should be the one thanking you, Director. I look forward to working with you.”
As he spoke, his dimples played hide-and-seek with his radiant smile. Seeing it made my heart ache.
‘Damn it… I have to work hard to get you together with Violet again…’
If I reject the request, I can’t see you—painful. If I carry it out, I’ll have to watch you with another woman—also painful.
I could die from frustration.
‘I’m not trapped in a romance fantasy; I’m just a female reader playing a favorite-character-raising game.’
But now, I couldn’t back out. I had to steel my resolve.
‘Right… Johan really does have potential, just like I thought.’
He’s a man who stands out anywhere.
‘Violet, I don’t care if you like the Crown Prince or not.’
I’ll show you how great a kind male lead can be.
9:00 PM, Baron Ijet’s residence.
The study was dimly lit.
Chase Willow sat in a chair, flipping through a stack of papers.
Knowing his love for leisure, he probably wasn’t working diligently even at this hour.
He was reviewing the love letters that had arrived for him.
After sifting through the letters, Chase put them down.
“…If you were going to send them, you shouldn’t have gone through our Center.”
Chase immediately recognized Isadora Mendoza’s handwriting on the letters.
Isadora, Finn, and Heaven—the three were all handpicked by Chase himself.
Truly, Chase had an exceptional memory. A Casanova must have excellent memory—otherwise, he’d make mistakes with the women he meets.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly, a knock sounded outside. Chase took a swig of whiskey.
“Come in.”
Creak.
The door opened, and a large figure entered the study. Wet black hair, as if just washed. Red eyes shining even in the dim light.
It was none other than Rian.
Recognizing him, Chase stood. A curved smile escaped his lips.
“You’ve arrived, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
