TBFMC 28

CHAPTER 28………………………………………………

One of them leaned back against the chair, closed her eyes, and slowly let out a breath.

It was a sigh.

A long, deep sigh.

Her solar plexus still felt tight, but what weighed even heavier was her chest. It felt as if a massive stone were pressing down on it, making it hard to breathe.

She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling.

The scene she had witnessed at the restaurant kept replaying in her mind.

The two people standing arm in arm—so natural and intimate, as if they were already mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

And Misook’s cold, hardened expression. The smile that vanished the instant she saw Hana.

Hana rubbed her solar plexus again with her hand, but the discomfort didn’t fade.

“Make President Jung Geon-woo fall in love with you. That way it’ll work in our favor.”

Gihoon’s words from that morning echoed in her ears.

“If President Jung Geon-woo casts you aside, then we’re finished with Iljoo Group too. You know what that means, don’t you?”

Hana clenched her fists tightly.

She knew.

She knew all too well.

If Geon-woo abandoned her, Seoga Food would be finished.

The debt she owed Gihoon for raising her, everything she had built until now—would all collapse.

So Hana did her best.

As Geon-woo’s wife, as the daughter-in-law of Iljoo Group, she tried to be perfect.

Polite. Quiet. Never causing trouble.

But what was the point?

Her relationship with Geon-woo had already crossed a river that could not be recrossed. Misook still disliked her. Serin was looking at Geon-woo.

And she was still sitting here, anxiously holding her place.

On Friday evening, in front of the Grand Hotel where the Hanseong Cultural Foundation was hosting a charity gala, luxury vehicles already filled the driveway.

Cars gleaming with designer logos lined up in rows, and at the hotel entrance, aides in suits and members of the press created a tense, imposing atmosphere.

A black sedan carrying Geon-woo and Hana slowly came to a stop among them.

Taking a deep breath, Hana checked her reflection once more in a compact mirror.

Her ivory dress shimmered softly under the gentle lighting. Its silhouette wrapped naturally around her shoulders, adding an air of elegance, and a pearl hairpin adorned her neatly styled updo.

Her fingertips trembled faintly.

“Nervous?”

Geon-woo asked in a low voice, his gaze fixed on her.

“A little.”

Hana answered honestly. Even as she tried to steady her breathing, the tension deep in her chest would not subside easily.

Large-scale events like this still felt unfamiliar—chaebol families, cultural figures, journalists. In front of them, every word and every gesture became subject to evaluation.

“Just stay by my side. I’ll handle the rest.”

It was time to step onto the stage as the perfect couple.

The valet quickly opened the door. Geon-woo stepped out first and extended his hand to Hana.

She took it and carefully stepped down.

The hem of her dress flowed down the stairs in soft waves, and under the reflection of the lights, her silhouette shone even more brilliantly.

Click—

Dozens of flashes exploded at once.

Reporters covering the event pressed their shutters in unison.

Geon-woo wore a faint, practiced smile and naturally placed his hand on Hana’s waist. Standing beside him, she composed her expression and slightly lifted her chin with a calm smile.

The two of them looked flawless.

At least in front of the cameras.

After receiving a barrage of flashes, they entered the hotel and walked through the lobby toward the elevator.

“You did well.”

“With what?”

Hana asked, turning her head slightly.

“The pose. It’s getting pretty natural.”

Instead of answering, she only smiled. Natural—it was never truly natural.

Before every event like this, she practiced smiling in front of the mirror.

The angle of her lips, the tilt of her head, even the height of her gaze.

How to smile to look elegant. Which angle was most flattering.

Ever since she was young, Gihoon had trained her thoroughly—how to stand without inviting criticism, which expressions made her look valuable in others’ eyes. For Hana, all of it had been survival.

The elevator doors opened, and the two stepped inside. A button was pressed, and the doors closed. A brief silence followed.

Hana looked at herself in the mirror’s reflection. The perfectly fitted dress, the pearl earrings, the composed smile.

Everything was impeccable.

Ding—

The elevator stopped on the third floor. When the doors opened, dazzling lights poured in.

A massive crystal chandelier sparkled from the ceiling, and carefully arranged flowers along the walls filled the air with fragrance.

“Wow…”

The exclamation slipped from Hana’s lips.

“It’s like this every year,”

Geon-woo said shortly.

“The Hanseong Cultural Foundation has money.”

His tone was indifferent, but beneath it lay familiarity and a hint of fatigue.

To him, events like this were just obligations, nothing more.

Many guests had already arrived. Men in black suits and women in jewel-encrusted dresses laughed and chatted over champagne.

Between them, subtle competition and measuring gazes passed back and forth.

Just then, someone approached.

“President Jung, you’ve arrived.”

It was the chairman of the Hanseong Cultural Foundation. Geon-woo naturally put on a smile and extended his hand.

“Thank you for inviting us.”

His tone was polite, his emotions restrained.

“This is my wife, Seo Hana.”

Geon-woo gestured lightly toward her.

“Ah, I see. It’s an honor to meet you.”

The chairman bowed slightly and extended his hand. Hana gently shook it with a smile.

“The honor is mine.”

In that moment, she felt the chairman’s eyes slowly scanning her.

Her outfit. Her expression. Her manner of speech. As if evaluating everything.

Hana accepted the gaze naturally. She was used to this much scrutiny now.

“You look truly beautiful tonight. The two of you make a wonderful pair.”

At his words, Hana lowered her head slightly.

“Thank you.”

After exchanging formal greetings, the two moved deeper into the banquet hall.

Geon-woo’s hand still rested on Hana’s waist.

A waiter passed by carrying a tray of champagne glasses. Geon-woo took two at once and handed one to Hana.

“Thank you.”

As she accepted the glass, Hana glanced around. Business leaders, politicians, and even celebrities whose names anyone would recognize.

Everyone smiled at one another, reading the room, laughing softly.

Even amid the glamour, the air felt cold.

“Relax.”

Geon-woo murmured.

“Why are you so stiff?”

Hana let out a small breath.

“…I’m trying.”

She lifted the glass and took a sip of champagne. The cold bubbles slid down her throat, easing her tension just slightly.

But only slightly.

Her smile was still artificial, and her heart still felt suspended in unfamiliar territory.

“Long time no see.”

At that moment, a familiar male voice came from behind them. They both turned to see a middle-aged man approaching with a bright smile.

Silver-rimmed glasses, a dark gray tuxedo, and a comfortably rounded figure. He looked every bit the confident executive one might see anywhere.

Geon-woo dipped his head slightly and whispered in a low voice to Hana.

“The vice chairman of Daesung Group.”

Hana quickly adjusted her smile.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

Geon-woo extended his hand first. The man laughed heartily and accepted the handshake.