Although she had boldly declared she would try, there wasn’t really a method.

But unable to just sit idly by, Yeo Eun decided to choose a classic approach.

Relying on the old saying “No tree can withstand ten axe blows,” she resolved to keep chopping until the tree fell.

Yeo Eun called Cha Hyun and requested Cha Do Ha’s schedule for the week.

True to her impatient nature, Cha Hyun immediately sent what she requested via email.

It was Cha Do Ha’s weekly schedule and basic information about him.

Yeo Eun’s brow furrowed unpleasantly as she opened the email.

It was because of Cha Hyun’s memo.

“He likes… pretty women.”

Yeo Eun sighed softly and removed her glasses, putting them in the drawer.

“Make the most of what I’ve got, as if telling me to use feminine wiles if necessary.”

She also undid her tightly bound hair.

“I’ll follow your orders.”

The job was already marred from the start by the “pretty face” jinx.

It meant things couldn’t get any worse from here.

It was time to exceed limitations and achieve results.

She had many weaknesses, after all.

Yeo Eun stood up, grabbed her portfolio, and left the office.

* * *

Tuesday morning.

After attending the HJ Department Store renewal opening event and finishing the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Do Ha toured the department store.

Listening to the explanations of the following department store executives and encouraging employees was a fairly important task, though it seemed simple.

For HJ Department Store, it helped boost employee morale by demonstrating the head office’s great interest.

Meanwhile, the Han Joo Group’s PR office would have diligently captured photos of Do Ha, the group’s new face.

As Chairman Cha Ji Seop put it, a pretty show benefiting both sides was unfolding perfectly.

Do Ha raised his left wrist to check the time.

Even the prettiest show becomes tedious if it drags on.

One must have the sense to end things at the right moment.

“I’ll be going now.”

If he stayed any longer, he’d end up having an unwanted lunch meeting with Han Joo Industrial executives, which HJ Department Store belonged to.

Sure enough.

The HJ Department Store CEO opened his mouth with a troubled expression.

“Director, the omakase Japanese restaurant on the 13th floor is quite…”

“How could I have a meal with Industrial executives when even CEO Cha In Woo isn’t here?”

He replied rather politely, but didn’t hide his fierce gaze.

Han Joo Industrial.

It was an affiliate that needed to start restructuring soon.

Having a meal with executives from such a place was utterly nonsensical.

“And most of you here probably don’t have the luxury to happily enjoy omakase meals that cost 200,000 won per person, right?”

It was a statement that clearly revealed its barbs.

Yet some tactless individuals were quick to joke off the barb, asking how 200,000 won could be considered unaffordable given their salaries.

But even they couldn’t help but shut their mouths at his next words.

“If you have such leisure, you’d better go organize your desks.”

It meant the show was already over.

Since they had captured enough pretty photos for PR purposes, there was no need to be friendly anymore.

“Let’s say only those who don’t need to clear out their desks can enjoy omakase cuisine.”

Do Ha turned away after looking with satisfaction at the pale faces of the Han Joo Industrial executives.

Kim Jung Joo, his assistant manager, followed behind him.

“Director.”

He remembered there was about an hour of free time until the next schedule.

He had been thinking of eating some simple udon with Assistant Manager Kim Jung Joo during the break.

“Just now, Director Cha Hyun called…”

But an unexpected obstacle caught his ankle.

“She said she sent someone…”

Before Kim Jung Joo could finish speaking, Do Ha stopped walking.

Diagonally across from where he stood.

A familiar face bowed her head politely as their eyes met.

It was that woman. Image trainer Seo Yeo Eun.

“…and asked you to check the portfolio.”

Portfolio.

Do Ha’s gaze fell on the thick book held in the woman’s arms.

Hah, so they insist on proceeding with work this way?

Keeping his eyes on the woman, Do Ha called Cha Hyun.

A flicker of bewilderment crossed the woman’s face as she watched him.

Then Cha Hyun’s bright voice softly rang through the receiver.

-Do Ha?

“What are you trying to do? I said I wouldn’t do it.”

-Don’t refuse. You have nothing to lose.

Cha Hyun continued, as if coaxing him.

-Just pretend to go along with it. Then I’ll take care of everything…

“What exactly will you take care of? If I quietly play along with the Chairman’s doll game, will Director Cha Hyun marry in my place? With that ST Group heiress?”

-Is marriage such a big deal? It’s about reclaiming your father’s position. The position he should have rightfully held if he were alive. Don’t you feel sorry for your father who died an untimely death?

At last, talk of Do Ha’s father flowed from Cha Hyun’s lips.

Cha Kang, the second son of Han Joo Group Chairman Cha Ji Seop.

Though six years had passed since his death in a car accident, his name still couldn’t be mentioned carelessly.

It was due to Chairman Cha Ji Seop’s stern orders.

But Cha Hyun was different.

As his twin sister, only Cha Hyun still held onto the thread of Cha Kang and kept dredging up the past.

Do Ha disliked that as well.

He hated how his father was being consumed in this way.

“Let’s not talk about Father, shall we? I don’t really want to hear it.”

But Cha Hyun didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping.

-Your grandfather has already made up his mind. You know too. Once he decides, he makes it happen no matter what. So just give in. What I mean is…

After a brief pause, Cha Hyun continued.

-I’m not saying to get married, just quietly play the doll role for a while and take what you want.

Take what he wants.

“What do you think I want?”

Do Ha snorted and curled up the corners of his mouth coldly.

“What if I say I want to take Han Joo Group?”

This seemed to be the kind of answer Cha Hyun wanted to hear.

The other end of the line was noticeably becoming more agitated.

-What’s the problem? Just take it. In the end, the capable one gets it. Once you have the power, you can marry whomever you want. Would someone like ST even dare to covet you?

Power, women, money.

She went on about how it’s the way of the world for capable people to have it all.

-It means you can only get what you want by standing at the pinnacle of Han Joo. Because in Han Joo, there are certainly things that only those who reach the top of the pyramid can possess.

Cha Hyun spoke as if she knew exactly what he was looking for, then continued in a calm voice again.

-So receive the training. I deliberately matched you with a pretty one. You think she’s just pretty? She’s smart too. I’m saying she’ll be useful in many ways.

A smart woman, useful in many ways.

Do Ha’s gaze slowly swept over the woman who was staring at him, frozen stiff.

His footsteps were already heading towards her.

Ending the call without another word, he pushed his phone into his suit as he approached the woman.

The faint blush on her pale white face was just like the flesh of a peach.

“Seo Yeo Eun.”

As he uttered the name he remembered, her brown eyes widened.

“Yes, Director.”

“Would you like to have a meal together?”

It was a somewhat spontaneous invitation.

* * *

The place Do Ha brought her to eat was a small udon shop in Euljiro.

The space felt aged, with only five tables.

It was a place one could never imagine someone from a chaebol family frequenting.

Yet Do Ha entered with apparent familiarity and sat down first.

Then he ordered three bowls of udon without asking.

Assistant Manager Kim Jung Joo, who came in slightly late after parking the car, sat down first, followed by Yeo Eun.

Seated, she placed the portfolio on her lap and quietly looked around.

There wasn’t really anywhere suitable to rest her gaze.

She happened to sit across from Do Ha, so no matter where she looked, he was in her line of sight.

Her second meeting with Do Ha.

The feeling was strange.

The man she saw yesterday at HJ Gallery was like a splendid and beautiful work of art.

Though overflowing with rough arrogance, was it due to his innate elegance? It felt as if he was allowed to behave that way.

Do Ha, who captivated people’s attention by skillfully traversing between free-spiritedness and dignified formality.

Yeo Eun too couldn’t take her eyes off such a Do Ha.

But today he was a completely different figure.

Was it because he was wearing a suit?

He seemed stiff and heavy, as if trapped in some standardized mold.

So was it awkward?

No, this image fit Do Ha perfectly in its own way.

Especially Do Ha’s characteristically cold yet sharp gaze matched well with his current appearance, creating a different kind of tension from yesterday.

But it’s not like he felt completely disconnected from yesterday’s version of himself.

The languid sensuality emanating from him remained the same.

Both in mass and concentration.

Perhaps that’s why even breathing felt burdensome in front of this man.

This burden was somewhat uncomfortable.

‘Yes, it’s uncomfortable.’

Yeo Eun finally tore her gaze away from him and quietly slurped up a strand of udon.

That’s when Do Ha suddenly spoke.

“Does it not taste good?”

Startled, Yeo Eun looked up.

Despite being the one to first suggest eating together, Do Ha hadn’t uttered a word since then.

All the way until they arrived at the restaurant in his car.

Even for quite some time after the udon was served.

He was so indifferent towards Yeo Eun that she wondered if he’d forgotten she was there.

He hadn’t even exchanged a single glance, but now he was suddenly speaking to her.

It was even a bit disconcerting.

A brief silence followed.

Had she been too startled?

She couldn’t remember what question he had asked.

“…I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“I asked if it doesn’t suit your taste.”

Her earlobes felt hot with embarrassment.

To miss such a simple question.

It wasn’t very professional.

“No. It’s delicious.”

Yeo Eun quickly replied and slurped up more udon.

In truth, Yeo Eun didn’t have the composure to judge the taste of the udon.

She hadn’t been in her right mind since nodding as if entranced when Do Ha suggested eating together.

Yeo Eun sat up straight, tense, and diligently ate her udon.

It was when about half the bowl was empty.