The date for Cha Do Ha’s engagement has been set.

Yeo Eun put down her glass of sujeonggwa, biting her trembling lips tightly.

The sound of the glass hitting the coaster scratched the quiet space pathetically.

Her fingertips seemed to tremble a little.

Chairman Cha Ji Seop continued speaking while staring at her intently.

“We don’t look at such things, but it seems ST’s side checked Do Ha’s fortune. They say if he forms a connection with their daughter on November 16th, the marriage will go smoothly.”

The kindness had disappeared from Chairman Cha Ji Seop’s demeanor.

The coldness in his ashen eyes even conveyed a sense of cruelty.

“Do you understand what Team Leader Seo needs to do?”

It was quite burdensome, this proposal he was secretly conveying after calling her to this private place.

Along with Cha Do Ha’s engagement date, Chairman Cha Ji Seop’s intention in mentioning the scheduled surgery was obvious.

Yeo Eun, unable to answer, laughed bitterly.

Staring at her intently, he conveyed his meaning more clearly.

“Persuade Do Ha and get him to the engagement ceremony.”

This was her role from the beginning.

To place Cha Do Ha beside Jin Yu Hee with her own hands.

“Then right on that day, we can proceed with your mother’s surgery.”

Just as Jin Yu Hee had asked to make Cha Do Ha presentable until he became hers, Yeo Eun’s role was only that from the start.

She shouldn’t, but her heart ached sharply.

As if peering into her unsettling pain, Chairman Cha Ji Seop’s expression grew even colder.

“Your answer?”

“I understand, Chairman.”

It was a task she had started with that purpose from the beginning, and in return she was to have her life saved.

That’s why she had tried not to give her heart to Cha Do Ha.

Though it hurts because her heart has already gone, she thinks that at least she won’t become miserable if it’s not discovered.

“I’ll do my best.”

Chairman Cha Ji Seop continued speaking as he looked at Yeo Eun, who was trying to answer calmly.

“One more thing.”

As she watched Chairman Cha Ji Seop’s gaze harden further, she vaguely realized that his next words would be the real point.

And at his next words, even Yeo Eun could no longer remain calm.

“I think one illegitimate child from outside our Cha family is enough with Hyun Oh.”

An hour after responding to Chairman Cha Ji Seop’s summons to come here.

She had forced herself to eat the food brought by women in hanbok.

She clearly thought she should make a good impression in front of the person holding her lifeline.

But in fact, her desire to appear lovely to Cha Do Ha’s grandfather seemed greater.

So despite being too nervous to even taste the food, she had diligently eaten everything that was served.

And now those foods were tangling in her small stomach, causing intense pain.

“There shouldn’t be a child between you two, but if by chance there is…”

She suppressed the urge to retch.

“That child will be raised by Do Ha’s wife.”

Illegitimate child, a child between them, Do Ha’s wife.

Each word enumerated touched Yeo Eun’s internal organs.

“So…”

“That won’t happen.”

She couldn’t listen anymore.

“I understand what you’re saying clearly, Chairman.”

This must be what it feels like to have your heart slashed.

A blunt blade was deeply embedded in her heart that had been full of Cha Do Ha.

“So you don’t need to say more.”

Gritting her teeth and holding back nausea, Yeo Eun smiled coldly as she stood up.

“I need to leave first as my lunch break is ending. I have to go to Persona this afternoon.”

Though dizziness swept over her as if all the blood had drained from her head, Yeo Eun showed no sign of it and calmly excused herself.

It was an afternoon where she felt some resentment towards Cha Do Ha.

* * *

In Tae recently started working as a delivery driver.

It was because he couldn’t let Yeo Eun shoulder everything.

In Tae finished his deliveries late today and ended up being a little late for their appointment.

He felt embarrassed for being late when he was the one who asked to meet, but the other party didn’t blame him.

He simply continued eating quietly without saying anything.

He said he was Cha Do Ha, Strategic Planning Director of Hanju Group.

His outstanding looks and physique were enough to intimidate In Tae, who was no slouch in appearance himself.

It was a body that could never be built through exercise alone without being born with the right frame.

His quiet dining manner was elegant, and even his lowered eyelids exuded charisma.

He truly looked like the next-generation leader of Hanju Group.

And that’s why it was even more of a problem.

Why would a man like this with Yeo Eun. What on earth was he trying to do.

“My sister…”

No matter how pretty, smart, and outstanding his sister was in every way, she was no match for this man.

“She’s a good kid.”

Even if Cha Do Ha, grandson of Hanju Group Chairman Cha Ji Seop, sincerely took Yeo Eun to heart, what shouldn’t be, shouldn’t be.

He knew best that such a family would never accept Yeo Eun unscathed.

Moreover, though it might be just a rumor, Cha Do Ha was a man who had a scandal with Kim Hae Ri.

It was clear as day that Yeo Eun would get hurt if she got involved with this man.

“I don’t want Yeo Eun to get hurt.”

In Tae, having finished his meal, took out an envelope he had carefully kept in his pocket and held it out to the man.

At this, Cha Do Ha’s brow furrowed slightly and one eyebrow raised crookedly.

“This is the envelope Yeo Eun received from you, right?”

No matter how he thought about it, Yeo Eun couldn’t possibly have such a large sum of money.

Moreover, the Hanju Group logo clearly stamped on the envelope revealed the source and purpose of the money.

“If you need someone to play with, find another woman. I’ll return the money.”

Cha Do Ha looked down at the envelope with cold eyes and curled up one corner of his mouth in a sardonic smile.

“Treating your sister like such a low-class woman, you’re the worst, Seo In Tae.”

“What did you say?”

In Tae raised his voice, hit right where it hurt.

“Why? Do you think I gave money to Seo Yeo Eun and asked her to sleep with me?”

He hadn’t slept a wink all night thinking about it.

He thought this man might have approached Yeo Eun with impure intentions, knowing she needed money for their mother’s hospital bills and the accident he caused.

And he hated himself for having such thoughts, feeling self-loathing.

Maybe that’s why he called this man first thing in the morning to meet.

Hoping to hear it wasn’t true.

“And your sister accepted it?”

“Didn’t she?”

Cha Do Ha snorted at In Tae, who asked timidly, desperately hoping it wasn’t true.

“You don’t know your sister at all.”

In Tae’s chest ached at Cha Do Ha’s words.

But he couldn’t deny it either.

He thought he knew Yeo Eun best in the world, but that sister had brought this man home and spent the night with him.

What was what anymore. He felt confused, as if she was no longer the Yeo Eun he knew.

“Poor Seo Yeo Eun, struggling so hard for an older brother like you.”

“Then why with my sister…”

“When a man and woman make love, is there need for any other reason?”

In Tae pressed his lips together for a moment at Cha Do Ha’s answer.

Another reason needed for a man and woman to make love.

There is no such thing.

It must be because they’re attracted to each other.

“Are you saying you actually like Yeo Eun?”

“Is that not allowed?”

Not allowed, he asks?

Of course it’s not allowed.

For Cha Do Ha, he may easily like someone and it just happens to be Yeo Eun, but not for Yeo Eun.

If Yeo Eun came to like someone, it would have been an extremely difficult thing, and therefore the repercussions would be that much greater.

And of all people, it had to be Cha Do Ha of Hanju Group.

It’s too risky.

“Are you thinking of marrying Yeo Eun? Is that even possible?”

“Marriage… I haven’t thought about it.”

Cha Do Ha furrowed his brow at the mention of marriage and tilted his head slightly with a cold expression.

“Seo Yeo Eun wouldn’t think of it either.”

It was natural for In Tae to flare up at his answer.

It was the worst to spend the night with his precious sister without any intention of marriage.

“If you have no plans for marriage, let her go early.”

He thinks ending it here is the best option.

There’s clearly a power difference, so Yeo Eun probably couldn’t refuse Cha Do Ha.

From what he’s heard, she’s handling work for Hanju Group, so they must be entangled professionally.

Moreover, with such a charming partner, she may have wavered for a moment.

But this is as far as it goes.

“Please don’t hurt that good kid.”

“You keep talking about hurt, but I’m the one getting hurt.”

Cha Do Ha’s answer was unexpected.

A strange look filled his cold face, flashing as if he really was hurt.

“Your sister is so cold and cruel.”

Cha Do Ha’s expression as he said those words was striking.

A lukewarm warmth pooled in his sharp eyes, and a smile seemed to settle on that cold face.

Cha Do Ha pushed the envelope back towards In Tae.

“The envelope’s not from me, so just take it. Don’t worry your sister anymore.”

According to internet research, Cha Do Ha is the same age as In Tae.

But his tone of speaking, as if admonishing while clicking his tongue, made In Tae feel much younger.

“And don’t meet your sister with those injured hands. With her personality, it’s obvious how much she’ll worry.”

Then he looked at In Tae somewhat disdainfully.

“About the job…”

Cha Do Ha trailed off, then raised his hand slightly. A man standing still like a folding screen in the back brought over a business card.

“Call this number. I’ve talked to them, so they’ll hire you.”

Cha Do Ha’s hand placing the business card on top of the envelope was arrogant.

In Tae scanned the business card Cha Do Ha had set down with his eyes.

He felt a bit insulted.

“Look here, Cha Do Ha.”

“Look here, Seo In Tae.”

In Tae’s voice, raised intentionally, was overlapped by a low, deep voice.

“We’re adults.”

Cha Do Ha, who had abruptly mentioned being adults, slowly rose from his seat.

“Both Seo Yeo Eun and I are adults.”

The black eyes looking down at In Tae were more intimidating than ever.

With a hint of annoyance on his cold face, he tugged at his collar once and continued speaking arrogantly.

“Just let us be. And you should act like a proper adult and older brother. Really.”

Then he slowly left the restaurant.

* * *

Do Ha got in the car and raised his left wrist to check the time.

1:35 PM.

About 20 minutes remained until his next appointment.

“What about that woman?”

It’s too short a time to go see Seo Yeo Eun.

“Ms. Seo Yeo Eun went to Persona after parting with the Chairman.”

Persona.

“Our paths would cross, so that won’t work.”

Do Ha twisted his lips bitterly and leaned back leisurely against the seat.

“How’s the villa coming along? Are they starting work today?”

Manager Kim Jung Joo nodded quickly at Do Ha’s question.

“Yes, they’re starting around 3 PM.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

The bitterness in his mouth just moments ago was replaced by a sweet sensation.

Do Ha closed his eyes and recalled Yeo Eun’s face as he leaned back in the swaying car.

She must be having a hard time.

“I hope so.”