Because of Seo Yeo Eun…

Do Ha, who had been pondering Kim Hae Ri’s words, let out a snicker.

“Is that so.”

Kim Hae Ri flared up again at his half-hearted response.

“You’re really doing whatever you want. Didn’t you say we should do well for each other’s freedom, but now you’re throwing away your own freedom? Making me write this agreement?”

The agreement in Kim Hae Ri’s hand crumpled as it fluttered.

“What? The previous agreement is void, and from now on we’ll actively deny each other? We were never lovers? How can you make me do this?”

Kim Hae Ri, questioning with blue veins popping on her round forehead, was like a fierce beast.

Do Ha looked at Kim Hae Ri and opened his lips with a face devoid of any emotion.

“We were never lovers.”

At that brief answer, Kim Hae Ri snorted.

“What?”

Kim Hae Ri, who kept snickering as if dumbfounded, raised her voice even more.

“We were closer than lovers. We were comrades, comrades. Do you know how much we gained from this alliance?”

“You probably gained more than me. I sometimes had a hard time cleaning up after you.”

“What?”

As Kim Hae Ri was about to snap back, Yi Han finally stepped in to stop her.

“Be patient. Don’t feel wronged, just settle down at this point.”

Yi Han called the termination of their contract a settlement.

The settlement of Cha Do Ha, who had faithfully played the role of a wastrel and ruffian.

Whether it was ST or not, he thought it wasn’t a bad idea.

“Yeah. Han Dong Joo would be good for you. You two were crazy about each other.”

Kim Hae Ri, who used to change men every three days, had been seeing one man for quite a long time this time.

The only problem was that the man was a bit young.

If that was a problem, it was a problem.

“Park CEO says it’s not allowed. Says it ruins my image.”

Sure enough, Kim Hae Ri made a sad face and whined.

“To date a man, he should at least be a third-generation chaebol like Cha Do Ha, dating a young idol is absolutely not allowed. I’ve worked so hard to elevate my image to be classy, but in an instant it’s ruined…”

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Kim Hae Ri stared blankly with her mouth open, then looked at Do Ha.

“Elder brother.”

Her light brown eyes shining strangely, she looked exactly like a madwoman.

“That elder sister, you said she’s an image trainer, right?”

Her smiling face was eerily creepy.

“Should I get training from that elder sister too?”

As if asking isn’t it a good idea, she looked back and forth between Do Ha and Yi Han seeking agreement.

“She even turned that thug Son Gyu Won into a legendary sexy man, so maybe I could diversify my image and date a younger man without any problem…”

“Don’t touch her.”

Do Ha’s voice was chilling.

Do Ha’s expression as he slowly rose from his seat was even colder than his voice.

“Don’t touch Seo Yeo Eun.”

At those words, Kim Hae Ri pressed her lips tightly and clenched her fists.

Kim Hae Ri, who was trembling with her knuckles turning white from the force, finally spat out a word.

“What. Are you saying you’re really sincere about that elder sister?”

Do Ha didn’t even glance at Kim Hae Ri and just patted Yi Han’s shoulder.

“I’m leaving.”

Kim Hae Ri chased after Cha Do Ha as he left the room with slow steps.

“Elder brother! Answer before you go.”

But she was soon held back by Yi Han.

“Stop it. Please.”

Yi Han forcefully pulled Kim Hae Ri’s arm and nodded towards the door Do Ha had disappeared through.

“Can’t you see? The answer is obvious.”

It was clearly different from his usual self.

The degree to which he showed emotion was different, and his unsettled gaze was also different.

The original Cha Do Ha would never have gotten so worked up over a single article like this.

Rather, he would have used Kim Hae Ri to create an even bigger story.

But on the contrary, he took this opportunity to cut ties with Kim Hae Ri.

Was it to obediently accept the engagement with ST’s Jin Yu Hee as Chairman Cha Ji Seop said?

No, ST was never a consideration for Do Ha from the beginning.

Then why?

If you trace back to when Do Ha’s attitude started to change, you get the answer.

It was from the moment Cha Do Ha, who never showed interest in others’ affairs, followed a woman while drinking.

“So you should just be grateful that you became the owner of Lotus Hotel thanks to Do Ha and stay quiet.”

Don’t mess with Seo Yeo Eun, that woman.

* * *

The Hanjoo Group headquarters was relatively quiet despite the article that broke last evening.

Only the PR department and legal team seemed to be having a busy time.

After finishing a meeting with the PR department, Yeo Eun returned to her desk and packed her bag.

“Where are you going?”

Kim Jung Joo, who was on the phone with someone, called out to Yeo Eun.

“I have a lunch appointment.”

She had planned to have lunch with Cha In Woo.

It was an appointment made a few days ago, but Yeo Eun had completely forgotten about it until she met Cha In Woo in the elevator this morning and he reminded her.

“I’ll be back after lunch.”

The clock hand was just pointing to noon.

Kim Jung Joo nodded after checking the time.

“Ah, yes.”

Then he made a somewhat troubled expression.

“I’d like to let you leave early, but I can’t reach the director.”

Cha Do Ha, who left right after the article broke last night, still hadn’t returned.

He seemed to have spent the night with Kim Hae Ri, and appeared to still be with her now.

He must be comforting, consoling, and explaining to his lover.

Yeo Eun smiled faintly and shook her head.

“It’s okay. I’ll go to the department store briefly after lunch and come right back.”

She was a little envious of Kim Hae Ri.

At least that woman gets comforted by Cha Do Ha.

“The department store?”

“Yes, I need to pick out a tie for the director. For tomorrow’s groundbreaking ceremony.”

Kim Jung Joo nodded at her words, and Yeo Eun smiled brightly at him and bowed her head.

“Then I’ll be going.”

Just as she was about to leave the office.

“Um, Seo Yeo Eun?”

“Yes, sir.”

When she turned around, Kim Jung Joo, with an unfamiliar expression, asked very carefully.

“May I ask… who you’re having lunch with?”

Isn’t that rude?

It’s also crossing a line.

But Yeo Eun answered nonchalantly.

Because that’s Seo Yeo Eun’s position within Hanjoo Group.

Someone’s toy, someone’s bait, someone’s puppet, etc.

So her privacy could be trampled on as much as they wanted.

“I have an appointment with CEO Cha In Woo.”

Yeo Eun answered with a bright smile and left the Strategic Planning Division.

She was tired.

An unusual fatigue had come over her since the article broke.

After Cha Hyun, Ji Soo called, and ridiculously, In Tae called as well.

[−Yeo Eun, didn’t you say you were working on a Hanjoo Group project before? That you were in charge of a project there.] [Yes. That’s right. I’m working on that job now.] [−I heard the director there is getting married… do you know about it?] […..] [−That bastard, he’s just a playboy, right?] [Elder brother. You know I can’t say anything about clients, right? And you too. How can you badmouth someone you don’t even know? Just know that he’s a good person.]

After hanging up the phone, Yeo Eun felt a needless surge of sadness that made the tip of her nose sting.

It was the same when she went down to the PR department.

Knowing that she was an external contract employee in the Strategic Planning Division and Cha Do Ha’s image trainer, a barrage of questions followed.

[Is it true that the director fell in love at first sight with her at the arranged marriage meeting?] [I wonder what’s going on with our director and Kim Hae Ri. Did they break up?] [SNS is in an uproar saying he broke up with Kim Hae Ri?] [Team Leader Seo, have you met Director Jin Yu Hee? How is she?] [The article says they look really good together. Hope it works out. Our chairman will be in a good mood and dish out incentives.]

Before the meeting even started, the PR staff bombarded Yeo Eun until finally the department head scolded the employees.

He thundered that it wasn’t even official yet and how could they react to an article ST published on their own.

Hanjoo’s official stance was ‘no response’.

Thanks to that, Yeo Eun was able to compose herself a little.

No response.

The response she should show externally is also ‘no response’.

Because a toy shouldn’t react to every aspect of its owner’s private life.

“I just wish I could leave work early.”

She needs to escape this exhausting place quickly and take her things and leave the hotel.

Now that the engagement was official, she couldn’t stay with Cha Do Ha anymore.

From now on, not only the press but also ST would be watching Cha Do Ha.

If she’s caught in a photo, her life will become even more difficult than it is now.

That’s what Cha Hyun meant when she called last night to express her concerns.

Knowing that, she still lashed out due to feeling upset.

She needs to call Cha Hyun later and apologize separately.

Thinking that, she stepped into the elevator.

Her mind was a little more at peace.

If she could just maintain this mental composure, it seemed she could see this project through to the end.

But her thoughts crumbled in less than a minute.

Because a familiar car stopped in front of her just as she was leaving the Hanjoo Group headquarters building.

A sleek black luxury sedan that resembled its owner.

Through the slightly lowered tinted window, Cha Do Ha’s cold profile was visible.

As she just stood there staring, Cha Do Ha turned his head slightly.

“Aren’t you going to get out and open the door for me?”

Cha Do Ha is a bad man.

Did he have to say “get in” in such a nasty way?

“No. I mean for you to just go. I’m a bit busy right now.”

The black eyes, which looked even darker in the shadow, flashed blue for a moment.

“Why are you busy? To eat with another man?”

Yeo Eun pressed her lips tightly together.

A chilly smile spread faintly across Cha Do Ha’s face as he looked at Yeo Eun.

“If I get out right now and forcibly put Seo Yeo Eun in the car and take her away… a very pretty rumor would spread naturally, wouldn’t it?”

“Director!”

Though it sounded like a joke, his eyes showed it was definitely not a joke.

The eerie madness in his pitch-black eyes made her insides go cold.

“Seo Yeo Eun, who has to package me prettily and sell me at a high price.”

Each word Cha Do Ha spat out clawed wildly at Yeo Eun’s heart.

“So get in. I’ll take you to the other man.”