The rooftop party ended quickly due to Cha Hyun’s sudden visit.

In the end, Seo Yeo Eun was left alone with Cha Hyun and swallowed her bitter feelings as she watched Yoon Ji Soo leave the rooftop.

“Let’s talk.”

With that, Cha Hyun, who had cleared the surroundings, began a very long story.

It was mostly a very personal story about Cha Do Ha.

It was such a private story that she wondered if she should be hearing it.

She seemed to care a lot about her nephew, and looked somewhat happy when she bragged about Cha Do Ha.

But Cha Hyun looked quite pained when talking about his dark side.

Perhaps it’s because Cha Do Ha’s deceased father was Cha Hyun’s twin.

And that story seemed to have some impact on Seo Yeo Eun as well.

After hearing it all, somewhere in her heart became very uncomfortable.

“What do you think? Don’t you feel that Do Ha is similar to you after hearing it? The situation is similar to your family, isn’t it?”

Her family history.

Even Yoon Ji Soo, her close friend and CEO of Persona, doesn’t know the details.

So how does Cha Hyun know?

“I told you. Hanju Group’s intelligence is the best in Korea. We need to know what kind of person he is if we’re entrusting Do Ha’s fate to him. I also have to report to the Chairman.”

Cha Hyun picked up a glass of alcohol left on the table, not knowing whose it was, and drained it in one gulp.

Then she slowly shifted her gaze to Seo Yeo Eun.

“Your father’s affair and miserable death, the massive debt left behind, an incompetent elder brother. And a sick mother.”

As she uttered each word, her eyes flashed sharply as if dissecting Seo Yeo Eun.

Perhaps that’s why each word made her chest ache.

“The scale is different, but it’s a very similar story.”

A similar life on a different scale.

She acknowledges that point.

As much as she acknowledges it, it made her feel dirty.

Because it reminded her of how her once successful father had deceived his family.

Until he ran away with his mistress and died, leaving his family burdened with massive debts, she had believed her father was a diligent head of the family.

But it turned out he had transferred all his assets to his mistress beforehand.

Her father died, and the mistress who barely survived fled to New Zealand, where she was said to be living lavishly.

That bitch.

She even hid her father’s death for half a year, preventing them from renouncing the inheritance.

Thanks to that, all family members became debtors.

Maybe it was the alcohol.

She felt a little sorry for Cha Do Ha, who had a similar life to hers.

“For the past 6 years, Do Ha was like a criminal within Hanju Group.”

His grandfather, Chairman Cha Ji Seop, apparently drove him to that state.

He treated him like a criminal’s son and pushed him away despite his excellence, and exiled his mother, the biggest victim of the incident, citing the marriage contract.

But after 6 years, Chairman Cha Ji Seop called Cha Do Ha back.

“He offered a position in the group and freedom for our sister-in-law, Do Ha’s mother, as conditions.”

“Isn’t that good then? Cha Do Ha’s situation seems to be properly resolved. Unlike mine.”

He doesn’t have debts, and his family isn’t sick.

And he’s not being openly threatened like this.

Moreover, his grandfather, who held all the keys, called him back promising to reinstate him, so it’s done, right?

Now only a happy ending remains. With that Kim Hae Ri.

“No. It’s not resolved at all.”

Chairman Cha Ji Seop not only placed Cha Do Ha in the Strategic Planning Department, a core division of Hanju Group, but also put him at the forefront as the new face of Hanju.

“From now on, all promotional materials related to the group will be decorated with Cha Do Ha’s face. He’ll be at the frontline in all areas including various events, media, external policies, incident management. Do you know what that means?”

It means he’s gained power almost equal to Cha In Woo, who’s in charge of Hanju Industries, the holding company of Hanju Group.

“I don’t fully understand our Chairman’s intentions either. But one thing is certain. He wants to make his two grandsons fight for succession.”

And he set a precondition for Cha Do Ha.

“Actually, Do Ha has been living… quite recklessly.”

“I’ve already looked into it. He’s known as the rogue of high society.”

She found out about his reputation while investigating the Kim Hae Ri scandal.

She even asked the management director of Kim Hae Ri’s agency, with whom she has a personal connection.

[Cha Do Ha of Hanju Group? Don’t even mention it. You know what Kim Hae Ri’s private life is like, right? He’s almost on par with her. They say they’re a perfect match. A rogue couple.]

The one flaw of the national goddess Kim Hae Ri.

Her extreme promiscuity is causing trouble for her agency.

[National first love? Don’t make me laugh. She should be called the national slut.]

The management director would always talk about Kim Hae Ri when drunk, so Seo Yeo Eun knew well.

Kim Hae Ri, the utter rogue.

A man on par with such a woman.

Somehow, it’s hard to believe.

At least Cha Do Ha’s eyes didn’t seem to be of that kind.

“So, Chairman Cha Ji Seop’s precondition is…”

“Right. To shed the rogue image. Or at least hide it well.”

Chairman Cha wants his seemingly perfect grandson to be flawless.

“That’s why we need you, Seo Yeo Eun.”

He wants to make him stand shoulder to shoulder with Cha In Woo, who already has a high public approval.

“Manage the public image well, and preemptively block any emerging rumors?”

“Exactly. That’s your specialty, isn’t it? A true professional who can even turn rumors into positive images.”

That wasn’t wrong.

“Son Gyu Won, the star of Memories Entertainment. I heard it was you who saved that bastard.”

That’s exactly why Seo Yeo Eun is recognized in this industry.

“Our Do Ha desperately needs you.”

“But the Director has no intention of receiving training.”

“That’s absolutely not true.”

Cha Hyun strongly denied it, shaking her head.

“He’s a child who sharpened his knife watching his mother suffer. Now that he has a chance, he won’t let it slip away.”

Yes. That must be true.

Even if it were her, she wouldn’t let the opportunity slip away.

But Cha Do Ha didn’t seem to even think about seizing that opportunity.

He didn’t even try to open the portfolio once.

That ultimately meant he didn’t like the trainer.

If they changed to a different trainer, Cha Do Ha might seize the opportunity.

“Then why are you insisting on me? If training is a prerequisite, why don’t you choose a trainer the Director likes?”

“I told you. It’s because your abilities are outstanding.”

“Everyone in the industry has that level of ability. So why did you specifically point me out? Please tell me the reason.”

Cha Hyun had targeted Seo Yeo Eun from the beginning.

If his womanizing is that severe, they could have chosen a male trainer.

So why her specifically?

At Seo Yeo Eun’s question, Cha Hyun’s expression changed subtly.

The corners of her mouth twisted slightly, as if a sardonic smile appeared.

“Our Do Ha.”

Cha Hyun’s voice lowered as if secretive.

“What do you think of him as a man? Don’t you feel drawn to him?”

At the sudden question, Seo Yeo Eun firmly closed her lips.

The pit of her stomach ached as if hit at a vital point.

Cha Hyun’s smile immediately deepened.

“You’re not denying it.”

Cha Hyun laughed, saying she liked her honesty.

“Don’t look so troubled. Do Ha will be drawn to you anyway.”

“…?”

“You’re pretty, Seo Yeo Eun. Charming. Especially your slender body and straight neck like a ballerina, it subtly stimulates desire.”

Cha Hyun continued, her smile fading.

“Fragile yet upright, it makes one want to break something, doesn’t it? And your eyes. They seem to hold a story, yet look somewhat indifferent?”

Cha Hyun smiled coldly again, meeting her gaze directly, and leaned back in her chair leisurely.

“It will drive Do Ha crazy. Because he’ll see himself in your eyes.”

Facing Cha Hyun, Seo Yeo Eun swallowed hard.

She felt a rough foreign sensation as if sand grains had entered her mouth.

“Isn’t that more problematic? If Director Cha Do Ha likes me, wouldn’t that rather mess things up…”

“But you know your place.”

Her black eyes flashed with a sharp light.

“I know you’ll never cross the line.”

That’s why you’re the right person for this.

“Just keep that line.”

Cha Hyun’s low voice heavily pressed on Seo Yeo Eun’s heart.

* * *

She said if I just keep the line, they’ll provide not only the astronomical surgery costs, but also the fastest surgery schedule.

Hanju Group will provide all the necessary specialized institutions and everything needed for recovery.

They’ll even forgive the debts her father left to her and her brother, and solve all her personal problems as well.

“Mom.”

I received a strange proposal today.

To seduce a man, but never cross the line.

“Is it very hard to breathe?”

Seo Yeo Eun asked her mother, So Jung, words different from what was in her heart, and placed her palm on her forehead.

She was worried that she might have a fever.

“Is your chest tight?”

So Jung shook her head, making wheezing sounds.

“N-no.”

Lies. The area under her eyes is so blue.

So Jung suffers from a rare disease that causes abnormal function of the heart and lungs.

As her heart and lungs deteriorated, other organs were also affected and slowly breaking down.

Her kidneys started to malfunction, and unable to filter toxins, a vicious cycle continued.

Because of So Jung, who had to rely on the hospital for about 20 days a month, she and her brother had to take on considerable debt in addition to the debt their father had left them.

That’s why she turned down her mentor’s offer of a part-time lecturer position in the Psychology Department at Korea University and joined ‘Persona’.

Because she needed money. And a lot of it.

That’s why she dedicated her life to whitewashing the image of ugly humans.

Because they throw big money proportional to their ugliness.

But now, even such money can’t solve the situation.

It has become meaningless to treat her if her heart isn’t fixed as soon as possible.

Surgery is the only answer, but no schedule is available.

It’s urgent now, but her turn won’t come until the end of the year.

Cha Hyun, no, Hanju Group, grasped Seo Yeo Eun’s weakness and proposed a deal.

“If you do well, the surgery date might be moved up.”

The situation may change depending on her answer and her abilities.

“It might become available as early as next month, if we’re lucky.”

At Seo Yeo Eun’s words, So Jung’s eyes trembled slightly.

Then she spoke with difficulty.

“Money. That surgery… it’s expensive. It’s an enormous amount, isn’t it?”

“Don’t worry.”

Seo Yeo Eun gently held So Jung’s hand.

“I’m currently…”

For a moment, her throat felt choked, as if someone was blocking it.

Seo Yeo Eun swallowed once and opened her mouth again.

She didn’t forget to show a warm smile.

“I have a project, and if I handle it well, I’ll earn quite a lot of money.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. You know Hanju Group, right? I’ve been assigned their work.”

So Jung’s eyes widened at the mention of Hanju Group.

Hanju Group, one of Korea’s top three conglomerates, was a daunting presence just by its name.

“The amount is so large that I could pay for the surgery and all our debts.”

But So Jung threw an unexpected question.

“…Is it dangerous work?”

“Huh?”

“You know. When they offer such big money, there’s usually some risk involved.”

Cough, cough.

So Jung started coughing, preventing her from continuing.

Even a small cough causes an overload for So Jung, whose body functions are not normal.

The medical staff rushed in, and she had to leave the room.

Standing outside the room, watching the emergency treatment process, Seo Yeo Eun clenched her fists tightly.

This situation, which had become routine now, hurt a little.

And she recalled So Jung’s question.

[Is it dangerous work?]

It is dangerous work.

[When they offer big money, there’s usually some risk involved.]

It was an accurate expression.

An incentive beyond imagination, but with high risk.

To dare to move Cha Do Ha’s heart.

Perhaps it’s an impossible task.