Hye Rim had a strong impulsive nature. Rather than informing in advance and acting, she tended to act first. That was always a source of anxiety, but Min Woo loved that free-spirited nature.

This time too, Hye Rim came to Korea without notice and suddenly contacted him to pick her up from the airport.

Min Woo brought her as if used to it, and when she said she hadn’t booked accommodation, they decided to stay together at the hotel where he was staying.

Arriving at the hotel parking lot, Hye Rim looked at her phone and clicked her tongue softly.

“Oh Se Jin has finally gone crazy, it seems.”

Hye Rim, like Min Woo, seemed certain that the source of the article was Oh Se Jin. Judging from the strange atmosphere in front of the art center, it was clear he was consistently flirting.

In contrast, Jin Yu Ra’s solid wall was sufficient reason to consider this article Oh Se Jin’s work.

Already, dozens of similar articles had been uploaded and were spreading in all directions. Recalling Yu Ra’s shrunken voice, Min Woo sneered at Oh Se Jin’s misdeeds.

“Indeed. He’s done something completely crazy.”

“Min Woo.”

“Hmm?”

Hearing her call his name, Min Woo looked at Hye Rim while pressing the elevator button.

Hye Rim was staring at the tightly closed elevator, biting her lips with her hand. It was a habit that appeared when she was contemplating something, and the red lipstick was staining her fingertips.

Min Woo naturally took out a handkerchief, grabbed Hye Rim’s hand, and wiped off the red lipstick. She too, as if used to it, stared blankly at the scene and revealed her curiosity.

“You said you met them on Baek Fox’s honeymoon, right?”

“Yes, I did.”

“How did they look?”

Leading Hye Rim into the opening elevator, Min Woo tried to understand the intent of the question.

“In what sense?”

“Political marriage? Love marriage?”

Min Woo recalled Baek Yi Hyun, whom he had encountered that day. Along with a strong possessiveness towards Jin Yu Ra, he showed wariness towards himself.

Judging by Baek Yi Hyun’s outward appearance, he thought it was definitely not love.

But rumors were circulating that it was more of a love marriage than a political one, being the second union of CH and Jin Hwa. In a situation where nothing was clear, Baek Yi Hyun’s appearance seemed to lean towards a love marriage.

“Whether it’s political or love, he seemed quite possessive.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Hye Rim said nothing more until they reached the room. She was clearly plotting something. It wasn’t surprising as she always tended to stir up trouble, but Min Woo hoped it wouldn’t impact Jin Yu Ra.

Jin Yu Ra would already be overwhelmed by what had happened. Although she appeared strong, many such women were soft inside.

Just like Ju Hye Rim. Perhaps because she had a similar aura to the woman he loved, Min Woo kept worrying about Yu Ra.

“What are you plotting?”

“Just thinking of settling some old scores?”

If it was a plot against Baek Yi Hyun, the repercussions would ultimately affect Jin Yu Ra too. Though it might not be much help, Min Woo tried to divert Hye Rim’s focus by changing the subject.

“Want to go eat some baekban?”

“Baekban?”

“You said you wanted to eat it last time.”

Hye Rim’s eyes immediately lit up as she approached. As she was always sincere about food, it was a perfect excuse to clear her mind for a moment.

“Oh, you looked it up already?”

“Shall we go?”

“Sure.”

At times like this, Hye Rim was just like a teenage girl. As he ruffled the hair of Hye Rim, whom he still loved dearly, he was about to move when.

“Before that.”

Hye Rim, who had suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her body against him, raised the corner of her lips mischievously.

“Let’s do it. I want to.”

It was a typical statement from Ju Hye Rim, always true to her instincts. Min Woo cupped her cheeks and lowered his head.

“You’re lewd.”

With their noses touching, Hye Rim’s sultry voice spread between their intermingling breaths.

“You don’t like it?”

“How could I?”

Against the backdrop of the soft sunset painting the sky, a sensual sound escaped from their deeply interlocking lips.

After spending a night at her in-laws’ house, Yu Ra once again organized in her mind the worries of the previous night. No matter what anyone said, she was innocent, and there was no reason to hide like this.

Determined to brush off any whispers about her being thick-skinned, she covered the slightly bruised cheek with makeup.

At the early morning meal, Yu Ra expressed her will.

“I’m planning to go to work today. There are other matters to handle too. I can’t keep taking time off from the company.”

Everyone seemed to have anticipated this and didn’t show much reaction. It felt more grateful that they didn’t excessively try to dissuade her. Maybe it was just her imagination, but it felt like they believed in her strength that much.

Hyun Tae, who had put down his spoon, agreed with Yu Ra’s opinion in a serious voice.

“Right. There’s nothing good about hiding like this. Rather, going out confidently and doing your part might lend more strength to your innocence.”

Mi Hee looked at Yu Ra with worried eyes and asked.

“But surely reporters will swarm, and people will gossip. Will you be alright?”

“I understand your concerns. But I’m really fine.”

Yu Ra tried to smile even brighter, striving to show her strength. It wasn’t that she had absolutely no hesitation about this choice.

Dealing with the accusations against her and the gaze of being labeled an adulteress would certainly not be easy. But she knew well that she had to overcome it and endure.

Mi Hee, sitting opposite, gently stroked Yu Ra’s hand. It felt similar to the warmth of Baek Yi Hyun she had felt before.

“Don’t try to endure alone, if anything’s hard, tell us anytime.”

“I’ve instructed Jin Ho separately, so don’t worry too much.”

“Yes, Mother, Father, thank you.”

Yu Ra felt much lighter after receiving encouragement from her parents-in-law. Meanwhile, she was concerned about Yi Hyun, who had been keeping his mouth firmly shut throughout.

Did he not agree with this decision? With no words one way or the other, she found herself unnecessarily watching his reactions.

She had tried to discuss this issue with Yi Hyun last night, but Yi Hyun didn’t return to the bedroom until Yu Ra fell asleep. She thought he might have slept separately in the study, but when she opened her eyes, the lingering warmth and his scent on the side told her that wasn’t the case.

He might not like that Yu Ra had blurted this out without prior discussion. Unlike her parents-in-law, Yi Hyun still had seeds of doubt remaining.

Yu Ra continued her meal, deciding to talk with Yi Hyun afterwards. And as the meal was coming to an end, Yi Hyun, who had been silent throughout, spoke calmly.

“Don’t drive. I’ll arrange a chauffeur for you.”

“Okay… I understand.”

She was about to say there was no need for that, but agreed readily to avoid unnecessary bickering. Yi Hyun put down his chopsticks as if he had finished both his meal and what he had to say.

“If you’re done eating, let’s get up.”

Before she could reply, Yi Hyun stood up and bowed slightly to his parents.

“We’ll be going first.”

“Alright.”

Yu Ra also stood up, bowed her head, and followed Yi Hyun upstairs to prepare for work. His silently walking back seemed unfamiliar.

Not knowing what he was thinking or how things were going, Yu Ra felt uneasy. She felt uncomfortable, as if she had added more work to someone already busy and overwhelmed. If possible, she wanted to resolve this with her own hands.

No matter what anyone said, this was a matter between Oh Se Jin and Yu Ra. There was no need for those around them to suffer because of this. That’s why she decided to go to work confidently.

When they came down to the entrance with their belongings, her parents-in-law were having tea. After politely greeting the two, she turned around, and Mi Hee’s request followed.

“Don’t go to the newlywed home, commute from here for the time being. Understood?”

“Yes, I understand.”

Yu Ra left an awkward smile and followed Yi Hyun. In the garage was a sedan of the same model Yi Hyun usually drove. She felt burdened to ride such an expensive car, thinking it would attract more attention.

Before Yu Ra could ask if there was another vehicle, Yi Hyun spoke first.

“If you happen to encounter reporters, don’t answer any questions.”

“Okay.”

“There will be security guards as well.”

“That’s not necessary.”

With a chauffeur already assigned, she couldn’t move around with security guards too. What kind of important figure would go to work with security guards? No matter how she thought about it, it was beyond common sense.

“I’m anxious, that’s why.”

At Yi Hyun’s words, Yu Ra’s expression rapidly sank.

‘What are you anxious about? Anxious that the article might be true?’

Yu Ra couldn’t bring herself to voice the question lingering in her mouth. After their conversation about compensation yesterday, Yi Hyun had been continuously silent. It was as if he didn’t want to engage in any conversation except for necessary words.

Had Yi Hyun come to dislike her so much, or did he want to sever any remaining affection since they would soon divorce? The suddenly cold Yi Hyun felt spiteful.

“If I say I don’t want you to, will you not do it?”

“No.”

“Then do as you wish.”

Yu Ra answered cynically and stepped towards the back seat that the chauffeur had opened. Just as she was about to get in the car, Yi Hyun blocked her way and met her eyes. Yu Ra shot him a glare filled with venom.

Yi Hyun’s low, sigh-mixed request followed.

“Finish important work and leave early. Don’t stay late.”

“Alright. I’ll go first.”

Yu Ra pushed past Yi Hyun as if avoiding him and got in the car.

Yi Hyun couldn’t take his eyes off the vehicle quickly leaving the garage.

As the garage door closed again and Yu Ra was no longer visible, he frowned at the throbbing headache. After standing like that for a while, Yi Hyun got into the vehicle and informed the chauffeur of the destination.

“To Jin Hwa Group.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jin Woo trembled with anxiety as he scanned the articles circulating in the media.

“Brother, is this really okay?”

“Don’t worry. They can’t even issue a rebuttal article. I even gave an interview like this, what more?”

Watching Se Jin giggle contentedly while looking at the article, Jin Woo bit his lip nervously.

“But this…”

“You just watch your mouth. Got it?”

“Yes…”

Jin Woo knew the article was false. He had heard about Jin Yu Ra from Se Jin until now, and roughly knew about what had happened between them since coming to Korea.

How long could such a blatant lie deceive people’s eyes?

Would CH Group really just sit back and watch this happen? This wasn’t simply Jin Yu Ra’s personal problem, but was also connected to the company’s image. No matter how he thought about it, Se Jin didn’t seem to have considered that aspect.

“It came out so beautifully. Should I ask for the original of this photo?”

Se Jin, humming while looking at Jin Yu Ra’s photo in the article, looked like a madman.

Se Jin was the first artist Jin Woo took charge of when he entered this industry. He had often heard that artists have somewhat unreasonable temperaments, but Se Jin seemed to have surpassed that level.

“Indeed, she’s most beautiful when she’s by my side.”

In Jin Woo’s eyes, Oh Se Jin was a mentally ill person trapped in a terrible delusion. Jin Woo felt a strange chill at the fear and terror spreading in an instant. He shuddered at what might happen in the future.