“As the CEO said, it could be a joke with a purpose. Like a psychopath. Even the innocent pranks of a child need correction; otherwise, they become cruel. Moreover, who knows how far the jokes of a malicious human can go? Fortunately, until now, it’s been just threats, but if it goes further, you could get hurt.”

“Secretary Choi. Even if my father knows, it won’t help. Besides, security will be attached soon, so Secretary Choi has nothing to worry about. Anyway, we need to pull out that guy’s roots to stop him. Isn’t that right?”

Choi Secretary closed her mouth. If it was an inevitable fight, all she could do was do her best to help. It was regrettable that he had to fight alone.

Kang-woo gathered the meeting materials and stood up from his seat. A surprisingly peaceful smile appeared on his face, the calmest he had been recently.

“Still, it’s somewhat reassuring. At least we know there’s a target.”

Not Ji-sea.

Outside the main gate in Cheongdam-dong, Sea-ah was standing. Apparently, it was to visit Hyun-sook since Nam-tae was on leave.

The door opened shortly after ringing the bell. She took a moment to admire the wide garden covered in the first snow before entering the house.

Hyun-sook welcomed Sea-ah with open arms. Embracing her daughter-in-law warmly, she wrapped her arms around her back. The knitted dress Hyun-sook was wearing was as cozy as a warm board.
“Mother, how have you been?”

“Well, since you’re here, Youngcheon is busy preparing delicious things inside. Isn’t it still lunchtime?”

“Yes.”

“What do you have in your hands?”

Since it was his nature to buy even small things without coming, she guessed that there were probably pastries in the shopping bag.

The name of the pastry shop was prominently written in the center of the shopping bag. Although she didn’t know what was inside the mart bag in the other hand, it looked quite bulging.

“Mother, you like pastries, right? I waited and bought some croissants that you like, as it’s the time you prefer at noon.”

“Why bother coming when you can just eat a meal? Well, thank you.”

While receiving the shopping bag with pastries, Hyun-sook’s gaze unintentionally went to the mart bag. It seemed like whatever she was holding was something to take home.

“Give me that too, it looks heavy. Do you need to keep it refrigerated?”

“It’s a sweet pumpkin, so it’s okay. The weather isn’t hot either.”

“Why did you buy sweet pumpkin?”

Sea-ah spread open the bag to show the contents. Inside were various kinds of sweet pumpkin and snacks like chocolate bars and jelly. Hyun-sook swallowed her laughter, trying not to burst into laughter.

“Mr. Kang Woo can only eat porridge lately after he got sick. Are you worried he might get bored? You told me to prepare various things, and making a different porridge every day isn’t an ordinary task.”

“It’s sincere! I wonder what luck Kang-woo had to meet you. Hey, don’t overdo it. It’s tough for you.”

“It’s okay. Since the company project is over, I have a bit of time these days.”

Hyun-sook handed the mart bag with the sweet pumpkin to the servant. She told him to bring it to the kitchen, where Sea-ah and her would make something together later.

They headed to the dining room together. A table set for two was prepared for Hyun-sook and Sea-ah. There was blackmouth angelfish soup, beef ribs, medicated wraps with barley and oysters, and other dishes Sea-ah liked.

Last year, whether it was a holiday or an ordinary day, Sea-ah visited the main house without Kang-woo. Although Kang-woo and Sea-ah had a good relationship now, during the last Lunar New Year, neither Kang-woo nor Sea-ah visited the main house. Hyun-sook had stopped them, fearing that it might cause a fight between the in-laws.

“Eat a lot. It’s so nice to have a meal together.”

Hyun-sook generously spread the barley and oyster meat on Sea-ah’s rice bowl. It reminded her of when Kang-woo had spread crab meat for her. She thought that he was returning the love he received from his mother.

“Oh, Mother, we’re going on a trip.”

While happily eating rice, Sea-ah bragged.

“Oh my, where to?”

“We’re going to Guam.”

“Oh, that’s nice. Guam is good. But there are other good places too… Have you already decided on Guam?”

“Mr. Kang Woo prepared it. Anyway, other resorts are too far, so we decided to go somewhere close for now.”

“Really? Well, Guam is nice.”

A continuous smile hung on Hyun-sook’s lips.
“Next time, Mother, let’s go together. I’ll pick you up since it’s good for you.”

“Even if it’s just words, thank you.”

“If you feel lonely, you can come to our house anytime.”

“It’s good that my son treats his daughter-in-law well. It’s the best when a husband is handsome, even the mother-in-law gets treated well.”

“Even if it’s not Mr. Kang Woo, I’m always grateful to Mother. I mean it.”

Sae-ah, who had been gazing at Hyun-sook, placed her hand on her hand. In the gently shaded eyes of the quiet Hyun-sook, something seemed to be folded delicately.

⭐⭐⭐

After making pumpkin porridge with Hyun-sook and having tea, it was already 5 o’clock, so Sae-ah prepared to leave.

At Hyun-sook’s words to wait for a moment, while waiting on the sofa, Youngcheon gave her something wrapped in a fine blanket.

“I made some different porridge other than pumpkin porridge. I made it yesterday when I heard you were coming. I didn’t make a lot, so it shouldn’t be too heavy. Did you bring tea?”

“No. Mr. Kang Woo said he would use my car today, so I took a taxi.”

“Why did you take your car?”

“The driver I hired recently scratched the bumper, so one car needs to be repaired. So, I thought I might as well have the other car checked.”

“I see. Anyway, you hired a driver again. Well done. It’s not an ordinary task to drive. But…”

“…Yes. But it got cut. The bumper got scratched.”

“Oh, my. Even though he’s my son, he can be so sharp.”

The atmosphere between the in-laws, who exchanged glances with each other’s mischievous glints, was warm. Unfortunately, Sae-ah had to say goodbye and left when she was told to wait for a moment.

As Sae-ah walked across the garden, when she turned around, she saw Hyun-sook standing by the window of the main house. She waved her hand as if telling her to go inside.

Walking back toward the main gate, she heard the sound of the garage opening. There, she encountered Director Lee, who had just finished parking in front of the gate. The Director looked around and then grabbed Sae-ah’s arm.

“What are you doing? Let go.”

“Act naturally. You’re being recorded on CCTV right now.”

The camera installed on the oak tree was spinning around. When Sae-ah stopped resisting, Director Lee immediately let go of her arm.

“The Congressman’s car is coming in right now. Act quickly; they are eagerly preparing, so go out through the back gate. Also, call the security guard and tell him to come to the back gate.”

“Why all of a sudden—”

With a puzzled face, as if awakened, Director Lee pushed Sae-ah’s back.

“Move quickly.”

Beep— the sound of the garage opening echoed. The alarm that the car was entering sounded throughout the entire house.