“I don’t need the glory you give, sir. I will repay the expenses you helped with to finish university.”

“With my son’s money?”

“I’ll earn it myself.”

Namtae’s forehead wrinkled fiercely. He grabbed the withered orchid and pulled it out by the roots without hesitation. Due to being thrown at Seoa without hesitation, the mud-soaked hole dirtied her white coat.

“You two have rotted to the roots like this orchid. It’s a hopeless dead relationship.”

My heart was stabbed indiscriminately. Seoa’s nose twitched, and she bit her lips forcefully.

“How far do you think the end of a relationship that started with a lie will go? Even if Kangwoo looks at you right away, he’ll doubt you inside. Trying to act nonchalant and composed on the outside will only reveal your true colors.”
“I will follow Mr. Kangwoo’s decision. If Mr. Kangwoo asks me to leave, I will.”

“Then, let’s try until you want to. Oh, don’t worry. I won’t directly touch you in the future.”

A sinister smile, like a mouse nibbling stealthily, spread.

“If my son insists until the end, as a father, I have no choice but to discipline him strictly. Even if it means breaking his arms and legs.”

“If Mr. Kangwoo touches me, I will tell everything to the reporters. How your father treated me.”

He didn’t explicitly mention the existence of an audio file, fearing it might be taken away. Namtae’s suspicious gaze softened. It seemed as if the director had taken care of it.

“If you mess with Kangwoo, won’t you stay still? Huh, you have no idea how tough Kangwoo has had it. By any means.”

“……What is that……”

“A while ago, Kangwoo went to the police station, right? He damaged several cars. This time, he finished with just scratched wrists, but next time won’t be the end.”

Recalling the nonchalant manner of saying, ‘I cut myself while shaving,’ came to mind.

“Maybe because I’m a father, but my heart has weakened when it comes to punishment. You can relax with both feet up. As I said, I won’t touch you. I’ll just show you, endure and Kangwoo will be driven to the brink.”

“Hu……Huk.”

Seoa’s hands and feet trembled. The tears she had barely held back finally flowed.

“Whether the man you love dies first, or he rejects and torments himself until he breaks down, let’s see which one happens. Just enjoy the show.”

Seoa’s lips trembled so much that her teeth clashed. How… How… The words she was trying to say, barely uttered, were buried in her sobs. It was heartbreaking that glaring back with swollen eyes was all she could do.

“How can you be so cruel and heartless to your son? How, as a human being!”

“Aren’t your parents, whom you don’t even know their faces, more inhumane? Discarding the flesh and blood born not long ago.”

Breathing tightened, Seoa clenched her chest. Namtae’s footsteps, circling around Seoa, were calm.

“A child inheriting my bloodline should be stronger and better than anyone else. A guy who can’t snap out of a woman’s skirt is fundamentally unnecessary.”

So if you want to protect Kangwoo, leave.

Tap-tap, the sound of footsteps faded. Soon, a thud, the sound of the door closing, was heard. Only then did Seoa collapse and sob without restraint. Even though there was a sound coming from behind, she cried with her neck hanging. It seemed like she had to do that right away to breathe.

The director placed Seoa’s phone on the desk.

“What did I say? I told you it’s a dangerous game, didn’t I?”

The toneless, dry voice mixed with a faint sob.

“By now, President must have heard that it was a contractual marriage. So last night, did you go into the room with this executive?”

Wishing you all the best, Madam.
A somewhat mixed comfort of sarcasm and sympathy flew in.

Standing in front of an antique oval full-length mirror, Kangwoo raised his collar and tied his tie. Soon, skillfully knotting it, he put on a vest.

As he neatly buttoned up, the room bell rang. Only after finishing did he slowly step towards the entrance. Secretary Choi was standing with the handles of two trunks in each hand.

“President, what happened overnight? Suddenly going to LA?”

“Come in.”

Secretary Choi sighed imperceptibly. Kangwoo’s two trunks were already in the entrance. In other words, he was not going to change his decision.

In the trash can that caught his eye casually, there were discarded clothes, still in good condition. A jacket, tie, and even shoes. Secretary Choi, who knew they were what Kangwoo wore last night, was speechless.

“Double. The head director said he has time today.”

There was something more important than asking why he threw away the clothes.

“Yes. But originally, didn’t you plan to meet two days later? Why suddenly change your schedule? G-Coms might be uncomfortable.”

“I decided to terminate the contract with G-Coms.”

“What do you mean by that all of a sudden?”

Without answering, Kangwoo pointed to the round table. There lay luxury watches and cufflinks.

“I’m selling them to use. As incentives.”

There was a hint of a smirk, but his lips closed with a mocking smile. Secretary Choi looked at him cautiously.

“…Sir, whatever unpleasant incident happened, it will be a significant blow to terminate with G-Coms. I’m sure you made the decision after careful consideration, but it seems better to coordinate well with G-Coms.”

The stock will fall, advertisements and investments will be withdrawn, and shareholders will also make a fuss. Even though there was no need to ask G-Coms for a penalty for what Minyoung did, two years of invested time and money were substantial. There were also various complicated relationships involved.

He put on his jacket on heavy shoulders.

“So, are you going to LA today to seize a new opportunity?”

“If so, you need to catch Double. Devil somehow.”

Secretary Choi mumbled as he glanced through English documents scattered on the round table. It was almost self-destructive. Smirking, Kangwoo picked up the phone lying on the documents. His eyes narrowed as he scrolled down with his thumb.

“There isn’t a single one. Until now.”

He muttered to himself. Troubled by the morning call being cut off, he tried several times again. However, Seoa is thoroughly ignoring him.

And there was no response to the message sent an hour ago.

“President, I’ll put it in the trunk. Please come through the main entrance.”

Nodding, Kangwoo brought the phone to his ear. Still no response. Continuously calling, he went to the hotel’s main gate.

It was the same after getting in the car. Whether you win or I win, it seemed he would keep doing it until he got a response.
Arrived at the airport. Secretary Choi took out the plane ticket from her mini bag and answered a call. Waiting briefly during the call, she looked at Kangwoo.

“Why?”

“I’m a car dealer, but Madam isn’t answering the phone. She waited at the mansion’s main gate for a long time due to security, eventually left the car key with the security, and is on her way back.”

A bad feeling crept up. Kangwoo persistently called Seoa while digging through his lower lip. Secretary Choi, who had been watching anxiously from behind, finally spoke.

“President, you need to board now.”

Kangwoo only took his ticket.

“I’ll go alone, and Secretary Choi, go back to Korea right away.”

Regretting the choice made that day, he continued to regret it.