Nam-tae, who was having fun with other congressmen, recognized Se-ah belatedly. Not knowing what was going on, he searched for Director Im, but he couldn’t be found.

Only then did Nam-tae sense something unusual. Trying to leave the place to avoid it, two bodyguards blocked his way.

“Step aside. Don’t you know who I am?”

“Until the end of the party, it was ordered not to let anyone out without the permission of the chairman.”

“What?”

In a gathering of distinguished figures, Nam-tae couldn’t raise his voice, so he rolled his eyes. Even on his stiff lips, the bodyguards showed no signs of stepping back.

At that moment, the lights in the banquet hall dimmed, and the spotlight illuminated the stage.
On the stage, Kang-woo and Se-ah stood together, holding each other’s hands tightly.

Affectionately, when Kang-woo gestured with his eyes, Se-ah nodded her head. Letting go of Se-ah’s hand gently, Kang-woo leaned close to the microphone.

“Thank you to all the esteemed guests for attending the party. The reason I gathered you all here is to introduce my wife first.”

When Kang-woo looked at Se-ah, she also stared into his eyes.

“At first, I fell in love with my wife’s clear and beautiful face, but now I sincerely love her even more for her wise and noble character.”

People’s attention, laughter, and applause were heard. Se-ah felt as if they were finally holding a wedding ceremony. Continuing calmly, Kang-woo spoke.

“As there are no exposures of my private life, there seem to be various malicious rumors circulating. So, here, I officially want to declare that our relationship is strong.”

Kang-woo turned to face Se-ah. Gently caressing Se-ah’s blushing cheek, he suddenly kissed her forehead. Flash after flash burst.

“In truth, I love her more. Every morning when I wake up and see my wife, I thought I couldn’t love her more than now, but the next day, my love grows deeper.”

“Chairman Cha, you are wonderful.”

A journalist, capturing angles for photos, shouted. Kang-woo raised his martini glass in response, and others raised their glasses in return.

Then, when Se-ah and Kang-woo clinked glasses, a festive atmosphere for toasts was created.

The party venue lights brightened again. People approached Se-ah, asking various questions. They asked about her occupation, and when she mentioned being a writer, they praised her for doing a wonderful job.

Also, asking about their relationship, some expressed envy, saying how wonderful it would be to be with such a handsome and romantic man.

People gathered around her as if she were the center, as if she were the host of the party.

Observing all this from a distance, Kang-woo watched the progress of the party. Beside his busy-looking son, Nam-tae finally revealed himself.

“Cha Kang-woo.”

“Yes, Father.”

Hotel staff backed away at Nam-tae’s angry gaze.

“What on earth have you done?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why did you bring that baggage again?”

“Were you worried that she might become a baggage, so you erased information about Se-ah’s parents?”

“Well, what does it matter?”

“This child.”

In excitement, Nam-tae seemed to inadvertently make a loud noise, so he tried to cover it up with a fake cough.

“Smile, Father. A more entertaining show will unfold soon.”

The martini glass in Nam-tae’s hand trembled. Kang-woo, casually clinking his glass, stepped aside.

As it was a long party, tables for dinner were set up on the left side. While people were having dinner, a large screen descended in front of the stage.
And suddenly, through the speakers, someone’s voice burst out. The eyes of people engaged in lively conversations widened.

Initially, people were uncertain about whose voice it was, but soon they recognized Nam-tae’s voice. All attention focused on one place. With a pale face, Nam-tae shouted.

“What is this nonsense? Can’t you turn it off right away?”

However, the recording continued to play. Starting with confidential conversations with directors during visits to childcare centers nationwide, the ledgers of over a hundred wards under his guardianship were revealed on the screen.

Most of the victims were children raised in childcare centers or someone from difficult single-parent families.

Some of them bravely revealed the truth with distorted voices. How they were exploited for election activities and the threats they faced if they objected.

Gradually, not only in election activities but also whatever Nam-tae commanded, they actively moved in various roles such as educators, journalists, legal professionals, transporters, helpers, etc. It was the price for following the values Nam-tae taught them.

Nam-tae realized that no one was at his table. People scattered as if he were a contagious disease.

“Manager, where are you?”

In shock and fear, Nam-tae stood up, searching for the manager. At that moment, a journalist flashed a camera.

“Don’t take pictures, you son of a bitch.”

Ignoring people’s gaze, Nam-tae shouted, and then the hall door opened. Behind the manager, handcuffed, were police officers and a prosecutor. Unable to speak, Nam-tae gasped, holding the back of his neck.

Watching him, the manager showed a faint smile.

“Representative, I turned myself in two hours ago. I confessed to everything.”

“What… what.”

As the police approached, Nam-tae waved them away. However, the police, aware that the details of the case had been revealed, and fearing the possibility of escape, restrained Nam-tae with handcuffs.

Astonished, the banquet hall emptied. People hurriedly left, fearing something might happen.

Watching the empty hall, Nam-tae finally found his family. His wife, Hyun-suk, son Kang-woo, and Se-ah were glaring coldly in his direction.

“Hyun-suk, why is this person just standing there quietly? Come over here for a moment. I have something to say.”

Frantically gesturing, Nam-tae looked for his wife, and the police looked at Hyun-suk.

“Madam, if you have something to say, we’ll give you some time.”

Tears of disappointment welled up in Hyun-suk’s eyes. Watching that, Nam-tae tried to move his restrained hands to hold his wife’s hand somehow. Without pushing him away, Hyun-suk stared at her husband coldly.

“You contact Lawyer Kim. This is a conspiracy. Someone might be behind this because I seem likely to be elected!”

While speaking, he suddenly glared at Kang-woo.

“Yes, that child seems to be siding with the profitable side of my business. A damn wretch even my father wouldn’t recognize.”

Attempting to rush at Kang-woo, Nam-tae was forcefully pushed away by Hyun-suk.
“Hyun-suk, why are you like this? What did I do so wrong?”

“I can endure even the worst from you, but how could you do this to our child! Are you even human? Instructing Go Jin-ho to harm my son and trying to drive Se-ah away?”

“You! I don’t know where you heard such nonsense, but it’s all lies! And now is not the time for such idle talk! Call Lawyer Kim immediately and prepare some money. Understand?”

“Where is your money? You spent the family’s money for the election.”

As Hyun-suk spoke with her lips slightly twisted, Nam-tae’s pupils trembled.

“What? You have property. You brought it when we got married.”

“That’s my money.”

As if finishing her words, Hyun-suk looked at the police. When Nam-tae tried to resist being taken away. Hyun-suk stared straight into her husband’s eyes.

“Mr. Cha Nam-tae, let’s get a divorce. You will receive divorce papers from within prison.”