The reason for wanting to take over Jinseong Foods was simple. It was because the company was originally founded by her maternal grandfather and inherited by her father, who was the son-in-law.

Her father had openly stated that he intended to pass the company on to Yu Na or Yu Na’s husband, not to himself.

Hee Won couldn’t stand by and watch the company her grandfather had painstakingly built fall into the hands of others, so she made a condition to Kang Woo.

However, Hee Won didn’t want to explain these reasons to Kang Woo. They were bound to part ways in a few years anyway, and she didn’t want to reveal her vulnerabilities.

When Kang Woo didn’t say anything, Hee Won inwardly wondered if she had made an unreasonable request. And as his silence lengthened, the feeling of regret in her heart began to deepen.

After a not-so-brief silence, Kang Woo spoke.

“If I ask why, you won’t answer, right?”

“……”

Hee Won chose silence instead of answering.

In response to her reaction, Kang Woo let out a short sigh and said,

“Alright. Then I’ll do as Seong Hee Won wishes.”

In fact, Hee Won had half given up due to Kang Woo’s negative reaction. If Kang Woo had asked, she couldn’t have explained the reason, so he didn’t have to agree if he didn’t want to.

But when a positive answer came back, Hee Won unconsciously raised her voice.

“Really?”

As Hee Won asked with wide eyes, Kang Woo replied in a plain voice.

“Yes.”

Hee Won’s face turned slightly red. Nothing had changed, but the fact that she no longer had to endure without knowing anything made her heart flutter.

“Thank you for agreeing. And thank you even more for not asking why.”

Kang Woo carefully observed her reaction.

And it didn’t take long for a faint smile to appear on his face.

“You say such things. We’re married now, aren’t we? It’s only natural for a husband to grant his wife’s request.”

Though it was probably a formal statement, Hee Won’s heart warmed at Kang Woo’s words.

Kang Woo took out a fountain pen from his bag and wrote down the condition Hee Won had just mentioned at the bottom of the contract.

“I don’t think we’ll need to notarize it.”

“Okay.”

“Let me know if you need anything else.”

“I will.”

Kang Woo spoke to Hee Won.

The biggest variable in this marriage was Hee Won’s own heart.

Conversely, it meant that if she managed her own feelings well, she could end everything successfully.

Kang Woo extended his hand to Hee Won for a handshake.

Hee Won didn’t immediately take Kang Woo’s hand. The suspended hand lost its way and stopped in mid-air.

Kang Woo moved a bit closer and took Hee Won’s hand.

“I look forward to working with you, Seong Hee Won.”

Hee Won’s heart raced uncontrollably at the intense gaze that seemed to pierce through her.

[This is the timeline separator]

One week later.

The marriage of Cha Kang Woo, the number one in Korea’s business world, LS Group, was held privately.

Only close acquaintances and immediate family members were invited.

The venue was set at the annex of LS Hotel in Myeongdong. From dawn, as reporters surrounded the hotel, hired security guards blocked their way.

Today, ordinary people were not allowed to enter the LS Hotel annex, and access to the hotel annex where the wedding was taking place was strictly blocked to anyone not invited.

To enter, one had to show the invitation and undergo identity verification.

While it was noisy outside, Hee Won slowly looked around the bridal waiting room.

She had foolishly thought that the hastily arranged wedding would be modest, but that was a big mistake.

LS Group was LS Group after all.

Opposite the banquet hall, it looked as if an entire flower market had been moved in, it was so lavish.

In the space prepared as the bridal waiting room, Hee Won was waiting with the helper aunt and the photographer.

Hee Won’s mouth went dry with nervousness. Her mind just wouldn’t calm down.

“Are you alright?”

The helper aunt approached and asked Hee Won.

“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”

“Have some water. Here’s a straw.”

“Thank you.”

The helper aunt stayed by Hee Won’s side, taking care of her attentively.

A moment later, Kang Woo opened the door of the bridal waiting room and entered.

Instead of a wedding suit, Kang Woo wore a dark navy checkered suit.

Standing 188 centimeters tall with broad shoulders, his taut muscles were visible even through his clothes.

Kang Woo, as handsome as a model, was as beautiful as the finest sculpture crafted by God.

“Are you okay?”

Though not as much as Hee Won, Kang Woo had also undergone some makeup. Usually preferring a neatly combed pomade style, today he had styled his hair naturally, only half-slicked back.

His sharp jawline, long narrow eyes, and high nose bridge gave him an even colder impression than usual.

Kang Woo tended to look intimidating when he wasn’t smiling.

“You don’t look well.”

But the Kang Woo standing in front of Hee Won now seemed like a completely different person.

Hee Won found it difficult to judge which was Kang Woo’s true self.

Whether it was this kind and gentle appearance now,

Or the cold and sharp-tongued Kang Woo from their first meeting…

Her heart moved on its own, regardless of the seeds of doubt taking root.

To Hee Won’s eyes, today’s Kang Woo looked even more splendid than usual.

At Kang Woo’s signal, the helper aunt and the photographer left the bridal waiting room. Hee Won was left alone with Kang Woo in the bridal waiting room.

Kang Woo slowly approached and stood in front of Hee Won. She felt as if she would be sucked into his deep, dark black eyes.

Kang Woo’s tightly closed thin lips slowly opened.

Hee Won found herself staring intently at Kang Woo’s face without realizing it.

“Seong Hee Won.”

The voice that flowed from between Kang Woo’s tightly closed lips was enchanting.

It was like that of a siren, captivating passing sailors with its voice.

“You look beautiful, quite so.”

Kang Woo leaned in and whispered in Hee Won’s ear.

“So much that I want to hold you right now.”

Startled by Kang Woo’s hot breath on her ear, Hee Won stepped back.

Her heart beat rapidly, oblivious to decorum.

Unlike their first meeting, Kang Woo no longer mixed informal speech or acted rudely.

Somehow, Hee Won felt that Kang Woo’s gaze had become even more intense than at their first meeting.

“Th-thank you.”

Hee Won barely managed to utter a word.

Kang Woo, who had already composed his expression, said,

“We’ll leave right after the ceremony.”

Although the subject was omitted, Hee Won knew that Kang Woo was referring to the honeymoon.

Though it was called a honeymoon, it was really just accompanying Kang Woo on his business trip to the United States, which had been planned months ago.

Even so, Hee Won had been unable to sleep well for several days.

‘When we become a real couple… we’ll do that sort of thing.’

They would be sharing a hotel room, and then, like that time…

Hee Won’s cheeks turned as red as ripe apples as she remembered the night she spent with Kang Woo.

“Let’s go.”

Kang Woo extended his hand to Hee Won.

He was concerned about Hee Won’s expressions that changed from moment to moment, wondering what she was thinking.

“Seong Hee Won.”

Suddenly, seeing Hee Won not responding, Kang Woo felt uneasy.

Could it be that she was regretting this marriage even now?

It was inexplicable that the great Cha Kang Woo would be concerned about a woman’s emotions.

Honestly, Hee Won was one of the women he had liked the most so far.

Kang Woo was uncharacteristically kind to Hee Won and did his best for her.

A contract marriage, he was even doing things he didn’t have to do, which surprised him considerably.

Kang Woo admitted that he was becoming interested in Hee Won.

But it wasn’t love.

There was no way Cha Kang Woo could love.

Just 3 years, it’s better to get along well since we’re doing this anyway.

This relationship has a set end. Seong Hee Won also accepted the contract knowing this.

Yet every time Kang Woo thought about these obvious facts, his stomach churned.

Every time he concluded that it was just that and nothing more, he felt confused by indescribable emotions.

Suddenly, Kang Woo’s mind drifted to his first meeting with Hee Won.

That day too, after finishing a brutal schedule that had started from dawn, he had stopped by a members-only bar he frequented with Director Kang.

[Ah, do you know Jinseong Foods?] [Jinseong Foods?]

Kang Woo turned his head at the words of Director Kang, who was both his friend and chief of staff.

[Yeah, it’s somewhat known in the food industry. I heard they put in a marriage proposal for you.]

Kang Woo knew very well how maliciously and terribly his rumors had spread in social circles. After all, he was the one who had started those rumors.

[That’s ridiculous.]

So when he heard those words, he couldn’t help but laugh mockingly.

[The president of Jinseong Foods must really love money. Trying to give his daughter to a man who’s half-paralyzed, has a nasty personality, and complicated relationships with women.] [It’s been famous for a while. They say the president of Jinseong Foods is trying to benefit from his daughter. Jinseong’s side is trying to keep it quiet, but how can that be hidden? It’s obvious. Anyone who should know probably knows already. Ah, Secretary Song sent a photo, want to see?] [No need.] [Her name is Seong Hee Won, and guess how old she is? 22 years old.] [What?]

Even Kang Woo, who rarely got surprised by anything, couldn’t help but be shocked at Hee Won’s age.

[22 years old?] [Yeah. 22 years old. You’re 34, so wow, there’s a 12-year age gap.] [Hah……]

Kang Woo felt disgusted by Seong Hyun Je, who was trying to use his daughter to fulfill his own greed.

In fact, Kang Woo had trauma regarding parents who weren’t like parents.

In the past, Chairman Cha, his biological father whom he had never doubted was acting in his best interest, had pushed him to the edge of a cliff.

Every day after going to America had been hell.

[They must all be crazy. If they’re going to treat their child like that, why have one in the first place?]

Kang Woo’s words carried many meanings. Director Kang’s expression darkened as he looked at Kang Woo.

Director Kang was one of the few people who knew what Kang Woo had been through. Looking at Kang Woo, Director Kang let out a small sigh.

[Well, but she’s really pretty. I saw her once from afar and thought she was a celebrity. So, they say they’ve been putting in marriage proposals for Jinseong here and there, but she hasn’t met anyone yet. So her relationship history is clean. Her academic background is good too. She attends Shinsung University’s Elementary Education department. She must be smart.]

At Director Kang’s words, Kang Woo let out a mocking laugh and picked up his glass.

Marriage? Who was getting married?

Kang Woo couldn’t even imagine himself getting married.