Hee Won and Kang Woo came out of the restaurant after finishing their meal.

As they looked around for Secretary Ha, Kang Woo said,

“I sent Secretary Ha ahead since I thought we could move together in my car.”

“Ah, I see.”

On the way to the car parked in the lot, Kang Woo asked,

“Do you like night scenery?”

“Night scenery?”

Hee Won, who had a curfew, wouldn’t have seen night scenery.

Perhaps she had longed for it because she had never actually seen it?

She liked photos of night scenery. So collecting night scenery photos from around the world was her secret hobby that others didn’t know about.

“I like it. Actually, I have a lot of night scenery photos.”

“Photos, you say?”

“Yes. I liked collecting night scenery photos taken from famous places around the world, not just Korea. I have about two albums.”

“Two albums, you say?”

“Yes. Even for the same place, the atmosphere changes completely depending on the direction or angle you shoot from.”

“I see.”

As they talked about something she liked, her words quickened and she became more cheerful.

Hee Won had never opened up to anyone about the things she liked before.

Having someone listen intently to her story was much more joyful than she had expected.

“Which place did you want to visit the most?”

Kang Woo asked.

Though she liked it, she had never thought about actually going to see it herself.

Just one place, there were too many places that came to mind.

“Hmm… Just one place?”

When Hee Won asked with a serious expression, Kang Woo chuckled and said,

“Two places are fine too. Even more than that, so tell me all the places you want to go.”

At Kang Woo’s words, Hee Won’s heart swelled.

The thought of going to places she wanted to visit – her previous self would never have imagined it.

Because it had been a vain dream.

But now she was free from her father who had bound her. So Hee Won’s heart swelled at the thought that she no longer had to endure and live like before.

With a slightly flushed face, Hee Won looked at Kang Woo.

“Have you heard of Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest, Hungary?”

“I have heard of it.”

“They say the night view from there is really pretty. It’s so beautiful even in photos, I imagined how amazing it would be to see in person. The Danube River flows by and there are many famous buildings too. In a movie I really like, the Budapest night view appeared and I fell for it. It was marvelous.”

Kang Woo looked at Hee Won chattering away without pause. He had thought she was quiet and calm, but he never imagined she could be someone who talked so much.

Kang Woo didn’t like talkative women. For him who prioritized ‘Only say what’s necessary, briefly’, all words besides the main point were just unnecessary emotional expenditure.

But somehow, he didn’t dislike Hee Won at all. No, rather, her chattering face and excited voice were even lovable.

It was a change Kang Woo himself couldn’t recognize.

“Is there anywhere else?”

“There’s a place I really wanted to visit, not because of the night view.”

“Where is it?”

“Prague, Czech Republic.”

“Ah.”

Before they knew it, the two had arrived at where the car was parked.

Kang Woo walked half a step ahead and turned to look at Hee Won before opening the passenger door.

“Next time.”

“…”

“Let’s go to Czech Republic and Budapest together.”

Hee Won’s eyes widened at Kang Woo’s sudden proposal.

“It might be difficult right now, but we can go if we make time.”

Is it a lie?

No, why would he tell such a lie?

Hee Won asked with a trembling heart.

“…Do you really mean that?”

“I don’t lie.”

Kang Woo opened the passenger door.

“We couldn’t go on a proper honeymoon, so I think it would be good to take a trip to Europe.”

“…”

Hee Won’s pupils trembled finely.

Is this how all contract couples do it?

Hee Won had doubts dozens of times a day when she was with Kang Woo.

“You don’t have to decide right away. Think about it.”

After finishing his words, Kang Woo gestured for her to get in, and Hee Won bowed her head towards him who had opened the door for her before getting into the passenger seat.

Kang Woo treated her like a princess.

He never listened carelessly to what she said.

To 22-year-old Hee Won, 34-year-old Kang Woo seemed like a real adult.

Not that his appearance looked old, but his behavior and way of speaking.

‘Even though I’m 12 years younger, he still uses polite speech and is considerate.’

It was the first time she felt someone asking even things they didn’t need to ask and respecting her.

She couldn’t think of a reason not to like Kang Woo.

Hee Won had no way to stop her heart from rushing towards Kang Woo.

“It’s not Hungary or Czech Republic, but there’s a place I’d like to go with you, if that’s alright?”

“With me?”

“It’s a place I used to go often, and I’d like to show it to you.”

“To me?”

“Yes.”

A smile spread across Kang Woo’s face. Along with it, Hee Won’s heart began to beat quickly.

Clearly, just a few hours ago, Hee Won’s mood had sunk because of a woman named Stacy.

Fighting with her inferiority complex, her mood had plummeted.

But how could this be?

In the moving car, Hee Won no longer thought of Stacy.

The reason was simple.

Because just thinking about Kang Woo was overwhelming.

She was in a state where she couldn’t put the brakes on her feelings for Kang Woo.

No, there might not have been brakes from the beginning.

She never imagined she could come to like someone this much in such a short time.

Hee Won fell for Kang Woo every moment, to the point where she felt like she wasn’t herself.

She looked at the night view visible outside the window.

Even when looking at those brightly shining lights, she thought of Kang Woo.

I like Kang Woo so much. I like him more at lunch than in the morning, and much more now than at lunch.

Kang Woo’s presence in Hee Won’s heart grew relentlessly without rest.

At the same time, greed began to form.

As much as she liked him, she wished he would like her too.

[This is the timeline separator]

At that time, in Korea.

“Oh my, President Seong. It’s been a while.”

As President Seong entered the shop, a group sitting there all stood up at once.

They were all busy trying to act like they knew President Seong, without anyone being first.

“You must have waited long. My schedule was tight so I was a bit late.”

President Seong sat naturally in the highest seat, with a kind smile.

“Don’t worry about it, haha. It’s not like we don’t know how busy President Seong is.”

“I’m grateful for your understanding.”

President Seong gave a hearty laugh at people’s words.

President Seong was attending a gathering of small and medium business owners.

He had never sat in the highest seat before. Although he was well-known in the food industry, to others he was just a dumpling company.

President Seong doesn’t know how much he had to flatter and bow to get into this gathering now.

Despite running just a tiny company.

President Seong clicked his tongue inwardly.

His life had changed 180 degrees on the occasion of Hee Won’s marriage.

Contrary to his outward appearance, President Seong’s heart was twisted.

Those who bowed to him seemed ridiculous and trivial.

People who had looked down on him as someone who only made cheap dumplings sold at convenience stores or snack bars changed their attitude as if they had never done so.

Being in-laws with LS Group, ranked 1st in Korea’s business world, the following benefits were beyond imagination.

It was a position everyone coveted, but couldn’t easily step forward for due to rumors surrounding Kang Woo.

On the occasion of the wedding, Kang Woo appeared in public for the first time.

People were shocked by Kang Woo’s appearance, which was different from the rumors.

Those who had aimed for the position of LS Group’s in-laws regretted and hit the ground.

President Seong praised himself dozens of times a day for not sending young Hee Won away.

[Shouldn’t we send that child to America before the marriage?]

Choo Hyun Jung disliked Hee Won.

[Send her to where Hye Yoon lives in America. I’m worried that tender-hearted Yu Na might get hurt. What if she gets teased for being from a remarried family?]

Choo Hyun Jung urged to send Hee Won to President Seong’s estranged sister Seong Hye Yoon.

President Seong was conflicted. It wasn’t because of affection for Hee Won.

Hee Won resembled her mother and was outstanding in appearance, quick-witted, and perceptive.

On the other hand, Yu Na grew up pampered and was self-centered and willful. Her appearance was also inferior to Hee Won’s.

President Seong had a grand dream. It was to turn Jinsung Foods into Jinsung Group.

Of course, business-to-business transactions would be necessary, and the most effective way to build trust between each other at this time was marriage.

Compared to Yu Na, Hee Won seemed much more useful in that regard.

It’s worth raising her. Even the lottery couldn’t be better than this.

And now, President Seong was certain that he had not been wrong in not sending Hee Won away.

“I heard you’re creating a brand with LS.”

A voice woke President Seong from his reverie.

“Ah yes, it’s in preparation.”

When President Seong spoke, the gazes of those present focused on him.

“What kind of brand is it?”

“Nothing is certain yet as it’s in the preparatory stage.”

“Is that so? If you need any help, just let us know.”

Everyone was busy trying to connect with President Seong.

President Seong almost snorted.

They say old habits die hard, but it seemed people couldn’t forget the old Seong Hyun Je even as they watched his reactions.

President Seong put down the glass he was holding with a bang, as if to show off.

“Help? With my in-law behind me, what help would I need?”

The atmosphere turned chilly at President Seong’s words.

The face of the man who had just said ‘help’ turned deathly pale.

“I’ll be leaving now. I forgot I have something to do. And by the way. Don’t call me anymore.”

President Seong said, turning back before opening the door.

This gathering, which he had wanted to join so badly until just recently, was no longer like that.

“H-hey now!”

Despite people’s attempts to stop him, President Seong didn’t even look back.

How dare they speak so carelessly, when I’m LS Group’s in-law, tsk!

President Seong, who had sold off his daughter, felt no guilt.