It was time for Hee Won to share what she had personally prepared.

As the event progressed, the thought grew stronger that today’s event could never have gone so well without the staff who prepared together. There were no complaints from the attendees, and everything went smoothly without a single trouble.

So when the event was completely over, the thought that came to mind was that I wanted to give something more to the people who helped with today’s event.

“I was told that the daily wages will be deposited into your accounts. This is money I’m giving personally. It’s not much, but I wanted to show my appreciation.”

At Hee Won’s words, people couldn’t hide their surprised looks.

Especially the team leader who had been in charge of LS Group’s charity events for 7 years looked the most troubled.

Every year, Madam So left as soon as the event was over, as if she had been waiting for it. Even if it wasn’t Madam So, no one, even the host, stayed until the end at these charity events or chaebol family events.

Hee Won was completely different from the typical image of a chaebol family. She stayed until the very end. People were surprised by her behavior, not just the team leader.

The team leader looked at Hee Won with a complicated expression. She maintained a polite attitude even towards people receiving daily wages or employees lower than herself.

It was a series of surprises.

Her actions were not like those of wealthy people who toss tips as if they don’t have to give them.

[She knows nothing. What would she know? The event will be ruined.]

The words Madam So had said came to the event coordinator’s mind. He had heard Hee Won was only 22 years old.

In fact, when he heard those words, the team leader had thought the same thing.

That she was inexperienced and young and immature.

[Team Leader Kang, listen carefully. Don’t cooperate with what she does. I’ll be doing it from next year anyway, so this is just for this year. Don’t forget who you owe for continuing to be in charge of this job. Do you understand what I’m saying?]

The team leader thought the event wouldn’t go well even if he didn’t do anything. But Madam So was wrong. And the team leader’s own prediction was also wrong.

She was polite without being subservient and had good manners. But she wasn’t just soft either.

She was firm when needed, and also had the ability to lead and resolve situations well.

‘She’ll become someone great, and Madam probably won’t be able to beat her,’ the team leader thought as he looked at Hee Won.

“Team Leader Jung, you worked hard today.”

Just as he finished his thought, Hee Won approached the team leader.

Hee Won was grateful to the event coordination team leader who had helped the most at today’s event. Of course, at first she felt a bit unfriendly, but soon she also actively stepped up.

“I look forward to working with you again.”

At Hee Won’s words, the team leader bowed to her.

“No, madam. I should be the one saying that. Please entrust me with this task again next time.”

“Yes.”

Hee Won smiled.

After finishing up and leaving the hall, Hee Won got on the elevator alone.

This was because Secretary Ha had said she would have the car waiting in front of the hotel in advance.

“Haa.”

Getting on the elevator with no one else around, the tension finally eased.

But somewhere in her heart, she felt overwhelmed by the thought that she had taken a step forward.

“You did well, Hee Won.”

For the first time, Hee Won gave herself a compliment.

* * *

“Hee Won!”

As she went outside the hotel, she heard a voice calling her.

“Hee Won.”

When she turned her head towards the voice, Kang Woo was waving his hand while leaning against a car.

With a feeling of joy, she quickly walked towards Kang Woo.

“Oh? How come you’re here, Kang Woo?”

“Am I not allowed to come?”

Kang Woo smiled as he tucked Hee Won’s hair behind her ear.

“No, that’s not it at all. I thought Director Kang would be here, but it’s you. Aren’t you busy?”

“I have enough time to pick up my wife.”

Hee Won felt that Kang Woo’s face looked somewhat strange up close. Worried that something might have happened to him, she asked nervously.

“Did something happen?”

“…”

At Hee Won’s question, Kang Woo’s expression darkened further.

“Kang Woo?”

Just as Hee Won called him again.

He pulled Hee Won close and buried his face in her neck.

“I’m sorry.”

His voice was trembling as he spoke.

Hee Won was taken aback by Kang Woo’s sudden action. The hot breath on her neck, his unusually shaky voice, and the slight trembling of his arms holding her tightly were all confusing.

“What’s wrong?”

Worried that Kang Woo might say something bad, she felt scared on one hand.

In that brief moment, numerous thoughts flashed through Hee Won’s mind.

“I heard everything.”

“…Pardon?”

At first, she couldn’t understand what he meant by hearing everything.

“What Madam So did to you.”

But at Kang Woo’s following answer, Hee Won’s face turned pale.

“…”

Seeing Hee Won unable to say anything, guilt appeared on Kang Woo’s face.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that because of me.”

“How did you…”

Actually, she had wanted to hide it from Kang Woo.

It wasn’t with bad intentions. She knew he would just feel sorry if he heard about it.

“Why are you sorry?”

“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have heard those words from that woman.”

“That’s absolutely not true. So please don’t say you’re sorry. We’re a married couple, right? Couples don’t apologize for things like this. Understand?”

Hee Won said as she pulled away from Kang Woo’s embrace and looked up at him.

His face looked complicated as he gazed at her.

“Thank you for saying that.”

Kang Woo said as he hugged Hee Won again.

Then suddenly, Hee Won became curious.

Secretary Ha wasn’t there either. How did he know what Madam So had done to her?

“But how did you know?”

To Hee Won’s question, Kang Woo said.

“Shall we talk after getting in the car first?”

“Yes.”

Kang Woo put Hee Won in first before getting into the driver’s seat.

“Are you driving today?”

“Yes.”

“Is it okay if we talk after moving to a different location?”

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

The car drove to the nearest Han River embankment.

Hee Won got out of the car and stood side by side with Kang Woo, looking at the Han River where darkness had settled.

“The truth is, I had someone watching over you.”

“Someone?”

When Hee Won’s face darkened, Kang Woo quickly added.

“I’m sorry if that upset you. But it wasn’t because I didn’t trust you or anything like that. Madam So is a petty and vicious person. I was really worried about what nasty things she might do to you.”

“…”

“I’m sorry. Really.”

It was the first time.

Kang Woo had never broken down his emotions and spoken like this, as if pleading.

That’s why Hee Won couldn’t get angry.

No, there was no reason to be angry.

“I’m not… upset. Not at all.”

Rather, am I too strange to be happy that he said he was worried about me?

Hee Won looked at Kang Woo with trembling eyes.

What was in his eyes was guilt.

“So I got the call right away. That Madam So had slapped your cheek.”

“…”

“The employee you asked not to tell was one of the people I had sent to your side.”

“…Mi Yeon?”

Instead of answering, Kang Woo nodded. Then, cupping Hee Won’s cheek with his hand, he continued speaking.

“I’m sorry for causing you pain.”

Kang Woo caressed Hee Won’s cheek very slowly.

Hee Won felt as if the place where Kang Woo’s hand touched was burning hot, like it had been scalded.

“…Kang Woo.”

Kang Woo’s gaze was determined.

That look seemed like a vow that he would definitely keep his word.

“It’s my fault. I should have mentioned establishing the foundation when I was with you.”

“…Kang Woo.”

“I’m sorry, Hee Won.”

Kang Woo bowed his head.

Hee Won’s eyes shook violently at the sight she had never seen before.

“From now on, I’ll protect you so that no one can touch you.”

“It’s okay, Kang Woo.”

Hee Won was so sorry to see him like this that she pulled him close and embraced him.

“I’ll make sure no one dares to hurt you.”

That was Kang Woo’s pledge as well.

“It would be a lie to say I wasn’t affected at all, but I was okay. I could endure it.”

“…Hee Won.”

“So don’t feel too sorry. You came here like this because you were worried about me. That feeling alone is enough, so stop saying you’re sorry now.”

The truth was, when Madam So slapped her cheek, she was very upset.

She gritted her teeth and pretended to be fine, but she wasn’t fine.

But now, she really was okay.

“Thank you for worrying about me, Kang Woo.”

“…”

“If you feel that sorry, buy me something delicious.”

At her voice tinged with laughter, Kang Woo held Hee Won even tighter.

“I’ll buy you anything.”

He said.

In Kang Woo’s eyes as he said those words, deep guilt was evident.

[This is the timeline separator]

Kang Woo had someone follow Hee Won.

She didn’t notice, but there was a white car following her car from the makeup shop.

“Make sure she doesn’t notice. We don’t know what she’ll do when she hears about the foundation being established.”

Kang Woo said to Director Kang standing next to him as he looked at the white car.

“Yes, I understand. Jo Mi Yeon and Team Leader Yoon will watch over her without worry. I told them to contact me immediately if anything happens, so don’t worry.”

Kang Woo had secretly assigned his close aides to Hee Won.

Madam So might seem simple, but she wasn’t a simple woman.

Even a passing child could tell that her putting Hee Won in charge of the charity event wasn’t with good intentions.

That was because Madam So terribly disliked Cha Kang Woo.