I felt like everything was flowing too planned.

Moreover, those who created anxiety began to slander Chairman Cha in unison.

“It seems they were expecting us to look flustered this time, ha. Let’s see how far they can go. Saying such nonsense.”

Kang Woo thought of one person who might be involved in all of this. And his prediction was spot on.

Director Kang had learned a lot in a short time.

“As expected, the elder madam was behind everything.”

“Ha. She’s gone mad.”

“What should we do?”

“Leave that side alone. When they feel at ease thinking it’s all done, that’s our chance. For now, find out who’s on Madam So’s side and bring me the information.”

“Yes, understood.”

Kang Woo could not forgive Madam So. But he couldn’t easily bring her down.

“I can’t let her die comfortably.”

He wanted to take revenge on Madam So in the most painful way he could think of.

So he couldn’t let the agenda item of dismissing Chairman Cha pass at the interim shareholders’ meeting.

* * *

Returning home, Hee Won was so anxious she couldn’t even sit still.

How many times had she paced back and forth in the living room?

Kang Woo opened the front door and came in.

As soon as she heard the door open, Hee Won ran to the entrance.

“What happened?”

“Let’s go inside and talk.”

Kang Woo took Hee Won’s hand and went into the kitchen.

The two faced each other. After a moment, his tightly closed lips opened.

“An interim shareholders’ meeting will be held in 3 days.”

“A shareholders’ meeting? Why so suddenly?”

“Madam So proposed a motion to dismiss the chairman. Nonsense about not being able to entrust the company to him anymore for health reasons.”

Kang Woo gritted his teeth at the thought of Madam So.

* * *

A few days later.

Hee Won headed to Buam-dong to meet Joo Ah after a long time.

Today again, Secretary Ha took the wheel.

30 minutes after leaving home.

“We’ve arrived.”

Hee Won, who had been blankly staring out the window, came to her senses at Secretary Ha’s words.

“Thank you for driving me today as well.”

“It’s nothing. Please enjoy yourself comfortably and contact me right before you part ways.”

“Oh, no. I can go by myself. It’s too much, not knowing when we’ll part…”

As Hee Won made an apologetic expression, Secretary Ha shook her head.

“Madam. I’m employed to do such things.”

She spoke in a gentle but firm voice.

“I’m being paid to assist you as per the director’s orders. I can’t just receive a salary without working at the company. This is precisely my job, so you don’t need to feel sorry, madam. And I really enjoy working with you. So, I’d like you to be honest with me about anything uncomfortable or that you need.”

“…Director.”

“I’ll be on standby nearby. Please contact me.”

Secretary Ha winked and smiled at Hee Won.

Hee Won felt indescribably lighter at her words.

“Thank you, Director. I’ll be going then.”

“Yes. Have a good time.”

As Hee Won was walking away after getting out of the car, she suddenly turned back.

Secretary Ha was still standing in front of the car. When their eyes met, she waved at Hee Won.

Hee Won had thought that in life, she had no one on her side except Joo Ah.

But since meeting Kang Woo, she had met many good people.

Somehow, her heart swelled.

Hee Won also smiled and waved back at Secretary Ha.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Over here!”

As Hee Won entered the cafe, Joo Ah waved her hand.

“Joo Ah!”

Hee Won called her name happily as she walked to the table.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been here.”

“Yeah, it has.”

Usually, Chairman Seong’s surveillance was so strict that going out was unimaginable, but on the rare occasions when a class was suddenly canceled, it was a special deviation.

At those times, Hee Won would go to Buam-dong, which was close to the school, with Joo Ah.

Sometimes they would go to cafes famous on social media, or to attractions like Seokpajeong.

That time was the only time when Hee Won could breathe comfortably back then.

Joo Ah said with a mischievous face.

“By the way, Seong Hee Won, you look even better?”

“Me? Do I?”

As Hee Won touched her face shyly, Joo Ah burst out laughing.

“Yes. You really look good. Your husband must be treating you well?”

At the mention of Kang Woo, Hee Won’s face flushed hot.

“I’m glad. I thought this then too, but I want you to be happy.”

Joo Ah just wanted Hee Won to get along well with Kang Woo, whatever her feelings were.

Then one day, as things were flowing uneventfully, Hee Won called.

[Joo Ah, what should I do?] [Why! Did something happen? Did your father say something again?]

Joo Ah asked in surprise, and Hee Won replied in an excited voice.

[No. No, it’s not that.] [Then what is it!] [Joo Ah, my heart is bursting now. I’m so happy I feel like my heart will explode. Kang Woo says he likes me too.]

It was Hee Won’s first time both loving and being loved.

Hearing this, Joo Ah said.

[Let’s meet and talk!]

And so today’s meeting came about.

“You really look happy.”

Joo Ah sincerely wished for Hee Won’s happiness. And her feelings were fully conveyed to Hee Won.

Hee Won’s heart fluttered. It was because Joo Ah was the person who most sincerely wished for her happiness.

“I ordered what we always eat.”

Hee Won smiled in response to Joo Ah’s words.

“Did he buy you a ring too?”

“Yes.”

Joo Ah’s face hardened as she examined Hee Won’s accessories.

“But, you.”

“What?”

“Are you wearing earrings?”

It was because of the earrings Hee Won was wearing.

Joo Ah asked, turning pale. She knew well why Hee Won couldn’t wear earrings.

“Did you meet your father? Did he force you to do something again?”

As Joo Ah asked with a serious expression, Hee Won shook her hands vigorously.

“No. It’s not that.”

“Then how are you wearing earrings?”

Hee Won carefully touched her earrings.

“Actually, Kang Woo gave these to me as a gift.”

“…Your husband?”

“Yes. He said they’re earrings that don’t need piercing. He said this gem is my birthstone too.”

“…”

“So now I can wear earrings. It’s no problem at all.”

Joo Ah sat down next to Hee Won with a face full of emotions.

“Hee Won.”

“Yes?”

She hugged Hee Won tightly and sobbed.

“I’m really glad…”

“Joo Ah.”

“I’m so glad you met your husband. Really…”

Hee Won knew Joo Ah’s worries and anxieties.

She cared for her more than family did.

“Thank you.”

Hee Won hugged Joo Ah and said. Her voice was trembling as her heart swelled.

“Aren’t you two hugging too much to make me jealous?”

A familiar voice reached Hee Won and Joo Ah’s ears, and both women’s heads turned at the same time.

They saw Cha Hyuk, Joo Ah’s boyfriend and Hee Won’s college senior, standing there.

“Oppa? What brings you here?”

Joo Ah let go of Hee Won and jumped up to stand in front of Cha Hyuk.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t coming to school today?”

“I did. Until an hour ago. They called me to do a team project.”

As Cha Hyuk pointed behind him, a group waved at Joo Ah.

Joo Ah’s face hardened when she spotted one of the men. It was because the man’s gaze was persistently directed at Hee Won.

Min Tae Hyung was with Cha Hyuk. As Joo Ah glared, Cha Hyuk said with an awkward expression.

“Ah, right. I’ll just say hello and go, oh wait a moment.”

The phone in Cha Hyuk’s hand started vibrating, and both his and Joo Ah’s expressions hardened at the name on the screen.

“Ha. You’re still getting calls from this girl? Hey, Cha Hyuk. Did you lie to me?”

“No. Don’t misunderstand.”

Cha Hyuk waved his hands and shook his head vigorously at Joo Ah’s accusation.

“No? Ha. I just saw it with my own eyes.”

“Th-that’s.”

“Fine. Follow me out if you don’t want to be embarrassed in front of people.”

In an instant, Joo Ah and Cha Hyuk left through the cafe door, and Hee Won was left alone with Tae Hyung.

“…”

Tae Hyung approached Hee Won and looked at her.

“Have you been well?”

Tae Hyung’s eyes curved prettily as he spoke in a soft voice. But Hee Won always felt uncomfortable with him.

“I thought you’d contact me.”

It was because of the emotions flickering in Tae Hyung’s eyes.

“I waited.”

“I never said I would contact you…”

“…That’s right. I’m just saying I waited.”

Even at the slightly sharp words, Tae Hyung didn’t erase the smile from his face.

Every time that happened, Hee Won felt more uncomfortable with him.

Because she could never understand what he was thinking.

“Sit down, what would you like to drink?”

Tae Hyung said casually as he sat down.

Hee Won had no intention of sitting across from him and having tea. She stood and said to him.

“…Sunbae, I’m married.”

Tae Hyung spoke in an indifferent voice to Hee Won’s words.

“Does being married mean you can’t have tea with your senior?”

“If sunbae thought of me only as a junior, we could.”

“…”

“But that’s not the case. So I’m uncomfortable with you, sunbae.”

“…Wait.”

Cracks appeared on Tae Hyung’s face.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll be going.”

“Wait.”

As Hee Won tried to leave, Tae Hyung grabbed her wrist.

“What are you doing?”

As Hee Won’s face contorted, she tried to pull her hand away. But the more she did, the tighter Tae Hyung gripped her hand.

“I’m not trying to do anything.”

“…”

“Is it so hard to just have tea?”