Kang Woo once felt deep guilt towards Lucas.

[It’s not your fault.]

As Hee Won said, Kang Woo was not responsible for Lucas’s death.

Moreover, though it may be a selfish thought, he wasn’t sure if Lucas and Stacy truly considered him a friend.

‘If they really thought of me as a friend, could they have left such a memo and departed?’

‘Shouldn’t he have listened to me instead of the woman in the first place?’

Resentment towards Lucas that he hadn’t dared to think about at the time arose in Kang Woo’s heart.

He began to have doubts about Madam So and Stacy at Lucas’s funeral.

[It seems difficult to send the urn to Korea.] [I’ll have to take it myself.]

Kang Woo, who had accidentally overheard Stacy and her aunt talking, asked.

[You’re sending the urn to Korea?]

Stacy’s expression froze at Kang Woo’s appearance.

[Why are you trying to send Lucas to Korea?] […Well.]

Kang Woo was puzzled by Stacy’s words about sending Lucas’s urn to Korea.

[T-that’s because elder brother said he wanted to be in Korea.] [Lucas did?] [Y-yeah, that’s right. But Mom and Dad probably won’t send him.]

He had clearly heard that Lucas and Stacy had immigrated to the United States with their parents when they were young.

Then Lucas would certainly have no memory of Korea.

So, why?

To Korea?

[Is that true?] [Of course. You know too, elder brother. How Lucas liked Korea all along.]

Lucas liked Korean food and Korean culture.

That was a fact Kang Woo was well aware of.

However, Stacy’s answer didn’t resolve his doubts.

And it was quite a long time later when Kang Woo found the answer to his question.

Before returning to Korea on Chairman Cha’s orders, Kang Woo happened to meet Charles, who had been his college classmate.

[Kang Woo, I heard you’re going back to Korea for good this time?]

Kang Woo’s return to Korea was a secret known only to his closest confidants. The fact that Charles knew about it meant someone had told him.

Moreover, Charles was the elder brother of Susan, Stacy’s best friend.

So, it wasn’t difficult for Kang Woo to guess who had told him.

[Yeah. I guess you heard from Susan.] [Well, yeah. Oh! You’ll be able to see Lucas, right?] [What do you mean by that?]

Every year on Lucas’s death anniversary and birthday, Kang Woo visited the tree where his ashes were said to have been scattered.

But why was Lucas said to be in Korea?

[Isn’t he with his parents?]

Kang Woo was at a loss for how to react. Regardless of his reaction, Charles continued speaking.

[Oh, you know, right? Stacy’s biological parents passed away in an accident. Lucas is also in the columbarium where his parents are enshrined. Stacy must be lonely. Her parents and elder brother are all buried in Korea. No matter how well her aunt treats her, it’s not the same as real family.] [….] [Ah, I have to go now. Give my regards to Lucas.]

It felt like a storm had passed.

Kang Woo couldn’t move from his spot for a while.

After returning to Korea, he inquired about where Lucas was said to be and visited a columbarium in Gyeonggi-do.

− Late Ha Yoon Jun

A Korean name unfamiliar to Kang Woo.

But the man in the photo was indeed Lucas.

Kang Woo felt as if he had been hit on the back of the head with a hammer.

The facts he discovered afterward were even more shocking.

“Madam So will definitely reveal that contract. She probably thinks the shareholders’ meeting will be the opportunity. Still, we don’t know what that woman might do in the meantime, so assign people to Hee Won too. Reliable people.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Leave evidence of Cha Seok Hoon’s illegal gambling den visits, and be careful not to let them catch on. What happened to the idol trainee Cha Seok Hoon supposedly messed with this time?”

“We moved her to the hospital where Dr. Choi is.”

“We need to show them how dirty it feels to lose a game they thought they had won.”

Kang Woo’s eyes shone sharply as he thought of Madam So.

* * *

Hee Won is resting at a cafe after visiting an art gallery with Secretary Ha.

“Come to think of it, tomorrow is the managing director’s birthday.”

“Tomorrow? You mean tomorrow is Kang Woo’s birthday? Is tomorrow the 17th?”

Surprised, Hee Won asked, and Secretary Ha checked the date.

“Yes. Just a moment. Ah, today is the 16th, so tomorrow the 17th is correct.”

“…”

His birthday?

Hee Won was at a loss for words in her bewilderment.

Friday meant it was tomorrow.

She wanted to make sure to celebrate his first birthday.

[The managing director doesn’t like celebrating his own birthday.] [Why?] [Hmm… I don’t know the details, but Director Kang said he’s never really celebrated it. So I guess birthdays don’t have much meaning for him?]

The moment Hee Won heard those words, she thought she absolutely had to celebrate his birthday.

But, how could I forget?

Hee Won held her head in her hands.

No!

It’s not too late even now.

I’ll buy a cake and prepare a gift now.

Hee Won stood up abruptly and said to Secretary Ha.

“Director, I’m sorry but I have somewhere to go.”

“What?”

As Secretary Ha just blinked her eyes, Hee Won pulled her along.

“Let’s go to the department store first. We don’t have time for this.”

Hee Won hurried out with Secretary Ha.

In the car, Hee Won said.

“Director, is it okay if you work late today?”

“Yes. It doesn’t matter. I don’t really have set working hours anyway.”

“Hah. That’s a relief.”

“Which department store should I take you to?”

Secretary Ha asked as she started the car.

“Please go to LS Department Store in Apgujeong.”

“Alright. Then we’ll depart now.”

Hee Won’s heart grew urgent.

The good thing was that she had already decided on Kang Woo’s birthday gift in advance.

‘I wanted to have it custom-made, but it can’t be helped.’

Kang Woo always wore cufflinks and a tie pin.

So she had decided to give him something he used every day as his first birthday gift.

What kind of birthday cake should I buy?

Did Kang Woo ever eat cream cake?

No. I think he said he didn’t like it because it was too rich.

Then should I buy a cheesecake or something else?

Hee Won spent the time searching for cake shops on her phone.

Not long after, Secretary Ha’s voice was heard.

“Madam, we’ve arrived.”

“Ah, yes.”

Hee Won entered the department store with an excited heart.

***

The next day.

Hee Won was busy preparing to go out for her appointment with Kang Woo.

“I’m supposed to pick up the cake on the way to meet him, and I need to pack the gift I bought yesterday in my bag first.”

Before putting on her outer clothes, Hee Won put the gift box in her bag and headed for the front door.

“Are you leaving now?”

Hearing the sound of someone leaving, Mrs. Busan came out of the kitchen.

“Yes. You can go home now too.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll finish cooking the chicken soup you wanted and clean up before I go.”

“The chicken soup you make is really delicious. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing, madam. Then, please be careful on your way.”

“Yes. Ah! You’re on vacation tomorrow, right?”

“…Yes.”

Mrs. Busan’s face fell slightly at Hee Won’s words.

“Rest well and I’ll see you next week.”

“Yes, madam.”

Hee Won left through the front door, leaving Mrs. Busan behind.

As the sound of the lock engaging was heard, Mrs. Busan looked around cautiously despite the house being empty.

She carefully entered Kang Woo’s study.

Mrs. Busan, who had entered the study, walked carefully in the dark room.

With trembling hands, Mrs. Busan opened the third drawer of Kang Woo’s desk.

−Contract−

Mrs. Busan took out a document labeled “Contract”.

She carefully took out a portable scanner she had received from Madam So.

Just then, Mrs. Busan’s phone rang.

[Are you doing well?]

It was a message from Madam So.

“…I’m doing it now.”

[Do it properly. Don’t forget to capture the text clearly.]

“Yes.”

Mrs. Busan’s voice trembled.

“You’ll release my son if I do this, right?”

[Yes. I’ll keep my promise. But only if you follow the conditions.]

“I’ll make sure to secure the original. And I won’t tell anyone.”

[I’ll release your son after the shareholders’ meeting. And if you find any useful materials while searching, collect them. Understand?]

“…Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

[Good. Remember that your son’s fate is in your hands, Mrs. Busan. You understand what I’m saying, right?]

Even after the call ended, her downcast face showed no signs of improving.

Chairman Cha had been like a benefactor to her. The thought of betraying him filled Mrs. Busan with guilt. Moreover, her heart ached when she thought of Kang Woo’s face.

But she had no choice.

Nothing was more important than the son she had given birth to with such pain.