Seeing Jaein trembling with a pale face, Sungjun, who hadn’t seen her in such a state, intervened.
“Chairman, Seo Jaein has nowhere to go right now. Please give her some time.”
“You stay quiet. How can you relax until things get to this point? I’m really disappointed!”
“I’m sorry. But still, maybe you should talk to Doyeon and decide.”
Chairman Cha snapped back, receiving the suggestion.
“So, is this how it ends up like this? I’ll handle it my way now.”
“Sorry.”
With a tortured expression, Sungjun stepped back. Chairman Cha spoke to Jaein, as if persuading her.
“I’ll compensate you not to be too bitter, so quit the company. Don’t let Dohyuk notice until he goes abroad for his studies.”
‘Get out of Dohyuk’s life.’
Chairman Cha was saying that.
Jaein felt a pain in her heart as if her heart was being squeezed. From the beginning, she had no expectations of being welcomed with open arms into Dohyuk’s family.
“From the beginning, I had no expectations of being warmly welcomed into Dohyuk’s family.
Even if I haven’t done anything wrong, I was prepared to be treated like a criminal.
However, parting with Dohyuk like this, it was something I couldn’t accept.
Jaein gathered her resolve and squeezed out her voice with difficulty.
“I’m sorry, but… I can’t comply with that.”
Chairman Cha’s gaze turned cold.
“Seo Jaein, do you really think you can hinder Dohyuk with this incident? Or do you want something bigger?”
“No, I just want to be by Team Leader’s side. We genuinely care for each other.”
“Genuine?”
Heh. Chairman Cha laughed loudly as if he found it unbelievable.
“Are you trying to obstruct Dohyuk’s path with such childish emotions?”
“I may be lacking, but I’ll try harder.”
As Jaein didn’t step back, Chairman Cha’s face instantly lost its smile.
“Whether you’re innocent or pretending not to know deliberately.”
“What?”
“Seo Jaein, there are things in this world that, no matter how hard you try, you can never achieve. Dohyuk is the successor of Daesan Group. Your world and his are different.”
Chairman Cha sneered and continued, “I didn’t want to bring this up, but do you think an orphan like Seo Jaein, with no roots, is fit for the position of Daesan Group’s owner?”
“…!”
Sharp words pierced Jaein’s heart like a thorn.
“You’ll only get hurt if you insist on this pointless stubbornness, Seo Jaein. Dohyuk will marry someone appropriate soon.”
The team leader getting married?
As Jaein’s eyes widened, Chairman Cha chuckled and added, “Judging by your expression, it seems Dohyuk hasn’t told you yet. When the succession to the heir is finalized in spring, he’ll announce it. A suitable lady for Dohyuk, like Miss Yoon Sejeong from Sejin Trading.”
Yoon Sejeong?
Certainly, the woman Jaein had encountered at a highway rest area while Dohyuk was on a business trip to Goheung.
The name of that woman, like a pure flower, who met Dohyuk after seeing him.
‘It must be a misunderstanding. Team Leader wouldn’t deliberately deceive me.’
Jaein tried to deny it, but her hands clasped together on her knees were trembling.
Seeing her shaking figure, Chairman Cha raised his voice even more.
“If Dohyuk marries Sejeong, he’ll gain a powerful ally in Sejin Trading. It will create tremendous synergy for Daesan Group’s advancement. What can Seo Jaein offer to Dohyuk?
Jaein was speechless.
To Dohyuk, who lacked nothing, she could only offer her feelings towards him.
At this moment, it felt endlessly pathetic for her.
As her complexion darkened, Chairman Cha spoke with a mocking face.
“A modest household that can’t even properly run a bakery, do they dare to challenge Daesan? Know your limits, Seo Jaein. Now, even if you come to your senses, find a man suitable for your level.”
That’s when it happened.
In the midst of the raging storm, Jaein’s fragile mental state was abruptly severed.
He’s crossed the line.
Jaein looked straight into Chairman Cha’s eyes and spoke with a trembling voice.
“Chairman… Your words are excessive. Please apologize.”
“Apologize?”
“Yes. My parents have lived upright lives more than anyone. There’s no reason for them to be disparaged by you.”
“Is this how you talk back to adults? Did you learn to respond like this at home? This is why principles are important.”
Tsk. Chairman Cha furrowed his brows, clicking his tongue.
Jaein didn’t yield and retorted, “So, is insulting and belittling others the foundation of the Daesan household when there’s no money?”
“What? Who do you think you are to speak so arrogantly!”
Chairman Cha rose abruptly from his seat.
Jaein, without yielding, stood up as well.
“If that’s the case, I’ll decline the Daesan offer. And let me be clear; I didn’t pursue Dohyuk. He was the one who liked me first. I just followed persistently.”
Seo Jaein, are you out of your mind?
Words spilled out of her mouth without her intending them to.
Even after she spoke, Jaein was startled, and her legs trembled.
Chairman Cha frothed at the mouth, glaring at her.
“That Daesan? How dare you speak so insolently in front of me! No need for long words, get out right now!”
“I cannot do that.”
“Do you think I haven’t encountered your kind once or twice? If you plan on clinging and sticking to Dohyuk like a leech, dreaming of marriage, wake up!”
Chairman Cha, with an expression that seemed ready to explode, launched into a tirade.
However, Jaein responded calmly.
“Who thinks of marriage when they’re just dating these days? We’re just seeing each other; there’s not even a speck of thought about marriage.”
“In that case, break up right away!”
“Whether to break up or not, I’ll decide.”
“What? Are you challenging me right now?”
Chairman Cha, unable to withstand his anger, grabbed Jaein by the back of her neck and glared at her.
That’s when it happened.
“Grandfather, what are you doing here?”
Dohyuk, who knows when he arrived, was looking at the three people in front of the entrance.
Caught in Dohyuk’s piercing gaze, Jaein’s senses instantly sharpened.
Did he hear everything?
“You came well. Did you hear what she said to me?”
Chairman Cha pointed at Jaein and complained to Dohyuk.
Dohyuk, walking decisively into the living room, yelled at Jaein while blocking her way.
“Grandfather, did you investigate me? What did you say to Seo Jaein?”
“I said a few words because of some absurd actions you did. Why? Did you bring a woman home without a word? What kind of nonsense is this!”
“Sorry for not mentioning it in advance. But barging in like this, what’s the meaning?”
“You punk! Just for a woman like her…”
As Chairman Cha shook his head in a disdainful manner, Dohyuk spoke with a firm tone.
“Don’t speak recklessly. Seo Jaein is the person I love.”
“Ha, love? You’ve completely lost your mind!”
“Yes! So please leave right now. Director Kim too.”
Avoiding Dohyuk’s resentful gaze, Seongjun spoke to Chairman Cha.
“Chairman, let’s leave it at this for today.”
“You darn brat! Are you kicking me out for a woman?”
Dohyuk, as if making a statement, walked to the entrance, swiftly opening the double doors.
“Yes. No matter how much of a grandfather you are, if you treat Seo Jaein disrespectfully, I won’t stay quiet.”
“You crazy brat! We’ll see about that!”
Chairman Cha glared at Jaein and Dohyuk, as if he could devour them, then stormed out.
Seongjun followed awkwardly with a troubled expression.
After the storm passed,
Jaein and Dohyuk stood silently, gazing into each other’s eyes.
Holding their hearts as if they could burst at any moment.
As if they were the only two left in the world.
An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most
One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.
This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:
1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.
It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.
(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)
2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.
The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.
3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.
Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).
Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.
Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.
4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).
5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!
