A large black dot appeared in front of Park Ra Jin’s eyes.

“Ra Jin. What are you doing not getting out?”

When she raised her head with difficulty, Park Ra Jin’s eyes met those of his dog.

Sparkling eyes like gray colored contacts, sleek fur and sturdy muscles. Kim Yu Jun’s dog was slightly smaller than a calf, but to Park Ra Jin’s eyes it looked bigger than a tiger.

‘Why is he doing this to me?’

The driver who had already stood next to Kim Yu Jun fiddled with the smart key as if about to open the door.

The gazes of the two men and the dog bouncing heavily towards the window. Each time, the metal sound clicking from the dog’s collar rang out like a warning.

In Park Ra Jin’s already bleached white mind, no acting or sweet lies came to mind. She just held onto the car handle like a lifeline.

“Is it because of Lucky?”

Knowing that full well, she wanted to shout if it was so amusing to see her trembling in fear.

“He’s so gentle, look. He’s going crazy wanting to greet you.”

As Kim Yu Jun said, the dog named “Lucky” had never barked or lunged despite its appearance.

But just as people have different points of fear, Park Ra Jin felt dizzy as if all the blood had drained from her body just from seeing Lucky from afar.

“Greetings are, fine.”

As she mumbled that she wasn’t mentally prepared yet, a snorting sound was heard through the glass.

“Director Hyun.”

With a snap of fingers meeting, Kim Yu Jun’s order was given.

“Since Lucky went for a walk, tell them to prepare water and snacks. Now.”

She almost let out an angry scream.

He should have taken the dog home after the walk. Why bring it here? Park Ra Jin was disgusted by Kim Yu Jun’s cruelty without any special meaning. For a moment wanting to go home, she glanced at the opposite door.

‘But still. Today…’

She couldn’t do that today of all days.

She had to find even a small clue before the special investigation ended. But to go home just because of a dog. Caught between what she didn’t want to do and what she had to do, Park Ra Jin thought of Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho.

As if carrying a powerful talisman in her heart, Park Ra Jin’s fear slowly subsided.

“Phew.”

Park Ra Jin took a deep breath.

“Lucky.”

“…”

“I don’t want to see him anymore today. Can’t you send him away quickly?”

“Lucky. Ra Jin says she doesn’t like you, what should we do?”

As if whispering love to a lover, he gently explained to the dog the situation of having to go home.

So gentle to the dog, yet so terribly cruel to the person he wants to share a future with. This created one more strong reason why she couldn’t marry Kim Yu Jun.

“Director Hyun, quickly. At this rate Ra Jin won’t get out of the car.”

“Yes, Executive Director.”

With disciplined movements, Director Hyun took the leash and moved with the dog. Then Kim Yu Jun nodded to the driver.

“Open it.”

As soon as the driver guarding Kim Yu Jun’s side pressed the car key, the locks instantly opened.

Spring breeze rushed into the enclosed space, mixed with faint flower scents and the pungent smell of animal saliva.

“Here, your hand.”

His large, pale white hand appeared before Park Ra Jin’s eyes. Was this why, did he bring the dog out just to hold hands? Park Ra Jin swallowed her refusal like a scream and loosely grasped his hand.

“Were you that scared?”

“…”

“You saw my face but didn’t even smile.”

“My heart is still pounding.”

“Your heart is pounding because of Lucky, not me. I’m disappointed?”

Sunlight shattered on Kim Yu Jun’s face as he added that she was cute. What made him so happy? Walking hand in hand? Or was her trembling, frightened appearance amusing? Park Ra Jin’s already non-existent feelings grew even colder.

‘There aren’t many days left to face each other like this. Endure it. I have to endure.’

It would be at most 4 hours from now on.

A place where she just had to tactfully humor Kim Yu Jun and pick up whatever she could. Park Ra Jin gritted her teeth, determined to somehow endure.

“It seems they planted new flowers.”

Wanting to distance herself from Kim Yu Jun, Park Ra Jin looked around and found a suitable excuse.

She lavishly praised the garden that looked like a small botanical garden had been transplanted there. Then she widened the gap with Kim Yu Jun, pretending to admire the flowers.

“The peonies are so pretty.”

Though she had visited the mansion several times when it was used as a chaebol house in dramas, it was incomparable to the Myeongjin main house.

From the overwhelming grandeur of the mansion to the fountain imported from Italy and the glass greenhouse visible in the distance. Even after visiting several times, the scale was still hard to get used to.

“Let’s go in.”

In front of the large entrance finished with natural marble, Park Ra Jin quickly let go of Kim Yu Jun’s hand.

“Why?”

“What if the chairman and madam see?”

How useful it was at times like this that Kim Yu Jun had a fiancée. Park Ra Jin used the oblivious chairman and his wife as an excuse.

“Since when did my parents care about me?”

“There are many eyes watching. What if word gets to Director Jin Jae Yi?”

“Who would dare open their mouth? Have you no fear?”

As if it didn’t matter at all, Kim Yu Jun took her hand again that he had let go.

Having to mind Kim Yu Jun’s skinship on top of an already tense situation. Park Ra Jin twisted her hand free, trying to settle this here and now.

“Being stubborn again.”

Park Ra Jin deliberately lowered her gaze and stood firm, as if refusing to move.

“The chairman is here.”

“Is my father more important to you than me?”

“The succession work isn’t even finished. I don’t want to cause trouble.”

“What does that have to do with holding hands?”

Was he really asking because he didn’t know, a man with a fiancée? Park Ra Jin let out a quiet sigh towards him who seemed to have proper amnesia.

“It looks like I’m coveting someone else’s.”

Park Ra Jin raised her eyes slightly and scrutinized Kim Yu Jun’s expression.

“The elders won’t look kindly on it, so.”

“It’s not like that now?”

The words “not in the future either” circled in her mouth. But Park Ra Jin just nodded slowly.

“Why are you being so sensitive. It’s tiring.”

His finger tapped Park Ra Jin’s upturned nose. Then he let go of her hand as if granting a wish.

“I just wanted to treat you to some health food, and now I’m the one being cautious.”

“You know I’m always grateful.”

“I don’t know about that.”

Kim Yu Jun’s mood seemed somehow okay as he looked back with a smirk. Is it fortunate that it passed like this? It seemed safe to relax, at least until the meal was over.

“What about the chairman?”

“In the study. Mother will be in Kim Cheol Jun’s treatment room.”

Park Ra Jin followed behind Kim Yu Jun with small steps.

Passing through the marble-paved hallway towards the living room, uniformed staff bowed their heads in unison. Yu Jun lightly nodded his head and sat down first on the long sofa.

‘I should see the chairman first.’

Park Ra Jin deliberately looked around, thinking of the sequence of movements in order of time. She had to move now to avoid being alone with Kim Yu Jun and enter Chairman Kim Ki Tae’s study.

“It’s been a while since I came, may I greet the chairman first?”

“Right after arriving? Without even having tea with me?”

Kim Yu Jun’s brow furrowed slightly. As if he didn’t want to let her go but couldn’t stop her, he hesitated, crossing his long legs.

“I’ll be right back.”

Afraid he might say no, Park Ra Jin smiled brightly and asked for permission.

“Come back quickly. I’ll miss you.”

Not knowing when Kim Yu Jun’s whims might strike, Park Ra Jin left her seat as soon as she got his permission, as if running away.

‘Why is this place so big. Unnecessarily.’

Was it intentionally made that way for security reasons, or was the chairman’s taste unique? The Myeongjin main house had quite a complex structure.

Even going to the bathroom required passing through several doors, and pressing what looked like a wall sometimes connected to another room. Of course, it had become a familiar enough space now to find shortcuts, but still.

Past several palace-like doors to the largest room. Park Ra Jin stopped in front of the heart of Myeongjin Group.

Knock knock―. Park Ra Jin quietly opened the door.

“Chairman, I’m here.”

As she peeked her head in, Chairman Kim Ki Tae, who had been looking at documents buried in a large armchair, took off his glasses.

“I heard you were coming.”

“Have you been well?”

Park Ra Jin smiled gently as she looked at Chairman Kim’s face sitting with his back to the window. The chairman then put down the documents he was holding on the table with a thud.

A report that looked almost like a graduation album. It was densely filled with ID photos, names, and code-like symbols.

While Park Ra Jin sat across from the chairman and arranged her dress, while chattering and asking after his well-being. She focused all her attention on the documents the chairman had been looking at.

‘Huh? That person, I’ve seen them somewhere before.’

There was clearly a familiar person in the report.

If it was important enough to be reported to the Myeongjin chairman, they couldn’t be an ordinary person, but where had she seen them… Park Ra Jin quickly checked the name of the man below the photo while sifting through her hazy memories.

‘Won Sang Seop? What’s that written below?’

Though afraid of being caught if she stared too obviously, she couldn’t take her eyes off, wondering if there might be another familiar face.

“How can such a tiny face lose any more weight? Were you very ill?”

“I’m glad I can see you like this, Chairman, with that excuse.”

Park Ra Jin smiled even more brightly to hide her true thoughts. The chairman’s dry lips slowly turned up.

“Your mother?”

“She shows no signs of improvement at all.”

Adding that even the heavens were heartless, Chairman Kim clicked his tongue softly.

Perhaps Oh Jung Kyu’s family, who had devoted their entire lives to Myeongjin, was special to him. As if steeped in regret, Chairman Kim poured out many words.

From her stepfather’s exploits during difficult times to resentment that even the heavens were heartless, to longing that had grown especially strong these days. Chairman Kim seemed calm yet hollow.

Park Ra Jin drooped her head weakly as if she was not much different. Then she glanced at the documents placed diagonally, using her long hair as a shield.

“On difficult days because of mother, I miss father so much.”

“That man did love you very much.”

“On my first day at father’s house, he said.”

“…”

“‘Our family must never forget the chairman’s grace. Until we die.'”

Amidst falling tears, Park Ra Jin began to memorize the code of the familiar man.

“Sometimes I relied on Advisor Oh more than family.”

As if overwhelmed by the emotion of losing an eternal ally, the chairman kept clearing his throat.

‘Only half is visible. What should I do?’

The combination of English and Korean, numbers and arrows was half-hidden by the tissue box. Park Ra Jin prepared her next action while putting on a perfect crying performance.

“But I’m so glad you’re here, Chairman. You’re like a father to me. When I think of it that way, my heart…”

The chairman’s lament burst forth towards Park Ra Jin as she shook her shoulders.

“That I, unworthy as I am, rely on you, Chairman…”

Interspersing words of apology here and there, Park Ra Jin reached out towards Chairman Kim Ki Tae. Then she knocked over the tissue box with her elbow. Forgetting Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho’s request not to do anything.