She had to ensure the photos came out well, not to waste Haeun’s effort in securing the top-line items.

At the elegant photo wall with a stylish logo.

As soon as Rajin took her place, everyone except the event staff pulled out cameras and phones. Some turned their backs to take selfies with Rajin in the same frame, while others recorded videos.

Accustomed to being photographed, whether paid or not, whether willingly or not, Rajin tucked in her chin and lifted the corners of her mouth, as she always did.

“Actress Park Rajin, please look here too.”

“And on this side!”

Beyond the twinkling flashes and exclamations, a woman with crossed arms stood glaring.

‘Jin Jae-i?’

She smirked contemptuously, exchanged a few words with her companion, then shook her head disapprovingly.

Her open hostility sent a chill down Rajin’s neck, despite the absence of direct finger-pointing.

For Jin Jae-i, heiress of the Haeseong Group with its own duty-free empire, attending a luxury event wasn’t unusual. But why at a flagship store opening, not even a fashion show?

For Rajin, whether it was a grand event or not, attending as a brand ambassador was customary. But for Jin Jae-i, given her wealth and position, it was quite ordinary.

‘The makeup director was unusually slow today. Was that a divine warning not to go?’

Rajin tried to find meaning in past events, barely holding back her urge to flee.

“Actress, this way, please.”

“Okay.”

Despite her aversion to Jin Jae-i, Rajin couldn’t break her commitment to the scheduled video shoot. She followed the staff upstairs to the second-floor showroom.

“Just browse freely as if you’re shopping.”

“Should I walk up to that sculpture?”

“Yes, actress. We’ll start as soon as you’re ready.”

Rajin rehearsed the route she was guided through, lightly touching the clothes hanging on the racks as if brushing through soft grass.

“I think we can start now.”

Returning to her original spot, Rajin positioned herself.

As the cue sign was given, Rajin’s expression transformed completely.
With an eager expression, Rajin walked lightly and pulled out a dress with a glamorous print that was likely to look best on camera. She then brought the dress close to her chin and gave a soft smile towards the camera.

Everyone, the person holding the camera and the staff standing beyond, smiled when Rajin smiled and moved in sync with her movements.

Rajin picked up beautiful clothes and new bags, putting them down and trying them on. She changed her pose several times, ensuring her face and the luxury items were well displayed, just like showcasing jewels under sunlight. The shoot ended quickly – such tasks were nothing new for Rajin.

“Thank you for your hard work, actress.”

“Did you all work hard too? Do you think the photos came out well?”

“We’ll edit them nicely and send them to you first. The video will be released online and offline starting this weekend.”

With the most important task done, maybe she should just take a few commemorative photos before leaving?

Thankfully, she was on the second floor, far from Jin Jae-i. She had no desire to spend even a second in the same space as her.

Just as Rajin was looking for the right moment to say goodbye.

“Were you here?”

Jin Jae-i approached with a tone overly affectionate, as if she had been searching for a while. It was as if she had come to a club with friends, giggling with two women beside her.

‘Why is she acting like this? Really!’

There was no closeness between them, and yet Jin Jae-i had come up to the second floor for this. Rajin, while internally questioning Jin Jae-i’s motives, managed to keep a smile on her face. Showing any discomfort would only lead to unnecessary gossip.

“I was shooting.”

“Oh, right, the Seren ambassador. Are you done with your work?”

Jin Jae-i was being ludicrously friendly. If not, Rajin must have been dreaming. Jin Jae-i not only spoke informally but also casually linked arms with Rajin, blatantly showing off.

Was this some absurd act in front of the brand employees and shooting PD? Rajin couldn’t fathom why she was doing this.

“You two seem close.”

At the staff’s insinuation, Jin Jae-i looked at her companions and burst out laughing.

“Does it look like it?”

“Yes. Are you the same age?”

“I wish we were friends. I’m the older sister.”

Older sister? The impact of such a common term made Rajin step back and smoothly slide out of Jin Jae-i’s grip.

“Not really? Should I be calling you big sister when I’m older?”

The particular significance of the title ‘big sister.’

With Kim Yoo-jun being the second son and youngest, it was impossible for Jin Jae-i to be Rajin’s older sister. Besides, Jin Jae-i didn’t have a younger brother.

So, what was it? Did she want to play some twisted role-play of wives and mistresses in front of everyone? To publicly humiliate her?

“I’ve told you before, I haven’t done anything to be misunderstood.”

“We’ll see about that. Anyway, what do you like better? Sister? Or big sister?”

Jin Jae-i’s teasing elicited laughter from her friends.

“Big sister? That’s too much for me.”

“I’m always too soft on her. Just an entertainer champagne shuttle.”

“I should take care of her. After all, she’s going to live under my shadow.”

Her shadow? By whose decision? Rajin couldn’t stand the revolting play any longer.

“Here, take this.”

Jin Jae-i extended a long champagne glass towards her. Rajin stared at her hand for a moment, then slowly reached out. As the glass passed from hand to hand, Rajin suddenly withdrew hers as if changing her mind.

The glass fell as if in slow motion, shattering with a loud crash, drenching her feet with champagne. But what could she do? To end this moment, she had to bear it.

“Actually, I remembered I have another schedule.”

Rajin excused herself, looking to escape the unbearable scene.
In that moment, an uncultured curse erupted from Jin Jae-i’s mouth.

“I guess I’ll count that as having had the champagne. Director Jin Jae-i.”