Uncontrollable emotions, a constant attraction that captures the gaze. All of this was because of Yeojin.

Blame it on Yeojin, who shouted ‘office romance’ with an ominous smile. How could one explain such an absurd feeling if it weren’t for Yeojin being the younger sister of a close friend and a junior?

“These macarons, let’s split them in half.”

Lajin, who passed the judgment of Solomon, stood up and brought a knife.

“Mr. Jiho, please cut them. Fairly, half and half.”

Suppressing his tingling chest, Jiho accepted the silvery knife. Pink macarons resembling a full moon, Jiho precisely cut them in half, like a crescent moon.

“Oh! What’s this?”

“Lajin, eat a lot.”

“Do you dislike sweet things?”

“I hope Lajin enjoys it.”

Lajin, blinking slowly, smiled mischievously. Then, without hesitation, she picked up a large macaron.

Did she like the answer?

With a crunchy sound and sounds of admiration, the pink macaron half disappeared between her lips. As small petal-like crumbs scattered, her tiny tongue swept across her lower lip.

For a moment, Lajin’s eyes curved like a half-moon in the sky.

“Uh-hmm. Mr. Jiho, it’s delicious.”

Jiho stared intently at her lips, which were moving delicately. His nose felt ticklish, as if a sneeze was about to burst. Even though it wasn’t a cold, he couldn’t endure it.

“Uh-hmm. Is it delicious?”

“Yes. Remember the name here. It’s delicious without being too sweet.”

Each time she spoke, the sweet scent of strawberries vibrated.

Does eating sweet things make people amicable? Thinking so, Jiho put his share of macaron into his mouth in one bite.

‘Yeojin, you’re quite skilled.’

As the taste of melting strawberry filled his mouth,

“By the way, on the way home.”

Lajin, who was savoring the macaron, continued the interrupted story.

“Kim Yujun called Director Hyun.”

Knowing about Director Hyun already, Jiho just nodded.

“While Director Hyun was on the phone, he said, ‘Is this Harry? I’ll summarize it in spirit.'”

Harry? Spirit was unfamiliar, but Harry felt somewhat familiar.

“Go on?”

“That’s it. But it seems important.”

Harry, Harry… Harry? In Jiho’s mind, a document flashed like a photo.

The off-exchange trading records from Myungjin’s securities documents, there was definitely that name. If so, Spirit seemed to be something similar.

Suddenly, Jiho’s heart became infinitely anxious.

Examining the details in the unrefined information Lajin brought was not a small task. Suddenly, he thought of O Jonghyuk, who had gone on a business trip.

“Has O Jonghyuk been to the Bahamas frequently?”

“As far as I remember, it’s the first time. My stepfather used to go often.”

“O Jeonggyu, you mean?”

“Yes. He took me there once.”
The Bahamas, a place you have to transfer planes several times to reach? Going on vacation with an adopted daughter?

“When was that?”

“In middle school. Whenever my stepfather went on a business trip, he always took Mom and me.”

“Where else did you go? Somewhere special?”

“Um… Monaco, Malta, Cyprus, Virgin Islands.”

All places mentioned were known as tax havens. Although not entirely clear, the suspicious circumstances made Jiho’s eyes shake vigorously. Kim Yujun’s financial flow might have a deeper history than expected.

“Can I hear more about that time?”

“It’s been so long. Oh! My stepfather liked taking pictures.”

“Pictures?”

“Yes. There are many photos from that time. Do you want me to explain while looking at them?”

“Sure.”

Rather than relying on vague memories, photos that could be directly confirmed seemed better. With the prospect of finding important clues, Jiho’s anticipation rose quickly with this new development.

“But the old albums are stored somewhere out of reach.”

“I’ll get them down for you.”

“Then, would you like to come up to my room?”

“!”

Since it had come all the way into Lajin’s house, could it really be considered her room? Jiho tried not to attach any significance to it, but he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Still, if he could capture important clues, hesitation would be a luxury. Jiho, who had pressed the pause button, quickly pressed the play button.

“Where should I go?”

“Follow me.”

Jiho swallowed the lukewarm chrysanthemum tea and stood up abruptly. For a moment, his heart shook like he had just drunk ice water.

“Come in.”

As he climbed the stairs to the second floor, the first room he saw emitted a refreshing rose scent even before setting foot inside.

“I’ll excuse myself.”

Following Lajin into the bedroom, it was as extraordinary as she was. A king-size bed in a square frame and exotic fabrics. The subtle light emanating from a calm wooden stand and flowers adorned throughout made it feel like a famous resort villa.

“I tried copying it because I liked the feeling when I went to a foreign photoshoot. It’s quite chaotic.”

“It’s unique and nice.”

Lajin smiled brightly, pinning her long hair behind her ear.

“I didn’t want to live alone with O Jonghyuk in a house without a mother, so I moved out.”

Opening the door to the dressing room next to the bed, Lajin murmured.