“So instead of entrusting our company with the interior construction, they made an unreasonable demand of you?”

Eun Young couldn’t contain her excitement.

“It has nothing to do with the company.”

“How can it not! You should have looked into it when they said they’d entrust the job to our unknown company.”

“You know our company is well-known not only on Jeju Island but also on the mainland.”

Gyeo Wool’s words didn’t convince Eun Young at all.

“I didn’t even know that…”

Was it an illusion that Eun Young’s eyes suddenly looked empty as she mumbled?

She even looked like someone who had let go of something they were holding onto.

“I’m fine, Gyeo Wool.”

“Senior, what do you mean you’re fine? You’re not thinking of something strange, are you?”

It was ominous. It felt like she was about to hear words she should never hear.

“What’s wrong with not taking on their construction? We can just win another project.”

Finally!

“Senior! How can you say that! We have to take on this construction project.”

It was a contract that had to be secured at all costs to put out the fire that had fallen on their feet.

But to give up!

No. I can’t let that happen.

“I’ll handle the issue with that person well. So please, senior, don’t say you’re giving up on the construction.”

“Gyeo Wool.”

Eyes terribly sad dug into Gyeo Wool’s pupils.

“Stop it.”

“Senior…”

“I absolutely don’t want to be a senior who pushes her beloved junior into danger and lives in luxury.”

Is this what it feels like when your heart is torn to shreds?

Gyeo Wool’s chest hurt so much she couldn’t even breathe.

“I’ve already made up my mind. So from now on, don’t say a word about taking on that job.”

“No, senior.”

“If you’re going to that bastard, cut all ties with me first, got it?”

Eun Young forcefully blocked Gyeo Wool’s words.

“What did I…”

A hot lump rose in her throat, making it impossible to continue speaking.

She recalled the moment she had debated whether or not to call Tae Wook.

She couldn’t raise her head out of shame.

“Let’s forget it all and have a drink.”

Eun Young took the soju bottle in front of Gyeo Wool and poured until the glass overflowed.

Then she filled Gyeo Wool’s glass too.

“Don’t try to stop me. I’m going to drink until I’m completely drunk today.”

Eun Young emptied her glass and grimaced as much as she could at the strong alcohol going down her throat.

Gyeo Wool covered her eyes with her hand.

The hot moisture felt on the back of her hand.

“Why does the alcohol taste so bitter today…”

Tears fell at how bitter the alcohol she hadn’t even drunk tasted.

But Gyeo Wool couldn’t remove her hand because she felt sorry for even showing Eun Young her crying face.

[This is the timeline separator]

J Chemical CEO’s office.

Tae Wook was receiving a call from Eun Young.

[Regarding the J Chemical Training Center construction you requested, we will decline from our side.]

Her tone was polite, but her voice was cold and chilly.

Tae Wook raised his thick eyebrows at the unexpected development.

“It’s a shame to lose a good opportunity. May I ask the reason for your refusal?”

[Mr. Kang should know better.]

“Is it because of Han Gyeo Wool?”

He wanted to be sure, though he had a hunch.

[How can a person do such a thing!]

Perhaps because Gyeo Wool’s name slipped from Tae Wook’s lips.

Eun Young’s enraged voice leaked out of the mobile phone.

Secretary Kim, who had entered the CEO’s office for an approval, was startled by Eun Young’s outburst and looked at Tae Wook.

[Don’t you dare come near Gyeo Wool! If you do, I won’t let you off easily.]

Eun Young hung up unilaterally.

“Huh…”

Tae Wook let out a laugh of disbelief.

“This is an unexpected turn of events.”

He thought he had pushed Gyeo Wool into a situation where rejection was impossible.

He was certain that all that remained was for her to raise the white flag and accept his proposal.

Moreover, there had been no call until yesterday.

But to think that Eun Young’s side would mess things up.

“She won’t let me off easily?”

Tae Wook rubbed his picture-perfect eyebrows with his finger, mulling over Eun Young’s warning.

Words that should have been dismissed as trivial struck him as meaningful.

“I’m envious.”

He was sincere.

There was no one like Eun Young around him who would sacrifice themselves for Gyeo Wool.

Unless it was people who rushed in like mad wolves at the smell of money.

“I’ll cancel the flight to Jeju Island.”

Secretary Kim said as he put down the files he had brought in on the desk.

He judged that there was no need to go down to Jeju Island today since the contract with Eun Young fell through.

“Please get me some coffee.”

“Yes.”

“If possible, instant coffee mix, please brew that.”

“Instant… coffee?”

Secretary Kim’s expression was like, ‘Why are you suddenly asking for that?’

“Is there nothing like that in the pantry?”

“Ah, no. I’ll bring it right away.”

Tae Wook desperately thought of the coffee Gyeo Wool had brewed for him when he visited her house.

−This is a surefire remedy when you’re angry.

That’s what the new secretary who brought him instant coffee mix had said.

It was a first. A secretary who wasn’t afraid of him and didn’t hesitate to tell the ‘surefire remedy’ lie.

Was it because it was absurd? Or was it because that coffee really had an effect?

As if it had never happened, his anger disappeared.

It was from then on. That his gaze, his heart, had been flowing towards Gyeo Wool.

“I was foolish.”

Because he didn’t want to admit it.

It was then.

“You can’t do this!”

Just as the secretary’s voice trying to stop someone was heard, the office door flung open with a bang!

Luxurious designer clothes in vibrant colors and large jewels.

Even emitting a strong perfume scent, the uninvited guest entered.

It was Jin Joo, the daughter of Chairman Kang and Tae Wook’s aunt.

“She’ll be leaving soon, so tea won’t be necessary.”

Tae Wook gestured with his eyes for the bewildered secretary beyond Jin Joo’s shoulder to leave.

“What brings you here without notice?”

He asked indifferently as Jin Joo sat down on the sofa, turning his gaze back to the documents he had been reviewing.

“If I contact you? Would I hear anything but excuses that you’re busy? There’s no one as busy as you in the Jisung Group.”

A thick hostility could be felt in Jin Joo’s mocking tone.

She placed her luxury handbag, which reportedly costs tens of millions of won, on her thigh and scanned the office with her eyes.

“What a shabby office…”

The office with only monochrome office furniture and a reception set.

Jin Joo frowned at the atmosphere so different from the spacious and luxurious offices of other directors.

“Please state your business.”

Tae Wook said, still skimming through the documents.

“Where is grandfather?”

“Why are you asking me about grandfather?”

“Don’t you know he’s such an eccentric man that he doesn’t even contact me? Hurry up and tell me. Where is he?”

Chairman Kang has been out of contact for weeks after giving his family the last news that he was going on a trip.

Even when she asked her brother Ki Bum, he only repeated like a parrot, ‘Tae Wook would know, I don’t know.’

Jin Joo had no choice but to seek out Tae Wook as she became impatient.

“I told you he said not to look for him until he returns from his trip.”

“Then just tell me when he’s coming back.”

“I don’t know that either.”

“Are you really going to be like this?”

Jin Joo glared at Tae Wook with displeasure.

“Something seems off. You’re not hiding grandfather somewhere and plotting something, are you?”

Tae Wook’s eyes narrowed at Jin Joo’s sharp question that struck his weak spot.

Fortunately, as his gaze was directed at the documents, she didn’t notice his change.

“If I were to do something, do you think grandfather is someone who would just let it happen?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Unable to refute Tae Wook’s words, Jin Joo trailed off.

“Why are you looking for grandfather who said he wants to rest?”

“Sung Joon is returning to Korea soon.”

For a moment, Tae Wook’s hand stopped as he was signing the document.

For the first time since Jin Joo entered the office, he looked at her directly.

“You’re saying cousin Sung Joon is returning from Russia?”

“Why! Is there a problem with Sung Joon returning?”

“The deadline grandfather set is next year.”

“He’s suffered enough. Surely grandfather wouldn’t send him back for returning a few months early?”

Jin Joo raised her chin haughtily.

“Now you’ll have to compete fair and square with him again, won’t you?”

A sensitive light flashed in Tae Wook’s cold eyes.

−The one to take over Jisung Group must have outstanding management skills, first, second, and third. I’ll hand over the group to the one who proves that to me.

Chairman Kang had made Tae Wook and his first cousin Sung Joon compete since they were young.

The winner was always Tae Wook.

However, just twice.

The tables had turned due to Tae Wook’s divorce and Sung Joon’s illegal actions.

“Did my cousin say he would compete fairly with me?”

His tone was close to mockery.

Naturally, Jin Joo’s gaze became fierce.

“Tae Wook, you’re the one who shouldn’t be hiding behind grandfather to reverse the outcome.”

When Tae Wook was kicked out of J Chemical, she thought it was a heaven-sent opportunity.

She believed Sung Joon would surpass Tae Wook and become the next heir to Jisung Group.

But who would have thought Tae Wook would return after just 2 years.

People unanimously praised that Tae Wook returned due to his abilities earning trust.

However, Jin Joo thought differently.

She thought Chairman Kang pretended to kick him out in front but was weighing the timing of Tae Wook’s return behind the scenes.

“I’m not a coward like some people.”

“Look at you. You’re making our Sung Joon out to be a coward.”

“Isn’t he?”

“Of course not!”

Jin Joo burst out in anger.

Tae Wook twisted up the corner of his mouth in a sneer.

“If it wasn’t my cousin who threw a cowardly move to try and beat me, then it must have been someone who could manipulate him.”

Cold and deep eyes flashed chillingly beneath his glasses.

The only person who could manipulate Sung Joon was at the end of his gaze.

“Someone listening might think we mother and son had made some grand conspiracy.”

“It’s strange. I never specifically mentioned you, aunt.”

“You really have a talent for making people feel bad.”

Even as she spoke pointedly with hurt feelings, Jin Joo avoided Tae Wook’s gaze.

“I should get going now. Tell grandfather that Sung Joon is returning, alright?”

She gripped the handle of her luxury bag with all her might and stood up from the sofa.

“Next time, be sure to contact through the secretariat before coming!”

“Such manners towards your aunt…”

Jin Joo glared at Tae Wook with her eyes for a long time before turning abruptly and heading for the door.

Like when she entered, she slammed the door shut with a bang as she left.

“Damn it!”

Tae Wook cursed roughly.

A suffocating tightness in his throat.

He hooked his fingers and loosely undid his necktie.

“Why now of all times…”

There was only one reason Sung Joon wanted to return early.

It must be a plan to push out Tae Wook and take over Jisung Group.

No matter how dirty methods Sung Joon used, Tae Wook was confident he could win.

But the timing wasn’t good.

If by any chance he found out where Chairman Kang was, and on top of that learned about his memory loss…

Sung Joon would surely try to use his divorce again.

Then the fight would end in Tae Wook’s defeat before it even began.

Thud!

Tae Wook stood up, slamming both hands on the desk with a sound.

“I need to find a way!”

There was no time to waste.