Jin Young Cheol, Park In Young, and Sun Woo, who arrived first at the quiet Korean-style room of the hotel’s high-end Korean restaurant, looked at Green and her father entering.

Sun Woo’s eyebrows raised for a moment, as the difference between Green today and Green who barged into the office a week ago with a large bag was too great.

She glared fiercely at Sun Woo and then lowered her gaze. It was a silent pressure to pretend they were meeting for the first time today.

“Oh my, Congressman, Vice Chairman. You came early. Sun Woo, have you been well?”

Han Moon Taek greeted them with a pleasant smile, but no one responded.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Han Green.”

While Han Moon Taek became embarrassed, Green greeted Jin Young Cheol and Park In Young.

Jin Young Cheol still had a displeased look, but Park In Young, contrary to her cold impression, nodded and accepted Green’s greeting.

“Alright. Have a seat.”

As Green and Han Moon Taek sat across from them, Jin Young Cheol turned his body 45 degrees away. Naturally, Park In Young took the lead in the conversation.

“As you know, this marriage is not normal, so the opinions of those involved are not important. So I’d like to negotiate the terms with Han Moon Taek.”

“Well, I don’t mind.”

Han Moon Taek was prepared to accept any conditions willingly, as long as Green married Sun Woo, which would achieve his goal.

“Let me start with the most important thing. We agree that those unpleasant photos Han Moon Taek sent me will be buried forever with this marriage. If those photos resurface for any reason, you’ll have to pay a penalty of 30 billion won.”

“30 billion won?”

Han Moon Taek swallowed hard, shocked by the enormous amount. But if Sun Woo and Green got married, those photos circulating wouldn’t be good for him either.

“Agreed.”

“Next condition. The wedding will be in two months at the K1 Hotel’s special hall. We’ll prepare everything for the wedding, including security.”

“How generous! Then, the marriage registration…”

“Hmph, how long do you think they’ll live together to register the marriage? Just be satisfied with the wedding ceremony.”

Jin Young Cheol, who had been keeping his mouth shut like a clam until then, spoke for the first time.

If he could kill Han Moon Taek with his eyes, he would have already done so. Jin Young Cheol’s gaze at Han Moon Taek was indescribably fierce.

But Han Moon Taek, who had been through thick and thin, was no pushover either.

“If we’re not registering the marriage, why are we even having this wedding? Let’s call it off. Green, get up.”

Han Moon Taek pulled on Green’s arm as if he was about to stand up right away. Knowing full well that he was doing this on purpose, In Young turned to Sun Woo and asked.

“Sun Woo, what do you think?”

“I don’t mind.”

Greatly shocked by Sun Woo’s indifferent response, Jin Young Cheol urgently turned to his wife.

“Honey, say something. Do we really have to register the marriage for this ridiculous wedding?”

“What can we do? Han Moon Taek is the one holding the cards right now.”

Jin Young Cheol’s face crumpled completely when even his wife didn’t take his side. In Young calmly recited the reality to him.

“If those photos are made public, your political career could be over. There’s less than a year until the next general election, are you okay with that?”

“Well, that…”

“It would be fatal for K1 Construction too. The world knows you’re my husband, after all.”

Jin Young Cheol’s face flushed red with anger. But there was nothing he could do right now.

In Young turned her gaze to Green, sitting quietly next to Han Moon Taek. She looked her over very carefully, as if examining something.

Seeming to notice In Young’s gaze, Green smiled very awkwardly, like a Miss Korea contestant.

‘Sun Woo laughed while talking about this child.’

In Young quietly turned her head to look at Sun Woo. His expression was still unreadable.

Having made up her mind, In Young spoke to Han Moon Taek, who was still standing.

“Please sit down. Let’s adjust the terms again.”

“Ahem.”

Only then did Han Moon Taek reluctantly sit back down.

“We’ll register the marriage right after the wedding ceremony. Instead, the wedding will be a small wedding with only the bride, groom, and parents attending.”

“A, a small wedding?”

“Yes, it will be beautifully packaged to the media as an exemplary upper-class wedding.”

Han Moon Taek, who had been excited about recouping the congratulatory money he had scattered around for decades, felt like he had been doused with a bucket of cold water at the news that he couldn’t invite even a single guest.

“Even for a small wedding, not being able to invite close relatives is a bit…”

Han Moon Taek trailed off, but then remembered something important and raised his head.

“Don’t tell me K1 Construction’s CEO Park Chan Wook won’t be attending either? It’s his only grandchild’s wedding.”

“That’s right, he won’t be attending. Sun Woo says he doesn’t want to show his respected grandfather this wedding.”

“Well, that’s…”

The more he heard, the more ridiculous and insulting the conditions became. To the point where the groom’s side would have nothing to say even if they stormed out right now.

But Han Moon Taek persevered. After all, people were lining up to meet Sun Woo, the future CEO of K1 Construction, and to do business together.

Just as he decided he could endure the humiliation on the wedding day, Green, who had been silent the whole time, opened her mouth.

“Father. Are you really going through with this wedding?”

Green’s words had many implications. In fact, this was also her last chance for her father Han Moon Taek.

“Of course. As long as you’re happy, Green, I can endure anything.”

For a moment, Green squeezed her eyes shut, feeling nauseous. Han Moon Taek was selling Green’s happiness while pursuing his own greed. There was no need to spare him anymore.

“Now that we’ve reached an agreement, shall we sign the contract?”

Park In Young took out two copies of the contract and handed them to Han Moon Taek.

“You even prepared a contract?”

“Of course. What power does a verbal promise have? We need to leave evidence. All five people present here will sign.”

Han Moon Taek, who had been slightly taken aback by the 30 billion won penalty clause, smiled with great satisfaction when he confirmed the clause stating that the marriage would be registered immediately after the wedding ceremony.

This one clause alone was practically enough to achieve everything he wanted.

“Why don’t we talk a bit more?”

“Alright.”

As the adults who had finished their business rose from their seats without lingering, Sun Woo suggested to Green. Green, who had also wanted to talk to him separately, readily agreed.

“Well, well. If you meet often, talk, and spend time together, even if there’s no feeling now, it’ll develop, you know.”

“What nonsense are you talking about!”

Han Moon Taek welcomed the news that Green and Sun Woo would stay behind with open arms. On the other hand, Jin Young Cheol looked at Han Moon Taek with great disapproval.

“Let’s go quickly. I need to get to the company.”

Judging that nothing good would come from Han Moon Taek and Jin Young Cheol mixing words, Park In Young quickly dragged her husband away.

Han Moon Taek also willingly vacated his seat to allow Sun Woo and Green to have time alone.

In front of the two, an untouched five-person set of exquisite high-end Korean cuisine was laid out.

“Phew… Your mother’s aura is no joke.”

Green’s back, which had been sitting straight as if tense, bent forward as if the tension had been released.

“Were you very nervous?”

“Of course. In-laws are always difficult, but contract marriage in-laws are even more difficult.”

As she answered Sun Woo, Green naturally picked up her chopsticks and picked up the galbi-jjim in front of her.

Sun Woo couldn’t help but smile as he watched Green heap a generous portion of fresh salmon sashimi salad after the galbi-jjim. At the same time, he too felt hunger rushing in.

As Sun Woo also started eating, Green looked at him curiously.

“What do rich people usually eat?”

“Well, grilled fish and doenjang jjigae are on the table almost every day, and I like seaweed soup and japchae.”

“Really? That’s surprisingly ordinary?”

“If there’s any difference, it’s that all ingredients are domestic and organic?”

“Tch, of course.”

The light conversation made the atmosphere much lighter.

“There’s something I want to tell you before we get married. It’s about my mother.”

“Yes.”

“My mother has been in a vegetative state for 5 years due to a hit-and-run accident.”

“…I see.”

Sun Woo didn’t offer premature consolation. He just quietly waited for Green’s next words.

“Even though it’s a formal marriage, I wanted to let you know that you have a mother-in-law, Jin Sun Woo.”

“I’ll remember that. Would you like me to visit your mother before the wedding?”

Green was surprised by Sun Woo’s words. She didn’t expect him to say that.

“No. I hope my mom can be comfortable in this chaos. Not with this fake marriage, but later when I find someone I truly love, that’s when I’ll show them to my mom.”

“Is that so?”

No emotion could be read in Sun Woo’s black eyes as he looked straight at Green. But the atmosphere rapidly cooled.

‘What’s this? Is he upset? I don’t think I said anything particularly offensive…’

To change the chilly atmosphere, Green forced a smile at Sun Woo.

“I’m really grateful that you said that, Jin Sun Woo. I was truly touched.”

Only then did Sun Woo shift his gaze and take out a piece of paper from his pocket.

“Now, shall we talk specifically about our contract?”

“Before that, there’s something I need to confirm. Do I have to quit my job when we get married?”

“Your profession is a photographer, right?”

“That’s right. I’ve been working as a freelancer because I need to visit my mom often.”

Sun Woo, noticing that Green wanted to continue working, answered a little awkwardly.

“It will be difficult to work after marriage, as we’ll easily attract media attention.”

“Actually, my father often defaults on my mother’s hospital bills, so it would be troublesome if I quit my job.”

As Green laid bare her circumstances, putting aside all pride, Sun Woo furrowed his brow for a moment.

“What does Han Moon Taek do?”

She couldn’t answer because she too didn’t know what kind of work her father was doing.

“If I’m going to cut ties with my father after marriage and I can’t work, I’d like you to support my mother’s hospital bills, Jin Sun Woo.”

“I understand. If you let me know which hospital your mother is in, I’ll arrange for her to stay in a special room. Is there anything else you need?”

Green was surprised that he not only accepted her request without asking how much the hospital bills were, but also offered to move her mother to a special room.

For a moment, she remembered Hannah’s words telling her to get everything she could from the diamond spoon Jin Sun Woo. She tried to calm her trembling heart as she opened her mouth.

“Some living expenses separate from the hospital bills… and I’ll continue my photography work to the extent that it’s not exposed externally. It’s hard to regain the sense for this work once you lose it.”

“Is there a place where you can work without exposure?”

“My stylist friend’s studio. It won’t be exposed externally because it’s not paid work.”

“Alright. Is there anything else you’d like to add or any questions?”

“How long will our marriage last?”

Sun Woo remained silent for a moment at Green’s words. He seemed to be measuring something in his mind.

“My father is also looking for a countermeasure to escape Han Moon Taek’s blackmail. When that succeeds, our marriage will end too.”

“I see.”

Green nodded slowly. Although it was a marriage she really wanted to avoid, now that her mother’s hospital bills were resolved, she selfishly thought it would be good if this marriage could last a bit longer if possible.

“Is there anything you want from me, Jin Sun Woo?”

Sun Woo blinked as if he had been caught off guard by Green’s words. He almost laughed out loud at Green’s attitude, acting as if she would grant anything he asked.

Quickly composing his expression, Sun Woo slowly opened his mouth.

“You don’t need to worry too much about my father, but it would be good if Han Green could follow the wishes of K1 Construction’s CEO and Vice Chairman well.”

“Hmm, you mean your grandfather and mother? Whew, why do you call your family members like they’re your work superiors?”

Green chuckled playfully and scolded, but Sun Woo’s expression was very serious.

“Because they are actually my superiors. They must be very hurt by my father’s actions, even if they don’t say it. I hope Han Green can behave well so as not to upset the Vice Chairman.”

Green was taken aback as she watched Sun Woo truly regard his mother and grandfather as his superiors. She felt a bit of antipathy, wondering if all rich people were like this.

But thinking that if this was their family custom, it wasn’t her place to interfere, she decided to comply with Sun Woo’s conditions.

“Yes, I’ll do my best to gain your mother’s approval.”

“It won’t be easy to gain her approval, but I hope you succeed. Now, shall we discuss the alimony in case of divorce?”

“I won’t take alimony. This marriage is happening because of my father’s blackmail, and I have a conscience too.”

“Are you serious?”

Sun Woo’s black eyes stared at her persistently, as if trying to grasp her true intentions.

‘Have I only been deceived!’

For a moment, a feeling of defiance rose up, but Green forced a smile and said,

“Think of it as solidarity between fellow black sheep.”

After staring at her for a long time, Sun Woo finally nodded slowly.

“Let’s do this. If the marriage ends satisfactorily for both of us, I’ll continue to take care of your mother’s hospital bills. Instead of alimony.”

“Uh, until when?”

“Let’s make it for life.”

Green, who had been blinking in surprise, quickly nodded her head, afraid that Sun Woo might change his mind. She felt a strong resolve to make sure Sun Woo would find this marriage satisfactory, no matter what.

As Sun Woo recorded all the agreed-upon details on the paper, a smile spread across Green’s slightly excited face, as if she had put down a major worry.

Whether it was due to the expertly applied makeup, the lighting of the high-end Korean-style room, or the expensive watch glinting on Green’s wrist as she tucked her hair behind her ear, for a moment, Sun Woo thought Green’s smile was pretty.

Just like that.