Ga-eul swallowed nervously as she gazed at the large building right in front of the stopped sedan.

Although he had simply explained it as a dinner party, the sight of the substantial building gave her a premonition that it might not be just an ordinary party.

Feeling instinctive resistance, Ga-eul grabbed Ki-tae’s arm and urgently exclaimed, “CEO! No matter how I think about it, this doesn’t seem right.”

“What’s not right now, Ga-eul?”

After a bit of persuasion, she had reluctantly agreed to come, but now she couldn’t go through with it. Ki-tae asked her deliberately with a bitter tone, “So, should I go alone without a companion?”

“It’s not like that…”

It’s not what you think.

Ga-eul stumbled for words, then tried to convince him with a gentle tone, “You’ve had someone accompany you to these kinds of events before.”

“There hasn’t been anyone.”

“Then you could have gone alone like usual. Why did you suddenly bring me along?”

To Ga-eul’s question, Ki-tae, who had been nonchalant earlier, became a bit serious as he asked, “Are you suggesting that I wanted you, Yoon Ga-eul, to attend this party with another woman?”

“…”

Hesitating briefly in response to Ga-eul’s question, Ki-tae lifted his head.

Satisfied with her straightforward answer, Ki-tae, with a satisfied smile, whispered affectionately, “Then cooperate a bit. There’s no one else I can ask. You know that.”

“…Okay.”

Meanwhile, Ga-eul felt a bit desperate.

‘How did I end up here…’

She had succumbed to his request without much thought.

When she asked if going together would practically disclose their relationship, he said not to worry because they were gallery staff and the CEO, maintaining a professional relationship. His words sounded convincing at that moment.

Anyway, since she had come this far, she had to go in.

Ga-eul sighed deeply.

She would go, but nevertheless, she was a bit worried because such situations were new to her.

As Ga-eul was feeling a bit uneasy, he continued with pleasant words.

“It looks different when you wear it like this, unique again.”

His gaze fell on her dress.

The dress was hastily acquired before arriving at the party venue. Fortunately, it wasn’t too flashy, so even though she was wearing it for the first time, it didn’t seem awkward.

However.

The problem was his gaze.

“Should I buy you something else?”

His gaze, examining her dressed figure, sank deeply and stuck like thick honey.

His hand, which had approached unnoticed, began to gently sweep down her exposed neck.

Afraid that accepting his touch would lead to something deeper, Ga-eul grabbed Ki-tae’s fingers and pulled them away, saying, “No, the dress is unnecessary. But…”

“……?”

“You won’t behave like this outside, right? CEO.”
Ga-eul emphasized the title “CEO” as she spoke.

So, he shrugged, laughing with a playful expression.

In his eyes, there still lingered a hint of regret.

Nevertheless, in a manner befitting a “CEO,” he spoke quite convincingly.

“Of course. I’ll handle it professionally as promised. That’s why you agreed, too, Yoon Ga-eul.”

He got out of the car first.

Approaching the passenger seat with a spin, he extended his hand and spoke with a slightly different tone than usual.

“Shall we go, Miss Yoon Ga-eul?”

Reacting to the unfamiliar escort and tone, Ga-eul burst into a bright smile.

Similarly cheerful, he chuckled and said, “You, too, need to immerse yourself in your role.”

“Yes, I understand. I’m sorry.”

As Ga-eul lightly placed her hand on Ki-tae’s arm, accepting his escort, she smiled widely.

Inside the building where the dinner party was in full swing, the wife of Je Moon Group approached her daughter to deliver surprising news.

“Oh my, really? Is it Mr. Ki-tae?”

In response to Hyeso’s question, her mother nodded.

As a result, Hyeso’s face turned pale.

Han Ki-tae. He had personally sent a reply that he would attend the party today.

A man who was difficult to schedule and never attended parties was suddenly participating. What wind was blowing for him to attend?

‘No. This is not the time to be thinking about such things.’

Reflecting, Hyeso glanced around the party venue and at her own appearance. Suddenly, she furrowed her brow.

Was there something wrong with her makeup all of a sudden? She was bothered. Actresses who were invited to the party also felt uncomfortable.

If I had known this would happen, I should have been the one in charge of selecting the attendees for today’s party… Ugh.

Hyeso received a pouch from her personal secretary standing next to her and headed to the powder room. Then, she hurriedly fixed her makeup.

Coming out of the powder room with a dignified stride, Hyeso handed the pouch to her waiting secretary again.

At that moment, she saw a man she had been waiting for entering alone.

It’s really Mr. Ki-tae!

Approaching Ki-tae to greet him immediately, Hyeso suddenly frowned.

Next to him was Yoon Ga-eul again.

Having momentarily frowned, Hyeso soon burst into laughter.

Whether burdened by Mount Everest or not, that woman had even come to this party.