She had made a significant name for herself in this exhibition. Rumor had it that she sold her paintings at high prices to chaebols.

She gained fame at an age even earlier than my father. It was clear she would become even more significant in the future.

Out of curiosity, he checked the articles.

On one page precisely, there was Ga-eul’s face under the title ‘Genius Emerging Artist.’ All the rumors were true.

Daejun decided to catch up to Ga-eul, who was about to get into her car, intending to say a few words.

At that moment, someone grabbed Daejun’s steps.

“Hey! Who are you! Stop right there.”

“……?”
Due to the loud shout from a man, Daejun momentarily stopped and turned around. It was a security guard from the gallery, whose presence he hadn’t noticed until now.

‘Could it be about me?’

Perplexed, Daejun widened his eyes and looked around. There was no one else except him. The security guard shouted at Daejun again, who looked puzzled.

“Yeah, you.”

“Why… why me?”

“Why are you running towards the chairman’s car?”

‘What? Was that car the gallery owner’s?’

Daejun was bewildered, momentarily stiffening.

He had misunderstood something strange.

Whether it was the owner or whatever, he had no idea. He was just running towards Ga-eul.

“Don’t move, stay right there.”

The security guard ran towards Daejun. Startled, Daejun turned in a different direction.

Glancing at the parking lot, he realized that the car had left a long time ago. It was getting far away.

With no idea why the security was chasing him, Daejun bit his lip and once again delved into the alley.

The opportunity he had been peeking at without a chance to try was disappointingly flying away.

While driving, Gitaeh glanced at his phone, which had rung. It was a call from Director Park.

They had just set off for their date and hadn’t even gotten far from the gallery.

Gitaeh reached out to turn off the phone.

However, Ga-eul, with a slight smile, said, “Chairman, don’t mind me. Answer it.”

“Fine.”

“It could be an important call.”

“…Wait a moment.”

Gitaeh, who had parked the car on the roadside, patted Ga-eul’s head and got out of the car. Then, he answered the call.

“Yes, what’s the matter.”

Uh, well…

Having heard only the gist of the matter, Gitaeh, who was about to hang up, brought the phone to the other ear, feeling something was off.

Director Park sighed and continued.

Do you remember the drunkard who attacked Ga-eul before?

“The drunkard?”

Yes, during the last exhibition. It was the day of Ga-eul’s first exhibition.

Gitaeh sifted through his memories at Director Park’s words. Then, he wrinkled his forehead. It was when he recalled the man who, according to Ga-eul, had caused her father’s death.

Why is this guy being brought up all of a sudden?

Feeling a headache coming on, Gitaeh suppressed a curse under his breath.

In a low but distinct curse, Director Park remained silent for a moment before continuing.

Earlier, the security tried to catch a suspicious man but missed him. The description matched the guy from back then. According to the security, the man seemed to be running towards the car you were in…

Gitaeh glanced briefly at Ga-eul sitting in the passenger seat.

Their eyes met, and she gave him a slightly apologetic smile. Gitaeh’s mood sank even more.

Turning his back again to avoid seeing her expression, Gitaeh listened to the rest of Director Park’s report.
Knowing everything the man did to young Ga-eul made Gitaeh seethe with anger. Concerned that Ga-eul might suffer more, Gitaeh’s full attention was directed toward that man.

Revealing himself again meant he could appear in front of the gallery at any time.

“He hasn’t shown up until now; I thought we wouldn’t cross paths again…, darn it.”

Today, he had planned to spend a private time with Ga-eul, but it seemed unlikely now.

With an irritated tone, Gitaeh said, “We’re going to the gallery right now.”

With a heavy heart, Gitaeh ended the call and got into the car. Because the call had taken a bit longer, Ga-eul asked first.

“Chairman, is something wrong?”

“….”

Ga-eul examined Gitaeh’s face as he got into the car, widening her eyes.

“Huh? Your expression looks really bad.”

Worried, Ga-eul gently scrutinized him with a concerned expression, wrapping her arms around his waist. Gitaeh, looking at Ga-eul, encircled her waist with his arms and buried his face in the nape of her neck.

Gitaeh let out a long sigh.

“There seems to be a problem at the company, and I might need to go there right away.”

“Oh…?”

Ga-eul’s voice answering sounded somewhat dejected.

However, she soon spoke again with a cheerful voice.

“Well, then, you should go. I’ll be okay. It can happen, right?”

It took Gitaeh a while to lift his head. Glancing at Ga-eul, who was looking at him with a worried expression, he suddenly burst into laughter.

In response to his laughter, Ga-eul, who had been inspecting Gitaeh’s face with a concerned look, burst into laughter as well.

Raising one eyebrow in a puzzled manner, Gitaeh let out a stifled laugh.

“Chairman, what’s with that expression?”

“What expression do I have?”

After contemplating for a moment, Ga-eul raised the corners of her mouth and replied, “Is it a glare that says you don’t want to go and would rather die?”

Gitaeh burst into a laugh with a sound effect.

When Gitaeh resumed his usual demeanor, Ga-eul looked at him, smiled, and playfully said, “Chairman, what’s with that expression?”

“My expression? What is it?”

Thinking for a moment, Ga-eul, with her lips pulled up, replied, “A glare that says you don’t want to go and would rather die?”

Gitaeh let out a laugh.

Thinking of Daejun internally, Gitaeh suppressed the curse in his mind.

To the outside world, Ga-eul was now an extraordinary woman capable of captivating people’s hearts with just one painting, but inside, she was infinitely fragile and delicate. She also had many wounds.

If he didn’t know about her past, he might not have realized it. Now, within the fences he had set up, he wanted to protect her from receiving even a single wound and only wanted to make her happy.

So, at least for this matter, he had decided not to reveal it to Ga-eul.

Gitaeh earnestly advised, “Yoon Ga-eul, don’t wander around the gallery alone for a while.”

“Why?.”

“There’s no need for you to go there anyway. It’s not like you’re going to start preparing for the next exhibition right away.”

“That’s true, but…”

Looking puzzled, Ga-eul added, “Until the next exhibition is scheduled. Take a good rest.”

“Oh, I see.”

“When the schedule for the next exhibition is set, Mr. Na and Director Park will let you know.”

“Okay. I understand. I’ll do that.”

Ga-eul obediently nodded. Seeing her like that, Gitaeh smiled, lifting the corners of his mouth.

“Let’s go; I’ll take you.”

“Do you really have to go right away? I can go by myself.”

“Never mind. I have time to take you.”
Gitaeh reached out with his hand, but it fell short and dropped down. Gitaeh offered a simple apology. Ga-eul, who had widened her eyes for a moment, responded with a faint smile, saying, “No, it’s okay.”