In truth, it was difficult to suspect Hyesu based solely on Oh Byeong-hoon’s claim and bank records.

However, when Gita directly verified Oh Byeong-hoon’s confession about everything Hyesu had done so far, it turned out to be true.

Though he didn’t know why she had been doing such unnecessary things behind his back, threatening the women who approached him.

He also learned that the malicious information in that article came from a man named Kim Dae-jun, thanks to Hyesu.

His grip on her tightened once again.

“Wh-who is this person to keep mentioning my name?”

Even though Hyesu already knew everything, Gita, instead of giving a kind response, just sneered at her efforts to resist.

Meanwhile, Oh Byeong-hoon’s voice continued to flow.

As if she didn’t want to hear any more, Hyesu shouted louder.

“I didn’t do such a thing! This is all a conspiracy! This man must be immediately sued for defamation! You shouldn’t do such wicked things! How can someone be so evil…”

She reached for his phone to turn off the still-playing recording.

However, due to her considerable confusion, her hand trembled, and she ended up dropping the phone.

Thunk!

The phone caused friction with the marble floor and went out.

“Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drop the phone…”

Hyesu apologized, not intending to do what she did.

Although unintentional, she succeeded in stopping the audio file.

Hyesu, still not believing her words, looked at him cautiously and asked,

“Mr. Gita… Surely, you don’t believe what he said? After all these years we’ve known each other, if you believe, you should trust me rather than that strange man, right?”

Even though she passionately claimed her innocence, he simply responded with a smirk.

“I don’t know when he’ll do such things again, but if you’re willing to take the risk, there’s no reason to be close. I’m telling you that there will be no more exchanges with Je-mun Group in the future, Ms. Cha Hyesu. But if you cross the line again, I won’t just speak but take legal action like today. If you don’t want to see the end, it’s better to leave now. I’m not just talking.”

“Wait a minute, Mr. Gita!”

A warning not to touch Gaeul. The shock came to Hyesu as a warning that if she touched Gaeul, he would confront her, even risking everything he had.

He, who always avoided personal emotions in business, was now subjugating himself to a single article about Gaeul.
Hyesu, who had been sobbing and complaining unjustly, suddenly flashed her eyes with intense light.

Again, Yoon Gaeul. Yoon Gaeul, Yoon Gaeul!

Even in this moment without that woman, she kept intruding into their relationship, causing disturbances.

Her presence radiated everywhere.

Suddenly, caught up in jealousy, she dispelled the pitiful act and questioned provocatively.

“Why? Gita, you’re not normally like this.”

“Like this? What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Why does Yoon Gaeul treat me like this? Just because of that trivial painting, she doesn’t even give me a glance and acts so possessive! Is she such a great artist? At best, she’s acknowledged a little in Korea. To some, she might be like Picasso. What an extraordinary painter she must be!”

Despite Hyesu’s rough breathing, Gita didn’t bat an eye. Instead, he threw another question in response to her inquiry.

“I think you denied it before… Cha Hyesu, do you like me?”

It wasn’t a question seeking an answer.

His firm voice, throwing the question out there, seemed like he already knew the answer.

“Yes, yes? What is this all of a sudden…”

Startled, Hyesu stumbled over her words. Then, her face turned red.

Somehow, Gaeul’s existence had been forgotten.

Her own feelings that she had never revealed in front of him.

She couldn’t reveal her heart now; she might not be able to stay by his side if she faced rejection.

The days when she peeked at opportunities, pacing around nervously.

Seeing through everything, Gita’s attitude made Hyesu shrink a bit compared to before.

This was not the usual act she showed him; it was a very genuine appearance. Though the method was wrong, this feeling was truly, genuinely held for a long time.

Already feeling like her heart had been exposed, Hyesu was conflicted about whether to honestly confess now.

However, he beat her to it with a sigh and spoke first.

“I probably said let’s forget about what happened before… Cha Hyesu, do you have feelings for me?”

It wasn’t a question expecting an answer.

His quietly thrown question seemed like he already knew the answer.

“I didn’t mean to drop the phone…”

Hyesu apologized for accidentally dropping the phone, which resulted in stopping the audio file.

Gita, however, didn’t respond with kindness. Instead, he threw another question in response to her inquiry.

“Before, you denied it, didn’t you? Cha Hyesu, do you like me?”

It wasn’t a question seeking an answer.
“It’s all over. Like this… it’s really the end?”

Even after he disappeared, Hyesu stood in that spot as if rooted for a long time.

Due to the shock of having her long-held feelings rejected, she couldn’t take a single step.