Despite her cries of ‘Ki Tae!’, the force around her waist urged Autumn forward.

His face was contorted with anger.

Not sure what to say and just as baffled as Hye Soo, Autumn carefully watched his mood as she walked.

Just as she was about to speak,

“I wonder what lies you’ll come up with next.”

“Director……”

“Don’t make me angry. Just follow me quietly.”

“…….”

As he led the way, they entered his office.

Upon reaching the office entrance, Ki Tae instructed his secretary.

“Don’t let anyone in.”

The heavy atmosphere was palpable, and although the secretary replied ‘Yes, Director’, a puzzled look followed them.

Ki Tae opened the office door angrily.

The door slammed shut with a bang, startling Autumn. Only then did he release his grip on her waist and, sweeping his hair back, walked towards the window.

He sighed and turned to call her.

“Yoon Autumn.”

“……Yes, Director.”

“The chairman must have told you to create an opportunity for me.”

“That’s not…”

Autumn hesitated and then closed her mouth.

She felt unjustly targeted by his anger.

It was Hye Soo who had made the chairman warn her and made her feel obliged to avoid Ki Tae.

Moreover, Autumn had only expressed her grievance to Hye Soo. She hadn’t told Ki Tae about Hye Soo’s actions.

It was only because he appeared unexpectedly at that time and overheard their conversation.

‘Maybe it’s for the best.’

Autumn sighed and then admitted softly.

“……Yes.”
Autumn refrained from any further denial or lies, which seemed to ease the harshness in Ki Tae’s gaze.

Staring at the floor, she heard the sound of men’s shoes approaching closer.

Cautiously, Autumn lifted her head.

The air was still awkward, but Ki Tae’s expression was no different than usual.

…He didn’t seem angrier.

However, his gaze was more intense than usual, causing Autumn’s shoulders to tense up involuntarily.

She didn’t want to lie anymore and chose to meet his gaze directly to show her sincerity. As their eyes met, Ki Tae took another step closer.

The sudden closeness and his hand reaching for her waist again made Autumn’s eyes widen. She hadn’t realized it before due to the shock, but her heart started to beat chaotically.

Too close.

‘Why does he keep doing this…?’

Fearing that the pounding of her heart might be felt by him, Autumn subtly tried to step back. She was afraid of revealing her growing awareness of him.

“I forgot even after hearing it directly.”

“……?”

As she tried to cool down and calm her racing heart, Ki Tae spoke in a low, settled voice. Confused, Autumn turned to face him again.

His expression was icy cold.

“No one likes being touched by someone they dislike.”

“……What?”

“It was a mistake just now. Be careful.”

Autumn wanted to say it wasn’t true, but before she could, Ki Tae stepped back and cut her off.

“No need to try. I didn’t realize your feelings and kept calling you out, making you uncomfortable, Yoon Autumn.”

It was a misunderstanding. She had lied bluntly to get rid of the persistent Hye Soo.

“I only took you with me because I thought it would be helpful for you.”

“Director! It’s not like that!”

“Leave now.”

That evening, Ki Tae headed to his family home.

“Notify the grandfather I’m coming.”

“Yes, Director.”

The secretary, who usually took a stroll in the garden behind the main building, quickly called upon receiving Ki Tae’s instructions during a red light.

The black sedan swiftly pulled up in front of the main house.

Without any further instructions, Ki Tae stepped out of the car and entered the main house, where only the study was lit.

Waiting in the living room after receiving his call, Chairman Baek Ho greeted Ki Tae.

“Ah, Ki Tae.”

“…….”

“What brings you here at this hour?”

Ki Tae’s unusually somber expression led Baek Ho to gesture towards the study. Without a word, Ki Tae entered and got straight to the point.

“Why did you say weird things to Yoon Autumn?”

“You’re here about Hye Soo?”

“Yes. You know well. Don’t hassle Yoon Autumn over Cha Hye Soo.”

“……Hmm, okay.”

The chairman’s response was surprisingly compliant.

“Autumn and I have nothing for this grandfather to worry about. Hye Soo is particularly concerned about Autumn, so I only mentioned her. You’ll be marrying soon, Ki Tae. There’s no need to upset Hye Soo.”

“Why should I care about that woman’s feelings?”

Baek Ho’s eyes narrowed slightly at Ki Tae’s response.

“Weren’t you considering Hye Soo as a potential match?”

“No.”

It was an answer that wouldn’t have come so easily before, despite her being from a helpful business family.

Before leaving the study, Ki Tae paused and firmly warned his grandfather.

“Since Yoon Autumn has joined my gallery, she is now my person. Don’t interfere again, or it won’t be pleasant.”

Leaving the main house, Ki Tae paused as he walked towards the sedan. His gaze instinctively drifted towards the back path of the garden, towards Autumn’s studio.
His eyes naturally turned to the place he always visited when he came here.

As if drawn, he walked towards it, and to his surprise, he saw the studio unusually dark, unlike usual. After brushing his hair back, Ki Tae walked towards the studio.

Entering the studio, he found it empty and desolate.

In his sweeping gaze across the studio, Ki Tae’s eyes landed on a canvas he hadn’t seen before.

‘It must have been here just a while ago.’

The wet paint and brushes slightly dripping with water indicated that she hadn’t left the studio long ago.

Was she avoiding him?

He didn’t want to jump to such conclusions, but his thoughts kept drifting in that direction.

“Director… I dislike you.”

“Such a foul mood.”

Ki Tae’s expression crumpled. Though he didn’t want to believe it, her words echoed repeatedly in his mind, sharpening his senses.

He felt an uncontrollable turmoil in his heart.