Sounds of a heated argument flowed from inside the main house, hinting at a possible quarrel.
“This isn’t a place for me to intervene.”
Even under the influence of alcohol, Autumn made the right decision and turned to leave quietly.
“That gallery of yours, wasn’t it given to you by this old man?”
‘Gallery…?’
Despite having no intention of eavesdropping, Autumn found herself involuntarily stopping upon hearing the word ‘gallery’.
‘Were they discussing TS Gallery?’
Knowing well that Chairman Han had been trying to get her into TS Gallery, Autumn pricked up her ears.
“It started as a small gallery as a hobby. I’m the one who expanded it.”
“How dare you talk back to an elder like this! If you keep acting on your own, whether it’s the gallery or the department store, I’ll take them all back!”
“Sigh… Grandfather. I know you favor Yoon Ga-eul, but I have no plans to include her in my gallery.”
Chairman Han’s voice was filled with anger, yet the man stood his ground.
However, to Autumn, nothing else mattered after hearing her name mentioned.
‘I know you favor Yoon Ga-eul.’
The tone in which her name was mentioned felt chillingly cold. She felt like she had overheard something she shouldn’t have.
That gallery was a goal set by Chairman Han for her.
Her aim was to showcase her skills, gain recognition, and prove her worth in the gallery.
Since she was 14, when she first took Chairman Han’s hand and entered the mansion, her future had been predetermined.
The increasingly rigid instructions from the Chairman, as he provided more support, left her with no choice but to follow.
Why were they arguing about this…?
They were still arguing about whether to include her in the gallery or not.
“Ah, that child Ga-eul, she draws well, doesn’t she? Kitae, that’s why I told you to see her paintings! Your mind might change once you see them.”
“Then maybe someday she can enter.”
“What do you mean?”
“If she impresses me with her skills. It’s practically a favor if I personally go to see her work. She should draw well enough to catch my eye. That’s why it’s not possible.”
“…”
“Please, give up on this and rest. If you bring this up again, I won’t visit the mansion, Grandfather.”
“That insolent brat!”
Autumn hadn’t properly conversed with him before and didn’t realize he was a person who didn’t make exceptions for anyone.
Despite Chairman Han’s insistence, the man didn’t waver.
The more she listened, the more his words seemed indisputable.
He was just finding reasons not to accept her.
The TS Gallery he ran had become selective four years ago, accepting only exceptional artists.
Autumn had tirelessly focused on her art to meet these standards.
But the mere act of showing her work was considered a privilege?
She felt like she was seen as someone trying to land a job undeservedly.
A part of her recoiled at the thought.
She gave up on listening further and turned away.
As she was about to leave the main house, his voice suddenly rang out nearby.
“I’ll be leaving then.”
Her face paled as she heard his footsteps approaching.
Not intending to eavesdrop, she was now in a situation where it seemed like she had been caught.
While it was true she inadvertently overheard, it wasn’t the time to dwell on that.
Autumn attempted to flee towards the annex, but her still-drunk body barely managed a few steps, especially in her high heels.
The sound of a door opening and closing echoed nearby.
“Aah.”
“…….”
At the sound of a single voice, Autumn’s shoulders jolted in surprise, but she didn’t turn around.
She hoped, perhaps naively, that he might not recognize her in the darkness and pass by. The area in front of the main house was indeed a bit dim.
However, it seemed he had recognized her immediately.
“Yoon Ga-eul.”
“….Gulp!”
Like a child caught stealing, Autumn’s hiccup burst out suddenly. She covered her mouth with her hands and slowly turned around. Meeting his eyes, cold sweat trickled down her spine.
He asked in a voice colder than frost, “How long have you been there?”
“That, I mean…”
“Answer.”
“….I’m sorry. I think I heard everything….”
“Haa….”
Autumn, fearing a scolding, barely raised her head, looking sheepish.
“….!”
He suddenly approached and placed his hand on her head, saying, “I don’t dislike you being in my gallery. It needs to be fair.”
“Ah, yes….”
His hand briskly withdrew.
Surprised by his unexpected response, Autumn answered in a daze.
‘I wasn’t disliked after all….’
Contrary to expectations, he was earnestly clarifying the situation.
It felt like the corners of her mouth were about to curl up inappropriately for the situation. Not wanting to show this side of her, Autumn fiddled with her lips, trying to hide her inadvertent smile.
‘It’s understandable if he’s busy. He sent a bouquet, and he says he doesn’t dislike me.’
The man who was usually hard to even see had kindly wiped paint off her face yesterday. And now, though awkward to describe as a caress, he had placed his hand on her head.
It was brief, but…
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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