Law firm ‘Sun’. Representative Joo Sung Gye’s office.

“A guest has arrived.”

At the secretary’s words, Joo Sung Gye’s gaze left the monitor he was working on and turned straight ahead.

The guest quietly entering through the heavily opened door was none other than Do Yi Young, the second daughter of the LU Group chairman.

Joo Sung Gye’s expression showed a joy he had never seen before upon seeing Yi Young.

“Oh, you’ve come, Yi Young.”

“Hello, father. I hope I’m not wasting your time while you’re working.”

“You’re too precious a guest to think of it as wasting time, Yi Young.”

Representative Joo, who had risen from his desk, instructed the secretary to bring two cups of tea.

As the secretary nodded and closed the office door, Representative Joo guided Yi Young to the luxurious sofa in the office.

“I thought you would have eaten, so I bought lemon madeleines. From the Western bakery you like.”

“It’s more than enough just for you to come, why bring such things.”

“How could I come empty-handed to see you, father.”

Yi Young held out a beautifully wrapped box on the reception table.

Facing Representative Joo Sung Gye, Yi Young exuded a much kinder and gentler atmosphere than her public persona.

Representative Joo looked at her with quite gentle eyes and said:

“You always emit a good light. It’s a pleasant light to see anytime.”

“It’s because you always see me in a good light, father. Knowing that, I can show you an even better side of myself.”

In fact, it was strange to be smiling and looking at each other like this.

Three years ago, abandoned by Tae Sung’s unilateral marriage, she could have been at odds with this family after being jilted.

But even after the engagement was broken off, she did not cut ties with Representative Joo’s family.

Although Chairwoman Choi Yu Ria, who felt greatly humiliated by that incident, harbored ill feelings towards Representative Joo for a while, it was also Yi Young who persuaded and calmed Chairwoman Choi so that Representative Joo would not be shunned in the business world.

It was only natural that Representative Joo felt a small amount of sympathy and guilt towards her.

“Sir, I’ve brought two cups of your favorite rooibos tea.”

The returning secretary placed two cups of tea on the table.

A clear smile formed around Yi Young’s eyes as she smelled the subtle tea fragrance.

“It smells good. Your sense for choosing tea is truly excellent, father.”

After saying that, a sudden look of embarrassment came over Yi Young’s face.

“Ah, I shouldn’t call you father at the company. It’s just my usual habit…”

As if he couldn’t bear to see her shadow for even a moment, Representative Joo Sung Gye immediately replied.

“You can call me whatever you want. I like that title too, you know.”

“But the people at the company might misunderstand…”

“Misunderstand?”

“Since elder brother Tae Sung has been married for a long time now, it might seem like I’m trying to act like a daughter-in-law…”

At the mention of Tae Sung’s name by Yi Young, Representative Joo’s brow furrowed ominously.

Tae Sung, who had cruelly destroyed the opportunity to bring this perfect child into the family, was an uncomfortable and unpleasant existence to hear about from Yi Young.

“I’ve never acknowledged that marriage. Not once before, and probably never will in the future. Do you know what that means?”

“…”

“It means I can’t accept an outsider who arbitrarily put their name in our family. No matter what Joo Tae Sung does.”

Representative Joo’s resolute response was exactly what Yi Young had hoped for.

Having confirmed Representative Joo’s still firm resolve, Yi Young forcibly pulled down the corners of her mouth that were trying to rise involuntarily.

“But father…”

“No buts are needed. That’s my decision. Soon this family will return to its original state. I’ve finally found the weed that I couldn’t find and pull out for 3 years.”

The target meant by “weed” was clear.

Yi Young already knew that the date meant by “soon” was this weekend.

The conversation flowing this far was a very good sign.

In fact, Yi Young had something she absolutely needed to hear from Representative Joo Sung Gye.

‘From now on is important. We need to firmly imprint that we’re on the same side.’

Before officially launching the operation, Yi Young lowered her eyes that had been wide open.

Then she let out a small, sorrowful voice that could elicit anyone’s sympathy.

“But father… Elder brother Tae Sung’s marriage has already happened. I just want him to be happy now with the person he truly loves.”

Words completely opposite to her true feelings.

But the pitiful atmosphere she created, well-versed in acting, was excellent enough to even deceive Representative Joo.

Representative Joo’s gaze lingered on Yi Young for a moment.

What hung at the end was a cold, cynical sneer.

“Love… Do you think that exists?”

At the incomprehensible question, Yi Young quietly looked at Representative Joo.

Representative Joo moistened his throat with a sip of tea, then continued in a low voice.

“Well, I suppose it’s an abundant emotion for you, to wait so tenderly for 3 years.”

“…”

“But Joo Tae Sung is different. That bastard wouldn’t know what such feelings are. Because they’ve never existed for him.”

To be honest, the words she wanted were something like “He will come to love you.”

‘But this is good enough. At least he can’t lose feelings that don’t exist, right?’

Yi Young let out a small sigh that could reveal plenty of lingering attachment without saying anything.

Representative Joo Sung Gye did not open his mouth for a while after that.

Not having heard the exact proposal she wanted yet, Yi Young made a desperate prayer during the continuing silence.

Please. Please. Please. Please.

Please find me. Tell me right now to deal with that weed together.

I can chew it up and swallow it to the roots.

How long had passed like that?

“Yi Young.”

Representative Joo called Yi Young.

Yi Young turned her innocent eyes fully towards him.

“This Saturday… Could you make some time?”

The proposal that finally flowed out was the purpose for which she had come here, and the result she had most desperately desired.

Yi Young’s black eyes flashed with a cold, chilling light.

The expression she was maintaining with all her facial muscles only read as pure innocence.

* * *

The day of the decisive battle, at the authentic French restaurant ‘Ciel Bleu’.

Ji Wan’s mouth fell open at the magnificent restaurant she had never been to even for newspaper company entertainment.

She knew this meeting would be unusual, if only because of the luxury clothes Joo Tae Sung had bought her, but coming to this grand place reminiscent of a movie party scene made her think she had come to an even more incredible place than she had prepared for.

“Do, do we really have to go in here?”

Ji Wan asked in a very nervous voice.

Unlike her, who looked openly anxious, Tae Sung standing next to her answered with a relaxed expression.

“It seems too late for escaping reality.”

“I know. I know, but… I’m so nervous I can’t take a single step. Somehow it feels like a place I shouldn’t enter.”

Ji Wan put strength in her legs as if to show she absolutely could not move.

But Tae Sung only gave a subtle eye smile.

“There’s no such thing as a place you shouldn’t enter. Especially not when I’m accompanying you.”

Tae Sung’s hand wrapped around her waist.

Though it was a sudden touch, Ji Wan didn’t have the presence of mind to push it away.

“It’s not difficult. Just remember one thing.”

Tae Sung said just before opening the door.

Ji Wan’s wavering eyes turned to him again.

“One thing? What one thing?”

“You just have to follow exactly what I do.”

“Follow what you do…?”

“When I greet someone, you greet them too. When I eat, you eat too. When I smile, you smile too…”

“If you cry, I cry too?”

“I’m sorry, but that won’t happen.”

With that incomprehensible advice and a chuckle, Tae Sung led Ji Wan’s body into the restaurant.

Ji Wan’s pupils trembled like aspen leaves as she found herself inside.

“Do you have a reservation?”

A neat-looking person who seemed to be the restaurant manager approached the two and asked.

Instead of answering, Tae Sung scanned the interior and fixed his gaze on a window-side table overlooking the city center.

“Our party… I see them. In their usual spot.”

Ji Wan glanced in the direction Tae Sung was looking.

She immediately froze as if she had met Medusa.

A man who looked three or four years older than Tae Sung, and a middle-aged man with a cold impression sitting next to him.

Because of Representative Joo Sung Gye, the one fiercely glaring at Ji Wan among those two.

“Ta-Tae Sung. I think I just made eye contact with your father.”

Ji Wan said in a trembling voice.

Tae Sung gently turned his head towards Ji Wan.

“Do you remember what I said earlier?”

“Wh-What you said? To follow you?”

“Yes, following. What am I doing right now?”

Ji Wan finally tore her gaze away from Joo Sung Gye’s fierce eyes and looked at Tae Sung.

Tae Sung was looking down at her with his usual subtle smile.

After confirming that, Ji Wan swallowed dryly and forcibly lifted the corners of her mouth.

“H-How is it? Does it look similar?”

“Not at all. But your effort is commendable.”

Tae Sung let out a small laugh as if amused.

Now she was about to meet his family for the first time since their contract marriage, but this man didn’t seem worried about what was to come at all.

But since she had to unconditionally follow Tae Sung in this situation, Ji Wan couldn’t even pout and just muttered with a smiling face.

“Let’s just get this over with quickly and go home. Quickly… haha.”

Instead of answering, Tae Sung shrugged and moved forward.

As Ji Wan followed him step by step, Representative Joo Sung Gye’s murderous gaze came closer and closer to her step by step.

Now close enough to use the expression ‘faced’.

Even until then, Representative Joo was still looking only at Ji Wan’s face.

Ji Wan debated in her spinning mind whether she should greet him first, but since Tae Sung didn’t, she decided not to either.

“Tae Sung. You really came, huh.”

The first person to speak among those present was the man sitting next to Joo Sung Gye.

With serious eyes and kind-looking eyebrows, he had an atmosphere similar yet different to Tae Sung’s.

“I didn’t know you’d come too, elder brother. You’ve made an uncomfortable and difficult trip.”

Tae Sung answered as he pulled out a chair and sat down.

Ji Wan, who had been watching carefully, also sat down following Tae Sung.

“Is your school schedule alright?”

Tae Sung asked with an even deeper smile.

Catching that expression, Ji Wan also grinned following Tae Sung.

“Let’s talk about that later. Tae Sung, have you fully recovered?”

“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”

“The aftereffects… are they still there?”

“There’s absolutely no problem with daily life. Isn’t that enough?”

Tae Sung’s tone as he conversed with him was just comfortable, without pretense.

Judging by the atmosphere, he seemed to be the only person Tae Sung treated amicably.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tae Sung’s older brother. My name is Joo Hyun Woo.”

Before long, the man turned his gaze to Ji Wan and offered a handshake first.

Ji Wan, who was about to automatically return the handshake, first glanced to check Tae Sung’s expression, and he nodded in approval.

“It’s nice to finally greet you. I’m Lee Ji Wan.”

Ji Wan accepted Hyun Woo’s handshake and gave a simple self-introduction.

Until then, Representative Joo Sung Gye was still staring intently at Ji Wan’s face without any expression.

How rough and harsh and hot that gaze was. She was on the verge of breaking out in a cold sweat all over her body.

“And this is our father.”

Hyun Woo introduced him on his behalf, as if telling Ji Wan to greet him too.

Ji Wan checked Tae Sung once again.

Tae Sung just twirled the water glass in front of him without making any gesture.

‘But it seems a bit much to just ignore an elder like this… It’s so awkward… Am I going to die from all this stress?’

Her complicated thoughts were clearly visible on her face.

Representative Joo, who had been staring straight at the properly stiff Ji Wan, let out a cold sneer.

“How much did you receive?”

Then his first words were a question that struck right at the heart of the matter.

“Pardon…?”

“I asked how much you received. For this ridiculous child’s play.”

Ji Wan swallowed dryly, at a loss for words.

Flustered, Ji Wan looked at Tae Sung again with shaking pupils.

Representative Joo Sung Gye’s sneer deepened as he watched her.

Just as the childish game he referred to was about to fall apart before it had properly begun,

“Pffft… Hahahahaha!”

Tae Sung’s laughter, completely at odds with the icy atmosphere, burst out loudly.

Startled by the sudden laughter, the gazes of the three people turned to Tae Sung.