As if every word from Hee-jin stabbed her with a dagger, So-eun felt the pain, but she remained calm and grasped the clues. When So-eun pointed it out, Hee-jin stammered, “Well, well,” looking embarrassed.

“I recorded the conversation. I’ll block the number. If you contact me like this again, I’ll press charges.”

“And I’ve done nothing except posting one opinion on the ‘Blah Blah’ bulletin board. The lady’s photo has nothing to do with me. Since you posted the article in the first place, you’ve dug your own grave. I have nothing more to say, so I’ll end it here.”

With a rough sigh, So-eun hung up the phone. She now properly understood the true nature of Yang Hee-wook’s sister.

“So, when I was dating Yang Hee-wook, she treated me somewhat decently.”

Yeah, I know. I’ve revealed my past with my own mouth, so now people’s biases against me are confirmed. Even if I boast about the excellent work in front of my eyes, I’ll still be reluctant to become a family with such a person.

Soothing her bitter heart, So-eun walked back to the office with heavy steps. Chief Jang Eun-pyo was still there.

“Chief, haven’t you left yet?”

“Yes. I was waiting. I wanted to leave with Team Leader Han.”

“I have something to do. I’ll sit a little longer and then leave.”

“Ah…”

After So-eun’s answer, Chief Jang Eun-pyo hesitated for a moment and then decided to speak.

“Team Leader Han, do you happen to have time this weekend?”

“Yes? What’s the matter?”

“I want to go on a date.”

So-eun blinked her eyes.

“I like Team Leader Han.”

In a relationship that was just a normal friendship, she had never received such an accurate confession. Moreover, hearing such words right after the malicious comment, “Who would like someone like you?” made it all the more unexpected.

So-eun froze, not knowing how to respond.

It would be good to say she had a boyfriend, but there was nothing she could say about that boyfriend.

“……I don’t know when it started, but it seems like I’ve liked you for a long time.”

“…….?”

“You’re so beautiful, kind, and diligent…….”

So-eun stood still like a vase, silently receiving the flower-like words. When the office door suddenly opened wide, Tae-jun’s face appeared.

“Chief Jang Eun-pyo?”

Eun-pyo’s confession ended there.

“Yes, Director.”

“You haven’t left yet. I had something to tell you. Can we talk for a moment?”

So-eun was the one who had been waiting for Tae-jun all this time, but it seemed that Tae-jun urgently needed something from Eun-pyo. So-eun watched the two of them from a distance, and Tae-jun casually nodded.

“Team Leader Han should leave. It’s been after office hours.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Be careful on your way home.”

“Yes. See you tomorrow.”

There’s nothing I can do if there’s work.

So-eun walked out of the office alone. Tae-jun seemed to have urgent business with Eun-pyo. Although So-eun wanted to talk with Tae-jun, work had to come first on a weekday.
After So-eun left, Tae-jun led Eun-pyo to his office.

“Chief Jang, would you mind coming to my office for a moment?”

Eun-pyo, not knowing English, dryly replied, “Yes,” and followed behind Tae-jun. Even though Tae-jun’s footsteps ahead were leisurely, they resounded heavily in Eun-pyo’s ears.

Because Eun-pyo exercised every day, he could vaguely guess the muscles of the man hidden in the suit. It seemed like he was also doing some exercise, and his physique was that of a foreigner. Despite having a handsome face, his broad shoulders and well-built body naturally exuded an imposing presence even from behind.

Without saying a word, Eun-pyo crossed the threshold of Tae-jun’s office as he was guided.

“For what reason did you come, Director?”

A polite and affectionate exchange followed the business-like question.

“Chief Jang Eun-pyo, I’ve been keeping an eye on you because you are serious, just, and diligent. Thank you for taking care of the TF team’s work.”

“It’s my job. I’ll do my best.”

“When I first came to Korea and took on this role, I felt quite overwhelmed, but having Chief Jang by my side has been very helpful. It’s more comfortable with Chief Jang than with an old friend.”

“…Thank you for thinking that way.”

Continuing to hear such kind words made him feel uneasy.

Tae-jun extended his lips and smiled affectionately. Eun-pyo also wanted to laugh along with Tae-jun, but his face remained stiff. It felt like there was anesthesia in his words, making it impossible to move.

‘Did you call me to say those words?’ He wanted to ask, but his lips wouldn’t move. He had no choice but to wait for his superior to bring up the matter first.

Stopping there, Tae-jun suddenly took out his phone and fiddled with it. After a while, Tae-jun’s phone vibrated, and he looked at it, chuckled, fiddled with it again, and put it back in his pocket.

Tae-jun’s gaze, away from the phone, returned to Eun-pyo.

“So, about that, can I consider us friends now?”