“Lee Se Hee will bring the card herself.”

Kyle, who had stood up from his seat, gazed meaningfully at Se Hee for a moment before slowly walking away.

Se Hee stared blankly at his retreating figure.

The fierce look in Se Hee’s eyes softened as soon as Kyle turned around.

A faint feeling created a strong lingering impression.

Just as a quiet sigh escaped Se Hee’s lips, Seon Ah approached and sat down next to her.

“Lee. You really have nerves of steel. I was on pins and needles. Where does such boldness come from in such a delicate body?”

Seon Ah playfully poked Se Hee’s waist.

“Whew, I thought I was going to die too. But that card is the legendary black card, right? Wow, I really didn’t see that coming from Lee. Amazing! Simply amazing.”

A team member sitting on the opposite side of Seon Ah stuck out his tongue and gave a thumbs up.

The remaining team members, seemingly relieved of tension, began to speak comfortably.

“Did you hear about Cha Hyo Jun from the business department? I heard he had a one-on-one meeting with the CEO, and the atmosphere was no joke.”

“Yeah, I heard. They say Cha’s mental state was completely shattered and he went home right after that day.”

“Cha Hyo Jun, it seems he might face severe disciplinary action?”

“More like outright dismissal, I’d say. He’s been causing quite a stir lately, hasn’t he?”

The team members, who had joined the task force from other departments, gossiped about Hyo Jun without restraint, unaware of his relationship with Se Hee.

“Why are we discussing such matters at our company dinner? Let’s stop talking about boring factory stuff and move on to a more comfortable second round, shall we?”

The quick-witted Seon Ah hastily changed the subject.

“Of course, of course. Let’s go for round two.”

The team members all stood up at once.

“Are you okay?”

Seon Ah asked Se Hee worriedly, as the topic of Hyo Jun had come up.

“Huh? Yes.”

Se Hee answered, but in truth, she was not okay.

A one-on-one meeting?

Cha Hyo Jun was the one Se Hee had used as a shield to maintain her meager pride in front of Kyle.

But if Kyle had met Hyo Jun, there’s no way the perceptive Kyle wouldn’t have realized their relationship had already ended.

No, perhaps he had known all along.

That her shield was a lie.

That it was a shield as fragile as glass.

From their first meeting in Korea, Kyle’s actions seemed unrestrained, as if Hyo Jun didn’t matter at all.

Se Hee suddenly understood all of his actions.

It was disheartening.

“You’re not okay, are you?”

Seon Ah carefully observed Se Hee’s expression.

“No, I’m fine. Let’s hurry and go for the second round.”

Se Hee forced a smile and pulled Seon Ah’s hand.

Except for Manager Byun, who had left earlier in a frozen state, the team members who moved together continued drinking until near midnight.

Se Hee, who had drunk excessively due to her gloomy mood, felt her body grow heavy.

Strangely, though her body could barely function, her mind remained clear.

No matter how much she drank, she didn’t feel drunk.

On the way home after the company dinner, Se Hee insisted she wasn’t drunk at all and walked slowly alone, leaving behind a worried Seon Ah.

Walking along the dim streets, the cool night air seemed to refresh her stuffy heart a little.

“Hah.”

A heavy sigh, as if it could topple the tall forest of buildings, burst from Se Hee’s lips.

Looking up at the dark night sky, her head spun.

Just as she was about to fall, someone quickly caught Se Hee.

A familiar strong scent wafted from the person who steadily supported Se Hee.

Se Hee felt her previously clear mind suddenly become dizzy, as if intoxicated.

“You seem quite drunk.”

Kyle’s voice resonated softly.

Was it because of the alcohol?

Se Hee’s eyes welled up with tears at Kyle’s gentle and affectionate voice.

No, she shouldn’t waver.

Gritting her teeth, Se Hee tried to push Kyle away.

However, her staggering body wouldn’t move as she wished.

Instead, she ended up falling into Kyle’s arms.

Kyle’s profound gaze looking down and Se Hee’s resentful gaze became entangled with each other.

As Kyle’s eyes, which had been staring intently, and his lips gradually came closer, Se Hee felt breathless.

The sound of her pounding heart, echoing even in her head, seemed to resonate through the dark street.

Se Hee tightly shut her eyes.

“…Don’t cross the line, okay?”

Se Hee’s expression was cold as she slowly opened her eyes.

“There’s no value in using me anymore. Stop playing these games.”

Kyle’s expression instantly hardened as he looked down at Se Hee speaking coldly.

Was it a misunderstanding?

He had thought that at least a small gap had been created.

He had been waiting, planning to exploit that gap, but Se Hee’s attitude remained unchanged from the beginning.

Now was not the appropriate time to clear up misunderstandings.

He needed to give her time and wait patiently, but Kyle’s heart was growing more impatient as time passed.

“I regret that it seemed like a game to you.”

Kyle immediately released the strength from his arms that had been holding Se Hee.

He stood Se Hee up straight and stepped back, creating distance.

Se Hee felt a strong surge of disappointment at Kyle’s immediate response and distancing attitude to her words.

Disappointment?

She must be crazy.

Only someone who had lost their mind could have such an absurd emotion.

Not wanting to reveal her wavering appearance, Se Hee turned around immediately.

She tried her best to walk with a steady gait without staggering, but it was difficult to maintain her balance due to having drunk too much.

Kyle’s brow furrowed as he watched Se Hee.

“Let me give you a ride.”

It was Kyle’s worried suggestion.

But Se Hee ignored it as if she hadn’t heard and kept walking.

Fortunately, Se Hee hailed a passing taxi and got in immediately.

Feeling uneasy, Kyle followed the taxi Se Hee had taken.

Even after confirming that Se Hee had safely entered her home, Kyle couldn’t bring himself to leave.

He stood there, staring at Se Hee’s room until dawn broke.

* * *

The grand mansion of the Whalens Group’s CEO, representing the noble Whalens Duchy of England, was bustling from early morning.

Preparations were in full swing for the return of the young master Raymond after a long time.

Milania, the lady of the Whalens Duchy, was personally checking each decoration while arranging lush flower bouquets.

Just as Milania, having finished her preparations after quite some time, was heading towards the door, an elderly butler entered.

“They have arrived.”

The butler bowed respectfully towards Milania.

At his words, Milania gently gathered the hem of her dress with an elegant smile on her face and walked towards the entrance with a stately gait.

Her husband William and their only son Raymond were slowly entering the foyer, receiving greetings from the employees as they alighted from the luxury car.

“William.”

Milania called out to her husband first with a gentle smile.

“Raymond. It’s been so long.”

And then she directed an even brighter smile towards her son who was following behind.

Though it was her only son returning home after two years, Milania, befitting the lady of the Whalens Duchy, never displayed any frivolous excitement.

She welcomed her son with the dignified demeanor of a solemn duchess.

Raymond, approaching his mother, also offered a formal greeting.

“It’s been a long time, Mother.”

However, unlike his mother who was beaming, the son’s expression was not bright.

Milania glanced briefly at her husband, William.

His expression was not good either.

The father and son, with their dark countenances, had their shoulders heavily slumped.

It seems Raymond’s position within the Whalens Group has become uncertain.

Probably because of Kyle.

She had already heard that the Evans Group had acquired that hotel in Korea that Raymond had been working on.

“You look tired, Raymond. I’ve prepared some good tea to help you relax. I’ll have it brought right away.”

Milania spoke in a soft voice, as if comforting Raymond.

Raymond merely nodded his head lightly and ascended the central staircase.

“You’ve worked hard, William. Everything will be fine.”

Milania kissed her husband’s cheek in comfort as he watched their son’s retreating figure with a dark gaze.

“He must have done his best in his own way. It must have been too much for him. Against Kyle.”

William spoke with regret.

“I see. He’ll overcome it. He is your son after all.”

Milania showed a faint smile.

“Go inside and wash up. I’ve prepared warm bath water for you.”

Milania gently guided William’s arm and signaled to an employee with her eyes.

“I will escort you, sir.”

The waiting employee immediately approached.

William nodded and followed him.

The smile that had spread across Milania’s face as she watched William’s retreating figure turned cold.

It’s always like this.

You to your elder brother Graham, Raymond to Kyle.

You’ve never been able to beat them.

“The tea has been prepared.”

An employee approached Milania with a tray of teacups.

“Is that so? I should go myself then.”

The chilly expression that had deeply shadowed Milania’s face disappeared in an instant, as if it had never been there.

When Milania visited Raymond’s room and the tea set was prepared, she quickly dismissed the employee.

“Raymond. I’ve prepared the special milk tea you like.”

Milania slowly poured the well-brewed tea into an elegant teacup.

Raymond silently watched his mother fill the cup.

“It’s because of Kyle… isn’t it?”

Milania carefully brought up that name.

Just mentioning that name was enough to provoke her son Raymond’s mood.

“That hotel in Korea. I hear the reason Kyle coveted it was because of that Asian woman? I never thought Kyle would have his heart stolen by a woman.”

Milania spoke as if making light conversation while handing the teacup to Raymond.

“…A woman?”

Raymond’s brow furrowed as he took the cup.

“I heard he met her on the cruise ship that successfully debuted for Evans this time.”

Milania slowly observed Raymond’s expression as she savored the fragrant aroma of the tea.

“Blood will tell, I suppose. Graham fell for an Asian woman like that too. It seems Kyle has ended up the same way.”

Milania took a light sip of the milk tea.

“How did you know?”

Raymond’s rigid gaze pierced Milania.

“You already know this fact too, don’t you? I just happened to hear about it.”

Milania spoke dryly as if it were no big deal.

Raymond hadn’t noticed this fact at all until he heard it from his mother.

He had sensed there was something behind Kyle’s relentless advances, but he hadn’t been able to uncover the specific details.

Yet once again, his mother had found out first.

Raymond felt chills run down his spine at Milania’s attitude of casually leaking information to him.

“It was quite a long time ago, do you remember? When Kyle’s beloved horse suddenly died. It was the first time that child, who never gave his heart to anyone, had given his heart to that horse.”

Milania continued speaking as she refilled the empty teacup.

“That child, who didn’t shed a single tear even at his parents’ funeral, cried so sorrowfully. It’s as vivid to me as if it happened yesterday. Do you remember too, Raymond?”

Milania asked pointedly.

Of course, Raymond remembered that day as well.

He couldn’t forget it.

Because Raymond knew how that horse had died.

“This time, I hope Kyle can protect that precious connection well.”

Milania smiled coldly as she looked at Raymond.

In that moment, Raymond’s eyes began to flicker dangerously.

Milania’s lips finally curled up in satisfaction as she observed her son’s changing demeanor.