The next evening.

“It’s been a while. So you’ve become the Vice President of the group.”

Another pair of familiar, yet entirely different blue eyes exuding a distinct aura was waiting for Seong Jae.

Raymond William Whalens.

Seong Jae let out a scornful snort at Raymond’s haughty attitude.

“I’m curious as to why Chairman Whalens has come in person.”

Seong Jae also treated Raymond with an unwelcoming attitude.

“I’m also curious about how you’re managing the Sihan Group. This place seems quite impressive too.”

Raymond spoke as if evaluating, with an arrogant expression.

“Let’s get to the point of why you wanted to meet me. We’re both busy people.”

Seong Jae said stiffly.

“You’re still hostile, I see.”

Raymond sneered.

“Well, we’re not exactly on good terms, are we?”

Seeing Raymond’s sneer, unpleasant memories began to creep back into Seong Jae’s mind.

Was it when he was 10 years old?

Seong Jae had once participated in the Oxford Junior Academy for children of high-ranking families in the economic world, along with Jung Yeon.

He could never forget the unpleasant incident that occurred at that time.

“It’s such an old story, I can’t quite remember.”

Raymond laughed dismissively.

“The perpetrator may easily forget, but the victim never does.”

Seong Jae’s expression darkened.

Seong Jae first met Raymond at that Junior Academy held in England.

And Kyle too.

The auditorium, which had been buzzing with the arrival of the heirs to the Whalens Group, then the top conglomerate in England, fell silent.

While Whalens was a globally renowned corporation, in England, it was also a dignified ducal family holding the highest noble title.

Because of this, the Whalens brothers received treatment quite different from the other children participating in the academy.

Even the facilitators rushed out to greet them before the brothers entered.

Kyle, who he had heard was only 4 years older than Seong Jae, had an extraordinary intimidating aura even back then.

During the classes, Kyle barely spoke, but his presence was undeniable.

The occasional questions he asked were of such a high level that they made even the best instructors nervous.

But the problem was Raymond.

He continuously played mean pranks on the female students, and unfortunately, he didn’t hesitate to behave insultingly towards Jung Yeon, the only Asian girl.

One day, seeing Jung Yeon running into the auditorium in tears, Seong Jae couldn’t contain his rising anger.

He threw a punch at Raymond, who followed her in, sneering and claiming it was just a joke.

But Seong Jae only managed to land one hit.

Soon, he was surrounded by Raymond’s gang and beaten to a pulp.

Jung Yeon beside him cried her heart out, but no one stepped forward to help Seong Jae.

That was the power of the Whalens that young Seong Jae experienced.

It was only when Kyle arrived at the auditorium that Raymond and his gang finally backed off from Seong Jae.

To Seong Jae, who painfully reached out his hand for help, Kyle coldly rebuked him, telling him to get up on his own.

The fortunate thing was that from the moment Kyle appeared, Raymond’s gang no longer dared to approach Seong Jae.

Soon, a one-on-one confrontation between Raymond and Seong Jae ensued.

Jung Yeon’s crying, the cold stares towards Asians,

and Raymond’s sneering taunts made Seong Jae summon every ounce of strength he had.

When Seong Jae regained consciousness, he heard Kyle’s voice.

“Ban Seong Jae, you won.”

After that, no one dared to touch Seong Jae or Jung Yeon until the academy ended.

At the time, he was angry at Kyle for not helping, but later he realized.

That thanks to Kyle’s actions that day, they were able to safely complete the academy.

“Victim, you say. Well, I’m not quite sure who the victim was. My memory is a bit hazy.”

Raymond maintained his nonchalant expression.

“I should have smashed your head instead of just your nose that day, it seems.”

Seong Jae, recalling the past, growled as anger welled up again.

“The past is the past, and the reason I’ve come here is because our goals seem to be similar.”

Raymond’s dangerous blue eyes fixed directly on Seong Jae.

“Goals? What are you talking about? Our goals are done. Both you and I are like ducks on the Nakdong River. Or as they say, we’re like dogs chasing chickens. Dogs.”

Seong Jae laughed loudly in derision.

But Raymond’s expression turned cold.

“I’ll say it again. My goal is Evans, and Ban Seong Jae’s goal is that woman.”

A chilling low voice flew at Seong Jae.

Seong Jae flinched at the word ‘that woman’.

“Lee Se Hee?”

Raymond caught the quick change in Seong Jae’s expression as he mentioned Se Hee’s name and smiled maliciously.

“What are you planning to do?”

Seong Jae’s brow furrowed.

The bastard even knew her name accurately.

“I’m proposing we join hands. I’ll crush Kyle, and you’ll get the woman.”

A wicked smile spread across Raymond’s face.

“Se Hee is not an object. I’m willing to step back if it means Se Hee will be happier.”

Seong Jae brushed off Raymond’s words with disgust.

“Love, you see, is not about possession. It’s about consideration. Consideration for her. I think that’s my true love. So this kind of low-grade deal is just…”

Shaking his head, Seong Jae looked at Raymond with a relaxed expression.

“A low-grade deal? So you’re refusing?”

Raymond coldly asked back, seemingly uninterested in Seong Jae’s love speech.

“Of course. We’re not some third-rate gangsters. Has the once dignified Whalens changed? Is it because of the less legitimate bloodline that the character has degraded too? At least your brother wouldn’t do such dirty things.”

Seong Jae casually mentioned Kyle.

Seong Jae was also quite surprised when Kyle appeared as Evans instead of Whalens.

A vein popped on Raymond’s forehead at Seong Jae’s sneering words.

“Is that so? That’s a shame. I made this proposal for your sake, but unfortunately, you’re the one who rejected it. So let me tell you. I don’t care what happens to the woman, I plan to use her mercilessly in doing my work.”

Raymond’s blue eyes flickered dangerously.

“What?”

Seong Jae fiercely furrowed his brow.

“You had a chance, but you threw it away with your own hands. You’re choosing to let her get hurt while knowing it in advance. I hope it won’t be too painful.”

Raymond said with a vicious expression.

“You cowardly bastard. Even your threats are disgustingly low.”

Seong Jae spat out a curse.

“I’m glad that dull brain of yours understood it was a threat. This is my way. I’ll give you ample time to think. 24 hours. Is that too much?”

Raymond stood up, smirking maliciously.

And then, as if he had said all he needed to say, he left without looking back.

Glaring at the closed door, Seong Jae slammed his fist on the table.

* * *

On the weekend when the official special duty began.

A car sent from the secretariat was waiting in front of Se Hee’s house.

“Are you Deputy Lee Se Hee? I’m from the secretariat.”

As soon as Se Hee came out of the house, a familiar secretariat employee immediately approached.

“Yes. Hello.”

Se Hee, who had been notified in advance, followed the secretariat employee’s guidance and headed to the prepared shop in the car.

In the moving car, the secretariat employee delivered detailed information about the work related to the VIPs Se Hee would meet today.

As Se Hee checked the content, she began to feel burdened.

She had lightly thought it was a place Kyle had deliberately created, but today’s banquet was a real important official event hosted by the Minister of Economy.

Se Hee became perplexed by this unexpected situation.

To bring an ordinary employee like herself with no experience to such a place.

“I’m worried whether it’s okay for an inexperienced employee like me to accompany the CEO to such an important place.”

Se Hee was genuinely feeling heavy-hearted.

Most of the secretaries in the executive office were female employees, except for the accompanying secretaries.

But Se Hee only now realized that all the secretaries in the CEO’s office were men.

“Since you’re in the TF team, you probably know well that the CEO is very thorough, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

The secretariat employee said with a reassuring expression.

Indirectly conveying that Kyle would handle everything well on his own.

“Thank you for volunteering so readily.”

He even expressed gratitude.

But Se Hee was taken aback once again.

Volunteer?

What volunteer?

It was a draft.

No, forced conscription.

Se Hee’s brow furrowed slightly.

“We’ve arrived. If you go inside, they will help you prepare for the meeting. I’ll see you in a little while.”

As the car stopped, the secretariat employee politely greeted and opened the car door.

As Se Hee entered, a pretty female employee who had been waiting in the shop quickly guided her to the makeup room.

As she was being prepared from head to toe for an important external meeting, Se Hee suddenly recalled the memory of that day.

As she closed her eyes gently, the scene from the cruise ship wedding event unfolded like a panorama.

As if it had happened just yesterday.

Even the tingling feeling in her heart was being conveyed intact.

Even Kyle’s deep gaze as he looked at her that day.

A wistful feeling swirled in Se Hee’s heart.

“The preparation is complete.”

Se Hee, who had been reminiscing about the past, opened her eyes as if waking from a dream.

In the mirror, she saw her radiant self with natural makeup that added a subtle charm.

“The dressing room is this way.”

“Okay.”

As Se Hee followed the guide, a ruby-red mermaid line dress was prepared for her.

It was a stunningly beautiful dress that caught the eye excessively.

“Am I wearing this?”

Se Hee asked in surprise.

“Yes, I understand it was personally chosen by the CEO.”

The employee kindly explained and guided Se Hee to the fitting room.

Personally?

Was this Kyle’s taste originally?

Se Hee looked at the dress with its burdensome color once more before putting it on with the help of the employee.

After finishing the final touches with accessories that matched the outfit well, Se Hee, having completed all preparations, examined herself in the full-length mirror.

She looked like a completely different person from when she entered this place.

She had thought it was a bold color, but once she put it on, the red dress suited Se Hee very well.

The intense red color was accentuating Se Hee’s sophisticated appearance.

The Se Hee in the mirror looked not like a secretary performing her duties, but like his lover attending a joint meeting.

But Se Hee soon self-deprecated that it was a useless thought.

“It really suits you well.”

Se Hee smiled bitterly at the employee’s compliment.

“Shall we go out then? The CEO has also finished his preparations, they say.”

“The CEO?”

Se Hee asked, seemingly surprised at the employee’s words.

“Yes. He’s waiting to depart together.”

“Ah, I see.”

It was natural to go with him, but the thought of meeting him in this appearance was already making her nervous.

Se Hee carefully lifted her skirt and slowly walked out to the place where Kyle was said to be waiting, following the employee’s guidance.

Kyle, waiting in a neat black suit, looked perfect today as well.

So much so that Se Hee’s heart fluttered at the sight of him.

Kyle’s eyebrows twitched as his gaze met Se Hee’s, who was staring at him intently.

The dress he had chosen suited Se Hee fatally well.

He almost let out an exclamation.

Kyle, who had been captivated by that sight, finally moved towards Se Hee after a while.

Kyle’s intense gaze seemed just like that time.

Se Hee tensed up as she watched him approach.

She looked up at Kyle with expectant eyes, as if hoping for something.

“Today…”

As his lips slowly moved, Se Hee unknowingly held her breath.