Ye Seul was surprised by Si Heon’s sudden gift.
She had never imagined that he would buy a skirt in time for her to go home, worrying that she might have trouble leaving.
“But please accept my gift.”
“I can’t accept something so expensive.”
As Ye Seul shook her hand in surprise, Si Heon threaded the bag’s string through Ye Seul’s palm.
“Chloe. This dress is for you.”
“You helped me in the morning, and I didn’t do anything for you…….”
Ye Seul felt so burdened that she extended her arm to return the shopping bag.
“I will return it……”
When Si Heon stepped back as if to avoid her, Ye Seul, taken aback, grabbed Si Heon’s arm.
Ye Seul held on with such force that she was afraid it might wrinkle Si Heon’s suit, and Si Heon’s hands were touching her waist to support her.
“That was close.”
Startled, Ye Seul broke out in a cold sweat.
Her heart raced and the man’s scent tickled her nose.
The touch of the luxurious suit that had grazed her skin lingered.
She thought she was so on edge because she was wary of Baek Si Heon.
“I’m sorry.”
With a flustered look on her face, Ye Seul straightened up.
When the strength supporting her waist disappeared, only a sense of emptiness remained. Why am I acting like this?
“Today is your birthday, isn’t it?”
“H… how did you know…?”
A present from a man she had met for the first time instead of Sebastian, who had been caring for her every year.
“It showed up as your birthday on your Chloe messenger ID.”
“I didn’t mean to… but I feel like I’m in your debt.”
Si Heon stepped closer and smiled. Ye Seul looked up at him with a flushed face.
“That’s fine. I’m looking forward to spending time with you.”
Was she supposed to accept a dress that cost dozens of times more than her torn cheap skirt as a birthday present?
This morning, a birthday congratulatory payment was made to Ham Ye Seul under Baek Si Heon’s name. Was that something he took care of himself?
“Is this a bribe?”
“It’s a gift.”
Si Heon bent down and whispered in Ye Seul’s ear.
The breath that brushed Ye Seul’s ear made the hair on her skin stand up.
When he suddenly closed the distance like this, Ye Seul felt cornered and didn’t know what to do.
“A gift for the Chocolatier who gave me the precious experience of ripping a skirt.”
For some reason, Si Heon seemed familiar with women.
A man like this, who remained loyal to his wife on paper, wouldn’t be without a woman.
When Ye Seul was about to say something, Si Heon quickly added.
“I think we’ll have to postpone tomorrow’s meal in Korea. I’ve got to return home urgently.”
Si Heon glanced briefly at his wristwatch.
“I’ve talked to Sebastian. Then, I look forward to meeting Chloe in Korea.”
His polite farewell made the distance that had been narrowed until now feel irrelevant.
Although she had been uncomfortable about having a meal with Si Heon, she felt a pang of disappointment when he cancelled.
Why am I feeling this way?
Baek Si Heon’s impression was so different from what Ye Seul had imagined over time.
He was thought to be a robotlike man who would nonchalantly marry for business gains.
He often laughed and would not leave a woman who had fallen on the street.
Moreover, the skirt he had thoughtfully bought for Ye Seul made her feel his carefulness.
Would such an attitude change upon knowing she’s his wife only in paperwork?
To Chloe, he was a gentleman, kind, but to Ye Seul, he was utterly indifferent.
“See you soon, Chloe.”
“Wait…, wait a moment, Mr. Baek Si Heon.”
Ye Seul took a moment to gather her breath, her eyes twinkling as she stared at Si Heon.
“I don’t think I can work with you.”
“Chloe, I’ll meet any conditions you set.”
Si Heon was taken aback, he had not expected Ye Seul to refuse based on the atmosphere until now.
“That’s not the problem.”
Ye Seul bit her lip slightly.
“Chloe, I want you. Is it wrong to be so desperate?”
The man’s serious gaze felt as if he truly desired Ye Seul.
“I really need to tell you something.”
She had to say it.
Sebastian had already established Ye Seul as the rightful collaborator with Baeksong.
Sooner or later, Si Heon would come to know that she is Ye Seul.
“Tell me, Chloe.”
Si Heon’s tone was tender and warm.
Maybe he’s a kind man to everyone.
“Could we… walk a bit?”
She did not want to talk about her personal life in front of Cdu, where many people knew her.
Even if this man did not recognize her, she couldn’t hide it forever.
If he still wants to work together after hearing her name, then…
If you walk straight past the subway station along the main road from Cdu, you will reach the Seine River.
Instead of asking what was wrong while walking, Si Heon asked Chloe about chocolates or brought up businessrelated talks.
The man continued the conversation without awkwardness by bringing up topics that wouldn’t make Ye Seul uncomfortable.
Ye Seul was surprised to find herself enjoying the conversation unknowingly.
“When you come to Korea, I’ll guide you to cafes and restaurants with delicious desserts. You’ll surely love them.”
The man wouldn’t have gone to dessert shops alone, and in seven years, Si Heon must have enjoyed sweet desserts with numerous women.
He was an attractive man who caught the gaze of women every now and then while walking.
Ye Seul swallowed her discomfort for no reason. Was it because she was conscious that they were a couple, even on paper?
Ye Seul seemed to make up her mind and stopped walking. They were near the bridge now.
“Mr. Baek Si Heon, this is important for our future work.”
“Speak freely about anything.”
Baek Si Heon gave Ye Seul a friendly smile and spoke with a soft voice.
“Ye Seul! Ham Ye Seul!”
Upon hearing the call for Ye Seul, both Ye Seul and Si Heon turned their heads towards the source of the sound simultaneously.
“Oh, dear. It’s been a while. I saw you from afar and thought it might be you!”
It was Ju Yeong, a friend who graduated together from Ecole Nationale de la Patisserie in France and worked as a patissier in Paris.
“Ju Yeong… ah.”
Ju Yeong rushed over and hugged Ye Seul.
“Ham… Ye Seul?”
Si Heon echoed, as if he heard something he shouldn’t have.
Ye Seul sighed, closing her eyes.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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