‘You’re nothing······.’

After finishing all his scheduled classes for the day, Seung Ho was descending the stairs to the study, muttering those words to himself like a spell once again.

Like a small pebble disturbing a still water surface, he couldn’t understand why his calm heart became unsettled whenever he saw Ji Hyun.

It had been that way from the beginning. From the moment he saw that composed face and small hand picking up white pebbles under the dazzlingly bright sunlight, being with Ji Hyun made him lose his composure, like ripples spreading on a tranquil waterside.

When he impulsively caused her pain and saw those transparent, glass-bead-like eyes looking up at him wavering, Seung Ho felt an inexplicable thrill.

The image of her face slowly contorting in agony and that expression of wanting something from him lingered in his memory, disrupting his daily life.

Did he have a twisted taste for tormenting others?

At school, there were students who were ostracized from groups and often bullied, but he didn’t seem to particularly feel anything when seeing them.

To begin with, he rarely felt anything that could be called emotions. From birth, he faithfully fulfilled the role assigned to him and did it perfectly.

Meeting his father’s expectations that his elder brother failed to live up to, and being called the promising next-generation owner – it was all a matter of course for him. Therefore, the outlet for his cruel desires was limited to Choi Ji Hyun.

‘As long as I want, you have to give me pleasure.’

The chill running down his spine originated from Ji Hyun, so naturally, she had to take responsibility for it. That was the conclusion Seung Ho reached.

The hot desire to thoroughly draw out tears from those pale eyes he had always yearned for led him to the study entrance.

In front of the door, he cut off his thoughts and took a deep breath. There was no need to show Ji Hyun his monstrous true nature.

“Ha, not studying······.”

Instead of frightened eyes, Seung Ho was met with the sight of her sleeping soundly, making him let out a scornful laugh from the sense of futility and anger.

He had come to give her a moment of freedom before inflicting prolonged suffering, but Ji Hyun had fallen asleep, unaware of his arrival. Feeling absurd, Seung Ho briefly considered shaking her curled up, round shoulders to wake her up, but changed his mind and sat down beside her.

If the person Ji Hyun saw upon waking from her sweet slumber was Seung Ho, she would show him the face he wanted, so that didn’t seem bad either.

He could wait as long as needed for something like that.

Tossing aside the stack of essays he had brought to finish reading, he propped his chin on his hand and quietly gazed at the sleeping Ji Hyun.

It was the first time he was looking at her face this closely. His deep eyes moved slowly, passing over her neat eyebrows, the delicately lined bridge of her nose, and stopping at her red lips.

It was a pretty face, but nothing special. There were plenty of faces like this at Seomun High School.

If Ji Hyun had been at Seomun, she would have been an unremarkable existence. The sudden thought crossed his mind that he should have brought her to Seomun High after all. Then, those airheads at Cheongmyeong High would never have paid attention to her.

“Mmm.”

Perhaps the chilly indoor air disturbed her sleep, the prey he had been waiting to wake up the whole time furrowed her brows and slowly opened her eyes.

As expected, Seung Ho smiled leisurely like a predator, not missing the moment fear set into her eyes as she was startled to see him.

Ji Hyun’s complexion didn’t look good as she took the snacks from the helper lady.

The suffocating atmosphere flowing between the two was broken by none other than Secretary Kim, who had been waiting on the first floor. Secretary Kim, who had come down to the study with urgent footsteps, carefully observed Seung Ho’s expression.

“Young master Seung Ho, your friends have arrived.”

Upon hearing the news of his friends’ unscheduled visit, annoyance flashed in his eyes for a moment before quickly disappearing. Seung Ho rose from his seat and moved slowly to greet the guests.

“Please guide them to the second-floor living room.”

The news was unwelcome to Ji Hyun as well.

‘If they are Seung Ho’s friends······.’

She recalled the group that had embarrassed her. The giggling laughter and the unpleasant gazes scanning her up and down – Ji Hyun, remembering the time she didn’t want to recall, devised a plan to escape before facing them.

When Shin Seung Ho, climbing the stairs with slow steps, reached the second floor, she would swiftly open the back door of the mansion and leave, avoiding his eyes.

The hastily crafted plan seemed perfect. Seung Ho would be focused on the friends who visited to see him, and naturally, she would be outside the scope of his attention.

With the conviction that it would undoubtedly succeed, the moment Ji Hyun stepped onto the stairs, keeping a distance from Seung Ho, her heart sank. At the bottom of the first-floor stairs, Seung Ho, who had swiveled his body, was looking down at her.

“What are you doing there?”

Ji Hyun tried to maintain her composure.

“Ah, I have something to do outside for a moment······.”

Of course, it was an excuse that wouldn’t fool anyone. Seung Ho narrowed his eyes.

“Where do you think you’re going without my permission?”

“······.”

“Don’t even think about running away and follow me upstairs.”

As if he had seen through Ji Hyun’s mind, the corners of his mouth were habitually curved, but his eyes weren’t smiling. Although her resentful gaze pierced his back, Seung Ho headed to the second floor, ignoring it.

“Seung Ho, you were very sick······.”

Bo Ra’s expression, who had been waiting for Seung Ho and approached him with a bright smile, slowly hardened.

It was because of the unwelcome figure visible behind his shoulder.

“Is she still working here?”

Fortunately, she wasn’t being blatantly rude like last time, but at Bo Ra’s sharp voice, Ji Hyun flinched.

“Isn’t it obvious? Chairman Shin treats the servants so well.”

Min Woo abruptly intervened. Of course, his words about being treated well didn’t refer to welfare but meant the high salary.

Ignoring Bo Ra’s glare that seemed to say, ‘Who are you to butt in?’ he raised his hand toward Seung Ho.

“Shin Seung Ho, I’m here too. How’s your hand?”

“Just······.”

At the indifferent answer, as if the injury wouldn’t have been noticeable if it weren’t for the bandage, Min Woo shook his head.

“You really disgust me.”

Bo Ra’s pointed gaze, which had been on Ji Hyun, quickly shifted to Seung Ho’s right hand.

“You’re badly hurt, what should we do? I’m so upset, really.”

She made a sorrowful face as if she were the one in pain, gazing at Seung Ho. Her longer-than-usual eyelashes fluttered over her eyes.

Seung Ho’s gaze was also directed at Bo Ra, but it was an ambiguous gaze to say he was looking at her. Unable to endure Seung Ho’s inconsiderate and halfhearted attitude, not even responding, Min Woo reproached him.

“Hey, look at Bo Ra properly. She even went to the salon to see you.”

“I am looking······.”

The eyes that rose from his own hand were as smooth as porcelain. It was a heartless response befitting a jerk who seemed to say, ‘So what?’

“I’m telling you, he’s a disgusting guy.”

“Kwon Min Woo, what’s with you? Don’t say anything to Seung Ho using me as an excuse. He’s already in pain.”

At Bo Ra’s reprimand, Min Woo, who had become the unjust villain, snorted. Shin Seung Ho, who didn’t seem to have an ounce of affection for others, and Yu Bo Ra, who was utterly lacking in tact and only faithful to her own feelings, were quite a well-matched pair.

“Do you two know that you really suit each other well? It’s like you’re destined for each other, so try your best.”

“Oh my, do we really look that good together? Seung Ho, what do you think?”

Bo Ra brightly accepted his words. At that moment, Min Woo, who was rarely startled by anything, flinched.

Seung Ho’s gaze toward him was icy. It was clear that he didn’t like what Min Woo had said. His eyes, filled with hostility, were as sharp as a blade. Although his legs felt weak under Seung Ho’s direct gaze, Min Woo didn’t take back the words he had uttered.

“Of course. Even if Seung Ho doesn’t know, you’ll be happy.”

Thanks to them bickering in front of their injured friend, Ji Hyun’s presence was completely forgotten. No one paid attention to her quietly standing at the end of the second-floor living room.

Ji Hyun secretly rubbed her chest several times. If she could remain in her spot like this, as if she didn’t exist, she would be able to endure this time.

She was truly fortunate. She sincerely thought so.

Until another unwelcome guest appeared······.