‘Hah…’

Ha Jun raised his hand and rubbed his tired eyes.

He tried his best to focus on studying the criminal law textbook for tomorrow’s pop quiz, but the content just wouldn’t stick in his head. Mi Ri’s words kept echoing in his mind, shaking his concentration.

“I heard she started working under the Northern public security.”

‘Why did he appear again? Why is he trying to shake poor Ji Hyun up?’

Judging that he could no longer bear to watch Shin Seung Ho manipulate Ji Hyun as he pleased, Ha Jun picked up his cell phone.

Ring ring-

The dial tone rang and soon a familiar voice greeted Ha Jun. It was Min Woo.

-Oh, Kim Ha Jun. Long time no see. How have you been?

“I’ve been well, but actually I contacted you because I have a favor to ask.”

Instead of exchanging greetings after the long time apart, Ha Jun got straight to the point.

“How do I get in touch with Shin Seung Ho?”

-You? Seung Ho? For what?

Worry immediately seeped into Min Woo’s voice at the name Ha Jun brought up. It was because Ha Jun didn’t really like socializing just for the sake of maintaining connections. Also, Min Woo couldn’t forget that Seung Ho didn’t see Ha Jun in a good light 8 years ago.

“I have something to say to him.”

Unlike his usual self, Min Woo fell silent for a moment.

-…Even if I give you his contact information, it will be futile. He doesn’t answer calls well to begin with. It would be much better to meet and talk in person.

Ha Jun scoffed at Min Woo’s words about it being better to meet directly.

“I wonder if Shin Seung Ho would even want to meet me.”

-Of course he wouldn’t meet if you asked. He’s unexpectedly shy.

Min Woo spoke lightly as if joking, but Ha Jun also knew it wasn’t a joke.

To meet Shin Seung Ho, he attended several unwanted social gatherings, but always had to return empty-handed. They said it was harder to see Shin Seung Ho at social gatherings than stars in the sky.

Unlike before, they said he doesn’t meet people easily. That he’s just buried in the foundation management and company work…

That part bothered Ha Jun. Why did he, who is devoted only to work, specifically choose Ji Hyun, who is not even in the same field, to keep by his side?

“Then tell me. How do I meet him?”

A sigh mixed with conflict was heard over the phone.

-Seung Ho will be at the Shin Yang ES party this time. Encountering him there would be the quickest way.

“…Thank you.”

Ha Jun’s voice cracked as he expressed his gratitude. He had to meet him in person and find out.

Why he won’t let go of Ji Hyun, why he torments her… if necessary, he won’t hesitate to warn him. In the darkness, Ha Jun’s eyes gleamed fiercely.

Bang!

Startled by the dull sound that shook the desk, Ji Hyun flinched and raised her head. Seung Ho had thrown a thick bundle of documents down in front of her as if tossing it.

“This is the list of people attending the party and their business styles. Memorize it all.”

Ji Hyun frowned as she picked up the top sheet to look at it. The paper recorded not only affiliation, position, name and photo, but also what business they do, where they frequent, and even their preferred tastes and brand preferences.

“Memorize all of this?”

As Ji Hyun looked appalled after roughly estimating the amount of information, Seung Ho, who was leaning diagonally against the desk, spoke.

“It’s something secretaries usually do as a basic.”

“Th-they all do this?”

Seung Ho’s gaze was quite playfully provocative as he looked at her, stunned.

“You’re not going to say you can’t do it, are you?”

“I can do it, but… this information is too personal.”

When Ji Hyun made a small protest, thinking it was unethical, Seung Ho raised his chin with an arrogant face.

“That’s why it’s even more valuable. Do you know how much this information is worth? I don’t need to hear you say you’ll do your best, just do it unconditionally.”

As she swallowed a sigh, troubled after seeing the contents that even recorded intimate bedroom information, the corners of Seung Ho’s eyes curved slightly.

“I’m telling you to live up to the worth the Whale Foundation has cultivated in you.”

Then suddenly, his gaze fell on Ji Hyun’s collar.

“Choi Ji Hyun…”

The temperature in his eyes, which had been twinkling until just before, plummeted sharply.

“Where’s the card I gave you?”

“Sorry, I forgot to return it.”

As she rummaged through her bag in a fluster to find the card she had forgotten about, Seung Ho stopped her.

“Do I look like I’m asking for that measly card back right now?”

“Then why?”

“I’m sure I told you to buy proper clothes.”

At the sharp point, Ji Hyun pressed her lips tightly shut.

The day Seung Ho talked about her being just a shell and put the card in her hand, she went straight out and bought a few outfits that she thought were brands. She carefully chose the clothes, but in front of the checkout counter, Ji Hyun couldn’t bring herself to hand over Seung Ho’s card.

Even though she knew these clothes were just pocket change to him, her pride was somehow hurt. Ji Hyun raised her hand and brushed the stiff collar.

“These are good clothes too.”

At the very least, they weren’t clothes spread out on racks or included in discount items as new arrivals. His displeased eyes, as if not even finding it funny, scanned Ji Hyun with his arms crossed.

“So what are you going to wear to the party then?”

Ji Hyun was flustered. Until he threw the mountain-like documents at her, she hadn’t even thought she would really go to the party.

That was Min Woo’s distrusting look asking if he would really take her, and she also thought such a place wouldn’t suit her.

But she had never thought that far, and to be honest, Seung Ho’s attitude in front of her eyes was too vicious.

“Oh, I do have clothes similar to this…”

Ji Hyun’s eyes darted busily as if making excuses.

“Seriously, you don’t listen to me at all, worse than a passing dog.”

Seung Ho, who cut off her words, ran his fingers through his hair irritably. Then he picked up his cell phone and called somewhere.

“Yes. Manager Yoon, hello. Please bring a few suitable outfits from the women’s clothing sales floor right away.”

The word women’s clothing that came out of Seung Ho’s mouth as he spoke to the person called manager sounded foreign.

“It’s really not necessary…”

Somehow he heard her quiet mumbling, and Seung Ho glared at Ji Hyun.

“No, that won’t be enough. Bring all the F/W new arrivals through the merchandiser. Shoes too.”

For a moment, Ji Hyun fidgeted her feet. Seung Ho was staring intently at her feet wearing slippers.

“Size around 230? Yes. I’ll leave it to you.”

In less than an hour, the doorbell rang in the living room asking to open the apartment entrance. Seeing the expressions of the visitors through the camera, one could tell how much impact Shin Seung Ho’s words had.

As soon as Ji Hyun opened the front door, three women in black two-piece suits entered the house, carrying a portable hanger, an armful of clothes and accessories.

Seeing the gold nameplates with their positions, Ji Hyun finally realized that the merchandiser Seung Ho mentioned was someone who dealt with VVIPs at department stores.

Two of the employees quickly set up the hanger and carefully hung the prepared clothes so they wouldn’t wrinkle.

The shoes and accessories wrapped in bundles were also expertly displayed. A woman who seemed to have the highest position approached Seung Ho, who was sitting leisurely on the sofa, with glasses and champagne.

“How about a glass of champagne while we get ready?”

“Sure.”

As soon as he gave permission, the champagne was beautifully poured into the glass, creating foam. Ji Hyun stood alone in a corner of the living room, observing the unfamiliar world that had nothing to do with her.

She had heard there were separate showrooms in department stores that only special people could enter, but she learned for the first time that house calls were also possible. And Shin Seung Ho sitting over there was enjoying these things as if they were natural.

This was truly ‘a world where only they lived’, as Mi Ri said. Her collar shirt that she liked for being stiff began to feel a little embarrassing. To think she had appealed to him that these were rather good clothes in front of a guy like that…

One of the employees who had been moving her hands quickly gestured to the merchandiser next to Seung Ho.

“Product display is complete.”

Seung Ho brought the glass to his mouth and wiped his lips with his finger.

“Pick something.”

“Huh?”

Lost in thought, it took Ji Hyun a moment to realize that the words Seung Ho threw were directed at her. And soon she felt awkward.

The employees’ eyes were all on her. The employees calmly guided Ji Hyun with thoroughly trained manners, but couldn’t hide their surprised expressions. The employee who placed Ji Hyun in the center took out a dark beige suit.

“Since you have a small frame and fair skin…”

“Fair skin, what…”

Seung Ho, who cut off the employee’s words as if finding it absurd, laughed.

“Not fair, she’s pale. Her skin is much paler than yours…”

“Ah, I apologize.”

The employee bowed her head deeply, her face ashen. Ji Hyun also turned pale with her.

‘What’s wrong with this guy? Did he get drunk from drinking champagne?’

“It, it looks good.”

As Ji Hyun tried to take the clothes in her hand to smooth things over, Seung Ho said coldly,

“Next one.”

Seeming to realize it wouldn’t work, the merchandiser who had offered champagne to Seung Ho personally took out clothes from the hanger.

“This is an ivory colored two-piece suit. The collaboration of brown hair and ivory can create a highly harmonious image that accentuates the look of a career woman.”

It was a suit made of luxurious material at a glance. Ji Hyun gulped. She liked it at first sight.

The lovely ivory color before her eyes was something she had never seen at a mall or outlet. As the merchandiser skillfully held the clothes up to Ji Hyun, Seung Ho’s eyes narrowed.

“Hmm, not bad…”

Ji Hyun quickly spoke to him, not wanting to miss the chance.

“I, I think I like this one.”

And the moment she turned her gaze back to the clothes, she almost had her eyes pop out at the price tag she saw. It was a price she could never afford even if she died. Seeing Ji Hyun, whose complexion had rapidly paled, Seung Ho opened his mouth.

“Next.”

Every time Seung Ho called out next, Ji Hyun fidgeted restlessly, not knowing what to do.

As time passed, the employees exchanged glances and suppressed sighs of irritation. The foolish woman here seemed to have no idea how much that single word Shin Seung Ho languidly uttered was the desire of many women.

Seung Ho, who had been alternating sharp gazes between Ji Hyun and the employees, stood up from his seat. As his heavy footsteps thudded closer, the employees hunched their shoulders.

“Is this the extent of the eye for dealing with VVIPs?”

His voice, hoarsely cracked with no inflection, was polite yet aggressive. The merchandiser bent her waist deeply, her face ashen.

“I apologize. I’m truly sorry.”

Seung Ho passed the merchandiser as if to show her, placed his hand on Ji Hyun’s shoulder, and casually rifled through the hanger with his other hand.

“See, I told you. There are crass people everywhere who judge based on first impressions… Ah, this one would be good.”

The soft and gentle voice became a sharp dagger, brutally stabbing the employees’ pride. Leaving the employees pale as if being strangled behind, he pushed the clothes he liked into Ji Hyun’s arms.

The outfit Seung Ho chose was a black one-piece dress imbued with the signature luxury and elegance of the D brand.