“Of course. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to report it to the police in advance so he can’t leave Korean soil.”
Although Serin nodded at his firm voice, she still felt thirsty.
Could she be satisfied with the punishment that the law prescribed for the past 20 years of suffering, the precious loves lost? Even if Chairman Jo received a lifelong punishment in hell, with his skin drying up piece by piece, she would not be satisfied.
She wanted to cut Chairman Jo’s lifeline with her own hands. But that was unequivocal murder. She couldn’t become a murderer to punish a murderer.
“Oh, where did he say he’s going tomorrow?”
“Ah, it’s the regular shareholders’ meeting. So, I need to get a power of attorney from Madam Son.”
The regular shareholders’ meeting was approaching. Everything was in chaos because of Chairman Jo, but they couldn’t just let the shareholders’ meeting pass by.
“This time, we won’t be able to avoid appointing my uncle as the chairman.”
Taejun spoke with a worried tone.
Not long ago, they claimed to have reconciled with Chairman Baek, but Serin was still distant with him. Moreover, the board members, who were aligned with her, were somehow trying to push Chairman Baek up and bring her down, struggling to make that happen.
However, Serin had no time to properly focus on the regular shareholders’ meeting due to the situation. Therefore, she couldn’t know what tricks Chairman Baek had up his sleeve.
ads
“I know. But for now, I want to concentrate more on capturing Chairman Jo rather than the company.”
“…”
“I don’t know. Why things are like this. I won’t give up. Just… have to leave it to fate.”
“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen. Even if my uncle really becomes the supported chairman, he won’t be able to easily push you aside. At least not at this regular shareholders’ meeting. I won’t… let it happen. Never.”
Taejun comforted and reassured her, easing her fatigue. She wanted to distance herself completely from the complicated and unsafe world.
“…I’m sleepy.”
“Come here. I’ll put you to sleep.”
As she nestled into Taejun’s arms, she finally felt completely disconnected from the world.
His warm body, firm chest, and throbbing heart felt like they were protecting everything about her.
“Did I tell you? I’m so lucky to have you.”
ads
“What?”
“Just everything.”
“…”
“If I were alone, I definitely couldn’t have endured it. But thanks to you, Taejun-ssi, I could hold on.”
“That’s not like Baek Serin. But I feel the same way. Because of you, I feel like I could keep my sanity.”
Just knowing that they were by each other’s side, and having each other as a source of comfort, made a real difference.
How long had it been since they felt this emotional stability?
Two people who had always been incomplete due to deprivation seemed to have become a perfect whole when they met.
It was a feeling of tranquility that they hadn’t experienced in a long time.
In the midst of this emotional stability they hadn’t felt in a while, Serin whispered in Taejun’s ear.
ads
“I don’t know how I lived without Kang Taejun all this time.”
The world outside was still uncertain and dangerous, but in this moment when they were together, no danger dared to interfere.
“Oh, Baek Serin. Why does it sound like ‘I love you’ in my ears?”
It was a happy night.
The next day, Serin visited Madam Son’s house.
Unlike a few months ago, the trees in the garden were much more lush, and the flowers were in full bloom. It was truly a beautiful garden. Just looking at it made her heart feel peaceful.
“Madam will be here soon. Would you like to have a cup of tea in the meantime? A very good Pu’er tea has just arrived.”
“Oh, yes. Thank you.”
A middle-aged man in a finely measured hanbok poured tea for her. Unlike a few months ago, when he had tattoos exposed when he raised his sleeves, today, he looked mild and well-groomed.
“Would you like some sweets to go with the tea?”
“No. I’m not talented in these things, and I’m too ignorant about tea to even know how to drink it.”
ads
“Oh. Okay.”
When the man laughed, his even teeth were revealed. It was a sunny smile that seemed to have no worries or concerns.
At that moment, Madam Son appeared from the other side.
“I’m sorry. I kept the precious guest waiting because I was absent-minded.”
“No, Madam. Thanks to you, I enjoyed the tea and felt good.”
In response to her words, Madam Son nodded and handed over the prepared power of attorney.
“Thank you as always.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m more grateful for you coming to see this old woman in person, rather than sending mail or people for matters that could be handled that way.”
“Not at all. I’m glad to be able to see you like this.”
“But really, how did such a thing happen… If I could get my hands on the scoundrel, I would tear him apart.”
ads
While chewing on the curse, Madam Son took a sip of tea and looked closely at her face.
“But may I ask you one question?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Did you set a trap for that damn guy? Was it you?”
At the unexpected question, Serin paused for a moment. However, in that brief moment, she judged that there was no need to deny the fact to Madam Son. She seemed to have already guessed everything.
“Yes.”
“I thought so. But how did you know that he was the culprit? It wouldn’t have been easy to reveal such an old incident.”
“Actually, it wasn’t me… It was our husband.”
“Husband? Ah!”
“We haven’t had the wedding yet, but legally, we’re already married after completing the registration.”
ads
“Well, how did such a connection… Anyway, how could you stand not killing that guy with your own hands?”
“It wasn’t easy. But… I had something I was very curious about regarding Chairman Jo. I want to ask him when I see him face to face later. Before that, Chairman Jo will never die.”
“What…”
“The accident that killed our mom and sister was a mistake. Originally, our dad was the target.”
“…”
“I can’t understand it at all. Why Chairman Jo targeted our dad. What kind of grudge he had.”
Suddenly, Madam Son stiffened her expression and put down the teacup she had been holding with a clattering sound. Then, she pushed the person next to her aside and created a space for the two of them.
The air around them became heavy.
An unknown tension surrounded the two.
What on earth did Madam Son want to say?
ads
“From now on, I… need to sincerely apologize to you.”
“…”
“All your misfortunes are directly caused by me…”
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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