Love is Madness (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 16
The two people who got into the car stayed silent for a while. Tae Joon was calculating when they could finally hold their wedding and become an official couple, while Seo Rin was desperately trying to pull herself out of the emotional whirlwind from just moments ago.
—This won’t do… I need to take her home soon.
That quiet, low voice still seemed to drift around her ears like the wind.
Ordinarily, voices carried through the air would simply scatter and disappear, but his lingered with an oddly persistent afterimage—as if the very air had frozen in place.
Her heart pounded.
Though marriage still felt premature and unreal to her, whenever he suddenly intruded like this, she found herself helplessly swept up in emotion without even realizing it.
Soon, I’ll be living under the same roof—or even in the same bed—with this man.
What would that feel like?
Would it be different from dating him?
It probably would be. This man, far more intense now than he was ten years ago, would surely lavish her with devotion until her heart melted completely.
Could she withstand it?
She was growing increasingly unsure of herself. She tightened her grip on her wavering heart.
He was someone who could afford to drown in such feelings—but she wasn’t. Everything she loved had always vanished without a trace, like a mirage.
To protect herself—and to protect someone else—Seo Rin couldn’t allow even a single thread of her heart to slip away.
Yet lately, she kept noticing herself drifting toward him with unsettling naturalness.
His presence in her space felt completely effortless, time with him was genuinely enjoyable, and even a single word from him stirred her emotions.
This was a danger sign.
Pull yourself together, Baek Seo Rin.
This marriage is purely business—and he is nothing more, and nothing less, than a business partner.
“Have you had dinner?”
His sudden voice snapped Seo Rin out of her thoughts, and she turned to look at him.
Neon signs flashing past cast shifting shadows across his profile as he drove, yet those flickering lights had no real effect on him at all. Once her eyes landed on him, they simply couldn’t look away.
“Yeah. I didn’t eat much, though. Tae Joon, are you hungry?”
“No. Honestly, I lost my appetite too—but I was worried you might be. I thought we’d grab something if you were.”
“No, I’ll be fine.”
She declined, knowing her appetite had vanished completely and nothing would go down.
He gave a quiet nod and drove toward her officetel.
“But today, there weren’t any people tailing you, right?”
“Yeah. They were still following me this morning—from your officetel to the gym—but they were gone by the time I came out. Probably because tracking who I meet one by one doesn’t make sense to them anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“I leaked my name to President Baek’s side. They must be too busy investigating that right now.”
“Your name? Why?”
“Just giving a spoiled kid an extra piece of rice cake. Anyway, even if they try, it’ll take them a while to figure out who I really am from just my name. Plus, my company registration uses my English name—they won’t be able to connect the dots. By the time they uncover everything about me, we’ll have already dealt them a decisive blow.”
“Ha! Now that I think about it… Tae Joon, you actually enjoy tormenting people, don’t you?”
She couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. His unexpected side left her flustered.
She almost doubted whether the man before her was truly Kang Tae Joon—the man she thought she knew. The Kang Tae Joon she knew had always been affectionate and gentle.
Yet, he showed none of that kindness toward President Baek. Instead, he was cornering him with highly calculated psychological tactics.
And he was doing it in a way that would hit President Baek the hardest—a strategy only someone who deeply understood him could pull off.
“It just pisses me off. You couldn’t even eat properly because of the emergency shareholders’ meeting, yet President Baek throws a lavish banquet for executives in broad daylight.”
He said it with a smile, but Seo Rin could clearly sense the icy intent beneath that charming expression.
He’d always seemed blindly devoted to her, so she assumed he must be equally kind to others—too full of love at heart to ever be cruel.
But that, it seemed, had been a huge misconception on her part.
“Just hold on until tomorrow. Once the shareholders’ meeting ends, the ultimate winner will be Baek Seo Rin.”
As he said this, Tae Joon gently took her hand resting on her lap.
His warm body heat seeped into her cold fingers, melting away their chill. Yet strangely, beneath that familiar warmth, she now sensed something chilling.
Only now was she beginning to see another side of him.
This man who smiled as he issued warnings.
He might just be the most dangerous man to someone else.
★ ★ ★
The next morning.
After finishing her preparations for work, Seo Rin stood before her full-length mirror for a final check.
For some reason, her long hair tied back in a simple ponytail looked unusually cold today. Paired with a sharp black suit and bold red lipstick, her aloof image had reached its peak.
Satisfied, Seo Rin picked up her matching black tote bag and stepped out. As she exited the officetel, Director Park, who had been waiting for her, approached with a slight bow.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yeah. Do I look dull today?”
“No, you look like a model.”
Worried that fatigue might make her appear unconfident in front of the shareholders, Seo Rin had even done a face mask last night—an unusual step for her. She’d asked the question half-jokingly, expecting sympathy for her stress-filled sleepless nights, so Director Park’s unexpected reply made her chuckle softly.
“Director Park, I didn’t know you could flatter like that.”
“It’s… not flattery…”
As she slipped past the flustered Director Park and got into the car, she checked her phone. On such an important day, she half-expected a message from Tae Joon—but her phone remained silent.
Finally unable to wait any longer, she sent the first message.
—I’m heading to the office now.
—Okay. Don’t worry, go ahead. I’ll be there on time.
Seeing his immediate reply, as if he’d been waiting, she smiled faintly.
She put her phone back in her handbag and turned her gaze out the window. She still couldn’t believe this day had finally come.
Media outlets had been reporting almost daily on the factional strife within Sungwon Group.
Analysts drew a clear line: the old guard—longtime directors and President Baek, who had contributed to Sungwon over many years—and the new guard, Baek Seo Rin, who had appeared like a comet several years ago and astonishingly lifted Sungwon’s flagship Crystal Hotel in Seoul to first place in customer satisfaction.
Experts sided with President Baek, arguing that despite Seo Rin’s evident talent, she was still too young and lacked experience.
People still saw her success as nothing more than lucky timing—perfectly aligned with the era.
She couldn’t believe it. As the person living it, she’d never once experienced luck in her life.
How much more would she have to struggle and fight her way up before people acknowledged her abilities for what they truly were?
“Managing Director, we’ve arrived.”
Shaken from her thoughts by Director Park’s voice, Seo Rin gathered her handbag and stepped out. Her secretary team was already waiting to greet her.
“You’re here, Managing Director.”
She gave a slight nod and started walking—when a group of men emerged through Sungwon Building’s revolving doors. Familiar faces. Among them was Director Kim.
Meeting Seo Rin’s eyes, Director Kim deliberately turned away, clearly unable to face her directly—guilt weighing on his conscience.
As she looked away, a large sedan pulled up just behind her. President Baek had arrived.
The car door opened, and President Baek stepped out, fastening his suit jacket. Today, his unusually robust frame looked especially intimidating for a man his age.
Unconsciously, Seo Rin tightened her grip on her tote bag’s handle.
“You’re here early.”
“Yes, and so are you, Uncle.”
“Right. We’ll talk soon. Good luck.”
An icy chill passed between them—suffocating, despite their familial titles. After all, they were now less than strangers.
“Shall we go in, Managing Director? It’s chilly out.”
Only after hearing Director Park did Seo Rin finally move.
Wishing me luck? Does he still think everything in my hands is just luck?
To hell with luck!
She was sorry, but she didn’t believe in luck.
She would build everything herself.
Every single thing.
Today would be no exception.
★ ★ ★
President Baek arrived early at the meeting room for the emergency shareholders’ meeting and took his seat by his nameplate.
The board members followed, sitting at their designated places. Seats with nameplates were reserved for major shareholders, while smaller shareholders were seated separately toward the back.
President Baek scanned the empty seats of the absent major shareholders, searching for The MG. Though no representatives from The MG had arrived yet, their assigned seat was placed close to Seo Rin’s.
Unhappy with this, President Baek summoned the Chief Secretary and ordered the seat moved to a spot directly facing him.
Moments later, the seat was relocated.
Only after placing The MG’s nameplate in this prime position—ensuring direct eye contact—did a satisfied smile appear on President Baek’s lips.
Then, unintentionally, he overheard a conversation among the directors behind him.
“Ha, did you see Managing Director Baek today? I thought a supermodel had walked in.”
“Right? Such stunning looks are wasted sitting at a desk in a place like this.”
“Well, if she steps down from management after this, going into modeling wouldn’t be a bad idea. She’s got the looks for it.”
They were making jokes about Seo Rin, already assuming she would soon be forced out—hence their loose tongues. But strangely, their mockery irritated President Baek deeply.
“Watch your words! Even if Managing Director Baek steps down, she’ll always be part of the Baek family!”
His stern reprimand instantly chilled the previously lively atmosphere.
Among them, Director Kim felt the sting most acutely.
Though he hadn’t said a word in that conversation, he feared that if President Baek found out about his meeting with Managing Director Baek yesterday, his wrath would be far worse than what the others just faced.
He’d acted foolishly. With only two years left until retirement, he’d grown reckless.
But regret was useless now—the damage was done. He might as well be sitting on a bed of nails.
Just then, Seo Rin entered. Her presence was dazzling, instantly drawing every eye—but beneath that brilliance lay a subtle restraint that gave her a weighty, commanding presence.
President Baek’s gaze settled heavily on her, filled with complex thoughts.
What if Seo Rin had been his own daughter, instead of the late Chairman Baek’s?
He would’ve been proud.
If she were his blood, standing with him and supporting his vision—she’d be worth more than ten sons.
But life always flowed in unwanted directions. Perhaps she was destined to become his poison—just as the late Chairman Baek’s bloodline had become.
“Alright, we’ll now begin Sungwon Group’s emergency shareholders’ meeting.”
Only at the announcer’s voice did President Baek finally tear his eyes from Seo Rin.
Had it already reached this hour?
But there was a problem: The MG’s seat was still empty. If they arrived before the voting began, it would be fine—but if they came even a moment too late, there’d be no turning back.
President Baek checked his wristwatch and summoned the Chief Secretary, instructing him to delay the vote until The MG arrived. The announcer, receiving a note, cleared his throat briefly before changing his words.
“Ah, sorry—since many attendees haven’t arrived yet, we’ll wait ten more minutes before proceeding.”
Ten minutes were bought. Would The MG make it in time?
With The MG’s 8% stake, the game would be over. That was why President Baek absolutely could not afford to lose The MG.
Strangely, Seo Rin raised no objection to the ten-minute delay—despite surely knowing he was deliberately stalling.
President Baek studied her expression closely, but her usual calm gave away nothing.
He couldn’t understand how she could appear so confident, even when cornered like this.
Just then, the Chief Secretary approached with a changed expression and handed him a tablet.
“Sir… you should take a look at this.”
“Now?”
His brow furrowed instinctively from irritation.
“Yes, you really must…”
“Fine. Leave it.”
As the Chief Secretary stepped back, President Baek glanced at the tablet. An email had arrived—revealing the identity of the man Seo Rin had been seeing.
Out of curiosity, he clicked the attached file.
Suddenly, the door opened, and someone stepped in. Every eye in the room turned instantly—President Baek looked up as well.
It was So Dam—standing in the doorway, just as composed and determined as when he’d seen her days ago.
The MG had finally arrived.
But his brief flicker of relief vanished the moment the next person stepped in behind her.
President Baek felt his breath stop.
The impossible was happening.
The man took his seat at The MG’s table, met President Baek’s stunned gaze, and slowly curled the corners of his lips into a smile.
James Kang, representative of The MG.
On the tablet still tightly gripped in President Baek’s hand, the unread information vanished along with the darkening screen.
But he no longer needed to read it.
The man who’d been photographed shamelessly showing deep affection with Seo Rin was now sitting right before him—like a cruel illusion made real.
“Thank you for delaying the meeting until my arrival.”
He spoke with an even more unreal presence than in the photos,
“Shall we begin, then?”
—projecting an aura even more intimidating than before.
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
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