Do Joon’s shirt was soaked red where he had been uncomfortable.

Tae Yeon whispered to Do Joon with a very embarrassed face.

“You’re bleeding. It must be extremely painful.”

“Huh.”

Do Joon pulled at the corner of his mouth as if dumbfounded. Then he immediately put his suit jacket back on.

He hardened his expression again as if such a wound was nothing.

Then Do Joon reached out and stroked Tae Yeon’s red, swollen cheek.

“Why is this like this?”

“It’s nothing. More importantly, Do Joon. I think we should go to the hospital right away!”

Even after hearing that he had a wound on his back, Do Joon’s gaze was focused solely on Tae Yeon.

“Your face, don’t hide it. Let me see it properly.”

They were both more worried about the other’s condition than their own body.

Do Joon stared at Tae Yeon’s face and spoke in a low voice.

Her peach-colored cheek was swollen.

Realizing that Hye Sook had laid hands on that small face, anger welled up.

He had clearly given a warning, but it was ignored, huh.

Do Joon opened his mouth to hold accountable whoever dared to touch his person.

“Who did this? How dare they.”

The chilling voice pierced Hye Sook’s ears as well.

Tae Yeon couldn’t answer and bit her lip hard instead.

Do Joon squeezed Tae Yeon’s trembling hand. A warm sensation was felt from the hand held against his.

It was reassuring. Because the hand held with him was the lifeline that would protect her body.

Do Joon slowly turned his head and glared at the pale Hye Sook.

“Mother-in-law, did you not hear my warning?”

“Wh-what?”

“I told President Jin to stop obsessing over my wife.”

“Ah, that, I heard. That’s why I haven’t been calling much lately…”

Do Joon raised one hand in a gesture to stop, as if he didn’t need to hear any more.

“Was it that difficult to wait quietly?”

“No, listen to me.”

“When you don’t properly listen to my wife either. Is there a reason I should listen to your story?”

It was a distinctly different, icy atmosphere from when dealing with Tae Yeon.

It was cold as if it would freeze the person in front of him at any moment.

Hye Sook only moved her lips, unable to make any excuses under the pressure Do Joon was exerting.

“I am a person who always keeps the words I speak.”

Sensing that some tremendous words were about to come out, Hye Sook watched Do Joon’s reaction.

“This investment will be considered as if it never happened.”

“Son-in-law Cha, what are you saying?”

“The condition I set was just one. Not to touch my wife. It seems that was too difficult for you to keep.”

Hye Sook grabbed Do Joon’s arm and pleaded.

“No, wait. Son-in-law Cha, please listen to me.”

Do Joon roughly shook off Hye Sook. He slightly furrowed his brow as if his back where she had hit him was still throbbing.

Just as Do Joon had protected her, now it was her turn to step up.

Tae Yeon intervened.

“Mother, let’s talk later. Do Joon, let’s go to the hospital first.”

Hye Sook couldn’t stop the two of them.

She had no justification to stop them, and all of this was her own fault anyway.

Hye Sook stared blankly at the backs of Do Joon and Tae Yeon as they walked away quickly, holding hands affectionately.

Amidst all this, one thought occurred to her.

If her own daughter Tae Jin had been in Tae Yeon’s place, would this situation have been very different?

The backs of the two looked exactly like lovers who had fallen in love.

She hadn’t sent Tae Yeon off to marriage to see such an affectionate sight.

All the good things should have belonged to her own daughter, Tae Jin.

Hye Sook clenched her fist tightly and trembled.

Tae Yeon called Secretary Choi and asked him to drive.

It was because she judged that it would be better for Secretary Choi to take charge rather than herself driving, as she was unfamiliar with Do Joon’s sedan which had such a large body.

Secretary Choi looked at Do Joon, who seemed uncomfortable somewhere, and asked worriedly.

“What’s wrong, Director?”

Tae Yeon answered instead.

“He was hit on the back.”

“What? By whom?”

Do Joon was hit? Even Chairman Cha had never laid a hand on him. Who could have hit him?

Secretary Choi waited for Tae Yeon’s answer, wondering if he had heard correctly.

“Embarrassingly, by my mother…”

“Ah.”

Secretary Choi stood blankly like someone who had forgotten what to say.

“Secretary Choi, please take us to the hospital quickly.”

“Ah, of course.”

Do Joon tapped the front seat and called to Secretary Choi.

“Go home.”

“No. The wound could be deep.”

“It’s fine. It’s just a slight scratch. That bag could be used as a murder weapon.”

Secretary Choi pondered, then confirmed that Do Joon was speaking normally and drove home.

Tae Yeon took out her phone worriedly.

“Then I’ll call Dr. Kim to come to the house.”

Do Joon gently grabbed Tae Yeon’s hand as she was about to make the call. Tae Yeon turned her head sharply.

Do Joon continued speaking without letting go of her hand.

“That’s not necessary.”

“Then how will you get treatment?”

“Can’t Jin Tae Yeon do it for me instead?”

“What? How could I…”

Do Joon smiled, pulling up the corner of his mouth.

“Just disinfect it and apply some ointment. You can do that, right?”

His tone suggested he wanted her to do it.

She couldn’t refuse. It was also because he was injured due to her mother.

When Tae Yeon nodded, Do Joon closed his eyes, looking satisfied. Then he spoke in a low voice.

“The pain is getting worse.”

“Is it badly cut?”

Instead of answering, Do Joon held out his hand. As Tae Yeon stared blankly, Do Joon whispered.

“Jin Tae Yeon will have to help me think of something else.”

“What can I do for you?”

No sooner had Tae Yeon’s question ended than Do Joon interlocked their fingers.

“I’ve disliked taking medicine since I was young.”

At those words, Tae Yeon smiled slightly.

To think a man who wouldn’t flinch even with a needle in front of him disliked taking medicine.

Seeing Tae Yeon’s faintly smiling face, Do Joon continued speaking.

“When I had to take medicine, Chairman Cha would hold my hand like this.”

“Is that so?”

“I think he held it to keep me from running away. But strangely, it was comforting.”

Tae Yeon nodded as she listened to Do Joon’s words.

She seemed to understand how young Do Joon must have felt.

It was just holding hands, but she knew what it felt like to be comforted and consoled by that simple action.

Strangely enough, the person who made her feel that way was Do Joon himself.

Tae Yeon turned her head to look at Do Joon’s handsome face and spoke in a graceful voice.

“I’ll hold your hand until we get home, Do Joon.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I’m really sorry about today.”

“The one who should apologize is someone else. Why is Jin Tae Yeon saying sorry?”

“Because it was my mother who made the mistake.”

The car carrying the two soon arrived at their newlywed home. Secretary Choi quickly opened the back door.

“Director, please call anytime if you start feeling worse.”

“I will. Secretary Choi, you can go home.”

Do Joon entered the house, still holding hands with Tae Yeon.

Chief Housekeeper Choi, who had received Tae Yeon’s call, was waiting in front of the front door with a first aid kit.

“Director, I heard you were injured.”

“I’m fine.”

“Let me treat you.”

“No. My wife will do it.”

Do Joon almost snatched the first aid kit Chief Housekeeper Choi was holding and pulled Tae Yeon’s hand.

After instructing Chief Housekeeper Choi that she could go home, the two headed to the master bedroom.

Putting the first aid kit down on the bed, Do Joon slightly furrowed his brow and took off his jacket.

Feeling a tingling sensation on his back, Do Joon paused halfway through taking off his jacket.

Seeing this, Tae Yeon hurriedly went behind Do Joon.

“I’ll help you take it off.”

Tae Yeon grabbed Do Joon’s half-removed jacket.

A chuckle— fell over Tae Yeon’s face.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Jin Tae Yeon, do you know that what you just said is perfect for misunderstanding?”

“What did I…”

Tae Yeon bit her lip without finishing her sentence.

It was something she had said without thinking because Do Joon seemed uncomfortable.

“That was just…”

“I know, Jin Tae Yeon said it without any intention.”

Do Joon bent his knees to make it easier for Tae Yeon to remove his jacket.

Tae Yeon quickly took off his jacket and approached him from the front.

“Please help with the shirt too.”

“What?”

“As you can see, my arm doesn’t lift well because the wound might be deep.”

Do Joon tried to lift his arm but seemed to give up, frowning as if it wasn’t working well.

“I’ll do it. Stay still.”

Tae Yeon pulled and loosened Do Joon’s tie, then moved her hand to the buttons fastened up to his neck.

She wanted to act nonchalant, but she couldn’t because of Do Joon staring so intently at her face.

“Do Joon.”

“Yes?”

“It’s a bit burdensome when you look at me like that.”

Tae Yeon’s honest answer seemed unexpected, as Do Joon smiled brightly, pulling up the corners of his mouth.

“I’m sorry. I was staring unconsciously because you’re pretty, but I didn’t know it would make you uncomfortable.”

“…”

She had heard that she was pretty countless times since birth.

Though she knew it was just a compliment, hearing it from Do Joon’s mouth made her want to give it special meaning.

Tae Yeon tried to suppress her heart that was beating without regard, focusing on unbuttoning Do Joon’s shirt.

However, her hands kept slipping due to nervousness.

“Seems like you haven’t undressed many men.”

“Of course not. When would I have ever undressed a man?”

The corners of Do Joon’s mouth raised significantly, as if satisfied.

Her body kept heating up as she endured his intense gaze.

‘I need to quickly undo this and apply the medicine.’

Tae Yeon hurriedly moved her hands.

With each button that came undone, well-maintained muscles gradually revealed themselves.

‘Sigh. One challenge after another.’

Finally, after undoing all of Do Joon’s shirt buttons, Tae Yeon raised her arms and grasped his shirt collar.

And just as she was about to remove his shirt—

Do Joon grabbed her wrist with a loud snap.

It seems the claim that his arm couldn’t be raised was a complete lie.

“Jin Tae Yeon, I’m in so much pain right now.”

“…”

“Can’t you show this much consideration for a patient?”

No sooner had those words ended than Do Joon’s face came right up close.

At last, his hot breath touched Tae Yeon’s lips.