“I inquired about the conditions Intec wants. I wanted to know how far it has progressed with Hojin Group. When I actually inquired, it seemed that Seo Jihan had put in more effort than I thought.”

It was a well-known fact that the man had staked his life on that project.

Especially since the publication of the breakup news, he had shown even more obsession with Intec.

To escape responsibility for the successor tarnishing the group’s image, he had no choice but to succeed in the project.

‘Anyway, for it to collapse definitively, Hojin has to merge Intec.’

Fortunately, the only companies that submitted letters of intent for acquisition were Hojin and W Group.

Thanks to Jaeha, who publicly created a competitive bidding framework between the two groups.

The Intec project was nearing its end.

If Ji Han secured the merger with Intec as planned, everything would fall into place.
The Intech project has almost reached its final stages.

According to the plan, if Jihan successfully acquires Intech through the merger, we will present him with bottomless despair while reveling in victory.

“As I mentioned before, to conclusively finish it this time, this bidding…”

It was a moment when we were trying to review our plan once again.

Jaeha looked at me and let out a low laugh.

“When I see you like this, it really feels like you’re twenty-nine. The final bid announcement will be soon, and related articles will pour in.”

“Already? Why the rush?”

The main bidding had not taken place yet, and it was surprising that they were already holding a preliminary bid.

“We’ve already decided on the answer and started the bidding. There’s no reason to proceed slowly.”

In Jaeha’s face, looking at me with a gaze that couldn’t hide his surprise, a subtle smile appeared. It was a smile as if he had created all this situation.

“That’s right. I made the situation like this.”

“…”

“I’m also looking forward to the moment when Hojin collapses, just like Yeo Jin. I hope we can end this tiresome relationship as soon as possible.”

Jaeha’s jet-black hair fluttered in the wind, and his mouth slowly curled up.

“Soon, the preliminary bid will take place, and Seo Jihan will definitely take the bait we threw.”

“…Are you sure? Considering Hojin’s situation, there’s a possibility that Mr. Jihan might give up on the bid.”

After the merger with W Group fell through, Hojin Group’s financial flexibility would not be great. I heard that Jihan was struggling because of that.

“No, because it’s Seo Jihan, I’m 99.9% sure. The remaining 0.1% probability is like saying there’s a chance he’ll be struck by lightning suddenly.”

Is this what they call exhilaration?

As the conversation continued with Jaeha, my heart pounded more and more. The completion of revenge, which seemed so distant, was approaching, and the time to push Seo Jihan into the abyss was not far away.

“We should raise a toast on that day.”

If Jihan embraces Intech, revenge will be more than halfway achieved. Jaeha, who was now wearing a pleasant smile, looked at me and then shook his head.

“When it comes to the story of Seo Jihan, your eyes sparkle.”

I turned my head toward him at the sound of his low sigh. Jaeha was staring at me with a dissatisfied expression.

“Aren’t you excited, Mr. Jaeha? Our revenge is right in front of us.”

“Well, to some extent.”

Jaeha’s complexion was somewhat different from before. The eyes that sparkled while looking at me were now silent and seemed to have lost interest.

“It’s not as beautiful when you talk about other men.”

“Why? It’s just a work-related story.”

“It’s not work; it’s a story about Seo Jihan. And even a public story like that doesn’t sit well with me.”

What a forced comment. Unable to say anything in response to my perplexed feelings, I blinked my eyes helplessly. His deeply penetrating gaze had me completely frozen. Jaeha’s outstretched thumb slowly swept over my lips.
“When you talk about other men, it affects me a bit because it’s so beautiful.”

“Why? It’s just a work-related story.”

“It’s not about work; it’s about Seojihan. And even a public story like that doesn’t sit well with me.”

What a forced comment.

Unable to respond in my perplexed state, I could only blink my eyes.

His deeply penetrating gaze had me completely frozen.

Jaeha’s outstretched thumb slowly swept over my lips.

“But if you make it so funny, I can’t stand it anymore.”

“No way… Jaeha, are you jealous of Seojihan right now?”

There was no way to hide a smile at a remark that anyone would feel jealous about.

From the past, Jaeha hadn’t been able to hide his discomfort when it came to matters related to Jihan.

Back then, I had my doubts. Today, seeing Jaeha’s reaction like this, I became more convinced.

Just as I had been sensitive about my crush, could this man also have an underlying concern for Jihan?

“Isn’t that right?”

Instead of answering my teasing question, Jaeha smiled leisurely.

Then he embraced me, lifting me up and placing me on the terrace table beside us.

‘Huh?’

From the moment he held me, my surprised heart throbbed loudly.

“Well, what if that’s the case?”

In an instant, Jaeha delved between my legs.

Lifting my head, I saw an odd smile on his face as he looked at me.

“I told you before. I’ve been waiting for a long time, and I have no patience for things like this.”

Jaeha’s low voice, mixed with his breath, tickled my ear.

I saw the image of Jaeha smiling at me from the night sea, expressing that he wouldn’t hesitate to show his emotions.

He had said that if he had the courage like this man, would I have needed to come back this far?

Whether he noticed that I was lost in thought again or not, Jaeha enclosed my cheeks with his hands.

“I told you to stop worrying now.”

Before I could say anything, his lips touched mine.