The papers in Hae Yeon’s hand as she exited the interview room were her acceptance documents. It seemed Joo Ah’s words about urgently recruiting through a special hiring process were true, as there were few applicants and above all, the results were announced on the spot.

Having been worried, the joy and relief of being accepted at “Dali Coffee” eased her tension and made her feel hungry. Spotting a salad bar nearby, Hae Yeon headed there for a quick snack.

“With ricotta cheese, please.”

After ordering, Hae Yeon took a sip of water and sent a message to Do Ha.

[Do Ha, I finished the interview. I’ll let you know the results after I get back home from work. See you at home.]

The salad with cheese, cranberries, and fresh vegetables refreshed her palate. Hae Yeon wiped her lips and stood up from her seat. Though she told Do Ha she would see him at home, in truth she had no intention of going home right away.

Daechi-dong.

There was someone she needed to meet.

As the afternoon wore on, more and more vehicles crowded in. Fortunately, since it wasn’t rush hour, she was able to arrive in Daechi-dong without being too late.

After parking, Hae Yeon lifted her head as she got out of the car. Whenever she saw the imposing height and overwhelming main gate, the image of a face smiling slyly with lips neatly painted in red lipstick came to mind.

– What do I do? It seems I’ll be coming to Daechi-dong often.

Remembering Su Rin’s confident manner, her unwavering gaze and straightforward voice, Hae Yeon’s expression hardened.

Of course, that didn’t mean she had any intention of just taking it from Su Rin. It was just that there were more urgent and important matters at hand – Chairman Yoon Myung Gil, who now had the added advantage of Su Rin and there was no telling what moves he would make. She had to figure her out.

‘Get it together.’

Hae Yeon composed herself and checked her appearance before ringing the bell. Somewhere, CCTV was filming the visitor, and beyond that, staff who had confirmed her identity opened the door, revealing an impeccable residence.

The sturdy gray stone wall forming the boundary with the outside was tall, not allowing anyone’s approach, and the long driveway leading to the entrance, paved with flawless bricks, was neatly adorned with azaleas and bay trees.

Unable to withstand the weight of time, the outside of the wall may change, but this house always remained the same as if preserved in time. Hae Yeon thought this residence was eerie yet so much like its owner.

Someone who existed alone in a noble manner, never being swayed by anyone. Chairman Yoon Myung Gil, Do Ha’s mother, was such a person for whom it was impossible to imagine bending or breaking.

Hae Yeon erased the flood of thoughts and headed toward Chairman Yoon’s executive assistant who had come out to the front of the entrance to greet her.

“Young Madam.”

“How have you been?”

“Yes. Welcome. The Chairman is inside right now.”

Secretary Choi led the way. Watching the back of the woman who was as flawless as a mannequin, just like her boss, Hae Yeon meekly followed.

“Chairman, the young Madam is here.”

Secretary Choi announced Hae Yeon’s visit in front of the living room where Chairman Yoon would be. As the head of a major group, Chairman Yoon’s work schedule was inconsistent. So before her interview today, Hae Yeon had checked if she was here and sent a message. Standing in front of Chairman Yoon in a business suit, Hae Yeon bowed her head.

“I apologize for the sudden visit, Mother.”

“If you know that, you should be more careful, shouldn’t you?”

Chairman Yoon raised an eyebrow. Even in her fifties, her appearance was as perfect as this residence. Her face was still beautiful, her figure had not an ounce of extra fat, and her hair was still jet black.

For Chairman Yoon Myung Gil, meetings with her daughter-in-law that took place on the same day without prior notice were considered bad manners. Then if she had asked for permission a few days in advance, would she have granted it? Hae Yeon shook her head. Either way, it was better to come on a day when Chairman Yoon was definitely here.

Usually when Hae Yeon requested to meet like this, Chairman Yoon would flatly refuse. On the other hand, she would summon her daughters-in-law at any time, and today she would scold Hae Yeon for being rude.

With the clear intention of only giving a reprimand, as expected, she did not even try to listen to the reason for Hae Yeon’s visit and only said what she wanted to say.

“I don’t have time, so keep it short.”

Without even glancing at her daughter-in-law who had visited her in-laws’ home, Chairman Yoon elegantly lifted her teacup while slightly raising her sharp chin. Hae Yeon looked at Chairman Yoon’s face for a moment amidst the strong scent of jasmine, then lowered her head at a fixed angle.

“What did you come for?”

In a low voice, Chairman Yoon asked the reason without taking her eyes off her daughter-in-law. Having become the owner of a major group at a young age, she was accustomed to commanding others, so her tone and manner of speaking were different from ordinary women.

In response to Chairman Yoon’s concise reaction, Hae Yeon also had no intention of unnecessarily beating around the bush and got straight to the point.

“I’m going to work.”

As if it was quite an interesting story, Chairman Yoon finally turned her gaze to Hae Yeon and lifted one corner of her mouth. Joo Ah’s prediction that she would make a fuss was clearly off the mark. Hae Yeon had expected this too. She had received Chairman Yoon’s cold treatment closer than anyone.

Moreover, Chairman Yoon was not simply one-dimensional in her level of tormenting others, so Hae Yeon’s face did not waver.

“Hmm. Work……”

Turning her head back to its original position to face forward, Chairman Yoon leisurely sipped her tea while keeping her guest standing. After appearing to think for a moment, Chairman Yoon shifted her gaze and moved her lips.

“Seeing as you came all the way here to say you’ll work, I assume you’ve already finished discussing it with Do Ha.”

As it was an accurate guess that did not need to be refuted, Hae Yeon remained silent. After silently observing her, Chairman Yoon took another sip of tea and set it down.

“Why. Feeling a sense of crisis?”

“……”

Hae Yeon’s body froze for a moment. Chairman Yoon’s words just now were both a question about her sudden desire to work and at the same time implied that the reason was because she was conscious of Su Rin. Not expecting them to bring up Su Rin so blatantly, Hae Yeon’s body stiffened.

Her heart, which she had prepared with all her might, pounded loudly. But she had no intention of backing down.

For years, Hae Yeon had been persecuted by her in-laws, but she did not protest much. Knowing that she, who was lacking in many ways from the start of this marriage, had not been of help to Do Ha, she had exercised patience.

But now, that too was over.

Since her last visit to Daechi-dong, Hae Yeon had changed her mind. Because even though her in-laws had harassed her, they had never truly intended to cast her out. But seeing Su Rin sitting calmly in Daechi-dong, she realized.

‘They’re trying to kick me out.’

Hae Yeon bit the inside of her lip. She had absolutely no intention of meekly accepting it.

The scent of jasmine that had vanished at some point remained behind her as Hae Yeon spoke without any change in expression.

“Both my husband and I are still doing well together, so I don’t know what you mean, Mother.”

Chairman Yoon’s eyebrows twitched slightly. At the clear provocation that Su Rin’s presence had no effect on her and Do Ha, Chairman Yoon also elegantly countered.

“Even flowers eventually wilt. Besides, you haven’t even properly started yet.”

Implying that she couldn’t guarantee their marriage would always be good and that Su Rin’s check was only in the preparation stage, and that Hae Yeon wouldn’t be able to handle what was to come, Hae Yeon slightly lifted the corner of her mouth.

“What couldn’t be done in the past will be no different now, Mother.”

Even when Chairman Yoon tilted her head and met her eyes straight on, Hae Yeon did not flinch.

“That’s because we didn’t support it then. Plus, there was that unseemly incident. Shouldn’t things change from now on?”

Hae Yeon was swept away by Chairman Yoon’s gaze for a moment. That unseemly incident. Instinctively, she realized that incident was the accident that occurred when she lost her memories, as Su Rin had mentioned. Hae Yeon couldn’t move her body as if her shoulders were grabbed. But she couldn’t get pulled in here.

“That matter has already been settled, Mother.”

Bitterly, Do Ha had not left any clues and the incident had truly ended. Otherwise, he would not have let her wander outside while her memories were lost. Of course, Hae Yeon had lost her memories and the aftermath or remnants could remain around her, but outwardly it was just a past that had been dealt with.

Finally, a subtle ripple appeared in Chairman Yoon’s eyes.

“You……”

“And.”

Hae Yeon, who had daringly cut off the words of Gilmyung Group’s head, quickly provoked her to divert Chairman Yoon’s attention elsewhere.

“I’m not at all worried about the kind of danger that comes from borrowing the hands of others.”

“……”

“……”

A silence like stillness flowed. One person looked up and the other looked down, but the position of their gazes was not important. The two quietly stared at each other and a fierce, invisible battle of energy hovered between them.

What broke the heavy atmosphere like a boulder was light footsteps and a voice.

“What’s going on with her at this hour?”

The silent, heated battle of energy stopped when Cha Ki Jung, the second daughter-in-law, came looking after hearing the news that she had dropped by the house. Ki Jung also seemed displeased with Hae Yeon’s sudden visit and was about to say something, but upon reading the frigid atmosphere of the hall, closed his mouth.

Having been well-trained by his wife all his life, Ki Jung obediently shut his mouth upon sensing the situation. After giving Ki Jung, who had fallen silent, a single glance, Chairman Yoon brought up the topic they had just discussed while bringing the tea to her lips again.

“Your daughter-in-law says she wants to work.”

“Work? Why does our second daughter-in-law need to work? It’s not like she lacks money.”

Ki Jung, who had been looking at her as if demanding to know if she had no family, no possessions, or any other skills, didn’t stop there and went a step further.

“Moreover, it’s not like you have experience like our eldest daughter-in-law.”

The eldest, in other words Do Ha’s older brother Cha Do Hoon’s wife and Hae Yeon’s sister-in-law Han Yoon Seo, was a former broadcast announcer. Also a graduate of a prestigious university with an educational background no less than Hae Yeon’s, while she was not one hundred percent to her in-laws’ liking, her circumstances were better than Hae Yeon’s, so the two were often used as subjects of comparison.

The corners of Hae Yeon’s eyes smiled faintly. Watching the farce of her father-in-law mocking his daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law encouraging it, Hae Yeon stated her real purpose for today’s visit.

“Father.”

Hae Yeon’s voice as she called her father-in-law was resolute. Ki Jung seemed surprised by Hae Yeon’s unexpected behavior and looked at her with wide eyes. Meanwhile, Chairman Yoon continued to savor her tea as if it were someone else’s business, but Hae Yeon paid no mind.

“The reason I came to Daechi-dong is to inform you that if I start working, I won’t be able to bring you side dishes or prepare meals for you, and.”

Hae Yeon deliberately paused her words and this time looked down at Chairman Yoon as she continued. Hae Yeon was still standing, but her attitude was unwavering.

“From now on, it will be difficult for me to visit Daechi-dong, not to get permission from you two.”

“What!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Chairman Cha flew into a rage, losing face.

“How dare you be so disrespectful! You, at your level, right now……”

“Be still, dear.”

Chairman Yoon stopped him without any change in her complexion. Setting down the teacup she had finished drinking, she turned her head to Hae Yeon for the first time. But her words were directed at her husband.

“When given an opportunity, one must take it well.”

Chairman Cha had a look of confusion as to what this meant, while Chairman Yoon responded to Hae Yeon’s business with a deep smile.

“As you say, there’s no need for you to come home for the time being.”

“Honey!”

The only one making a fuss was Ki Jung. Chairman Yoon and Hae Yeon exchanged indifferent glances, and soon the matter was settled with Hae Yeon’s departure.

“……I’ll be going then.”

Coldly indifferent as if unconcerned with the noise coming from beside her, Chairman Yoon also ordered Ki Jung to leave.

“You should take your leave as well, dear.”

“Ah, alright.”

Ki Jung awkwardly replied. Left alone in the spacious living room, Chairman Yoon gazed at the terrace, lost in thought.

How long had she been like that?

Beyond Chairman Yoon, who had her back to the entrance, the sound of footsteps was heard at the same time the silhouette of a man in a suit was reflected in the terrace window opposite her.

It wasn’t Secretary Choi. It was a middle-aged man, but Chairman Yoon took the initiative before he approached from behind. Her gaze was still fixed forward.

“Did you look into it?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me.”

At the chairman’s instruction, Young Hwan reported the information he had investigated so far.

“She didn’t have any particular lovers she was seeing in Korea. After returning to the country, she did run into the young master a few times, but it was for strictly public reasons.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

While absentmindedly asking with her back turned, Chairman Yoon’s thoughts were not on the contents Young Hwan reported, but on Hae Yeon from just before.

– What couldn’t be done in the past will be no different now, Mother. Because spring has already passed.

The corner of Chairman Yoon’s lips curved obliquely.

“As you say, time has already passed.”

– I’m not at all worried about the kind of danger that comes from borrowing the hands of others.

“But this time, things will flow differently, Min Hae Yeon.”

Emerging from her contemplation, Chairman Yoon turned around. Making eye contact with Young Hwan, who had been waiting with his head bowed without reacting to her monologue, she commanded.

“Find out Min Hae Yeon’s whereabouts today and pass it on to Su Rin. And……”

Rubbing her chin for a moment, Chairman Yoon smiled like a snake and continued.

“Contact Yoon Seo as well.”

“Yes, understood.”

Sensing that his business was finished, Young Hwan prudently made himself scarce. Once again left alone, Chairman Yoon’s straight gaze landed on the entrance leading to the hallway. That hallway was connected to the stairs going up to the second floor.

“If you caused an accident, you have to take responsibility.”

Chairman Yoon’s narrowed eyes, wishing for the bothersome Min Hae Yeon to be driven out this time, laughed as if it were absurd. More important than anything, she had to give up the spot next to Do Ha to an incompetent and useless stranger. That was Min Hae Yeon.

What was even more ridiculous was that it was because of that girl that Do Ha, who had never greatly rebelled even though he disliked her, began acting out like a colt.

A strange glint appeared in Chairman Yoon Myung Gil’s jet-black eyes.

In order to fulfill the long-cherished dream of pushing aside Mibon Foods and making Gilmyung Confectionery number one, Cha Do Ha was absolutely necessary.

She was old, and Cha Do Hoon, who had accomplished nothing in nearly 10 years, was hopeless. Seeing Do Ha start a business on his own and grow it in a short period of time, Chairman Yoon solidified her conviction.

The person suitable for achieving Gilmyung Group’s leap forward was Do Ha.

How could someone like Min Hae Yeon possibly help him smoothly climb that path?

“The nerve.”

Muttering under her breath, Myung Gil’s eyes, longing for that day to come, flickered as if intrigued.