“Oh? CEO!”

Kim, the secretary who had been waiting in the car, approached with a surprised expression upon seeing Do Ha carrying Hae Yeon in his arms. Then, discovering Hae Yeon’s flushed face at a close distance, he suppressed a smile and opened the rear door.

“Front seat.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Having continually ‘rolled under’ Do Ha, Secretary Kim immediately realized why he chose the front seat instead of the back and opened the passenger door with tact.

Do Ha, who had ensured that Hae Yeon’s feet never touched the ground from the party hall to the parking lot, carefully set her down.

“Then I will…”

“See you on Tuesday.”

Do Ha, clearly anticipating what Secretary Kim was about to say, issued a dismissal order without dragging it out. Although having his words cut off could have been unpleasant, Secretary Kim, who found the fact that he could leave work immediately more important, quickly bowed his head.

“As you wish, CEO.”

Under a strict and meticulous superior, the only thing that had grown was his craftiness. Hae Yeon could understand how he had been able to work with Do Ha for a long time.

Of course, regardless of that, the current situation was indeed embarrassing, so she awkwardly placed her gaze and greeted Secretary Kim uncomfortably.

“You haven’t had a proper vacation all this time, right? I’m sorry.”

“Not at all. A secretary’s job inherently doesn’t have clear working hours. But thanks to you, madam, I got to leave work early and receive a bonus, so I should be the one expressing gratitude.”

Secretary Kim conveyed his words with sincerity and made way for his superior and wife. As he disappeared, Hae Yeon glared at Do Ha as if she had been waiting.

“So. You prepared enough to leave in the middle of the party, right?”

Hae Yeon, still holding a grudge over the ‘princess carry’, expressed her dissatisfaction.

“Of course, Hae Yeon. It’s the weekend, so let’s spend it properly.”

Do Ha, who was fastening his seatbelt in the driver’s seat, swiftly spoke in a gentle voice. His voice, which always turned warm in front of Hae Yeon, was now so soft it seemed to melt.

Even seeing Hae Yeon’s reddening face, Do Ha pretended not to notice and started the engine. No, actually, it seemed like he was slightly smiling, causing Hae Yeon’s face, which had briefly subsided, to flush bright red again.

At that time, the banquet hall was still brightly lit.

“What a flashy exit.”

It was Do Hoon’s impression after watching Do Ha carry Hae Yeon out like a princess. In his hand that had gone off to find a new drink was a glass containing an orange peel.

It seemed that Do Ha and Hae Yeon’s couple looked flashy not only to Do Hoon. Most of the guests inside the party hall showed curiosity about the affectionate commotion left by Do Ha, a person of interest.

“And it looks like someone over there is quite pissed.”

Do Hoon added. As everyone’s attention was drawn to one side, as he said, people failed to notice. The white hand holding a glass containing a cocktail the color of the setting sun had turned red.

There was someone else besides Do Hoon who saw Soo Rin getting ‘pissed’. It was none other than his wife, Yoon Seo, who always kept a close eye on the couple.

Standing next to Do Hoon, still holding a drink that hadn’t diminished, she agreed with what he had just said but didn’t say it out loud and instead asked the opposite.

“Why is that?”

It was a question without a subject, but Yoon Seo didn’t think Do Hoon would be unaware of her question’s intent. In fact, Do Hoon understood well what Yoon Seo was saying.

“What do you mean?”

Even so, understanding and responding were separate matters, as Do Hoon, who shrugged his shoulders and nonchalantly asked back, acted as if he didn’t understand at all, and his exaggerated attitude rather showed that it was a lie.

For a moment, Yoon Seo felt irritation rising. However, it was too crowded to pursue the matter, so she lowered her raised eyebrows and whispered.

“Inviting your sister-in-law to your house.”

“Ah- that?”

Do Hoon responded with a clueless face. His brazenness in forcing the other person to directly say the content he clearly knew was worse than usual, so Yoon Seo counted numbers in her mind to build patience. Because to hear what she was curious about, it was right to concede.

“I told you earlier.”

Slightly tilting his glass, Do Hoon looked at Yoon Seo and grinned wide enough to reveal his teeth.

“The imprinting was done well. It’s killing me.”

* * *

Hae Yeon was appreciating a huge and magnificent glass sculpture. Thousands of red glass bricks were laid out in an endless line on the floor, and from the center ceiling hung colorful glass beads, creating a small universe.

In particular, the sight of various colored glass brick clusters emitting a mysterious red color like smoldering firewood was spectacular.

While reactions such as ‘pretty like a jewel’ and ‘fantastic’ could be heard from visitors here and there, Hae Yeon quietly gazed at the artwork.

“……”

Hae Yeon, who was quietly appreciating, was dressed in outdoor attire, and unlike at the party, she wore driving shoes. It was something Do Ha had prepared in advance for today’s date, thanks to which she could comfortably walk around the vast gallery.

“It’s a work created by a Norwegian artist. I encountered this piece when I went abroad before, and the impression it left on me was extraordinary. When I heard the news that it was being exhibited in our country for the first time, I made a reservation for today.”

As if his affection for the work was truly exceptional, Do Ha explained with a rare amount of emotion.

“It’s amazing how this red color can be so hazy and blurry.”

“Yeah. I knew you would be moved by it like I was, Hae Yeon.”

Do Ha’s smoothly stretched eyes drew a soft arc. Hae Yeon was newly grateful for his consideration that he had secretly prepared, and she was delighted to be able to appreciate such a special work.

While she was immersed in appreciation, Do Ha’s phone vibrated, causing him to let out a short sigh and ask for understanding.

“Hae Yeon. I’m sorry to do this during our date, but can I make a quick phone call?”

“Of course. I’ll continue appreciating, so take your time with the call.”

“Thanks.”

As Do Ha moved to a different location since he couldn’t make a call in the exhibition hall, Hae Yeon turned her gaze to a notable artwork.

The painting of an exceptionally large size even within the art gallery was the core work of this exhibition, so it was displayed alone. The massive painting occupying the gray wall seemed to look down on the viewers, possessing something that overwhelmed people.

Hae Yeon couldn’t even move on to the next piece and appreciated the work as if spellbound. Without realizing the reason why she was particularly focused on this painting.

Somehow, the technique of expressing the meaning and coloring ambiguously without giving a clear answer to the viewers reminded her of the illusion she had seen last time when there was an accident in the company parking lot.

As she was endlessly lost in the artwork, forgetting the passage of time, it happened.

“Excuse me… aren’t you the second daughter-in-law of Gilmyeong Jedang?”

Hae Yeon, who had been solely appreciating the art piece, turned around. Two unfamiliar women caught her eye, but upon closer look, they were people she had encountered a few times at other parties before. One of them introduced herself with a smile.

“Hello. I’m Jeon Hee Joo, the eldest daughter of Yuti Food. This is my friend, the wife of the CEO of JR Construction, Lee Ji Na.”

“Nice to meet you. It’s the first time seeing you since the charity party a few months ago.”

The two, dressed to match the gallery’s formality, had an air of propriety. Although Jeon Hee Joo and Lee Ji Na were definitely from chaebol families, they were not figures of a level to be invited to today’s foundation anniversary party. They had never even had a conversation at the charity party where they had met before.

Hae Yeon smiled.

“Hello, I’m Min Hae Yeon.”

Perhaps they took her accepting the greeting as a signal? Once Hae Yeon finished her introduction, the two took a stance to continue the conversation in earnest.

“By the way. Isn’t today the day of Gilmyeong Jedang’s foundation anniversary party?”

When Jeon Hee Joo asked, Hae Yeon answered with a smile.

“Yes. My husband and I left a bit early.”

Knowing that the news of Gilmyeong Jedang’s second couple running out in the middle of the party would spread anyway by the next day, Hae Yeon didn’t bother to hide it.

“Then is CEO Cha Do Ha absent at the moment?”

“He stepped away for a brief call.”

“I see…”

Jeon Hee Joo, who oddly trailed off her words, slightly raised the corners of her mouth, and Lee Ji Na, who had been listening by her side the whole time, joined the conversation.

“You’re lucky, Hae Yeon. To have someone like Chairman Yoon Myung Gil as your mother-in-law.”

“Well. Is it all good? I heard Chairman Yoon’s charisma is no joke, so I wonder how it is at your place.”

The content exchanged between the two was excessively personal. As they said, it had been nearly 4 years since Hae Yeon had been living as Chairman Yoon’s daughter-in-law. She responded with a social smile, and when there was no particular reaction, Jeon Hee Joo changed the topic, and that’s when it began. The conversation took a strange turn.

“Hmm- this ade tastes unique, doesn’t it?”

“That’s Dali Coffee’s, right?”

“I guess so. Ah, by the way. Hae Yeon, do you happen to know about Dali Coffee?”

“Yes. There’s no one who hasn’t tried Dali Coffee’s beverages.”

At the sudden mention of Dali Coffee, Hae Yeon responded to the conversation despite her displeasure. Then, Lee Ji Na made a peculiar expression.

“Although Dali Coffee seems to make good beverages, it seems they’re not as good at hiring employees.”

“What do you mean by that?”

When Jeon Hee Joo showed curiosity, Lee Ji Na slightly narrowed her brows and spoke indifferently.

“I heard there was a special recruitment at that place recently.”

“And?”

“There’s a rumor that the special recruitment wasn’t fair. Of course, it might just be tabloid gossip.”

The moment she heard those words, Hae Yeon flinched, furrowing one corner of her eyes. Whether they saw it or not, Jeon Hee Joo reacted to Lee Ji Na’s words in Hae Yeon’s stead.

“My father is close with Dali Coffee’s owner, so I know a bit about it, but don’t they rarely have special recruitments there?”

“That’s right. They say they held an open special recruitment to hire one nepotism case, but I don’t know the exact details.”

“Or maybe it was a bitter job seeker who got rejected from that special recruitment and submitted a tip somewhere.”

“Could be.”

Lee Ji Na laughed. If she was a skilled speaker, Jeon Hee Joo was an excellent listener.

“What’s interesting is this. They say the very person behind that nepotism case is the daughter-in-law of a famous figure in the business world.”

Dali Coffee and nepotism. And the daughter-in-law of a famous figure.

Hae Yeon now understood. The reason these two people approached her, even going as far as to confirm Do Ha’s absence. The content they brought up while pretending to be acquainted was intentional.

The target Lee Ji Na was pointing to was none other than Hae Yeon herself. Of course, she could confidently assert that she was righteous and had not a shred of shame regarding her hiring process at Dali Coffee, but she knew the world saw it differently.

In any case, such controversies could only unfold if the fact that Hae Yeon worked at Dali Coffee became known to the public. Her being a working person was kept secret.

‘Soo Rin. Or was it Yoon Seo who spread the rumor?’

It was a question mark attached to her self-inquiry, but it was as good as a fait accompli.

“Why would someone with plenty of money do that, Hae Yeon?”

The woman named Lee Ji Na asked as if specifying. Although the question was directed at Hae Yeon, the answer came from Jeon Hee Joo.

“So in the end, the screening criteria were just for show, and one innocent person who wanted to get into Dali Coffee suffered in vain.”

They were spouting gossip in front of the very person, clearly knowing that the ‘nepotism case’ at Dali Coffee was her. Whether they were instigated or just had loose lips to begin with, there was absolutely no reason for her to endure rudeness from people she had only met once.

No matter what Hae Yeon thought inside, the two were busy running their mouths.

“I heard the person who put that nepotism case into Dali Coffee is an executive there.”

“Really? Then what was that woman’s husband doing? His wife essentially caused a huge embarrassment.”

“That husband must have known too. Or maybe he directly pulled strings.”

Listening to Lee Ji Na’s leading remarks and Jeon Hee Joo’s echoing, Hae Yeon’s body suddenly stiffened. Because of the words ‘executive’ and ‘husband’ coming out of the two women’s mouths in relation to Dali Coffee.

‘Joo Ah and Do Ha?’

Hae Yeon didn’t mind being the sole subject of controversy. However, it was unacceptable for her husband and friend, who had secretly made efforts for her sake, to also be harmed.

If she remained silent and pretended not to know, the rumors about Do Ha and Joo Ah would spiral out of control. That was the worst-case scenario that Hae Yeon wanted to avoid.

Although she couldn’t track down the source of the nepotism rumor or the person who leaked it one by one, she had to at least set the situation in front of her eyes straight. Hae Yeon composed her expression.

“You two. Have your private conversations outside. Ah. When you go out, make sure to read the gallery etiquette at the entrance. Actually, you seem quite uncultured.”

“Excuse me?”

When Jeon Hee Joo glared, a pleasant yet low voice was heard.

“Hae Yeon. Did you have enough appreciation?”

Do Ha smiled affectionately, having arrived at some point.

“…Do Ha. Did your call go well?”

“Yeah. Sorry. For leaving you alone.”

Do Ha, who had been watching Hae Yeon surrounded by two unfamiliar women from a moderate distance, quickly closed the gap and held her hand, interlocking their fingers.

Do Ha, who actively displayed affection, but Hae Yeon couldn’t focus due to other thoughts.

‘When did Do Ha arrive? Could he have possibly heard the conversation of these people just now?’

Just like the confused Hae Yeon, Jeon Hee Joo and Lee Ji Na also had troubled expressions. They unmistakably revealed their intention to leave the scene due to Do Ha’s sudden appearance.

“…Ah, since your husband is here, we should get going.”

“Right. You two enjoy your sweet date.”

As the two left the spot as if fleeing, Hae Yeon brightly smiled to change the atmosphere.

“The works here seem so amazing. Ah, shall we look at that painting together?”

Hae Yeon led Do Ha towards the artwork she had seen earlier. Walking ahead, she ended up with her back to him, and because of that, she missed Do Ha’s gaze. His pitch-black eyes gleaming remarkably.