None of the employees could stop the intruder who was unwittingly let in, they could only watch with eyes filled with fear.

Among them was Jung Kyu.

“Stop it, master.”
Whether he had gone off work, Se Ji approached and said.

“Do you want to die instead?”
With Young Gab’s head slammed on the table, Nok Hyun turned his head and asked.

Se Ji flinched.

“You should know what happens when you covet what’s not yours without knowing your place.”
It was definitely a remark aimed at Tae In, but it sounded like it was meant for everyone.

The genteel mask he had been wearing all this while was stripped away in an instant.

There was nothing new about it to Nok Hyun. He had lived like this all along.

However, it was a side of Tae In that I was seeing for the first time.

“This commotion needs to stop. It would be best to cease now.”
Se Ji stated this before pointing a box cutter at Tae In’s throat.

A sensation on her throat made Tae In’s body stiffen.

Nok Hyun’s figure in her sight was blurry.

Blink, then blink again.

Her eyes closed and opened at a slower pace, until soon her vision flickered white.

“Kang Nok Hyun was summoned by you, Woo Je Ha, wasn’t it?”
After a tumultuous event, Se Ji immediately summoned Je Ha. Je Ha, who had been waiting in the garden, promptly revealed himself.

“That’s right.”
Je Ha obediently responded. He knew he couldn’t lie to Se Ji anyway.

He had anticipated being caught when he initiated the incident.

Se Ji’s face quickly turned red and pale.

“So, you’re telling me you’ve developed feelings for Seo Tae In now? Ah, it’s too late.”
“Hardly.”
Je Ha responded coolly. Se Ji didn’t drop her suspicion and opened her mouth.

“Or do you see more potential in Seo Tae In? Why do I hate that more?”
“……”
“Woo Je Ha, you have an excellent nose for money.”
“That’s not it.”
“Then what is it?”
“I told you it would be safe today.”
He hadn’t expected Young Gab to reveal his true nature and cause such a fuss.

If he knew, he would have purposely let Tae In escape. It would have been better, even if he was scorned as incompetent.

“You’ve been disappointing me lately. Well, it seems there’s still some part of you I trust?”
Se Ji looked at Je Ha with a lively expression.

What is she planning to catch me on this time?

“What’s left for Seo Tae In?”
At Je Ha’s cold tone, Se Ji seemed to contemplate for a moment before getting up from the sofa and hugging Je Ha.

“You know, right? If you betray me, you die.”
At the chilling touch, Je Ha’s body stiffened.

A thought he usually would never have, suddenly occurred to him.

What if he hadn’t let go of Tae In’s hand at that time?

Inside the hospital room where Tae In was admitted.

Nok Hyun, leaning against the sofa, murmured while staring at Tae In.

“Should I just kill them all? They’re annoying and irritating.”
Ee Kyung, who had just covered Tae In with a blanket, frowned.

“Don’t make such jokes, it sounds sincere.”
“It’s not a joke.”
Sitting opposite Nok Hyun, Ee Kyung took out Tae In’s phone and a taser.

“Seo Tae In is not a kid, she’s stronger than you think. It seems like she was somewhat prepared.”
“What can she do with these toys?”
Nok Hyun was taken aback.

“I’ll pay more attention. And now, I’ll go off work.”
Ee Kyung gave Tae In a glance and got up.

And soon, Tae In groaned and tossed in her bed.

Nok Hyun approached Tae In and checked on her.

Upon opening her eyes and seeing Nok Hyun, Tae In quickly turned her body and pretended to sleep again.

“I know you’re awake. Get up.”

Reluctantly, Tae In sat up, her back against the headboard of the bed, hugging her knees.

Nok Hyun was baffled at her alert posture.

“Got nothing to say?”
“I’m sorry for worrying you. I didn’t mean to follow Woo Je Ha.”
“… Woo Je Ha took you? What were you thinking, following that guy… no, that person.”
“I didn’t follow him out of trust.”
Nok Hyun let out a deep sigh, looking worriedly at Tae In’s bruised wrist.

I just don’t understand why her skin is so delicate that it gets bruised every day.

Tae In slowly hid her wrist behind her back.

“I know, I was reckless.”
“… Seems like you don’t.”
“I’m hungry.”
“…”
“I’m hungry, I’m starving. I didn’t have lunch.”
It was already late at night. She’d missed both lunch and dinner because she was out and about.

Nok Hyun exhaled deeply through his lips once again.

“What do you want to eat?”
“Chicken.”
“Wait, I’ll go buy it.”
“Can’t we just go together? I think I can be discharged.”
“No. You still have tests to take and need to rest for a while. Ah Rin and I will take care of Director Jeong.”
“…”
“I can’t because I’m worried about you.”
Tae In put her hand in Nok Hyun’s and looked up at him.

Seeing her pitiful gaze, Nok Hyun avoided her eyes.

Tae In knew all too well how to move people’s hearts.

And she gave up quickly.

When Nok Hyun didn’t respond to her plea, she dropped his hand and laid back on the bed.

“If you’re that worried, let’s just get it delivered.”
Tae In skillfully ordered chicken delivery on her phone.

It’s going to take 40 minutes, how to stand this awkwardness in the meantime.

Tae In, who was kicking her feet, sneakily glanced at Nok Hyun.

Nok Hyun was watching Tae In from the sofa where he was seated.

“Are you angry?”
“I’m not in a great mood.”
Because you almost got hurt again.

If Woo Je Ha hadn’t contacted me, I would have regretted seeing you hurt, helplessly.

Nok Hyun exhaled instead of finishing his sentence.

“Two chicken legs won’t be enough, will they?”
In the midst of all this, chicken legs. Nok Hyun sighed.

“Stop being stubborn and hide behind me.”
“…”
Tae In did not respond, but looked at Nok Hyun.

“You should know by now. I’m not bad as a shield.”
“But…”
“It’s too dangerous for you to handle alone.”
“I know. You’re right, Kang Nok Hyun. Even though I said I’d take revenge, there’s nothing I can do by myself right now. That’s why…”
“Tell me.”
Tae In took a deep breath that made her shoulders rise and fall, then continued.

“Aren’t you thinking of investing in me?”
“…What?”
“Something similar to our initial contract. If you help me, I’ll give you Tae Gang.”
Nok Hyun opened his eyes wide and scrutinized Tae In, trying to decipher her intentions.

“That’s no longer necessary.”
“…No longer necessary?”
Tae In’s pupils shook.

She thought he would jump at the chance. That’s why she had confidently asked for his investment.

This was unexpected.

“Give me something else.”
“…What else could I possibly give other than that?”
Tae In asked in a trembling voice. Nok Hyun, who had been keeping a cold expression all along, relaxed his face and smiled. At his sensual smile, Tae In swallowed dryly.

“You.”

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