The GK Hill Hotel Therapy Shop located in the green mountains.

Breathing in the subtle aroma gently filling the room, Ha Eun was letting out pleasant sighs.

“Let me know if anything is uncomfortable.”

“It’s perfect right now. It feels refreshing.”

Ha Eun had been entrusting her body to the therapist for an hour, relieving her fatigue.

This had become part of her routine lately. Even if she became a GK daughter-in-law, she had no intention of working.

She planned to quickly have a child and become a full member of GK.

She judged that if she started working unnecessarily, she might get tired and her physical condition could suffer.

Chairman Kwon also said that if she wanted, he could provide her with a job, but there was no need to do so.

After all, there wouldn’t be employees anywhere who liked parachute appointments.

Drrrring, drrrring.

Her phone rang. Ha Eun frowned as if her mood was ruined, but she was curious about who was calling. It could be Butler Jang.

“Can you hand me my phone? After washing your hands well.”

The therapist washed her hands and then handed Ha Eun’s phone from the table with both hands.

“Hello?”

− Hello, is this Yoo Ha Eun?

“Yes, this is Yoo Ha Eun.”

− This is the GK Group Chairman’s secretarial office.

Ha Eun reflexively sat up straight.

− I’m calling to inform you to attend Chairman Sung of Taejin Group’s 70th birthday celebration.

“A 70th birthday celebration?”

− Yes, there will be a charity party that day, and you’re to come get fitted for a dress to wear.

“A dress?”

− Yes, please stop by the hotel’s banquet department to look at the collection photos and choose a designer you like. Then you can go to the shop to get the dress fitted. A designer visit is also possible if you prefer.

“I’ll go right away.”

Ha Eun ended the call with a cheerful tone.

They weren’t telling her to choose a ready-made product, but to have one custom-made. This is why being rich is nice.

With this thought, a satisfied smile escaped Ha Eun’s lips. Somehow it felt like she was under Chairman Kwon’s protection. It felt like the day she would become GK’s only daughter-in-law was not far off.

However, Ha Eun soon closed her mouth slowly.

The news about the dress fitting should have come from Tae Ha. That would have been perfect.

“Phew.”

Song Eun Seo was the problem. Song Eun Seo.

She seemed to have understood well the advice to live within her means.

* * *

The hotel’s grand ballroom was busier than ever before.

This was because Chairman Sung of Taejin’s 70th birthday celebration would be immediately followed by a charity party hosted by the chairman.

Taejin’s protocol team, who had arrived even before the event began, and GK’s banquet department were meticulously checking for any gaps or oversights.

Tae Ha, dressed in a classic dark gray suit, scrutinized every corner of the banquet hall without missing a single detail.

The stage and tables, video equipment, flowers and lighting, chandeliers, alcohol and beverages, food and music, even the performance team.

Nothing could be overlooked.

The reason was not only his friendship with Chairman Sung of Taejin, but also because of the charity party following the 70th birthday celebration. Many influential figures from home and abroad would be attending this event.

Tae Ha knew all too well that the results of this event could become an international reputation.

As the event began, guests started entering the banquet hall, starting with the Taejin family members. They were all prominent figures in the business world.

“Welcome, Chairman.”

Tae Ha approached the well-built chairman walking down the center aisle of the banquet hall with his family and greeted him respectfully.

“Well, if it isn’t Representative Kwon Tae Ha. I guess I have to invite you like this to see your face.”

Chairman Sung, seemingly in a good mood, patted Tae Ha’s arm with his reddened face.

“You’re right, Chairman. It’s been too long since I’ve seen you.”

“Becoming a president at 30 is rare even in this field, you were born with talent. Now you just need to get married. I hear you’ve been turning down all the arranged meetings lately, it seems you have a good match.”

“Yes, you’ll probably hear news of my marriage soon.”

“Then I’ll see you again then. Thank you for taking care of today’s banquet.”

“Not at all, Chairman. Happy birthday.”

As Chairman Sung moved towards the stage to greet the visitors, Tae Ha finally extended his hand to Woo Young standing beside him.

Woo Young handed over the champagne glass he had been holding for Tae Ha while he greeted the chairman.

“Is your throat very dry because of the event, Representative?”

“No, my throat is dry because I don’t see Secretary Song.”

At those words, Woo Young pointed to Eun Seo standing next to the entrance.

“She’s over there.”

Tae Ha was not only an invited guest at this event, but he also had to personally and meticulously take care of it, not leaving it entirely to the banquet department.

So while he was socializing with the guests, his secretarial team became his eyes and ears, checking every corner of the banquet hall for any inadequacies.

Knowing Eun Seo’s location, Tae Ha moved his feet without hesitation.

Eun Seo, with her hair neatly tied back in a single ponytail, was wearing a black suit and rolling her eyes here and there at the entrance. This kind of event seemed quite fascinating to her, being her first time.

She had her hair done a few days ago, making her youthful face look even younger, and her face, which at first had looked somewhat desolate and desperate, now had a lively glow.

Eun Seo was so engrossed in watching the entering people that she didn’t notice Tae Ha approaching her.

Somehow, Tae Ha found this unsatisfactory.

If she had even a little interest, shouldn’t she be watching without distraction?

Is she really in love?

“Secretary Song. I’m pretty sure I told you not to leave my side.”

Though she seemed clearly startled, Eun Seo didn’t even glance at the tall shadow that had approached her side, answering in a businesslike manner.

“I didn’t leave, you left me behind, Representative.”

“I did?”

“Yes. You seemed to be in such a hurry, busy with something.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Well… because it’s a lie.”

Eun Seo replied nonchalantly, then glanced at Tae Ha and smiled playfully.

Tae Ha furrowed his brows pretentiously and lowered his lips to Eun Seo’s ear to whisper. For a moment, Eun Seo’s ear turned slightly red.

“You really are a con artist. I judged you correctly from the first day.”

“So you came to catch the con artist?”

“That’s right. I’m going to catch you, lock you up, and only give you one type of food.”

“What’s that? Dumplings?”

“Me.”

At the provocative word that clearly reddened her ear, Eun Seo unknowingly turned her face away as it heated up. She could feel her cheeks burning.

“Just taste it once.”

‘Please.’

Tae Ha, like a devil, uttered these tempting words softly and then grinned.

The intense gaze fixed on her cheek was hot. Eun Seo, with her earlobes even redder than before, couldn’t even meet his eyes as she asked.

“If it doesn’t taste good, can I spit it out?”

“You’ll end up swallowing it. Because the taste will be amazing.”

Tae Ha straightened his back while keeping his gaze fixed on Eun Seo.

Eun Seo’s cheeks were flushed, and she rubbed them with her relatively cold hands. Tae Ha, who had been leisurely watching this scene, pressed his champagne glass against Eun Seo’s cheek.

“At least this.”

The spot where the glass touched quickly cooled down.

“Aren’t you busy?”

“You shouldn’t hope for me to be busy. If I am, you’ll be busy too. I like high pay and light work, you know.”

“Ah.”

Eun Seo was about to say something, her mouth twitching, when suddenly she clasped her hands neatly and cut off her words. Then she bowed deeply towards the entrance.

Chairman Kwon was entering the banquet hall with Ha Eun.

As soon as Ha Eun entered the banquet hall, she frowned. She had thought that at least this time, Tae Ha would escort her. But she had given up on that idea when Chairman Kwon said he would be busy with event preparations.

Until then, she had thought, well, that could be the case. But as soon as she entered the venue and saw them together, the deep-seated anxiety raised its head.

She needed to somehow get Eun Seo out of Tae Ha’s house.

Sensing the unfriendly gaze, Eun Seo closed her mouth and moved to a position behind Tae Ha.

“Tae Ha, here you are.”

“Yes, Father. But you’re not alone.”

Tae Ha gave a light bow to Ha Eun, then averted his gaze.

“I thought it would be good for Ha Eun to participate in the charity event too, so I brought her along. Are you very busy?”

It was a hollow excuse, and the real intention was to introduce Ha Eun here and there.

Tae Ha clenched his jaw and pulled up his lips.

“I am a bit busy. But Father, your partner today is too young. There are eyes watching, you know.”

Knowing full well it was a ploy to leave Ha Eun with his father, Chairman Kwon cleared his throat. He couldn’t get angry with so many people watching.

“You take Ha Eun around. I have many people to greet.”

“She has two legs, there’s nowhere she can’t go on her own.”

Then he smiled politely at Ha Eun.

“Right?”

Ha Eun’s lips twitched slightly as she raised the corners of her mouth. His consistently dismissive attitude hurt her pride, but she looked forward to seeing him crumble because of her someday.

He was always a man who made her feel a sense of accomplishment. That’s why she was even more impatient.

“Tae Ha!”

The one calling Tae Ha was Kim Seo Jin from PL Finance.

“You’re here?”

“Yeah. The others will be coming in soon too.”

Seeing his son’s friend arrive, Chairman Kwon gave Ha Eun a look before disappearing inside.

Ha Eun, understanding the chairman’s intention, stood demurely next to Tae Ha. When Tae Ha didn’t introduce her, Seo Jin was curious.

“Who’s this?”

“Someone my father sponsors.”

“I’m Kim Seo Jin. Tae Ha’s friend.”

To Seo Jin, Ha Eun was quite beautiful and had a unique aura unlike the women he had met before, so if she wasn’t involved with Tae Ha, he was inclined to at least get an introduction.

“I’m Yoo Ha Eun.”

Ha Eun was still displeased at being just a ‘sponsored person’ to Tae Ha, but she smiled without losing her composure.

Then,

“It’s a bit hot in here,”

she casually remarked, intentionally lowering the shawl she had been wearing on her shoulders.

This revealed dazzlingly smooth shoulders above the deeply cut cream-colored halter neck dress.

A few loose strands of hair that had naturally fallen from her updo swayed gently along her white shoulders. Ha Eun raised her arm, brushing the loose hair upwards.

Under the chandelier light, Ha Eun’s shoulders sparkled as if sprinkled with glitter. For a moment, Tae Ha’s pitch-black eyes, which seemed to absorb all light, trembled deeply.

Behind her shoulder, faint letters diluted by long years were shining distinctly.

“What’s this?”