4:30 PM.

As Yi Hyun opened the door of the chief’s office and came out, Ji Won stood up abruptly from his seat.

“Director Han. I’m leaving work.”

“What? Already?”

“Director Han doesn’t need to follow, so stay in the office and leave at the regular time.”

“No, wait a moment. Are you going somewhere alone without me? I have something to tell the chief anyway.”

“I have a very important matter today.”

“An important… matter?”

“I’m going to propose.”

At the unexpected bombshell, gasps could be heard from the female secretaries behind. Ji Won pressed his throbbing forehead.

This troublemaker, really.

“Sir… before that, could we talk for a moment…”

“Let’s do it tomorrow. Tomorrow.”

Yi Hyun patted Ji Won’s shoulder as he tried to speak again, and quickly left the office before his mouth could open again.

At Yi Hyun’s lightning-fast actions, a deep sigh escaped Ji Won’s lips, having been called to the CEO’s office just ten minutes ago and informed first about Ha Jun’s disappearance.

“Brother, you’ve become like a dog chasing chickens now, you stupid chief!”

Riiiing- Riiiing- Glancing down at the persistently ringing phone, Yi Hyun confirmed the caller was Director Han Ji Won and flipped the phone over onto the passenger seat.

“He’s being extra annoying today, that Han Ji Won.”

Thinking that this guy must have surely been put up to something by his mother or elder brother, Yi Hyun drove to the department store.

Leaving the persistently ringing phone in the car, he went up to the VIP room and began carefully selecting a ring to put on Ha Jun’s finger from among the pre-set expensive jewelry pieces.

The dedicated shoppers seemed surprised by Yi Hyun’s consistently bright smile, completely different from his usual cold and chic demeanor, but being top-class veterans, they helped with the shopping without showing it.

However, their minds were full of curiosity about who would be the owner of the luxury proposal ring this handsome man was buying.

“Sir, how about this? A flawless white gold ring with the most versatile round brilliant cut creating an elegant style with a top-grade 3-carat diamond. The surrounding pavé setting is also not excessive, making it more harmonious…”

“Enough explanation, I’ll take this one. And a matching necklace set as well.”

Yi Hyun’s eyes were fixed on the elegant design of the ring. It was a simple yet very luxurious ring that would perfectly suit Ha Jun’s long, snow-white, and neat fingers.

“Please wrap it beautifully. Next time, I’ll come to choose wedding bands with my bride-to-be.”

“Of course. We will always prepare only the best to serve you, sir. Will you wait a moment?”

“Sure.”

A pleased smile spread across Yi Hyun’s lips. He could vividly imagine Ha Jun quietly and shyly liking it. He might even say, “I don’t like such expensive things!”

As soon as he got back in the car after receiving the beautifully wrapped ring and necklace, his phone vibrated again. It was Ji Won, as expected.

“What’s with this guy today?”

Yi Hyun, feeling annoyed, immediately pressed the call button.

“Han Ji Won, what’s going on? Did you take money from mother to separate me and Ha Jun?”

– Take money, my foot! Brother, that’s not it. Lee Ha Jun resigned today. It seems she submitted her resignation letter and completely disappeared, so I was trying to tell you that, but you left without letting me speak and now you’re ignoring my calls and messages! I’m on your side, for better or worse! How dare you suspect me like that!

“…What are you saying? Where did you hear this?”

– I heard it from the CEO. The CEO heard it from sister Se Ra. She didn’t even submit the resignation letter directly, but delivered it through the executive secretary and disappeared…

“Hang up.”

Yi Hyun immediately hung up and urgently called Ha Jun.

– The phone is turned off and you will be connected to voicemail…

“Damn it…!”

Ha Jun’s phone was still turned off. The vague anxiety finally materialized and devoured Yi Hyun’s reason.

“Lee Ha Jun…”

The car started with a roar. After driving frantically, the car stopped haphazardly in front of the Sung Jin Group building.

Yi Hyun ran to the executive office in one breath and flung the door open, startling Yeon A who was sitting at her desk.

“Sir!”

“Ha…! Lee Ha Jun. Where is she, now?”

His breathing was rough, and his handsome forehead was drenched in sweat. He must have run here in a frenzy.

His eyes, always flowing with composure and confidence, were shaking anxiously, and his usually confident voice was low and trembling.

Seeing the face of Director Kim Yi Hyun before her now overlapping with Ha Jun’s infinitely sorrowful appearance before leaving, Yeon A unconsciously bowed her head deeply.

“Lee Ha Jun didn’t come in today…”

Yeon A’s unprecedented, disparate demeanor, so different from her usual bright smile and sparkling eyes whenever she saw him, made Yi Hyun sense it.

This woman knows something.

“Yeon A, you don’t seem at all curious about why I’m looking for Lee Ha Jun.”

“…”

“Is it really true that she didn’t come in? Did she really… quit the company?”

“Yes…”

“Ha, impossible…!”

For a moment, Yi Hyun staggered and lost his balance, leaning against the wall and gasping for breath. It felt like his heart was being squeezed and he couldn’t breathe.

“What about Se Ra! What about Executive Oh? Did they just accept the resignation letter? Even though they don’t know where Ha Jun is?”

“The resignation was… processed immediately, as far as I know.”

“Ha…! Is Executive Oh inside now?”

“No, the executive went out on business today and went straight home, so he’s not in the office now. I’m sorry.”

Yi Hyun’s gaze turned to Yeon A, who was still avoiding his eyes.

“Yeon A, you know about my relationship with Lee Ha Jun… don’t you?”

“…”

“You can speak honestly. Did Ha Jun perhaps… say anything? About me… I mean, about breaking up with me or something like that…”

At Yi Hyun’s painfully uttered words, Yeon A, who had been silent for a moment, spoke as if she had no choice, squeezing her eyes shut.

“I don’t know. I’m sorry. I only found out about you two dating by chance… when I saw your name pop up on Ha Jun’s phone. Ha Jun definitely didn’t tell me anything.”

“I see…”

Yi Hyun moved his steps with a dejected expression.

As she watched the large shoulders of the man who looked infinitely sad, an indescribable, heartbreaking pain also welled up in Yeon A’s eyes.

Yi Hyun went straight back to the officetel.

The empty officetel had changed nothing at all.

Only Ha Jun, who had always been here, was gone.

His steps slowly headed towards the room as he looked around the silent living room. As he opened the door with trembling hands, he saw the neatly made bed and a white envelope placed on top of the dressing table beside it.

Yi Hyun picked it up and slowly opened the envelope. Along with several high-denomination checks, there was a folded white paper. As he unfolded it, neat handwriting, just like Lee Ha Jun, greeted Yi Hyun.

I sincerely apologize for not fulfilling the contract period.

It was just a relationship bound by money, and I never imagined that you would fall in love with me. I am not suitable for you, nor do I love you.

Staying by your side with these feelings would be deceiving you, so I will leave this house.

I’ve included all the money left after selling the house and repaying the debt. I will definitely repay the remaining debt later. Thank you so much for everything. Congratulations on your engagement. ]

“Ha…”

Lies. A letter full of nothing but lies.

You don’t love me? You were with me just for money? After being together with me for so many countless days. Clinging to me with those gestures, looking at me with those eyes.

Every time you said you loved me, you hugged me with all your might and let me feel the sound of your frantically beating heart. And yet this is…

“Impossible.”

Yes, this doesn’t make sense.

Suddenly, In Hwa’s cold voice struck his ear. The very conversations they had this morning.

‘Do you think this is a suggestion because I’m speaking nicely?’

‘You should listen. What are you going to do if I end up harming Ha Jun because of this?’

Fiery anger surged up.

She must have left me against her will, pushed by mother.

Yi Hyun crumpled up the letter that Ha Jun must have written crying, unable to overcome the threats, threw it on the floor, and ran out.

He went straight to the parking lot and got back in the car. His hands gripping the steering wheel were trembling.

He had to meet In Hwa as soon as possible. Yi Hyun put on his Bluetooth earpiece and called In Hwa. But while it kept ringing, she didn’t answer.

“Damn it!”

Yi Hyun kept trying to call In Hwa.

The car sped down the dark streets where night had already fallen and stopped momentarily at a red light. And at that moment, In Hwa finally answered the phone.

“Mother!”

– What on earth is going on that you keep calling like this? What kind of rudeness is this during an important meeting?

At that moment, as the traffic light turned green, Yi Hyun’s sedan roared forward.

“What else could it be! Ha Jun, you…!!”

Crash-!

With a tremendous noise, the world suddenly shook violently.

– Hello? Yi Hyun? Yi Hyun!!

Beyond the Bluetooth earpiece, along with In Hwa’s piercing scream, Yi Hyun’s vision turned white. Through his fading consciousness, Ha Jun’s expressionless face appeared vividly.

“Lee, Ha Jun…”

Yi Hyun’s consciousness cut off just like that.