Lee Je Guk returned to the director’s office, unable to shake off his deep disappointment in Lee Hoe Jang.

Did his mother know about Lee Hoe Jang’s infidelity while she was still alive?

It was frustrating not being able to ask his late mother about it.

He had enough of being swayed and going along with the likes of Hyun Baek Hap.

Whoever he chased after or whatever blinded him, insulting his mother was unforgivable.

His mother had done so much charity work for future generations and those in need, yet he had the audacity to call it “hypocrisy”.

Lee Je Guk was trembling with rage.

And then he rushes off at the news of Hyun Baek Hap collapsing.

He could count on one hand the number of times he saw Lee Hoe Jang in the hospital room when his mother was hospitalized.

Come to think of it, Lee Hoe Jang didn’t seem to grieve much over his mother’s death.

His childhood innocence of believing Lee Hoe Jang was simply being strong as an elder now seemed pathetic.

Lee Je Guk wanted to believe he was viewing the world too cynically out of disappointment.

Just then, his phone vibrated with a message.

Cheon Ha In suddenly came to mind.

Lee Je Guk checked the message, hoping it was from Ha In. But it wasn’t from her.

Lee Je Guk had contacted Ha In first to get her opinion on the documents he sent and to discuss the next steps.

– Let’s meet after work today. You choose a convenient location.

There was no reply even after a long time since Lee Je Guk sent the message.

In the end, Lee Je Guk went into the legal department meeting without receiving a response from Ha In.

The atmosphere in the legal department was heavy due to the travel ban on Lee Je Ni.

It wasn’t unexpected. But with the strong reactions from the chairman’s office and Cheonha Art Gallery, the legal department was under pressure.

“As you know better than I do, this won’t end here.”

The head of the legal department and the lawyers nodded at Lee Je Guk’s words.

“Don’t be swayed by power.”

This was aimed at Lee Hoe Jang and Hyun Baek Hap.

“At least for this matter, prioritize the moral responsibility the company should bear, and then act according to the company’s interests. Cheonha Group is not a company that will operate for just a year or two.”

Lee Je Guk provided clear direction to the legal department staff who were likely going through a confusing time.

“Yes, I understand.”

The legal department meeting was in full swing. Then a reply came from Ha In.

– I think I’ll be done late today, what should we do?

From that moment on, Lee Je Guk’s concentration wavered. It was the strange influence Ha In had on him.

Just thinking about Ha In made even his steel-like focus falter.

After the meeting, Lee Je Guk left a reply to Ha In. Ha In must also be under a lot of stress in this situation.

Not being in the same space, there was no way to know how the situation was progressing or what Ha In was thinking.

– I will wait. Let me know a convenient location and call me when you’re done.

* * *

It was past midnight by the time Ha In could respond to the message from Lee Je Guk.

She had a hectic day with so much to prepare for Hyun Baek Hap’s summons investigation.

Ha In hesitated, checking the time, and then called Lee Je Guk.

“I’m sorry it’s so late. I’m leaving work now.”

– It’s okay. You must be very busy. I’m still at the office too.

He didn’t get angry or annoyed at her for replying so late.

– We have a lot of progress to share with each other, don’t we?

“Yes, I have something to tell you too. Where shall we meet, since it’s so late?”

The matter of Hyun Baek Hap’s summons investigation required Lee Je Guk and Ha In to put their heads together.

Ha In glanced at her wristwatch and pondered for a moment. No suitable place came to mind.

– Let’s meet at my house.

There was a brief silence. The tension of meeting at his house, a private space.

– If it’s uncomfortable…

“No, it’s fine. I’ll come.”

Thinking rationally, there was nothing to be uncomfortable about.

Ha In was someone who had to stop at nothing for the sake of revenge.

“I’ll be there.”

Not long after Ha In hung up, a text message came in.

It was his home address. Wanting to quickly resolve the matter due to the late hour, she picked up the pace.

It was like a village of penthouses.

Lee Je Guk’s house was located at the very back, where there was no people traffic.

It wasn’t eerie. Rather, it had a tranquil feeling, as if pretty lights were guiding the way.

Lee Je Guk’s house was neat, befitting his taste. The lit house inside the garden made Ha In feel enchanted.

“You’re here.”

Until she heard Lee Je Guk’s voice, Ha In had even forgotten that she had stopped walking.

“Ah, I’m sorry it’s so late.”

Ha In felt bad for not seeing the message earlier.

“I’m sorry for keeping you from resting at such a late hour. Let’s go in.”

Lee Je Guk led Ha In into the house. Ha In followed him inside.

The place he stopped walking was the study.

The scent of paper and fragrant tea brushed past Ha In’s nose.

The study was also the first place Ha In had a conversation with him.

Being together with him in the study after such a long time, Ha In felt an indescribable lump in her throat.

His constant proximity to books always looked cool to Ha In.

His unchanging diligence made Ha In admire him once again.

“What’s wrong, are you uncomfortable?”

Lee Je Guk asked, seeing Ha In standing blankly.

Ha In shook her head vigorously, saying no, and came to her senses. She kept catching herself sinking into the past.

“Let’s sit.”

Lee Je Guk poured Ha In a cup of yellow-tinged marigold tea.

Ha In stared at the teacup for a moment, then didn’t pick it up, feeling out of place with the gentle atmosphere.

She had to stay sharp so as not to get intoxicated by the ambiance here.

“Have some.”

“I already had tea before coming. Just the aroma is nice.”

“As you wish.”

Lee Je Guk picked up the teacup alone.

She refused out of fear she might get drunk on the warm tea aroma.

Ha In had lived believing that if even a small crack appeared in her heart, it was only a matter of time before she crumbled.

Every time she faced Lee Je Guk, her heart swelled, which was a big problem.

“Were the documents I sent… helpful?”

“Yes. They will serve as a very important justification for summoning Hyun Baek Hap too.”

At the mention of Hyun Baek Hap’s summons, Lee Je Guk’s expression darkened.

Ha In was worried about the reason his expression had darkened.

“Can’t we postpone the schedule a bit?”

As expected, a voice mixed with concern came out of his mouth.

“Why?”

“I’m wondering how long we can hide the existence of Prosecutor Cheon Ha In.”

That was Ha In’s concern too, but she had already made up her mind.

“If I was afraid of that, I wouldn’t have started in the first place.”

Although Ha In showed determination, the concern on Lee Je Guk’s face remained.

“Can’t we postpone it just a little longer?”

Ha In didn’t answer right away according to her beliefs and pondered for a moment. She wasn’t unaware of the reason for his concern.

Provoking Hyun Baek Hap would make Lee Hoe Jang move too, and Ha In would have to bear all that anger.

“I’m sorry. I know you’re worried. But there’s something called timing.”

It was an unavoidable thing for the progress of the investigation.

In Lee Je Guk’s eyes looking at her, Ha In could feel that he was sincerely worried about her.

Whenever Lee Je Guk was like this, the words “What am I to deserve this much” lingered on her lips.

But she kept her mouth shut, thinking it might just be her own delusion.

The gazes looking at each other deepened even more.

“Ha In…”

Lee Je Guk almost slipped into banmal. He quickly stopped and corrected his words.

“It’s no use if Prosecutor Cheon Ha In gets hurt.”

Lee Je Guk was sincerely worried about Ha In.

“As for me, well, it doesn’t matter.”

Those were words that hurt Lee Je Guk’s sincere concern.

“Really… Whew…”

Faced with Ha In’s stubborn will, Lee Je Guk finally revealed his heartache.

“Thank you for always worrying about me.”

Ha In wanted to express her gratitude to ease Lee Je Guk’s worries.

“If that’s truly what Prosecutor Cheon Ha In wants, then do that. But please, don’t get hurt. That would be… the perfect revenge.”

Their positions and circumstances were all different, but it was a moment when the two confirmed they were looking out for each other.

* * *

Lee Je Guk convened a legal department meeting after receiving a report that a summons notice had been issued to Hyun Baek Hap.

The head of the legal department had also sufficiently anticipated this development.

Before the meeting, the legal department, under Lee Je Guk’s instructions, advised Hyun Baek Hap’s side to review the schedule.

Lady Hyun’s attendance was not the worst situation, but the best choice.

It made sense for the prosecution to make this move at this timing.

The justification was so clear that there was no way to refuse.

To make matters worse, just before the meeting, news came that someone from Hyun Baek Hap’s side had been taken into custody.

Both Lee Je Guk and the legal department were of the position to respond calmly.

During the meeting, a commotion was heard outside. The shrill voice was unmistakably Hyun Baek Hap.

Everyone in the meeting room expressed disapproval.

“Don’t mind it and let’s continue.”

Although it was not a situation conducive to concentration, the head of the legal department continued speaking at Lee Je Guk’s words.

Lee Je Guk listened to the head of legal’s voice, completely ignoring the noise outside.

“Rather than avoiding the schedule altogether…”

Just then, the door swung open and Hyun Baek Hap entered.

Everyone’s gaze turned in that direction, but Lee Je Guk didn’t bother to look that way.

“Head of legal!”

Under Lee Je Guk’s watch, Hyun Baek Hap fearlessly shouted and strode into the meeting room.

The sound of her high heels hitting the floor grated sensitively on the nerves.

The head of legal stood up from his seat, and Hyun Baek Hap slapped him across the face.

There was a “slap” sound and a momentary silence fell over the meeting room.

There was a limit to patience.

Lee Je Guk stood up from his seat with a fierce expression.