Je Guk quickly returned to Ha In. Fortunately, Ha In was still in a deep sleep.

Ha In’s phone on the shelf kept vibrating. Je Guk looked at the phone.

‘Prosecutor Choi Gang Jun’

Gang Jun’s name appeared clearly. Je Guk found Gang Jun’s contact unwelcome, but at the same time, he understood.

Somehow, he felt grateful thinking that Ha In might have avoided big trouble thanks to Gang Jun.

Still, answering Ha In’s phone for her and reassuring him was crossing the line.

He was sorry, but he had to make Gang Jun wait until Ha In woke up and was able to talk.

The phone that had been vibrating for a while became quiet.

Je Guk also felt relieved looking at Ha In and sat on her bed.

Then, he looked at Ha In’s still swollen face. Her face was pale, making the bruise on her forehead look even darker.

Je Guk’s brows furrowed involuntarily.

At that moment, Ha In lifted her eyelids more lightly than before.

Seeing Je Guk, Ha In reached out and grabbed him before she could even open her eyes properly. Her touch was full of anxiety.

“I’m here.”

Je Guk reassured Ha In and held her hand tightly.

Ha In blinked her half-open eyes.

“Shall I give you some water?”

Ha In nodded and tried to get up.

Je Guk raised the bed angle to help Ha In sit up. Then, he poured warm water for her.

Ha In hesitated and looked at him.

“Ah, you don’t have to do this.”

Ha In was embarrassed that Je Guk personally poured water for her. Ha In was not used to someone taking care of her.

“Shall I feed you?”

It meant to quickly take the cup. Je Guk didn’t mind feeding her directly.

Ha In, who was thirsty, gulped down the water. Wetting her throat made her feel a bit more alive.

Taking a breath, she drank water again. Although it was definitely warm water, it was the most refreshing water she had ever had in her life.

“Shall I give you more?”

Je Guk, who was watching Ha In drink water, said.

“No. I drank enough.”

As Je Guk was about to take the cup from Ha In’s hand and put it on the shelf, Ha In’s phone started vibrating.

Even if he tried not to look at who was calling, the name ‘Prosecutor Choi Gang Jun’ clearly appeared on the phone screen lying on the shelf.

Ha In turned her head at the sound, and Je Guk hesitated whether to give her the phone or not.

Je Guk put down the cup and picked up the phone to give it to Ha In.

As Ha In reached out her hand towards the phone, Je Guk quickly pulled his hand back.

“If you’re going to answer this call and say you’ll be discharged or work from here.”

He conveyed the rest with his expression without saying it out loud.

“I understand.”

Only then did Je Guk give the phone to Ha In.

“Yes, this is Cheon Ha In.”

− Sunbae, are you okay?

It was evident even over the phone how worried Gang Jun was.

Ha In couldn’t remember the situation clearly, but she felt sorry and grateful to Gang Jun.

“Yes, I’m fine. But what happened?”

Ha In said, rubbing her temple near the bruised area as her head throbbed.

− Ah, you suddenly collapsed while watching the news about Lee Je Guk’s director vote.

“Ah, right.”

Ha In was so startled that she looked at Je Guk with wide-open eyes.

She hadn’t had a chance to check the result of whether Je Guk’s directorship was maintained.

Je Guk wondered what was wrong seeing Ha In’s expression. He hoped she wouldn’t receive any stress now, even if work was important.

“How did the vote go?”

Ha In asked, looking into Je Guk’s eyes.

So that was the story. Je Guk was confused about who she was asking, but he couldn’t answer since she was on a call.

− Director Lee Je Guk kept his position. I guess he’s quite a figure.

Ha In let out a deep sigh of relief and closed her eyes tightly.

She almost forgot about the call with Gang Jun and was about to say, “That’s a relief.”

− And, sunbae, even though you’re not well, there’s an urgent matter. Can I tell you?

“Yes, go ahead. What is it?”

− Hyun Baek Hap says she will attend. Cheonha Group’s legal department declared the withdrawal of Hyun Baek Hap’s defense.

Ha In’s eyes widened as she looked at Je Guk again.

− Instead, they’re asking for some time. They say it will take some time to transfer information from Cheonha Group’s legal department.

“Ah, I see.”

− In the meantime, I think we can sort out the statements we received during the summons investigation.

“Then, I’d like you to sequentially apply for the arrest warrants that were postponed after the vote on Director Lee Je Guk’s dismissal. Until Hyun Baek Hap attends. I will…”

Ha In was about to say “I will do that” but glanced at Je Guk. As expected, Je Guk’s expression hardened.

− Sunbae, I think you should rest for a while. Do you know how worried I was when I thought something happened to you? Really, I’m fine, so please rest.

Gang Jun continued to earnestly advise her.

It was a welcome remark in a situation where Je Guk also wanted Ha In to rest, but he still felt sorry.

“Ah, I’m sorry for making you worry. I will definitely recover and attend Hyun Baek Hap’s summons investigation.”

Although Ha In wondered what was happening, she was sure it was Je Guk’s help.

Ha In was so grateful to Je Guk that she didn’t know what to do. Ha In looked into Je Guk’s eyes with deep eyes.

“Thank you.”

Ha In was already talking to Je Guk.

“Thank you so much.”

After a short conversation with Gang Jun, Ha In felt ashamed in front of Je Guk.

He must have had a difficult and overwhelming time just with his own work, but she was so sorry and grateful for how much he cared for her.

Had she ever received someone’s help to this extent in her life?

The time when she thought she was always alone and lived strongly passed through Ha In’s mind.

Before she knew it, tears welled up in Ha In’s eyes.

Je Guk approached Ha In and looked at her face.

“Oh? I think you can stop crying now.”

Ha In also kept blinking, trying not to cry.

“I promised to help you. Is it something to cry about that I kept my promise?”

Until now, no one had ever cared for her to this extent.

Ha In, who was used to figuring things out on her own, felt for the first time that someone was taking care of her.

In fact, even her parents lived a life where they couldn’t take care of Ha In.

“Right. I don’t know why I’m doing this.”

Ha In kept blinking, trying not to shed tears.

She was also clumsy at expressing herself, and she couldn’t think of any words other than thank you and sorry.

In the end, instead of many words, tears ran down Ha In’s cheeks.

“Oh dear, our Ha In is crying again. Cry. Yes, cry.”

Je Guk placed his hand on Ha In’s cheek and wiped away her tears with his thumb.

Je Guk gazed at Ha In’s face.

His heart ached at the bruise that had settled on her face, which had lost so much weight.

Je Guk blew a breath of air ‘ho−’ on Ha In’s forehead.

“You’ve been in a lot of pain.”

It was a question that included various meanings, including whether her forehead hurt.

Ha In, who had always denied her weakness, nodded and shed tears.

Je Guk pulled her head towards his hand.

It was a distance close enough for their breaths to touch.

Je Guk was about to swoop down to Ha In’s lips but waited for a moment in case she got surprised.

He wanted her to know that the emotions and actions he was feeling right now were by no means derived from a light desire.

It was a wish that his actions would not hurt her.

The large eyes that were looking at him closed softly.

Je Guk placed his lips on Ha In’s lips as they were. The lips that touched without a sound moved slowly.

Her lips were so soft and sweet that he wanted to swallow them at once, but Je Guk parted his lips for a moment and looked at Ha In’s face.

“Is this okay?”

Then, he asked in a very low voice.

Ha In nodded with half-dazed eyes and embraced his neck. It meant to do more.

Je Guk kissed her lips softly once again.

He slowly and gently dug into the gap between her lips, suppressing the emotions that kept welling up, afraid that Ha In might be surprised.

Ha In felt her dry body getting wet through the sensation beyond her lips, which was very warm and spongy.

It was a blissful feeling she had never experienced before. She couldn’t control her quickening breath and rising heat.

At the end of the passionate kiss, Je Guk held Ha In’s hand.

Ha In’s body temperature was melting into Je Guk’s energy.

“It’s a bit warm now.”

Je Guk kissed the back of Ha In’s hand.

At the smacking sound, Ha In raised her eyebrows and looked at Je Guk with a flushed face.

“It’s a pity.”

Ha In was so embarrassed by his blatant expression that she didn’t know what to do.

“But the nurse will come in soon.”

Before they knew it, they didn’t realize that the IV drip had run out.

“I’m curious about the extent of Director’s details.”

It was said with genuine admiration.

He must have been busy with work alone, but he didn’t miss a single thing.

“I thought I had missed it, but if I had known, I would have adjusted it to drip more slowly and made the nurse come in later.”

Je Guk said that and brushed Ha In’s hair behind her ear, kissing her flushed cheek.

At that moment, as if it were a lie, there was a knock on the door, and the nurse entered.

“Excuse me. Oh? The room is a bit hot. Is the temperature okay?”

At the nurse’s words, Ha In was flustered and at a loss for words.

“It’s fine. I think it’ll be okay if we open the window for a bit.”

Je Guk smiled and opened the window.