Hyun Baek Hap visited the director’s office of Cheonha Medical Foundation.

In the meantime, Director Song’s face had become half its size. Hyun Baek Hap was worried when she saw his haggard face. It was not a different kind of worry.

She didn’t know he had such a weak mentality. There were so many hurdles to overcome in the future that she wondered if he would be useful.

“Madam, you’re here.”

Fortunately, Director Song was still respectful to Hyun Baek Hap.

“Director, why is your face so haggard? You should get an arginine injection.”

“Ah, no, it’s fine.”

“You must be stressed because the prosecutors are stirring things up?”

Hyun Baek Hap casually brought up the topic as if it was nothing.

At that moment, the secretary brought in warm coffee. Hyun Baek Hap leisurely savored the aroma and looked at Director Song.

“This is the coffee I drink at home. I brought it thinking of you, Director.”

“Oh my, thank you.”

“Right. You’re thankful. Director, you should always be grateful to me. Right?”

Hyun Baek Hap said that while staring intently at Director Song. She had ulterior motives for saying that.

“Yes, of course. How could it be otherwise? It’s thanks to you that I’m sitting in this position. My wife, my children, they are all living well thanks to you, Madam.”

He seemed like he could recite the favors Hyun Baek Hap had bestowed upon him even with his eyes closed. Hyun Baek Hap was satisfied that he remained her loyal subject.

“Right. That day, what did the prosecutors take away?”

At that question, Director Song’s face turned pale.

“Well, what could they have taken?”

For someone who claimed they didn’t take much, he looked like he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

Director Song couldn’t tell her that the prosecutors had taken his personal ledger that day.

Although the ledger containing critical information was in the safe, the ledger the prosecutors took could also connect him and Hyun Baek Hap.

“Did they at least take Yoon Joo Hwa’s medical records?”

“Y-yes, they did.”

Hyun Baek Hap put down the cup she was holding and leaned towards Director Song. Then she furrowed her brows and opened her eyes wide. She then smiled brightly.

“Director Song, don’t be scared. Who are you in the same boat with right now to be afraid?”

“Of course. I only trust you, Madam.”

“Actually, do you think I’m not stressed too? I’m also having a hard time.”

Hyun Baek Hap massaged her temples.

“But, just because we’re having a hard time, will the dead person come back to life? Will the prosecutors turn back time? We, who are enjoying this moment, are the winners.”

“How could it be otherwise?”

Director Song nodded, agreeing with Hyun Baek Hap’s words.

“Director, if we overcome this hurdle well, I’ll open a hospital this big for you right in the middle of Gangnam. You can be the director there and here too.”

At Hyun Baek Hap’s words, Director Song’s eyes widened.

“Ah, before that, there’s one important thing our Director needs to do for me.”

Hyun Baek Hap handed over a memo. It was the date when Je Guk’s business trip was scheduled. Director Song carefully looked at the date and tilted his head.

“Ah, on this day, our Cheonha Medical Foundation is also sending medical personnel to support an event. It’s on that day, right?”

It was an important schedule for Cheonha Group if medical personnel were being dispatched.

“Oh, is that so? I didn’t know medical personnel were being dispatched. As expected, I did the right thing by coming to Director Song. Then there will be one more thing to do.”

Director Song just listened to what Hyun Baek Hap was saying, not knowing what she was scheming.

“Yes, on this day, someone will be brought in.”

At Hyun Baek Hap’s words, Director Song’s eyes briefly shook left and right.

“Just do it like you did with Lady Yoon Joo Hwa.”

When she said ‘like with Lady Yoon Joo Hwa,’ Director Song understood what she meant even if others didn’t.

“Who is it?”

Director Song asked in a trembling voice, filled with tension. He wondered who it was that Hyun Baek Hap was trying to deal with again.

“I’ll let you know when the time comes. It’s a very important matter to wrap up this case in one go, so you have to do it well.”

Hyun Baek Hap was excited as if she was imagining something very thrilling. Then Hyun Baek Hap took out a thick envelope from her bag.

“You’ve had a hard time, right? There’s nothing like cash for heartache. Good work. I’ll be counting on you in the future too.”

Director Song received the envelope, stood up from his seat, bowed 90 degrees, and saw Hyun Baek Hap off to the door.

* * *

Je Guk waited for Ha In to finish work and warmed up the prepared herbal tonic.

As the door opened and Ha In entered, Je Guk took her to the kitchen.

“Sir. You’re off work early?”

“You’re the one who finished late.”

“That’s true. But why the kitchen? Haven’t you had dinner?”

“No, this.”

Je Guk held out the warm herbal tonic to Ha In.

Ha In hesitated and looked at the tonic. Je Guk had searched high and low for something good for Ha In’s body.

The bath salts were also very nice, but that was tolerable since she was soaking her body in it. However, the herbal tonic did not suit Ha In’s taste.

“I’m fine. I’m really fine. The multivitamins you gave me last time are enough.”

“I wouldn’t be doing this otherwise.”

Ha In looked at the tonic with a distressed face as if she had received poison.

For now, she had to drink the tonic in front of Je Guk. Ha In pinched her nose and drank the tonic, grimacing.

Je Guk put a candy in Ha In’s mouth. Ha In took the candy like a baby bird.

“I’ll leave this tonic here too, and I’ll be counting.”

Ha In, who still had the bitter taste in her mouth, couldn’t answer quickly. She also couldn’t answer readily because it seemed like a promise she couldn’t keep.

“Hm?”

Je Guk double-checked.

“You have to answer.”

Although Je Guk rarely forced Ha In, he really wanted her to take the herbal tonic.

“Yes.”

Ha In answered reluctantly. Je Guk found Ha In, who answered despite disliking it, utterly adorable.

“Ha In, I have a business trip scheduled for this week.”

Je Guk told Ha In about his business trip schedule. Ha In stared at Je Guk quietly.

There had been no business trips so far, so she was worried if something was going on.

“Where are you going, far away?”

“Yeah, a 2-night, 3-day schedule. It’s been scheduled since a year ago, and guests are coming from overseas.”

It was the first time they would be apart for this long since Ha In started using Je Guk’s study.

“Okay, have a safe trip.”

Ha In was inwardly disappointed that she wouldn’t see him, but there was nothing she could do since it was work.

“Is that all?”

“What else?”

Je Guk was about to feel upset at the dry reaction.

“It’s work. What can I do? I can’t stop you, and I’m not in a position to follow you either.”

That was entirely true, so Je Guk nodded.

“I told you not to recklessly charge in. Please, okay?”

That ‘please’ held numerous meanings. It probably meant not to get into big trouble and to stay put.

“Really. Call me right away if anything happens.”

Ha In nodded. Je Guk was grateful that she readily nodded.

Je Guk poured two glasses of light wine.

“Some time ago, the farm owner who gifted the marigold tea sent marigold seedlings. So I told them to plant some in the rooftop garden. I wonder if they planted them.”

“Flowers?”

“Yeah.”

Je Guk took the two glasses of wine and went up to the rooftop garden with Ha In.

The marigold buds had grown quite plump.

It seemed like the gardener had tended to the garden while planting the marigolds. It looked much nicer and prettier.

“This is it. These yellow buds are marigolds. They said they will bloom within a few days.”

Ha In looked at the flower buds with interested eyes.

“Ah, I guess ‘gold’ is in the name because they’re golden.”

“They were flowers my mother liked.”

Ha In wondered why Je Guk showed such affection for the flowers.

Now that he mentioned they were flowers Lady Yoon Joo Hwa liked when she was alive, it made sense.

Come to think of it, she seemed to have seen these flowers at the Cheonha Group mansion before. Ha In’s mother had also liked these flowers.

“My mother too…”

Ha In tried to say something but stopped. Je Guk sensed the change in Ha In’s mood and looked at her.

“Ha In, there’s something I’m curious about.”

Je Guk brought up the topic with a serious expression.

“I think it might be crossing the line, but can I ask?”

Ha In was curious about what he was trying to say.

“Why don’t you investigate your mother’s case?”

At Je Guk’s question, Ha In wanted to avoid answering.

“Should I not ask?”

Ha In nodded.

“Okay, then.”

Ha In knew that the moment she revealed her insignificant past, she would lose a lot of momentum as a prosecutor.

Many things were going smoothly now because people believed Ha In was a prosecutor with a great backing.

After this investigation was over, when Hyun Baek Hap’s position had hit rock bottom, she judged it wouldn’t be too late to reveal her past then.

“Ha In, I’m sorry. I brought up something unnecessary.”

“No, it’s fine. The flowers are really pretty.”

When Je Guk apologized, Ha In changed the subject.

“You should also look closely, not just from afar.”

Je Guk went next to Ha In and sat down, lowering his posture.

The tree that was vigorously pushing up the flower buds to bloom seemed just like Ha In, and it felt quite admirable.

“Next time, should we go to a house with a very large garden? We can plant a lot of flowering trees too.”

Ha In shook her head. This house was already big and spacious enough.

“This is already splendid enough.”

Ha In took a sip of wine and looked around the garden. Somehow, there was not a single rough part in the house, it was perfect.

The garden was also so pretty and cozy that one could forget winter was coming soon.

“When all of this is over, let’s focus only on our happiness then. Looking at flowers like this, going out and enjoying the scenery.”

At those words, Ha In stood there blankly. The word ‘happiness’ always made Ha In tense up.

The more that happened, the more Je Guk became determined to make Ha In happy no matter what.

“Ha In.”

“Yes?”

When Je Guk called her, Ha In turned her head towards him, and Je Guk kissed her lips.