“It was Vice President Kwon Woosik.”

Lifting her head from the mug, Yuri looked at Jeho and said, “He said he has something important to discuss, so I’m meeting him on the way back.”

Contrary to what she expected, Jeho’s expression showed no change. He simply nodded as if he understood and pointed to the mug in front of Yuri.

“Did you finish that?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Then, let’s get up.”

Jeho, holding the mug, stood up from his seat, placed the mug where they returned it, and returned to Yuri.

“You must be very hungry. What do you want to eat?”

Yuri couldn’t think of any food despite the dinner invitation. Honestly, she wasn’t hungry at all. There’s no appetite in this kind of mood.

With no response, Jeho wrapped his arm around her waist, leading Yuri out of the coffee shop. Instead of asking where they should go, Yuri leaned on Jeho. Ironically, she felt relieved just by the fact that he was next to her.

After silently taking steps, Jeho finally spoke.

“How about ramen?”

“Sure, that sounds good.”

“Then let’s go to my place. I’ll make it for you.”

Why did the words ‘our house’ feel so warm today?

“Okay.”

Leaning on him, Yuri nodded quietly.

“By the way, aren’t you curious?”

While Jeho was boiling water in a pot on the stove, Yuri asked him. Jeho placed the pot on the gas stove and turned towards Yuri. However, he didn’t ask what she meant.

“Why you met Vice President Kwon…”

“Oh, that.”

Jeho casually nodded and opened the ramen packaging. But this time, he didn’t ask why they met. Focusing only on making ramen, he seemed uninterested, so she subtly threw a question.

“He wanted to meet about Minwoo. He probably thought that if I step forward, Chairman Lee might not call Minwoo back because of me.”

“Oh, that must have been awkward.”

“Yes, a little.”

Yuri, who seemed awkwardly smiling, walked to the refrigerator, took out side dishes, and placed them on the table. It seemed like she was trying to change the awkward atmosphere.

Jeho turned off the gas stove and poured the ramen into a bowl he took from the cabinet.

Yuri was half telling the truth and half lying. But whatever she said, he was willing to listen silently.

Even if Vice President Kwon talked about Minwoo, it wouldn’t have been a request for him to return. Minwoo isn’t in a situation to return to Korea right now.

But now, he had to go along with her words to find out what Vice President Kwon said.

“I’m sorry. People in the Kwon family are a bit thick-skinned.”

Jeho said as he lowered the ramen bowl in front of Yuri.
“Next time, just pretend you don’t know and don’t confront. There’s no one to say anything about it.”

“Yes.”

Yuri nodded and picked up her chopsticks. However, that was just words. She had to meet Vice President Kwon again soon.

―The moment you refuse, I will instruct to spread the affair with the press.

Vice President Kwon’s words echoed in her mind.

Will he really do that?

Until now, the reason she didn’t reveal Congressman Chae’s affair to Hyunkyung was partly because it was embarrassing, but more so because she didn’t want anyone, especially Hyunkyung, to know Yuri’s birth secret.

Even Hyunkyung, who is understanding, might see Yuri through colored glasses.

He didn’t love his sister enough to sacrifice himself. But as much as Mother’s dying wish to protect her sister, he wanted to keep that promise.

Why did he make her hold a knife, of all people?

Yuri, who was stirring the ramen with chopsticks, sighed quietly.

Should I just close my eyes and swap the account books?

After all, revenge was the goal.

But how to open the safe? She didn’t even know where it was in the study.

Lost in thought, the noodles swelled and burst. Still, Jeho didn’t say anything and took away the bowl with more than half left to the sink.

“Since it’s late, let’s sleep here today. And tomorrow morning, let’s go together to the apartment to get your things.”

“Is the guest room ready?”

“Why? If it’s not ready, are you not going to sleep and leave?”

For a moment, Yuri tensed. Sharing a bed with him was too dangerous. Especially on a day when emotions were tumultuous.

Perhaps she might jump into his arms first. Embracing him warmly, trying to forget everything for a moment. But in the end, it would only worsen the emotional chaos.

“Don’t worry. The guest room is ready.”

With the relieved breath that came after a while, Yuri sighed quietly. Seeing her fixing her expression, Jeho pretended not to notice, opened the refrigerator door, and said,

“Let’s eat dessert in the living room.”

“What’s all this?”

What Jeho brought to the living room wasn’t just dessert. Yuri looked at the various sizes of shopping bags in front of her.

“Gifts.”

Gifts? Why all of a sudden?

“There’s no special reason. I just wanted to give you something. I’ve never given a proper gift until now.”

Inside the large and small shopping bags were various gifts, starting with a chocolate set. Among them, the smallest bag caught Yuri’s eye. Inside the shopping bag was a wooden box.

“Oh.”