“This time, we’ll go all the way,” he whispered into her ear, his breath warm.

All the way?

Her heart sank as last night’s events flashed before her eyes like a fast-paced montage. She thought she hadn’t been that drunk… Oh no, she definitely had been. The kiss had been intense, but she believed the physical intimacy had been mild.

However, as Je Ho mentioned going all the way, her hazy memories became crystal clear. She remembered begging to be held, pleading to be touched, and trying to kiss him, along with the thrilling sensations every time he touched her.

It wasn’t a dream, but reality!

“…Ah.”

Shock parted Yul Li’s lips. Je Ho stepped back to observe her changing expressions as if watching something amusing. His lips curled into a relaxed smile.

Not wanting to show her embarrassment, Yul Li mustered all her strength to smile.

“You won’t force me, right? You said you’re not the type to demand responsibility after just one kiss.”

“Huh.”

Je Ho laughed softly, putting his hands in his pockets and leaning towards her. He whispered in her ear as if sharing a secret.

“It doesn’t seem like we only shared one kiss…”

His words carried a teasing superiority. Despite feeling embarrassed and offended, Yul Li couldn’t help but react. Why was she always the flustered one, while he remained so composed? It felt so unfair. In frustration, Yul Li retorted.

“Right. We went a bit further than that.”

Yul Li lifted her chin defiantly towards Je Ho. Unfortunately, her shaky voice betrayed her composure.

“That’s a very bad habit…”

Je Ho lightly tapped her nose with his finger and murmured a warning.

“If you keep acting tough like that, I might just drag you inside.”

Yul Li’s eyes widened in alarm. If she was going to back down so easily… Je Ho chuckled to himself and turned away from her.

“Just wait here for a moment.”

As he entered the house, a woman stood up from the living room sofa. Je Ho walked past her into the bedroom to grab his jacket and car keys. Without giving the woman a glance, he quickly spoke.

“Let’s leave it at this for today. I need to leave now. After I’m gone, wait 10 minutes before you leave.”

“When can we meet next?”

“I’ll call you. Until next time, Ms. Shin Da Hee.”

Je Ho briefly nodded and quickly headed for the garage. As the door to the garage closed, Da Hee walked over to the intercom on the wall, pressing a button to view the front gate. Yul Li’s image appeared on the screen, unaware that Da Hee was watching. She looked up at the mansion.

“Sisters are equally foolish.”

Da Hee sneered bitterly as she slowly sipped her tea. The bitter taste filled her mouth and slowly slid down her throat.

Even while ordering drinks, Yul Li kept glancing around uneasily, as if still haunted by the incident where she was photographed at Geoje Resort.

Je Ho observed her silently.

She must have wanted to enter the house earlier, seeking refuge from prying eyes. But inside, there was Shin Da Hee. He didn’t want to create unnecessary misunderstandings by making the two women cross paths. It wasn’t the right time to explain things to Yul Li.

His connection with Shin Da Hee had been accidental, formed while collecting evidence against Min Woo’s wrongdoings.

“I can’t just sit back and take it. I want to return the harm done to me, and more,” Shin Da Hee had declared.

Her vengeful sights were set on Kwon Min Woo and Chae Yu Ri. But as things unfolded, Yul Li, unrelated to their feud, was becoming an unintended casualty. Shin Da Hee seemed indifferent, claiming it didn’t matter whether it was Chae Yu Ri or Chae Yul Li. They were sisters after all.

Eventually, Je Ho agreed to help Shin Da Hee, on the condition she wouldn’t harm Yul Li. Shin Da Hee, unable to handle everything alone, accepted his help.

Even so, Je Ho didn’t fully trust Shin Da Hee. A woman willing to stab an ally in the back for revenge was dangerous.

Pathetic, he thought bitterly. He wasn’t much different from Shin Da Hee, having approached Yul Li to destabilize Min Woo, without considering the hurt he might cause her. He’d boxed her into a corner without a second thought.

What a piece of trash I am.

Absorbed in his thoughts, Je Ho inadvertently gripped Yul Li’s arm.

“Ouch!”

Yul Li’s cry of pain snapped him out of his reverie.

“Sorry!”

He quickly let go of her arm. Her eyes brimmed with tears, not from the strength of his grip but as if he’d touched a bruise.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“No, no, I’m fine.”

Her voice quivered, but with so many eyes around, he couldn’t inquire further.

“Let’s go.”

Je Ho hurried out of the café with the ordered drinks. Once in the car, he placed the beverages in the cup holders and started the engine.

“Where are we going?”

“You seemed uncomfortable with the attention. Let’s go there, the place overlooking the Han River.”

“The private property? The one you said was your senior’s villa…”

“Yes.”

Je Ho nodded briefly, focusing on driving. Yul Li remained silent, but a sense of unease began to set in.