Whether it was the senior’s villa or the house of the client he was currently staying at, both places held the same danger. He had warned her that if they were alone, he would go all the way.

Realizing her thoughts were written all over her face, Je Ho couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.
“Crossing the line at a place lent by a senior for viewing the scenery is not my style. I’m quite selective about where I act,” Je Ho said.

“Oh, I see,” Yul Li responded, a bit petulantly.

“I didn’t know, but now I see you have quite the righteous character,” she added sarcastically.

“Why? Do you like bad guys? Is that why you wanted to marry Min Woo? But what to do, he’s not a bad guy… more of a coward. Sometimes he behaves childishly too.”

“So, Je Ho, you’re a scoundrel, huh? Oops!”

She quickly shut her mouth, but the words were already out. Trying to play along with Je Ho, she ended up repeating what Min Woo had said.

“Sorry! Really, I didn’t mean to.”

Embarrassed to her neck, Yul Li berated herself. However, Je Ho, far from angry, looked at her endearingly.

“Scoundrel, huh? That’s what Min Woo always says to me… Did you meet him today?”

“Yes, we had to discuss the wedding… we met for a meal…”

She trailed off, looking down.

Je Ho’s expression turned stiff and displeased. His displeasure seemed too intense for just the news of her meeting Min Woo, who was technically still his fiancée.

But it was clear he was upset about being called a scoundrel. Yul Li bit her lower lip, regretting her slip.

Arriving at the villa, Je Ho quickly entered, not adjusting his pace to match hers as usual. He seemed genuinely angry.

What should I do?

Yul Li followed Je Ho into the villa. He set the drinks on the kitchen island and swiftly approached her.

“Take it off.”

“What?”

Stunned, Yul Li blinked in disbelief. When she didn’t move, Je Ho reached out and began removing her jacket.

“Take it off. I need to see your body.”

It wasn’t a misunderstanding. After assuring her that he wasn’t the type to take advantage of someone in another person’s villa, now this!

Yul Li crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head vigorously. But Je Ho easily moved her arms aside and started unbuttoning her blouse.

“Je Ho, what are you doing?”

“I think you’re hurt. I need to check.”

“I’m fine. What injury are you talking about?”

“You said it hurt even with a slight touch and you almost cried.”

Struggling with the buttons, Je Ho frowned and exerted more force, almost ready to rip them off again.

“Fine, I’ll do it.”

Reluctantly, Yul Li began unbuttoning her blouse herself. Wearing a tank top underneath, removing the blouse wasn’t too revealing. Once she had undone the buttons, Je Ho grabbed the blouse and swiftly pushed it aside.

“This crazy guy!”

As her arms were exposed, an expletive burst from Je Ho’s lips.

“Ha!”
Yul Li was also shocked. There was a dark bruise on her forearm near her shoulder, a result of Min Woo gripping her more forcefully than usual. She had expected just red marks, not realizing the extent of the bruising.

“Min Woo did this? That bastard, I’ll kill him!” Je Ho’s face contorted with rage.

“It’s not like that.”

Yul Li hastily grabbed Je Ho’s arm as he attempted to leave. Why were cousins so intent on attacking each other today?

“What do you mean, not like that? Look at yourself.”

“My skin’s sensitive, that’s all. You know that. It was the same last time.”

“Really?”

Je Ho scanned her body with fiery eyes, then led her to a full-length mirror.

“Look. Apart from the bruised arms, your skin is perfectly clear.”

Initially, Yul Li didn’t understand his point.

“Do you know how I handled you last night?”

He softly traced the areas his lips had touched the previous evening, awakening every sensation she had felt. The warm breath on bare skin, the gentle bites…

“If your skin was really sensitive, you’d have marks all over.”

Despite the intense heat, he had carefully restrained himself. Realizing his patience, Yul Li quietly inhaled. Their gazes intensely met in the mirror.

“But today, Min Woo had a reason.”

“You’re still defending him after looking like this?”

Je Ho seemed genuinely upset. Although he wasn’t loud, his eyes said it all. He shakily ran his fingers through his hair, trying to control his anger.

“It’s not about taking sides, today it really was justified. I can’t get married…”

Before she could reveal the truth unintentionally, Yul Li quickly covered her mouth with her hands.

She had promised not to tell anyone until Chairman Kwon knew, so she couldn’t confide in Je Ho. But he seemed to sense something, furrowing his brow. Gently embracing her shoulders, he turned her around to face him.

“What are you saying? Did you cancel the wedding?”

“…Well.”

She couldn’t deny it. Under his penetrating gaze, she found herself unable to shake her head.

“Damn it.”

As Yul Li trembled silently, Je Ho murmured a curse and wrapped his jacket around her.

“Sorry, I got carried away.”

He leaned her head against his chest and sighed deeply.

“I couldn’t help it, seeing you bruised like that.”

Yul Li remained silent, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“I’m really sorry for getting angry.”

He apologized again, even though he hadn’t raised his voice. Yul Li, wanting to lighten the mood, joked playfully.

“Are you just going to apologize with words?”
But it seemed like a big mistake. A dangerous-looking smile appeared on Je Ho’s lips.

“……No.”

Wrapping one arm firmly around her waist, Je Ho responded.

“I’ll give you a sincere apology.”