The Grand Temptation (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 10

“Ten years ago or now…”

Jae Ho’s brow furrowed as he looked at her.

“You haven’t changed at all.”

He lowered his head toward her and stared intently into her eyes. Though he simply gazed at her, she felt as if her insides had been laid bare, and a wave of shame washed over her.

Yuli had discovered her parents’ secret purely by chance.

While moving a potted plant her aunt had given her before leaving for Europe, she accidentally dropped and broke it—inside the shattered pieces, she found a sealed flash drive. On it was a journal left by her late mother, containing truths Yuli could never have imagined.

That Assemblyman Chae and Mrs. Ahn, who had been his aide, had been lovers since the year Yuli was born; that her mother had known everything yet chose to forgive; that with the help of her aunt—a gynecologist—they had seamlessly passed off Yoo Ri as their biological daughter… It was all utterly unbelievable.

At first, she was so stunned that not even tears would come. Only after several days did they finally burst forth uncontrollably.

Yet she couldn’t tell a soul—not even her closest friend, Hyun Kyung. It was simply too shameful a family secret.

—”It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry about it.”

Just then, Jae Ho’s words echoed in Yuli’s mind. He had already left for the U.S. a month ago… She wished he were here beside her. If only he’d smile and tell her it was no big deal, it might bring her some comfort.

From that moment on, Yuli often imagined herself crying openly in front of Jae Ho. Perhaps because she assumed they’d never meet again, she’d poured out her pain to him in her heart alone.

That must be why.

Because it brought back those memories…

And perhaps the alcohol had softened her resolve.

But in an instant, Yuli—now a liar—could only feel bewildered.

“…I-I’m not really crying.”

Feeling she had to say something, she steadied her trembling voice.

“It’s just the alcohol.”

Alcohol was her only excuse. Yuli quickly turned her head away and hurried out of the car. Thankfully, he didn’t try to stop her.

“Be careful going in.”

After this brief farewell, Yuli rushed toward the front gate. Jae Ho watched until she disappeared inside, then finally started the car.

“She said she doesn’t cry well…”

Muttering to himself, Jae Ho stepped hard on the accelerator, driving deep into the darkness.

[This is the timeline separator]

At 5 a.m., the heavy gate opened as Chairman Kwon and his security detail stepped out for their morning exercise. Though over eighty, Chairman Kwon’s sturdy build rivaled even that of his guards.

A man in a dark gray windbreaker approached Chairman Kwon at the walking path.

“Good morning, Chairman.”

Instantly, the guards moved to block him, but the man slowly pulled off his hood.

“It’s fine. Step back a bit.”

Recognizing the man’s face, Chairman Kwon waved his guards away.

“So you’re still doing morning workouts in the U.S.? With your father?”

Instead of answering, Jae Ho studied his grandfather’s expression.

“They say no news is good news—I trust he’s doing well.”

Chairman Kwon truly knew nothing. His personal secretaries had long since come under Executive Director Kwon’s control, intercepting all reports. In fact, every move Chairman Kwon made was relayed directly to the Executive Director—only during morning exercise was he free from surveillance.

“Neither of us has time to spare, so let’s get to the point.”

Jae Ho steered the conversation away from his father’s current state.

Chairman Kwon couldn’t afford to be shocked—not yet. If he collapsed from the strain, it would hand the Executive Director the very knife he needed.

“You didn’t force me to return just to handle one office building project.”

“Of course not.”

Chairman Kwon replied firmly.

“I won’t hand the company to someone unproven. Woo Sik will sell it off to some foreign hedge fund within ten years. Min Woo is no different. But you—you’re not like them.”

“Then hire a professional manager instead.”

Chairman Kwon frowned, but having expected this answer, he accepted it silently.

“Even if we hire a professional, someone needs to watch over things. That’s where you come in. Become the largest shareholder and take the chairman’s seat on the board.”

“If I accept your offer, what will you give me in return?”

While others fought tooth and nail for that position, Jae Ho was asking what he’d receive for it. Though this should have annoyed him, Chairman Kwon actually approved of Jae Ho’s attitude.

It had always been this way. Since childhood, Jae Ho had never feared him—not once. Unlike Min Woo, who’d shrink away without even meeting his eyes, Jae Ho was made of different stuff altogether.

“Very well. What do you want? Tell me.”

“Grandfather.”

For the first time since their reunion, Jae Ho addressed him not as “Chairman” but as “Grandfather,” a faint smile playing on his lips.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Ms. Yuli, Jae Ho asked me to give you this.”

Manager Kim approached Yuli’s desk and handed her the car key. Jae Ho must have met Manager Kim outside without coming up to the office.

“Oh, okay.”

What face should she show Jae Ho now? Anxious and flustered, Yuli suddenly felt all the energy drain from her.

Just moments ago, she’d been scheming how to avoid him—but now that he’d left, she felt oddly let down.

Shaking her head at her own absurdity, Yuli quickly tossed the key into her drawer.

After making a fool of herself by tearfully breaking down… She’d be grateful if he’d just chalk it up to drunken silliness, but honestly, it still weighed heavily on her mind.

It was probably best to avoid him altogether. Every time they met, her emotions swung wildly out of control. It was always wisest to steer clear of anything risky.

But then—how would she return his jacket?

After briefly pondering, Yuli decided to send it back through Min Woo. Though there seemed to be some unspoken rivalry between the two men, they were cousins, not enemies—surely it wouldn’t be a problem.

Just before quitting time, a text arrived from the wedding planner.

Only then did Yuli remember her appointment. Without the reminder, she likely would’ve forgotten entirely and gone straight home.

She simply didn’t care about her marriage to Min Woo. Beyond escaping her twisted family and finally catching her breath, she hoped for nothing else—though it was still a wedding, after all.

“Huh.”

Her mouth suddenly tasted bitter, and Yuli let out a small sigh.

It was strange. She’d never questioned this arranged marriage before—so why did her heart feel so unsettled now?

Just as she tried to push away her gloom, Min Woo called.

[Today’s the day for our tuxedo fitting, right?]

“Yeah. I just got the reminder text.”

[I probably can’t make it. Grandfather really tore into me yesterday for leaving early. For now, even if the sky falls, I can’t leave before 10 p.m.]

“Got it. I’ll go alone today.”

After hanging up, Yuli finished her work and stood. She left slightly earlier than usual and headed to the underground parking lot. Jae Ho’s car, which he’d driven that morning, was parked in her assigned spot.

As she settled into the driver’s seat, a faint citrus scent lingered in the air—cool yet substantial, unmistakably his cologne from yesterday.

Why was she only noticing this scent now, when he wasn’t even here?

Yuli took a deep breath, gripped the steering wheel tightly, and quickly started the engine before any more stray thoughts could surface.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Is this the dress?”

“Yes.”

Nancy Song, the wedding dress designer, replied while observing Yuli’s expression. Before them lay a dress so old and shabby it could’ve been an antique—Mrs. Na Do Hee of the KG Group had insisted it be used for the ceremony, calling it a family tradition: her grandmother-in-law’s wedding gown, freshly mended.

Most brides would have sighed in despair at such an outdated dress, but Yuli accepted it impassively.

“If it’s tradition, I’ll follow it.”

Relieved, Nancy Song prepared another dress for the wedding photoshoot. Even if the ceremony dress had to be outdated, the photoshoot dress at least needed to be glamorous.

“Shall I do your hair up?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Then please go inside first—my staff will come to assist you shortly.”

Most brides styled their hair before trying on wedding dresses, but Yuli entered the fitting room with her hair just as it was.

As if rebelling against the old-fashioned ceremony dress, this photoshoot dress featured bare shoulders and a deep V-neck.

Worried it might be too revealing, Yuli decided to try it on quickly before the attendant arrived. Though slightly uneasy about the exposed cleavage, she figured it could be adjusted or covered with a bolero. Unable to zip it fully herself, she stepped out of the fitting room to ask for help.

“Could you please help me with the zipper?”

To her astonishment, Jae Ho stood where Nancy Song should have been. Yuli froze in place, startled.

Jae Ho, equally surprised to see her here, furrowed his brow—but quickly composed himself and asked,

“Are you seriously asking me to help? To zip you up?”

His words jolted Yuli back to her senses. This wasn’t the time to be dazed—she was wearing a dangerously revealing dress that left her cleavage fully exposed. Instinctively raising her hands to cover herself, she quickly changed her mind and turned her back to him instead.

“Yes, please help me.”

She didn’t want to seem flustered or desperately hide herself. By naturally turning her back while asking for help with the zipper, there’d be no need to cover her chest.

“If you insist…”

Jae Ho approached with unhurried steps.

“But what are you doing here?”

Still embarrassed about her outburst the previous night, Yuli deliberately kept her tone calm.

“Chairman’s orders—I’m here for my tuxedo fitting.”

His voice was just as composed as he gently swept her hair aside from her neck. The brush of his fingertips against her exposed nape sent an unexpected jolt through her body.

Why hadn’t she realized physical contact would be unavoidable when asking him to zip her up? Unfortunately, it was already too late to regret her careless decision.

The faint citrus scent and his teasingly slow movements as he pulled up the zipper sent her nerves alight—and Yuli’s face had already flushed bright red.

At least she’d turned her back, so he couldn’t see her like this.

But then…

Without thinking, Yuli turned her head slightly—and realized her entire reflection was clearly visible in the full-length mirror beside her.

And she wasn’t the only one looking. His dark, intense gaze was fixed entirely on her.

Yet his eyes weren’t on her exposed cleavage—they lingered on her upper arm. As Jae Ho lifted the loose lace sleeve, a bluish bruise came into view—the same spot that had been red and swollen just yesterday.

“Does it hurt?”

As his thumb gently traced the bruised area, Yuli involuntarily flinched.

“…N-No. It just looks bad.”

He stared at the bruise with troubled eyes before slowly lifting his head.

“Let me ask you once more.”

He leaned close to her ear, whispering softly,

“Do you really have to go through with this marriage?”

In the mirror, their eyes met—burning, intense.