Those sitting opposite them, identified as the son and daughter-in-law, covered their elegant faces with their hands, seemingly holding back laughter.
“Why, are you angry?”
Ju-hwa stood up from the sofa and approached Yeoreum.
“Of course, I am. Wouldn’t you be if you were in my place?”
“But it can’t be helped. Your next 20 years belong to me.”
Despite Yeoreum’s anger, Ju-hwa just smiled smugly.
The surrounding staff rustled uneasily again.
“Give me your phone.”
Though frustrated, Yeoreum rummaged in her pocket and handed over her phone.
“Did you delete your mother’s number?”
“I’m a person who keeps promises. I was about to do it…”
Suddenly, Yeoreum’s phone flew out of her hand and plunged into a beautifully sculpted fountain nearby.
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
Yeoreum stared at Ju-hwa standing in front of her.
“I like things to be clear. Remember that.”
With those mocking words, Ju-hwa turned around.
The people who had been sitting on the sofa, and even the staff lined up in a row, all hastily straightened up and bowed respectfully as they followed her inside.
‘…The Queen.’
Ju-hwa wasn’t just the ruler of PR Group but also the absolute authority of this house.
Yeoreum saw this reality clearly.
And she realized that her life here, being thoroughly disregarded, would be difficult.
The relatives on the sofa and the staff, who had instantly changed to disdainful looks at her, confirmed this.
Ki-taek awkwardly smiled at Yeoreum before following Ju-hwa.
Once he left, his family members, who had behaved differently in front of Ju-hwa, now looked at Yeoreum from head to toe with arrogance, as if watching a monkey in a zoo.
Ha-eun looked as if she found the situation amusing.
In this bizarre situation, Yeoreum was at a loss for words.
With Ju-hwa gone and standing in the middle of a strange living room, Jeong-mi, addressed as the grand-aunt, spoke to Yeoreum.
“You don’t need to complicate things by calling me grand-aunt. Just call our man ‘Chairman’, my son ‘Executive Director’, and me ‘Senior Madam’. That will do.”
“What did you say?”
“Why do you look so serious? I’m making it easy for you. My daughter-in-law Sophia is ‘Junior Madam’, and our daughter Ha-eun is ‘Miss’. Got it?”
She crossed her thick legs awkwardly in the opposite direction and said to Yeoreum, “Ah, and you, you’re just the daughter of Kim Se-jin, the enemy of our brother-in-law. Nothing more, nothing less. So, live quietly like a dead mouse. Got it?”
In the room full of people, no one dared to argue against her.
Having said her piece, she stood up from the sofa.
“Ah, and Director Pyo.”
At her call, a woman in her late forties with a cold expression promptly responded, “Yes, Senior Madam.”
“Give that girl the room at the west end.”
“Understood.”
Her cold gaze fell on Yeoreum.
“And everyone, listen carefully,” Jeong-mi addressed the staff around her, “As I said, this girl is the daughter of Kim Se-jin, the enemy of the Chairman. She’s just Jeong Yeoreum. And everything related to this child will be delegated to Director Pyo. Remember that and behave accordingly. Don’t get in trouble with the Chairman.”
The staff members all nodded in unison, “Yes.”
Jeong-mi, satisfied with their response, went inside with her family.
“Here it is.”
Director Pyo, showing Yeoreum to her room, spoke in a cold voice, “Such a grand house has a room like this?”
The room, reminiscent of an old motel, had only a wardrobe, a low desk, and a clothes hanger. It was notably worn out.
The only saving graces were an adjoining bathroom and a large window in the room.
“This used to be a room for the maids.”
“So, it’s not currently in use?”
“Yes. And the boiler is broken, so it will take a few days to repair.”
“A few days?”
“Yes.”
Her confident expression seemed to question what was wrong with that.
Then, Director Pyo’s phone rang.
“Yes, Senior Madam.”
After taking the call from Jeong-mi, she left, seeming to have finished her task.
“Is this Cinderella or what?”
Yeoreum muttered, looking around the heatless room.
Then, there was a knock at the door.
Director Ahn entered, holding large bags in both hands.
“What’s all this?”
“Clothes and various things. You had to come here hastily.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. And this.”
He handed her a new smartphone and a note with the house residents’ phone numbers.
“Did you buy this yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Is it okay for me to take this?”
“Don’t worry. I haven’t installed anything strange.”
Yeoreum smiled, “Strange things like what?”
He smiled awkwardly, “I’m truly sorry you have to stay in a place like this.”
“It’s okay. And thank you. I’ll really use it well.”
“Then, rest well.”
He left with an apologetic expression, bowing politely.
Yeoreum sat on the bare floor, the absence of a chair making it feel desolate.
‘Our princess, you shouldn’t just sit on the floor.’
A surge of sadness welled up, recalling her father who always laid a handkerchief for her to sit on.
Tears welled up, but she pressed her hands against her eyes to wipe them away.
She tried to soothe herself but felt suffocated by the absurd situation and wished to talk to someone about it.
However, looking at her phone, Yeoreum realized with dismay that she hadn’t memorized her friends’ numbers.
“That damn old hag.”
Though holding the phone, she couldn’t call anyone.
Resigned, she decided to shower first and opened her bag.
“Ah?”
Inside a ziplock bag was a squashed cake.
Yeoreum remembered San-ha’s face and, fortunately, his phone number as well.
Quickly taking out her phone, she typed a message.
“Are you doing well? You might not remember me. I’m Jeong Yeoreum, Hot Summer! I really enjoyed the cake you gave me last time. Next time we meet, I’ll definitely treat you to a meal.”
Her momentary excitement waned as no reply came. She felt even more disheartened. Leaning blankly against the wall, a short beep suddenly rang out. Quickly, she checked her phone.
“Didn’t I tell you not to call?” The displeased text was undoubtedly his reply.
Yeoreum suppressed her urge to cheer and typed back, “Didn’t you say you were going to change your number?”
His response came quickly this time. “Too lazy to switch. Looks like the magpie did change hers, huh?”
“It just happened that way. Uh, can I text you sometimes?”
“No. Don’t.”
“I’ll only do it sometimes. Right now, you’re the only person I know in Seoul.”
“I don’t live in Seoul.”
“Don’t lie. When I reported you as a violent criminal at the resort and asked for your contact, they wouldn’t tell me, saying it was a business secret. But they definitely said ‘a guest from Seoul.'”
There was a brief pause before another vibration. “Once a day. No more.”
His curt reply was exhilarating for Yeoreum. “Okay! I will!”
As she put down her phone, feeling a rush of relief, it beeped again. There were mobile gift coupons for burgers, cola, and even expensive fruit.
“Congratulations on your Seoul debut. Don’t reply. It’s annoying.”
Yeoreum couldn’t help but cheer out loud. She quickly saved his name.
“Really Nice Tiger!”
She looked at the name fondly and approached the window. Suddenly an estranged family member. And Cinderella too. But soon, she clenched her fists.
“Alright, let’s see who wins this.”
An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most
One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.
This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:
1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.
It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.
(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)
2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.
The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.
3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.
Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).
Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.
Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.
4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).
5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!
