When Jin Han put down his empty glass and started shivering, a cake was presented in front of him.

“If you mess up the cake like last year, I’m leaving!”
“Hey, we won’t do that!”
Considering the situation, they diligently tried to accommodate Jin Han’s preferences.

Even though he was extremely nervous, he blew out the candles.

“Congratulations, director.”
“Longevity and good health!”
Finally, amidst the pouring congratulations, the gathered people cleared the way.

As he was walking to his seat wiping the champagne off his face, he noticed Hae Joo.

His once bright expression quickly hardened.

Jin Han, who had momentarily paused, averted his gaze and sat down in his designated seat.

Yoon Ji had promptly noticed the subtle reaction of the two and quickly exclaimed,

“Everyone, lift your glasses!”
Together, they lifted the glasses that were in front of them.

Jin Han also clasped the whiskey glass that Seon Yeong had poured for him.

He tried to stop Hae Joo from picking up the cocktail glass next to her but stopped himself.

“Director, please say a word.”
“Uh….”
Aware that Hae Joo was beside him, Jin Han’s mind went blank.

Even he knew that he had been cruel lately, and it was hard to meet her eyes.

“I thought I had something to say, but I don’t.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I’m a bad person, but thank you for taking care of me like this, and let’s do well in the future.”
Jin Han lifted his glass.

Then, as if they had been waiting, they all brought their lifted glasses to their lips.

As if they had made a toast, they all emptied their first glass.

Hae Joo, too, gulped down the cocktail that came out of her long glass.

“Eck!”
She had heard it was nonalcoholic, but it was incredibly bitter.

As it flowed down her throat, it felt as though a terrible heat was burning her skin.

She was so surprised that she immediately looked for water.

Still, the lingering heat did not subside easily.

“Hey, she drank it.”
“If there’s a problem, Seon Yeong will take responsibility.”
Seon Yeong whispered to another colleague. They were observing Hae Joo, who was sitting across from them, with interest.

Yoon Ji noticed their suspicious behavior.

She took a sip of the untouched nonalcoholic cocktail and then put it down with a thud.

“Seon Yeong, did you put alcohol in this?”
“What? What….”
“Tell the truth.”
“Oh, sis. It was just a joke.”
Their conversation was not heard by the others.

For Yoon Ji, who was more desperate than anyone, her anger soared uncontrollably.

“Come out for a moment.”
The place Yoon Ji went was a secluded alley behind the club.

She turned her back, waited for Seon Yeong to approach, and then slapped her without a word.

“Sis!”
“You knew it was an important day today.”
“Sniffle!”
“I’m warning you, don’t mess around.”
“…!”
“You’re not answering?”
“Yes.”
“Wipe away your tears and come back.”
Yoon Ji, who had left Seon Yeong behind, returned to the room. Fortunately, Jin Han was chatting and laughing with the others.

“Why are you alone?”
“I sent Seon Yeong on an errand. She’ll be back soon.”
When she took a good look at Jin Han, she realized the problem was Hae Joo.

In the meantime, her face had turned so red, and it was clear she was struggling to hold on.

Just as Yoon Ji was feeling dejected, a message arrived on Hae Joo’s phone.

It was Do Jun.

Although her condition was okay for now, she quickly started to feel the effects of the alcohol.

On the other hand, Jin Han seemed to be in a good mood.

Except for not looking at Hae Joo, there was nothing different from before.

“Uh, Director.”

“Later. We’re talking right now.”
No matter how hard she tried to initiate a conversation, it was always like this.

It was so cold, it was almost unbearable, and the people who were there were taking notice.

In the end, Yoon Ji, who couldn’t just watch, intervened.

“Director, Hae Joo brought a gift just for you. We came emptyhanded.”
There were whispers of laughter here and there.

Only then did Jin Han awkwardly look at Hae Joo.

“A gift?”
“I hope you like it.”
Hae Joo extended a paper bag. Jin Han’s gaze immediately went to the logo of the watch brand he was fond of.

Those who were sitting around also seemed surprised to see the brand that boasts a considerable price range.

Everyone was curious and leaned in to watch.

“Can I open it?”
“Of course.”
Jin Han unwrapped the package.

As he lifted the closed case, a metal wristwatch appeared.

It was a design that Jin Han preferred.

Hae Joo had accurately penetrated the taste she could know from looking at it for a long time.

“Thank you.”
There was a clamor everywhere for him to try the watch on.

However, Jin Han made various excuses and refused.

“I’ll try it on at home. Hae Joo, thank you.”
After a brief moment of attention, his gaze drifted away from Hae Joo.

Not only Yoon Ji, but others also felt a burning sensation on their faces at Jin Han’s blatant behavior.