Bora was having a meal with a man at the Grand Hotel’s French restaurant.

The man was someone she had met briefly a few months ago. After Bora contacted him again recently, they had met three more times, making this their fifth encounter.

Bora was the daughter of Jo Han Shinmun’s CEO, and her counterpart was the heir of a prominent domestic conglomerate.

Typically, when families like theirs met three times, preparations for marriage would already be underway. Meeting five times implied an implicit agreement for marriage.

‘Is it time for a proposal?’

While thinking about it, the man, without fail, mentioned that he had something to say during the meal.

Unfortunately, the location was somewhat awkward since it was a place Bora had visited with Woojin before. However, Bora knew that this restaurant was one of the hottest places in Seoul, so she intentionally made a reservation.

[Isn’t this place amazing? You have no idea how hard it was to get a reservation.]

Thinking back to the time when Kim Woojin made various excuses, it was still amusing. Considering the context of being a salaried worker, it was an extravagant place.

“Miss Bora.”

As the meal was almost finishing, the man, with a slightly nervous expression, took out a black box. Inside it was a ring with a diamond the size of an eyeball.

“Will you marry me?”

Bora showed a surprised expression, as if she hadn’t expected it at all.

“Mr. Junyoung…”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Bora hesitated to extend her hand, but she stared at the man. However, her feelings were quite complicated.

Undoubtedly, he was a man with exceptional looks, qualifications, and manners. There must have been a line of better potential matches waiting for him. When they first met, she thought he was the one.

The problem was that she kept comparing him to Yuntae.

In terms of appearance, physique, he was clearly inferior to Yuntae.

Even in terms of wealth, considering that Yuntae was already a multi-billionaire and the heir to a U.S. conglomerate. On this side, being the heir to a domestic conglomerate, and not even a direct successor, but the third son, it seemed unlikely that he would inherit the company.

Above all, the male charm Yuntae possessed was not felt at all in this man. The pheromones that made one’s body tremble just by being close.

Bora suppressed a sigh.

‘Yuntae has already crossed the river.’

Regrettable, but there was nothing she could do. Anyway, now this man was the best option.

Lately, people at the company were looking at her with disapproving eyes. It seemed like they were gossiping behind her back, and it was certainly so.

[Manager Kang Sihyun broke off her engagement. Is it because of Miss Lee Bora from the Development Team?] [Well, I’ve heard that, too.] [They were talking for a long time, that person who almost became Manager Kang’s mother-in-law!]

A few days ago, hearing people gossiping in the bathroom, Bora thought that they should proceed with the marriage as quickly as possible.

Now that the fire had started spreading, rapid evolution was the best solution.

If rumors spread that the daughter of Jo Han Shinmun broke off an engagement and caused someone else’s breakup, no conglomerate in Korea would welcome Bora as a daughter-in-law.

She forcefully restrained the growing resentment in her heart. Now was not the time to be complacent. Exit strategies were originally like this.

Yet, she couldn’t help but feel angry at Sihyun again. Thanks to me clearing the way for her, she’s probably with Yuntae by now…!

Suppressing her violent thoughts, Bora received the ring.

“Thank you, Mr. Junyoung. I’m so happy.”

Looking at the ring, Bora cautiously spoke.

“Um, we’re talking about our marriage. I’d like to proceed as quickly as possible.”

“Let’s talk to our parents about it.”

“Even if we set the date a bit later, I hope the wedding invitation comes out soon.”

The man grinned.

“Is there a reason?”
“At work, there are people who keep bothering me. If they saw it with their own eyes, they’d probably give up.”

“Well, beautiful women like Miss Bora must have a lot of troublesome situations. Let’s quickly prepare the wedding invitation then.”

Fortunately, the man quickly understood.

“Will you continue working at the company even after marriage?”

“No, I was just gaining some social experience. I plan to resign soon, focus on wedding preparations, and after marriage, I want to contribute to Mr. Junyoung’s family.”

After circulating the wedding invitation to evolve the rumors and then resigning was the plan. Just being close to Yuntae and Sihyun made her stomach churn.

“It’s a welcoming word.”

The man had a satisfied expression and raised his wine glass.

“Now, shall we toast?”

It was when Bora raised her wine glass following suit. Suddenly, a noticeable foreign man entered the restaurant.

He appeared to be in his mid to late thirties, a foreign man with a striking appearance and an excellent physique. It was impossible for Bora not to be reminded of Yuntae.

‘Another man like that.’