“Look at this. Articles are pouring in from everywhere, and it’s chaotic!”

Each article Miju showed covered the contents of the press conference.

[Dash] Astonishing Love of Bendelind, Leader of the U.S. Hedge Fund, for Korea

[Dash] “It’s my daughter, not my daughter-in-law.” Chairman Kennedy reveals the inside story of Yoon Taeha’s representative’s marriage

[Dash] Chairman’s Surprise Press Conference Stirring Netizens

Each article was friendly, and the comments attached to them all turned to praise Si-hyun, as if saying, “When did she deserve so much criticism?”

Despite receiving praise overnight after being cursed so much, her mood did not improve. However, at least the atmosphere seemed to be that there would be no more damage to Taeha’s company. Si-hyun sighed with relief inside.

Leon’s call came around the time of leaving work.

[Dash] Si-hyun, are you okay?

“Uncle…!”

As soon as she heard his voice, tears welled up, and Si-hyun quickly left the office for a place where no one was around.

“Why are you like this? What will you do if you get hurt because of me?”

[Dash] Oh, I thought you’d be happy.

Wiping away tears, Si-hyun said.

“Of course, I’m happy. If it weren’t for you, I would have lived feeling guilty toward Taeha for the rest of my life.”

Enduring being pointed at by herself was fine. However, she couldn’t bear the thought of Taeha’s company, which she had worked hard for, suffering damage.

[Dash] Apart from that, don’t you need to apologize to Josun News?

“You contacted Josun News too?”

Si-hyun was surprised and clutched her phone.

[Dash] Of course. How could I stay still when my daughter was touched? You’ll go and apologize to Josun News’ president’s daughter yourself.

He was confident in his voice, but Si-hyun couldn’t believe it. The last thing Bora said when they met at the department store was like this.

[Because you grew up in your relative’s house without parents, you don’t even know the subject!]

From the beginning, it was undoubtedly Bora who caused this incident. Since the only person who knew that she was Taeha’s private tutor ‘since middle school’ was Bora.

So, she couldn’t believe that the person involved would come to apologize.

“Uncle, you’ve seen Bora, so you know, right? She’s not that kind of person.”

But Leon confidently said.

[Dash] Can’t help but apologize, right?

Thinking, “Really?” Si-hyun got on the bus on her way home.

She was surprised to see Bora standing in front of the company when she got off. It turned out that what Uncle Leon said was true.

Seeing Si-hyun, Bora approached with a helpless expression and bowed her head.

“I came to apologize.”
Last time, her attitude was distinctly different from when she wickedly told department store employees to kneel immediately.

It seems like there are too many eyes here. Si-hyun led Bora to a small alley next to the company building.

After confirming there was no one around, Si-hyun clenched her fist and said,

“Go ahead.”

As if Bora had turned on a recorder, she started pouring out words.

“I was wrong. I got angry because of what happened at the department store last time, so I foolishly did something stupid in a moment of anger. I just thought it would be nice if an article went out and caused a little buzz. I never thought it would turn into such a big deal.”

The tone was quite awkward, but it felt like there was not a single word of sincerity in it. Seeing Bora clenching her fist as if enduring humiliation, Si-hyun sighed.

Even in this moment of apology, Bora was insincere. Si-hyun thought it might have been better when Bora spoke informally and made sarcastic remarks. At least that would have been genuine.

“Yebora.”

For the first time, Si-hyun brought up a question she had never asked before.

“Why do you hate me so much?”

Bora’s shoulders shook slightly.

“Taeha told me. In high school, there was a time when Taeha hurt your pride. But that was a long time ago. I can’t understand how, just because Taeha liked me at that time, you went so far as to mess with my engagement.”

“…”

“I tried my best to treat you well. I taught you everything I knew, and whenever you made a mistake, I tried to cover it up somehow. You can’t do anything without me.”

To Bora, who was still bowing her head, Si-hyun asked quietly,

“But why did you go so far with me?”

After breaking up with Woojin, Si-hyun found it less challenging than she thought. Maybe it was because her feelings were already leaning towards Taeha, or perhaps it was because it happened again after forgiving once.

Strangely, Bora, who pretended not to notice when they met at the company, but inwardly followed her around like a puppy, came to mind. Since then, she had ignored her, but the memory of Bora, who used to follow her around like a puppy, brought a cold wind to her chest.

In fact, she wanted to ask many times. What did I do to you to deserve this?

It might be meaningless to find out the reason now. However, since the situation had come this far, she wanted to hear it from the person involved. That way, she felt she could clean it up thoroughly.

“Why do you hate me so much?”

But Bora mechanically repeated an insincere apology, lowering her head.

“I’m sorry, Manager. I have nothing to say, even if I had ten mouths.”

Si-hyun understood. Bora would never speak sincerely in this way. So, she changed her approach.

“Continuing with insincere apologies won’t make me cover for you anymore.”

“…”

“Say something from your heart. If you do that, I’ll consider it.”

Only then did Bora slowly raise her head.

The first moment their eyes met directly.

In the gaze, which was tightly entangled with anger, shame, and hatred, Si-hyun’s breath stopped.

Looking straight into Si-hyun’s eyes, Bora gritted her teeth with a fierce gaze.

“…Because you have nothing special, but you keep pretending to be special.”