The next morning.

Chairman Han, who arrived at work later than usual, sat on the sofa rather than at his desk with an arrogant air.

“You don’t look well, it seems you didn’t sleep well last night. Is that right, Chairman?”

Seizing the moment, the secretary quickly hung up the outer coat he had received on the coat rack and swiftly sat down next to Chairman Han, massaging his shoulders.

“Yes, yes, that feels good now.”

“My hands are magical, aren’t they?”

“Indeed. I tossed and turned all night longing for these hands. That’s enough for the shoulders, now massage my legs.”

Chairman Han said as he loosened his tie.

It was shortly after that.

Thump, thump, with fearless footsteps, the door to the chairman’s office swung open.

“Oh my!”

I forgot to lock the door.

Realizing this belatedly, the secretary startled and hurriedly pulled his hands away from Chairman Han. For Chairman Han, who was used to such things, this was hardly embarrassing. Instead, he immediately bellowed out:

“Who dares to barge into my room!”

Who else could it be? The only person who could enter this room unannounced without being stopped by the secretarial office – his ill-mannered eldest son, whom he had compared to Han Seung Yul.

As Han Seung Jae plopped down on the sofa, Chairman Han’s secretary scurried out of the chairman’s office with his tail between his legs.

“Father, it seems you’re under quite a bit of stress? Seeing as you have your secretary with you before noon.”

“Hmm, so, what brings you here so suddenly?”

Chairman Han cleared his throat nonchalantly as he faced his son.

“Let’s see, that’s a new secretary I’m seeing today. When did you hire a new one? Have you traded your shame for candy at your age?”

Han Seung Jae crossed one leg over the other in an arrogant posture, thoroughly mocking his father.

“You fool! You’re the one who caused this humiliation for your father by messing around with that lowly wench!”

Chairman Han furrowed his thick under-eye flesh fiercely, retorting to his son’s ridicule.

“That’s why I quickly pulled out. Cut off all ties too. Thanks to my cooperation with the police, I believe Chairman Tae’s mood has considerably improved.”

“That’s right, you should never have gotten involved with that Yoo Jung Hwa in the first place! What good have you done to speak so boldly to your father? It’s fortunate things worked out that way, but how many times have I had to hang my head in shame because of you? If you have a mouth, say something!”

It was a month ago that he had flattered Chairman Tae so much his palms were worn smooth.

Even though it was because of Chairman Tae’s commanding presence in the business world, how could it be that he, an arrogant man of wealth, had groveled before someone? The humiliation of that time still made his blood boil even after several weeks had passed.

“Yoo Jung Hwa fell into ruin the day before yesterday, and as you can see, I came out of that affair without a scratch. Isn’t that enough? Stop nitpicking about something that’s already over and just tell me clearly, Father.”

“Tell you what?”

“When you’re going to call me back to headquarters.”

“What have you done well to be called back to headquarters already? I wonder who you take after with that thick skin… tsk tsk…”

Chairman Han clicked his tongue, exasperated by Han Seung Jae who, instead of trying to return in glory by doing something well, still acted as he pleased, relying only on his title as heir to Lian Group.

“Let’s be honest. Is it Han Seung Yul or me? If you’re thinking of pushing me out of the successor position, shouldn’t I start preparing countermeasures as soon as possible?”

“Are you daring to threaten your father if things don’t go your way?”

“You know well. Lian Group started as a hole-in-the-wall shop in the market alley, didn’t it? You and mother, who used to lend money in those gutters, gave birth to me. Where would that dirty blood go?”

“You, you insolent brat!”

If nothing else, he’s a fellow who’s well-versed in the bad side of things. And when he says he’ll do something, he’s the kind of madman who actually follows through.

As Chairman Han was pondering how to deal with the rogue Han Seung Jae, he recalled what Hospital Director Yang Chan Soo had said to him recently.

‘Professor Eom Eun Hyuk. I met that friend recently… Anyway, it seems like it could be troublesome. What should we do, Chairman?’

Chairman Han, who immediately understood what the hospital director meant, had been uneasy since then. Therefore, he needed to make appropriate preparations, and Han Seung Jae seemed like someone who could handle that task better than anyone.

“Fine. If you handle the task I give you well, I’ll definitely push for that successor position to be yours. What do you say, will you do it?”

“Am I in any position to be picky? Go ahead and tell me.”

“Come closer…”

After hearing the confidential details from Chairman Han, Han Seung Jae smirked and briefly summarized his father’s instructions.

“So, you’re telling me to clean up the mess you made about 10 years ago?”

“That’s right! There’s no rush yet, but things will change once Professor Eom sets foot on Korean soil. If you can prevent that, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. And Han Seung Jae is an expert at such things.”

“I’m appalled that our Chairman Han is fretting over such a matter. I understand well, so just make sure to polish the seat I’ll be coming back to sit in.”

“At times like this, having you makes me feel very reassured! Heh heh heh…”

“Hmph…”

It was truly a rare moment for father and son to face each other with smiling faces. However, behind their smiles lay malicious intent.

Although he spoke as if he would give everything, Chairman Han intended to weigh his two sons against each other until the very end, even if Han Seung Jae cleanly handled the task he had assigned. Knowing his father’s true intentions, Han Seung Jae remained confident.

After all, if he had to get his hands bloody for his father’s sake, eliminating Han Seung Yul as well would leave his father with no choice but to take his side.

It was evening after the two-day advertising shoot had concluded.

So Yeon, who had climbed into the back seat of the car driven by Park Sung Ho just like yesterday, spoke with an apologetic expression.

“You came on my behalf again today. I could have moved around on my own, there was no need for you to go through the trouble. I’ll tell them not to do this from next time.”

“It’s no trouble at all, madam. I don’t find it difficult at all.”

“Still, I feel so sorry.”

So Yeon smiled with a slightly embarrassed expression. It wasn’t the first time she had heard the title of ‘madam’, but she couldn’t help feeling awkward every time she heard it.

“On the contrary, I’m happiest these days. Ever since you and Hyun Woo moved into Nonhyeon-dong, the director’s attitude has become so much gentler. Before, he would be incredibly prickly even for small mistakes, but these days, he just smiles at the same mistakes. It’s as if he’s become a completely different person.”

“Is that so?”

“Moreover, today the director told me to take you somewhere other than home.”

“Where…”

“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you in advance, but you’ll know when we get there.”

Park Sung Ho said as he gently started the car.

So Yeon tilted her head and slowly shifted her gaze to her hands.

Seo Jun had told So Yeon about the separate business he was devoted to besides acting. Naturally, during their time living together in Nonhyeon-dong.

While he occasionally went to the company for that work, he mostly handled business from home. For the past few days, he had said he would take full charge of childcare and had been diligently running after Hyun Woo and caring for him attentively.

Thanks to that, So Yeon was able to come to the shoot today without worry, and while she was very grateful for his thoughtfulness, on the other hand, her heart had been heavy throughout.

For So Yeon, the fact that stability had been regained due to Yoo Jung Hwa’s miserable end wasn’t entirely a pleasant thing. Especially since the evening before yesterday when Yoo Jung Hwa was sentenced to life imprisonment, So Yeon had noticed Seo Jun becoming noticeably less talkative, and she wondered how he must be feeling if she felt this way.

Even though she couldn’t fully understand his feelings as he watched his past lover having to live the rest of her life in darkness, she knew it must be quite bitter.

So Yeon, who was naturally prone to overthinking, was so absorbed in considering Seo Jun’s position that she didn’t even realize they had arrived at their destination. Even as they passed through the green tunnel created by the beautifully lined metasequoia trees.

It was only when the car stopped in front of a building that looked like a flying ship that So Yeon looked out the window, wondering where they were. It was then that she spotted Seo Jun, dressed in his usual impeccable suit.

“Oh…?”

“Welcome.”

Seo Jun, who had been showcasing his tall stature in front of the car So Yeon had arrived in, opened the car door and held out his hand. It was a gesture for her to take his hand.

“What are you planning to do here…?”

“Have a meal.”

“A meal?”

“Yes.”

When So Yeon, who had gotten out of the car, asked with a puzzled expression, Seo Jun answered briefly and pulled on her hand that he had grasped, raising the corners of his lips into a cool smile.

“…”

He doesn’t need to force himself like this in such a nice place, I would understand perfectly well…

So Yeon’s brown eyes welled up. She had only thought about how Seo Jun would be in a bad mood on the way here. When he even interlaced his fingers tightly between hers, So Yeon’s eyes immediately turned a rosy hue.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I was worried. You’ve been in a bad mood since the day before yesterday.”

“Me? Ever since Hyun Woo and Eom So Yeon came into my life, I’ve only been in a good mood. Why?”

At his considerate words and sweet voice, a hot sparkle greatly swirled in So Yeon’s eyes.

“Really?”

“Yes, you fool. I don’t know what you’ve been thinking about on your own, but that’s not it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Seo Jun smiled gently.

“Sob…”

“What should I do with this crybaby.”

“I only do this with you, I never cry anywhere else.”

“Keep it that way from now on. Eom So Yeon is excessively pretty even when she cries.”

Wanting to make her cry more. No, wanting to make her cry all night long in my arms.

Seo Jun, who had been staring at her eyes like transparent jewels as if enchanted, cleared his throat and said,

“Let’s go inside. It’s a perfect night for dining with a lover.”

“Seeing you keep mentioning food, was our oppa hungry?”

“Let’s say that’s the case.”

“Alright, let’s go in quickly.”

So Yeon, who had bounced onto Seo Jun’s arm as if she had never cried, smiled prettily.

Because right now, she didn’t want to think about anything bad at all.

Numerous candles decorating various spots and crystal lights embedded like stars in the oval ceiling softly illuminated the spacious area. Seo Jun and So Yeon were the only two in this restaurant where they sat facing each other.

So Yeon, who had never been to such a place where everything was luxurious and even the decorations were romantic, tried to lower her excited voice and asked,

“Did you… rent out this entire place?”

“…”

Seo Jun nodded, raising his eyebrows into a round shape.

“What day is it today?”

“This place originally only accepts one group at a time. It’s mainly used for special occasions like birthdays or proposals.”

Her birthday was two days away. It seemed he might have miscalculated the date.

“Um… today isn’t my birthday though? Then maybe…”

So Yeon spoke carefully in a small voice, even though there was no one else to hear. Seo Jun shrugged his shoulders once as if asking ‘So what?’ and said,

“There might also be people like us who simply come to eat steak. The chef at this restaurant is excellent.”

“Ah…”

I see. This man just came here casually, and I was the one who jumped to conclusions…

Seo Jun, who chuckled while looking at So Yeon’s reddened face, swapped his plate of cut steak with So Yeon’s and gestured for her to start eating.

In fact, Seo Jun was reflecting once again on the precious time he might have lost forever without knowing, recalling her diary he had seen in the study.

So Yeon’s parenting diary began with her first visit to the hospital.

『I went to the obstetrics and gynecology clinic today. It was my first time, so I felt self-conscious and intimidated, but I deliberately straightened my shoulders and entered the examination room. But the doctor immediately asked if I was going to have surgery. I ran out of the examination room right then. I was very angry, but I was also very worried that our little one might have heard that terrible talk.

Baby, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for letting you hear such things. But mommy is very proud of you, and loves you tremendously. And I’ll love you even more in the future. Instead of daddy, twice, thrice. No, I’ll love you immensely, including daddy’s share.

By the way, do you like steak, baby? Mommy is craving it so much right now that it almost brings tears to my eyes, but I’m wondering if it’s actually you who wants it.

Baby, sleep well. Mommy will pray for you and daddy and go to sleep soon too.』

Seo Jun, whose eyes had started burning from reading the first page, felt his eyes grow hot even in this moment as he watched So Yeon eating steak.

“Keep eating. I’ll be right back after making a phone call.”

“To Hyun Woo?”

“No, work.”

Seo Jun let out a small laugh at So Yeon, who was thinking only of Hyun Woo even while eating, and got up from the table, moving away from her for a moment.

It was about 5 minutes later.

I thought something felt oddly empty, and it turned out there had been no music playing until now. So Yeon realized this because of the romantic melody that began to softly play, pushing away the silence around them.

The piano sound that naturally evoked a rainbow was beautiful.

Curious about the pianist, So Yeon turned her gaze slightly to the side to look at the stage where the grand piano was placed.

But the man skillfully playing the keys in front of the piano was…

“…!”

None other than Tae Seo Jun.