Seo Jun had always attributed his interest in Soyeon to a lingering regret, an unaddressed issue, merely a man’s instinct. He never thought it could be more than that. He had been too oblivious to his own feelings.

However, this incident made it clear: he was deeply infatuated with her. Dismissing her shocking revelation as ‘just that much of an issue’ showed just how much he cared for her.

Realizing his true feelings, Seo Jun’s thoughts deepened.

Can I really let her go? Can I completely erase her from my mind and heart? No, I am incapable of that.

If I could stop my feelings for her with such a reversal, I wouldn’t have bothered calling out her name on the company rooftop in the first place.

I must continue this damn thing. At least until I can let go of a woman like her lightly.

He had already made up his mind before Soyeon mentioned stepping down. Seo Jun, with a proud and arrogant gaze, fixed his eyes towards the sofa on the left.
“My part is said, so I think it’s time for the director and the writer to give their answers.”

Seo Jun’s mention of scrapping the entire shot footage and bringing up the contract was a form of pressure.

In this drama project, Seo Jun indeed held the power to influence its success or failure.

Director Yoon Ji Wan, convinced that the project would be a success with Seo Jun alone, persuaded Writer Kwon Eun Young to embrace both the hopes and fears and move forward.

But why did all three men seem to be in cahoots, unanimously defending Eom So Yeon? What was so special about her?

Perhaps it was jealousy, feeling overshadowed by her youth and beauty. Or was it the feeling of being an outsider? Writer Kwon’s voice was twisted with bitterness.

“That was before we knew about the ‘single mother’ fact! You know, Director Yoon, a single actor’s scandal can ruin the entire project! And a woman who had a child without a husband… This is a serious issue that we can’t possibly explain to the public!”

“…….”

Soyeon’s face turned pale with humiliation under the writer’s unfiltered, contemptuous words and glare. Her lips trembled slightly, unable to respond. Such a change in her expression was impossible to ignore.

Especially for Seo Jun.

“Kwon, Eun, Young, Writer.”

Seo Jun’s voice was clear, chopping each syllable distinctly, his deep and intense eyes suddenly furrowed.

Unexpected emotion.

It was an unbearable rage.

In front of the powder room mirror, Ye Jin delicately adjusted her elegantly styled hair.

Ye Jung, watching her sister, had a complex look in her eyes. Despite living a life of luxury, she always felt overshadowed by Ye Jin and dissatisfied with her own position.

But more than that, it was jealousy towards her sister, who was loved by her husband and respected by her children.

Aware that Ye Jung’s mood wasn’t solely due to that reason, Ye Jin smiled softly.

“Ye Jung.”

“Yes, sister.”

“Still, Won Hoo is doing well in his business. He started his own company and achieved remarkable growth in just a few years. Besides, he’s such a diligent son. Even if he takes over his father-in-law’s company, he’ll manage it well with his experience.”

“Oh, don’t even start, sister. Our President Gu has been eyeing Won Hoo. Having only one son who still pursues his dreams, I’m sitting on pins and needles.”

Ye Jung grumbled, her face filled with worry.

“I insisted on inheriting the hospital and the surrounding land from our father, while you insisted on leaving several buildings in Gangnam to Won Hoo. Even if your son fails miserably, you can help him with that. What’s there to worry about? It’s Seo Jun who’s more problematic, refusing to run the hospital and dabbling in other things.”

Comparing her situation to Seo Jun’s seemed to lighten Ye Jung’s mood. Satisfied with the improvement, Ye Jin smiled brightly.

“The kids are still young; they should enjoy life, and it’s okay if they get hurt, they’ll recover quickly. Let’s not fret too much. Worrying about disobedient children will only add more wrinkles to us.”

“That’s true, sister.”

“Seo Jun is probably in his guest room. Won Hoo might be there too, let’s stop by there later.”
Having grabbed her pouch, Ye Jung left the powder room, closely followed by Ye Jin, whose mood had improved.

There was no need to verbally criticize the supposed broad-mindedness and flexibility that a star drama writer like Kwon Eun Young was expected to possess but failed to demonstrate. The sharp glares already suffocated her, conveying the unspoken rebuke.

“Do you have a partner, Writer Kwon?”

“No, I don’t have…”

Confused by the sudden turn of the conversation, Kwon Eun Young looked at Seo Jun with a bewildered expression.

“Ah, since you’re married, you must have a husband.”

“Yes, but why do you ask that…”

“Let’s not attach unnecessary meanings to simple statements and deliberately belittle them. Consider the listener too. Even I find it quite uncomfortable to hear,” Seo Jun said.

“It’s not like I’m making things up! The one at fault here is Eom So Yeon, why are you attacking me…”

“Mistake.”

Seo Jun cut off Writer Kwon mid-sentence, his smile a mix of sarcasm and mockery.

“Admitting her mistake for not being upfront from the beginning is one thing. But having a child or being a single mother is not a mistake,” he said.

Seo Jun, momentarily pressing his lips tightly together and slightly tilting his head with a twitch of his eyebrow, showed his extreme irritation. This was a behavior unique to Seo Jun when he was highly sensitive, and Won Hoo, the only one aware of it, felt a surge of tension. But trying to control his emotions, Seo Jun pressed his temples with his fingers before continuing.

“I don’t understand how judging someone’s biological facts as right or wrong makes sense. Maybe Writer Kwon can enlighten us?”

His question challenged why Eom So Yeon, who was trying to be a proud single mother, had to face such despair for what was supposedly a mistake.

“That is…”

Overwhelmed by Seo Jun’s cold voice and piercing gaze, Writer Kwon’s voice trailed off, looking helplessly at Director Yoon for support as a fellow producer in a tight spot.

However, the voice that broke the silence belonged to Eom So Yeon.

“I’m sorry for causing confusion, but I will not apologize for personal reasons. I refuse to feel guilty towards my child.”

Soyeon, choked up with emotions stirred by Seo Jun’s unwavering support, swallowed hard. She couldn’t afford to show tears here. She knew that facing her child’s issue would require overcoming numerous challenges without faltering or weakening.

“The baby’s name is ‘Haengppim’ (Happiness). When I knew a small life was coming to me, I felt so happy, enough to overshadow the looming fears. For my lovely child, I am willing to walk through a thorny path, no matter how harsh it may be.”

Having been offered a significant role in a promising project was like a glorious first step in her acting career. But Oh Min Jung was not wrong. Hearing the conversation, it was clear. She was a parachuter, not by the company’s favor but due to Seo Jun’s influence.

“So I repeat, it’s only right for me to step down, especially since I haven’t even started shooting yet. It was a great opportunity, but I believe that if I keep working hard, a better chance will come along.”
With her back and neck straightened, So Yeon spoke clearly and firmly, her voice strong.

“I earned nothing without effort, so if it’s not earned, it’s not truly mine.”