He did engage in unethical acts beyond common sense, but he did what he could with all his might. And though all his efforts turned to naught due to bad luck, he held no regrets.

If one born with nothing wants to live well, they can’t afford to be choosy about means.

His kind-hearted wife had betrayed and fled from him one day. But she left him with a daughter, his insurance for life, so maybe he shouldn’t be too resentful.

Yes, let’s forget it all! Just shake everything off! Just live better from now on; that’s my only goal.

But why would a daughter who cares about others’ eyes want to meet here? She’s my daughter, yet her thoughts are ever elusive.

“Hah… What time is it now?”

Muttering to himself and shaking off various thoughts, Byung Hwan glanced at his wristwatch.

Still having about ten minutes to wait, he took out his phone, touched the screen, and brought it to his ear.

“Let’s see, Mr. Ko, the president.”
[Dash]Oh, if it isn’t President Yoo! Your voice sounds cheerful. Is there some good news?

“Haha, there is, there is! I’m talking about the building I had to put up as collateral when I needed quick cash. I’m planning to retrieve the documents tomorrow.”

[Dash]There were rampant rumors about you going bankrupt due to getting entangled in a paper company scam, weren’t there?

“I had a hard time because of that. But who am I? Everything’s resolved now, which is why I called you, President Ko. So, stay put in your office tomorrow. I’ll even buy some expensive liquor.”

[Dash]Last time, you said you got help from your daughter, didn’t you?

“Why not?”

Pride in his daughter came before the warm steam puffing out of Byung Hwan’s flared nostrils.

“Although my only daughter is unyielding, she can’t stand to see her father in trouble.”

[Dash]She sounds like a rare dutiful daughter these days.

“Where does it stop? She takes after me in beauty and has a knack for making money, so a building’s worth is nothing to her. I’ve been tight-lipped about it due to certain reasons, but if President Hwang knew who my daughter is, he’d be blown away.”

[Dash]Let’s hear who she is.

“Then it really has to be just between us, right?”

[Dash]Of course.

Byung Hwan had never disclosed his daughter’s identity to anyone. It was his only way to maintain control over her wealth. However, he couldn’t suppress the urge to reveal it any longer, swept away by his exuberant mood.

“I’ll speak softly, so listen close….”

Just as his itching lips were about to reveal the secret,

Brrrmm, splash!

“Ah, shoot…!”

A delivery motorbike splashed puddle water as it zoomed past Yoo Byung Hwan.

“Oh, sir…!”

The young rider, seeing Byung Hwan’s suit stained with muddy water, came over, flustered and at a loss.

“I’m so sorry. I was in a hurry and made a mistake…”

“Delivery isn’t easy. I’m fine, just go on your way.”

Normally, he would have scolded the young man, but Byung Hwan just waved him off and continued the call. Today, even bad luck didn’t feel so bad.

“President Hwang, are you listening?”

[Dash]Just tell me, I’m dying of curiosity.

“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you specially. My daughter is, you see, Yoo…”

But Byung Hwan couldn’t finish his sentence again.

Vroom… Bang! Crash!

A large truck, speeding from somewhere, suddenly crashed into the table where Byung Hwan was sitting.

He couldn’t finish saying his daughter’s name.

Nor meet the daughter he had been waiting for.

When she woke up, it was already evening.

Yellow lights from several Art Nouveau-style wall lamps spread like golden sunrays, elegantly illuminating the grand interior.

The room, given by what appeared to be the mansion’s butler, a middle-aged Caucasian gentleman, felt even larger and grander due to the Arabesque patterns on the ceiling and white molding on the walls.

Rising from a mahogany bed that seemed fit for 19th-century Spanish nobility, So Yeon gazed at the fireplace for a moment.
The warmth of the low evening sun and the coolness of the night indicated the significant temperature difference in this region. The gentle heat emanating from the barely glowing embers in the fireplace enveloped the room, keeping it comfortably warm.

Having gotten out of bed, So Yeon stepped barefoot onto the zebra-patterned rug and approached the arched window. The exotic architecture connected to the mansion and the open natural landscape deeply captured her clear eyes.

The emerald sea she saw during the day had turned into a deep cobalt blue, engulfed by the night’s darkness. After taking in this last view, So Yeon moved away from the window and entered the attached bathroom.

A little later, after showering and sitting in front of the gold-trimmed vanity, So Yeon once again realized the unfamiliarity of her surroundings.

The bathroom and various items in the room, each bearing a heavy curtain pattern, were enough to guess how immensely wealthy Tae Seo Jun was.

Moreover, before coming to this room, he had mentioned it.

This mansion was a holiday villa used by his family. So until the shooting started, they would stay here comfortably and then move to the filming location as per the schedule.

How wealthy must his family be to own such a large mansion overseas?

And is it really okay for me to be here?

It took a great deal of courage for So Yeon to impulsively follow Seo Jun from Korea to this place. But since arriving here, she couldn’t help but feel a growing distance from Seo Jun, who belonged to a world so different from hers.

Knock, knock.

The light knocking sound caught So Yeon’s attention as she was lost in thought.

Shortly after, a young woman in her early 30s entered the room. The well-dressed Caucasian woman, a maid who had arranged clothes from the luggage into the dressing room during the day, said,

“Está preparada la cena. (Dinner is prepared.)”

Her tone was kind. Although So Yeon didn’t understand Spanish well, she guessed the meaning and nodded. The maid then left the room with a gentle smile.

Having already been to the dining room upon arrival at the mansion for tea, So Yeon knew where it was. She needed an outfit suitable for dinner. It was a meal with Seo Jun alone, but she wanted to maintain some formality.

After some deliberation, she chose a long-sleeved black dress and left the room, script in hand.

‘A kiss is necessary.’

‘A kiss?’

‘I was talking about practice. Did Eom So Yeon think otherwise?’

‘No, no! Of course not! I also meant practice…’

Ah! Why am I blushing…

Recollecting the conversation she had with Seo Jun before getting up from tea, So Yeon’s hands and feet involuntarily curled up. Her steps quickened as she almost ran down the stairs connecting the second floor to the ground floor. However, her pace slowed down halfway and then came to a stop.

So Yeon straightened her back and slightly lifted her head in an upward gaze, fixating on one spot. What caught her eye was a family portrait hanging on the wall of the staircase.

In the painting were three boys and what appeared to be their parents.

“……!”

Her eyes widened as if recognizing someone in the portrait.