“If you decline again, the great madam might cause a scene. It might be better to just show up.”

Knowing Jung Madam’s character, Director Han tried to persuade Jaehyuk.

“Let her.”

But Jaehyuk was no less a formidable opponent.

As soon as the ink dried on the divorce papers with Arin, Jung Madam had immediately pushed Yujin in front of him.

Jaehyuk had no intention of going along with Jung Madam’s plans.

“I don’t understand Chairman Min, why keep pushing for marriage when I’ve clearly declined.”

The dinner was a joint venture between Chairman Min and Jung Madam, and no matter how many times he declined, they kept arranging meetings.

“I thought I made it clear I had no intention of marrying.”

The marriage discussion with LW Group had been on the table for a very long time, almost like an unspoken agreement made by the adults since he could remember. But initially, it wasn’t with Min Yujin.

Initially, it was Chairman Min’s youngest daughter who had fallen for Jaehyuk and persistently pursued him. It was her pleading that led Chairman Min to propose marriage to Jaehyuk.

But the young girl’s infatuation didn’t last long. Her interest faded as quickly as it had come, and the marriage talk with LW Group’s youngest daughter fizzled out.

Then one day, Chairman Min proposed again, this time with his second daughter, Min Yujin.

It was a proposal for marriage between high school student Yujin and college student Jaehyuk.

Jaehyuk, of course, declined. He wanted to marry for love, and vaguely hoped that person would be Arin.

“Are they trying to support Director Min? What did she say? That she’s averse to marriage?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Min Yujin’s elder sister, Min Hayeon.

It was only this year that she had begun to stand out prominently. Chairman Min brought Hayeon back from the Singapore branch and announced her as the next successor.

However, Hayeon’s influence within the company was small. There are limited ways to grow power in a corporation.
“Even though we refused, they kept contacting us. I really had my doubts.”

But then, the team manager in charge of the project at LW Group came to Jeju Island, and eventually, Arin and Yuhyn accepted their offer.

Despite doubts about why they kept proposing a collaboration with a small shop in Jeju Island, the team manager gave a formal response, saying they just ‘wanted to introduce delicious desserts to more people.’ However, Yuhyn discovered the reason at the first meeting, which he attended with a lot of skepticism.

“[Yuhyn… it’s been a long time… Have you been well?]”

The real person actively proposing the collaboration was Hayeon.

Hayeon had only risen to prominence this year, and Yuhyn hadn’t known she was with LW Group.

If he had known, Yuhyn would have regretted accepting the proposal, realizing that Hayeon still had lingering feelings and regrets for him.

Yuhyn had imagined reuniting with Hayeon, who left without a word.

What would he feel if he met Hayeon again?

Would he be swayed again by her, who he loved desperately but also gave him an indelible scar?

But when Yuhyn actually faced Hayeon, he felt nothing.

Surprisingly, he was completely unaffected by the woman he had once loved and hated so deeply.

Yuhyn realized that the place in his heart for Hayeon, whom he had loved madly, was now gone.

There were no remnants of romantic memories. Instead, Yuhyn realized that his attention was entirely on Arin, who was standing beside him, watching Hayeon.

‘I must love Arin much more than I thought.’

Yuhyn had this realization again that day.

LW Group’s eldest, Min Hayeon, and second, Min Yujin.

Since then, meeting Hayeon had become more uncomfortable for Yuhyn, not because he still had feelings for her, but because he hated the thought of Arin being reminded of Jaehyuk through Yujin.

Remembering those emotions, Yuhyn looked at Arin.

“Oppa.”

“Arin.”

Unable to refuse Arin’s request, Yuhyn washed his face dry. He hated the idea of making her think of her ex-husband, but collaborating with LW Group would be a good opportunity for Memoria, which he loved more than anyone.

Yuhyn was conflicted but eventually decided to go along with Arin’s wish. However, he set a condition: to avoid having Arin and Hayeon meet as much as possible.

‘I was going to meet Min Hayeon alone this time.’

Yuhyn had scheduled meetings on the days the store was closed and went to Seoul alone. But this time, with Arin also in Seoul for the broadcast, it seemed impossible to refuse her request.

“Let’s go together, okay? It’s about Memoria.”

“……Alright.”

Yuhyn had to remind himself again that he loved her, even if it meant following her wishes in something he detested.

“Really?”

Yuhyn’s voice was hoarse.

“Thank you, oppa.”

Seeing Arin’s happy face, Yuhyn felt complicated.

He couldn’t bear to watch Hayeon reveal her lingering feelings in front of Arin.

With an unspeakable truth, Yuhyn bit the inside of his cheek.

Arriving at LW Group’s headquarters, Arin and Yuhyn went up to the 16th-floor conference room as directed by the information desk.

As the door opened, Hayeon, who was sitting in the farthest corner, got up abruptly.

“Hello, Director.”

Arin greeted Hayeon warmly as she approached her.

“Welcome.”

Hayeon also approached Arin and offered a handshake.

“It’s been a while. CEO Choi.”
“I’m sorry, we’ve already sold out. We haven’t updated the announcement yet. If you happen to pass by tomorrow, please stop by. If you bring this coupon, we will prepare some extra bread for you.”

Arin repeatedly apologized to the customers who arrived late before finally announcing on Memoria’s official SNS that all of today’s stock had sold out.

“Phew.”

The pop-up store closed much earlier than expected.

It was a strange feeling.

“Great job today.”

“No, thank you. See you tomorrow. You worked hard. Please take care of tomorrow as well.”

“Yes, CEO. Please go ahead.”

After greeting the staff she worked with, Arin headed towards the escalator. Up to this point, she had no idea of the events that were about to unfold in her life.