Kang Seok’s expression, sitting on the sofa, was not good.

In front of him, In Ha and Jae Hee were watching Kang Seok’s expression carefully.

The reason was that he was not pleased after receiving a call from Chairman Kang’s side wanting to proceed with the engagement to In Ha as originally planned.

“Dad, I’m telling you I’ll just do it. What are you worrying about?”

“Still, this doesn’t make sense.”

Jae Hee leaned towards the concerned Kang Seok.

“Honey, since In Ha wants this too, let’s just go through with it.”

As Jae Hee spoke with finality, Kang Seok glared at her again.

“How can you say that now!”

“It’s not our fault anyway. I was worried this marriage might be tilting, but if it happens like this, wouldn’t In Ha be able to go to that family and live with her head held high?”

In Ha nodded vigorously at Jae Hee’s words.

“Yeah, Dad. I told you. That crazy one came at me physically. She must have done it out of greed. Honestly, which family would like someone like that? I can use this as leverage to control Sun Woo, you know.”

Kang Seok moistened his dry lips.

“Are you really okay with this?”

In Ha snickered.

“Dad, it’s The K, a major corporation. Do you think I’d let this opportunity slip away?”

Fireworks seemed to be exploding in In Ha’s head. It was a coveted position.

From the beginning, even Kang Seok thought that The K wouldn’t look favorably on them proposing a marriage.

Right.

Kang Seok nodded, acknowledging.

“Well− I guess that settles it. In Ha, shall we go to the department store with mom tomorrow?”

“The K Department Store?”

In Ha’s eyes lit up at the mention of the department store.

“Yes. We should check out what kind of company your future husband’s is.”

The women’s laughter filled the house.

Only Kang Seok’s face remained dark.

***

Jae Hee was shopping with In Ha at a large department store in Seoul.

“Mom, how’s this bag?”

In Ha picked up a bag displayed in the glass case of the luxury goods section.

A guide employee followed the two, assisting with their shopping. The employee’s hands were already full of expensive bags.

“Oh my. It matches your outfit so well right now.”

“Doesn’t it make me look a bit older?”

“A little, but it’s fine. Your face is so youthful that when you stand next to Mr. Kang, you look completely like his niece.”

At the mention of “Mr. Kang,” In Ha laughed again with a trill.

“Mom, really. Already calling him Mr. Kang?”

In Ha’s slender hand waved languidly.

“Come on. What else should I call Mr. Kang but Mr. Kang? Then, what should I call him?”

“Ugh. I don’t know.”

In Ha tossed the bag she was holding to the employee.

“Take that one too.”

“Yes, understood.”

As In Ha was about to head to the checkout, her eyes caught another new bag.

“Give me that one too.”

The employee’s face hardened as she looked at the item.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry. This item is reserved.”

In Ha’s face hardened even more than the employee’s.

“What did you say? What are you saying? I said I want to buy it.”

In Ha thought she was no different from the lady of The K. How could there be an item that she, the owner, couldn’t buy in the department store?

“I’m sorry. If you make a reservation, we can send you a new item. If it’s inconvenient for you to come pick it up, we can deliver it as soon as it arrives.”

In Ha turned around and pushed the employee’s forehead with her fingertip, as if in disbelief.

“I said I want to buy this. Can’t you hear me?”

As In Ha seemed to be losing control, Jae Hee approached, glancing around.

“In Ha, stop it. There are people watching.”

Even though it was a luxury goods section that could only be entered at reserved times, Jae Hee felt uneasy and tried to stop In Ha.

“Mom, didn’t you hear what she just said? She doesn’t even know who I am, this bitch.”

Jae Hee soothed In Ha and turned to the employee.

“Look, I don’t know who reserved it, but cancel their reservation and prepare it for us to buy.”

The employee’s face turned red.

“But, still. This item…”

A long shadow approached from behind In Ha and Jae Hee.

Thinking it might be the store manager since this time was reserved for just the two of them, Jae Hee quickly turned around.

“We’ll take this item.”

Jae Hee’s gaze fell upon a man in a black suit.

“I reserved this item. And I have no intention of canceling.”

A man with neatly parted wavy hair and clear brown eyes as transparent as his hair color.

Kang Sun Woo was standing there.

In Ha bit her lip in embarrassment.

Sun Woo stared at the two of them for a moment before curling his lips.

In Ha’s face stung under his sharp gaze.

“Oh. Mom isn’t usually like this. I think she got a bit excited about marrying me off.”

“Is that so?”

Sun Woo nodded casually with a smile.

Then he took out the bag from the display case.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know Mr. Kang Sun Woo had reserved it.”

“It’s fine. Now that you know, it’s all good.”

Sun Woo handed the bag to the employee and took out his card.

“Let’s check out together. All at once.”

In Ha couldn’t close her open mouth and waved her hand.

“No, you don’t have to do that.”

Even so, In Ha had to use all her facial muscles to keep her lips from stretching into a smile.

After finishing the payment, Sun Woo escorted In Ha and Jae Hee with his hands full of shopping bags.

Sun Woo accompanied them to the underground parking lot and handed the shopping bags to In Ha.

“Thank you. We should have a meal together…”

“I have an appointment.”

“Ah. I see.”

In Ha slightly pursed her lips in disappointment. She was well aware that this look often stirred paternal instincts in men.

“Let’s eat next time.”

“Yes. I’ll definitely treat you.”

Sun Woo still had one shopping bag left in his hand. In Ha’s gaze lingered on that bag.

But Sun Woo didn’t hand over that shopping bag to In Ha until the very end.

“I’ll be going now.”

In Ha watched Sun Woo sharply as he disappeared after saying goodbye.

As soon as Sun Woo was out of sight, In Ha turned and grabbed Jae Hee’s arm.

“Mom, doesn’t that bag look like a gift for me?”

“It’s a young woman’s bag. Who else could it be for? He must have realized his mistake and reserved it to make you feel better.”

“Mom, what should I do?”

In Ha stomped her feet on the parking lot floor, seemingly unable to contain herself.

***

Young Hwa waited for Sun Woo at a quiet cafe in the suburbs.

Sun Woo was always the one to contact her first. Young Hwa declined Sun Woo’s offer to pick her up and set the meeting place at a cafe she knew.

She had heard from Sun Woo a few days ago that they would proceed with the engagement. She could also tell from the atmosphere at home afterwards.

In Ha openly sneered at Young Hwa, treating her like a dirty girl, as if she had been chasing a chicken only to end up staring at the roof.

Not knowing it was thanks to whom that the engagement was proceeding.

“You must feel disgusted. You thought Kang Sun Woo would go to you, but in the end, it’s me?”

In Ha clicked her tongue at Young Hwa, who was coming out of the bathroom in short pants.

“Oh really? That’s good then.”

“How are you feeling? It seems like you wanted him so badly you were willing to throw your body at him. Too bad for you.”

“Don’t feel sorry for me. I wasn’t particularly interested. I just wanted to taste him because he looked good.”

“Looks like you want to save face.”

“Not really.”

“Why don’t you go find another man? If you throw yourself at some older men, who knows, they might take you.”

“I’ll try that. Now that I know the method, I just need to use it. Thanks.”

Young Hwa walked past In Ha, thinking that if the conversation continued, nothing good would come of it.

Still, the engagement was proceeding again, and she could come out of her room, and In Ha’s hysteria had stopped, so it was bearable.

Yet, the cursing and picking fights got worse. As much as Young Hwa wanted to meet Sun Woo and tell him to cancel the engagement, she suppressed her urge.

Enduring and enduring, that’s how the explosion becomes bigger, she thought. She soothed herself like smoothing gunpowder.

“Why did you call me out so far? There are plenty of cafes in Seoul too. Or did you want to have some fun in a different place?”

Sun Woo was in a suit, as if he had just finished work. Young Hwa thought he really suited the wrinkle-free, flowing suit well.

Or perhaps the suit was paying its respects to the person. After all, the face completes the fashion.

“It’s not good for us to be seen by people.”

Young Hwa thought that their engagement would soon be in the news. So they needed to be more careful.

“I see.”

Sun Woo handed Young Hwa a shopping bag. A familiar logo was visible on the outside of the bag.

“What is this?”

“A bag. Women like them, don’t they?”

Young Hwa opened the shopping bag to look inside without much excitement. It was a very feminine design.

It seemed more suited to In Ha’s taste than her own.

“I don’t like it.”

“Really? It’s expensive. I guess I failed.”

“The bag is pretty. I just don’t like the brand.”

Since it was a brand In Ha liked, there was no way she would like it.

“Then throw it away. Or should I throw it away for you?”

“If you’re going to throw it away, I’ll use it. Thank you.”

Sun Woo laughed briefly as he watched Young Hwa pick up the shopping bag and place it beside her.

“It’s damn hard to please you.”

You were trying to please me?

Young Hwa also lowered her head and smiled at Sun Woo’s laughter. Although she had smiled to seduce him before, this spontaneous smile felt strangely awkward.