“It’s me, Executive Tae.”

“We’ll talk again in a bit.”

“Make it short, and just listen if it’s a tricky situation. I got a call from Gusejun. He’s currently confirmed to be in Taean.”

“But…”

“Chairman Taeseokgyu said he’s trying to kill himself, and it seems like he was attacked during the call. Gusejun is holding on, saying he won’t say anything unless I bring his younger brother.”

“I’ll go to the main house.”

During the time spent with Jian, the eyes that were filled with warmth throughout now cooled down.

“Yeah, I’ll head there soon too.”

After ending the call, Kanghyun nonchalantly brushed Jian’s cheek, who was staring at him with a concerned look.

“Is it an urgent matter?”

“It’s okay, we still have time.”

Kanghyun, holding a round ornament displayed on the shelf, shook it in his hand.

“Just choose things like this.”

“Yes.”

Jian, with a red basket prepared for customers hanging from her arm, carefully picked out decorations that she liked and placed them in the basket.

“The smaller bulbs seem prettier.”

Kanghyun, while comparing various types of light bulbs, followed behind Jian, who was protecting her anger.

If it weren’t for her father, why Taeseokgyu wanted to.

Kanghyun’s jaw, which had exerted so much force that his bones were visible, forcefully met with Jian’s tense chin.

Her father regarded Seoyun as a thorn in his side.

Unable to completely separate her from the relentless father unless she was kept hidden where no one could see her.

It was her father who first proposed marriage to Kim Soye, and if they held a grand wedding and built a seemingly good family externally, he promised to erase Seoyun from his memory as a condition.

He never expected that the marriage would become a reality.

On the contrary, he forcibly pressured Seoyun to accept the marriage, asserting that it was for the best.

Whether it was Taeseokjung or Taeseokgyu.

It wasn’t entirely the fault of those who switched Jian and Seoyun.

The current situation was also a result of his foolish judgment.

After revisiting this fact, the desire to possess her as before gradually diminished.

It was already after he lost the qualification to do so.

“Executive, which one is prettier?”

Jian held two crystal balls of different colors in both hands and turned to Kanghyun.

Then she approached Kanghyun, who had been isolated, with bold steps.

“I don’t know; both are fine.”

“Hmm…”

Jian, who narrowed her eyes, alternated between her right and left hands, holding the crystal balls.

Kanghyun, tilting his head slightly, pressed the wrinkled space between Jian’s eyebrows and smiled.

“I’ll take both.”

Jian’s mouth, which had been turned into a seal, also curled up at the corners when she saw Kanghyun’s sharp eyes holding her.

“Well thought out.”

When she met Kanghyun’s sharp eyes containing her, her nose tickled slightly.

“I’ll book a hotel for Christmas Eve.”

“What?”
“Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy delicious food and watch fireworks? It’s better than just staring at the tree at home on Christmas.”

“W-Well, yes.”

Jian touched the decorations in the basket with a gentle touch.

The universal image of a hotel in the context of lovers shook her mind, and warmth rose to her throat.

Although Christmas Eve was still three days away, her heart was already fluttering as if she were already in a hotel.

“If you don’t like it, we can stay at home.”

“No, I absolutely don’t dislike it! I like hotels! No, what am I saying…”

Startled by her suddenly raised voice, Jian covered her mouth with her hand.

“I-it’s not that I really like it. Anyway, let’s go to a hotel on Christmas Eve.”

“Okay, give it to me. It must be heavy.”

As the basket filled with tree decorations was moved by Kanghyun’s hand, a bright smile quickly spread across Jian’s face.

Lately, her concern grew about her slightly protruding lower belly from eating well and going out, and she needed special clothes and underwear for a special day.

As the time spent with Kanghyun increased, the desire to look a little prettier and be loved more swelled.

⭐⭐⭐

Exiting the room and getting on the elevator, Yeonju, standing next to the pianist, bumped fists with Seokwon.

As people increased with each floor on the elevator, Seokwon pushed Yeonju to the side, blocking her in a corner.

“Doseokwon.”

“Yes.”

“Do you act so courteously toward other women as well?”

“There are no other women around.”

“There are female employees in the company.”

“There’s no need for other female employees to take the hotel elevator. Why do you keep going on dates at a hotel?”

“We take the company elevator! Just answer without going around in circles.”

“I don’t.”

Yeonju, who smiled behind Seokwon’s broad back, subtly reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.

The stiff Seokwon slightly lowered his head, and for a moment, his blocked breath was released.

His reddened nape was clearly revealed under the bright elevator light.

“Don’t do this in the future. I don’t like seeing it more than the constant bickering.”