“Or would it be better to hold on?”

As Seungjoo reached out for real, lifting Eunseo with a princess-like embrace, Eunseo was startled.

“I’ll lift you up! I’m really going to lift you up! Please let me down!”

As if he had thought of doing it sooner, Seungjoo put Eunseo down.

“Wear this warmly.”

Whether it’s warm or not, the only outerwear Eunseo had was a coat Seungjoo had bought for her part-time job. This was because, even when they went to the department store together, Eunseo had rejected only outerwear.

“Are you going to freeze to death?”

Perhaps not liking the coat, Seungjoo furrowed his brows and went out to get his own clothes.

When the much smaller Eunseo put on his oversized down jacket, she looked almost like a child wearing adult clothes. After completely covering her with the fur-lined hood, Seungjoo seemed to have regained his composure, and he turned his back again.

“Get on.”

So, Eunseo got on the landlord’s back and left the house.

It was midnight in December. It was quite cold, but she didn’t feel it because she was wrapped in thick clothes. Seungjoo, carrying Eunseo, started walking aimlessly inside the apartment complex.

The landscape adorned with various colored fairy lights for the year-end season was very beautiful. Having grown up and carried, she couldn’t take her eyes off it. Eunseo opened her eyes wide inside the hood and looked at the beautiful lights.

As if eyes were attached to his back, a stern voice came.

“Don’t stare and go to sleep quickly.”

“I’m sorry!”

Eunseo answered with a start.

He walked slowly inside the apartment complex. Even after walking around once, it seemed like he had no intention of going home until she fell asleep.

Despite the thick clothes, the warm body temperature was transmitted well. Leaning against his broad and warm back, Eunseo recalled the past events.

It was the time when she was carried before. She thought it was strange even in her sleep because the house didn’t come out no matter how far she went. Later, after waking up, she realized that Seungjoo had deliberately carried her around the neighborhood.

This person, Seungjoo, is indeed the one.

Realizing the obvious fact again, Eunseo fell into a drowsy state.

The next morning, as soon as Seungjoo went to work, he called his secretary and handed her a note with a phone number.

“Find out if anyone among the employees is using this number.”

“It seems like a home phone.”

Instead of Choi Secretary, who went to pick up Eunseo, Park Secretary, who came in, replied.

“Usually, what’s registered in the employee database is mostly a mobile phone number. Still, in many cases, the last four digits are the same as the home phone number, so I’ll check it once.”

“Please do it as soon as possible.”

Less than thirty minutes later, the answer came.

“There are two employees using that number. One is the head of the finance team, and the other is a deputy in the sales team.”

“Is there anyone related to the planning team among them?”

“It’s the deputy. She was in the planning team until last year and moved to the sales team.”

It must be him. Seungjoo thought.
Eunseo might have reported to the police today, but whether they investigate or not, it takes time. During that time, Eunseo will probably be trembling in fear again.

Seungjoo had no intention of waiting until the police completed their investigation.

“Come up to my room.”

He immediately called in the suspect. The deputy, who had been suddenly summoned by the CEO, entered a while later with a visibly tense face.

“Hello, CEO. What brings me to…?”

Before he could finish speaking, Seungjoo asked a question.

“Did you call Yoon Eunseo last night?”

Seungjoo didn’t miss the moment the guy flinched. This guy is guilty.

However, despite being very confused, he quickly put forward an alibi.

“Yes? Why would I… I didn’t do such a thing.”

“Anyway, if the police investigate, everything will come out. Of course, there will be disciplinary action at the company level, but if you speak honestly now, I’ll try to handle it as lightly as possible when reporting to the disciplinary committee.”

His heart seemed shaken at the mention of a light punishment. Eventually, the guy confessed with a pale face.

“In fact, I’ve liked Yoon Eunseo for a while… I never had any bad intentions.”

Suppressing the urge to strike him, Seungjoo clenched his fist under the desk. Liked her? Calling late at night and doing perverted things?

His understanding of the emotion called love, which was supposed to cherish, protect, do anything the other person wanted, and protect them from things that scared them, didn’t make sense. Making someone so scared and claiming it’s because he liked her was beyond comprehension.

Of course, there was no need to understand.

“From today until the disciplinary decision is made, stay at home and reflect. In any case, it will end in dismissal, so it’s best to pack your things today and take two steps without hesitation.”

The guy flinched.

“Yes? You said you would handle it as lightly as possible just now…”