“Secretary Kim is waiting downstairs. Be careful when you go out.”

After sending the secretary away, Yeonhwa, carrying a bag in both hands, entered the house.

Eunseo just followed behind the chairman’s wife, frozen.

She was caught living together.

With his stepmother!

“The car is ready, please have a seat.”

After sitting on the sofa and offering a seat to Eunseo, Yeonhwa asked in a gentle voice.

“So, who is this young lady?”

“My name is Yoon Eunseo. I am a staff member in the planning team at Daewon Construction.”

Even in this situation, Eunseo emphasized that she had no relationship with Kwon Seungju.

“In fact, I am an old tenant of Representative Yeonsadong’s house, but because the roof collapsed, the representative kindly allowed me to stay temporarily in his home.”

Even as she spoke, it was truly a pathetic excuse. What landlord would bring a tenant into their home just because the roof collapsed? They should either refund the deposit or provide alternative accommodation.

It seemed that they heard that they had a deeper relationship. The chairman’s wife clapped her hands, showing approval.

“Lovers, and on top of that, a tenant who is an employee? Goodness, how can such a deep connection exist in this world!”

Eunseo didn’t know what to do.

“I’m sorry, but Representative and I are not like that…”

“Don’t say that. Even if I didn’t give birth to you, you’re still my child. Do you think I wouldn’t know our son’s personality?”

Yeonhwa cast a sly glance.

“Would I let a girl he’s not interested in stay in my house, even if she’s a tenant?”

Eunseo sighed inwardly. She knew it wouldn’t work.

“Why the young lady is like this, I understand, but you don’t have to be reserved in front of me. Regardless of who the young lady is, as long as our Seungju likes her, she is welcome.”

After saying that, as if realizing belatedly that it might be rude to Eunseo, Yeonhwa quickly added.

“Oh, of course, Miss Eunseo is so beautiful and well-behaved. I would be pleased if Seungju married her even if they met by chance.”

After being so kind without asking, Eunseo couldn’t bear it any longer.

“I’m sorry, but I’m just an ordinary employee. My parents aren’t here, so it’s almost like being an orphan. But someone like me being favored as a daughter-in-law…?”

“Where did you hear such things?”

Yeonhwa made an expression that it was absurd.

“Everyone is equal. Whether you’re an ordinary employee or your parents aren’t here, how does it matter? Rather, it’s great that you grew up so beautifully in the midst of that.”

“…”

“I barely graduated from middle school because my family was poor. I didn’t learn much, but judging people by looking at the family, I’m not that kind of person.”

By this point, Eunseo began to feel confused.
Eighteen-year-old Seungju had little knowledge of his stepmother’s existence. They had only crossed paths once at the hospital. Additionally, thirty-three-year-old Kwon Seungju had never talked about what kind of person his stepmother was. Therefore, Eunseo also knew very little about Yeonhwa.

So, she vaguely thought of the stepmother as a wicked figure, but the woman in front of her was as kind and good-natured as her pretty face.

“Did I misunderstand?”

Eunseo quickly shook her head. No, Yeonhwa wasn’t just a stepmother; she was an old lover. Could a good person give birth to a child from a man with a family?

Moreover, Eunseo speculated that the reason for Seungju’s personality changing drastically after turning eighteen was likely due to experiencing many difficulties after entering her father’s house. If the stepmother had been a good person, his personality wouldn’t have changed so much.

Eunseo composed herself and offered a polite greeting.

“Your praise is too much.”

Perhaps sensing Eunseo’s guardedness, Yeonhwa began to talk about things that were not asked.

“They say that the child raised with love has a good disposition. At first, I wondered why Seungju was uncomfortable. Did he think it was my fault that my mother left home and went missing? He stared at me as if he would devour me… So, when he tasted the meal I made for the first time and said it was delicious, I was overjoyed. I couldn’t sleep that night.”

Yeonhwa even shed tears.

“Anyway, now that he has someone he loves, our Seungju won’t be lonely anymore.”

Then, she grabbed Eunseo’s hand and held it warmly. Feeling a sudden repulsion, Eunseo carefully withdrew her hand.

“I’m sorry, but the relationship you think of doesn’t really exist. At least not yet.”

It was the truth. Although he had confessed to her, she had not given an answer yet. Therefore, they were not even in a romantic relationship.

Only now did Yeonhwa seem to understand that Eunseo’s words were true, and she looked puzzled.

“Well, even so, if Seungju likes you, isn’t it fine to keep you by his side?”

“I haven’t made up my mind yet.”