Even in the darkness, Jin Sukyung could see the glimr of moisture in Suin’s eyes.
Her daughter wanted to cry.
But instead, she smiled.
That hurt more than anything.
She felt unbearably sorry.
Her daughter—her good, selfless daughter—had never once been greedy for anything.
Even as a child, she never begged for toys like other kids.
She never complained about not having her own room.
And yet, when she moved into the Hyesung household and was given a pink princess bed, she had jumped up and down with pure joy—like she had been given the whole world.
"Is it really mine? Really, really?"
That daughter had once dread of becoming a news anchor.
From kindergarten onward, every ti she was asked about her future career, she had carefully written down the sa answer: announcer.
But because of her father’s mistakes, she had beco collateral to the Chairwoman.
She had given up her dreams, dedicating herself fully to fulfilling the terms of that debt.
She never wavered. Never strayed.
And now, she was saying she wanted to dream—just for a little while.
A good dream.
Until she woke up.
"…We can’t. It would be shaless toward the Chairwoman."
Even so, Jin Sukyung hardened her heart.
"No matter what happens, we must never repay her kindness with ingratitude."
Her daughter was choosing a path filled with thorns, all for a brief mont of happiness.
She wanted to stop her.
Jin Sukyung had been wounded before—betrayed by the man she had loved.
She wanted her daughter to be spared that kind of pain.
And just as Suin had said—
"End it before the Chairwoman finds out."
Because a dream that was dood to break was not worth keeping.
—YD Photo Printing Shop
Woo Ilhwa read the business na imprinted on the envelope with a blank expression.
Then, in an icy tone, she asked,
"Are you having my son followed?"
"I won’t offer flimsy excuses. I looked into it because I care for the Director."
Kim Seoncheol was shalessly nonchalant.
"I want the Director to form a connection with our family. That much is true."
He didn’t even deny that he had illegally surveilled Jaehee.
Instead, he leisurely pulled out the photos from the envelope and spread them across the table one by one.
"So, I couldn’t just stand by while he kept sothing dangerous so close."
As expected, the subjects of the photographs were Jaehee and Suin.
Holding hands in a vibrant poppy field like any other lovers.
Locked in an embrace.
Exchanging sweet glances as they entered a hotel together.
"She’s your secretary, isn’t she?"
"Yes."
Woo Ilhwa picked up one of the photos and examined it closely.
Despite everything, she almost wanted to laugh.
They were obviously two different people, and yet—
They looked perfectly matched.
If she had to describe it in one phrase, the answer was clear.
A beautiful couple.
"A weed must be uprooted before it spreads."
Seeing her silent reaction, Kim Seoncheol struck.
"The next heir of Hyesung can’t be running around with so re secretary. Handle this before rumors spread, Chairwoman Woo."
It was a warning disguised as advice.
Woo Ilhwa calmly stacked the photos and returned them to the envelope.
Lowering her eyelids like a curtain, she dismissed his words with a cool smirk.
"You’re overstepping."
"The Director’s marriage isn’t just your family’s concern. It’s a matter of Hyesung’s future. Who he marries will determine the company’s fate. That’s why I was arranging a match with Minister Kim’s daughter."
"And that, too, is overstepping."
"Are you ignoring my goodwill, Chairwoman Woo?"
Kim Seoncheol’s snake-like eyes narrowed further.
His displeasure was obvious, but Woo Ilhwa effortlessly shut down his underlying sense of authority.
"The Director’s marriage is not a corporate matter—it is his private affair."
"Chairwoman Woo."
"I have always opposed arranged marriages. I suggest you stay out of this, Vice Chairman."
"It’s because it’s your son that you’re being so blind, prioritizing pride over logic."
Kim Seoncheol sneered.
"And yet, his so-called private affair is with so re secretary. A woman who spent the night in his hotel room. How utterly indecent."
A muscle in Woo Ilhwa’s jaw twitched.
"If their relationship becos public knowledge, the Director will be dragged into disgraceful gossip. The damage will be severe before he even secures his position."
"……."
"Is it still just his private life then? Can you really dismiss this as a re personal affair when his status is so high?"
This wasn’t just an old man’s stubbornness.
For all his greed, Kim Seoncheol had dedicated himself to Hyesung Group’s success.
He was genuinely concerned about the next leader’s future.
But Woo Ilhwa had no interest in prolonging this discussion.
"I’ll be taking my leave."
She collected the envelope and stood.
Kim Seoncheol didn’t stop her.
"One thing, Vice Chairman."
Just as she reached for the doorknob, she paused.
Turning back, she t his gaze, unwavering.
"Don’t belittle Chief Secretary Lee Suin as a re secretary. She is one of the most capable people I know."
"I’m well aware. I know you place imnse trust in her."
Kim Seoncheol scoffed, eyes filled with condescension.
Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he emptied his whiskey glass.
Clink.
The sound of the glass eting the table rang eerily sharp in the silent room.
Then, his voice, low and thick.
"Does she et your standards as a daughter-in-law as well?"
***
Suin spent the night sighing.
Even with her eyes closed, she could still feel the weight of sorrow pressing against her lashes.
Every ti she turned in bed, it settled deeper into her bones.
A heavy shadow draped over her entire body.
Because she knew.
She knew all too well.
"No matter what happens, we must never repay the Chairwoman’s kindness with betrayal."
Her mother was right.
They could never betray Woo Ilhwa’s generosity.
Her father had swindled Hyesung Group out of 2 billion won, and before his death, he had left them with another billion in debt.
Even if she and her mother worked themselves to death, they could never repay such a sum.
It was Woo Ilhwa who had cleared all 3 billion won.
Not only that—she had provided them with this very house, ensuring they had a place to live.
"What’s this?"
"My first paycheck. I want to start paying you back, even if it’s little by little."
Suin had withdrawn her entire first salary in cash and handed it over in an envelope.
Woo Ilhwa had laughed—so loudly, so unexpectedly.
"Why are you giving
all of it? You must have things you need."
"I don’t."
"Nonsense. You need clothes for work, makeup to look your best."
"No, I don’t—"
"I refuse to have my secretary looking shabby. If you insist on celebrating your first paycheck, buy
a red thermal set. One for your mother too."
Suin had left that very mont, heading straight to a lingerie shop.
Instead of red thermals, she bought two sets of luxurious red lingerie and carefully wrapped them as gifts.
That was Woo Ilhwa.
And Suin could never betray her.
She didn’t even want to burden her with sothing as trivial as a passing concern.
That’s why it was all the more painful.
"Hah…"
She let out a long sigh, but the sadness in her heart didn’t fade.
She just had to endure it.
***
"Good morning, Director."
Despite everything, Suin composed herself the next morning.
"I’ll go over today’s schedule."
She carried herself with her usual poise, maintaining her usual professional smile, making sure Jaehee noticed nothing.
"Looks like we have partnership etings all day?"
"Yes. The final eting runs into the evening. Perhaps we should arrange a dinner gathering for encouragent?"
"That sounds good."
"I’ll make the arrangents."
"You’ll be accompanying
today, Chief Secretary Lee."
"Unfortunately, I have intern training scheduled, so I won’t be able to join you."
"Are you really unfortunate?"
"Yes, very much so."
"You’ve gotten slicker with your words."
Suin’s seamless response kept Jaehee from sensing the storm inside her.
He rely smirked playfully, his eyes filled with amusent.
"Give
the docunts that need approval."
"Of course."
Jaehee casually picked up a binder from his desk, then walked around to where Suin stood.
He didn’t just hand it to her.
Instead, he extended it just within reach.
"Take it."
The mont she grasped it—
A sharp tug.
With surprising strength, he pulled, dragging her forward until she stumbled into his arms.
A grin played at his lips.
Then he lowered them to hers.
"Take my lips too."
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