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Ah, it’s all over now.
Joo-eun had always harbored a vague fear that her relationship with Director Min might be discovered someday, but she never imagined it would happen today.
If I’d known it would end like this, I should have loved him more freely…
The sadness of their relationship ending because she kept pushing him away brought tears to Joo-eun’s eyes.
Minhyuk, who had been silently watching her while holding his breath, stared at her with a look of genuine concern in his eyes.
In the suffocating silence, the man’s voice echoed loudly.
“Yes, Manager. I’m in the storage room right now!”
Joo-eun swallowed hard.
“Oh, you have the company brochure too? Thank goodness. I was getting frustrated not being able to find it. Yes, I’ll head there now.”
After ending the call, the man hastily tidied up the box he had been rummaging through and left the storage room.
The door closed, and the sound of his footsteps faded away.
Her body trembled as the tension finally eased.
“Ha…”
Minhyuk quickly grabbed her arms to steady her.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes…”
How could she be okay? Her heart felt shattered into pieces.
“I’m sorry. I was only thinking about my feelings.”
His apology carried genuine regret, delivered in a low, sincere tone.
Joo-eun offered a faint smile to reassure him, though it lacked any real strength.
“I thought I didn’t care if we got caught because I love you so much, but I guess I acted too recklessly toward someone who has to endure this company no matter what.”
Her sunken eyes slowly lifted to meet his.
“I’ll try my best to hold back at work from now on. I can’t stand seeing you panic like that.”
She had always feared they’d get caught, living on edge every day. Now, hearing him promise not to cross the line at work made her feel strangely regretful.
The contradictory emotions amused her, and she let out a bitter laugh.
“Just occasionally compliment me for holding back so well. That’s all I need.”
“…”
“Just give me permission. I’ll stay up all night.”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Minhyuk sealed his words with a firm declaration.
“For every moment I hold back, I’ll collect interest compounded. You’ll have to pay me back later.”
C-compounded interest…?
“See you later. Don’t forget we’re leaving together after work.”
He lightly brushed her shoulder before stepping out of the storage room.
As the door opened, a brief ray of light illuminated the space, only for darkness to fall again once it closed.
Leaning against the wall, her body slid down limply.
She had come here to rest, but now she felt a million times more exhausted.
Setting that aside… why was she imagining what they’d do all night?
Why was she picturing how he’d collect that compounded interest…?
“Ugh, please stop.”
She covered her face with her palms, overwhelmed by her own thoughts.
________________________________________
Chairman Lee Chang-hoon of Chaerin Group conversed casually with the executives.
The secretary approached cautiously and bowed deeply.
The fact that the secretary, who rarely intervened, had stepped forward was not a good sign.
As the secretary whispered something softly, Chairman Lee’s previously kind expression began to crumple.
“What?!”
Bam! The chairman slammed his hand on the table, and a dull thud reverberated through the spacious office.
The previously warm atmosphere froze instantly.
“Why the hell is Choi Dae-sik suddenly going to DK Media?!”
Judging that there was no need to whisper anymore after the chairman’s blatant outburst, the secretary straightened up and replied.
“He says his decision is final.”
“Damn it. He’s gotten greedy. Double his salary! Double everything—his base pay, bonuses, incentives!”
“He strongly emphasized not to contact him further…”
“Shit. His greed knows no bounds. What does he think he’ll gain by becoming a puppet under Jeong Minhyuk?”
At the mention of Jeong Minhyuk, the executives exchanged glances.
Rumors were circulating that Chairman Lee was trying to poach Choi Dae-sik, whom DK Media coveted, as part of his vendetta against Minhyuk, who had rejected his daughter. They could roughly guess the situation.
“What should we do?”
“What can we do?! Let the guy who’s already gone and focus on clearing out the remaining stocks quickly.”
“Yes.”
The man bowed deeply and exited the chairman’s office. Chairman Lee glared ahead with a hardened expression.
Not only had Minhyuk hurt his daughter, but the fact that he dared reject the position of being his son-in-law was unforgivable.
His jaw muscles twitched erratically with rising anger.
The observing executives exchanged glances in silence, unsure of what to say.
________________________________________
Bam! The director’s office door flew open without a knock.
Jang-wook bounded in, hopping toward Minhyuk.
“He said yes! He’s coming to our company!”
“I said I’ll handle it, so stop coming in.”
Even as Minhyuk extended a warning finger, Jang-wook didn’t stop.
With his lips puckered determinedly, it was clear he wasn’t backing down this time.
“It’s because you’re so lovable, Director Min. So lovable.”
Having successfully recruited Choi Dae-sik, who hadn’t budged an inch despite three visits, Minhyuk seemed impossibly charming to Jang-wook.
Of course, to Minhyuk, Jang-wook looked like a crazed zombie.
“Why do you keep barging in? Can’t you just leave?”
Even as Minhyuk lifted his foot threateningly, Jang-wook charged forward without hesitation.
“This is just the beginning! Let’s work together for a long, long time, Director Min!”
“Long? You’re fired today!”
“Aww, don’t say things you don’t mean.”
As their playful wrestling continued, the door burst open again without a knock.
“Looks like you two are having fun.”
“…!”
Startled, Jang-wook stumbled, his legs tangling.
“A-Ah, Vice Chairwoman! If you had called, I would’ve stepped out. Why come in so suddenly…”
“What brings you here?”
Minhyuk, who had been playfully roughhousing moments ago, swiftly reverted to his cold, composed demeanor.
Jang-wook stood stiffly, unsure of what to do, alternating his gaze between Jin-sook and Minhyuk.
Please, just let this pass quietly, he silently pleaded.
But Jin-sook wasn’t one to show warmth to anyone, and neither was Minhyuk.
She slowly removed her sunglasses with deliberate movements.
“I came to place an ad for our upcoming exhibition on your platform. Aren’t you being too cold to advertisers?”
“T-Then the two of you talk. Shall I prepare a cappuccino for you, Vice Chairwoman?”
“No need. I’ve already eaten.”
“Ah… yes. Then…”
Jang-wook gave a deep bow and hurriedly escaped the director’s office, instinctively knowing he had no role to play between these two formidable figures.
“You must have something to say if you came. Please, sit.”
Minhyuk gestured to the sofa and sat down.
Jin-sook frowned disapprovingly as she took in the office, which clearly didn’t meet her standards.
“Can’t you decorate this place? What kind of office is this?”
She shook her head as she sat down.
Though elegant compared to other chaebol wives, she wasn’t exactly frugal, so her son’s minimalist office naturally displeased her.
Once seated, she glanced around the sofa with dissatisfaction and clicked her tongue.
“You didn’t come here just to tour my office. What do you want?”
Minhyuk maintained a neutral expression, but his features involuntarily hardened at the thought of her possibly asking about Joo-eun.
Of course, he would block any such attempt, but he couldn’t predict what his unpredictable mother might do.
“I heard you went to get sleeping pills prescribed.”
Minhyuk froze mid-motion as he was brushing back his bangs. Slowly, he raised his gaze.
The doctor wouldn’t have told her.
Where had the information leaked from?
It was infuriating how closely they were being monitored, despite pretending to have no interest in each other.
The bitterness was unavoidable.
“That was a while ago.”
It wasn’t ancient history—it had happened before his trip—but since he hadn’t sought medication recently, it felt distant.
“Is that so? Are you still having those dreams?”
Her casual question caused Minhyuk’s thick eyebrows to twitch slightly.
It wasn’t the kind of question one could ask lightly, and he knew it.
He glared at her sharply, annoyed by her deliberate provocation.
Jin-sook smirked faintly.
“So you’re still having them.”
Thick veins bulged on his tightly clenched fist.
“When was the last time? I haven’t had them in ages. I barely remember them.”
His clipped tone carried the ticking tension of a time bomb.
Most people would have backed off by now, but Jin-sook never retreated easily.
She always pushed forward relentlessly, regardless of who she was dealing with.
Unaware—or perhaps uncaring—that her actions had left her child with scars that would last a lifetime.
“Barely remember, huh? Then why did you go to that pension?”
Jin-sook’s sharp voice sliced through the heavy air like a blade.
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