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“Huh? Seok-kyung…? You mean… Lee Eun-chae is our CEO’s ex-wife?”
Yang’s loud, shocked question made even the employees standing farther away turn their heads.
Eun-chae’s face burned.
Neither she nor Seok-kyung had wanted the truth to come out like this. They could have just stayed as strangers, quietly moving on. She had even planned to leave the company soon—so why…?
“Oh my, you didn’t know? I thought everyone was aware…”
“Not at all. Eun-chae, what’s going on? Is this true?”
Eun-chae froze, glancing between her coworkers and Joo-eun.
Her colleagues stared at her in stunned disbelief, while Hyun-woo watched her with an unreadable expression.
And Joo-eun? She just shrugged, as if to say, Oops.
“Sorry.”
The apology sounded hollow. Eun-chae knew it wasn’t sincere.
Joo-eun had deliberately exposed her.
Of course—letting everyone know she was the CEO’s ex-wife would make people uncomfortable. They’d look at her differently.
Just tell me to disappear from Seok-kyung’s life already.
“Wow, you really can’t judge a book by its cover.”
Yang’s face turned red as she fanned herself dramatically.
“Oh, the elevator’s here! I’ll go up first. See you later?”
With a cheerful wave, Joo-eun stepped inside.
Too shocked to even think about following, Eun-chae stood frozen as her coworkers continued staring.
“I… I need to go to the bank for a bit…”
“Y-Yeah. Go ahead.”
Team Leader Park, unusually formal, ushered the others into the elevator.
Even Hyun-jung avoided her gaze, and Hyun-woo looked at her with a bitter expression. The whispers from surrounding employees were far from kind.
It was only a matter of time before rumors spread. No—they probably already had.
She hadn’t done anything wrong, but she needed to breathe.
I want to be alone. Just… alone.
Remembering a place she could go, Eun-chae headed not for the elevator—but the emergency exit.
________________________________________
The moment the elevator doors closed, Joo-eun’s smile vanished.
She’d hoped people would find out about their past, but she hadn’t expected them to hide it so thoroughly.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got—at both Eun-chae and Seok-kyung.
So she’d made sure to expose them.
It was the only way to ease her frustration.
Sure, some might treat Eun-chae carefully now, but judging by that assistant manager’s reaction, most would do the opposite.
Even if they didn’t outright bully her, things wouldn’t be the same.
Feeling slightly better, Joo-eun arrived at the CEO’s office, where Secretary Won announced her.
“Go on in. He’s waiting.”
With a sweet smile, Joo-eun entered.
Seok-kyung, who’d been reviewing documents, set down his pen and stood.
“You’re here.”
His expression was as indifferent as ever.
Couldn’t he at least smile for his fiancée? Even customer service workers faked smiles.
But today, Joo-eun didn’t care.
She had something to confirm.
She was curious how he’d react to what she’d just set in motion.
“Sit.”
“Actually, Seok-kyung…”
“...Why do you look like that?”
“I think I made a mistake on my way up.”
Ignoring the offered seat, Joo-eun put on a grave face.
“Mistake?”
“I assumed everyone already knew.”
“What are you talking about…?”
“About Eun-chae.”
“Huh?”
“No one knew she was your ex-wife.”
Seok-kyung’s pupils shook. His lips parted slightly, his breath hitching.
After a heavy silence, he swallowed hard.
“Who did you tell?”
“I ran into Eun-chae and her team in the lobby. It just… came up.”
Pouting, Joo-eun took a step closer.
“What should I do? Did I make things difficult for her?”
The moment his wavering gaze steadied, Seok-kyung grabbed his suit jacket and strode toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
He didn’t answer.
As if she weren’t even worth a glance, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
“Ha… So that’s how it is.”
No further words were needed.
Seok-kyung’s expression and actions had said everything about his relationship with Eun-chae.
Joo-eun sat on the armrest of the sofa and called Madam Cha.
“Yes?”
“It’s me.”
“What is it?”
“You need to deal with Lee Eun-chae. Properly.”
“What?”
“There’s something between her and Seok-kyung. I didn’t want to know, but now I do.”
Silence.
“If this isn’t resolved, I can’t go through with the wedding. And if this marriage falls apart, it won’t be a quiet affair.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Threatening? Let’s call it a negotiation, Madam. In business, isn’t negotiation better than threats?”
“Hmph.”
A small scoff, then a full laugh.
“I knew I liked you. You know exactly how to protect what’s yours. Smart girl.”
“You flatter me.”
“No, it’s not flattery. This is why Seok-kyung chose you.”
Joo-eun preened at the praise.
No matter what “relationship” Seok-kyung and Eun-chae had, as long as she and Madam Cha were aware, it wouldn’t progress.
And Madam Cha—cold, calculating, flawless—had just given her a rare compliment. It felt like acceptance.
“A fox is always better than a bear.”
“Don’t compare me to Eun-chae. I’m not that stupid.”
“Hmph, true. I should compare you to the right people. Don’t worry—I’ve already warned her.”
“What about Seok-kyung?”
“I made sure he got the message too.”
Good. Unless they were complete fools, one of them would back off.
“I’ll trust you, Madam. Ah—may I call you ‘Mother’ now?”
“Of course. You’re the only one worthy of that title.”
“Thank you.”
After promising to visit soon, Joo-eun hung up.
She traced her fingers over Seok-kyung’s nameplate, then his desk—immaculate, not a speck of dust.
Of course, the cleaners maintained it, but she knew his personality played a part too.
No clutter, just his laptop, documents, and fountain pen.
“What should I do, Seok-kyung? You’re making me want you more.”
At first, she’d only seen him as a good strategic match. But the more they met, the more she liked him.
Even his cold indifference was attractive.
She’d assumed he’d be boring and kept other lovers, but now that seemed pointless.
Well, she hadn’t slept with him yet, so she’d keep them for now. Maybe she’d push things next time they drank.
As she waited for Seok-kyung’s return, impatience gnawed at her.
Had he found Eun-chae yet? What were they saying? What were they doing?
Noticing his phone wasn’t on his desk, she gritted her teeth.
You’d better come back before my patience runs out, Seok-kyung.
Her fingers drummed faster against the desk.
________________________________________
Why wasn’t she answering?
Seok-kyung hung up in frustration as the call went to voicemail again.
After hearing Joo-eun had exposed their past, he’d rushed to find Eun-chae—but her phone kept ringing out.
He’d passed by the planning team under the pretense of work, but she wasn’t there. Just strange stares.
And it wasn’t just her department.
Somehow, the rumor had spread—employees’ gazes lingered on him differently now.
If he was getting looks like this, what kind of stares was Eun-chae enduring?
He called her again in the elevator. Still no answer.
“Where the hell did you go…?”
As he hesitated over which floor to press, one place came to mind.
If she was anywhere, it was probably there.
Exiting the elevator, he took the emergency stairs up to the rooftop.
He flung the door open—but no one was there. Not even an ant.
“Tch…”
Sweat cooled on his back and forehead in the open air.
Just as he turned to leave—
He froze.
Eun-chae was crouched behind the door, head bowed.
“What the—you scared me.”
At his voice, she looked up.
He’d worried she might be crying, but thankfully, her eyes were dry.
“Why are you here?”
“……”
“And why aren’t you answering your phone?”
Questions poured out, but she didn’t reply. She just stood, staring at him blankly.
His gaze traveled from her wrinkled skirt to her face—but he couldn’t read her. No emotion, no thoughts.
What’s going on in that head of yours?
Her silence was maddening.
“Are you ignoring me? Why aren’t you answering your damn phone?”
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