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“What brings you here? You must be busy with Studio FIRST. This is your chance to prove yourself and secure Chairman Park’s confidence in handing over the group to you. You understand, don’t you?”
“Of course. No need to worry about that.”
“Yes, good. That’s how it should be.”
Cha Yeo-sa had never indulged Seok-kyung with affection or leniency from a young age. She had ensured he received the best education possible, grooming him to inherit Baekdo Group without reproach.
“There’s something I wanted to ask you about.”
“What is it?”
“Eun-chae.”
At the mention of her name, Seok-kyung didn’t miss the slight tremor in Cha Yeo-sa’s fingertips.
He knew well that Eun-chae’s marriage and subsequent divorce were Cha Yeo-sa’s sole regrets. Any mention of Eun-chae was something Cha Yeo-sa despised deeply.
“...Why bring her up now?”
Her tone remained calm, but the subtle rise of her eyebrows betrayed her irritation.
“I was wondering how you knew Eun-chae had another man.”
“Why does that matter now? It’s been three years.”
“Just thinking—what if we hadn’t divorced? How might JC Trading have turned out?”
“Don’t waste your time on such pointless thoughts.”
Her rebuke carried an icy edge.
“If she sought comfort elsewhere because I wasn’t there for her, isn’t that my fault?”
“How dare a married woman gallivant with other men and stay at hotels while her husband is absent!”
The damp cloth in Cha Yeo-sa’s hand was flung to the floor—a clear sign her patience had reached its limit.
“Did you confirm it yourself?”
“Someone claimed to have seen her, so I confronted her. Without batting an eye, she admitted it. She said, ‘Since you weren’t around, I got lonely too.’ The audacity!”
Even now, recalling the moment, Cha Yeo-sa’s face flushed with anger, veins standing out starkly against her pale skin.
Without batting an eye...
Seok-kyung couldn’t comprehend. How could Eun-chae, who had no prior experience, admit to seeing another man? Why would she confess so readily to Cha Yeo-sa’s accusation?
Regardless of the reason, it made no sense unless she truly wanted the divorce.
“Surely you’re not considering reaching out to her.”
“No.”
“Be careful with every move you make. A ruined family’s ex-wife will do nothing to help your future.”
Cha Yeo-sa’s expression returned to its usual cold indifference.
A ruined family’s ex-wife.
Seok-kyung repeated the phrase silently. It left a bitter aftertaste, like eating food that wasn’t quite right.
What if the bankruptcy of JC Trading had come first, before their divorce? Would things have been different? Would the company have collapsed at all?
He was certain they wouldn’t have. At least not JC Trading, which had ties to Baekdo Group through marriage. Investors wouldn’t have abandoned them so easily.
It was as though someone had anticipated the bankruptcy and used it to drive a wedge between him and Eun-chae.
The problem was that “someone” appeared to be Eun-chae herself.
Why would she do such a thing? Why harm her own family?
“Are you listening to me, Baek Seok-kyung?”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
Though he hadn’t heard a word, Seok-kyung gave the expected reply.
“If you give them even the slightest excuse, Chairman Park won’t hesitate to hand your position over to Seojun.”
Seojun—the son of Vice Chairman Baek, currently studying music at Berklee College in the U.S.—was someone Cha Yeo-sa viewed as Seok-kyung’s rival.
“What does Seojun know about running a company? He’s only ever studied music.”
Thinking of Seojun reminded him of how fond the younger man had been of Eun-chae, often praising her piano skills.
“Nonsense. Underestimating your opponent is how you get blindsided. I’ve told you countless times to be cautious in everything you do.”
“I’m no longer a child. I can handle my responsibilities without needing constant reminders from you.”
Finally, Cha Yeo-sa picked up the discarded cloth from the floor.
“Focus solely on maximizing profits from Studio FIRST. That’s all you need to think about. Understand?”
“Managing Studio FIRST isn’t your concern, Mother.”
Seok-kyung cut her off coldly. While he tolerated her interference in his personal life, business matters were off-limits.
“Fine. I trust you’ll handle it appropriately.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“You must be busy. Go ahead.”
After bidding farewell, Seok-kyung turned to leave. Before stepping out, he approached his father’s bedside and tightly gripped his cold hand.
“You have to come back, Father.”
Leaning close, he whispered softly into his ear.
No matter how much of a figurehead his father had been, he had always tempered Cha Yeo-sa’s harshness. He had cared for Eun-chae and often inquired about her well-being during their calls—even sharing updates with Seok-kyung when asked.
His father had been the one most disappointed by their divorce.
Today, more than ever, Seok-kyung missed him.
---
As a “gift” for her regularization, Manager Yang had piled Eun-chae with extra tasks, causing her to board the late-night bus home once again.
Despite the hour, the bus was crowded, leaving her standing amidst passengers, gripping a handrail. In her other hand, she carefully held a small cake box, wary of crushing it.
Exhausted, she rested her head against the back of her hand on the railing and closed her eyes briefly.
Springtime songs played on the bus radio, but none registered in her weary mind.
After several stops, she disembarked at the transfer station, sighing as the bus drove away, leaving behind a cloud of exhaust.
“Hoo...”
Looking down at her once-clean shoes now dusty, she sighed again.
Honk honk!
Startled by the loud horn, she turned to see an unfamiliar luxury sedan parked by the curb. Slowly, the rear window rolled down.
“Get in.”
Seok-kyung’s cold voice commanded her.
How did he end up here? They were already ten stops past the office.
“Get in,” he urged again, irritation flickering across his face.
“I’m fine. The next bus will come soon.”
“I need to talk to you. Get in.”
“Later...”
Eun-chae couldn’t finish her sentence.
Suddenly, Seok-kyung exited the car and strode toward her, stopping mere inches away.
“Our deal isn’t settled yet, is it?”
She bit her lip. True, today he had kept his promise, granting her regularization despite her failing to fulfill her end of the bargain. She had no grounds to refuse him now.
“Get in.”
Growling slightly, Seok-kyung gestured impatiently.
Reluctantly, she climbed into the car.
The plush leather embraced her body, the ride was impeccably smooth, and the sound system filled the space with rich audio despite being set low.
It had been ages since she’d ridden in such a luxurious sedan.
“Your address.”
“Huh?”
“Give me your address. I’ll drop you off.”
With no choice, she recited her address, and the driver quickly entered it into the navigation system.
“Cake?”
“Huh?”
Seok-kyung’s gaze landed on the slice of cake in her hands.
“Ah, yes...”
“Something to celebrate?”
“Well... my regularization...”
“Hmph.”
At the mention of “regularization,” Seok-kyung snorted derisively and fell silent, asking no further questions.
Perhaps due to the driver’s presence, Seok-kyung said nothing more during the ride. He appeared to listen to the music or perhaps rest, his eyes closed.
Eun-chae stole glances at him. His handsome features—sharp forehead, straight nose, long lashes, full lips, and flawless skin—were as striking as ever. Her gaze drifted lower, admiring his firm physique, and she quickly averted her eyes, blushing.
Memories of his bare body from a few nights ago surfaced unbidden.
Damn it. Why am I thinking about that now?
Shaking her head slightly, she turned away, only to meet the driver’s eyes in the rearview mirror. Flustered, she quickly looked out the window.
After a long drive, the car stopped near the hillside neighborhood where she lived.
“You can let me out here.”
“The address is still far.”
“This road is too narrow for cars. I’ll walk from here.”
She was grateful for the cramped alleyways tonight—they provided a convenient excuse for Seok-kyung to leave.
“Thank you.”
But as she stepped out, she realized her assumption was wrong.
He exited the car from the opposite side.
“Why...?”
“Wait here,” he instructed the driver, ignoring her confusion.
“I can go alone.”
“I’ll escort you.”
“No, really, I’m fine...”
“We haven’t talked yet. Did you forget what I said earlier?”
So he intended to collect on their agreement tonight.
But it was impossible.
Her tiny studio apartment lacked the plush mattress, cozy blankets, or even the spaciousness of his bedroom. What could they possibly do in a room smaller than his bed?
“Which way? Lead the way.”
With no other option, she began walking toward her home, hoping he’d change his mind along the way.
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