IT - 27

27. Malicious Blessings

As Yoo-ri lowered the neckline of her dress to reveal half of her ample chest, the designer’s hands swiftly buttoned it back up and tied the ribbon at the front into a lavish bow.

“How does it look, Miss Yoo-ri?”

“Anything looks good on me, doesn’t it? Teacher Lee, can’t you unbutton one more? It feels too old-fashioned.”

The designer, satisfied with the perfect fit, passed Yoo-ri’s request to Teacher Lee. The silver-haired woman shook her head gently. A long-time acquaintance of Madam Kim, Yoo-ri’s mother, Teacher Lee specialized in formal attire for official events.

“It’s neat and beautiful as it is. What more could you want?”

At Teacher Lee’s compliment, Yoo-ri turned back to the mirror to examine herself. Her expression soured. There was no denying the outfit was tasteful and elegant, leaving her without grounds to argue further.

This wasn’t just any occasion—it was her debut as the poised fiancée and future mistress of Taesung Group. That’s why Yoo-ri had chosen this shop, which exclusively handled her mother’s wardrobe, instead of her usual designer boutique. In hindsight, it was an excellent decision. Not a trace remained of her late-night clubbing until dawn on her first day off after the photoshoot.

“When’s the engagement? Madam Kim asked me to prepare an after-dress as well.”

A quiet and modest engagement, followed by a grand and extravagant wedding—that was the tone set by their marriage contract. Yoo-ri let out a subtle sigh, barely noticeable. To think she’d have to wear another outfit from here for the engagement ceremony when there were so many stunning dresses in the latest collections.

“Oh, by the way, Teacher. I’ll have bridesmaids too.”

“Really? Who could be the bridesmaid for such a beautiful bride?”

What should she call Han Ji-soo? Friend didn’t fit; colleague didn’t either. The girl Eun-ho abandoned? The clingy flower chasing Tae-ha? The other woman?

Whether it was fact or misunderstanding, imagining that arrogant woman trembling in humiliation smoothed out the tangled frustration Yoo-ri had been feeling.

Just days ago, during the meeting to finalize the engagement date, Taesung Group’s operations team suggested delaying the official announcement and media coverage until their ongoing overseas business deal was completed. Though Yoo-ri outwardly agreed, she hadn’t fully consented. 

The sudden objection from Tae-ha, who had always seemed indifferent, sparked reasonable suspicion. So, instead of rushing the postponed engagement announcement, they decided to attend Taesung Group’s anniversary event.

Though not officially reported yet, their union was already considered a foregone conclusion in their circles. It was an ironclad contract—neither of them sane enough to break it unless driven mad.

While her appearance carried significant meaning, what truly irritated Yoo-ri was knowing that Han Ji-soo would be the event’s emcee. Similarly vexing was the phone call Eun-ho made to the designer’s studio earlier today.

- Yoo-ri, did you meet Ms. Ji-soo separately?

- Why would I meet her? Is something wrong?

Eun-ho’s dejected tone said little more, but Yoo-ri immediately sensed her beloved brother’s hurt—and who caused it. So, removing Ji-soo from clinging to Tae-ha became unavoidable.

Of course, Yoo-ri never wanted to lose Eun-ho or Tae-ha to Ji-soo for even a moment. But there was a difference between being pushed away by someone overstepping their bounds and actively severing ties from their side.

“Oh, right, Miss Yoo-ri. A new brooch from the brand Madam Oh favors has arrived. Would you like to see it?”

“Really? Yes, please show me. She’ll love it as a gift.”

Yoo-ri answered sweetly while inwardly disliking how the outfit concealed her voluptuous figure like armor. No matter how displeased she was, she needed to impress the elders on their side.

---

With 30 minutes left until quitting time, Ji-soo hurried back to the office after finishing an external meeting. If she organized the meeting notes now, she could submit her report by tomorrow morning.

[Ji-soo, what time are you finishing today?]

A text from an unfamiliar eleven-digit number stopped her in the lobby. Though there was no trace of her mother Ae-ran in the brief message, Ji-soo knew. Barging into her daughter’s life uninvited was her mother’s style. Each contact number changed depending on the man she was with.

[I’ll be late due to overtime…]

As Ji-soo typed her reply, she looked up to see Ae-ran entering through the lobby. Even now, her youthful and delicate face appeared no older than her mid-thirties. Ae-ran wore jeans, a T-shirt emblazoned with a luxury logo, and a matching bag. Judging by her ever-changing style, it seemed she was currently seeing a much younger man.

Ji-soo pressed her temples, already throbbing, and slipped her phone into her pocket. Most of Ae-ran’s problems revolved around money.

At least this situation was better than when Ae-ran once introduced her to a loan shark twenty years her senior. Boasting about his cash and properties, he planned to use them for rental businesses if they married—but thankfully, it ended at the planning stage.

As Ji-soo approached Ae-ran, her mother’s gaze shifted toward the annex leading to the VIP parking lot entrance. There, Kang Yoo-ri appeared, holding a small box.

“Oh my! Isn’t that Kang Yoo-ri? You’re even prettier in person! I’m your fan!”

“Thank you.”

Though dressed in a tweed jacket, Yoo-ri coincidentally wore the same T-shirt as Ae-ran. The overly enthusiastic woman pulled out her phone.

“Can we take a quick photo together?”

Yoo-ri waited patiently until the surrounding attention faded, then smiled faintly. It was her mistake for not bringing a manager to this private outing.

“I’m afraid it’s a bit inconvenient to take a photo right now. Excuse me.”

As Yoo-ri headed toward the elevator, Ae-ran grabbed her hand. Yoo-ri yanked it away as if touched by filth, nearly knocking Ae-ran backward, but the older woman persisted.

“I really admire you, Miss Yoo-ri. I watched every episode of your drama abroad. My daughter should be like you… Oh, Ji-soo!”

Yoo-ri, who had been trying to shake off the bothersome woman, turned her head upon hearing the familiar name. If this frivolous woman’s daughter was Han Ji-soo, perhaps she could do more than just take a picture.

“Ms. Ji-soo, long time no see.”

“Hello.”

“What? You two know each other? How fascinating!”

The resemblance between mother and daughter was undeniable—their delicate features and enigmatic charm mirrored each other. Yet, their reunion felt awkward and distant.

“If you’re not busy, could you take a photo for us? My mother says she’s your fan.”

“Sure, Ji-soo. Take a nice one. Use beauty mode.”

Ji-soo took Ae-ran’s phone. It was the latest model, with a wallpaper featuring a round-faced man kissing Ae-ran’s cheek—a picture that wouldn’t look out of place as a son.

She captured Ae-ran’s beaming smile alongside Yoo-ri’s charming, fan-service grin.

“How do you two know each other? What a coincidence.”

“I didn’t realize it before, but Ms. Ji-soo and I are quite close. She works with my brother at the company and under my fiancé.”

When Yoo-ri emphasized “my fiancé,” their gazes locked. Her haughty eyes seemed intent on making Ji-soo kneel in this very spot.

“Oh, really? My clever daughter! To think you’re friends with someone so famous and amazing!”

“Please don’t mention it. This relationship is confidential among insiders. An official announcement will come soon.”

Thrilled to share a secret with her admired Yoo-ri, Ae-ran grinned like a child. Ji-soo alternated her gaze between her pleased mother and Yoo-ri, eager to leave. Just as she reached for Ae-ran’s hand, the phone in her grip vibrated.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Ae-ran snatched the phone back, clearly expecting this call. Before answering, she cheerfully remarked to the two women standing stiffly nearby:

“It’s great to see you two getting along! Honey, have you eaten?”

As Ae-ran stepped aside to answer her boyfriend’s call, the previously warm atmosphere chilled. Yoo-ri no longer needed to maintain her polite mask. Amid the silence, Ae-ran’s affectionate voice echoed.

“You’re quite something. Whether it’s you or your mother, scraping by on men and living cheaply—it’s vulgar.”

Ji-soo raised her head to meet Yoo-ri’s icy words.

“What do you mean…?”

“Oh, you don’t understand? Are you stupider than you look? Or does your brain only function properly when seducing men?”

Yoo-ri sneered, leaning closer to whisper sweetly.

“Here’s a blessing: keep milking rich men and selling your pretty face and body to live comfortably. Redistribution of wealth through appearances, shall we say?”

Ji-soo’s pale face betrayed surprise, though not the trembling or tearful reaction Yoo-ri anticipated. Instead, her expression resembled a frozen lake on a sunny winter day—brittle and gleaming, ready to shatter at the slightest touch.

“Thanks to your blessing, I seem to have made another mistake today. Please comfort Team Leader Eun-ho by telling him I didn’t mean it. Life doesn’t go as planned, does it? If I’d listened to you earlier, I might have handled things more efficiently.”

A faint twitch crossed Yoo-ri’s lips as she tried to crush Ji-soo beneath her heel.

“Still, aim high, right? After all, my face is worth a lot. A food company isn’t enough—I need at least a group of this caliber to negotiate with. And engagements? They’re promises meant to be broken until marriage.”

“Do you want to end up socially ruined, sobbing in some alleyway wishing for death?”

Yoo-ri gripped the box in her hand tightly, her voice chilling.

“We’ll see. Let me ask if you can buy me that alleyway too. After all, no one understands the power of money better than you, Miss Kang Yoo-ri.”

Ji-soo turned toward Ae-ran, who was approaching. Taking her mother’s hand as she bid farewell to Yoo-ri, they left the building together.