Chapter 53: The Truth Stands

Not long ago, Yoo-ri’s hints at retirement and early cessation of activities fueled rumors of marriage. However, she abruptly chose a miniseries featuring an idol-turned-actor as her comeback project, effectively quashing both the retirement and marriage speculations.

For her, this outcome wasn’t bad. Anyone remotely interested in entertainment news knew she had nearly become the daughter-in-law of Taesung Group, but public attention rarely lasted beyond a day once it moved past the screen.

Moreover, Taesung Group agreed to collaborate as a partner in Chairman Kang Ji-cheol’s strategic ventures, making this a profitable deal within a short timeframe.

The real issue was Madam Kim Sun-hye. After receiving the annulment notice, she trembled with rage and fell ill the next day. Her disappointment wasn’t about losing money, honor, or status—it was the missed opportunity to belittle Yoon-mi, who would have been her counterpart.

Yoo-ri visited her family home to comfort her mother and ran into Eun-ho, who looked like he’d just emerged from a funeral. Though she felt no anger or regret about the broken engagement, she couldn’t forgive the woman who hurt Eun-ho—her other half. Deep down, Yoo-ri hoped Jisoo would be abandoned by Tae-ha and reduced to a pathetic figure humming pop songs in back alleys.

“What brings you here?”

“I’m on my way to the workshop, but Mom called and asked me to stop by.”

Workshop? Even now? Eun-ho, the epitome of frustration in this situation, trudged along with slumped shoulders. Was Han Jisoo really worth all this trouble? Watching him, Yoo-ri slapped his back bitterly.

“If you met Mom with that face, she must’ve been heartbroken.”

How could someone as handsome and kind as Eun-ho, who had the potential to be anyone’s ideal boyfriend, suffer so much? Her anger toward Jisoo grew.

“They claim they’ll overcome their class differences and make it work. Are you just going to sit back and watch? Why don’t you join Dad’s company while you’re at it?”

“Fine. I’ll go.”

Suppressing her rising fury, Yoo-ri headed to her mother’s bedroom, where Madam Kim lay moaning.

“This exclusive statement regarding the annulment should be softened before publishing. Keep it balanced… aligned with Human Life ‘s founding principles. You know what I mean, right?”

Ahead of her miniseries press conference, Yoo-ri chose the third-rate tabloid Human Life to air her confession about the swirling rumors. Known for speculative reporting that often led to lawsuits consuming most of its revenue, Human Life still commanded significant buzz.

As soon as she left her family home, Yoo-ri immediately asked her manager to schedule an interview with Human Life .

Though Yoo-ri wanted to sever ties with Tae-ha and Taesung Group, seeing her mother and Eun-ho stirred her desire to strike back subtly.

Her stance remained that she had genuinely liked Tae-ha—but there was an insurmountable physical truth!

Here, Yoo-ri trailed off. Her beautiful yet troubled expression hinted at sadness and despair over the loss of what could have been the perfect lover.

An hour later, articles with explosive headlines flooded online platforms, quickly picked up by other media outlets. The world buzzed with speculation about Tae-ha’s supposed impotence.

[Popular Actor K’s Pure Love Couldn’t Raise C’s Lower Region Issues], [Money Can’t Fix It—Now We Know!], [Unresponsive Heads Down—Are These Men Okay?]

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Taesung Resort was less a large-scale vacation facility and more a villa-like space offering top-tier services to a select few members.

Even repeating similar programs annually didn’t bother employees because the resort offered access to luxurious amenities and pristine natural surroundings unavailable in daily life.

As the bus carrying employees entered the resort’s private road, Hee-kyung approached Jisoo with her phone in hand.

“Oh my gosh, Team Leader, have you seen this?”

Lowering her voice conspiratorially, Hee-kyung glanced around before showing Jisoo the screen. It was an interview article featuring Yoo-ri. Knowing Hee-kyung’s interest in gossip, Jisoo skimmed the sensational headlines.

She read bits and pieces but still couldn’t understand why Hee-kyung showed it to her.

“That ‘C’ refers to Vice President Cha Tae-ha. Imagine having such a tall, handsome exterior but being… defective downstairs. What a shame! If he’s useless, he might as well give us our boyfriends instead.”

Recalling how Tae-ha had performed vigorously multiple times after visiting In-hee, and even that morning before his recent business trip, Jisoo tilted her head skeptically.

“No, I doubt it. Surely not?”

Why would Yoo-ri release such an interview? Jisoo doubted its credibility for two reasons. First, Tae-ha’s stamina had grown immeasurably—his arousal triggered just by touching her discarded clothes.

Second, according to the article, Yoo-ri claimed intimacy with Tae-ha while he was simultaneously seeing Jisoo. Except during business trips, Tae-ha spent almost all his time with her when in Korea.

Thus, Jisoo concluded the story was entirely fabricated. Though she couldn’t explain her reasoning to Hee-kyung.

“No way. Yoo-ri openly addressed these rumors for the first time. Funny how karma works, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Even modern medicine can’t cure impotence. What’s the point of wealth and good looks if functionality is absent? Just a decoration.”

Jisoo hesitated to add anything further, feeling her face flush. Hee-kyung clicked her tongue in pity, staring at the heavily pixelated photo of Tae-ha in the article and licking her lips.

A lecture on aligning personal and corporate goals commenced, wrapping up the first day’s workshop. Free time began at 8 p.m., and Hee-kyung begged Jisoo to join a night fishing trip.

<I’ll call you tonight. Let me check if it’s okay first. Show me.>

Pleased with their last video call, Tae-ha insisted on seeing Jisoo via screen during his business trips. Familiar with his antics when she didn’t respond promptly, Jisoo firmly declined Hee-kyung’s invitation again.

“They’ll slice fresh sashimi and cook spicy fish stew on the spot.”

Jisoo’s lips curved softly, recalling Tae-ha’s dignified yet amusing inability to handle spicy food. Despite chewing on chili peppers recklessly, he claimed certain foods were off-limits—a mystery. And though she’d never admit it aloud, she found him adorable.

“It sounds delicious. Eat enough for me too.”

Hee-kyung pouted but turned back to her notes, now filled with doodles about the upcoming free time rather than the lecture content.

What started as a small night fishing trip unexpectedly expanded, leaving only Eun-ho and Jisoo behind. After bidding Hee-kyung farewell, Jisoo found Eun-ho waiting.

“Why aren’t you joining?”

“I’m a bit tired and thought I’d rest in my room. What about you?”

Eun-ho had arranged transportation for the night fishing, assuming Jisoo would naturally join since Hee-kyung took the lead.

“I don’t feel like going anywhere either. I’ll probably read a book.”

“Then I’ll head in first. Rest well.”

Jisoo politely excused herself and walked past Eun-ho. Her shoulders appeared cold against the evening chill. Eun-ho considered removing his cardigan but stopped himself.

Back in her room, Jisoo placed her phone on the table. It was nearly time for Tae-ha’s call, and she didn’t want to keep him waiting. Missing his calls often led to unbearable teasing.

Sitting in her chair, Jisoo stared at the black screen.

“Hmm…”

Lately, quiet moments lulled her to sleep, especially when leaning against Tae-ha. Perhaps it was because he watched over her as she slept. When sleepy or hungry, Tae-ha became the kindest man in the world, doting on her.

As heavy eyelids fluttered shut, Jisoo’s head gently dropped onto her knees. Why was she so sleepy lately? Maybe meeting Tae-ha every night relaxed her completely.

Amid fleeting thoughts of him, Jisoo drifted into a light sleep. Even asleep, her awareness remained alert, drawn to the phone on the table.

When her curled-up body tilted slightly, strong arms enveloped her. Startled awake by the intense embrace, she opened her eyes wide.

Was this a dream? Tae-ha, who should have been on a business trip, stood above her, smirking. Though the room was dimly lit, Jisoo recognized him instantly. There was no mistaking him.

In dreams, in her eyes, in her heart, and through her fingertips, Cha Tae-ha had lived as her master for ten years.

Tae-ha kissed her blinking, surprised eyes.

“How… are you here?”

“Me? Someone kept ignoring my calls, so I came to punish them.”

Jisoo rubbed her drowsy eyes, realizing this wasn’t a dream. A large, gentle hand caressed her cheek, neck, and lower.

Before she could react, he swiftly, precisely, and secretly penetrated her in his usual manner.