RB - 31

31. The Mistress’s Hypocrisy

Team Leader Kim realized that Seo-Yeon was looking down on her, and her wounded pride caused her to reflexively raise her voice. It was an age-old truth: a scared dog barks the loudest.

“So what do you want me to do? Should I get down on my knees and beg for forgiveness? Are you telling me to just die? Do you have no mercy, Team Leader Han?”

“And what about me? Am I supposed to be okay with being known as the mistress who ruined the HR manager’s marriage? What exactly did I do wrong?”

Kim suddenly shifted her attitude, clasping her hands together and bowing her head deeply. Her voice dropped to a whisper, indicating at least a shred of shame.

“I’m sorry, Team Leader Han. I never expected things to turn out this way. But you’ll be fine. Mr. Myungsoo said he wasn’t in a serious relationship with you. He told the audit team it was just a casual fling… So please, just look the other way. The rumors will die down soon.”

BANG.

Seo-Yeon slammed her hand down on the dining table, enraged. Enough was enough.

“How dare you call that an excuse? And what did you just say? Mr. Myungsoo? Seriously. That man has a family, just like you, Team Leader Kim. Have some shame.”

“That wasn’t my intention!”

“Intentions don’t matter—results do.”

It seemed Team Leader Kim had some kind of filter in her ears that blocked out Seo-Yeon’s words. Communication was utterly impossible. Sobbing, she spewed out excuses that sounded more ridiculous by the second.

“We were purely... just platonic, you know? We leaned on each other because work was tough…”

“Enough.”

Seo-Yeon cut her off with a sneer. The image of Kim Hyun-Ae’s split lips flashed through her mind. Team Leader Kim was trampling over all the moral principles Seo-Yeon believed in, and she glared at her like she was staring at a monster.

“Oh, wow. I can’t believe I’m hearing hypocrisy from you. Leave now, Team Leader Kim. I don’t have the patience to forgive something like this. Your life falling apart has nothing to do with me. All I care about is keeping my own life spotless. Your affair ruining your life? Not my problem.”

Seo-Yeon glanced toward her room where Kim Hyun-Ae and Go Yoon-Ah were still asleep. She needed to send Team Leader Kim away before they woke up.

Suddenly, Team Leader Kim’s expression turned vicious. Ridiculously, her face betrayed a sense of betrayal toward Seo-Yeon. How dare you treat me like this when I was the one who protected you from being ostracized by the female employees? You ungrateful wretch.

Truthfully, Team Leader Kim had always disliked Seo-Yeon. In her eyes, Seo-Yeon was a shallow woman who coasted through life on her looks alone, enjoying undeserved happiness. Why? Because Seo-Yeon’s beauty wasn’t earned through effort—it was simply the luck of good genetics.

“You shouldn’t talk to me like this, Team Leader Han. ‘Not even a tiny scratch’? Do you really have the right to say that? You’re the one who seduced the owner of Café R.A.M., and you’ve been flirting shamelessly with employee Shin Jin-Hyuk! Come on, Han Seo-Yeon, we’re no different. Are you wearing some kind of chastity belt or something?”

“Team Leader Kim, you need to leave. Now. I didn’t want to say this, but since you’re making me angry, I will.”

A cruel gleam entered Seo-Yeon’s eyes. Leaning forward, she lowered her voice to a cold whisper and aimed straight for Team Leader Kim’s most sensitive spot.

“…It’s been six months since you gave birth, right? That newborn… are you sure it’s your husband’s child? Not Myungsoo’s?”

Team Leader Kim flushed red with humiliation, unsure how to respond. Seo-Yeon savored her discomfort, curling her lips into a satisfied smirk.

Involuntarily, Team Leader Kim recalled her nights with HR Manager Ko Myungsoo. While his appearance wasn’t particularly attractive, his “bedroom skills” were satisfying enough to make up for it.

He preferred rough, aggressive penetration without much foreplay, which unexpectedly delivered masochistic pleasure. During their encounters, he would often pull out midway and slap her soaked genitals repeatedly with his palm. Each time, Team Leader Kim writhed in ecstasy, reaching orgasm.

The thin line between pain and pleasure made her addicted to their relationship. Though she outwardly rejected the idea, she secretly anticipated the anal sex he’d hinted at trying someday.

Her only complaint? He adamantly refused to wear condoms, claiming they “ruined the sensation.” Still, she avoided ovulation periods and relied on withdrawal. Surely… it couldn’t be possible, could it?

Team Leader Kim’s cheeks, usually rosy, now radiated malice. Despite pretending to be Seo-Yeon’s supportive senior colleague, her true nature was cunning and sordid.

“Listen carefully, Team Leader Han. Keep your mouth shut at the office if you know what’s good for you. Before I expose you for the slut you are! A stitch in time saves nine, remember that!”

A sigh mixed with a curse escaped Seo-Yeon’s crimson lips.

“Damn, what a spine-chilling threat.”

CLANG! The door burst open, and Kim Hyun-Ae charged in at that exact moment.

“How dare you show up here, you filthy whore!”

Kim Hyun-Ae’s fierce voice was followed by Team Leader Kim’s piercing scream. With her hair firmly gripped, Team Leader Kim was yanked down to the floor beneath the chair.

“Calm down, Hyun-Ae. Team Leader Kim, just stop already.”

As Seo-Yeon tried to intervene, someone—she couldn’t tell if it was Hyun-Ae or Team Leader Kim—struck her head, forcing her to step back. Chaos reigned supreme.

“You dirty adulterer! I’m suing you for being the other woman! You think I’ll let you get away with this?”

Team Leader Kim, her hair disheveled, shouted with fury blazing in her eyes.

“Do you even have evidence? Why are you attacking an innocent person? Let go of me!”

“You shameless bitch! I’ll destroy your family too. Start preparing for the compensation lawsuit.”

Kim Hyun-Ae’s warning was chilling. Terrified of losing her own family, Team Leader Kim fought back fiercely. The murderous gazes of the two women clashed, and the tension reached its peak.

“Take better care of your husband! The HR manager was the one who came onto me first! I’m the victim h—AHH!”

Before Team Leader Kim could even finish her sentence, Kim Hyun-Ae had already grabbed her by the scruff of the neck, ready to beat her senseless. Having spent her youth as a renowned hairstylist, Kim Hyun-Ae’s grip was as strong as any man’s. 

The wife and the mistress became entangled like one body, clawing at each other mercilessly. Gasping for air, Team Leader Kim frantically searched for Seo-Yeon. 

“You ignorant woman! Let go of me! Are you just going to stand there and watch, Team Leader Han? Do something!” 

Clumps of hair were ripped out and scattered across the living room floor, and their clothes were torn to shreds, resembling rags. Most of the hair on the floor belonged to Team Leader Kim. The apartment quickly descended into chaos. 

“Waaaah, Mommy!” 

Yoon-Ah’s wailing marked the climax of the pandemonium. 

KNOCK KNOCK. A strong voice called from outside. 

“This is the police. We’ve arrived in response to a 112 call. Please open the door.” 

It seemed the neighbors had reported the commotion. Seo-Yeon felt a wave of relief wash over her at the timely arrival of the authorities. 

“I’m the victim here… Ughhh, I’m the one who got hurt! I was assaulted by Myungsoo! Sexually assaulted, ughhh!” 

Unable to contain her rage, Team Leader Kim collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Her mascara had smeared into dark streaks down her face, and half of her blouse had been torn off, exposing her undergarments. 

What was supposed to be a fiery Saturday night had turned into utter chaos. The heated fight that erupted in Seo-Yeon’s small apartment was finally quelled with the intervention of law enforcement. With nothing to show for her efforts, Team Leader Kim slunk out of Seo-Yeon’s home like a beaten dog. 

“I can’t keep being a burden. I’ll have to break into my savings account. I should be able to afford a studio apartment where Yoon-Ah and I can stay together.” 

With those words, Kim Hyun-Ae brushed aside Seo-Yeon’s attempts to stop her and left in a taxi late at night. 

Now truly alone, Seo-Yeon surveyed the devastated living room and thought to herself how fortunate it was that Bi-Ryu had moved into the dormitory. As she picked up clumps of hair scattered around the room, she smirked and muttered under her breath: 

“They say emotional pain is the best diet… My dress for tomorrow’s party will fit perfectly.” 

---

The following evening, Sunday, the party began as dusk settled over the horizon. 

Madame Bovary’s villa, located on the outskirts of the city, was transformed into the perfect venue for a lavish gathering. Beneath the soft blend of moonlight and artificial lighting, the spacious area was ideal for budding romantic sentiments between men and women. 

The chirping of birds that had filled the air during the day had now faded, replaced by the clinking of wine glasses and the rustling of fabric brushing against the breeze. 

Jung-Hyuk strode confidently into the villa, glancing at Seo-Yeon as she followed closely beside him. In a low voice, she shared her impressions of the party. 

“A feast for the senses. Truly, this is the victory of capital.” 

Her white, angular face framed by an intricately styled updo exuded peak allure. Jung-Hyuk leaned close to whisper his own thoughts into her ear. 

“Madame Bovary’s parties are still disgustingly extravagant.” 

Satisfied, he curled his lips into a smirk and took her pale hand in his. She flinched slightly, tensing up, but quickly straightened her back with composure. 

My beautiful trophy, Jung-Hyuk’s sharp gaze flickered with a dangerous gleam. 

The highlight of the villa was undoubtedly its expansive garden. Thanks to Madame Bovary’s meticulous care, the garden—centered around a sizable pond—was overflowing with rare ornamental trees and blooming flowers. 

Through the dense web of lights, dozens of silhouettes moved gracefully. 

The faint strains of classical music playing in the background felt incredibly vivid. Glancing around, Seo-Yeon soon realized why—it was being performed live by a small orchestra on a platform in the garden. At the same time, a pleasant fragrance wafted through the air. 

In a somewhat serious tone, Jung-Hyuk reminded Seo-Yeon once more. 

“Remember what I told you? This place is practically a mating ground. So please, make sure your security detail is on high alert. Don’t forget—they’re all treating me like a stud.” 

A stud for breeding? Behind the dazzling mask of a second-generation chaebol heir lay a reckless playboy. Despite his polished exterior, Jung-Hyuk often let slip such primal terms. Seo-Yeon grimaced as if she’d heard something filthy. 

Irregularly placed chairs and sofas dotted the garden, where beautiful women and handsome men mingled and laughed together. Waiters in sharply pressed tailcoats moved about with precision, completing the elegant scene.