RB - 36

36. My Bleeding Saint

A few hours later, feeling thirsty and craving cold water, Seo-Yeon headed toward the pantry. 

“Did you hear about Assistant Manager Han…?” 

Seo-Yeon suddenly stopped in front of the pantry door. Her name had slipped through the crack in the conversation inside. 

Inside the pantry, idle gossip unfolded against the backdrop of freshly brewed coffee’s spreading aroma. Half the conversation was mockery, the other half baseless rumors. Naturally, the subject was none other than Han Seo-Yeon. 

The phrase “wanting to crawl into a mouse hole” felt painfully appropriate. But it wasn’t shame or embarrassment that made her wish for one—it was sheer awkwardness. Though turning back immediately would have been the sensible choice, her feet refused to budge. 

Her curiosity about how the rumors had spread was the first reason she stayed, and a faint hope that people might at least partially guess the truth was the second. 

An intern fixing her makeup in front of the mirror spoke with a youthful voice. 

“If it were me, I’d have quit by now—or at least taken sick leave. I can’t imagine how she even showed up to work. She’s really something, that Assistant Manager Han.” 

Another female coworker, arms crossed as she listened, chimed in with an air of superiority. 

“She’s probably protesting that she didn’t cheat. Do you think HR Manager’s wife would’ve slapped her without evidence? And right at the office?” 

A third woman, pouring coffee, smiled faintly. 

“To be honest, I thought the same—why would someone like Assistant Manager Han get involved with the HR manager? But then I kept thinking, ‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’“ 

The grand finale came from Kim Min-Ah’s excited voice. 

“What about the audit team investigation? That was clearly about infidelity!” 

All eyes turned sharply to Kim Min-Ah. 

“What? That investigation was about infidelity? How do you know that, Kim Daeri?” 

“Yeah, I thought Assistant Manager Han was being audited for real estate work.” 

Realizing her slip-up, Kim Min-Ah stammered defensively. 

“No, no! I mean, it’s just what people are saying. The circumstances make it seem obvious.” 

At the doorway, Seo-Yeon held her breath. The harsh words undoubtedly scratched at her heart, heavier than expected. Yet, strangely, it felt cathartic, like squeezing out a festering pimple she’d been waiting to pop. In a small voice, she muttered, 

“So it was you, Kim Min-Ah.” 

Among JB Company’s unmarried female employees, no one had been immune to Shin Jin-Hyuk’s charms. His impeccable specs and overwhelming physique were intimidating enough, but his striking features were disarmingly gentle. 

Kim Min-Ah’s longing gazes at Jin-Hyuk and her hostile actions toward Seo-Yeon had culminated in the tragedy of the false report to the audit team. 

The puzzle pieces clicked together effortlessly, simple enough for a five-year-old to solve. 

Seconds later, the intern cheerfully suggested, “Let’s hurry and grab lunch! Isn’t cold noodles on the menu today?” as she flung open the pantry curtain—only to freeze mid-scream. 

“H... Ha... Assistant Manager Han...” 

Behind the intern stood three visibly awkward coworkers, but Kim Min-Ah’s expression was particularly priceless. Her face had turned deathly pale, as if she’d bitten into a poisoned apple. 

The oldest among them, a section chief, nervously greeted Seo-Yeon, her crow’s feet twitching uncomfortably. 

“Oh, Assistant Manager Han! Did you have a good weekend? You have no idea how worried we were!” 

This was followed by a string of excuses: “We were only concerned about your future since you’re still unmarried.” The contradictions were glaring—they were the very people who had just been gossiping maliciously about her. 

Reflecting on her brief moment of considering forgiveness for Kim Min-Ah, Seo-Yeon felt pathetic. She opened her mouth. 

“Thank you, Kim Daeri.” 

Kim Min-Ah flinched, bowing her head deeply as her already bloodshot eyes reddened further. Her tiny, mosquito-like voice trembled. 

“W-What are you thanking me for? You’re so strange.” 

“For saving me the trouble of deciding whether to forgive you or not.” 

As Seo-Yeon’s icy tone faded, Jin-Hyuk’s smooth voice cut in. 

“Assistant Manager Han, let’s go grab lunch.” 

Watching their retreating figures, the remaining women felt their spines chill. The trembling intern finally broke the silence with a foreboding remark. 

“Do you think she’ll sue us? I heard Assistant Manager Han has a terrifying temper when she’s angry… I’m scared.” 

The section chief snapped, her voice sharp but laced with unease. 

“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would she escalate things? Does she have anything to gain from it? Do you know how expensive lawyer fees are?” 

Though her tone was stern, her underlying anxiety was impossible to hide. They stood in silence for a long while, staring after Seo-Yeon. Especially Kim Min-Ah, who felt suffocating dread in the heavy stillness. 

Meanwhile, Jin-Hyuk led Seo-Yeon to a Japanese restaurant. 

It was an extravagant choice for a typical office lunch, and the staff guided them to a secluded corner booth. 

To be honest, Jin-Hyuk wanted nothing more than to grab Seo-Yeon’s wrist and storm out of the company building. Countless thoughts tickled the tip of his tongue, but beneath it all lay a thick layer of guilt. 

His older brother, Jung-Hyuk, was destined to manage Taesung Group’s headquarters as the eldest son. But Jin-Hyuk, as the younger son, was in a different position. He had free rein to design Taesung Group’s subsidiaries however he pleased and could diversify businesses if he wished. 

If Seo-Yeon desired a comfortable life raising children in a good environment, he could provide it. If she wanted the title of PR expert, he could even establish a business for her. These were possibilities only he, not his brother, could offer.

Though he had an abundance of satisfying alternatives, none could be voiced just yet. The timing wasn’t right. 

The silence, as barren as a desert, was finally broken by the cheerful voice of the restaurant server. 

“Are you ready to order?” 

When Seo-Yeon chose the Sapporo set meal, Jin-Hyuk ordered the same. He turned to her as she stared blankly into space. 

“Assistant Manager Han, Attorney Jeong Seung-Min will visit the company tomorrow. Things are progressing well.” 

“Ah... And what about Kim Hyun-Ae’s divorce case?” 

Jin-Hyuk couldn’t understand why Seo-Yeon was prioritizing concern for Kim Hyun-Ae in this situation. Still, he patiently explained. 

“It’s going smoothly. For now, Kim Hyun-Ae and Go Yoon-Ah are staying at Gahan Law Firm’s residence, and we’re handling the transfer procedures for Yoon-Ah’s elementary school nearby. A restraining order against the HR manager has also been issued.” 

Despite his efforts, Jin-Hyuk couldn’t hide his bitter expression. Meeting her gaze head-on, Seo-Yeon asked softly, 

“Jin-Hyuk, are you silently criticizing me for being too nosy?” 

Instead of answering, Jin-Hyuk offered a wistful smile. Beneath his well-defined nose, his delicate lips curved into a gentle arc. After gauging his reaction slightly, Seo-Yeon continued. 

“Domestic violence shouldn’t be viewed as a lifestyle choice made by the victims. It must be understood within the context of structural violence… That’s what a famous professor once said. So, it’s a problem that requires all the help we can give. I’m truly grateful to have been able to assist Kim Hyun-Ae.” 

Seeing the relief on Seo-Yeon’s face, Jin-Hyuk couldn’t help but chuckle weakly. Yes, that’s right—this is the woman I love. 

“Assistant Manager Han, you’re like a saint, rare to find in today’s world.” 

“Jin-Hyuk, are you mocking me?” 

“I’m serious. You possess a pure and noble character, as if chosen by God—a true saint.” 

The overt compliment felt far too grandiose. Choking as if food had lodged in her throat, Seo-Yeon coughed and took a sip of water before responding. 

“What saint? People at JB Company seem to think I’m nothing more than a cheating wretch. I’m just lucky I haven’t been stoned yet.” 

“Anyone who truly knows you would never think that way.” 

Seo-Yeon paused her chopsticks, which had been stirring her udon, and gazed at Jin-Hyuk. A trace of loneliness flickered in her eyes. 

“That’s exactly the problem. There’s no one at JB Company who really knows me. I guess I’ve been living my life wrong.” 

Jin-Hyuk hesitated, his wounded expression deepening, before finally speaking with difficulty. 

“I’m disappointed, Assistant Manager Han. I thought I was someone who truly understood who you are…” 

Seo-Yeon was flustered to see the moisture pooling in Jin-Hyuk’s brown eyes in real-time. Fumbling nervously with her napkin, she stammered. Jin-Hyuk, regaining his composure, asked lightly, 

“Why are you so flustered? Do you feel sorry for me?” 

“…Very much so.” 

“Then you can treat me to lunch today. This place is expensive per person.” 

Seo-Yeon scrutinized Jin-Hyuk’s expression carefully, unsure whether he was joking. But his features were flawlessly conveying genuine hurt. 

“I’ll pay. Jin-Hyuk, let’s not fight over an expensive lunch.” 

“Do you know why I’m upset? You meticulously examine others’ wounds like precision machinery, yet you sidestep your own pain as if it’s abstract art. To be honest, I don’t care about Kim Hyun-Ae. My concern is you. Since I’m the one who created this situation, even if you beat me to death, I’d have no complaints.” 

Seo-Yeon stopped eating and bowed her head briefly. Not a single word of Jin-Hyuk’s statement was wrong. Her fragmented emotional deprivation from growing up in foster care had left its scars. 

“Jin-Hyuk, I’ve received psychiatric treatment before. Do you know what defense mechanisms are?” 

“…Unconscious psychological strategies to protect oneself in difficult situations, ways of deceiving oneself? Something like that?” 

Seo-Yeon clapped her hands exaggeratedly and laughed. 

“Wow, you really are an elite. Spot on. My psychiatrist said that when I feel a sense of crisis, the defense mechanism I rely on most heavily is ‘altruism.’ So, I’m not some overflowing martyr helping others out of sacrifice—I’m just trying to survive by helping others.” 

Seo-Yeon’s confession sent ripples through Jin-Hyuk’s heart. He swallowed the many things he wanted to say, mulling over her words for a long while.