After his sixtieth birthday, Chairman Seo had spent his birthdays modestly at his main residence in Pyeongchang-dong. However, this eightieth birthday was suddenly decided to be held on a grand scale at the Palace Hotel banquet hall. The reason was none other than his grandson and his wife, who were constantly worrying him. After the Hanshin affiliate presidents’ meeting last week, Chairman Seo had lunch with his grandson and subtly probed the relationship between the grandson and his wife. But instead of an answer, the grandson’s deeply emanating aura of darkness spoke volumes. It had worsened, not improved. At this rate, when would they look at the sky and pick stars, and when would he hold his great-grandchild? In the end, this experienced old man had no choice but to step in. His eyes subtly caught his granddaughter-in-law approaching with calm steps.

“How have you been, Chairman? I’m so sorry I’m so late.”

Chairman Seo waved his hand, his gaze towards Taeryeong benevolent.

“It was a sudden decision, I’m just grateful that everyone came like this.”

“Of course, I had to come. Happy birthday, Chairman.”

Her dry yet sophisticated tone was gentle. Pretty, sophisticated, neat, and just as stubborn, haughty, and cold. He figured it was because they were both too smart and proud, just like him and Hye-soon had been.

“I heard the home shopping launch was successful. It’s good that you’re doing well at work, but you must also take good care of your health.”

“I will.”

Taeryeong, who had a faint smile on her face, briefly paused her gaze somewhere before indifferently turning back. Chairman Seo’s eyes lit up at that. Even though she pretended to be indifferent, he could feel that Taeryeong was concerned about his grandson. You could fool a ghost, but not an 80-year-old tiger. Internally cheering, Chairman Seo casually spoke.

“Oh dear. After readily accepting and drinking all that alcohol on my behalf, my grandson is quite drunk.”

Feigning being tipsy, his grandson, who had been guarding him like a bodyguard, accepted drinks on Chairman Seo’s behalf. He probably had no choice since his grandson insisted he would drink it all if he didn’t. Of course, it was Chairman Seo’s scheme. His grandson needed to be a bit drunk to move on to the next step. Yet, Taeryeong’s indifferent gaze was fixed on Chairman Seo.

“The tallest, biggest, and most handsome guy in that group over there is my grandson. Doesn’t he look it, President Yoo?”

Only then did Taeryeong reluctantly turn her gaze slowly. Towards Kangjoon, who was quite drunk and, to make matters worse, had Kyungjin’s cousin’s younger sister next to him like a partner.

“Chairman, I think you don’t need to worry since your grandson has his acquaintances and partner looking after him.”

“Partner my foot! That young lady is a cousin of my friend Kyungjin’s younger sister. It’s a relief if she doesn’t offer my grandson any more drinks. That whole family loves drinking and partying, honestly.”

“......Kyungjin-ssi’s cousin’s younger sister?”

A slightly surprised expression disappeared again beneath her composed face.

“President Yoo, could I ask you a favor?”

Here. At his quiet gesture, Taeryeong carefully approached, and Chairman Seo whispered in her ear.

“Rescue that fellow and throw him into room 1003.”

It would be good if you didn’t just leave him there but stayed with him.

“Chief Yoon said that because of his wife, his homing instinct is ingrained in his bones, so even if he sleeps for just an hour, he insists on going home.”

“......”

“I’m saying this because I think Kangjoon will be able to rest comfortably and deeply if the missus takes him. If he rests well and falls asleep, you can even let him go to work from there.”

It would be even better if they rested well together, spent some sweet time, and had a good night. He was whispering to Taeryeong on purpose for the people around to see. To show that this young lady was his pick, and they shouldn’t even think about her.

“That fellow can’t handle alcohol at all, so if he passes out here, Hanshin’s reputation will be ruined.”

Even Chairman Seo couldn’t read Taeryeong’s thoughts, which were hidden beneath her long eyelashes. No wonder his grandson was anxious and going nowhere. She seemed even colder and more haughty than Hye-soon. If even this last method didn’t work, this old man would give up on him, the brat.

“If I ask his friends, they’ll obviously have a drinking party in room 1003. If the missus is really troubled, Kyungjin’s cousin’s younger sister...?”

“Don’t worry, Chairman. I’ll take good care of Kangjoon-ssi and put him in room 1003.”

Taeryeong, who had whispered calmly in Chairman Seo’s ear, turned around. Only then did Chairman Seo grin. Leave him behind? What was there to leave behind, they should be together. The atmosphere in the suite was good, his wife was stunningly beautiful, and he had had some drinks, so he would have courage. If he couldn’t succeed even with this setup, he would disown his grandson. But at the sound of nearby conversations, the smile disappeared from Chairman Seo’s face.

“It seems Chairman Seo has picked the granddaughter of the Inno Group as his granddaughter-in-law?”

“Ahem, good sir. What are you talking about? The Chairman’s grandson is a bachelor. I should take this opportunity to arrange a meeting with Inno. She’s very charming and sharp, just like the Inno Madam.”

“Isn’t Director Im’s son a bit much? I heard he has quite the reputation with women.”

“President Choi, that’s why you need to choose your daughter-in-law carefully. Give my son a good shake and make him come to his senses!”

These people, they were really pushing it. He had openly shown he wasn’t interested, but they were still eyeing her?

“I’ve already met and talked with Chairman Yoo of Inno, so everyone should stay away!”

Chairman Seo’s lips were itching to reveal that that child was already his granddaughter-in-law. But his grandson had firmly told him before the wedding. Not to reveal this marriage to the outside world until he did, and to treat Taeryeong like a stranger. That’s why only a small number of close friends and relatives were invited to the wedding, and she wasn’t even invited to this gathering today. But if things went well today, he would take this opportunity to strongly express his opinion to Kangjoon. With so many people eyeing his wife, wasn’t it time to announce their marriage?

________________________________________

The moment Taeryeong saw the woman next to her husband at the banquet hall, her stomach actually churned. Seeing them together three times made it seem like they were quite close. But Kyungjin’s cousin’s younger sister? Should she be angry about this or relieved?

“You take a drink on Chairman Seo’s behalf. For the future of Hanshin! For the Chairman’s health!”

There was only one husband, but there were three or four people offering him drinks.

“President Seo seems quite drunk, so may I be his Black Rose instead?”

All eyes, filled with curiosity, focused on Taeryeong, who had quietly approached. Only Kyungjin and Jaewoo silently covered their mouths with their hands. Undeterred by the attention, Taeryeong calmly continued speaking.

“Chairman Seo asked me to take care of his grandson.”

Believing that Chairman Seo, who had asked her even with so many eyes watching, would handle the aftermath.

“I am Yoo Taeryeong from Inno Fashion.”

Her sophisticated way of introducing herself received a warm response.

“Ah, President Yoo, who’s so hot these days! Inno Fashion and the beautiful President Yoo Taeryeong. Nice to meet you!”

Soon after, Taeryeong cleanly downed the drinks offered from here and there without refusing. People were watching her in a daze. Kangjoon was among them. His blurry vision became clear and sharp again because of his wife. Wasn’t it unfair for her to look this beautiful even while drinking? Her confidence in accepting and downing shots offered by several men in turn was even admirable.

“The Chairman is very worried. He told you to go to your room and rest, and I’ll escort you to the elevator.”

Kangjoon asked his wife, who was supporting him with a gentle arm, as if grumbling,

“Did the Chairman really send you?”

“Yes. If it wasn’t Chairman’s request, why would I be doing this?”

At his wife’s crisp reply, Kangjoon smiled bitterly. He felt like he finally understood Chairman Seo’s intentions behind that meaningful smile last week. Suddenly deciding to hold his eightieth birthday party at the Palace Hotel, despite having better venues. Even making sure he drank enough to get drunk. Still, he should probably bow and thank him for creating this opportunity.

“Can you walk to the elevator?”

As his wife asked again, Kangjoon’s gaze slowly drifted down. From her maddeningly soft eyes, to her lips that looked like they would taste sweet, to her white and clean nape. Could he really let this woman go? Could he live without seeing her? Could he even breathe and live? He must be drunk. Seeing his emotions erupt uncontrollably. Just looking at her made his heart pound. The tips of his fingers ached with the urge to touch her. That was a bright red warning sign his heart was sending him. If his feelings deepened any further here, he would never be able to cut them off. So, he needed to cut off this feeling for his wife right now.

“If Taeryeong-ssi helps me.”

Watching Kangjoon walk away with Taeryeong’s support, people thought. It was clear that Chairman Seo of Hanshin had picked Yoo Taeryeong of Inno Fashion as his granddaughter-in-law.

________________________________________

The moment they got off the elevator, her husband’s body suddenly swayed. He leaned against the wall and slumped down, muttering,

“Taeryeong-ssi, you can go now.”

Helplessly, Taeryeong knelt down in front of her husband and sat facing him. Looking at his heavily closed eyelids made her sigh involuntarily.

“I’ll take you to your room and then leave, so please get up.”

“......”

“Just walk a few more steps, okay?”

He had walked quite well to the elevator, so she thought he was okay. Just then, it seemed the alcohol was hitting him late, and her husband muttered,

“It’s because if we go in together, I feel like I’ll do something.”

Taeryeong felt like she knew. How much her husband was squeezing out his restraint and reason to give her this last warning. That feeling of her husband grabbed Taeryeong’s heart and shook it thoroughly.

“So, just go.”

At those words that flowed out like a sigh, Taeryeong slowly closed and opened her eyes, and thought. It was already too late. Inside her chest, emotions began to overflow like a burst dam.

“No.”

At that one word, her husband slowly lifted his head. His frighteningly low-set gaze was hot like a flame. Looking straight into those eyes, Taeryeong said once more,

“I’m not going.”

She remembered her husband who was always considerate in the end, even while acting mean and cold. The way he subtly took her side, the way he drank the yogurt she couldn’t eat so she wouldn’t feel awkward. The way he offered his embrace when she was really struggling, the way he always accommodated her in the end, always giving in. So why was she running away? Today too, he would end up being that way with her.

“I’ll do anything for you, so first, get up and walk.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than his large body staggered up and leaned on her. She managed to support her husband and get him into the room. But without even having the chance to turn on the lights, they went straight to the bedroom. She was glad she had been here once before. Thump-. The moment she dumped her husband onto the spacious bed, Taeryeong was also thrown down with him. Because her husband, who couldn’t even support himself, had pulled Taeryeong into his arms.

“......!”

Her face was buried in his firm chest. The thick scent of his body and the strong sound of his heartbeat made her face flush. Taeryeong, who had been trying to get up in embarrassment, was pulled back into her husband’s embrace as if drawn by a magnet. Her heart felt like it would explode just from that, and then their bodies rotated. Now Taeryeong was below, her husband above. Taeryeong’s eyes trembled as she looked up at his slowly descending, dizzyingly close face.

“I clearly warned you.”

His wet lips, emitting a terribly husky voice, were pressed close to her ear.

“But it was Taeryeong-ssi who said you’d do anything.”

His breath, warming her cheek as it drew closer, was slow, so slow. As if telling her to avoid him if she wanted to, even now.

“Stay with me tonight.”

Taeryeong wasn’t naive enough not to understand the meaning of staying together. She also knew she should avoid it. This man was drunk, so if he didn’t remember, it would be meaningless. She also knew that if she wanted to avoid him, she could, and he wasn’t the kind of man to hold her back.

“If you don’t want to, the door is that way.”

Lips that were almost touching. Warm breath that felt like restrained desire. Firm arms propping themselves up on the bed, trying not to touch her. She knew she should run away at this last chance her husband was giving her again. Because this drunk husband wouldn’t remember again. It was clearly against her plan. Knowing that, Taeryeong didn’t want to anymore. A deviation she had never attempted before, a cowardly escape from reality. Why couldn’t she? It wasn’t like she was going to possess this man, just indulge in a desire for one day. If even that wasn’t allowed, it would be too cruel to her. So, it was okay. Taeryeong, who had finished rationalizing, pushed up her trembling eyelids.

“I’m not going.”

How many times did she have to say it?

“I don’t dislike it.”

How many times did she have to confess? Even in the dim darkness, she could feel the heat rising in her husband’s eyes as he quietly looked down at her. That heat spread to her, making her bold. Her slowly outstretched hand cupped her husband’s dry, sharp cheek and pulled it down. The moment his unusually heated breath touched her lips, Taeryeong’s mind went blank.

“So...”

Hold me tonight. Hotly, for a long time. But Taeryeong couldn’t finish her sentence. Her husband’s suddenly crashing lips swallowed everything. Her desperate whisper, her trembling breath, her soft lips. A single, clear teardrop silently rolled down Taeryeong’s closed eyelid. She hoped the darkness would hide this tear, this feeling.