The way his wife gracefully turned her body halfway was clearly aimed at Kangjoon’s line of sight. As was the pearl-like skin revealed beneath the smoothly flowing white jacket. And the delicate back, so starkly exposed thanks to the daring cut. His wife’s strategy was successful, stealing Kangjoon’s gaze all too easily. Not with a dizzying allure, but by stimulating his heart, not with jealousy but with anger. Beneath her lowered long eyelashes, her half-closed, bewitching eyes were relaxed, almost mocking Kangjoon. Ha, he had underestimated Yu Taeryeong. Kangjoon wanted this situation to feel like déjà vu for his wife. He could freely meet other men, but she wasn’t allowed to. What’s okay for me isn’t okay for you. A very arrogant and shameless way of thinking, implying they could end things if she didn’t like it. He wanted her to realize, just as Yu Taeryeong had done in the past, that what was okay for him wasn’t okay for her. But Taeryeong, as if to show him, went straight to where the men were gathered and sat down on a chair, crossing her legs alluringly. Her glamorous appearance was provocative, but her demeanor was aloof, and her posture was composed. In this moment, he felt he understood a little. The allure of Alicia Barton, who had captivated countless men and even shaken the soul of that innocent kid. As if proving it, men began to flock around his wife.

“This is cheating.”

The moment he saw a lecherous hand reaching for his wife’s pale shoulder, something snapped in his head.

“You’d better take that hand off.”

By the time he realized that the snapped something was his reason, he had already slapped away the lecherous hand that had been aiming for his wife and growled out the words.

“She’s my invited guest.”

At the chillingly low and eerie voice, Taeryeong, who had turned her swivel chair halfway, was slightly taken aback. She had expected him to come over on his own accord, but she hadn’t expected him to be this assertive.

“Hey!”

Whether the man who had been pushed back reacted angrily or not, her husband calmly asked again, “You came to see me, didn’t you?”

Taeryeong, who had been quietly nodding, flinched. Her husband’s jacket was draped over her exposed shoulder.

“You looked cold.”

“I have my own jacket. So, please take yours.”

“Mine is longer.”

Pressing down firmly with his large hand on her small hand that was trying to take off the jacket, Kangjoon leaned closer.

“Your outfit is too revealing; it bothers me.”

He whispered softly in her ear, letting her know there was a reason for his sudden display of manners.

“Don’t I have the right to interfere at least this much?”

Because I’m your husband. Only after Taeryeong lowered her hand that had been trying to take off the jacket did Kangjoon straighten his back.

“Follow me.”

Taeryeong didn’t ask where they were going, and Kangjoon didn’t tell her. Maintaining a precarious distance, a subtle silence flowing between them, they walked side by side for a while. Even then, the almost-touching fingertips bothered her, and in her lowered vision, she saw her husband’s long legs walking slowly to match her pace.

“Wait here a moment.”

Arriving at the fountain, Kangjoon spread a handkerchief on a bench for her. He was a truly strange man. His gaze was cold, but his actions were anything but. The consideration he tossed out carelessly was warm, and his upright manners were gentle. It made her heart flutter for no reason. Sitting on the spot where her husband had laid the handkerchief, Taeryeong fixed her gaze on the fountain and calmly got straight to the point.

“I came to this party today because I have something to tell Kangjoon-ssi.”

“Then you should have come to me, why did you go to the bar?”

“Because you seemed to be enjoying yourself. I was going to wait quietly.”

He was a little annoying for asking when he already knew, but Taeryeong didn’t show it. However, the languid gaze that reached her was cold. That look again. The one that had been tattooed on Taeryeong’s heart like a brand at their wedding, cold yet burning.

“Is sitting at the bar in that outfit, surrounded by men, what you call waiting quietly?”

He himself had offered both his arms to the women. Instead of arguing, Taeryeong bit her lip tightly, and Kangjoon smoothly changed the subject.

“Tell me, what is it you wanted to say?”

“If we’re not going to get divorced, I’d like us to live together in the same house like other couples.”

As if he had heard something interesting, he narrowed his eyes.

“I know Kangjoon-ssi is very uncomfortable with me.”

Her husband didn’t exactly deny her words. He simply stared at Taeryeong with an inscrutable poker face.

“But both our parents want us to live together, and I think it could become a problem later, even if not right now.”

But where on earth was he looking? It was definitely her face. Not her eyes. Somewhere a little below her nose.

“I promise I won’t interfere with you at all if you come home. Whoever Kangjoon-ssi meets...?”

“You have a cut on your lip.”

His low voice cut off her words, and the fingertip that slowly approached, slicing through the air, touched her lower lip. Taeryeong flinched.

“Who did that?”

At his calmly asked question, Taeryeong couldn’t tell the truth. That Madam Jo had hit her and it had burst. He wouldn’t care even if she did tell him.

“I bumped into something.”

She slightly turned her head, but it was no use.

“Where?”

A persistent question as persistent as his touch.

“I couldn’t avoid a flying object. It’s all my fault.”

“There’s no such thing. The person who threw it is always at fault.”

Suddenly, Taeryeong felt strange. It was as if, at this moment, her husband was taking her side.

“It must have hurt quite a bit.”

Her husband’s gaze, looking at her injury as he murmured softly, seemed genuinely worried, which was why something felt off. No, very off. Why had he suddenly become so kind and gentle?

“Tell me who did it.”

If she told him, would he scold them? It seemed like this man really could. He had the ability, the background, and the drive to do so. But Taeryeong couldn’t trust her husband, so she couldn’t tell him. She knew all too well how thoroughly this man hid his true feelings. There must be a purpose behind this sudden kindness and gentleness.

“Could you please take your hand off first?”

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

Kangjoon removed his hand and politely apologized first.

“I was just worried.”

His eyes, from which warmth and gentleness had already vanished, spoke meaningless words once again.

“......Why?”

So Taeryeong had no choice but to ask. Why were you worried about me when you looked at me like that? When you don’t even like me. When you despise me.

“I’m bothered by the short dress, so it’s only natural to be even more bothered by an injury, isn’t it?”

At his calm reply, Taeryeong almost laughed. Her husband’s cold consideration. Selfish kindness. These were things that bothered Taeryeong even more than the cut on her lip from being hit by Madam Jo.

“Or, should I also not interfere, just like you said earlier, Taeryeong-ssi? No matter what you look like, who you’re with, what you do, or how you get hurt.”

He paused for a moment, stared intently at Taeryeong, and then continued, “For the record, I hope no one interferes with me. What about you, wife?”

He chuckled as if he found his own words amusing. Looking at his relaxed smile, she finally understood. He was giving her poison and then offering the antidote; Kangjoon was tormenting her intelligently. Realizing that, Taeryeong wanted to end this meeting even faster. If she stayed any longer, she would obviously just be played in this man’s hands.

“Do as you wish, Kangjoon-ssi.”

“Then, since my wife has permitted it, I will interfere.”

At his shameless and selfish reply, Taeryeong set her condition as if she had been waiting for it.

“However, I am only agreeing on the condition that Kangjoon-ssi comes home.”

She had given one thing; now it was her turn to take one.

“I’m not asking for an immediate answer. As you said, we’re worse than strangers, so living together in the same house right away is something to consider carefully and decide on.”

Before he could say anything, Taeryeong quickly continued, “My mother and Kangjoon-ssi’s mother have made dinner plans for this Sunday.”

As if understanding and being considerate, she slyly threw in another request.

“The exact schedule will be sent to Kangjoon-ssi’s secretary separately. There’s no need to waste time meeting me separately; you can just give your answer that day. We could make a separate appointment, but we’re both busy, so adjusting schedules might be...?”

“As my wife wishes.”

Her husband replied before she could even finish her sentence. What was his ulterior motive this time?

“I detest wasting time.”

Even as she looked at him suspiciously, her husband had a nonchalant expression, as if he had lost interest in the conversation. Slowly getting up, Taeryeong placed her jacket on the seat where she had been sitting.

“Thank you for the coat.”

In the eyes that quietly looked up at her, the light reflected from the fountain shimmered. She thought they were unique eyes. Cold enough to feel a chill, yet so beautiful.

“I’ll go first, so please enjoy yourself comfortably, Kangjoon-ssi.”

Even after Taeryeong disappeared, Kangjoon didn’t return to the party. To be honest, he didn’t want to go back. Alcohol, women, noise, skinship, perfume smells, a chaotic atmosphere. He would rather stay up all night working or exercising than go through that again.

“This isn’t something to do carelessly.”

The weariness on his fingertips, as he casually stroked his chin, was palpable.

*** Sunday evening. Guided by a staff member, Kangjoon was already in the room at the end of the hallway of the Korean restaurant. Their secretaries had arranged for them to meet an hour earlier than the scheduled time.

“You’re early.”

Taeryeong offered a polite greeting and was about to head to the opposite seat.

“This is your seat, Yu Taeryeong-ssi.”

But Kangjoon, who had stood up from his seat, pulled out the chair next to him and gestured to Taeryeong with his eyes.

“This is our first meal together since Kangjoon-ssi returned to Korea. So, let’s sit next to our respective parents today.”

She thought it was a pretty plausible excuse. But the black eyes still fixed on her, holding onto the back of the chair, knew nothing of compromise. In the heavy silence, two gazes clashed fiercely, like a taut tug-of-war.

“I think our parents would prefer to see us sitting together amicably.”

His voice, which flowed out slowly, was low and gentle.

“And this meal was probably arranged for that purpose as well.”

Despite this, her husband’s lips faintly curved upward as he looked at the resisting Taeryeong.

“If we, who are practically separated, sit apart, there will be more talk. For example, about divorce.”

If Madam Jo’s weakness was her grandmother, divorce was Kangjoon’s. A chill ran down Taeryeong’s spine at his piercing insight, and she had no choice but to go to the seat next to her husband. The manner in which he pushed in her chair at the precise moment she bent her knees was seamless. But when Kangjoon sat down next to her, Taeryeong’s eyes flickered momentarily. Their shoulders were touching as if they were pressed together. She had thought the space between the chairs was adequate, but it wasn’t. It was thanks to her husband’s not-so-simple physique: 188 centimeters and 78 kilograms, as she had seen in the documents. Staying like this was uncomfortable, and pulling her chair away seemed like she was avoiding him. It was at that moment of hesitation.

“Oh, it seems cramped because of me.”

As Kangjoon naturally moved his chair to the side, their touching shoulders separated. But they were still precariously close, almost touching with the slightest movement. He asked Taeryeong, who was quietly looking at the gap,

“If you’re uncomfortable, should I move further away?”

“No, if we sit too far apart, there’s no point in sitting side by side.”

Replying quickly, Taeryeong cut to the chase.

“Please answer me first. Are you coming home?”

“What if I don’t want to?”

“Then I’ll have to go to Chairman Seo and tell him we’re getting a divorce.”

“Hanshin wouldn’t be the one at a disadvantage.”

His thinly veiled eyes were cold, as if her answer was unexpected.

“I understand that the main future project for the automotive company right now is electric vehicles. Electric vehicles need batteries that allow for the longest possible driving range, and Ino’s Cheonan plant is the only one with the production capacity to supply those batteries. If Hanshin boldly invests in Ino Chemical, we will focus all our efforts on developing core battery technology, and mass production will be possible at the Cheonan plant, which has all the necessary conditions.”

Taeryeong, who had been speaking without hesitation, paused for a moment. It was to see the reaction of Kangjoon, who had been inaugurated as the president of Hanshin Motors. As expected, he was listening intently.

“If the alliance breaks down right now, Ino will be the one to suffer losses. But Kangjoon-ssi, would it be faster for Hanshin to find a company with better technology and facilities than Ino, or for Ino to find a better investment partner than Hanshin?”

Having finished her answer, she stared intently at Kangjoon and slowly blinked her long eyelashes. It was an action she knew looked quite seductive and provocative. She could concede the factory issue, but technology wasn’t something that could be built up in an instant. And Ino Chemical, which had entered the battery material business three years ago, was making considerable progress. There was no way an intelligent man wouldn’t know that.

“You’re more interesting than I thought, Yu Taeryeong-ssi.”

Suddenly, Kangjoon chuckled. It was a faint smile, charming yet laced with a subtle sarcasm. Kangjoon slowly reached out and placed his hand on the back of Taeryeong’s chair. It was a very natural gesture, yet one that conveyed a deep sense of possessiveness.

“You’re asking this knowing what it means for a young, healthy man and woman—especially a married couple—to live in the same house, aren’t you?”

Knowing the intention behind his question, Taeryeong couldn’t readily answer. She couldn’t understand why a man who despised her and was eager to torment her would say such a thing, unable to grasp his unreadable inner thoughts.

“Let me ask again.”

Closer bodies, lips that seemed about to touch, a soft breath brushing her cheek.

“As a man, can you handle me?”

His even lower voice whispered sweetly into Taeryeong’s flushed ear.

“Do as you wish, Kangjoon-ssi.”

“Then, since my wife has permitted it, I will interfere.”

At his shameless and selfish reply, Taeryeong set her condition as if she had been waiting for it.

“However, I am only agreeing on the condition that Kangjoon-ssi comes home.”

She had given one thing; now it was her turn to take one.

“I’m not asking for an immediate answer. As you said, we’re worse than strangers, so living together in the same house right away is something to consider carefully and decide on.”

Before he could say anything, Taeryeong quickly continued, “My mother and Kangjoon-ssi’s mother have made dinner plans for this Sunday.”

As if understanding and being considerate, she slyly threw in another request.

“The exact schedule will be sent to Kangjoon-ssi’s secretary separately. There’s no need to waste time meeting me separately; you can just give your answer that day. We could make a separate appointment, but we’re both busy, so adjusting schedules might be...?”

“As my wife wishes.”

Her husband replied before she could even finish her sentence. What was his ulterior motive this time?

“I detest wasting time.”

Even as she looked at him suspiciously, her husband had a nonchalant expression, as if he had lost interest in the conversation. Slowly getting up, Taeryeong placed her jacket on the seat where she had been sitting.

“Thank you for the coat.”

In the eyes that quietly looked up at her, the light reflected from the fountain shimmered. She thought they were unique eyes. Cold enough to feel a chill, yet so beautiful.

“I’ll go first, so please enjoy yourself comfortably, Kangjoon-ssi.”

Even after Taeryeong disappeared, Kangjoon didn’t return to the party. To be honest, he didn’t want to go back. Alcohol, women, noise, skinship, perfume smells, a chaotic atmosphere. He would rather stay up all night working or exercising than go through that again.

“This isn’t something to do carelessly.”

The weariness on his fingertips, as he casually stroked his chin, was palpable.

*** Sunday evening. Guided by a staff member, Kangjoon was already in the room at the end of the hallway of the Korean restaurant. Their secretaries had arranged for them to meet an hour earlier than the scheduled time.

“You’re early.”

Taeryeong offered a polite greeting and was about to head to the opposite seat.

“This is your seat, Yu Taeryeong-ssi.”

But Kangjoon, who had stood up from his seat, pulled out the chair next to him and gestured to Taeryeong with his eyes.

“This is our first meal together since Kangjoon-ssi returned to Korea. So, let’s sit next to our respective parents today.”

She thought it was a pretty plausible excuse. But the black eyes still fixed on her, holding onto the back of the chair, knew nothing of compromise. In the heavy silence, two gazes clashed fiercely, like a taut tug-of-war.

“I think our parents would prefer to see us sitting together amicably.”

His voice, which flowed out slowly, was low and gentle.

“And this meal was probably arranged for that purpose as well.”

Despite this, her husband’s lips faintly curved upward as he looked at the resisting Taeryeong.

“If we, who are practically separated, sit apart, there will be more talk. For example, about divorce.”

If Madam Jo’s weakness was her grandmother, divorce was Kangjoon’s. A chill ran down Taeryeong’s spine at his piercing insight, and she had no choice but to go to the seat next to her husband. The manner in which he pushed in her chair at the precise moment she bent her knees was seamless. But when Kangjoon sat down next to her, Taeryeong’s eyes flickered momentarily. Their shoulders were touching as if they were pressed together. She had thought the space between the chairs was adequate, but it wasn’t. It was thanks to her husband’s not-so-simple physique: 188 centimeters and 78 kilograms, as she had seen in the documents. Staying like this was uncomfortable, and pulling her chair away seemed like she was avoiding him. It was at that moment of hesitation.

“Oh, it seems cramped because of me.”

As Kangjoon naturally moved his chair to the side, their touching shoulders separated. But they were still precariously close, almost touching with the slightest movement. He asked Taeryeong, who was quietly looking at the gap,

“If you’re uncomfortable, should I move further away?”

“No, if we sit too far apart, there’s no point in sitting side by side.”

Replying quickly, Taeryeong cut to the chase.

“Please answer me first. Are you coming home?”

“What if I don’t want to?”

“Then I’ll have to go to Chairman Seo and tell him we’re getting a divorce.”

“Hanshin wouldn’t be the one at a disadvantage.”

His thinly veiled eyes were cold, as if her answer was unexpected.

“I understand that the main future project for the automotive company right now is electric vehicles. Electric vehicles need batteries that allow for the longest possible driving range, and Ino’s Cheonan plant is the only one with the production capacity to supply those batteries. If Hanshin boldly invests in Ino Chemical, we will focus all our efforts on developing core battery technology, and mass production will be possible at the Cheonan plant, which has all the necessary conditions.”

Taeryeong, who had been speaking without hesitation, paused for a moment. It was to see the reaction of Kangjoon, who had been inaugurated as the president of Hanshin Motors. As expected, he was listening intently.

“If the alliance breaks down right now, Ino will be the one to suffer losses. But Kangjoon-ssi, would it be faster for Hanshin to find a company with better technology and facilities than Ino, or for Ino to find a better investment partner than Hanshin?”

Having finished her answer, she stared intently at Kangjoon and slowly blinked her long eyelashes. It was an action she knew looked quite seductive and provocative. She could concede the factory issue, but technology wasn’t something that could be built up in an instant. And Ino Chemical, which had entered the battery material business three years ago, was making considerable progress. There was no way an intelligent man wouldn’t know that.

“You’re more interesting than I thought, Yu Taeryeong-ssi.”

Suddenly, Kangjoon chuckled. It was a faint smile, charming yet laced with a subtle sarcasm. Kangjoon slowly reached out and placed his hand on the back of Taeryeong’s chair. It was a very natural gesture, yet one that conveyed a deep sense of possessiveness.

“You’re asking this knowing what it means for a young, healthy man and woman—especially a married couple—to live in the same house, aren’t you?”

Knowing the intention behind his question, Taeryeong couldn’t readily answer. She couldn’t understand why a man who despised her and was eager to torment her would say such a thing, unable to grasp his unreadable inner thoughts.

“Let me ask again.”

Closer bodies, lips that seemed about to touch, a soft breath brushing her cheek.

“As a man, can you handle me?”

His even lower voice whispered sweetly into Taeryeong’s flushed ear.