AMB 03

When Nayoon stepped outside wearing the dress, gasps of admiration erupted from inside the beauty salon.

“Oh my, Nayoon, you look absolutely stunning.”

The dress that Juran had carefully selected was a deep teal color—not an easy shade for just anyone to pull off. But Nayoon’s porcelain skin and jet-black hair stood out, giving her the appearance of a top-tier actress.

“Our daughter is so beautiful.”

“Of course. Who do you think she takes after? She looks like her father, obviously.”

Nayoon blushed at the compliments from her adoptive parents. Just then, Suhyuk, who had just come out in a suit, chimed in.

“Wow, is that really my little sister? You look like a completely different person today. Well, I mean, you were always pretty…”

Suhyuk’s eyes scanned Nayoon up and down. Amused by their flattery, Nayoon let out a small smile.

“What’s with you guys? This just feels awkward.”

Nayoon drew envious stares from everyone around her.

An impressive academic background, the title of Executive Director at a rapidly rising conglomerate led by a successful CEO, a seemingly warm and harmonious adoptive family that no one would suspect was formed through adoption—and an incomparable beauty that nothing could conceal.

From the outside, her life looked perfect.

“Well, we’d better get going before we’re late.”

They were headed to the 50th-anniversary celebration of Songsung Group.

All the major corporations would be in attendance, and of course, Nayoon’s family had received an invitation.

Nayoon remembered vividly how delighted her adoptive parents were, saying they could finally stand shoulder to shoulder with Songsung Group. Even their cold tone of “Really raking in the blessings, aren’t we?” was clear in her memory.

With a subtle glance from her adoptive father, Daewoon, signaling it was time to wrap things up, the salon staff quickly and discreetly cleared the way.

The four of them, ready to go, exited the shop and split into two cars.

Daewoon and Suhyuk got into the car in front, while Juran and Nayoon followed in the one behind.

The mood was more subdued now, and Juran wasted no time scolding Nayoon.

“Do you know how disappointed your father was when the last blind date didn’t work out?”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not looking for an apology. Still, thanks to that meeting, you at least made an impression. Who would’ve thought this kind of opportunity would come from it? I thought we wasted our money with Madam Jang.”

“…”

“So, make sure you catch Director Koo’s eye tonight.”

“Yes.”

Koo Jaeha. That name had been mentioned at least ten times already.

Before she knew it, they had arrived at the hotel banquet hall owned by a Songsung Group affiliate.

Daewoon and Suhyuk exited first, then escorted Juran and Nayoon inside.

The hall was already filling with corporate guests, exchanging greetings and networking. When they entered, several heads turned.

The glances felt strange—feigned smiles masking subtle contempt toward her adoptive parents.

“Got lucky, huh? That adopted daughter turned out to be quite the smart one. Sharp business sense and a good eye, I hear.”

“They sure benefited. Used to avoid eye contact, and now look at them, heads held high like royalty.”

Juran’s eyes sharpened at the whispers.

Even though it wasn’t smart to make enemies in this world, Juran always chose pride over caution, and Nayoon was left to clean up the mess.

“Well, the son might be useless, but the daughter’s doing great. Everyone who’s worked with her has nothing but praise.”

Feigning ignorance, Nayoon followed behind her adoptive parents, who were busy trying to impress the right people by their own standards.

She wore a mechanical smile until fate—or perhaps inevitability—steered her directly into the path of Jaeha, who had just entered the hall.

He doesn’t even want this marriage.

Her mind automatically replayed their previous blind date. She had thought she hid her true feelings well, but clearly, he had seen right through her—and that bruised her pride.

Jaeha stood at the entrance, his gaze lingering on her. Even with people walking past and obscuring the view, he stared persistently.

She was about to nod in greeting when he abruptly looked away.

Right then, Chairman Koo Incheol—the man her adoptive parents obsessed over—entered the hall, with his successor Jaeha by his side.

As they walked through the parting crowd amidst applause, it was like watching the sea split before Moses.

“Why is he so handsome?”

Most of the attention was focused on Koo Jaeha, CEO of JH Investments.

He rarely appeared at official events, and little was known about him in the media. Songsung Group’s only son had remained a mystery—until now.

His appearance meant Chairman Koo had finally placed him at the center of the company’s succession plan.

He had turned down a gifted affiliate company and grown a startup from scratch, proving his capability to the world.

Nayoon’s gaze naturally followed Jaeha as he walked confidently. Dressed in a tuxedo, he looked no different from a leading actor.

“You like him, don’t you? You’re staring holes through him.”

Startled by Suhyuk’s whisper, she calmly responded without showing it.

“And what if I do?”

“Then your big brother would be heartbroken.”

He smiled playfully, and Nayoon forced herself to return a tight-lipped smile.

“Our beautiful little sister, given to a bastard like that…”

His biting tone made Nayoon’s eyes narrow slightly as she scanned the surroundings.

But Suhyuk didn’t care who was nearby—his attention was already fixed on Jaeha standing at the podium.

“Want to hear something interesting?”

Now what?

Nayoon looked at him uneasily. He spoke with a smirk.

“Rumor has it, that guy’s got some filthy bedroom preferences. Surprised Mom’s intel didn’t include that.”

“…Preferences?”

Her brow furrowed in confusion. Suhyuk gave a short, exasperated laugh.

“Sexual preferences.”

God, how naive can she be at this age? he muttered.

Nayoon stiffened and turned her gaze away.

“I don’t want to hear about it. Stop talking.”

“Why not? Sex is the most important part of life.”

As Nayoon’s expression turned icy, Suhyuk leaned in even closer.

Chairman Koo’s brief speech ended, and the event shifted into a freer party atmosphere.

The attention on the stage scattered, and Juran turned to them.

“What are you two doing?”

Though her gaze was questioning, Suhyuk casually picked up a cocktail from a nearby table.

“Just grabbing a drink. Want one, Mom?”

Juran’s eyes moved quickly from him to Nayoon.

“I’m fine. Nayoon, come here.”

“Yes.”

Nayoon stepped toward her at Juran’s call. It was obvious.

She wanted Nayoon to be seen by Chairman Koo and Jaeha, who were now mingling with other guests.

When their turn came, Daewoon stepped forward with congratulations.

“Chairman Koo, congratulations on the 50th anniversary.”

“Thank you very much for coming.”

As Daewoon and Juran exchanged pleasantries with the chairman, Nayoon found herself standing face to face with Jaeha.

She offered a polite nod under his steady gaze—only to have her eyes widen in surprise.

She could’ve sworn Jaeha’s lips twitched up and down for a moment.

Suddenly, Suhyuk’s crude comment resurfaced in her mind—filthy bedroom preferences.

Speechless, she stared blankly.

In that brief moment, the chairman and Jaeha walked away.

Juran turned to her with a hardened expression.

“Why were you just standing there like an idiot?”

Her scolding tone softened when she realized people were watching.

“You should’ve said something to Director Koo…!”

Nayoon’s mind was blank. For some reason, her lips just wouldn’t move.

As Juran walked away in frustration, Nayoon took the opportunity to leave the hall.

Careful not to let the hem of her dress touch the heels of her shoes, she gathered the fabric in her hands.

The moment she stepped out of that tense, greedy, and toxic environment, fresh air rushed into her lungs.

The sun had already set, and time passed quickly.

Just as she was enjoying the cool air, a hand suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind. Startled, she spun around and swatted it away.

“Hey, it’s me!”

Suhyuk raised his hands and grinned playfully.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“What? I just saw my pretty little sister all alone. I was just messing around. Why so sensitive?”

Nayoon looked at him with disgust, but he didn’t flinch. Instead, he stepped even closer.

“You’re sexiest when you make that face.”

“You’re insane.”

“Even when you swear.”

Suhyuk had started revealing his true nature after Nayoon graduated college and joined the company.

That same year, he had returned from studying abroad.

He often said things like:

“We’re not even blood-related, so it’s not really a crime, is it?”

“Can you say that in front of our parents?”

“Why would I? Just keep your mouth shut.”

Nayoon took a step back, glaring at him with pure contempt.

It was in that moment—drenched in shame and humiliation—that she wanted more than anything to escape from this house.

“How sweet. Such a close sibling relationship.”

A cool, sharp voice cut through the tension, and Nayoon turned to see who it was.

“Or maybe you’ve just got a strong stomach.”

Jaeha stood there, staring down at them coldly.