Episode 18
Seorin sat silently, her eyes dull, staring at the women seated across from her. It was a quiet weekday afternoon, and Yoo Chae-hee, the “princess” of Ohsung Group, sat perfectly groomed on the sofa in front of her.
Despite the early hour, her long wavy brown hair shimmered in the sunlight, styled flawlessly from head to toe.
“You asked to meet?” Seorin asked.
Chae-hee let out a small laugh and sipped her iced Americano, the clinking of the ice echoing in the glass.
“Why else? It’s hard to meet these days, so I figured a midday café date would be nice. And you get a break from work, thanks to me.”
She said it like Seorin should be thankful, even though it was true that her boss allowed her to go out because she had an appointment with Chae-hee.
After taking another sip of coffee, Chae-hee asked with a neutral expression, “How’s life at Hyunmu-jae?”
“It’s not easy. Aunt Youngsook isn’t exactly a kind woman,” Seorin replied.
“So what are you trying to say?” Seorin’s expression sharpened. She knew this wasn’t a casual chat.
Seeing Seorin’s gaze, Chae-hee leaned back casually and folded her arms, a smug smile on her face. She spoke as if giving advice.
“Let’s not make things harder, Seorin.”
“What?”
“You know you can’t marry Taeyoon. Aunt Youngsook would never approve of you.”
Seorin’s eyes twitched slightly. It was a truth she knew all too well. Why was Chae-hee rubbing salt in the wound?
“TK Group is desperate to tie the knot with Ohsung. Becoming in-laws with a powerful group? It’s a good look, and good for business.”
Chae-hee crossed her legs and shook her red high heel like she was showing off. She continued confidently:
“The current project we’re working on is using Ohsung’s name. I pitched it using their name and claimed we’d get tech support from them. Without me, none of this would’ve happened. And I’m not letting go of it either.”
Her voice turned serious as she stared at Seorin.
“You know I’ve liked Taeyoon for a long time. I used to hate you for it. But not anymore. There’s no need. Because in the end, he’s marrying me.”
“…So what are you trying to say?”
Seorin clenched her fists under the table. She tried to keep a straight face, but her voice trembled.
Chae-hee smiled slightly, seeing Seorin’s reaction.
“Give up on Taeyoon, Seorin.”
“How can I?”
“How? Hah.”
Chae-hee scoffed and flipped her hair with an annoyed expression.
“Don’t act all subtle like you’re accepting him. Don’t give him any reason to come near you. Yesterday—!”
Chae-hee stopped herself, recalling Taeyoon holding Seorin’s hand and walking out in front of her. Just the memory made her blood boil, but she knew she couldn’t lose her temper if she wanted to persuade Seorin.
“…Just be colder. I’ll handle the rest.”
“What does that mean—‘handle the rest’?”
“Your family’s struggling financially, right? Just let go of Taeyoon, and I’ll help you. For me, it’s not even that hard. Our company has a lot of subsidiaries. Aunt Youngsook wouldn’t reject me either.”
As Chae-hee smiled, Seorin bit her inner lip hard.
The confidence of someone with power. That unshakable belief that she could make anything happen. In front of that calm but strong certainty, Seorin felt incredibly small.
“I’m sure you understood. You’re a smart girl,” Chae-hee said as she grabbed her bag and the check, standing up.
Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked away, and the sound slowly faded. But Seorin couldn’t move.
Chae-hee was right.
Deep down, maybe Seorin had left room for Taeyoon in her heart. But now, she had to end it. For her own good—and for Dongyoung Foods. Being with Taeyoon wouldn’t help either of them.
With a long sigh, she stood up.
Later that day…
Water could be heard in the distance — Taeyoon was showering.
Seorin quietly kept her eyes down as she waited. Kang, the housemaid nearby, watched her with concern. Seorin seemed colder today than usual.
“Did something happen?” Kang tilted her head.
The bathroom door opened. Taeyoon came out, brushing back his wet hair. Seorin silently held out a white shirt. In front of her, Taeyoon dropped his robe, standing in just his underwear. But Seorin didn’t even flinch.
He buttoned his shirt slowly, clearly watching her.
“You’re acting strange today, Eun Seorin. Did something happen overnight?”
He brushed her cheek lightly, then gently lifted her chin.
“What were you thinking all night to be like this in front of me? You’re only supposed to see me, remember?”
Kang, standing nearby, sighed silently. She’d ignored his flirting a few times before, but now it was shameless.
What bothered her more was Seorin’s response — or rather, lack of one. Taeyoon was trying everything to get her attention, but she wasn’t reacting at all.
“If you’re done, I’ll be leaving now.”
Seorin bowed politely like a statue and left. Taeyoon stared at the door, sensing something had changed.
Kang patted his back. “You’ll be late. You should leave, Director.”
She followed him to the door and handed him his bag.
After watching him leave, Kang muttered to herself.
“That was strange today…”
“What was strange?” a voice interrupted.
“Ah!” Kang jumped in surprise. It was Madam Ahn Youngsook, who had suddenly appeared behind her.
“Madam!”
“What was strange, Kang?”
Youngsook had overheard her muttering.
“N-Nothing, ma’am.”
“This morning? Did something happen this morning?”
Youngsook’s sharp eyes stared into hers. Kang panicked and waved her hands.
“No, really. Nothing happened today.”
“Today? So something did happen before?”
Youngsook didn’t miss the slip of the tongue.
“No, no! That’s not what I meant…”
“Come on. If nothing happened today, what happened before? Tell me.”
Under pressure, Kang finally confessed.
“Well… up until yesterday, Director Taeyoon was kind of… paying attention to Seorin. Even when she did nothing, he’d tease her…”
“What?!”
Youngsook’s eyes widened in shock. Kang quickly tried to calm her down.
“But not today! Seorin was cold and firm. Director Taeyoon couldn’t do anything!”
Despite her explanation, Youngsook was already deep in thought, grinding her teeth.
“I knew it. That brat wouldn’t just let Seorin go. No. I need to do something about this.”
Youngsook picked up her phone with fury.
Kang looked at her anxiously.
