Episode 09
As the car slowly came to a stop, a staff member approached and opened the door.
Jaehyun buttoned his jacket and calmly stepped out of the car.
The Seowon Development headquarters was imposing just by its appearance. The glass-fronted skyscraper towered into the sky, exuding power.
As Jaehyun walked through the lobby, everyone stopped what they were doing and bowed their heads in greeting.
His steps, familiar and steady, led him straight to the executive-only elevator that had already been called by the staff in advance.
Ding.
The elevator soon arrived at the floor where the CEO’s office was located.
Having been informed of his arrival, the secretarial staff bowed deeply to Jaehyun.
“Welcome, CEO.”
With a slight nod, he entered his office.
His secretary followed him in and began the morning briefing.
“Sir, there’s a meeting with the strategic planning team at 10 a.m. Also, in the afternoon—”
As he listened, Jaehyun glanced over the documents on his desk.
But once again, an odd symptom struck—Seo-eun’s face suddenly appeared in his mind.
Letting out a sigh tinged with irritation, he was interrupted by a knock at the door.
Knock knock.
The door opened, and nervous-looking employees stepped in.
“Sir, we’re here to report the quarterly performance.”
Jaehyun nodded and gestured to the seats in front. Normally, his sharp gaze would have pressured the staff, but today his demeanor was unusually mild.
The meeting was to discuss the overseas branch’s performance and the progress of new projects.
“You may begin.”
“Yes, sir. Regarding overseas sales, compared to Q3, exports increased by 15%, with significant growth in the Middle East. The recent UAE contract was a key factor.”
The report continued.
“Initial investment in the new business exceeded estimates by about 15%, but it was a strategic decision for stable market entry. Market response has been positive, and we anticipate profits by Q2 next year.”
But the speaker’s tone began to falter.
“However… there’s an issue with our project in the European market.”
“An issue?”
“Yes, due to stricter environmental regulations in Europe, preparing countermeasures is taking more time than expected. We’re working closely with the local legal team and will resolve it as soon as possible.”
The team leader winced, expecting a storm.
But Jaehyun’s response caught everyone off guard.
“Then fix it and report back.”
If this had been the usual Jaehyun, such a mistake would never have been tolerated. The employees looked at each other in disbelief.
“Yes, understood.”
“Then, this meeting is adjourned.”
As Jaehyun stood, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
Normally, he would dissect every detail until the staff turned pale.
Today, they had even braced themselves for a harsh reprimand, exchanging glances as they left the office.
Director Jang Tae-soo couldn’t hide his surprise, but quickly composed himself, recalling Jaehyun’s accident.
From far away, whispers echoed.
“Doesn’t the CEO seem softer today? Normally, he would’ve—”
“Shh! What if someone hears?”
Once the room was empty, silence returned.
Jaehyun, staring out the window, picked up his desk phone and dialed the extension to the secretary’s office.
After a short ring, a voice answered.
“Yes, sir?”
“Tell Secretary Jang to come in.”
A moment later, Jang entered and bowed.
“You called, sir?”
“Investigate Han Seo-eun.”
“Ma’am Han?”
“Every little detail. Leave nothing out.”
“Understood. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
After Jang left, Jaehyun leaned back in his chair.
As he absentmindedly opened a drawer, his hand brushed against something unfamiliar.
What is this?
He pulled it out—a luxurious fountain pen case, still unopened. On the top, the initials C.J.H were engraved, causing Jaehyun’s brow to rise.
As his fingers gently traced the letters, Seo-eun’s face flashed in his mind.
“Could it be…?”
A flicker of curiosity about the forgotten past crossed his mind—but it passed quickly. He coldly studied the pen.
If it was a gift from Han Seo-eun, why had he never opened it?
More buried memories surfaced.
He had always guarded himself from desires and love—irrational emotions he saw as dangerous.
It all started with that day.
His father’s affair with a young secretary had been exposed by the press.
It became a national scandal overnight. Hungry reporters swarmed the family, and Seowon Group faced its worst crisis since its founding.
In the face of the endless articles and public backlash, Jaehyun’s mother fell into deep despair.
Unable to withstand the betrayal and the scrutiny, she suffered from severe depression. Having lived a sheltered life, the scandal was a devastating blow.
Eventually, her condition worsened, and despite hospitalization, her emotional wounds never healed.
One dawn, she quietly took her own life.
From that day, Jaehyun strictly controlled his emotions. He saw sentiment as useless—something that could only lead to weakness.
That belief had held strong ever since.
No woman had ever shaken that composure.
Once, even a top actress—his ad campaign model—showed up at his hotel suite completely naked. He coldly sent her away.
She had never been rejected like that before and left in a fury.
But why is Han Seo-eun different?
Every time her face appeared in his mind, something stirred in his chest.
Her radiant smile, her warm touch—something about them reminded him of the family warmth he had felt as a child. Memories he had long buried and refused to revisit.
That was why. Though he wanted to deny it, Jaehyun couldn’t ignore his growing attraction to Seo-eun.
Would these feelings disappear once he regained his memory?
Tap, tap.
His fingers tapped the desk—a clear sign of his inner conflict.
Why now?
Losing his memory had left him vulnerable. And vulnerability was dangerous.
As heir to Seowon, he was always a target. Any weakness could be exploited.
Rising from his seat, he walked over to the window and stared out at the Seoul nightscape.
“I have to find out. Who is Han Seo-eun, really?”
It was the most efficient way to eliminate the chaos within him.
—
Seo-eun approached Jaehyun as he was getting ready for work. Unlike the seductive look from the other night, today she was neatly dressed.
“Jaehyun, please have breakfast before you go.”
She spoke awkwardly, but there was no reply.
Still, she didn’t give up and followed him to the entrance.
“Have a good day.”
Her small voice made Jaehyun flinch slightly—but he left as if nothing happened.
When the door closed, Seo-eun let out a deep sigh.
Has he really given up on me completely?
Honestly, she couldn’t blame him.
Her shoulders drooped in disappointment.
Before she could fully process her feelings, her phone suddenly rang.
“Who could it be?”
Her face turned pale as she saw the caller ID. After hesitating, she answered.
“…Yes. Hello…?”
She tried to sound calm, but her voice trembled.
Then the voice on the other end made her face freeze completely.
“Tonight? With me?”
