AMB 11

On the wide table, there were all kinds of parfaits, wine, cocktails, and various fruit appetizers.

Watching the endless stream of food coming out, Nayoon let out a small gasp.

“Why did you order so much?”

“You’re paying, aren’t you? Then we have to order a lot!”

Hyeroung swayed her shoulders, humming with a mischievous grin that wasn’t easy to hate.

Nayoon let out a half-sigh, half-laugh.

“Fine, eat all you want.”

“My sister’s so generous. I knew it.”

Instead of picking up a parfait, Hyeroung grabbed a glass of wine, making Nayoon’s eyes widen.

“Why wine?”

“Let’s each have a drink. It’s been a while since we came out like this.”

“I drove here, remember?”

“I know. Just call your secretary.”

“He’s off work.”

“Well, his boss isn’t off work yet.”

“This is a personal matter.”

Hyeroung narrowed her eyes and pouted.

“Seriously? Just one drink! Please?”

As always, Hyeroung grabbed Nayoon’s arm and shook it, pleading persistently until Nayoon finally gave in.

She’d just have to call a chauffeur service later.

“Fine, but just one glass. Didn’t you say you have to go straight to work tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I know. Work… I’ll manage somehow.”

Grinning broadly, Hyeroung filled the glasses.

After a light clink of their glasses, Nayoon took a sip.

Only then did Hyeroung start on her parfait and asked,

“Hey, tell me about that guy.”

“I told you, there’s nothing going on. You tell me about yours.”

“Ugh, what’s there to say? I’m getting married anyway, what else?”

Hyeroung grumbled. Knowing how calculative the guy was, he probably chose a family that could benefit him more than hers.

“I’m just curious who he is.”

Muttering to herself, Hyeroung’s eyes soon sparkled as she questioned Nayoon.

“So, you. Tell me! What’s his name? Age? Which family? What does he do?”

Given how insistently Hyeroung prodded, Nayoon could have answered, but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

Nayoon never spoke of such matters before official announcements. This time was no exception.

“Nothing’s really finalized yet.”

Hyeroung let out a breath in disbelief.

“What? Since when do you need a whole process to meet a guy? Wait… don’t tell me…”

Hyeroung’s already large eyes grew even wider with suspicion.

“You’re being sold off?”

Coughing mid-sip, Nayoon choked at that comment, her face flushing red as she coughed violently.

Finally recovering, she looked at Hyeroung.

“What are you saying? Of course not!”

“But isn’t this some company-arranged thing? That’s why you’re not saying anything, right?”

Hyeroung caught on quickly.

“Have I not known you long enough? You never speak of company matters. Just looking at you now… It’s obvious, isn’t it?”

Nayoon fell into thought at her words.

It was something she couldn’t tell anyone. A decision fueled entirely by her own desire for revenge.

Still, it was a company-related matter externally.

So…

With a bitter smile, Nayoon said,

“It’s something like that.”

“Well, if it’s one of those arranged marriages… fine. But, hey, you’re going to live with this guy face-to-face for a while at least. You should at least marry someone decent.”

Hyeroung then added: Tall, fit, good-looking, with a nice voice.

Nayoon laughed.

“Does a guy like that even exist?”

Hyeroung knew well about Nayoon’s position in that family. No one could miss it after spending a little time with her.

Outwardly harmonious, but the internal reality was far from that.

This marriage was definitely being forced on her. And considering Nayoon wasn’t even their real daughter but an adopted one, there was no way her feelings would matter.

It was all about money. There were plenty of rich crazy men out there.

Poor Nayoon.

Hiding her pity, Hyeroung said cheerfully,

“Of course there are! You’re just not interested in guys, that’s why. Actually, there’s more than you’d think.”

“Really?”

“Obviously! You know Daejung Construction? Their youngest son is a bit young, but he’s good-looking and…”

Hyeroung went on excitedly, and Nayoon thought of one particular man who seemed to fit those standards.

Goo Jaeha.

By Hyeroung’s definition, he definitely counted as decent.

His kindness flashed quickly through her mind.

“Anyway, when you do get engaged, introduce him to me first, okay? He’ll be my brother-in-law after all. I should try to make a good impression on him for your sake. I’m good at sucking up, you know.”

Nayoon nodded.

“When it’s official, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Great.”

While chatting, Nayoon noticed her wine glass was already empty.

“Huh, I drank it all already.”

“Wow, acting like you weren’t going to drink and now look at you.”

“When did I even drink it…”

Maybe her throat was just dry.

Just then, someone called out to Hyeroung, and she stood up excitedly. Turning to Nayoon, she said,

“Sis, have a cocktail or something. I’ve got some friends here, I’ll just say hi.”

“Okay, sure.”

After Hyeroung bounced away, Nayoon stood up too.

Maybe the wine was stronger than she thought. Or maybe the room was just hot.

Feeling flushed, she stepped out onto the second-floor terrace.

The cool air against her cheeks finally cleared her foggy mind.

Leaning quietly against the terrace railing, Nayoon stared out at the city lights.

‘Just trust me and come with me.’

Jaeha’s last words floated back to her mind.

It had been so tender that it was hard to brush it off as mere politeness.

Did he have some other hidden motive? Was there something else for him to gain?

His behavior teetered on the line between keeping a distance and overstepping it. It confused her.

What was he thinking?

Lost in thought, a commotion broke her focus.

It was coming from the staircase connected to the second-floor terrace. Sounded like a drunken fight.

Normally, Nayoon didn’t bother with other people’s business. Especially not in situations like this.

“I told you I’m not interested!”

But the sharp yell of a young woman caught her attention, and she peeked over.

Several men had surrounded a woman.

“What did you say?”

“How many times did I tell you I’m not interested? But you kept bothering me!”

“Oh, watch your tone, little girl! Do you want me to—”

Just as the man raised his hand threateningly, Nayoon stepped between them.

“Excuse me. Let’s settle this with words.”

This really wasn’t like her. Normally she’d call for staff or security instead.

But her body moved before she could think. It just looked too dangerous.

“And who are you? You with her?”

“Not exactly.”

“Then butt out.”

Despite the man’s aggressive tone, Nayoon let out a sigh and turned to the woman.

“Do you need help?”

The woman stared at her for a moment, then nodded repeatedly.

Nayoon calmly pulled out her phone and dialed 112.

The man let out a rough breath.

“Who the hell does this bitch think she is?”

Seeing her actually dialing 112 right in front of him, he couldn’t believe it.

As he reached to snatch her phone, the woman quickly slapped his hand away.

“Hey! Where do you think you’re touching?”

“What? I didn’t touch you.”

“You just tried to!”

Even surrounded by several men, the woman fired back without hesitation.

Nayoon wished, just for a second, that the woman would stay quiet. But clearly, she had no intention of doing so.

“Don’t kid yourself!! You were trying to snatch her phone! Are you a thief? Or just crazy?”

The woman shouted in English, and the man’s face twisted in rage.

“Stop spewing English crap! Speak Korean!”

“Are you a thief?!”

“That’s it. You’re done.”

The man really seemed about to get violent this time, raising his hand high.

Nayoon, barely hiding her panic, stepped in front of the woman.

“Stop this, now.”

“And what if I don’t?”

Nayoon’s eyes drifted toward the road.