Episode 3
A short while later, Ihyun and Harin’s car came to a stop in front of a luxury traditional-style house.
It was the main residence of the S Group, where Chairman Seo resided.
“Why are we here… Are you seriously planning to get permission for marriage?”
“I had a blind date scheduled, but I missed it because of you, Joo Harin. The word must’ve already spread to everyone at the hotel. Even the heiress of the Ji Group who was waiting for me probably heard. Do you think she’ll still want to marry me now? So you’re responsible. My marriage. If I don’t get married this time, I’ll get kicked out. Do you have the money to support me?”
“…W-What? That’s not… I mean, regardless of my intention…”
“Should a superior just stand by when their subordinate is in trouble? I can’t do that—especially when it’s you, Joo Harin.”
Seo Ihyun was known to be cold and blunt with most, but for a very small group—like his chief secretary Ji-hyuk and Harin—he showed warmth.
Even Ji-hyuk used to say that Ihyun treated Harin unusually kindly, always talking about working together for a long time.
But Harin believed it was just professional courtesy. After all, Ihyun was the heir to S Group—a chaebol, a man who drew attention no matter where he went. There was no way he’d see her as more than a subordinate.
“Do you really think Chairman Seo will approve? You might just get scolded more. Why don’t you just go back and attend your blind date? I’ll take the blame.”
“Can’t. The news of our ‘marriage’ is already out. If I go back and attend the blind date now, I’ll look like the world’s biggest scumbag. Kind of like someone else I know. A secretary should never damage her superior’s reputation like that. And my grandfather doesn’t care who I marry—he just wants me to get married. He’s afraid the Seo family line will end with me.”
“Still, this is going too far. You can’t use me for marriage…”
Harin couldn’t understand why Ihyun was being so stubborn today.
“If marriage is too much, think of it as just an extension of work. You know I don’t like other women entering my space. My grandfather’s pressuring me to get married right now, and I don’t want to. So just be my secretary at home, too. Marry me, and your salary goes up. Simple.”
“But—”
“Even if it’s a contract marriage, I’ll love you sincerely. You know I don’t lie. I won’t force you to love me back. But I’ll love you so much that you won’t be able to help but love me. So, let’s get married.”
Harin couldn’t respond.
“If you still don’t love me after a year, we can end the contract. We’ll register the marriage only after that.”
How many people in the world get proposed to an hour after a broken engagement? Harin was stunned that she was somehow the center of this surreal situation.
And there was a part of her that was scared. What if she really did fall in love with Ihyun? What if she got hurt again?
She knew all too well how fickle people could be once they got what they wanted. Someone might promise the moon and stars, but once they have you, they change in an instant.
Still, Ihyun’s proposal didn’t sound too bad. A contract marriage tied to work, a salary raise, and no pressure for feelings. So Harin decided to accept it. A deal not for love, but for survival.
Even if Ihyun changed his mind and ended the contract, it wouldn’t hurt her. She barely used her home anyway, often working late. With a higher salary, she could just save up and get a new place when it ended.
What worried her most were Chairman Seo and Ihyun’s stepmother, Hwaran.
“Still… The chairman and Madam Hwaran probably won’t approve. They might not even believe this sudden marriage.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. No one can touch you without my permission—not even my mother.”
He seemed to know exactly who might oppose Harin.
“Alright. You’re right. I’m the one involved in this, after all. I accept your terms.”
“As expected. You’re quick to judge.”
A smile played at Ihyun’s lips.
The two got out of the car and stood at the front gate. As soon as Ihyun rang the doorbell, Chairman Seo’s powerful voice rang through the speaker.
“You punk! Do you know where you are right now?!”
Despite nearing eighty, the chairman’s voice was thunderous. Ihyun flinched slightly at the sound, wincing.
“Grandfather, I brought your granddaughter-in-law. Please open the door.”
“…What?”
“If you don’t open it, we’ll just go back.”
A brief silence followed. Then the gate creaked open.
Inside, the mansion was more beautiful than expected—lush grass, a small pond, and a stone path winding through a manicured garden. Every plant reflected the chairman’s personality, while the colorful flowers scattered about were likely Madam Hwaran’s touch.
As they entered the front hall, Chairman Seo and Madam Hwaran were already waiting.
“Hello, Chairman.”
“So this is the granddaughter-in-law you brought? Your secretary? Was all that ruckus at the hotel because of her?”
“Yes, that’s right—”
Ihyun stepped in front of Harin.
“Talk to me. I’ll explain everything.”
“Fine. Let’s talk in my study. Hwaran, stay here for now.”
“Yes, Father.”
“You two, come in.”
“Yes.”
The two followed the chairman into his study.
“Alright, explain yourself. What the hell is going on?”
“I’m already in love with her.”
“…What?”
Harin was dumbfounded by Ihyun’s blunt confession.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Don’t tell me she cheated on her fiancé with you! Harin, speak up! Did you cheat?”
“What? No, that’s not—”
Harin had no idea what Ihyun was thinking. Her mind went blank.
As she hesitated, Ihyun spoke again.
“I’m saying I’ve loved Joo Harin for a while. But she had a fiancé, so I stayed back. Now that they’ve broken up, I asked her to marry me.”
“So what? You’re really going to marry her? Right after she broke off her engagement?”
“That doesn’t matter. I don’t want to marry anyone else. And you said you’d kick me out if I didn’t get married. So I have no other choice.”
“Are you crazy?! What about Harin’s opinion?!”
Chairman Seo’s sharp eyes turned to Harin.
“I’m okay with it. I’ve decided to accept the Director’s feelings.”
Shocked, the chairman was left speechless.
“Do you even realize how people will talk? They’ll say Harin’s a gold digger, chasing after a chaebol right after breaking her engagement.”
“I won’t let anyone talk about her like that. I’ll handle it. Don’t worry.”
“You think I can not worry when you act like this?! You fool! Harin, go wait outside.”
“Yes, sir.”
Harin stood, bowed politely, and stepped out of the room.
“You idiot! If this is just a moment of emotion, stop now. I’ll fix it somehow. I know better than anyone how much pain you’ve been through.”
“Grandfather, it’s not a passing emotion. I’ve felt this way since the day I first met Harin.”
“Why do you only think about yourself?! Harin’s going to get hurt!”
“She won’t. I’ll protect her.”
Ihyun’s eyes didn’t waver.
“How can you be so sure? You know better than anyone how cruel this world is! It’s not you who’ll get hurt—it’s Harin.”
As the illegitimate child of Chairman Seo’s late son, Ihyun had joined the S Group family register at age eight. He knew better than anyone what kind of world he had stepped into.
Outwardly refined and polite, but inside rotten to the core—that was the chaebol world.
He remembered well the snide looks and words thrown at him when he first joined the family.
The pain of being a “half-blood.”
But Ihyun had proven himself through ability. That was why he had confidence—he had lived through it and survived it.
He couldn’t protect his mother, but he was determined to protect Harin.
Now he had the power to do so.
“No one will be able to touch her. No one will dare speak against her. I’m confident, Grandfather.”
Chairman Seo had raised Ihyun as his own since losing his son in a car accident twelve years ago. He knew Ihyun better than anyone.
He had never easily opened his heart to anyone, let alone talk about love.
For Ihyun to go this far—it had to be serious.
What worried him now was Madam Hwaran.
Today’s blind date with the Ji Group’s daughter was her arrangement. Ihyun had blown it off, caused a scandal at the hotel, and now brought home his secretary as a fiancée.
How long would Hwaran tolerate this?
She had raised Ihyun despite him not being her own son, but the two had always clashed.
Hwaran wanted Ihyun to follow her wishes. Ihyun, however, always did the opposite.
This time was no different.
And that’s what made Chairman Seo worry the most. He didn’t want anyone else in the family to get hurt—but he feared it wouldn’t be that easy.
