EM 12

Chapter 12

By the time preparations were nearly complete, Yujin returned. Hyeryeon slipped a handkerchief into his suit pocket.

The color had been chosen so it would match Seung-ah’s dress, making the two of them look harmonious together.

After exchanging a few words with Hyeryeon, Yujin approached Seung-ah.

“Choi Seung-ah.”

“Ah, Mr. Han Yujin! Please, come over here.”

“Hm?”

Seung-ah eagerly pulled him toward the full-length mirror.

Standing beside Yujin, dressed in a sharp suit, her own appearance in her perfectly styled gown looked like the perfect match.

“Mmm. This looks good enough.”

At her muttered remark, Yujin let out a quiet laugh.

“There’s one thing missing.”

“The boss said this much was more than enough.”

“Doesn’t your neck feel bare?”

Yujin pulled out a small box and opened it. Inside was a necklace with a pink diamond pendant that immediately caught the eye. He fastened it gently around her neck.

“You didn’t go out just to buy this, did you?”

“Not bad, right?”

“Strangely enough, it suits me really well.”

Of course—it suited her because he had chosen it with her in mind. He had a surprising sense of attentiveness in unexpected ways.

“How much did this even cost?”

“Why, are you planning to pay me back if you find out?”

“Even the dress I’m wearing now is already worth quite a lot. And now jewelry on top of that…”

The amount was unimaginable for a mere one-night party partner.

“This much is only natural. After all, whose woman are you?”

Unlike the startled Seung-ah, Yujin spoke as though it was nothing at all.

Well, money spends differently depending on the person. For him, it might indeed be everyday life.

But for Seung-ah, who lived off her monthly salary carefully split and budgeted, the thought of spending over a hundred million won so casually on one evening was beyond imagination.

“I went around several stores and carefully picked this necklace. Just accept it.”

“You mean, you’re giving me not only this jewelry but also the shoes?”

When Yujin nodded without hesitation, Seung-ah’s mind began working quickly.

‘How much could I get if I sold them secondhand? If I wore them just once before putting them up… ha, it would be a shame to part with them, but…’

No, wait.

This man might later ask whether she still had them.

Why aren’t you wearing the necklace I gave you? Why aren’t those shoes in your closet?

‘Hm. Fine. As long as I’m living with Han Yujin, I’ll put up with it. Endure it.’

While she was busy doing sly calculations in her head, Yujin tugged her along.

“It’s time. Let’s go.”

The garden party was held in a mansion situated in one of Seoul’s most expensive residential areas.

When Yujin’s car arrived, a man recognized it from afar and hurried over.

“You’ve arrived, young master.”

The address of young master sounded completely natural to Yujin, who handed over the car keys to the employee.

Only after climbing the dozen stone steps did the mansion’s full form reveal itself.

It was a single-story building, but the scale was immense—its square footage impossible to guess.

“How many rooms do you think a mansion like this has?”

Startled by its grandeur, Seung-ah raised her fingers, drawing horizontal and vertical lines in the air to count.

Then, with a confident look, she announced:

“I can estimate it right away! About ten rooms?”

“Can you see through walls or something?”

At Yujin’s dry comment, Seung-ah grinned mischievously.

Just then, the servant came up beside Yujin.

“Young master, if I may…”

After whispering something to him, Yujin turned to Seung-ah.

“Can you stay on your own for a bit? I need to meet someone.”

“Hahaha! Of course!”

Perfect! Now I can enjoy the garden without worrying about him watching me.

Since there was still plenty of time before the party began, there weren’t many guests yet. Seung-ah picked up a glass of water as a welcome drink and wandered freely.

Her steps carried her toward a broad pond where the sunlight sparkled on the water’s ripples. Around it bloomed fresh spring flowers swaying gently in the breeze.

As she enjoyed the spring air like one of those blossoms herself, she overheard the voices of guests who had arrived early.

“They said it was expensive, and sure enough, it looks magnificent.”

“Those koi fish—you can’t buy them even if you pile up money.”

Indeed, inside the pond graceful koi glided through the water.

Wow. Each of those must cost thousands.

One flick of a tail sent droplets splashing into the air, glittering like jewels in the sunlight.

Seung-ah was momentarily entranced by the rare sight.

Then, from behind a hedge, the hushed voices of men reached her.

“You brought the golden turtle, right?”

“Yes, sir. But I’m curious about something…”

They looked like politicians. Clearly, they hadn’t noticed Seung-ah nearby as they whispered.

“Why did you tell us to change the golden calf into a golden turtle?”

“You really can’t read between the lines? Think about it. The chairman loves seafood. Just look at those koi in the pond.”

Even hearing it in passing, Seung-ah could tell these men were desperate to curry favor with this ‘chairman.’

Because he liked seafood, they had switched to a golden turtle? But koi were freshwater fish, not seafood.

A younger man voiced the same thought:

“Koi are freshwater fish, though.”

“It’s a figure of speech, idiot!”

“A-ah, yes… Anyway, as long as today goes well, your nomination should be secure.”

“Before the primaries, we need the media to show the party leader and me looking close.”

So relations with the party leader had soured—that must be why he was worrying about losing the support of the electorate.

Seung-ah had no interest in eavesdropping any further. She was about to leave when a familiar name caught her ear.

“If the party leader and Chairman Geum are so close, then all we can do is ask her to set up a meeting.”

Chairman Geum? Could they mean Grandma?

Naturally, she thought of Geum Il-bong.

But that would mean her grandmother was here at this party. There’s no way Yujin would bring her here without knowing that… unless there was another “Chairman Geum”?

From their words, this Chairman Geum seemed influential enough to sway nominations. But the grandmother she knew had never once spoken of politics.

Still, she couldn’t deny it outright either. She’d already learned that the warm, gentle side of her grandmother was just the tip of the iceberg.

If I meet Grandma again, perhaps I’ll see another side of her.

Since there was no longer any need for secrecy, that day would come.

Just as she recalled her grandmother’s familiar smile, she bumped hard into something.

“Ah!”

It was solid as a wall—the massive frame of a man. The shock made her drop her glass.

It splashed straight onto the man’s groin before shattering on the ground.

“Why, you—!”

The booming voice belonged to none other than the politician who had been speaking about Chairman Geum moments earlier.

His name was Park Pil-du, infamous for his fiery temper and a regular in the political news columns.

She hadn’t realized he’d come so close behind her. When she turned, he was practically pressed up against her, close enough their arms would touch.

His aide beside him looked stricken.

“Oh dear, sir, your clothes—”

“This is a fine mess!”

Seung-ah quickly bowed her head.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were behind me. Truly, I apologize.”

At least it was only water, but the unfortunate location was… unmistakable.

The aide, too flustered to touch his superior’s trousers, simply fumbled with a handkerchief.

With a snarl, Pil-du snatched it away and wiped furiously before snapping:

“Who is this woman?”

The question was directed not at Seung-ah but at his aide, who replied in a low voice:

“She isn’t on the guest list. Likely someone’s one-day partner.”

It wasn’t about the spilled water anymore. The way they studied her face and identity made it clear—they suspected she had overheard their private talk.

Realizing she wasn’t anyone important, Pil-du’s expression hardened even further.

“And they let riffraff like this into the party? Chairman Geum must be losing her sharpness!”

Riffraff. He had actually called her that.

Did she really deserve such an insult?

Pil-du tossed the damp handkerchief aside. It brushed her dress before landing on her strappy sandals.

“So you came all dressed up just to see Chairman Geum, huh? Unlucky for you. Hmph!”

With a scowl, he turned his back.

Seung-ah stared down at the crumpled handkerchief. Yujin had chosen this dress and shoes with such care—and this man had just used them to wipe himself clean.

She hadn’t been blindly excited to attend the party with Yujin. She had already braced herself for uncomfortable questions, since gatherings of wealthy elites always had people who judged others by wealth and power.

But to be insulted as riffraff just for spilling water—and treated this way—was beyond anything she had imagined.

“Wait, Assemblyman!”

Her raised voice echoed across the quiet pond.

“I admit it was my fault. But don’t you think your words were far too much?”

Pil-du halted, but instead of looking at her, he shot a glare at his aide.

“Secretary Kim! Do I hear the buzzing of a fly? We can’t have vermin crawling around a party. Get rid of her.”

“Yes, sir.”

The aide rushed toward Seung-ah.

“You’ll need to step aside, miss.”

But she raised her voice even louder, ignoring him.

“I’ll apologize once more for spilling water. But shouldn’t you also apologize for insulting me?”

“Do you even know who you’re speaking to—”