Episode 20
In the CEO’s office, Seorin, Aesun, and her father Eunsunghyun were seated. Aesun, still clearly upset, sat with her arms tightly crossed and her lips pouting.
> “What happened? Why was Director Seo from TK Group at our factory?”
Seorin asked, to which her aunt snorted in disdain.
> “He got ahead of himself. First, he asked what was going on, then he offered to lend us money. Indefinitely, until Dongmyung’s situation improves.”
> “Exactly! But how could you trust him so easily? This is the same man who tried to have us evicted!”
> “He wants to lend us money? Director Seo Taeyoon?”
At Aesun’s grumbled curse, Seunghyup tried to calm her.
> “Stop it. At least he’s trying to help.”
Aesun only raised her voice more.
> “And that’s what makes it worse! Giving us the disease and now the cure—playing with our company like it’s some toy!”
She pointed furiously at the now-empty door where Taeyoon had left long ago, breathing heavily with anger. After yelling, she turned to Seorin with a hint of resignation.
> “…Besides, we’re not desperate anymore. We have Ohsung now.”
> “Ohsung?” Seorin’s eyes widened in surprise. “Aunt, did you say Ohsung?”
Aesun smiled triumphantly.
> “Yes, Ohsung. They just contacted us—they want to invest. Isn’t it great? There’s no one in Korea richer than them.”
Seorin’s face darkened.
She knew this investment didn’t happen by chance. It had to be because of Chaehee’s influence—a deal made in exchange for giving up Taemun.
Looking at Aesun’s bright, hopeful expression, Seorin couldn’t bring herself to say anything.
Unaware of Seorin’s pain, Aesun continued cheerfully.
> “So, Seorin, maybe it’s time you left that house?”
> “That house… you mean Hyunmujae?”
> “Yes. When I heard you moved in there, it really bothered me. But if this deal goes well, we won’t be struggling anymore.”
Even Seunghyup looked at Seorin with hopeful eyes. But Seorin gently shook her head.
> “Just a little longer. Ohsung’s investment hasn’t been finalized, and right now Dongmyung Food’s funds are still tied up with Ilyeong Capital.”
Aesun and Seunghyup exchanged troubled glances. Seeing this made Seorin even more uneasy. She stood up.
> “I’m busy. I should get going.”
> “Already?”
> “Yes. It was nice seeing you. Aunt, don’t overwork yourself. Everything will be okay.”
> “Of course it will, Seorin. You too, dear.”
> “Thanks. Dad, don’t come out. I’ll go alone.”
As her father stood to see her off, she hurriedly stopped him. Only after repeatedly insisting did Seorin finally leave the room alone.
But with every step she took, her forced smile faded. She hadn’t known Chaehee had silently pulled strings, and it weighed on her like a debt. And now that Taeyoon knew everything…
> “What am I supposed to do now…”
As she walked with her head low, a pair of polished brown shoes appeared in her vision. She looked up and saw Taeyoon blocking her path. Avoiding his gaze, she tried to walk past him—she didn’t want to hear anything from him right now. But Taeyoon didn’t let her go.
> “Seorin.”
His voice stopped her.
She paused, then started walking again. Taeyoon quickly caught up.
> “Just talk to me for a moment.”
> “I have nothing to say.”
> “It’ll just take a moment.”
He grabbed her wrist. Surprised, Seorin stopped.
> “Let go of me.”
She tried to pull away, but his grip didn’t loosen.
> “Just for a moment. Please.”
Seorin looked up at him with a twisted smile.
> “Why? Now that you know your grandfather’s Ilyeong Capital has Dongmyung by the neck, you think you can control me too?”
> “That’s not what I mean—”
> “Isn’t it? You came to our place unannounced, stirred everything up, and now you’re trying to manipulate even me.”
Taeyoon looked at her wrist in silence. His grip had unconsciously tightened. Realizing this, he released her and ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
> “I’ll fix everything—Dongmyung’s problems, our relationship… I’ll make it all right again.”
Seorin gave a bitter smile.
> “How? Nothing can go back to the way it was.”
Even if Dongmyung Food recovered, Seorin and Taeyoon couldn’t return to how they were. Too much had changed.
> “Please… just leave me alone.”
Taeyoon couldn’t bring himself to reach out to her. She looked so fragile, like she might break at any moment—so different from the composed Seorin he’d always known.
After parting with Seorin, Taeyoon returned to his office.
> “Did your outside meeting go well, sir—?”
Manager Song trailed off in shock as Taeyoon suddenly slammed his fist onto his desk. The chilling atmosphere made her freeze.
> What happened out there?
As she tried to figure it out, Taeyoon, who had been silent with his head down, looked up at her.
> “Manager Song.”
> “Y-Yes, sir!”
> “Can I trust what the Chief Secretary said? That you’re my person?”
She nodded quickly, sensing his seriousness.
> “Yes, of course! Absolutely!”
Then, Taeyoon gave an unexpected order.
> “…Investigate Ilyeong Capital. I want to know exactly where every single won is coming in and going out.”
> “Ilyeong… Capital? Why now…?”
She started to question it, but upon seeing the irritation in Taeyoon’s expression, she quickly shut her mouth.
> “Understood.”
Once she left the office, Taeyoon’s gaze sharpened. The realization that Seorin had been enduring everything alone pierced his heart.
But still, he hadn’t made his final decision.
> Whatever I choose, I’ll have to lose something precious.
As emotions surged, a flame sparked in his eyes as he stared into empty space.
At a café somewhere in Seoul, Seorin sat with a blank expression. A coffee sat untouched in front of her.
She had just come from a blind date arranged by Myung-sook.
> “It’s a bit sudden, but it’s time you started thinking about these things. Having someone beside you wouldn’t be bad. Especially with Taeyoon about to get engaged.”
Recalling Young-sook’s probing smile, Seorin shook her head.
> “It was bound to happen anyway.”
Suppressing the hollow feeling in her heart, she gulped down the coffee.
At that moment, the café door opened. She looked up—and saw a familiar face walk in.
Shock crossed her face.
