Episode 5
Back at the office, Tae-jung was lost in thought.
It wasn’t a bad offer he’d made to Ji-won. So why had she rejected it so flatly?
Was it because the offer was too good?
It was always wise to be suspicious when someone’s background wasn’t fully known. But who was he, after all?
Moon Tae-jung of Seonil Trading.
He never spoke recklessly and always kept his promises. So why was she so reluctant to trust him?
If he were Ji-won…
“I’d say yes in a heartbeat.”
Tae-jung nodded to himself.
Where else could she find such a good proposal?
Anyone in their right mind would jump at the chance.
He would take the offer a hundred times over, even if he died and came back. The reason for Ji-won’s refusal still eluded him.
“Oppa!”
Just then, Bin Ara barged into the office without warning.
The youngest daughter of BK Savings Bank, she had declared since childhood that she would marry him. Recently, she had even started pushing her father to arrange their marriage.
Arranged marriages like that were still common in their circles.
If he wasn’t careful, he might actually end up marrying her. That made Tae-jung feel even more rushed.
“I’m feeling down. Can you buy me dinner tonight?”
“I have plans.”
“What kind of plans?”
“Important ones.”
Ara pouted at his response.
“I’m really upset. Why are they suddenly reviving Cyworld? My friends keep sending me old photos, and I hate it!”
Why was she sharing this in someone else’s office?
Tae-jung made a mental note to remind the secretarial staff not to let in visitors without an appointment.
“They’re exposing all the embarrassing stuff I want to keep buried!”
“Embarrassing past?”
Tae-jung’s eyes narrowed.
He stood up and buttoned his suit jacket. Now it made sense. The reason Ji-won kept rejecting his proposal.
She was afraid that marrying him would reveal her past.
Adoption and annulled adoptions were delicate matters.
Why hadn’t he thought of that sooner?
“Don’t drop by unannounced like this again.”
After leaving Ara with that remark, Tae-jung grabbed an envelope and headed out.
During a client meeting, Ji-won stormed out of the prison.
Back in her car, she let out a scoffing laugh, then closed her eyes in disbelief.
She had gone in as the attorney for a businessman serving time for economic crimes, hoping to earn a few bucks.
But “attorney” was too generous a title for what she was really doing. She was more like a butler—renting out the visiting room and catering to the inmate’s whims.
The man in the prison uniform acted like the visiting room was his living room, even lighting up a cigarette.
“So, how old are you, pretty lady lawyer?”
Grinning sleazily, he blatantly flirted.
“I just love it when lady lawyers wear those tight suits. Shows off all the curves, you know? Honestly, you’re the hottest lawyer I’ve ever seen! Killer figure.”
His eyes shamelessly scanned her body. Disgusted, Ji-won stood up. She told him to watch his mouth unless he wanted a sexual harassment charge added to his list of embezzlement and breach of trust—and walked out.
With her head resting on the steering wheel, Ji-won heard her phone ring.
It was the lawyer who had introduced her to this prison gig.
Sighing, she answered.
“Yes, Attorney Hong.”
“Ji-won, do you know how much trouble you’ve caused me? I only got you this gig because you begged me. What the hell were you thinking?”
“I’m sorry…”
“What, you think prison visits are some high-end job? All you had to do was play nice and kill time! Why act out like that?!”
Ji-won thought about explaining what had happened but shut her mouth. He’d only blame her anyway.
“I’m sorry, but I need to hang up now.”
“You arrogant little—!”
She ended the call before he could finish.
She needed the money badly. Maybe she should’ve just endured it?
“No.”
No matter how desperate her situation was, she wasn’t going to stoop to that level.
If she had known this would happen, she would’ve at least charged Moon Tae-jung for wasting her time with his nonsense proposal.
She suddenly hoped he’d show up again so she could get her consultation fee.
Just then, a loud honk startled her as she stepped out of her car to head into her office.
She turned and saw Tae-jung stepping out of a sleek, black luxury sedan.
Was this a hallucination brought on by her recent wishful thinking?
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
His voice—clear as day.
“Have you thought about my marriage proposal?”
“….”
Not a dream.
He was back, talking about marriage again. That proved this was real.
Fine. Let’s get that consultation fee.
Maybe the heavens were finally looking out for her.
“Let’s go to the office and talk.”
Watching him walk up the stairs ahead of her, Ji-won chuckled to herself.
Still thinking about that consultation fee, she opened her office door.
“Take a seat.”
“…?”
Tae-jung had already sat down on the sofa and gestured to the seat opposite him. It was her office, yet he was acting like he owned the place. That annoyed Ji-won.
How could she flip this dynamic?
Deliberately, she perched on the edge of her desk instead, crossing her arms and looking down at him to reclaim authority.
“I believe I already rejected your proposal.”
“I told you to think about it.”
“No matter how many times I think about it, the answer won’t change.”
“Then let’s talk about the rent you owe.”
“Rent?”
The sudden mention of rent made Ji-won hop off the desk.
As she approached the sofa, Tae-jung pulled out a thick envelope and showed it off.
“What is that…?”
Ji-won was rendered speechless.
He was holding the property title deed.
The deed for the building her office was in.
Why did Moon Tae-jung have that?
“When are you going to pay the rent?”
“…Why are you asking me that?”
“Because I own the building.”
So much for the saying that misfortunes never come alone.
No wonder today had been so rough—this was the cherry on top.
“When did that happen…?”
“Today.”
He handed her the deed so she could see for herself. As Ji-won flipped through the pages and found the statement confirming the ownership transfer, her frown deepened.
“…But Mr. Park said he wasn’t selling.”
The old landlord, Mr. Park, had taken great pride in his rundown three-story building.
Of course, his “pride” was really just bragging rights for being a landlord.
Just last week, he had sworn he wouldn’t sell it, not even to his kids. Yet he had handed it over to Moon Tae-jung. He must’ve gotten a handsome offer—probably a few million won above market price.
“When will you pay the rent?”
“I had an arrangement with the previous owner—to pay by next Friday.”
“By Friday, before banking hours. That correct?”
“…Yes.”
Ji-won lowered her eyes.
To a landlord, a tenant who was late on rent—even just a little—was practically a criminal.
“Your lease ends in six months, right?”
“Yes.”
“You should let me know soon if you plan to renew.”
“Oh… right.”
Just a few hours ago, Ji-won had stood her ground against Tae-jung’s nonsense. But now, finding out he owned the building drained all her energy.
It was understandable.
Getting a similar office would cost at least 1.5 times more in rent. And most decent places also required a key money deposit. Staying put was clearly the better option for her.
But would Tae-jung allow it?
Cautiously, Ji-won raised her head and asked,
“Would you be willing to renew the lease?”
“Hmm. Still thinking about it.”
“Is it because of the rent?”
“No.”
“Then… the deposit?”
“It’s the tenant.”
“You mean… me?”
Ji-won pointed at herself.
What was wrong with her?
She wasn’t doing anything illegal, and she had only been late with rent three times.
So why was Tae-jung blaming her?
“Yes, you’re the problem, Ms. Dong Ji-won.”
“……”
“Come on. Isn’t it ridiculous for the woman I’m begging to marry me to be renting office space in my building?”
“Excuse me?”
“Unless she becomes my wife, that is.”
Tae-jung’s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile.
To be continued…
