24.3

Seonkyung opened the case that Chaeyoon had handed her. The garnet in the sunlight emitted a deep wine-red color.

“A ring and a bracelet.”

The ring was simple, with a large unpolished gemstone set in it. However, the natural lines of the gemstone and the light reflecting off it were quite unique.

“Intense.”

A slight smile appeared on Seonkyung’s lips. She liked it.

“My classmates said the image of this ring was so strong it might overwhelm the wearer. That’s why I was sure that it would suit you, Vice Chairwoman.”

“Is that so?”

Seonkyung slipped the ring on her finger. It looked even better on.

“You’re a strong-willed person, after all, Vice Chairwoman.”

Chaeyoon smiled broadly.

“This design, the lotus seedpod? It’s from that jewelry made for Mrs. Ko, right?”

Seonkyung took out the bracelet. The bracelet also featured unpolished garnets linked together, with a lotus seedpod design in the center, interspersed with garnets and enamel.

“You remember. The professor suggested I make it my signature design. He said it has a unique charm that feels oriental, and it would be good to apply it in various ways.”

“The hairpin set won an award in a jewelry contest?”

“There was a pearl-based competition at the time, so I entered it, and it did well.”

“What about mine?”

Seonkyung tilted her head slightly and narrowed her eyes.

“Huh?”

“Mine didn’t win anything? It seems a bit less impressive than Mrs. Ko’s.”

Seonkyung gave me a look of hurt pride.

“Uh……, but this one was in a famous fashion magazine instead. It’s not an advertisement, it’s just that the famous editor liked it and asked to use it for a photo shoot. They don’t just feature anything in that magazine.”

Chaeyoon broke out in a slight cold sweat as she spoke, unsure why it sounded like she was making excuses.

“And after seeing the magazine, a celebrity actress commissioned a piece from me. There will also be an interview article about me in the magazine. So I’ve already discussed with the professor that I’ll be debuting a series with just the stones changed at the upcoming London jewelry fair.”

“Is it luck or skill? For a rookie designer, you’re doing remarkably well, aren’t you?”

Seonkyung asked as she slipped the bracelet onto her arm.

“I won’t deny there’s some luck involved. If it’s luck, it will be short-lived; if it’s skill, it will go a long way.”

After examining the ring and bracelet from different angles, Seonkyung removed them and placed them back in the case.

“I’ll need to wear a dress that matches these for the upcoming party.”

“Do you like them? Normally, I would have shown you the designs and discussed them with you first, but since you left it all to me, I made them as I saw fit.”

“I was curious to see how you see me. I like them. I like your perspective towards me.”

Only then did a full smile spread across Seonkyung’s face.

“Thank you.”

Seonkyung handed Chaeyoon an envelope containing a card.

“This is an invitation to tomorrow’s party. The time and place are on there.”

Chaeyoon carefully accepted it.

“Also, here, they’ll help you choose a dress you have to wear. You’ll have a massage first, so make sure you know what time you’ll be there. I’ll send a driver to take you to the party.”

The business card Seonkyung handed her was from a total dress shop frequently used by the wealthy.

“I’ve been there a few times with Joo-eun. I’ll do as you said.”

“You’re not going to refuse?”

“Refuse what?”

“Something like saying ‘I’ll buy the dress with my own money’, like in a drama.”

“Why would I? To not tarnish the Vice Chairwoman’s reputation, everything needs to be perfect, and I couldn’t possibly provide that myself.”

“You’re more shameless than I expected.”

“I didn’t want to get entangled with a chaebol family to avoid being shameless, but it didn’t go as planned. So, I have no choice.”

Chaeyoon smiled faintly.

“I heard Seonho doesn’t like seeing you hurt your pride.”

“I’m enduring this because it’s not about becoming a chaebol’s daughter-in-law; it’s about winning Seonho.”

“For Seonho? Really?”

Seonkyung’s voice carried a hint of disbelief.

“Honestly, after being around Joo-eun, you’ve gotten a taste of the chaebol world, right? Can you really say you don’t want this? Isn’t this the best treatment? And it’s not just limited to here. Where else could you get this?”

Seonkyung pointed at the business card in Chaeyoon’s hand with her chin.

“Spending hours receiving expensive massages, wearing a one-of-a-kind designer dress, dining in the finest places, staying in the best hotel rooms. Yes, it’s nice. But it’s not everything in life, is it?”

“You think your life is better than that?”

“The late Chairman Hwang built the number one wealthiest group in the country, but he lived in a dilapidated house with only two suits and a pair of shoes. Why would such a wealthy person live so frugally? It’s not because he was stingy with money, is it?”

“He must have thought even the time spent choosing clothes was a waste.”

“I heard he valued time more than money. That’s why the worn-out shoes didn’t bother him.”

“Who could criticize him? Everyone knows he didn’t live that way out of poverty.”

“I feel the same way. The glamorous life of a chaebol isn’t bad, but I don’t yearn for it. I’ve seen the constraints that come with enjoying such a life after being around Joo-eun. I prefer the freedom I have now to do what I want.”

“You can’t be free without money either.”

“Right. But thankfully, my parents are moderately well-off. That’s why I disliked Seonho intruding into my life.”

“Because you were afraid it would restrict your freedom?”

“Yes. It ultimately failed, though. When I decided to accept Seonho, I considered all the possible outcomes and was prepared. I will do everything necessary, everything possible, to be with Seonho. That includes facing criticism from the world, including from you, Vice Chairwoman.”

“You really are bold, to say such things in front of me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I may not believe everything you say, but at least I like your attitude. It’s better than pretending to be nice and whining.”

Seonkyung waved her hand dismissively.

“I’m certainly not close to being nice.”

“How many truly nice people are there? The world is about give and take. We all just suck the life out of each other until one side has nothing left to give. That’s when the relationship ends. Romantic love is no different. It’s a relationship of exchanging physical and emotional satisfaction. What’s so special about love? What is love, really? Don’t tell me you are different. You look no different to me.”

“You’re right. That’s a clear definition.”

Chaeyoon claps her hands and looks like she’s had a big realization.

What is she talking about?

Expecting Chaeyoon to argue back, Seonkyung was surprised to see her look enlightened in agreement.

“I’ve been wondering why I ended up loving someone I didn’t want to love. What is love, really? Why doesn’t it work out the way I want? But hearing what you say, maybe Seonho fills something in me.”

A hint of past turmoil flashed across Chaeyoon’s face. Seonkyung couldn’t dismiss that expression as mere acting.

“What is it then? What makes you maintain such a difficult long-distance relationship? I was secretly hoping that the fire between you would die down while acknowledging your relationship.”

“Shall I let you know when I find out?”

Looking at Chaeyoon’s smile with a spoonful of mischief in it, Seonkyung confirmed once again that she was no ordinary girl, not backing down and maintaining a playful demeanor in her presence.

Interesting. I like her after all.

“I’m not that curious. I prioritize outcomes over processes. My concern is whether your love will last or end.”

“It would be nice to love without any conditions, but if that’s not the case, I think I should do my best to cultivate the love I can give beautifully, making sure not to show any flaws until the end.”

“Your interpretation is better than the dream itself.”

The intention she had expressed was not quite that, but Chaeyoon transformed it into something more beautiful.

It’s as if she had taken a withered potted plant and made it lush and vibrant again.

“In that sense, maybe it would be good for you to discard what’s already been consumed, Vice Chairwoman?”

Chaeyoon’s demeanor became more serious as she took a thick envelope of documents from her bag and placed it on the desk. Seonkyung silently opened the envelope and meticulously scanned the extensive data and scenarios inside.

“Do you think this is possible?”

Seonkyung’s face was impassive, but her eyelashes fluttered slightly.

“It’s not about doing it because it’s possible, but making it possible.”

That was a phrase Seonkyung often used herself.

“For whom? To make your pitiful love a little easier? Isn’t the scale too large?”

Seonkyung spoke sarcastically.

“No. It’s for you, Vice Chairwoman.”

“For me?”

“I’ve been uneasy about the decisions you make for us.”

“So you prepared this because of that?”

“This is what I feel. The decision is yours to make. I haven’t even spoken to Seonho about this yet. After reviewing the documents, I’m convinced it’s also the right thing for SC Group.”

Chaeyoon’s gaze was calm, almost cold, as she faced Seonkyung, causing her to shiver for the first time in a long while.

“You must have already grasped that this plan is feasible. Even if it fails, there’s more to gain.”

“Ha, you really are a frightening girl, aren’t you? Hahaha.”

Seonkyung’s sharp laughter filled the office.