That remarkable woman had occasionally painted and displayed her work in actual exhibitions, just in case anyone grew suspicious, so who could have doubted her? Learning that Yunjoo had led such a thoroughly double life, Kangwook understood for the first time that she was genuinely asking for a divorce.

At first he had thought it was nothing more than a sulk, her way of acting out over feeling disrespected by him. But now he understood that this woman truly wanted to break free. What woman would so readily and without a second thought walk away from the position of daughter-in-law to the most powerful family in Juon? After learning all of this, Kangwook quietly arranged for someone to keep watch over Yunjoo without her knowing.

Kangwook left the report on his desk and turned his gaze to the window. The quiet, obedient image he had believed in was nothing more than a creature crouching low, waiting for the day it could leap again. Absurdly enough, he had been thoroughly deceived.

“Cha Yunjoo, you can’t leave until I figure you out.”

He couldn’t simply let go of a woman who had stirred his curiosity like this.

* * *

Today was the day all the cast members were gathering together for the first time. Yunjoo figured it had nothing to do with her and kept working, fitting together models and diagrams. She was even thinking that once she finished this, she wanted to go home early for the first time in a while and rest, when Sangyun called out to her.

“Ms. Yunjoo!”

“Yes, Director.”

“Come on, I told you not to call me that. We’re around the same age and I hate how old it makes me sound.”

“Haha, all right, Mr. Director.”

“Really, stop that and just call me by my name.”

“Fine. Han Mr. Sangyun.”

“We have a team dinner tonight.”

“Oh, do you?”

“You’re coming too, Ms. Yunjoo.”

“Why me? I’m not an actor. I don’t have to go.”

She had no desire to attend. With the divorce still not finalized, she didn’t want to create any situation that might cause problems.

“What are you talking about? This is a good chance to meet everyone and say hello. People who’ve only caught a glimpse of you think you’re a rookie actor. It’d be good to properly introduce yourself as the stage designer. These are people you might run into again somewhere down the line.”

“That’s true, but fine. I’ll come. I’ll head over after I finish up. It’s the pork belly place next to the theater, right?”

“No, tonight it’s the expensive place next door.”

“What? That’s a beef restaurant. We never go there.”

“There’s a reason. Finish up and come over.”

She moved slowly. Deliberately. She planned to arrive very late, make a quiet appearance at the end, and slip out.

“Come on in, Ms. Yunjoo.”

She was just about to take a seat at the far end when she looked up at the voice greeting her.

“Oh, it’s been a while, Mr. Sihyeong.”

“Ms. Yunjoo, you look very happy to see Mr. Sihyeong.”

“A talented actor is calling out to me, of course I’m happy, Mr. Director.”

“Ms. Yunjoo, are you really happy to see me?”

“Of course.”

“You two look so close it’s making me jealous. I’d better squeeze in here.”

With that joke, both Sangyun and Sihyeong moved over to the far end where Yunjoo had sat. The shuffle drew a few glances from the others, but the attention quickly faded.

“What do you mean, shouldn’t the director be sitting in the middle?”

“Then the lead should go too. Why am I the only one being sent back?”

“You’re right, you both should go.”

She had only known Sangyun a short time, but he already felt easy to be around. And so did Sihyeong. She had expected a well-known actor to carry at least a hint of self-importance, but there was none of that at all.

“By the way, why are we having the dinner here?”

As far as she knew, they never held a full group dinner at a place like this.

“Someone else is footing the bill tonight, so don’t worry and just eat.”

It didn’t matter who the sponsor was. She would eat her fill and make her exit. They had been laughing and talking for a good while, the mood lively, when a voice reached her ears and Yunjoo’s head snapped around. Choi Kangwook’s voice. She blinked several times at the man walking into the restaurant. That really was Choi Kangwook. But what was Choi Kangwook doing here?

“Good evening, everyone. I’m Choi Kangwook.”

The moment Kangwook walked in, the noise died down. And no wonder. No one had expected Choi Kangwook to show up at something like this. No matter that the theater company was a group affiliate, this had never happened before. Everyone knew who he was, but introductions still had to be made. Sangyun stood and finished the introduction, and the company members burst into cheers.

“He’s tonight’s sponsor. President Choi Kangwook.”

“Oh!”

Applause followed, directed at Kangwook.

“I know it’s not me you’re happy to see. It’s the deep pockets behind me.”

Yunjoo was a little surprised by how naturally he carried himself. Did Choi Kangwook have a side like this? She watched as Kangwook moved easily among the people and took his seat, and when their eyes met, she quickly looked away. Kangwook’s lips curved up ever so slightly.

“Director, would you introduce the members?”

“Of course.”

He went down the line one by one, and when it came to Yunjoo and Sihyeong’s turn, the two of them were deep in a conversation, giggling and oblivious. That was partly because Yunjoo had told herself there was no need for her to be introduced. She wasn’t an actor, and since things were awkward between them, she assumed he would just skip past her.

She had been absorbed in conversation for a while when the room around her grew too quiet, and she looked up to find everyone’s eyes on the two of them. Flustered and embarrassed, Yunjoo quickly turned to Sihyeong.

“We got a little too caught up. You’re the lead, so you should say hello.”

Even as Kangwook greeted each person one by one, his eyes kept drifting toward Yunjoo. It had been bothering him since earlier, watching her huddled with that young actor, whispering and laughing. Even after he arrived, she hadn’t spared him a single glance. Did his presence mean nothing to her at all? The warmth in Kangwook’s eyes was cooling fast.

“You two seem to get along well.”

There was a barb in the words, but Sihyeong didn’t let it bother him.

“Yes, I’m quite fond of Ms. Yunjoo. Haha. I’m Lee Sihyeong.”

At the word fond, a dark brow twitched. It was a change subtle enough that no one would have noticed. Kangwook continued his conversation with Sihyeong, but his gaze moved toward Yunjoo. Yunjoo, however, did not look at Kangwook.

“I’ve been following your work. Quite something, a star taking on stage plays.”

“It helps a great deal.”

Sihyeong had become a star the moment he debuted. But as time passed, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his acting had stopped growing, that he had plateaued. That was when a senior he was close to suggested theater.

“May I ask how old you are?”

“Of course. I’m twenty-nine.”

Twenty-nine. The same age as Yunjoo. Kangwook’s gaze shifted back to her. What must it feel like to stand before someone who, at twenty-nine, was living out their dream with everything they had?

“And the person at the end, who might that be?”

“Cha Yunjoo, President Choi Kangwook.”

It was Sangyun who answered, not Yunjoo. At Kangwook’s words, Yunjoo gave only a reluctant, minimal dip of her head. Yunjoo openly ignored Kangwook, almost as though she knew exactly how much it grated on him while he could do nothing to show it.

“And what do you do?”

“She’s the stage designer.”

Sangyun answered again on her behalf, and Kangwook let his displeasure show.

“Are you unable to speak?”

“No, she’s not. Ms. Yunjoo.”

At Sangyun’s prompt, Yunjoo turned her gaze to Kangwook. Her face wore an expression that said she found this thoroughly irritating.

“I speak just fine, President Choi Kangwook.”

“So you do.”

Even in the face of Yunjoo’s defiant reply, Kangwook showed no sign of backing down. The tension between them was something only the two of them could feel.

“Ms. Yunjoo is a little shy with new people.”

To Sangyun’s eyes, Yunjoo’s discomfort read as shyness, and he wanted to help her out of the awkward situation.

“Shy, is she? I never would have guessed, given how cheerfully she was talking with that actor over there.”

“Well, yes. She’s shy, and she’s particular about people.”

Yunjoo held Kangwook’s gaze and fired back. She was well aware he was deliberately cornering her and pressing in.

“So I fall into the category of people she’s particular about.”

“You’re such an important figure, it’s only natural. An introduction is all that’s needed. Stage designer, Cha Yunjoo.”

It was Yunjoo who stepped back first from the taut standoff.

“It’s demanding work for a woman. I’m curious how you came to do it.”

“I wanted to create a space that makes someone happy. A time worth remembering, a space for it, and a place where people can hold onto a dream.”

There was a dream woven into Yunjoo’s words, and he could sense it. Then he asked the question he had been wanting to ask.

“Are you married, Ms. Cha Yunjoo?”

Kangwook’s eyes gleamed as he looked at her, and everyone else’s gaze turned to Yunjoo as well.

‘You rotten bastard.’

She ground her teeth and cursed him silently. Kangwook’s eyes looked like they were enjoying this. She could tell he had thrown that question at her on purpose.

“Why would that be any of your concern, President?”

“Oh, I suppose it’s because a star said he’s fond of you.”

It looked like casual teasing, but the meaning underneath was clear: don’t forget your place.

“That doesn’t seem like an appropriate question for this setting.”

“Is there some reason it’s difficult to answer?”

Sparks flew between the two of them. Was it her imagination, or did Kangwook’s eyes carry a glint of amusement as he pressed on, clearly set on getting an answer?

“I’ll ask again. Are you married?”

“No!”