Chapter 1.6

That evening, Chairman Kim Seokyeong gathered the family together. Because of this, Seouk, who had plans to have dinner with Moonkyeong, was also summoned to the main house.  

Do Hyowon. A place where traditional hanok buildings in a “ㄱ” shape blended with modern structures, serving as the main residence of the Leehan Group.  

The main house was occupied by Nam Leehyun’s family, while Shin Jueun and Seouk lived in the annex. Chefs, maids, parking attendants, and security staff commuted here daily.  

Although all direct family members of the Chairman lived in Do Hyowon, Seojun was the exception.  

No one had ever formed an emotional bond with him, leaving Seojun perpetually alone.  

Neither Shin Jueun’s side, connected by blood, nor Nam Leehyun’s side, connected by law, liked him.  

The fact that Seojun, who had been exiled to the outskirts, had gained real influence by aligning himself with National Assembly Member Jeon Taepyeong, was a source of resentment.  

When Seojun entered the dining room, the rest of the family was already seated, waiting for the Chairman’s wrath to descend.  

They believed the Chairman would severely reprimand Seojun for unilaterally handling the marriage issue without consulting the family.  

Seojun bowed deeply to the Chairman.  

The Chairman’s favorite was, of course, Shin Jueun. For some time now, he had always seated her and Seouk to his right, while Nam Leehyun’s family sat to his left.  

Seating arrangements at the table reflected the power dynamics within the Leehan family.  

In his thick Daegu accent, Chairman Kim Seokyeong gestured to Seojun.  

“You, come sit here.”  

Shin Jueun’s eyes widened in shock.  

“Chairman!”  

“What are you doing? Move aside already.”  

Reluctantly, Shin Jueun vacated her seat, and Seojun sat down in her place. His face was composed, without the slightest hint of disorder.  

The tension emanating from both sides only made his faint smile more pronounced.  

“Let’s eat.”  

At the Chairman’s command, everyone simultaneously picked up their spoons.  

In this stiflingly tense meal where even breathing seemed difficult, only two people appeared at ease: Chairman Kim Seokyeong and Kim Seojun.  

The resemblance between the two was uncanny, almost like a photocopy.  

As the meal was nearing its end, Chairman Kim Seokyeong spoke. Though he didn’t turn his head, his words were clearly directed at Seojun.  

“Is Jeon Taepyeong running for president?”  

“Yes.”  

“What’s his current approval rating?”  

“It’s at 42.3%.”  

If the Leehan Group was an exceptional conglomerate, Jeon Taepyeong was the pinnacle of political power.  

Having already owed him a favor, the Leehan Group couldn’t afford to lose Jeon Taepyeong as an ally.  

Kim Seokyeong sided with Seojun. More accurately, he couldn’t refuse Jeon Taepyeong’s request.  

“You, go ahead with the marriage.”  

“Yes.”  

Though the family seethed inwardly, no one dared to challenge the Chairman’s decision.  

Due to his declining health, the Chairman had already stepped back from management. With rumors circulating that he was preparing his will for inheritance, both sides of the family had no choice but to remain silent.  

Seeing Seouk’s face flush with anger, the Chairman added a remark.  

“Seouk, is there a problem?”  

“Pardon?”  

“I asked if there’s a problem.”  

“No, Sir. There’s no problem, Chairman.”  

Seouk could only bow his head in submission.

* * *

After her performance, Moonkyeong waited for Seouk, but he never showed up.  

There was no prior notice of cancellation, no excuse about being stuck in traffic—nothing.  

After glancing at her wristwatch, she decided to leave. Twenty minutes was more than enough time to wait. She couldn’t bear to wait any longer.  

She was starving. On performance days, Moonkyeong never ate anything from the morning onward.  

At most, she would have some chocolate or candy to replenish her sugar levels, or maybe a bowl of cereal.  

Just as she was thinking about going home to cook something, a perfectly timed message from Bora arrived, inviting her to dinner.  

The two met in Itaewon and entered an upscale restaurant.  

When the staff asked if they had a reservation, Bora responded as if it were obvious.  

“It’s under Seo Moonkyeong.”  

“Ah, yes. This way, please.”  

The staff led them to a VIP room on the fourth floor.  

As always, Bora handled everything, from choosing the restaurant to deciding what to eat, but the reservation was always made under Moonkyeong’s name.  

Even as the French chef personally served their dishes and wine, Moonkyeong’s expression remained stiff.  

Bora, applying lipstick taken from her designer bag, broke the silence.  

“What’s with that face?”  

“I told you I wanted Korean food.”  

“What’s wrong with French cuisine? Are you sick of it or something?”  

Moonkyeong’s cold gaze landed on Bora. Her patience with Bora was wearing thin.  

Sensing the tension, Bora quickly changed her tone.  

“Sorry. I saw this place on a blog the other day and really wanted to try it. I’ll make sure to ask you next time.”  

Moonkyeong, picking up a snail dish sautéed in olive oil and herbs, replied flatly.  

“Next time, make the reservation under your name.”  

“Are you upset?”  

“Yes.”  

Bora’s face flushed, but she soon smiled brightly.  

“Alright, I’ll do that.”  

Toward the end of the meal, Bora, lost in thought, brought up Moonkyeong’s marriage.  

She wondered if Moonkyeong, after being adopted into Seo Jaewoo and Do Hyeran’s family, could truly claim the Leehan Group.  

Resting her chin on her hands, Bora asked seriously.  

“How’s the marriage talk going?”  

Moonkyeong answered without much thought, not wanting to dwell on the subject.  

“It’s going fine.”  

Hearing this, Bora felt her stomach churn. The only solace was that her fiancé was Kim Seouk, that filthy scoundrel who had been with countless women.  

Her grip on her wine glass tightened, and her face twisted slightly.  

“Kim Seojun would’ve been better.”  

Moonkyeong couldn’t believe her ears.  

“Who? You know him?”  

“Is there anyone I don’t know? Of course, I know him well.”  

In truth, Bora had never met him.  

Despite being someone who should have attended social gatherings, he was a man far removed from such things.  

He remained shrouded in mystery, with no known details about his romantic interests or relationships.  

Some described his appearance as almost heavenly, dazzling to behold.  

He captivated everyone’s attention, but his cold and aloof demeanor made it difficult for anyone to approach him.  

“They say he’s close to Jeon Taepyeong, so he only associates with big names. Apparently, many marriage proposals have been made, but Kim Seojun didn’t even bat an eye.”  

“Really?”  

“Oh, and I heard Kim Seojun isn’t actually Shin Jueun’s biological son. That’s why their relationship is so bad, like enemies.”  

“What does that mean?”  

“I don’t know the details. I just overheard it. A lot of these things aren’t true anyway, so take it with a grain of salt.”  

Bora had never spoken closely with them, as she was only filling in for Moonkyeong when needed.  

Their appearances were similar enough that no one would notice unless they looked closely.  

Over time, perhaps due to Bora’s twisted desires, her features grew increasingly similar to Moonkyeong’s.

It wasn’t as if she could blend in with them at every social gathering. That was perhaps the most evident limitation of Bora. Though she attended under Seo Moonkyeong’s name, she could never truly become Seo Moonkyeong.  

Moonkyeong’s unfocused gaze returned to Bora. She shook her head as if to dismiss her thoughts.  

“That person doesn’t matter anyway. The one I’m marrying is Kim Seouk.”  

“Good. That’s a relief.”  

Bora winked, feeling as though her twisted insides had finally settled back into place.  

Returning home, Moonkyeong headed straight to the bathroom, hoping to clear her muddled thoughts. She sank into the bathtub, submerging her face beneath the foamy surface before emerging with a gasp.  

She wasn’t denying the idea of marriage itself. She just hated the way things were unfolding. All she wanted was to meet someone she liked, date him, and marry for love, like everyone else.  

She wanted to meet someone who made her heart race, someone who made her cheeks flush just by being around. Someone she didn’t want to let go of, even when they had to part.  

She dreamed of having beautiful children, savoring the small joys of life like a cup of coffee, and being loved by her husband every night.  

She thought about running away, like she had in the past. To escape far from Hyeran’s grasp. But Moonkyeong knew better. She was bound by Hyeran’s words, that debts must be repaid. She could never leave her.  

The thought of having to repay the kindness she had received for being raised this far had shackled her for life.  

At home, she always had to walk on tiptoes, watch her words and actions, and stick rigidly to her predetermined schedule. She resented how much she had been tamed by Hyeran. She was too afraid to break out of her shell.  

Having lost her family, she understood all too well what that meant. For far too long, she had lived confined within herself.  

“Sigh.”  

If she took Kim Seojun’s hand, at least she could quit ballet. But then… everything would be exposed.  

“I can’t live like that.”  

No matter what, she didn’t want to get entangled with Seojun again. Everything with him had to remain as a memory of Russia.  

After a long shower, she tied the ribbon of her robe and stepped out, dialing Kim Seouk’s phone number. She wanted a clear answer.  

She needed confirmation that she could marry him, not Kim Seojun.  

After a long series of rings, the call was answered.  

– …?  

“Executive Vice President Kim Seouk?”  

– What is it?  

His voice was cold. Moonkyeong paused mid-motion, her towel momentarily still.  

“I was just wondering if you forgot about our appointment today.”  

– By any chance…  

“Yes?”  

– Did you sleep with Kim Seojun?  

“What?”  

– If you didn’t, then why the hell is that bastard coming after you so aggressively? What did you do to make him act like this? Do you think all National Assembly Members are the same? Your father isn’t even in the same league as our family. Don’t get cocky just because my mother pushed for this a bit. I’m telling you, don’t let your pretty face fool you into thinking you’re all that. That stone-hearted bastard, who doesn’t even care about women, seems to get all worked up just hearing your name.  

Moonkyeong clenched her teeth. Regret for calling the wrong person surged over her like a tidal wave.  

“You’re being rude. I’ll hang—”  

– Those eyes—I know that look. It’s the kind of look only a man who’s tasted you would have. It’s confidence, you know? Ugh. Whether you slept with him or not, just don’t show up in front of me. I’ll kill you both.  

In the end, it was Kim Seouk who hung up first, not Moonkyeong.  

She bit her lip out of habit. She was dumbfounded, wondering what she had just heard.  

What the hell is this lunatic talking about?  

She couldn’t make sense of what was happening. Picking up the towel she had set aside, she draped it over her dripping wet hair, shaking off her irritation.  

Just then, the doorbell rang.  

Moonkyeong didn’t have any friends other than Bora. The people Hyeran had artificially introduced into her life were merely business acquaintances, so there was no one who would visit her this late at night.  

Looking at the intercom screen, she gasped in shock.  

Standing at her front door was Seojun.  

When she didn’t respond, he pressed the bell again.  

Letting out a low sigh, Moonkyeong reluctantly went to the front door. After biting her lip several times, she finally flung it open.  

As soon as she did, he stepped inside.  

As if he were entirely familiar with the place, he casually sat on the living room sofa.  

Moonkyeong turned to him.  

“How did you find out where I live?”  

“Your mother.”  

It was clear from his tone that Hyeran had provided him with all the information.  

His gaze traveled up her smooth legs and stopped at her collarbone.  

Her pale, slender neck tensed, as if she had been caught. Her damp, long hair and the faint scent of shampoo mixed with her natural fragrance stirred something in him.  

When he heard her name come out of Seouk’s mouth as he chased after him after dinner, Seojun had nearly killed him.  

Pushing him aside, he warned him: ‘Seo Moonkyeong is not someone you can touch.’  

Moonkyeong’s eyelashes trembled lightly. Feeling his persistent gaze, her face grew hot.  

She realized her attire was far from appropriate for greeting an uninvited guest this late at night.  

“I’ll go change.”  

Seojun raised a hand.  

“No need. I won’t be long.”  

He placed a ring box he had taken from his suit pocket onto the table, where she could see it.  

Even without asking, she could guess its meaning. Moonkyeong let out a hollow laugh.  

Was this just for appearances? How unnecessarily considerate of him.  

Without a hint of gratitude, she opened the box to find a diamond ring inside.  

She bit the inside of her cheek.  

“Are you proposing?”  

“I should at least pretend to.”  

Standing from the sofa, he took the ring from the box in her hand.  

The two stood face to face, their height difference making it seem as though Seojun might swallow her whole.  

“So, how is it? Seeing me again, does it turn you on?”  

“…”  

“You’re still pretending to dislike something you actually want.”  

“Look—”  

“Or is it the opposite?”  

With a calm expression, he slid the ring onto her finger. Her gaze, nearly contemptuous, met his.