Chapter 7.2

She always rode in a car driven by Chief Secretary Yoon every day, so sitting in the passenger seat of a car Seojun was driving himself felt awkward.  

Around Seojun, who started the engine, HAN Motors marketing staff had gathered in large numbers, all cheering him on with one mind.  

“Executive Vice President, we’re counting on you today.”  

“Please monitor the articles as they go live and send me a separate report.”  

“Yes, understood.”  

Seojun grabbed the steering wheel with his left hand, and Moonkyeong, who had been tense, briefly bit her lip.  

“By the way, are you good at driving?”  

Seojun smirked.  

“Do you think I wouldn’t be?”  

“It’s just the first time I’ve seen you drive yourself.”  

With a faint smile lingering on his lips, he stared intently through the windshield.  

“Fasten your seatbelt tightly. I’m secretly a speed demon.”  

As soon as the words left his mouth, Seojun pressed the accelerator and sped up. However, within less than five minutes, the two found themselves stuck in the middle of weekend traffic in downtown Seoul, surrounded by cars like toys, staring at traffic lights.  

Moonkyeong, glancing at him cautiously, turned on the radio. If they could drive straight out of the city, they could enjoy a quiet breeze somewhere on the outskirts of Seoul.  

She briefly wondered when she would finally be able to take a deep breath and feel free.  

“…I want to go on a trip.”  

Realizing she had voiced her thoughts, Moonkyeong straightened her back in embarrassment.  

“Oh, sorry. You must be more tired than me, Seojun.”  

He didn’t give her much of a response.  

It took another 40 minutes before they finally arrived safely at the event venue. Seojun turned his face toward Moonkyeong.  

“Stay here for a moment.”  

“Pardon?”  

“I’ll take the spotlight alone.”  

With long fingers, he buttoned up his jacket. Moonkyeong nodded. It made sense for her to step back since this was an event to promote a new car, and his words were entirely reasonable.  

The belatedly introduced crown prince of Leehan Group, Kim Seojun, driving the car himself would naturally draw more attention if she stayed out of sight.  

The excessive media attention was burdensome, and even after their marriage, Nam Leehyun had consistently emphasized that.  

The daughter-in-law of Leehan should not draw anyone’s attention, living quietly like her husband’s shadow.  

From the car, Moonkyeong watched Seojun, who remained expressionless even as countless camera shutters clicked around him.  

His sharply defined profile and impeccable appearance from head to toe seemed to encourage the reporters to take more pictures.  

“Wow, he’s always the same.”

Sitting in the passenger seat, she openly admired him. After briefly greeting the reporters, he returned to the driver’s seat.  

A parking assistant hurriedly approached, but Seojun declined. He parked the car perfectly within the white lines in one go and turned to Moonkyeong.  

“Go up first. I’ll join you after I finish this call.”  

“Okay.”  

As she left the parking lot and entered the venue ahead of him, she spotted Lee Heejin, arm in arm with Kim Seouk, in the distance. As always, she wore a red, flamboyant dress.  

Avoiding the two, Moonkyeong hurried into the venue.  

Her entrance caused a brief commotion. The new executives who recognized her quickly gathered around. It was clear from their expressions which side of the Leehan Group’s succession they leaned toward.  

From afar, Lee Heejin, watching the scene, grabbed her neck in frustration. She yelled irritably at Seouk.  

“Is there no chance you can take over Leehan?”  

“What?”  

“I’m asking if there’s no way you can beat Kim Seojun!”  

Seouk flared up angrily.  

He was already annoyed by constant comparisons between him and Seojun, and hearing such remarks from his prospective wife only made it worse.  

“What are you talking about? I’m the Vice President, and he’s still just an Executive Director. I hold more shares in the group. If you add the shares of my allies, I’ll win!”  

Lee Heejin sighed.  

Even if he wasn’t bright, couldn’t he at least see where Chairman Kim Seokyeong was placing his support?  

“What if Father-in-law gives everything to Kim Seojun?”  

“Are you crazy? Do you think I’d just sit back and let that happen? Even if it comes to that, we can always go to court. I’m entitled to my share of the inheritance!”  

Lee Heejin glanced toward Moonkyeong, who was surrounded by executives. If she had no choice but to marry this man, she might as well sell her shares in Jeesung Group to support Seouk.  

She couldn’t stand the thought of being overshadowed by Seo Moonkyeong. How dare that woman, who used to clean up after her leftovers, take the position she deserved?  

“What a joke.”

As the people around Moonkyeong dispersed one by one, Heejin approached quickly, just as she was about to quench her thirst with a glass of champagne.  

It was obvious Heejin would find something to nitpick about again. Ever since their paths began to cross frequently after the marriage, Moonkyeong had made it a habit to avoid her.  

In the past, Seojun had always stood like a shield, allowing her to escape after just one round of confrontation. But today, Heejin seemed determined to go all the way.  

“Seo Moonkyeong, I need to talk to you.”  

“What about?”  

“Your skill at badmouthing people behind their backs is top-notch as always. You must be amazing in bed, huh? Marrying a senior like that—impressive.”  

“What do you want to say?”  

Heejin grabbed a champagne glass from a passing server and whispered to Moonkyeong while taking a sip.  

“I’m thinking of throwing a small party for close friends next Wednesday. Why don’t you come and help out?”  

Moonkyeong blinked.  

“Why should I?”  

“Why? You used to do that kind of work, didn’t you? Whenever I called, you’d always come running and do whatever I asked. Isn’t that right?”  

She held out her champagne glass as if to offer it to Moonkyeong.  

It was clear her intention was to provoke and irritate her.  

Moonkyeong let out a short laugh, finding her predictability amusing.  

Heejin let out a frustrated sigh and glared at her.  

“Did you just laugh?”  

Moonkyeong, who had been smiling moments ago, now stared coldly at Heejin.  

Whether she stayed in Leehan for one year or two, if there was someone she absolutely had to crush, it would undoubtedly be Heejin.  

If Moonkyeong didn’t do it, Heejin surely would. Raising an eyebrow, Moonkyeong spoke.  

“Excuse me, Miss?”  

“What… what? Miss?”  

“I’m Leehan Group’s first daughter-in-law, and you’re not even married yet. By rank, I’m your senior. What are you going to do if you keep acting like this?”  

“Oh my, oh my. Listen to her talk!”  

“You should handle your own affairs. Who are you to ask me to help now? Are you still brainless?”  

Moonkyeong’s icy tone left Heejin speechless.  

Just as Heejin was about to throw the champagne in her hand at Moonkyeong’s face, Seojun appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Heejin’s wrist tightly.  

The glass tilted, spilling its contents in an arc onto Seojun’s right shoulder.  

His suit was soaked, and both Heejin and Moonkyeong were equally startled.  

Kim Seouk, frowning, rushed over, furious at Seojun for twisting Heejin’s wrist and not letting go.  

Since this was an internal Leehan Group event, there was no one to leak news of the brothers’ quarrel to the outside world.  

Chairman Kim Seokyeong was absent from today’s event due to health reasons, allowing Seouk to lose his temper without restraint.  

“Let go, you bastard. Let go right now!”  

“Can’t you see the mess on my shoulder?”  

“If you don’t want to get beaten, let go of her hand right now.”  

Seojun smirked.

Who’s going to get beaten? Me? Or you?  

He found it ridiculous that Seouk still thought he could land a punch, as if they were kids again.  

Standing tall at 189 cm, Seojun looked down at Seouk, who barely reached 170 cm.  

The scene resembled a fight between David and Goliath. Seouk, realizing the absurdity, cleared his throat awkwardly, and only then did Seojun release Heejin’s wrist.  

Her wrist was red from the grip, but Heejin blamed Moonkyeong instead of Seojun.  

“You just wait. I won’t let this slide…”  

Before Heejin could finish her sentence, Seojun positioned himself in front of Moonkyeong, completely blocking Heejin’s view with his broad back.  

Knowing she could never confront Seojun, Heejin left the scene with Seouk.  

Moonkyeong looked up at Seojun’s wet suit.  

“What do we do now?”  

“It’s fine.”  

Ignoring the stares of others, Seojun took off his jacket and handed it to Moonkyeong, flashing the same devastating smile he used to wear in the past.  

“Seo Moonkyeong.”  

“…Yes.”  

“Want to run away with me? Tonight.”  

Taking Moonkyeong’s hand, dressed in her blue gown, Seojun calmly exited the party.  

Just as Moonkyeong had wished to run endlessly, Seojun drove straight ahead without changing course.  

The car eventually stopped in a quiet rural village, where the two wandered silently for a long time.  

The peaceful green fields and their formal attire seemed mismatched, but neither of them cared.  

“Is that young lady getting married today? Or is it an engagement? Looks like you’re running away with a bride-to-be. Haha, just kidding.”  

The owner of a local store made this remark while Seojun was buying two ice creams.  

Looking at Moonkyeong waiting outside, Seojun shook his head.  

“She’s my wife.”  

“Oh! No wonder you two look so good together. Wishing you a long and happy life.”  

With a bittersweet expression, Seojun left the store and handed Moonkyeong a cone of ice cream.  

The way she looked up at it with childlike innocence, as if she were seeing it for the first time, made her all the more endearing to Seojun. He could hardly bear it.  

“Aren’t you going to take it?”  

“I will.”  

“We can’t stay much longer. It’s time to head back.”  

“Okay.”  

The two returned the way they came, savoring the rich vanilla flavor of their ice creams. For the first time since their marriage, they enjoyed a tender moment alone.  

The sky was painted with a red sunset, and flocks of birds flew endlessly overhead in formation.  

Where they were headed, no one could say.