CHAPTER 9

*

She lowered her head and then she noticed her exposed thigh and gasped.

Taeheon knew from the beginning that her skirt had ridden up, but he didn’t feel the need to point it out.

However, feeling uncomfortable, he decided to mention it. Even if it was awkward, he wanted to show her at least some courtesy.

Yeonseo, who had grabbed the hem of her skirt, hesitated.

“Why?”

“Can you please look the other way?”

Yeonseo gave him a pleading glance, obviously uncomfortable with having to lift her waist and lower her skirt. Taeheon turned his head, and there was a fumbling sound.

“Thank you….”

“If you’re grateful, look me in the eye and say thank you.”

“…That’s…”

Yeonseo stammered. She couldn’t look directly at Taeheon’s eyes, someone who helped her zip up her dress.

He felt an unexpected surge of curiosity and a hint of sympathy. He wished to see tears welling up in those transparent eyes, wanting to witness the vulnerability hidden behind them.

Earlier in the office, he’d only gone out of his way to save time. But seeing Yeonseo’s neck turn red, he suddenly had an urge.

He even bent his knees and put on her shoes. It was very unusual for Taeheon, who is used to acting rationally and calculatingly.

Even so, why did I go so far by putting the necklace for her?

As Yeonseo’s soft skin brushed against him, it seemed as if sparks ignited somewhere within Taeheon.

Was I subconsciously attracted to her?

Or had I simply been working too much that my brain had gone crazy?

Surely it couldn’t be s*xual desire.  The mere mention of “s*xual desire” was something to be laughed at.

He had intended to take advantage of Yeonseo to get back at Director Woo, so he had simply presented her with an appropriate kindness.

Yeah, that’s what it is.

If necessary, Taeheon was willing to kneel down and lift Yeonseo’s feet, holding them in his hands.

His pride was attached to the outcome rather than the process, so he could easily bow his head without any hesitation if it meant getting what he wanted. However, Yeonseo’s tendency to be nervous and avoid him like this was unexpected.

Well, Taeheon supposes that he can be intimidating. But Yeonseo’s a woman with a sharp mind capable of handling actions that could potentially jeopardize Mrs. Kang’s safety.

Since she had been bribed by Taeheon with money, and they had established a relationship as employer and employee, it was only natural for her to find him difficult. However, the unpleasantness that had sprouted somewhere in his  chest was not going away anytime soon.

His mood was gradually sinking. Taeheon tapped his fingers on his thigh, as if pressing keys on a keyboard.

“We’ve arrived.”

They passed through the forest path, and the main gate of Ji Ye-yeon’s residence came into view. This place, created by combining the advantages of a hanok (traditional Korean house) and a modern building, operated on a membership system. It was a suitable place for the upper class to enjoy meals, drinks, and entertainment.

There was a large pond that ran like a river, providing a pleasant view, and a mountain right behind it, offering fresh air. Occasionally, secret affairs were also handled in that mountain.

Quality information was exchanged between people, lobbying took place, buying and selling favors and engaging in illicit s*xual transactions. A hotbed of illegal activities.

Gaining advantage through illegal means and disguising it as legitimate was no big deal in Taeheon’s world, so there was little excitement in visiting this place.

The driver got out of the car first. As Taeheon remained lost in thought without any reaction, Yeonseo grabbed the handle.

She had already put on a facial expression that seemed to be running away but when their eyes met, Yeonseo slowly smiled.

It’s a habit, smiling like that.

“We’re here. Get out.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Taeheon’s brow narrows at her cheerful reply. He had thought she was gloomy.

Yeonseo opened the door on the opposite side and swiftly got out of the car. Taeheon keenly felt her strong determination not to stay in the same space. Taeheon stopped the driver from opening the door and slid his long legs out.

While he fastened the buttons on his jacket, Yeonseo’s gaze was captivated by the architecture blending with the trees.

“Wow.”

Yeonseo exclaimed in pure admiration. It wasn’t such an extraordinary landscape to elicit such a response. Taeheon wondered how her expression would change if she knew what was happening behind that forest path.

“I think there’s a walking trail connected over there.”

Yeonseo muttered to herself, not sure she could say it out loud.

“Go check it out.”

“Is it okay, though?”

“It’s a place for hidden fun, and for men and women with perverted hobbies to have s*x, but it’s not off-limits.”

A breeze picked up, swaying Yeonseo’s bangs like seaweed.

“You still want to go there now?”

Yeonseo’s face turned pale with dismay as she shooked her head.

“Oh, no.”

“I already told you. Stand by my side when we’re outside. Don’t follow me like a criminal from behind.”

“…Yes.”

“If you understand, stand beside me.”

Taeheon gestured to his side. A little while ago, Yeonseo had been trailing behind him like a guilty person back at the company.

It was quite an issue for Taeheon to be seen accompanying a young woman. Yeonseo also had some awareness of that, so she acted like a turtle swallowing a stone, trying to hide herself.

Taeheon took a step forward as Yeonseo approached with an awkward expression.

“Let’s go.”

They followed the guidance of the waiting staff. The sliding doors lined up in the hallway exuded a distinct Korean atmosphere.

Yeonseo glanced around, taking in everything. Once inside the room, she looked around a little more openly.

The rooms were connected by sliding doors, allowing for adjustable room sizes.

As Taeheon took off his jacket, he spoke.

“If you want to look around, take your time. You don’t have to look around like a thief in the night.”

“…I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve never been in a place like this before.”

Yeonseo whispered, sounding slightly excited, as if she was revealing some great secret. Taeheon, who had taken a seat and lightly wiped his hands with a towel, glanced over the prepared table setting.

“Is there anything you don’t eat?”

“Everything looks delicious. I’ll gratefully enjoy it.”

Even though her expression didn’t indicate any particular desire to eat. Nevertheless, she was a woman who could be picky and prone to indigestion. As expected, Yeonseo kept fidgeting, and Taeheon moved his chopsticks in silence.

“…Um, Sir. You can say it now.”

“Don’t be impatient. Let’s eat first.”

“Thank you for bringing me to a place like this, but I can’t eat because I’m scared of what you’re going to say.”

“Han Yeonseo, are you really scared of me?”

As Taeheon awaited a response, he slowly swallowed the food he had been chewing. The sharp Adam’s apple bobbed as he ingested the finely chewed food into his stomach.

“Yes…”

“For someone who’s supposed to be scared of me, you’re really good at talking.”

Taeheon stared at Yeonseo with a stern gaze. Unable to wait even for a moment, she fidgeted nervously.

“You wanted to talk about Director Woo, right?”

“Yes, tell me what you talked about.”

As soon as Taeheon put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth, Yeonseo finally opened her mouth in a somewhat courageous manner.

“Director Woo was the same as usual.”

Yeonseo spoke as if she had prepared her answer.

“He asked if Mrs. Kang was the same as usual, and I replied yes. I also reported that she met with Mrs. Yoon, Director Kim, and Mr. Yu.”

“Didn’t you talk about Seungbin? You went to his hometown together. It was the first time something like that happened.”

“How did you… know?”

Her eyes widened in surprise, resembling a pristine sheet of paper.

Yeonseo felt a strange frustration, as if she could understand a little of the psychology of crazy people who wanted to destroy something clean.

“Considering Director Woo’s personality, he would have mentioned that it would be better not to get youself involved with Seungbin.”

“…”

“Tell me everything you talked about. Don’t make hasty decisions and don’t leave anything out. Report everything.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

She had no choice but to agree. She had a dying expression like a young animal being led to the slaughterhouse.

“So…”

“I was under the impression that I shouldn’t be so presumptuous with Mr. Seungbin.”

“What did you answer?”

“I said that I wouldn’t have anything to do with Mr. Seungbin.”

Director Woo had not yet caught on to Mrs. Kang’s true intentions.

Mrs. Kang was very generous to those she liked. She seemed to have taken a liking to Yeonseo enough to wish for her to become her grandson’s partner. That meant that there was a significant opportunity for Director Woo to take advantage more of Yeonseo, if Mrs. Kang gave her a share.

If Director Woo had sensed that, he wouldn’t have tried to separate Seungbin from Yeonseo. Maybe if he had done using her that he could threw her away already.

Yeonseo’s gaze wandered over the side dishes, unable to make eye contact with Taeheon, as if she had something to say.

“If you have anything else to say, say it.”

“Well, actually… I asked a question.”

“I thought so.”

Taeheon responded as if he had anticipated it. This was Yeonseo’s first meeting with Director Woo after realizing she’d been a mole all along.

She really wanted to see if Director Woo had any ulterior motives.

“…I expressed concerns that Mrs. Kang might experience stress from meeting guests and asked if this report had anything to do with her health.”

“I see.”

There was a noticeable rustling sound coming from the adjacent room.

Usually, to maintain privacy, two rooms are reserved together, but today, Taeheon deliberately booked a room adjacent to another.

“Aren’t you surprised?”

“To be honest, it’s not a big deal if Director Woo finds out that your use is over.”

“You could discard me too.”

“There are ways to prevent that.”

Taeheon chuckled smoothly. Then he looked towards the door behind Yeonseo.

“Open the door behind you.”

“You mean this door?”

“It’s connected to the terrace on that side. If you open it all the way, you’ll get a great view. You’ll be able to see the pond, and it would be a shame to miss such a sight.”

Yeonseo stood up with a slightly puzzled look. As she moved, the lower part of her dress fluttered. With that wave, half of Yeonseo’s thigh was exposed.

Her long, white, and translucent legs revealed faint veins. Taeheon’s eyes relaxed and deepened momentarily.

Swoosh. Yeonseo, who had opened the door, paused abruptly. Then she took a step back.

With Yeonseo’s wide-eyed gaze as she sat back down, she saw two individuals engaged intimately.

Muffled moans of a man’s pleasure emerged, disconcerting to the ear. Beneath him, a partially n*ked woman lay gasping for breath. They were engaged in passionate kissing.

The couple, deeply entwined and exchanging saliva, belatedly realized the presence of onlookers.

“Oh, honey, hmmm, the door! Someone’s there!”

“Oh, damn it, what the hell? Who is it?”

The man’s head snapped sideways at the woman’s words. Seeing the wide-open door, the man who had been grinding against the woman’s body straightened his posture.

He rubbed his thumb across his parted lips.

In that moment, Yeonseo, recognizing the man’s face, covered her mouth with both hands. It was the face of someone she found charming.

The lustful bastard was none other than Woo Seungbin.