Chapter 6.4

Today too, Eun-sol couldn’t get past the towering front gate of the townhouse, which stood like the iron bars of a prison. Walking around the townhouse with Mong-mong was all she could do.

“Eun-sol Noona!”  

Hae-seong came running from the end of the path.

“Oh? Hae-seong!”  

Eun-sol greeted him warmly.

“Mong-mong, hi there!”  

Although Hae-seong, who loved animals, tried to greet Mong-mong…

*Grrrr-*  

Mong-mong bared his teeth in response. It was as if he had been trained to growl at every man except Kwon Jeong-hyeok.

Of course, even his growling was so adorable that it made one laugh.

“Mong-mong, how long are you going to growl at me? You’re so cute I just want to bite you.”

Hae-seong, finding him cute, petted him, and Mong-mong, who had been growling, soon wagged his tail.

Seeing the two of them being adorable, Eun-sol burst into laughter. At that moment, a white sedan entering the townhouse stopped beside them.

“Huh, who could that be?”

The heavily tinted car window rolled down, revealing Tae Mari’s face.

“Perfect timing, Eun-sol.”

Tae Mari, adorned with large earrings, looked as glamorous as ever.

“Me? Why?”  

“You know about the 20th-anniversary party of Taepyeong Group coming up in two weeks, right? Jeong-hyeok said he’s attending. It’s a partner-invited event. You’re coming too, of course, right?”

A 20th-anniversary party for Taepyeong Group? Eun-sol had never heard of it, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.

“Oh my, don’t tell me you didn’t know?”

Tae Mari’s mocking tone, as if she had caught her in a mistake, was infuriating.

“Of course, I knew. I was just wondering what to wear that day.”

Although it felt childish, Eun-sol thought she had responded well for the moment.

“Oh my, why would you be worrying about that? Didn’t Jeong-hyeok connect you with a stylist? The stylist would take care of everything for you.”

Once again, Eun-sol was speechless. 

A stylist? Weren’t those only for celebrities?

Tae Mari’s lips curled into a smug smile.

“Anyway, see you there. If you can make it, that is.”

With an irritating smile, Tae Mari rolled up the car window.

From that day on, Eun-sol waited for Jeong-hyeok to mention the anniversary party.

However, he didn’t say a single word about it. Even when she subtly hinted at the topic, he remained silent.

***

A few days later, on the townhouse walking trail, under the ginkgo trees.

“Ah, the shade under the ginkgo trees is so refreshing.”

The coffee Hae-seong had brought in his tumbler was delicious. Mong-mong, rolling around on the grass, was adorable.

But Eun-sol’s expression wasn’t bright.

“Noona, don’t tell me it’s because of that party?”  

“Yeah… Am I not good enough to take to the party? Is that why Jeong-hyeok doesn’t want to bring me? Only upper-class people go to those kinds of events.”  

“No way. That’s not it.”

Hae-seong casually handed a bone-shaped treat to Mong-mong as he spoke.

“Have you ever been to something like that?”  

“Of course. I went to the Taepyeong Group’s 10th-anniversary party with my mom.”  

“Your mom? What does your mom do?”  

“Oh, nothing much. She’s just the Vice Minister of Finance.”  

“‘Just the Vice Minister of Finance’?!”

Hae-seong’s expression was as nonchalant as if he were talking about a friend from the neighborhood.

“Ha, I forgot you’re a golden spoon too….”

She felt bitter and frustrated in many ways.

“There must be a lot of women at that kind of party too, right?”  

“Not just a lot—they come dressed to the nines. Wearing revealing dresses with plunging necklines and open backs. Oh, but don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I go there to see that.”  

Women from wealthy families in provocative dresses—it was an unsettling thought.

“But if Jeong-hyeok goes there alone, people are definitely going to start talking.”  

“Talking about what?”  

“Well, Jeong-hyeok hyung is already super popular with women. If he goes without his wife, the women will just swarm him, thinking it’s their chance.”  

“What?”

Hae-seong’s words only stirred Eun-sol’s already restless mind further.

“Ah, don’t overthink it. Just tell Jeong-hyeok hyung outright—ask him to go together.”  

“No way. He’d definitely say no. He’s already stopped me from going to the pottery studio and the driving school. I’ll just have to go secretly.”  

“Secretly?”

Hae-seong furrowed his brows.

“Do you think that’s a good idea?”  

“Well, maybe he’ll even like it.”

Just like the time she secretly brought him a packed lunch.

“Even if he doesn’t like it, I’m going. I can’t live my life just doing what I’m told forever.”

At that moment, Mong-mong, who had been playing on the grass, barked at a large crow that had come nearby.

The crow, however, paid no attention to Mong-mong. Yet, Mong-mong stood his ground, tail stiff, growling as if preparing for a fierce battle.

Then, with a single flap of its wings, the crow startled Mong-mong.

“Yelp! Yelp!”

Terrified, Mong-mong bolted straight into Eun-sol’s arms.

The crow still showed no interest in Mong-mong, but the little dog, now thoroughly frightened, clung to Eun-sol’s side, trembling.

“Mong-mong, why did you provoke it if you were going to be this scared?”

Eun-sol and Hae-seong burst into laughter.

“See, Noona? Don’t act tough like Mong-mong and get yourself in trouble.”  

“Are you saying I’m like Mong-mong? And who says I’m going to get in trouble?”

Hae-seong’s words only fueled her determination further.

“Hae-seong, can you get me the contact information for the stylist helping your mom with the party preparations? Of course, you have to keep it a secret that I’m going to the party.”

Not long after, Eun-sol found herself standing in front of the hotel where the Taepyeong Group’s 20th-anniversary party was being held.

The scene outside the hotel was a parade of luxury cars and extravagantly dressed people.

She couldn’t help but feel strangely awed—

Was there really such a large upper class in this country?

“Vice Minister Yoon, thank you for your help.”

Eun-sol was sitting in a sedan with Hae-seong’s mother, Vice Minister Yoon.  

Initially, she had only planned to get an introduction to Vice Minister Yoon’s stylist through Hae-seong. However, Vice Minister Yoon herself had requested a meeting.  

“I really want to attend the party with my husband, but it seems like he doesn’t want to go with me. If it’s not too much trouble, could you help me?”  

When Eun-sol spoke honestly, Vice Minister Yoon readily agreed to assist her. She seemed to offer help without weighing any potential losses or gains.  

“Ms. Eun-sol, you’re not too nervous, are you?”  

Vice Minister Yoon smiled gently. Her short bob haircut complemented her natural elegance and composure. There was a firmness about her that came not from power but from inner strength.  

“To be honest, I’m a little nervous. But… this is okay, right?”  

“Of course. You look absolutely beautiful.”  

Even as she stepped out of the car, Eun-sol kept fidgeting with her dress, which felt unfamiliar.  

Her appearance had to strike a balance—it couldn’t be so plain that it embarrassed Jeong-hyeok, nor so flashy that it drew unnecessary attention.  

She wore a sleek black dress with a delicate silhouette. Her hair was styled in an Audrey Hepburn-inspired updo, with bangs framing her face and the rest of her hair pinned up elegantly.  

The diamond necklace she wore was something from her own jewelry box. Since the necklace itself was quite striking, she opted not to wear earrings. She also skipped bracelets, carrying only a gold clutch bag.  

Because she had to get ready after Jeong-hyeok left, there hadn’t been much time to dress up. Not that it mattered—she would have kept her look simple regardless.  

“Are you worried, Ms. Eun-sol? But really, you’re stunning. I can see why even someone as famously cold as CEO Kwon fell for you.”  

Vice Minister Yoon’s words gave her a boost of confidence. With trembling legs, Eun-sol steadied herself, pressed her heels firmly into the ground, and stood confidently at the entrance to the party.  

“Vice Minister Yoon Jeong-hyun, good evening. And who might this be…?”  

The security guard at the entrance, who was checking invitations, asked politely.  

“She’s the wife of Sowon Construction’s CEO. Her schedule didn’t align with CEO Kwon Jeong-hyeok’s, so she came with me.”  

“Oh, my apologies. CEO Kwon arrived just a short while ago.”  

So, he was already here. 

Her toes curled slightly inside her sandals. She couldn’t predict how he would react.  

‘What if he gets really angry?’  

The worry she should have addressed earlier only hit her now. Still, she had no intention of turning back.