Episode 17

Hyun’s hand, which gripped Hoon’s collar, trembled slightly. Hoon did not miss that.

“Judging by your reaction, it seems no one informed you. Or perhaps you were too absent-minded at the time to remember?”

“…”

“Have you never wondered why, despite being in the same car, only you were gravely injured? Why so? Because you were protecting your wife who was next to you…”

〈I’m sorry.〉

Though Hoon continued riling Hyun, nothing seemed to enter his ears. It felt as though his mind was buzzing, and then, suddenly…

He recalled So-jung's words that she had mumbled in her sleep.

That apology... could it be...?

He thought the truck had just veered towards him by sheer bad luck. No, he didn’t even recall the accident itself, so he hadn’t given it much thought.

But did all of this happen because he was protecting So-jung? In that perilous moment when the truck was barreling towards them, did he instinctively try to shield her?

Why?

It was a question he asked himself. Of course, there was no answer. It felt like groping through a distant, dark fog. At that moment, Hyun’s mind became even more muddled.

Click.

It was a very faint shutter sound, something he wouldn’t have heard if he hadn't paid enough attention. But it resonated clearly with Hyun. As he searched for the source of the sound, a figure quickly disappeared behind the corner.

“…”

Someone had just taken a picture of the current situation. Hyun let go of Hoon’s collar and ran towards where the person had disappeared. They were long gone.

“What?”

“…”

“So you do realize what you’ve done, huh? Judging by how you let go of me."

Hoon, finally free from Hyun’s grip, calmly brushed off his wrinkled suit and smirked. Seeing this, Hyun bit his lip.

“You… So you did this to distract me on purpose…”

Despite being in a place where people rarely sought, someone had quietly taken a picture and left. Hyun realized Hoon had set the scene up.

“CEO Choi Hyun grabbing someone by the collar—this will make a good story in tomorrow’s news, don’t you think?”

“…”

“It seems you’ve become very emotional since the accident. To fall for such a provocation…”

Hyun couldn’t respond to Hoon’s remarks. He clenched his fists tighter. That was when.

“Indeed, he seems very tired. This is his first proper outing since the accident, after all.”

With the sound of her heels clicking, So-jung stepped between the two men. Naturally, their gazes were drawn to her.

“Can we leave if your conversation is over? It seemed my husband requires some rest."

Hoon, now outnumbered, glanced at Hyun and So-jung before turning away.

“Well, I don’t have any more business here.”

“…”

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

Only after Hoon walked down the hallway and left did Hyun and So-jung face each other.

“You said you were going to the restroom. I knew this was to be expected.”

“…”

“Still, it was a good idea to bring Kang-chan. And you meeting in a place with few people was also wise.”

“…”

“…”

Hyun remained silent despite So-jung's words. She tilted her head, puzzled at his silent demeanor.

“Did something happen?”

Normally, he would have snapped at her words, but his silence was unusual. So-jung added,

“Ah, is it because of the photo?”

“...How did you know about that?”

Hyun was surprised by her unexpected words. Shortly after, Kang-chan approached from a distance and called.

“Madam!”

“Ah, you’re here.”

“I’ve confirmed that the photos were deleted, as you instructed.”

“Is that so? Thank you for your hard work.”

“You’re the one who deserves thanks, Madam. We almost lost him, but you managed to track him down."

As Kang-chan reported his findings, Hyun gazed at him in confusion. Kang-chan explained,

“I was standing by you earlier, and I happened to catch a paparazzi taking a picture so I chased after them."

“…”

"Thanks to the Madam's swift actions, she reached the speeding perpetrator and tripped them. I was very impressed. Do you exercise, Madam? Your movements were spectacular."

"Well... Just for self-defense. Haha."

“Anyhow, we managed to catch the perpetrator and delete the photos completely. You can rest assured.”

Though it was a favorable outcome, Hyun remained frozen. He simply bore into So-jung.

“You…”

“?”

“Did you hear the conversation between me and Choi Hoon?”

“No, I couldn’t come near you in the first place because I was busy catching the photographer.”

“...I see.”

Hyun didn’t say anything more and turned towards the venue. Kang-chan asked, confused.

“Will you not head back to the villa?"

“No, I’ll stay until it’s over.”

“But…”

“I won’t wander around. Don’t worry.”

Hyun seemed oddly calm after his conversation with Hoon, unlike what Kang-chan anticipated.

“By the way, I need to talk to you for a bit after this.”

“...Me?”

“Yes.”

Since the accident, Hyun had never asked to speak with her first. Surprised, So-jung blinked blankly but then nodded.

“Okay. I was planning to ask you for my favor anyhow."

“Good. I'll see you when you're done."

“Let's do that.”

The two walked away without saying much more, and Kang-chan followed behind.

---

—Han Soo-ah brought her daughter! Her daughter!

The news that Soo-ah had brought her daughter to the villa soon reached So-jung. Her hand trembled slightly as Kang-chan's words rang through the phone.

"...Why?"

—She said she simply wished to introduce her daughter, but it didn't seem like a mere introduction. The person who allowed this was the grand Madam.

Hearing that permission was sought from Mi-ae caused So-jung's mind to race. Kang-chan continued,

—Something is not right. There's no reason to bring Han Soo-ah's daughter to help the Master recover his memory...

Kang-chan did not finish his sentence, but So-jung could guess what he meant.

So this means a divorce.

So-jung was aware Mi-ae didn't favor her, but she didn't expect her to involve the child.

Even if she denied me, how could she involve her own granddaughter, Harim?

So-jung was terribly aware that Mi-ae didn't dote on Harim, but still, this child was her son's daughter. They shared the same blood. How could she...

"..."

With this new, unexpected possibility creeping in, So-jung's face darkened. Kang-chan called her with concern,

—Madam, are you alright?

"...I'm sorry. I was occupied with something else. Rather... I understand. Thank you for letting me know."

After closing her call with Kang-chan, So-jung slowly opened the door and gazed at her sleeping daughter. Harim was tightly clutching the doll Hyun had bought her.

Although she never said anything, Harim clearly missed her father. And knowing this, So-jung couldn't help but look upon her daughter apologetically. She wondered if her own fear and selfishness were preventing Harim and Hyun from reconnecting.

...I should stop now. She's his daughter. If I explain it well, he might accept her.

She wanted Hyun to accept and get to know Harim again.

This was the reason So-jung took the risk of bringing Hyun to the company. It was time to tell him.

Hyun, who claimed he'd stay put, kept his word. He used his illness as an excuse and spent most of his time in the lounge. This was convenient for So-jung. After the ceremony ended, she searched for him.

Was he still in the lounge? Or the parking lot?

Just as she was about to call him, a group of men in black suits approached her.

"...What's this about?"

She recognized some of them. They were Mi-ae's men.

"The Madam would like to see you for a moment."

"..."

"Please come with us."

Their words were polite, but there was an underlying pressure. So-jung placed her phone down and followed them.

"Alright. Lead the way."

She probably wanted to question why I brought Hyun.

So-jung had anticipated being called, but not so soon after the ceremony.

It was not long after as So-jung stood in Mi-ae's office that it clicked to her why she was called so quickly.

"You, explain yourself right now."

As soon as So-jung entered, Mi-ae threw photos at her. They clearly depicted Hyun grabbing Hoon by the collar.

---

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