Chapter 61

Chapter 61

“I came here because he didn’t show up even after I waited, right? He doesn’t answer my calls well either. By the way, Sungang-ssi, your mouth is really crude. Acting out of line in front of me.”

At Suah’s words, veins bulged on Sungang’s forehead. No matter how angry he was, what she said about him acting out of line was true.

A mere organization member couldn’t behave rudely in front of the chairman’s daughter. Hierarchy was not simply determined by differences in strength, but by measures of power.

By that standard, Kwon Suah’s rank was several levels above his, and Suah knew the rules of this world well enough to point that out directly. Sungang barely managed to force a smile by lifting the corners of his mouth.

“So that’s why you came looking for him in person like this? It’s something hyung-nim really hates.”

“It doesn’t matter. Oppa can’t hate me anyway.”

Suah’s face as she smiled softly was full of confidence. It was the innate composure of someone who had never needed to read the room in her life. Her attitude, which showed she had rarely experienced the hardships of life, overflowed with vitality and energy.

“On the surface, maybe so. Aren’t you worried about what he might really be thinking inside?”

“If he acts well on the surface, that’s enough. Does it really matter what someone thinks inside?”

Suah tilted her head as if she was genuinely curious.

“Sungang-ssi, you also don’t like me inside but you’re lying flat on your face on the outside, aren’t you?”

“Haha… I guess I’m lying flat right now.”

Sungang let out a hollow laugh with a dumbfounded expression. As if to soothe his frustrated feelings, he gulped down his beer and crushed the now-empty can with a loud crunch.

“I didn’t bring her here to pick a fight with Gang-ah.”

Chulhyun spoke as if scolding Suah and walked into the living room. He then abruptly turned off the fire under the tteokbokki, which was boiling so vigorously and was starting to reduce to a sticky broth.

“Did it sound like I was picking a fight? That wasn’t my intention. If Sungang-ssi felt upset, I’ll apologize. I know men have strong pride, so I try not to touch it if possible, but I keep forgetting.”

It was a way of saying that no matter how much he puffed up his pride, he was still beneath her, so he should know his place and submit. Suah stepped lightly into the house as if it were her own.

“There’s a lot of delicious food prepared at the main house. Why are you eating something like this here instead of going there? The atmosphere there is really nice.”

Suah, who had come to stand beside Chulhyun, looked down at the table and slightly frowned.

“It’s a pure carbohydrate party.”

“Miss Kwon Suah of high status doesn’t need to worry about the nutrition of us flat-lying people.”

“See, Sungang-ssi keeps picking fights first.”

Suah pouted her lips as if she were wronged. Then she suddenly looked at Heeju and said,

“Right?”

“…Yes?”

Heeju, who had been waiting for the right moment to escape this uncomfortable situation, reacted a beat too late. Suah stared directly at her and smiled faintly. Then she suddenly extended her hand for a handshake.

“You’re Gukhyun oppa’s attending physician, right? I’ve heard about you.”

Her neatly manicured nails sparkled with apricot-colored polish. Heeju looked down at the straightened hand for a moment before accepting the handshake. She didn’t want to show any uncomfortable feelings toward the other person.

“Yes. I’m Ko Heeju.”

“I’m Kwon Suah. I grew up with Gukhyun oppa like siblings since we were young.”

It was quite funny how everyone she met claimed to have grown up with Gukhyun like siblings. Especially when they planted spies on their so-called sibling and desperately hoped for his downfall. This woman said she liked Gukhyun, so she probably didn’t wish for his ruin, at least.

“I see.”

“Ah, but I guess I shouldn’t say that anymore. Siblings don’t get married, after all.”

Their gazes intertwined while their hands were still clasped. Heeju could feel Sungang roughly sweeping his hair back and letting out an irritated sigh beside her. It wasn’t hard to understand the meaning of what Kwon Suah had just said.

But strangely, her comprehension was slow. It felt as if her brain was rattling and refusing to process the thought, it came to her very slowly.

“We’re getting engaged soon. That’s why the party was held tonight. It also serves as a New Year’s party.”

Heeju slowly blinked her eyes. She gathered up the thoughts that drifted by sluggishly. What is this?

Why am I hearing this from this person?

One corner of her head felt numb. It tingled as if she had been hit hard by something heavy. She wasn’t shocked by the fact that Kwon Gukhyun was getting engaged, but by the fact that he hadn’t told her about it.

What on earth was he thinking?

Why did he leave me in the dark like this?

Heeju had told him she had no intention of becoming an obstacle in his path. If he had chosen engagement to obtain something, or to protect something, he should have at least told her.

He shouldn’t have left her in this humiliating situation without any knowledge. At least if he had seriously considered her position.

Only now did she realize that Kwon Suah had not come here to find Gukhyun. Even knowing he wouldn’t be here, she had come for this very moment. To see Heeju’s foolish, stunned appearance.

She didn’t want to act like a fool in front of someone like that. Pretending to be fine while actually being shocked and acting calm was the only way to preserve what little pride she had left, and the fact that this was so ridiculous almost made her laugh hollowly.

Of course, it was much better than bursting into tears.

“I see. Congratulations.”

Heeju didn’t hold back the small laugh that leaked out uncontrollably and let it slip quietly. Perhaps because it was different from the reaction Suah had expected, Kwon Suah’s expression stiffened slightly.

It might have looked like mockery, but what did it matter? She wasn’t noble enough to care about Kwon Suah’s feelings, and she was barely holding back her desire to storm out of this place by gathering every shred of patience she had.

“You’re clearly a member of this household, so why didn’t you come to the party…? Didn’t oppa tell you?”

“I guess he thought I wasn’t a relevant person. I don’t really like crowded places, so this is better for me.”

“Still, that won’t do. Not going and not being able to go are different things. It feels like you’re being left out, which is upsetting. I’ll make sure to invite you to the engagement ceremony without fail.”

“I’ll consider attending if I have time.”

Suah smiled brightly with her still-stiff face.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Suah unfolded the coat that had been draped over her arm and put it on her shoulders. As she prepared to leave, she said to Chulhyun,

“When Gukhyun oppa comes, can you tell him I left first? I think I drank too much. I accepted every drink people offered earlier, so my head hurts so much. Ah, right.”

As if she had just remembered something, Suah rummaged through her handbag. She took out a thick envelope and held it out to Sungang.

“It’s not just for Sungang-ssi, it’s for all the staff, so don’t glare at me like that and take it. It’s an incentive for all your hard work last year.”

“So I’m supposed to take this and lie even flatter?”

“Come to think of it, you really hold grudges for a long time.”

Sungang opened the envelope, openly counted the money inside, and let out a short snort.

“It’s not even that much. Not enough to make me want to lie flat.”

“What money do I have? It’s all Dad’s money.”

“Guess I’ll just buy some snacks with it.”

Suah ignored Sungang’s sarcastic remark with one ear and greeted Heeju.

“See you next time.”

Then she left with the same quick, light steps she had when she arrived. Sungang grabbed Chulhyun’s shoulder as he tried to follow Suah out.

“Where do you think you’re going, you bat b@s.t*rd?”

Chulhyun swung his shoulder hard to shake off Sungang’s arm.

“Aren’t your words a bit harsh? I don’t look like a bat.”

Sungang, who had been pushed back, grabbed Chulhyun’s collar with a fierce hollow laugh.

“You’re a b@s.t*rd with hair growing on his conscience.”

With their faces so close that their noses almost touched, Sungang growled,

“Why the hell did you bring Kwon Suah here? Did she promise to give you a sh*t ton of allowance?”

“What do you even use that snot-covered money for?”

“Then why the f*ck did you do that?”

“What’s the problem?”

Chulhyun frowned nervously. With his collar still grabbed by Sungang, he jerked his chin toward the entrance where Suah had disappeared.

“She just greeted nicely and left.”

“You call that just greeting and leaving? Did you doze off when Kwon Suah was talking earlier?”

“What talk? The engagement talk?”

“You, fuc…”

Sungang gripped Chulhyun’s collar even harder. It should have been enough to choke him, Chulhyun didn’t care and simply raised the corner of his mouth cynically.

“Miss Ko Heeju was going to find out sooner or later anyway. It’s not something that could be hidden. Wouldn’t it feel even more f*c.k!ng awful to be the only one who doesn’t know what even the Jindo dog guarding the gate knows?”

“…….”

“Isn’t that right? Miss Ko Heeju?”