Chapter 90
It was already afternoon.
The sunlight outside the window had shifted slightly, casting a softer glow across the office floor. The quiet tapping of keyboards and the low hum of printers filled the air.
And me?
I was doing absolutely nothing.
I stared at the monitor in front of me for a long moment. The internal system was open, but there were no new instructions from Yuna.
I leaned back slightly in my chair and let out a slow breath.
What exactly is my job here?
This morning, after we entered from the lobby, Yuna did not speak to me again. She just walked ahead as usual. When we reached our floor, she simply said she would call me later if she needed anything.
And that was it. She went into her office after that.
I glanced at her office door.
Still closed.
I rubbed the back of my neck lightly.
Is Harin still upset with me?
The thought suddenly crossed my mind.
Earlier in her office, she looked disappointed. Especially when I lied about yesterday. I do not know whether she believed me or not, but she definitely did not look convinced.
I hesitated for a few seconds.
Then I unlocked my phone and sent her a message.
[Me: Are you busy?]
A few seconds later—
[Harin: Just finished reviewing the site documents. Why?]
That was fast.
I typed again.
[Me: I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do right now. Do you have any work for me?]
The three dots appeared almost instantly.
[Harin: I can't assign you anything without Chairwoman's approval. You report directly to her.]
I stared at the message for a moment.
Then I let out a bitter laugh under my breath.
So even Harin cannot give me work.
Then why am I even here?
Just so she can keep me within her sight? Isn't that too much?
I looked around the office floor again. Everyone was focused on their work.
And here I was, just sitting here and doing absolutely nothing.
I felt like I was wasting the company's resources.
Then another message came in—
[Harin: Are you okay?]
I paused.
[Me: Yeah. I'm okay.]
There was another short delay.
[Me: You're really not coming back today?]
[Harin: Looks like it.]
So she really will not be here.
[Harin: If anything happens, please call me immediately.]
My chest felt slightly lighter reading that. From the way she replied, it seemed Harin wasn't upset with me anymore.
[Me: Okay.]
A second later, a cute animated sticker popped up on my screen.
It was a small character giving a thumbs up with an exaggerated serious face.
I blinked. Then I laughed quietly to myself.
Harin… sending stickers?
I did not expect that.
For someone who always looked calm and professional, this was… unexpected.
I shook my head lightly, still smiling to myself.
Not long after, the intercom on my desk buzzed.
A call from the Yuna's office.
My smile faded immediately.
She's… calling me in.
My throat suddenly felt dry.
She won't do anything that goes against the agreement… right?
I stood up quickly and walk toward her office.
When I reached the door, I knocked softly before stepping inside.
Yuna was seated behind her desk, already buried in work. Several thick compiled files were stacked neatly on one side, with more documents spread open in front of her. She did not look up when I entered.
I closed the door quietly and walked toward her desk, then stopped a few steps away and stood there.
Waiting.
She continued flipping through the documents, signing one page, marking another with her pen, occasionally typing something on her tablet. The only sound in the room was the soft rustle of paper and the faint tapping of her pen.
I remained standing.
A few seconds passed.
Then almost a full minute.
This is awkward.
Should I say something?
Before I could open my mouth—
"I have work for you."
She said it without looking at me.
She simply reached for a file beside her and tapped it lightly with her pen.
"Take this."
I stepped forward and carefully picked up the file.
"I want you to check the revised clauses against last month's proposal," she said evenly, her gaze never leaving the page in front of her. "Focus on the cost allocation and liability sections. Note any differences and highlight anything that could put us at a disadvantage."
She turned a page in front of her, "The financial projections are attached. Compare the numbers with the latest budget report. List any inconsistencies separately. And submit your summary to me before the end of the day."
"Yes, Chairwoman."
She gave a small nod and returned her attention fully to the documents in front of her.
I turned my back and was about to walk out—
"Who was it?"
My fingers stiffened around the file I was holding.
For a second, I wondered if I had misheard her.
Carefully, I turned around.
Yuna had not even lifted her head. Her eyes were still on the documents in front of her, pen moving smoothly across the page.
"Who was it?"
"What do you mean?" I asked carefully.
"That lawyer." She flipped a page calmly. "Who sent him."
I froze. I didn't expect her to ask about it right now. I mean, I knew she would ask eventually, but just not this soon. I wasn't ready with an answer. Did Harin tell her already? But that's impossible. Harin was sent away early this morning. Or did Yuna look into it herself?
My thoughts started tangling over each other.
I didn't answer immediately.
The silence stretched.
"Not answering me?" she asked lightly.
She still wasn't looking at me.
That somehow made it worse.
I had to calm myself.
"W—With respect, Chairwoman," I began carefully, choosing every word, "since that matter is not related to company work… I would prefer not to discuss it."
The tip of her pen paused.
Then—
She chuckled softly.
"That's cute," she murmured. "Trying to act calm in front of me, when you're clearly afraid."
She easily saw right through me, but I stayed still.
"I already knew you wouldn't tell me. And I'm being generous enough not to push it… even though I could."
Her pen stopped completely. Then she set it down. Her eyes stayed on the paper in front of her, but it felt like she was speaking directly to me through it.
The room suddenly grew heavier.
"But… If I find out, that it was the person I'm thinking of who sent that lawyer…"
She didn't lift her gaze, and she didn't finish the sentence either. She didn't need to. The threat in her words was clear. I could only stand there, my thoughts spiraling.
"Understood," I replied evenly.
But inside, my heartbeat was loud.
I bowed politely and turned toward the door again.
"Did you go somewhere last night?"
At that moment, a chill ran down my spine, stopping me in my tracks. The question had caught me completely off guard.
I turned back again, slowly this time.
She had lifted her eyes, and now she was looking directly at me.
Her gaze was cold and unyielding, sharp enough to make me flinch.
Why is she suddenly asking that?
Does she know I went out with Sera?
Did someone see us?
But I can go out, right?
We already signed the agreement.
We are separating.
I am not doing anything wrong.
So why does it feel like I'm being caught?
"I…" My voice almost faltered. "If it's not work related, I would prefer not—"
"Answer me."
Her voice cut through mine.
There was no warmth. No patience.
My chest tightened.
Does she already know?
If I tell the truth… what will she do?
"I—I just stayed at home."
Silence filled the office.
She kept looking at me. Long and unblinking.
"Can I trust you on that?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
Frustration rose in my chest.
Why does she need to know where I go?
Why am I still reacting like this when she looks at me?
I'm allowed to do whatever I want now.
Aren't I?
I'm not her possession anymore.
This isn't fair.
But if I speak my mind… she might lose it.
Her gaze lingered for another moment.
Then—
She lowered her eyes and turned her focus back to the document in front of her. But I noticed her expression had softened, and a faint smile touched her lips.
"Remember," she said calmly, picking up her pen again, "we are still legally husband and wife." She continued without looking at me, "Do not do anything that will damage my name. Or create unnecessary rumors."
So in the end… it was all about her.
"I understand," I said quietly.
I bowed once more and walked out of her office.
When I reached my desk, I dropped my head onto it and let out a long sigh.
Just like Harin said, Yuna already suspects it.
But for someone as hot-tempered as she is when it comes to me, she handled it surprisingly well. She probably does not want to act recklessly without solid evidence, even though she already knows the truth.
And there is no point in telling Sera's name in this, right? It would feel like I am snitching on her if I told Yuna.
I feel really torn right now. On one hand, I am grateful to Sera for helping me. But at the same time, I have caused problems for her by dragging her into my personal life.
And Yuna too. Can't she just let it go?
I truly hope she won't find anything about Attorney Park. Because if she does, this will turn into chaos. Sera is not the type of person who will just stay still either.
Everything is so messed up.
Was asking for a divorce the wrong choice in the first place? Should I have just accepted whatever she wanted to do to me instead?
My head hurts from thinking about all this.
In the end, I forced myself to focus on the task Yuna gave me.
Before I realized it, it was already time to go home.
I glanced at the clock on my screen.
It was already 6:30 p.m.
I leaned back in my chair and stretched my arms slightly. I had already finished reviewing the documents Yuna gave me.
It looked like today went… surprisingly well. Around me, the executive floor was almost empty. Most of the staff had already left.
"Wow."
I looked up.
Jiyoo noona was standing beside my desk, holding her handbag.
"Looks like someone worked hard today," she said, glancing at the thick file on my desk.
I smiled faintly. "I had quite a lot to review."
She shook her head in amusement. "You're adapting faster than I expected. Well done."
"Noona… where's Daejin sunbaenim? I don't see him."
"Daejin? He already left. He actually walked past your desk earlier, but you were so focused on your work that he didn't want to disturb you."
"I see."
She nodded. "Alright. I'm heading out first. Don't stay too late, okay? I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay, noona. Go home safely."
"You too."
With that, she waved and walked toward the elevator.
The floor became even quieter after she left.
I gathered the completed file in my hands, and walked toward Yuna's office.
I opened the door and stepped inside.
Yuna was leaning back in her chair, a few documents still spread out in front of her, untouched. She lifted her eyes the moment I entered.
I walked forward and placed the completed file on her desk.
"I've finished the review, Chairwoman."
She did not immediately reach for it.
Her gaze lingered on me for a second before shifting to the file. She flipped it open lazily, scanning the first few pages without much expression.
I was just standing there, already thinking about what I was going to cook tonight. Or maybe hang out with Hyunjae? It felt like it had already been too long since I last met him.
Just when I thought everything was over—
Yuna reached to the side of her desk and slid another thick document toward me.
"Take this."
I blinked.
It was another compiled file.
I picked it up and quickly glanced at the cover.
It was a draft presentation and briefing materials for an upcoming board strategy session next week. The due date printed on the internal memo was three days from now.
I frowned slightly.
"This… is due in three days," I said carefully.
"Yes."
"…So… you want it tomorrow, Chairwoman?"
"No, I want you to finish it today."
Is she for real? But it's already after work hours. Did she do this on purpose?
I lowered my eyes to the document again. "You want the entire briefing reorganized?"
"I want the financial projections cross-checked with the latest site reports, the executive summary rewritten, and the risk section updated." She paused briefly. "You will assist me here."
I looked up.
"Assist… here?"
"Yes." She closed the previous file and folded her hands neatly on the desk. "It will be troublesome if you go back and forth between your desk and my office. We will review it together."
My chest tightened slightly.
The executive floor was almost empty.
Which meant it would just be the two of us. The thought made me uneasy.
"But, Chairwoman… don't you want to go home tonight? This might take some time to finish," I asked politely.
She leaned back in her chair.
"I don't feel like returning home today."
I fell silent.
"Why did you ask?" she continued evenly. "Are you afraid I might do something to you?"
A cold sweat ran over me.
"If I wanted to do something," she added calmly, "I would not need to wait until everyone left."
"I did not think that way, Chairwoman," I replied.
"It won't matter to me whether you think that or not."
A faint smirk appeared on her face.
"Go take a short break first," she continued, her tone softened slightly, though her expression remained the same. "Come back here in one hour."
"Understood."
.
The evening air in Seoul was cool and refreshing. The sky had already shifted into a deep blue, city lights flickering to life one by one. Our office building was only a short walk from XXX Mall, so without thinking too much, I headed there.
The mall was still lively when I walked in.
I went into a cafe near the entrance and ordered a coffee. When the barista handed it to me, I thanked him quietly and found a seat near the glass wall.
I took a long sip.
The bitterness settled on my tongue.
Then I exhaled slowly.
Yuna did that on purpose, didn't she? And I couldn't even protest, since technically it's still within my job scope.
It felt like she was exploiting a loophole in our agreement.
I leaned back in my seat and rubbed my forehead lightly.
Around me, the cafe grew noisier.
A group of university students took the table across from mine. They looked about my age. It seemed like they were laughing at something and teasing one another. One of them looked like he was telling a story, and the rest burst into laughter.
I found myself smiling without realizing it.
They looked… happy.
For a moment, I just watched them.
How long has it been since I spent time like that?
After I got married, Yuna rarely allowed me to go out at night. Unless it was with her. Even though she knew I only had one close friend.
And even meeting Hyunjae required explanations. Sometimes she would say yes. Sometimes she would simply say no without giving a reason.
Back then, I told myself it was normal for Yuna to act that way, considering her status.
But sitting here now, watching those students laugh freely, I realized how much time I had let slip away. Not that I regret marrying Yuna or anything, though.
One of them suddenly glanced in my direction.
Our eyes almost met.
I quickly looked away and pretended to focus on the television mounted on the wall above the counter, feeling slightly embarrassed.
From the corner of my eye, I could see that they were still glancing at me. One of them leaned closer to another and whispered something. The others followed, their eyes flicking toward me before they quickly looked away.
I could not hear a single word.
But I did not need to.
A guy around their age, sitting alone in formal office clothes at this hour, it was obvious what stood out. my dress shirt, tailored slacks, and the ID card still hanging around my neck.
They were probably wondering why someone their age looked like he had already stepped fully into adulthood.
I adjusted the sleeve of my shirt and kept my eyes on the screen, trying to appear indifferent.
The TV was playing an entertainment news program. One of those evening shows that mix celebrity and public figure gossip with trending headlines. I used to watch things like this before marriage. It has been a long time since I paid attention to this kind of program.
I stared at it without really processing the details.
After a moment, I took out my phone and checked the time.
Almost an hour had passed.
I stood up, threw away my empty cup, and walked back to the counter.
"One more coffee, please."
"Sure, it'll be ready shortly."
Yuna probably prefers this. It would feel rude to return empty-handed.
While waiting, I glanced at the TV again. The host was wrapping up the current segment.
[So that concludes today's update on the casting rumors]
*One of the panelists laughed*
[Honestly, if even half of these rumors are true, this year's award season will be very interesting.]
[Exactly. But now, let's move on to our next headline.]
*The screen transitioned with dramatic music*
I did not pay much attention. My thoughts were already drifting back to the office.
The barista called out my order and handed me the drink.
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
I took the cup and headed toward the exit.
.
*Breaking News*
[And now for our next headline,
The internet has been buzzing for the past few hours after photos of Hwang Sera, Vice Chairman of Daehan Group, surfaced online.]
*The screen shifted to a clear photograph taken from a distance*
[The images appear to show her having dinner with a young man at a private restaurant in Seoul last night, and witnesses said the two arrived together in the same car.]
*Another image appeared*
[Is this for real? This isn't just speculation anymore. They look very close.]
[Exactly! What surprised netizens even more is that Ms. Hwang is known for maintaining a strictly private personal life. She rarely appears in non-business settings, and almost never with a man.]
*The screen zoomed slightly on the young man's face*
[Online communities began circulating these images this afternoon. Within hours, the post went viral. Many are now speculating about the identity of this mystery man.]
[Oh my… he's very attractive. He doesn't seem like someone from the corporate world. He looks quite young.]
[Some netizens are guessing he may be a university student. Others speculate this could be a new relationship. However, neither Vice Chairman Hwang nor Daehan Group has issued any statement yet.]
*A bold caption appeared at the bottom of the screen*
[Is the Heart of the Chaebol Heiress Captured?]