Seo-Yeon cleared her throat and straightened slightly.
"Work is good," she began smoothly. "Everything is fine. I'm… happy."
Ji-Ah narrowed her eyes a little. Seo-Yeon did not use the word happy casually.
Then Seo-Yeon gestured beside her.
"And he is our boss."
All eyes shifted to Min-Hyuk.
He froze mid-breath.
Mr. Park smiled politely and turned toward him. "Ah. The boss."
Min-Hyuk bowed slightly from his seat. "Yes, sir."
Mr. Park tilted his head thoughtfully. "A boss sitting this close to my daughter. Very dedicated management."
Seo-Yeon blinked.
Min-Hyuk's soul briefly left his body.
The table went quiet.
Seo-Yeon inhaled once, then decided to jump off the cliff with dignity.
"He's not just my boss," she said calmly. "He's… my lover."
Silence.
Jeon-Seo's chopsticks stopped mid-air.
Nisa's brows lifted just slightly.
Do-Hyun glanced at Ha-Joon.
Ji-Ah stared directly at her sister.
Ha-Joon remained still, but his eyes flickered toward Mr. Park.
Mr. Park's smile dropped.
Not dramatically. Just enough.
He looked at Seo-Yeon.
Then at Min-Hyuk.
Min-Hyuk sat upright like he was about to present a thesis on Why I Am Worthy.
The pause stretched.
Then Mr. Park exhaled softly… and smiled again.
"I see."
Everyone at the table breathed at the same time.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table. "Min-Hyuk, when you like someone, you protect their heart first. Pride second. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," Min-Hyuk replied immediately.
"You listen more than you speak."
"Yes, sir."
"And if she is wrong," Mr. Park added calmly, "you let her win sometimes."
Seo-Yeon frowned. "Appa."
Mr. Park grinned. "I am experienced."
A few quiet laughs circled the table.
Then Mr. Park asked, "How old are you, Min-Hyuk?"
"Twenty, sir."
Mr. Park blinked. "Twenty?"
He turned slowly toward Seo-Yeon. "You like younger men now?"
Seo-Yeon coughed. "It's one year."
"One year," Mr. Park repeated thoughtfully. "Still. Interesting."
Jeon-Seo leaned forward dramatically. "Noona likes upgrades."
Ji-Ah kicked him under the table.
Mr. Park waved a hand. "Age is not the issue." He looked at both of them carefully. "Do you like each other properly?"
Seo-Yeon nodded without hesitation. "Yes."
Min-Hyuk followed, voice steady despite the nerves. "Yes, sir. I do."
Mr. Park studied their faces for a long second.
Then he smiled gently.
"You're my eldest daughter," he said to Seo-Yeon. "You can do whatever you like. It's your choice."
Seo-Yeon's expression softened. "Thank you, Appa."
Jeon-Seo beamed brightly. "Brother-in-law!"
Ji-Ah smacked the back of his head. "Stop adopting people."
Ha-Joon, who had been quiet, spoke evenly. "Do you have a place to stay while you're here?"
Mr. Park nodded. "Yes. We arranged one."
"If you need anything," Ha-Joon added calmly, "call me."
Mr. Park met his gaze and gave a small approving nod. "I will."
Ha-Joon inclined his head once.
Then he added, "After dinner, I can have a driver take you back."
Mr. Park chuckled and shook his head. "No need. I want Seo-Yeon… and maybe someone else…" he glanced briefly at Min-Hyuk, "…to show us the city."
Seo-Yeon blinked. "You want a tour?"
"Yes," Mr. Park said cheerfully. "I came all this way. I should see what kind of city convinced my daughter to fall in love."
Min-Hyuk nearly choked on water.
Jeon-Seo grinned like he had just unlocked premium entertainment.
Ji-Ah leaned back, watching everything carefully.
And Ha-Joon, quiet as ever, observed the entire table like a strategist reading a map that was slowly becoming more complicated than expected.