Meanwhile, Christoph felt like a serious victim, shrinking away as Richard smiled at him
without saying anything. His gaze was akin to that of a rapist standing before the police and
saying - "Rape? We were in a consensual relationship, just a bit of a misunderstanding,
right?"
- with a friendly demeanor.
After hearing Richard's concerned words - "You don't look well today; maybe you should rest
early? If you're too tired, let me help you back" - Christoph shook his head vigorously.
Jeong Taeui could only swallow bitterly and watch them in silence.
Richard, always gentle and friendly to everyone, seemed to pay extra attention to Christoph.
Perhaps it was to emphasize their close partnership, but Jeong Taeui suspected Richard
enjoyed Christoph's disgusted reactions more.
"Wow, whatever they talked about, it must be interesting. I didn't expect Christoph to endure
this situation so easily..."
Jeong Taeui muttered to himself quietly enough that no one else could hear, but Ilay's eyes
curved slightly as if he had heard Jeong Taeui's ant-like whispers.
Just then.
Christoph, knowing Richard was enjoying his pain, couldn't take it any longer.
Christoph looked up at Richard with his usual expressionless face, while Richard calmly
smiled back, seemingly awaiting Christoph's inevitable reaction.
After staring at Richard coldly as if ready to devour him, Christoph blinked a few times, then
suddenly softened his expression as if resolved about something.
Jeong Taeui, watching Christoph with concern, almost spat out his tea.
Christoph was smiling. Just like he practiced every night with Jeong Taeui.
The smile was still somewhat stiff and not entirely natural, but Christoph was smiling. Seeing
him smile like that, he looked like a portrait.
It was a smile that said - "It's okay" - but the fact that the smile was directed at Richard was
unsettling.
And Richard. The smile disappeared from his face.
Richard's face went expressionless, as if he had been unexpectedly struck. He even seemed
angry, with a stern look.
Richard stared at Christoph without blinking, his gaze fixed on Christoph's eyes and mouth."Richard."
Christoph called softly. Richard finally changed his expression, but his usual smile didn't
return. He just raised an eyebrow, looking at Christoph.
Christoph smiled again, this time more naturally, with slightly curved eyes.
"You're hurt. If you leave it, it could get infected. Wait a minute, I'll get some medicine for
you."
"Hmm? No need, it's not that bad..." - But before Richard could refuse, Christoph had
already stood up and left.
The room fell silent as the door closed.
Richard still didn't smile. He seemed lost in thought, raising his hand to cover his mouth and
chin. (Does anyone remember this gesture of Richard's from Hidden Track Vol 2?)
The silence was broken by Malik, who had been quietly observing. He sighed in admiration.
"From the first time I met him, I thought he was very... um, handsome, but now I can see he's
truly elegant and dazzling. Haha, it's hard to imagine he once belonged to a harsh world like
the anti-riot task force."
Hearing Malik's sincere admiration, Jeong Taeui nodded. Indeed. How many people, upon
meeting him for the first time, could imagine that he came from such a dangerous world?
It turned out that stiff smile was his way of leaving this place smoothly. Well, even if he
didn't return, no one needed to find and drag him back to continue the conversation.
"It's hard to imagine him holding a weapon... Have you ever seen it?" Malik asked with an
admiring expression.
Another short silence passed.
In this mansion, it was easier to find people who hadn't seen it.
The one to answer Malik was Richard, who had regained his smile. He nodded with a warm
smile on his face.
"Despite that, Christoph is an excellent warrior. I heard he was the top in T&R's task force."
Ilay nodded in agreement.
"Hmm... Speaking of which, the person I serve is looking for a talent capable of leading their
private security force. I'd really like to see his skills once."
Malik nodded and spoke softly. Ilay smirked and spoke up."He's one of Abdul Rahman's close friends with a private security force... Perhaps they want
to build a stronger relationship with someone from Tarten."
Though it sounded like he was talking to himself, everyone in the room heard it.
...Again. Words with hidden meanings.
Jeong Taeui sensed the vague undercurrent in the air.
And Malik, one of the creators of this undercurrent, smiled slightly after a moment of silence.
"In fact, the people I serve hope to maintain a close relationship with Tarten even after the
debts are repaid. The closest and strongest relationship possible."
Malik finished his sentence with a pronounced smile.
Another short silence followed.
In the quiet, Jeong Taeui thought.
A 'close and strong' relationship with Tarten. In other words, one that could surpass even 150
years of history.
Malik didn't just represent a national enterprise. Behind him was the immense power of a
nation. Not comparable to a corporation.
Between a place with 150 years of relations and a place of concentrated power and wealth, if
one had to choose...
Jeong Taeui scratched his cheek awkwardly.
He wasn't a child, but facing such a choice seemed like a joke.
Richard pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly. "So you want to introduce Christoph to
that esteemed person? I don't know what he'll choose, but I hope it will lead to a good
relationship."
Clearly, he didn't want to prolong this topic. Malik followed suit, smiling and raising his
eyebrows in a friendly manner before winking mischievously.
"Indeed. Haha, but don't misunderstand. I have no intention of stealing your beautiful lover
without consent."
My God!
Jeong Taeui took a sharp breath.
He almost spat out his tea.
"..."Jeong Taeui wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, looking up with an awkward
expression.
This was a direct hit. A bomb right to the face.
Malik smiled warmly as if unaware of what he had just said. Richard, holding his teacup,
paused and looked at Malik with a strange expression.
Trying to understand something, Richard tilted his head slightly, then frowned after a few
seconds of still not understanding.
"Sorry, what did you just say...?"
"Oh, I was talking about Christoph Tarten. No matter how great his skills are, I have no
intention of forcing him away without his consent."
Malik still didn't grasp the tension in the situation.
This time, Richard's gaze turned to Jeong Taeui. He looked around from Jeong Taeui to the
others in the room, trying to figure out if he had misheard or if there was something he didn't
know.
Jeong Taeui turned his face away to hide his unease. Richard's eyes narrowed.
"Did you just say 'beautiful lover'?"
Richard asked calmly, still keeping a gentle smile on his face.
Malik seemed to misunderstand Richard's question in another way - "Oh" - he nodded
appreciatively.
"Yes. Very beautiful. It's hard to find someone as beautiful as him. Moreover, not only his
appearance but also his talent. It's truly admirable to have such a lover... I hope praising
someone's lover isn't considered rude in your culture. I only admire, with no other intention."
Malik added with a respectful tone, noticing the subtle change in Richard's expression. But he
had misunderstood something.
This time, Richard's gaze turned back to Jeong Taeui. Jeong Taeui felt uneasy and turned
away.
Damn it, why keep looking at me?... He must know Ilay is a poker face master, so looking at
him is useless.
Despite trying to maintain a neutral face, Jeong Taeui clearly couldn't hide the unease and
anxiety in his eyes.
Richard looked at Jeong Taeui with a quiet, mysterious gaze. Then he smiled lightly and
shook his head."It seems you misunderstood. Christoph and I are cousins. Although he helps me a lot, there's
no such thing. I already have a lover. And of course, she is a woman."
Jeong Taeui thought about Richard's naivety, certainly not understanding the true meaning of
the word 'lover' when recalling the sexual activities he accidentally witnessed at the bar a few
days ago. It was more of a dominant-submissive relationship than love. It was debauchery.
Malik seemed surprised, blinking and staying silent for a moment. Then he spoke with an
embarrassed look.
"Oh... is that so? Sorry for the rude misunderstanding. I must have misheard."
This time Malik apologized with a confused face. Richard smiled kindly and shook his head.
Jeong Taeui hoped that Richard would let this go, or if he investigated the rumor, that he
wouldn't make Jeong Taeui the target.
...But.
Jeong Taeui looked at Malik with a friendly smile.
He was just surprised. Not just by the content of what was said, but also by the fact that
Malik knew about it.
It was a trivial rumor. Though unaware of how far it had spread, at least it hadn't gone
beyond the Tarten mansion.
If Malik knew about it, then he wasn't just a kind and cheerful person.
Well, the one who came here for the final negotiations certainly wasn't an easy person.
Jeong Taeui sighed lightly - "Hm." In any case, facing a difficult opponent was not a good
sign.
The atmosphere here was really uncomfortable. Perhaps because everyone was in an enclosed
space, only exhaling carbon dioxide, making the air stuffy.
Jeong Taeui decided to stand up to open the window, both to escape this discomfort a bit
when suddenly the door burst open without a knock.
Christoph – who he thought had found a reason to leave – walked in with strong steps.
"Christo..."
But before Jeong Taeui could call his name, Christoph smiled.
It was a natural smile. His eyes sparkled like a child's with genuine joy and happiness. And
surprisingly, that smile was directed at Richard.
Wait, Richard had just heard about that terrible rumor and denied it.But now, such a bright smile directed at Richard only increased the suspicion.
Jeong Taeui wanted to stop Christoph, but before he could stand up, Christoph had already
reached Richard.