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Iseul sat perfectly composed at the polished conference table, her poise unshaken, a delicate smile gracing her lips. She wore a tailored navy-blue dress—classy, refined. Investors filed in, exchanging warm greetings with her, their words laced with respect.

"Miss Lee, it's always a pleasure."

She nodded graciously, her polite charm unbreakable.

Then, the air shifted.

The doors opened, and a ripple of excitement passed through the room. One by one, they stood as if royalty had arrived.

"Mr. Park is here."

Sunghoon walked in, commanding the space without uttering a word. His sharp gray suit fit like it was made of shadows, dark and imposing. He barely glanced at the others—his eyes were on her.

Iseul didn't move. She stayed seated, her posture straight, her fingers lightly clasped. Only her eyes followed him, cool and measured, as he took his place at the head of the table.

For a moment, time stood still between them.

Sunghoon cleared his throat, breaking the spell. "Before we begin, I have an announcement." His voice, low and steady, carried a weight that made everyone listen.

"There's been a small change in leadership for the Daejeon project."

Iseul's brow furrowed ever so slightly, her instincts flaring.

"I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Seo Jihoon." He gestured to a tall, composed man stepping into the room. "He's led major corporate expansions and was instrumental in establishing my Seoul office. Effective immediately, he will be the Head of Affairs for the Daejeon branch."

Her smile froze.
Her heartbeat raced.

Her fingers tightened into a fist under the table as her mask of calm cracked for just a second before she steadied herself again.

Around her, murmurs of surprise rippled through the room.

"But we thought Mr. Jung would—"

One of the senior investors trailed off as eyes darted between Sunghoon and Iseul.

Iseul's voice sliced through the tension, smooth but sharp as a blade. "Mr. Park," she said, her tone deceptively sweet, "this wasn't part of the arrangement. Is Mr. Jung aware of this development?"

Sunghoon met her gaze head-on, unfazed. "He doesn't need to be. Mr. Seo is more experienced and far better equipped for the role."

The corners of her mouth curved into a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I see."

But inside, she was seething.

Another employee raised their hand, their voice bright with curiosity. "Miss Iseul, will you be staying here with us in Daejeon?"

Iseul opened her mouth to reply, her words poised on the tip of her tongue—but Sunghoon cut her off with the smoothness of a blade slicing through silk.

"No," he interjected, a pointed smile curving his lips. "Unfortunately, she won't be. We need Miss Iseul back in Seoul."

The muscles in Iseul's jaw tightened as her eyes snapped to his. Anger simmered beneath her composed exterior. She rose from her chair with deliberate grace, her smile sharp as glass. "Then my presence here is unnecessary. I'll take my leave."

Before anyone could react, she turned on her heel, her steps brisk and full of fury.

Sunghoon stayed long enough to deliver a few polite closing words before swiftly following her, his pulse quickening as he chased after her retreating figure. He knew she was furious.

"Iseul," he called, catching up just as they stepped into the empty corridor. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, halting her. "Why did you leave so fast?"

She yanked her hand away, her glare burning into him. "Sunghoon, you don't get to make decisions for me and for someone else!"

He didn't flinch. Instead, his eyes darkened with that maddeningly calm resolve. "Why do I always have to remind you that I'm your boss? I know Sungchan isn't capable of leading this project alone."

Iseul laughed bitterly, the sound sharp and cutting. "Then why am I the one leaving? I want to stay here. I want to do my job."

Sunghoon's jaw tensed. "We need you in Seoul. I need you."

Her breath hitched. Anger coursed through her veins as she stepped closer, eyes blazing. "Why would that matter to me?"

"Because," his voice dipped low, smooth and commanding, "I'm not just your employer. And I don't need to report anything to anyone—not Sungchan, not anyone else."

Her eyes rolled in pure defiance.

Sunghoon's smirk curled ever so slightly. "Deliver the infrastructure files tonight. We're having a meeting with the board at the hotel's restaurant."

Her nostrils flared, her fury barely contained. She drew herself up, venom dripping from her words. "Understood, Mr. Park."

She spun on her heels and stormed away, her hair whipping behind her like a furious storm.

Sunghoon stood there, watching her go, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips as his mind turned to the evening ahead. Tonight, he would have her undivided attention.

Iseul could't spend a minute longer in her room it felt suffocating so she went out for a walk. Wrapping her jacket closer around her shoulders, she breathed deeply, seeking solace in the cool breeze. Her heels clicked softly against the pavement as she wandered, her phone already in hand.

Scrolling to Chaeryoung's number, she tapped to call. The phone rang twice before a bright voice answered, bringing a spark of warmth into Iseul's otherwise chilly night.

"Iseul! Finally! I was just about to call you!" Chaeryoung's voice was a bubble of energy, a familiar comfort.

"I needed to hear your voice," Iseul confessed softly, her voice carrying a vulnerability she rarely let anyone hear.

"What's wrong? Did something happen at work again?" Chaeryoung asked, her concern immediate.

Iseul sighed, a breath of exhaustion slipping past her lips as she rested her back against a lamppost. "It's not work. Not really. It's... complicated."

"Ah. Complicated always means him." Chaeryoung's teasing tone tried to lighten the mood.

A bitter laugh escaped Iseul. "It's always him, isn't it? I'm so tired of him, Chae. God, I can't even stand to breathe the same air as Sunghoon. What does he want from me?!" She paused, biting her lip as her voice trembled with raw anger. "I hate him so much. So much I can't even describe it. What should I do? What does he want from me?!"

On the other end, Chaeryoung's laughter bubbled with mischief. "Girl, it's obvious. He wants your heart. I'm telling you, he probably orchestrated the whole thing with that plane trip—everything. Just to get you back."

Iseul scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "He can dream. Even if we were the last two humans on Earth, I still wouldn't forgive him—"

"Not even a little?"

"Not even a breath of forgiveness." Her lips curled into a bitter smirk. "Park Sunghoon can rot for all I care."

Behind her, hidden in the shadows of the tall garden hedge, Sunghoon leaned against a stone pillar, his arms crossed. The words she spoke should've stung, cut him like knives, but he stood there, a soft, amused smile playing on his lips.

She's furious. She's hurt. But she's thinking about me. He let the warmth of her anger wash over him like a balm—proof that she wasn't indifferent.

The smirk grew as he took a step forward, his footfall silent on the stone. She didn't notice.

Her breath quickened as she continued to pace. "What does he think I am? Some toy he can just toss aside and pick back up? Ugh, Chaeryoung, he smiles like he owns the world, and when he looks at me—" She faltered, her voice softening before tightening again. "When he looks at me, I feel like I'm suffocating."

"You love him."

"I—" Iseul paused, her heartbeat thundering. "No. I hate him."

"Same thing."

"You should've seen him today," she muttered, pacing with restless energy. "He came all dressed up, walking into the meeting like he owned the room—talking coolly, like always, but so arrogantly." She groaned and rubbed her temple. "And the hair... he actually styled it. He looked... Ugh, what am I even saying? Why are we talking about Sunghoon? I'll tell you everything tomorrow."

With a sigh, she ended the call and turned around—only to slam straight into a wall.

No, not a wall.

A chest.

Her breath caught as she stumbled back, eyes trailing upward until they met the amused, far-too-close face of Sunghoon.

Her heart jolted as his trademark grin curved slowly, dangerously.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped, her voice loud and full of indignation.

His eyes sparkled with shameless amusement. "I changed. But if you'd prefer, I can wear that shirt again—it seems you liked it."

Her eyes narrowed to slits, heat rising in her cheeks. "Were you eavesdropping on me?"

"No." He chuckled, unbothered. "I just happened to pass by."

Her brow arched. "Then did you hear how much I hate you?"

"Nope." He leaned lazily against the wall, gaze never leaving her. "Luckily, I missed that part." A smirk tugged at his lips. "Wouldn't want to hear it anyway."

"You have a terrible habit of not listening to full stories before making your own assumptions. It's like proposing to someone based on a misunderstanding." Her voice dropped, laced with venom. "Should I be worried you're about to propose again? Maybe this time to someone you just met?"

The smirk slipped from Sunghoon's face. His shoulders tensed, guilt flashing in his eyes as he looked away.

Her lips curled with bitter satisfaction. She wasn't done.

"Ah, wait," she added, her voice dripping with false realization. "You can't propose to anyone else right now. You're already engaged, aren't you?"

"Iseul—"

"What, Sunghoon?" She cut him off, her tone cold. "I have nothing to talk about with you. And next time? Don't eavesdrop on me."

Before he could speak, she whirled on her heel and stormed away, her steps quick, her chest tight, as if running could erase the heat of his gaze—or the ache of old wounds he had long since left behind.

Meanwhile, across town, Yejin and Minjae had, for once, found common ground—neither of them supported Yeji and Sohee's new friendship. The mere idea of becoming in-laws again made their stomachs churn.

Yejin sat calmly in the living room, her eyes sharp as she stared at Sohee, who was seated across from her, looking both curious and defiant.

"There's a lot you don't know about Yeji," Yejin said, her voice serious. "Things that'll make you reconsider liking her."

Sohee's brows lifted, his curiosity piqued. "Like what?"

"She snores."

He blinked in disbelief, a laugh bubbling in his throat. "Yeji? Your cute, graceful daughter? No way."

"I swear on everything holy, she snores," Yejin declared with conviction. "And it's very... unladylike snoring."

Sohee chuckled and shook his head. "No. Yeji is so elegant, she doesn't snore. She probably breathes like a fairy in her sleep."

"What are you, enchanted? I raised her—she snores like a lumberjack, Sohee. Loud. With sound effects."

Sohee smirked, leaning forward. "I don't believe you."

Yejin narrowed her eyes, her hands waving dramatically in the air. "Are you calling me a liar? She's my daughter!"

While Yejin was struggling with Sohee, Minaje was grappling with Yeji. They sat across from each other in the restaurant, sipping tea, when Minaje muttered, "Sohee is so stupid. The salt shaker is more useful than he is."

"Don't say that, Auntie," Yeji replied, her tone gentle but firm. "I can see that Sohee works hard at this restaurant."

Meanwhile, back at the park house, Yejin sighed. "She's boring. Yeji, I mean. She barely talks, never jokes, and never smiles. She's nothing like her mother."

Sohee, who had been quietly listening, smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes, she's not like you. I like stubborn women."

Minaje, still in the restaurant with Yeji, sighed deeply. "Yeji, I'm sorry. We promised Tohru we'd get them engaged. You have to stay away from him."

"Auntie, you should've come up with a better excuse. That one isn't convincing," Yeji said, not hiding her frustration.

"That's because you don't believe anything I tell you."

Yeji frowned, crossing her arms. "That's because I know who Sohee is. He's my..." she hesitated, then almost let it slip.

"He's your what?" Minaje asked, her curiosity piqued.

"He's my... really good friend," Yeji finished quickly, her words a hurried, nervous attempt at a lie.

And with that, she stood up, leaving the restaurant in a hurry, her thoughts racing.

Yejin peeked around to make sure her daughter left, then rushed over to Minaje and sat down. "Tell me everything!"

Minaje sighed dramatically. "Yejin, sister, your daughter doesn't have enough self-love. I've told her so many things about Sohee that would send any woman running, and she's still not budging."

Yejin shook her head. "Same with your son! I almost disowned my daughter with all the secrets, but he's not backing off either. What's going on with these kids?"

Minaje leaned back, her face serious. "We need a Plan C."

Yejin raised an eyebrow. "Plan C? What's that? What do we do?"

Minaje paused, pretending to think. "I'll... think about it. It'll come to me."

I realized you guys have been reading angst for these pqst 20 chps so I thought you needed a comdeic relief