Chapter 31:

Scarlet sat down beside Ha-Joon as he immediately leaned into her, resting his chin on her shoulder. He still looked exhausted, his body heavy with the lingering effects of last night's drinks. Meanwhile, Aaira settled beside Sung-Hoon, who sighed heavily before handing her their baby.

"Here, take him," Sung-Hoon muttered, rubbing his tired eyes.

Aaira took the baby with practice ease, adjusting the milk feeder in his tiny mouth as he dozed off mid-sip. Scarlet glanced over and chuckled. "What's up with him? So lazy in the morning?"

Aaira sighed, shaking her head. "Ahh... him. He didn't sleep last night. Neither did he let anyone else sleep."

Scarlet let out a soft laugh, watching the tiny baby nestled against Aaira's chest. His tiny fingers twitched slightly, and his face scrunched as if he were still dreaming.

Sung-Hoon groaned. "Tell me about it. I thought I was done with sleepless nights in my 30s. Turns out, I just signed up for a lifetime of them." He yawned, resting his chin on his palm.

Ha-Joon hummed, still attached to Scarlet, arms lazily draped around her waist as he nuzzled against her shoulder. "I sleep fine," he murmured.

Scarlet rolled her eyes. "That's because you're a heavy sleeper. If a storm hit this house, you'd probably still be snoring."

Ha-Joon chuckled, pressing a kiss against her shoulder. "Good thing I have you to wake me up, then."

Scarlet ignored the warmth creeping up her neck and instead focused on her food. Across the table, Ha-Neul's grip on his spoon tightened. He kept mumbling under his breath, "They're husband and wife. They're husband and wife. I shouldn't be the one reacting."

Yet, despite his efforts, his jaw clenched every time Ha-Joon leaned in a little too close to Scarlet. He stabbed at his food, trying to focus on something, anything, other than the sight before him. Mrs. Wi and Mrs. Kang exchanged glances but said nothing.

Mr. Wi also remained silent, though he subtly took another spoonful of the soup Scarlet had made. No compliments were given, but they weren't complaining either. That, in itself, was a small victory. Aaira smirked, sensing the tension. She nudged Sung-Hoon, whispering, "This is more entertaining than a drama."

Sung-Hoon, still half-asleep, just grunted. "Mmm. Less talking, more eating."

Ha-Joon finally lifted his head and stretched. "By the way," he began, "in the evening, there's an important meeting. Both Scarlet and Ha-Neul need to be there."

Scarlet raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

Ha-Joon nodded. "As CEO of our fashion company, your presence is highly recommended. The meeting involves some major investors."

Ha-Neul, who had been trying his best not to react to Ha-Joon's excessive clinging, looked up. "And me?"

Ha-Joon smirked. "The meeting is also about your hotel project. Since you're handling it, you'll need to be present."

Ha-Neul gave a slow nod, his eyes flickering toward Scarlet for a brief moment before he went back to eating. Mrs. Wi took a sip of her tea. "I assume the investors are from abroad?"

Ha-Joon nodded. "Yes. Some high-profile clients. We need to make a good impression."

Mrs. Wi finally spoke. "Then I hope everything goes smoothly. It's important for the family reputation."

Scarlet didn't miss the way she emphasized family reputation. She could hear the unspoken words, don't embarrass us. She simply smiled, nodding politely. "Of course. I'll make sure everything is handled well."

Ha-joon looked at Scarlet, his expression unreadable. "Good."

Scarlet held back a sigh. Even though they clearly liked the food, even though they weren't criticizing her efforts, they still refused to openly acknowledge it. Once breakfast was over, Sung-Hoon stretched, yawning again. "Alright, I'm done. Time to take this little troublemaker upstairs for a nap."

Aaira handed him the baby, who was now fully asleep. Sung-Hoon carefully adjusted the little boy against his chest, standing up. "See you guys later."

Scarlet watched as he left the dining room first, leaving her with Ha-Joon's family. She straightened her posture. Ha-Joon leaned in again. "I need a nap too."

Scarlet sighed, pushing him off. "No. You need to get ready for work."

Ha-Joon pouted. "But I have a headache."

Scarlet smirked. "Not my problem."

Ha-Neul scoffed under his breath, shaking his head. "Unbelievable."

Scarlet turned toward him, raising an eyebrow. "What?"

Ha-Neul looked away. "Nothing."

Mrs. Wi folded her hands neatly in her lap. "Scarlet, since you're attending the meeting tonight, I expect you to wear something appropriate."

Scarlet nodded. "I always do."

Mrs. Kang added, "And do remember, image is everything."

Scarlet gave a polite smile. "Of course."

Inside, she felt slightly drained. No matter what she did, it was never quite enough for them. But she wouldn't let it show. Ha-Joon, however, noticed. He squeezed her hand under the table. "Ignore them," he whispered.

Scarlet just smiled. "I'm used to it."

Ha-Neul watched them quietly, gripping his fork just a little too tightly. The day had only just begun,but, Scarlet already knew the real challenges were yet to come.

***

Scarlet finished her final touches, dark eyeliner that sharpened her already striking features, a soft mauve lipstick, and a delicate hint of perfume that smelled of lilies and cedarwood. She adjusted the belt of her deep purple Chester coat suit, its tailored fit hugging her form in all the right ways.

The long boots, sleek with their high pencil heels, clicked against the floor as she moved. The outfit wasn't just a statement; it was armor. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the dressing room, her gaze immediately meeting Ha-Joon's. He sat lazily on the bed, his tie still loose, watching her with an intensity that made her pause.

"You're staring," she pointed out.

Ha-Joon smirked. "Can't help it." He stood, closing the distance between them. His fingers traced the belt of her coat before he leaned down, pressing a kiss just below her jaw. "You look..." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Dangerous."

Scarlet chuckled, adjusting his tie properly. "Then let's hope the investors think the same."

Just as she tightened the knot, a knock sounded at the door. Ha-Neul's voice followed shortly after. "We need to leave."

Scarlet stepped back, ignoring the way Ha-Joon's fingers twitched as if he wanted to pull her back. Instead, she walked ahead, her heels clicking against the polished floors as they made their way downstairs. Ha-Neul was already waiting, dressed in a crisp navy suit, his usual stern expression in place.

The ride to Silken Crimson Threads was quiet. Scarlet sat in the backseat beside Ha-Joon, while Ha-Neul took his place in the front beside Thomas, Ha-Joon's secretary.

The luxury car moved smoothly through the city streets, but inside, tension brewed. Scarlet could feel Ha-Neul's lingering gaze from the front mirror, though he never said a word. Ha-Joon, on the other hand, had his arm casually draped around her, his fingers tapping lightly against her sleeve.

When they arrived at the company's headquarters, the grand building stood tall, its modern glass exterior reflecting the city's evening lights. Scarlet exhaled slowly. No matter how many times she stepped into these meetings, the weight of expectation never lessened.

As they entered the main lobby, Christine, Scarlet's secretary, practically lit up at the sight of her. "Ma'am!" She rushed over, an excited smile on her face. "I missed you."

Scarlet gave a small smile in return. "Likewise."

Christine's eyes flickered to Ha-Joon and Ha-Neul before she quickly composed herself. "The investors should be arriving soon. Everything is set up in the conference room."

Scarlet nodded. "Good. Let's go."

The conference room exuded elegance, marble floors, a long polished table, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the city skyline. Scarlet took her place at the head of the table, with Ha-Joon on her right and Ha-Neul on her left.

Moments later, the investors arrived, three men and one woman, all sharply dressed and exuding the kind of power that came with wealth. Formal greetings were exchanged, and soon, the meeting commenced.

The discussions began smoothly. The investors had been considering a collaboration between Silken Crimson Threads and Ha-Neul's luxury hotel project. Fashion and hospitality are often intertwined, and an exclusive partnership could benefit both industries. As expected, the investors directed most of their questions toward Ha-Neul and Scarlet.

"Miss Rogers," one of the men, Mr. Laurent, spoke, but as scarlet reacted, Ha-neul darted a glance at her way. Why was the inventor calling her miss, when she was Mrs. Wi? "if this collaboration proceeds, we'd like to ensure that your designs align with the atmosphere of Mr. Kang's hotels. Would you be open to making modifications to suit the aesthetic?" the investor continued.

Scarlet straightened slightly. "I am always open to adjustments that enhance a partnership. However, Silken Crimson Threads has a distinct signature. I wouldn't compromise our identity."

Mr. Laurent nodded, pleased. "That's exactly the balance we're looking for."

Another investor, Ms. Cho, glanced at Ha-Neul. "Mr. Kang, what are your thoughts? Would your hotel's image allow for such creative freedom?"

Ha-Neul leaned forward, his fingers interlaced. "Scarlet's designs are renowned for their elegance and exclusivity. That's exactly the kind of branding my hotels require. I have no issue with her maintaining her vision. We'll fine-tune the details."

Scarlet turned her head slightly, surprised by his quick support. Their gazes met for a fleeting second before she looked away. Ha-Joon, however, noticed. His jaw tightened. As the discussions deepened, Scarlet and Ha-Neul were forced to interact more closely, exchanging opinions, reviewing design samples, and discussing logistics.

At one point, Scarlet leaned over to show him a proposed collection on her tablet. Ha-Joon's fingers twitched against the table. He had remained patient so far, but the sight of Scarlet and Ha-Neul talking in low, focused tones, their heads slightly tilted toward each other, grated on his nerves.

"Scarlet," he finally interrupted, his voice deceptively light, "do you need me to step in?"

Scarlet glanced at him, arching an eyebrow. "For what?"

Ha-Joon smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You two seem... absorbed."

Ha-Neul exhaled sharply, his expression unreadable. "This is a business discussion, Hyung."

The tension in the room shifted. The investors exchanged subtle glances but remained silent. Scarlet sighed, shifting back in her seat. "We're just finalizing details. Let's focus."

Ha-Joon forced himself to lean back, though his grip on his pen tightened. He knew this was business. He knew there was nothing between them. But it didn't stop the irritation bubbling beneath his skin.

The meeting continued with contract discussions and presentation reviews. The investors seemed impressed, and everything was proceeding smoothly, until Mr. Laurent posed a question that stirred an unexpected reaction.

"Miss Rogers, Mr. Wi, have you and Mr. Kang collaborated before? Your dynamic suggests a familiarity beyond mere business."

Ha-joon blinked. "We've worked on a few projects in the past, but this would be our first large-scale collaboration."

Scarlet smiled, as she said, "It's my first time working with Mr. Kang."

Ha-Neul's lips pressed into a thin line, his posture stiffening. He said nothing. Mr. Laurent chuckled. "Interesting. Your understanding of each other's work is rather... seamless."

Ha-Joon clenched his jaw. Scarlet chose her words carefully. "We're professionals. Understanding our partner's work is necessary."

Ha-Neul remained silent, though his fingers drummed lightly against the table. The rest of the meeting proceeded without further interruptions, but the underlying tension remained. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the investors stood, shaking hands with each of them. "This was productive," Mr. Laurent said. "We'll review the details and get back to you shortly."

With that, they left. The moment the doors closed, Ha-Joon stood up abruptly. "I need a drink." His tone was clipped.

Scarlet exhaled, pinching the bridge of her nose. "No. Ha-joon you're not drinking."

Without waiting for a response, he strode out of the room. Ha-Neul remained seated, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "You handled that well."

Scarlet glanced at him, tired. "Thanks."

Ha-neul frowned as he said, "Why were they calling you miss rogers, rather than Mrs.. Wi?"

Scarlet stopped, "because I'm not married." she thought to herself. But she quickly smiled and said. "Because we haven't disclosed our relationship to the public."

Ha-neul only nodded, before saying. "If that's what you say."

Scarlet blinked at Ha-Neul's words, studying his expression. It was unreadable, calm, as if he were merely making a business proposition. But there was something in his eyes, a flicker of something deeper, something unspoken.

"If you're comfortable," Ha-Neul continued, "let's see your design process in real life."

Scarlet hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Alright. Follow me."

She turned and led the way, her heels clicking against the polished marble floors of Silken Crimson Threads. Ha-Neul walked beside her, his hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze forward. He said nothing, but Scarlet could feel his presence, heavy yet restrained, as though he were holding back something.

They walked through a long corridor lined with glass walls, giving a glimpse into various departments, fabric selection, quality control, and digital renderings of upcoming designs. Finally, they reached the production room, a vast space filled with designers and seamstresses working diligently.

Scarlet greeted the head of the department before gesturing toward a long table covered in sketches, fabric swatches, and embroidery samples.

"These," she said, sliding a folder toward Ha-Neul, "are the designs my team has been working on for your hotel's exclusive collection and the staff uniforms."

Ha-Neul reached for the folder, flipping through the pages. His sharp eyes scanned each design, sophisticated, elegant, yet practical. Every single one carried Scarlet's distinct touch. He knew these weren't just her team's work. These were her designs.

"You drew these?" he asked, lifting his gaze to hers.

Scarlet nodded. "Yes. My team is bringing them to life, but the core concept, the foundation, it's mine."

Ha-Neul hummed, his attention drifting away from the sketches. Instead, he focused on Scarlet's voice, the way it softened when she talked about her work, the passion in her words. He watched as she moved, tucking a loose strand of black hair behind her ear, flipping through another set of pages, her fingers tracing the lines of her own sketches.

He barely registered what she was saying. He was too caught up in watching her. Scarlet, unaware of his distraction, continued explaining the intricate details of the collection, the embroidery inspired by classic European motifs, the modern yet timeless cuts, the use of premium fabrics meant to reflect the luxury of Ha-Neul's hotel.

Midway through her explanation, she paused. "Ha-Neul."

He blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Hm?"

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Can I ask you a favor?"

His eyes searched hers before he gave a small nod. "Go ahead."

Scarlet exhaled. "Whatever happened in the past... can we let it be the past?"

Ha-Neul stiffened. He knew exactly what she meant. The moment he had proposed to her, without knowing she was already married to Ha-Joon, had left an undeniable rift between them. She had rejected him, not because she didn't care for him, but because she had already belonged to someone else.

And ever since then, things have been... awkward. Unspoken tension always lingered between them, and Ha-Joon never failed to remind him of where Scarlet stood. Ha-Neul's fingers curled around the edge of the table. His jaw clenched slightly. Then, after a long pause, he nodded. "Alright."

Scarlet smiled faintly, a soft breath of relief leaving her lips. Neither of them noticed the camera in the corner of the room blinking red.

***

Inside his office, Ha-Joon watched everything through the CCTV feed. He had been nursing a cup of coffee, resisting the temptation of alcohol, but now, his grip tightened around the mug. His eyes flicked between the CCTV screen on his desk and the glossy exterior of his office. He knew exactly where Scarlet was: in the design room with Ha-Neul. His fingers tightened around the coffee cup, the porcelain cool against his heated grip.

Through the camera, he could see Scarlet walking confidently, leading Ha-Neul through the production room. She was so poised, so assured, explaining everything with that calm, collected air of hers that had first drawn him to her. But now, it only irritated him. Every word she spoke, every gesture, felt like a signal to Ha-Neul.

"씨발, 저 새끼 또 뭐냐?" (Shit, what the hell is that guy doing?) Ha-Joon muttered under his breath. His eyes narrowed as Ha-Neul, followed her with a gaze that was entirely too focused for Ha-Joon's liking. He could see the subtle interest flicker in Ha-Neul's eyes, something that felt too personal.

Ha-Joon's irritation grew when Ha-Neul reached for one of the design folders that Scarlet had just handed him. The way he handled the papers, almost reverently, made Ha-Joon's blood boil. He could picture Ha-Neul's cool, indifferent smile, his calculated gaze drinking in the details, lingering on Scarlet.

"그 새끼...자꾸 내 레드를 그렇게 쳐다보는 걸 봐라." (That bastard... watching my red like that again.) Ha-Joon's voice was low, a dangerous edge to it as he leaned forward. He could practically feel the tension building, the moment that would inevitably come when Ha-Neul would push too far.

In the footage, Ha-Neul looked up at Scarlet after studying the sketches, his voice steady. "You drew these?"

Scarlet nodded, completely unaware of the emotions stirring within Ha-Joon as he watched. "Yes, my team is bringing them to life, but the core concept, the foundation, it's mine."

Ha-Joon's teeth clenched. The way Ha-Neul's gaze lingered on Scarlet, it was far too admirable. Ha-Joon could tell that Ha-Neul wasn't just appreciating her work. He was looking at her. Really looking at her.

"그 새끼 또 뭐야?" (What the hell is that bastard doing now?) Ha-Joon hissed, his grip tightening on the teacup until it threatened to crack.

The conversation continued, with Scarlet explaining the details of the collection, but Ha-Joon couldn't focus on her words. His mind was consumed by the image of Ha-Neul watching her every move, listening to her every word as if he were hanging on to her. His jealousy bubbled over.

"지금 당장 나가서 그 새끼를 쥐어박아야겠어." (I should go out and punch that bastard right now.) Ha-Joon muttered darkly, his gaze shifted to the skyline from the window.

As he look back at the screen, he saw Ha-Neul's indifferent face, his gaze still fixed on Scarlet.

"이 새끼 진짜... 하준 씨, 화를 참으세요. 나는 하늘을 진심으로 싫어한다." (This bastard... Ha-joon please try to control your anger. I genuinely hate ha-neul.) Ha-Joon muttered, scowling. He could feel the heat rising in his chest, the jealousy almost suffocating him.

His sharp eyes focused on the way Ha-Neul looked at Scarlet, the way he seemed lost in her presence. Then, when Scarlet asked him for a favor, Ha-Joon's grip on the mug grew even tighter. "Past?" he asked himself. "What past?"

Ha-Joon didn't even realize he had slammed his mug onto the desk until the sharp sound echoed through his office. Thomas, who had just walked in with some files, flinched. "Sir?"

Ha-joon held his temples as Thomas just glared at him with side eyes, trying to process what was wrong with his boss ? But Ha-Joon was already standing. His movements were sharp, impatient.

"여기서 그냥 보고만 있을 수 없겠다." (I can't just watch this anymore.) He growled under his breath, moving swiftly toward the door of his office.

Ha-Joon's eyes narrowed as he reached for his jacket, determination setting in. He was going to make sure Ha-Neul learned the hard way that no one got to have his Scarlet. Not even him. Without another word, he stormed out of his office and made his way toward the design room.

***

Back in the production room... Ha-Neul had just nodded in response to Scarlet's words when the door swung open. Ha-Joon stepped in, his presence demanding attention. He walked straight to Scarlet, placing a firm hand on her waist as he stood beside her, exuding confidence. "See?" he said, his tone was light but pointed. "How talented my Red is."

Scarlet gave him a look. "Umm..."

He ignored her, picking up one of her sketches and showing it to Ha-Neul, his smirk evident. "A masterpiece, isn't it?"

Ha-Neul's lips pressed into a thin line. Ha-Joon wasn't talking about the designs. He was talking about Scarlet. Scarlet shifted slightly, uncomfortable with the sudden tension. "Ha-Joon, stop... not here."

But Ha-Joon wasn't done. He leaned in closer to Scarlet, his grip on her waist tightening just slightly as he brushed a kiss against her temple. "I'm proud of you," he murmured, but it was loud enough for Ha-Neul to hear.

Scarlet let out a small sigh, not in the mood for his antics. "Ha-Joon."

Ha-Neul's fingers curled into fists at his sides. He knew exactly what Ha-Joon was doing. And worse? It was working. The tightness in his chest grew unbearable, and before he could stop himself, he turned on his heel.

"I have some calls to make," he muttered before heading toward the door.

Scarlet frowned, watching him leave, but before she could follow, Ha-Joon pulled her back, his fingers tracing down her arm. "Forget him," he said smoothly. "You have more important things to focus on."

But Ha-Neul wasn't going to the office. He was going to the men's bathroom. Inside, he turned on the sink and splashed cold water onto his face. The icy sensation did nothing to cool the fire burning inside him. He gripped the edges of the sink, staring at his reflection in the mirror.

His breaths were heavy and uneven. No matter how much he tried to ignore it, no matter how much he told himself that Scarlet belonged to Ha-Joon... It didn't change the fact that it hurt to see them together. And Ha-Joon knew it.

With one final splash of water, Ha-Neul straightened, inhaling deeply. He needed to compose himself before he went back outside. Because no matter what... He refused to let Ha-Joon win.