Chapter 20: Dressing the Hound

Cha Seon-yeop stared blankly at the mysterious delivery box sitting in front of his gate. He certainly wasn’t expecting any packages, yet the box clearly bore his address and name. A foreboding sensation crept over him, but he picked it up anyway, trying to reassure himself. After all, he was no longer a “dead man,” nor was he being chased by debt collectors anymore.

Rrip.

He peeled off the tape and opened the lid. When he saw the contents, Seon-yeop gasped, his strength failing as he collapsed right where he stood.

Thud.

The object that rolled out of the box onto the ground was an inhaler—the kind used by asthma patients. It was the exact same model that the boy he had kidnapped twenty-four years ago had been desperately searching for.

“Mister, please. Without that, my sister… she’ll really be in trouble. Please save her. Please… just this once…”

The expression of the young boy pleading with him remained vivid in his memory.

Seon-yeop’s face turned deathly pale as he trembled like a leaf. It meant that somewhere, someone who remembered that horrific past was watching him. It made his skin crawl.

After sitting in a daze for a long time like a madman, he suddenly scrambled to his feet and fumbled through his pockets. He pulled out his phone and frantically dialed a number.

— “Yes, Dad.”

Hearing Hyeonseo’s calm voice through the receiver finally allowed him to let out a breath of relief. Fortunately, nothing had happened to his daughter. He squeezed his eyes shut.

— “Hello? Dad?”

“Yes, Hyeonseo.”

It was all his fault. He knew this was the karma of his own pathetic and foolish actions. Because of the wrong choices he had made in his youth, not only his life but the life of his young daughter had been dragged into the abyss.

He had already burdened her with billions in debt, forcing her to struggle alone because of her worthless father; he could not let her be threatened like this now. Never.

“I just called because I was worried about you, wondering if you were doing okay.”

He picked up the inhaler rolling on the ground and shoved it deep into a trash bag.

“As you can see, the issue of securing shares is no longer a concern. However, Assemblyman Ahn Seong-tae seems to plan on moving aggressively. Given the circumstances, he appears quite tense. I intend to manage this carefully to ensure no issues arise and to keep Chairman Jo or Jo Seong-ho from noticing any movement.”

A woman in a formal navy suit dress stood before a small screen. Her attire was elegant and modest, yet the tailored design traced the slender lines of her body.

Her frame, which he had thought was merely small and thin, actually possessed curves. The delicate neckline led down to a bust that seemed unexpectedly full for her slender build, followed by the curve of a narrow waist and hips. It was a silhouette that harmonized strangely well with her clear, innocent face.

“Next is the status of last week’s futures trading.”

Because of her usual stiff office wear—mufflers wrapped high enough to cover half her face, and coats or jackets worn as if to hide her skin—he hadn’t noticed her figure. Or perhaps the problem was that his gaze had always stopped at her face, never venturing further down.

Jeonghyeok let out a small, airy huff and tilted his head slightly. This was pathetic. He was actually spacing out, ogling a woman.

Sensing the blatant observation directed at her, Hyeonseo paused her briefing. She glanced at him, wondering if she had made another mistake or offended him again.

Instead of a sharp critique, a relaxed question followed.

“Have you reviewed the conditions proposed by Jo Seong-ho?”

“Yes. In terms of current market cap, it’s a fairly decent proposal. However, considering various variables and potential additional profits, it still falls short of the returns we anticipate in our original plan.”

“Well, he’s just talking out of his ass because he doesn’t know what cards we’re holding yet.”

He nodded as if he already knew everything. It was simply a matter of timing—when to reveal their hand and put the blade to Jo Seong-ho’s throat. They had to play their cards at the most threatening moment so that a terrified Jo Seong-ho would lose his cool and bet everything he had in a fit of fear and rage.

“That is all.”

Finishing her portion of the briefing, Hyeonseo clicked her heels and returned to her seat. The lights in the conference room flickered on, and the staff members, who had been sitting in tension, stole glances at Jeonghyeok. They were worried about whether the meeting would actually end on time or if a fresh round of razor-sharp reprimands was coming.

“Let’s wrap it up here for today.”

Unexpected words flowed from Jeonghyeok’s mouth. Feeling as though he needed to give an excuse to those who looked hopeful, he continued.

“There’s a charity event hosted by Eunsung this evening. I have to attend.”

The staff sighed in relief, unable to hide the smiles that broke out at the rare prospect of early liberation. One by one, they gathered their tablets and documents and left.

As Hyeonseo stood up and packed her things, a low voice echoed from the head of the table.

“Are you all ready for the event?”

Hyeonseo had been sweating under Jeonghyeok’s gaze, which had been scanning her throughout the meeting and even now. He had the nerve to ask her if staring was a habit, yet he was the one looking at her so intensely. She truly couldn’t understand this man’s intentions.

Hyeonseo clutched her file to her chest and slowly looked up to answer.

“Yes. I’ve emailed you the basic personal information, tendencies, and relationships with Chairman Jo for the creditors attending today. I’ll give you a brief summary in the car on the way—”

“Not that.”

Hyeonseo blinked, confused. In moments like this, she didn’t look like a prickly cat, but a gentle rabbit. He wondered just how many masks this woman wore.

“If there’s any other material or something else you need, please let me know.”

Jeonghyeok rose leisurely, his long legs bringing him right in front of her. With one hand shoved deep into his pocket, he looked down at her. Her face remained innocent, still not understanding a word he meant.

“You’re going to see the man who broke off his engagement with you get engaged to someone else.”

“……”

“I’m asking if you’ve prepared yourself mentally.”

Only then did her pink lips part slightly.

“Preparation… is unnecessary. I intend to focus only on work. I’m sure Director Jo In-ho feels the same.”

“You seem very confident.”

He smirked, staring directly into her eyes. Her gaze was filled with a resolve that seemed determined to prove her innocence. It was quite bold.

“The parties involved might be fine, but the people around you will poke and prod. That place is a gathering for every person in Korea who loves to gossip.”

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t care.”

There she goes again, acting tough.

He had planned to tell her she didn’t have to go if it was uncomfortable. Things were progressing better than expected, and they already had the shares of the major creditors, so there was no absolute need for her to attend such an awkward event.

But what could he do? She claimed it didn’t matter; she said she didn’t care. His concern that she might get hurt felt entirely misplaced.

“Fine, then. Come down to the lobby when it’s time.”

“Yes. I’ll see you then.”

He brushed past her as she gave a slight bow and exited the conference room. He had only taken a few steps when a sudden worry crossed his mind, causing him to turn back. Hyeonseo, who was following behind, stopped abruptly.

“But surely…”

She looked at him with rabbit-like eyes again, wondering what was wrong now.

“You’re not going like that, are you?”

“Pardon?”

Jeonghyeok’s long finger moved as if scanning her from top to bottom.

“I’m asking if you plan to go exactly as you are.”

He didn’t need an answer. Her flustered expression told him everything. She looked as if she truly didn’t see the problem.

“I can’t tell if you’re overflowing with confidence or just plain dense,” he let out a hollow laugh.

“Are you referring to my outfit?”

“What else would it be?”

“I’m not a guest going to enjoy the party; I’m going there to work. I thought this was neat enough to accompany the Director—”

“Why bother? You might as well just wear a nun’s habit.”

Hyeonseo bit her lip and looked down at her clothes, her eyes still signaling that she didn’t understand.

“This isn’t your first time attending a corporate event, Cha Hyeonseo. Have you noticed nothing while working? Do you know what kind of treatment you’ll get if you go dressed ‘neatly’ like that? Especially at your ex-boyfriend’s engagement party.”

“……”

“In the eyes of those gossips, you won’t be a ‘neat’ lawyer. You’ll just be a ‘pitiful’ woman who looks miserable and full of regret after being dumped. Do you understand?”

This man truly has no idea how to phrase things kindly, she thought.

“Then what should I do? Should I go home and change?”

Her reaction—staring back at him with defiant eyes—was quite entertaining.

“Follow me.”

The corners of his mouth curled up as he turned away.

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