Chapter 21: The Predator and the Prey

Hyeonseo stared blankly at her reflection.

It was a deep, saturated violet dress. It was an off-the-shoulder design that fully revealed the curves of her shoulders and collarbone, with a tight fit that hugged her from her narrow waist down to her calves. It was a far cry from her usual taste—the neutral-toned, unassuming office look.

Did he really think something like this would suit me?

To her own eyes, she looked utterly awkward and out of place. She worried that instead of looking elegant, she would simply look like a joke in clothes that didn’t fit her personality.

After hesitating for a long time, she finally stepped out of the dressing room. Every fiber of her being wanted to change back into her own clothes, but out of respect for the effort he had made to bring her here, she decided to show herself.

The lighting in the personal shopper room was blindingly bright. Jeonghyeok, who had been leaning back on the sofa staring at a tablet, didn’t move his head; he merely flicked his eyes upward to scan her.

“This style is… a bit much for me…”

As she spoke, trying to look away from his uncomfortably persistent gaze, he stood up and approached her, bringing with him a thick scent of sandalwood and skin musk. He reached for the accessory display the shopper had prepared.

“You pull off bold colors better than I expected.”

He held up a few pairs of earrings, narrowing his eyes as he gauged them against her face. Hyeonseo felt her face heat up. Standing there like a mannequin while he decided which accessories suited her best made her feel like a doll being played with.

“Let’s go with these. She won’t need any other jewelry.”

He picked out a pair of bold, gold earrings and handed them to the waiting shopper.

“And those heels.”

With a single, lazy gesture, the shopper sprang into action. They presented the items to Hyeonseo—designs she would never, in a million years, have chosen for herself.

“Director Seo.”

Determined to put a stop to this, she called his name.

“I don’t think all of this is necessary.”

“What isn’t?”

“This feels excessive. As I said, I’m not going there for fun; I’m going for work. I’m attending as your assistant, and I think this outfit is far too conspicuous.”

“You received a separate invitation too, didn’t you, Cha Hyeonseo?”

“That’s…”

“And besides, nobody goes to these events just to have a good time. Everyone is there for business.”

“Even so, it’s a burden. It’s not a style I can easily pull off. I appreciate the concern, but—”

“If you’re grateful, just do as I say. I prefer my staff to be overly conspicuous rather than looking frumpy. As you know, I enjoy being the center of attention.”

He rubbed his sharp jawline, offering a joke that sounded more like nonsense. The rings on his long fingers caught the light, glinting sharply.

Looking at him, she realized his tastes were the polar opposite of hers. While she preferred what he called “nun-like and frumpy” simplicity, Seo Jeonghyeok had a taste for flawless, lavish luxury. And the frustrating part was that it suited him perfectly.

He wore a potentially overwhelming herringbone three-piece suit with natural ease, and he made a standard black tie look incredibly sophisticated. Even with the large watch and cufflinks drawing the eye, the collar pin beneath his tie lent this predatory man an air of asceticism—a total illusion, she was sure.

He truly is a strange man.

Having no choice, she put on the shoes and accessories. Just as she expected, they were uncomfortable. As she stood there stiffly, her eyes met his in the mirror as he continued to examine her.

“You should think about changing your everyday style. This suits you perfectly. Except for the fact that the exposure is a bit much, maybe.”

Behind her, he leaned against a wall with his arms crossed, his head tilted at a leisurely angle.

“Unfortunately, it’s not my taste,” she retorted.

“Fortunately, it’s mine, so it’s fine.”

“I’m the one wearing it, but I feel like my preferences are being completely ignored.”

“Your preferences are the kind I feel like ignoring permanently.”

This man, seriously…

“I can guarantee you that my eye for aesthetics is far superior to yours. I was born with a certain sense of beauty.”

The conversation ended, as usual, with his staggering narcissism. It was vintage Seo Jeonghyeok.

“Dressed like this, you have the kind of beauty that could bewitch quite a few people.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“Why would I?”

His eyes blinked slowly, showing not a hint of compromise. It was his way of saying her opinion on wearing something more modest wouldn’t even be considered. Eventually, she let out a small, defeated sigh. She was a fool for starting a fight she could never win.

As expected, the stars of the event were Jo Inho and his fiancée, Ahn Seyeong. The charity event was merely an excuse to highlight the couple’s modest engagement ceremony. Consequently, the guests were dressed to the nines.

Hyeonseo realized that if she had come in her original clothes, she would have stood out—in the worst way. She would have been the subject of gossip about how the assistant to Goldstone’s ‘Ryan Seo’ showed up in an outfit that didn’t meet the TPO (Time, Place, Occasion).

Should I thank him? Hyeonseo stole a glance at Jeonghyeok. He was currently greeting creditors they hadn’t yet secured, exchanging pleasantries with a skill that was both sly and masterful. Thanks to him, she didn’t have much to do. She just had to stand behind him and keep her place.

“Well, look who it is. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

A familiar woman’s voice drifted over. It was Yang Jaesuk. At the unwelcome appearance, Hyeonseo hid her expression and gave a slight bow.

“Hello, Madam.”

“Dressed like this, Lawyer Cha looks like a completely different person.”

Even at the hollow compliment, Hyeonseo could only offer a thin smile, still feeling the weight of the clothes that didn’t feel like hers.

“It’s been a while, Director Yang.”

Fortunately, Jeonghyeok cut in, effectively blocking Yang Jaesuk’s gaze for a moment.

“It has. Are you doing nothing but working since you got to Korea, Director Seo?”

“I came here to work, so I should work.”

“Take it easy. Do you know how many people are nervous right now because of you?”

“Surely not. I’m no one special.”

Yang Jaesuk chuckled at his feigned humility. Her eyes drifted back to Hyeonseo.

“Director Seo must be treating you very well. You look good.”

“I’m still learning a lot while working for the Director.”

“That’s disappointing. It sounds like you’re saying you prefer working with him over me.”

Hyeonseo merely offered an awkward smile. Her heart was already racing, even before she could bring up the fact that she wouldn’t be doing business with her anymore.

“I heard you met our Kiyong a few days ago?”

Yang Jaesuk suddenly brought up Jang Kiyong’s name. Perhaps it was her imagination, but she felt Jeonghyeok’s gaze on the side of her head, making her scalp prickle. Her heart tightened again, though she had done nothing wrong.

“He showed such great interest in ‘Lawyer Cha Hyeonseo.’ That picky boy actually praised someone for once. What happened between you two?”

“We just exchanged a brief greeting. Nothing in particular happened, but it seems the Director viewed me favorably.”

“This is why I like Lawyer Cha. You offer flattery in such a dry, clean way. Never making a fuss, just quiet and professional.”

Who wouldn’t recognize that for what it was? An insult disguised as a compliment. Hyeonseo tightened her lips, erasing her expression.

“Anyway, Director Seo, you should be grateful to me. Where else would you scout a lawyer like this if not for me? She’s good at her job and has a great personality.”

Jeonghyeok, swirling his champagne glass, let one corner of his mouth curl up.

“You’re right. Thanks to you, I have the honor of working with Lawyer Cha Hyeonseo.”

“Such a silver tongue. I’m being serious—be careful. I’m actually starting to regret introducing her to you.”

She was smiling, but Hyeonseo knew she wasn’t joking. Yang Jaesuk was not the type of person to waste words on empty jests.

“It’s too late for regret. She’s been ‘my person’ for a while now.”

Jeonghyeok blocked Yang Jaesuk’s follow-up with a calm face. He was clearly serious about her cutting ties with JK.

“From now on, you won’t be able to request ‘cleanup’ jobs from Cha Hyeonseo without my permission. We have quite a lot of work to do.”

It was a blatant warning. Stop using Cha Hyeonseo as your family’s lapdog.

Hyeonseo looked up at Jeonghyeok with anxious eyes. His cold gaze was as calm as a still pond, without a hint of agitation. How many people could give such an arrogant warning to JK’s Yang Jaesuk? He looked like an apex predator at the top of the food chain. Was there anyone this man would actually bow his head to?

“My, you sound like you’re ready to devour her. Someone might think I’m trying to steal your lover.”

Yang Jaesuk, who rarely showed emotion, let out a short, hollow laugh. It seemed she, too, was well aware of how arrogant and overbearing Seo Jeonghyeok could be.

“Anyway, let’s have dinner sometime soon. I’m grateful for how cleanly you handled the last matter, and it’s been a while since we’ve shared a meal. That much is fine, right?”

Yang Jaesuk directed the question at Jeonghyeok as if expecting an answer. Instead of responding, he simply elongated his smile and took a long sip of his champagne.