Chapter 49: Tangled Plans and Dead Ends

I crossed my arms, lost in thought. If Noh Jae Sik was blackmailing Mother, I had to stop it. Whatever happened, it wouldn’t be good for me.

Since I couldn’t tell if this would resolve naturally or if the novel’s Choi Seung Hyun intervened, I needed to prepare for every scenario. I racked my brain.

The best case? Father already knows the truth, accepts it, and Noh’s leverage is useless. But that’s impossible—dismissed.

Next, Mother or I could tell Grandfather about the blackmail, framing Noh as a liar. But that risked a paternity test, exposing me. No good either.

Damn it, write the side character’s story properly!

I cursed the invisible author. Do Yoon, noticing my grim face, asked cautiously.

“…Hyung, you okay?”

“Of course!”

Startled, I forced a bright expression. Noh Jae Sik’s issue had to stay secret from Do Yoon. Even if he’d eventually find out, it couldn’t be now.

Then my phone blared. Seeing [Father] on the screen, both our faces stiffened. The least welcome name. I cleared my throat and answered.

“Yes, Father.”

<Chairman Joo kept saying he missed you leaving early. I’ll set up a weekend meeting, so show up.>

“What?”

Is he insane? I played along at the gallery—now he’s dragging me into anything? I snapped back.

“I’m on a business trip this weekend.”

<It’s not like you’re essential. Prioritize.>

He doesn’t even know my job. I cut him off.

“No way. Postpone it or go alone. Figure it out.”

<What? You crazy?>

“Hanging up.”

Do Yoon’s eyes widened, shocked.

“First time I’ve seen you talk to Father like that…”

I panicked, realizing I’d acted on impulse.

“Oh? How was I before?”

“More… obedient. You used to light up when he called.”

Guess that was the novel’s Choi Seung Hyun. Since transmigrating, I barely interacted with Choi Young Gil, so I hadn’t noticed. If even Do Yoon saw me as a pushover, Father definitely did. It made his sudden summons—now that a business partner liked me—feel hypocritical.

His wife’s former lover was right there, and he’s clueless about what matters. For my safety, my birth secret must stay hidden, but part of me wanted to tell Choi Young Gil just to see him squirm.

I shrugged lightly.

“Not anymore. Why bother with someone like that?”

Do Yoon stared, more shocked, then nodded, touched.

“You’re right.”

He asked again.

“Is the weekend trip real?”

“Nah, I lied.”

He burst out laughing, “Hahaha!” We chatted nonsense in the living room before I went to bed early.

After days of agonizing over Noh Jae Sik, I concluded I couldn’t handle it alone. I needed a reliable, safe ally for information.

Choi Seung Hee, for example.

Noh left Haewon seventeen years ago when I was ten, making Seung Hee twelve—old enough to remember clearly.

Given the sensitivity, I invited her over under the pretense of a housewarming. I braced for rejection, but she accepted immediately, only to unleash a storm of nagging.

“A housewarming this late?”

“Better late than never.”

“And you’re serving delivery food? No effort for guests?”

After inspecting the house like a detective, she complained about the food. I stared, reminded of the novel’s Seung Hee picking fights with Ji An. I advised sincerely.

“Noona, be nice to your future sister-in-law. Don’t nitpick. It’ll cause trouble these days.”

“What? You got a girlfriend?”

“Not me.”

“Oh, him? He’s got a girlfriend? That’s why he’s not here? Surprising. Thought he followed you everywhere.”

I’d chosen a day Do Yoon would be late to steer the conversation, but she misunderstood. Sighing, I said.

“He doesn’t yet. But when he does, be nice.”

If not, disaster awaits… I swallowed the thought. Seung Hee’s response was surprisingly chill.

“No need to be nice or mean. Everyone lives their own life.”

I was stunned. So cool? How did she become that venomous sister-in-law? After touring the house, she gave a curt “Not bad” and sat at the table.

She fussed about delivery food being unhealthy but ordered a mountain of tteokbokki with mozzarella and ham, fried snacks, hot dogs, and cheese balls—foods never seen at the main house. Sampling each like a buffet critic, she barely ate before sprawling in her chair, satisfied.

“Eating this stuff sometimes is great.”

She looked like a content cat. I was baffled—she ate so little, what even registered? With her in a good mood, I seized the chance.

“By the way, has Mom seemed… off lately?”

“Nope.”

Her instant reply annoyed me. Think harder!

“Like, busier or coming home late?”

Sounded too much like an affair. I added quickly.

“Saw a lot of exhibitions booked at the gallery.”

“How would I know? Manager Cho would know her schedule best.”

“…”

Hadn’t thought of that. But Manager Cho’s an outsider—Mother might not share everything. Poking wrong could blow this secret wide open. I got to the point.

“I met someone named Noh Jae Sik at the gallery. Ever heard of him? Father’s old secretary.”

Seung Hee, half-reclined, frowned briefly, then said, “Oh.”

“Yeah, I remember. He was at the gallery?”

“Yup. Runs a business in Vietnam now, here for work.”

“Huh… You hated him.”

What? That’s not what I heard.

“He said I used to follow him around.”

“When you were younger. Later, you didn’t.”

“Why?”

“Your temper…”

“…”

Let’s not. But likely, young Seung Hyun learned of Mother’s affair with Noh around then. Seung Hee continued.

“He quit suddenly, which was weird. He donated blood for Father’s car accident—only one with the same blood type nearby.”

So that’s how he saved his life.

“Do you know why he left?”

“How would I? I was a kid.”

“Come on.”

“Curious why he’s back?”

Her directness startled me. I blurted out.

“Uh, yeah.”

“Ask him. He was nice to you. Straight from the source is best.”

“…Really?”

To an outsider, Noh’s just a long-time family employee, like Manager Cho. If he was kind to me, catching up over a meal wouldn’t seem odd.

Maybe I was overly cautious because of the novel. That thought eased my mind.

The next day, heart pounding, I dialed Noh’s number.

But my nerves turned to disbelief.

“…What?”