* * *

“What? I’m not sure I understand…”

Junhee’s voice wavered as he picked up the fork, clearly flustered.

“As you know, Taeryu is reserved and doesn’t take much interest in others. I’m curious how the two of you ended up meeting.”

Junhee’s brows furrowed more deeply with each word from Hong Yeonggyeong.

“No, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Director Ki and I aren’t involved at all. As you might have heard from the chairman, I’m simply in charge of—”

“A matchmaker. Nothing more, nothing less. Is that what you expect me to believe?”

Cutting him off, Hong Yeonggyeong sipped her water with a calm smile.

Junhee’s wandering gaze fixed on the droplets clinging to her glass.

“His father is rigid and only trusts what he can see, so maybe he was convinced. But do you really think you can fool me too? Taeryu isn’t the kind of person to randomly bring someone to a family gathering. That alone tells me your relationship is no ordinary one. It’s obvious—he’s acclimating the family to you, step by step, so you can eventually integrate into the Taesan family.”

Her misunderstanding was so deeply rooted that Junhee didn’t know where to start correcting it.

And honestly, would she even believe him if he told her the truth—that her “considerate” son dragged him there to avoid getting scolded?

“As absurd as this is to explain, Director Ki and I really have nothing—”

“Then how do you explain the numerous private meetings between the two of you?”

“…What?”

“Surely you didn’t think I wouldn’t know. I own that hotel you frequented as if it were your second home.”

“…”

Junhee pressed his hands onto his thighs, his lips tightening in frustration.

It seemed the universe was hell-bent on making this life as miserable as possible for him.

“You don’t need to be so nervous. I’m not trying to attack you. I’m just genuinely curious.”

The tense atmosphere was interrupted by Hong Yeonggyeong’s reiteration of her earlier question.

“What do you like so much about Taeryu?”

“…I don’t like him.”

Junhee’s firm response drew a quiet scoff from Hong Yeonggyeong.

“That’s good.”

Junhee raised his head to look at her.

Her lips curved into a smile, but her eyes remained cold, creating an unsettling contrast.

“What do you mean by that…?”

“I hope you continue to feel that way.”

“…”

“Don’t fall for him. Don’t get closer. Don’t give him your heart. Because if you do, Yoo Junhee, you’ll undoubtedly…”

Her lowered lips carried a frosty tone as she delivered her final words.

“Be ruined.”

---

“Assistant Manager Yoo, you’ve confirmed the event schedule, right?”

During the team meeting, Junhee, momentarily lost in his own thoughts, was brought back by the team leader’s voice.

“Ah, yes. I’ve finalized the venue and personnel arrangements for the Spring Meeting, and I’ll make sure to check all remaining details to ensure everything goes smoothly.”

“Good, good. This event is under your supervision, so take responsibility and see it through successfully. Jiyeon will support you on this. Alright, that concludes today’s meeting.”

After the brief meeting, everyone returned to their desks.

Ever since Junhee’s meeting with Hong Yeonggyeong two days ago, he found his thoughts drifting back to the cryptic words she had said.

‘…Ruined? What on earth does that mean?’

Junhee had long suspected that Hong Yeonggyeong was Ki Taeryu’s stepmother, but the actual nature of their relationship remained a mystery.

Why she left such a warning—whether it was for Junhee’s sake or because of Ki Taeryu—was equally unclear.

If she had bluntly told him not to set foot in the Taesan family because he didn’t belong there, Junhee might not have been plagued by this lingering unease.

But “you’ll be ruined”?

That felt less like a warning and more like a curse.

Although he wasn’t certain if it was connected to Hong Yeonggyeong, he couldn’t help but recall what Ki Buseong had shouted in fury the first day Junhee visited the Taesan household.

‘Why do you keep protecting that bastard? He’s the one who not only destroyed his parents but even swallowed up his own brother!’’

At the time, Junhee hadn’t thought much of it.

He didn’t have the luxury to, preoccupied with his own survival.

He’d learned from experience that some matters are better ignored, even when you know the truth.

But now, Junhee was entangled with Ki Taeryu in ways that were impossible to unravel.

And that wasn’t just because of the marriage contract they had drafted.

‘…Baek Seunggyo.’

The mere thought of what Baek Seunggyo might be scheming, why he was approaching him, or what information he had sold to Kang Heesung made Junhee’s heart lurch.

It felt like the nightmares of his past were always on the verge of resurfacing.

Kang Heesung’s one-sided fury towards Ki Taeryu seemed like a lit fuse, threatening to bring everything crashing down.

‘Damn it, that wretched Ki Taeryu. Acting all noble when he’s just an illegitimate brat picked up from a brothel. He’s even clawed his way to steal his proper brother’s place, clinging to Taesan like a disgusting leech.’

The trembling Junhee had felt in that moment seemed to ripple through time, shaking his fingers even now.

Discovering that Ki Taeryu—whom he’d believed to be entirely different from himself—had shadows marked by the same stains and scars made his stomach churn.

Perhaps it would have been better if he’d never known.

If they’d never crossed paths.

Then Junhee’s misfortune might have remained solely his own.

Junhee swallowed the vague guilt that his bad luck might have spread to Ki Taeryu.

Like a solemn prayer, he muttered under his breath.

‘…Baek Seunggyo, you bastard.’

---

4 p.m. in the consultation room.

Junhee was in the middle of a meeting with a member.

“Oh my, Junhee, you’re amazing. How did you manage to get this? The manager insisted it was sold out!”

Holding the shopping bag, Doyoung peeked inside, his face lighting up in surprise.

Junhee politely bowed his head and offered his apologies.

“I’d like to sincerely apologize again for the previous incident. It must have upset you greatly. Thank you for your understanding.”

“Oh, well, I was really furious at the time, but thinking about how much I owe you, I couldn’t stay mad. But really, how did you get this outfit?”

Doyoung’s curiosity was genuine as he pressed him again, but Junhee’s response remained the same.

“I had some help from an acquaintance.”

“An acquaintance? Who?”

“…Let’s just say they’re in the fashion industry.”

Unsatisfied, Doyoung pouted and spoke in a mock-grumbling tone.

“Fine, whatever. Anyway, I really liked that outfit, so I went to the department store and asked the manager about it. Guess what? They said it was sold out nationwide! I was so mad I nearly stormed back to make a scene… but, well, you got me the same one, so I’ll let it slide. It’s not a knockoff, right?”

“…No, it’s not.”

“Just kidding.”

Doyoung gave a sly smile, but the serious glint in his eyes sent a chill down Junhee’s spine.

Had he not met Cha Haetsal and secured this outfit…

“Oh, Junhee, why didn’t you respond to my message?”

“What message are you referring to?”

“Didn’t I text you the other day?”

Only then did Junhee remember the text Doyoung had sent him.

[Member Moon Doyoung: Junhee, what happened? Did you meet them today?]

“Ah… I’m sorry. My phone was damaged, and I received your message late, so I missed the opportunity to reply. I did meet Siwon and talked to him, though….”

“Forget it. I was going to tell you not to mention that guy again anyway.”

“…Pardon?”

“After I sent you that message, he reached out to me first, asking to meet.”

Junhee swallowed dryly.

It must have been shortly after Siwon’s abrupt confession to him.

He wondered if Siwon had mentioned it to Doyoung, but if he had, they likely wouldn’t be sitting here together so casually.

“So… did you meet him?”

“Yes. I even cleared my busy schedule to meet him, and do you know what he said? That he likes someone else. Ha, unbelievable.”

“….”

“He called what happened a mistake and said he’d take responsibility if necessary, spouting some nonsense. Can you believe a 20-year-old saying something so ridiculous to me? I should’ve cut him off earlier.”

Without realizing it, Doyoung’s nails scratched the table with a sharp sound.

The noise snapped Junhee out of his thoughts.

“Ha, seriously… what terrible luck. It’s definitely the nine-year curse.”

“…Think of it as an opportunity to meet someone better.”

“Thanks, Junhee. But this time, I really mean it—I’ve finally come to my senses. So, about that…”

Junhee’s eyes sparkled slightly with anticipation, wondering if he was about to declare his intent to remain single or even cancel his membership.

* * *