THICA 2

Chapter 2

The day finally came to an end, and she was on her way home with the documents Seoyeon had prepared about eligible marriage candidates. As she watched the faint lights outside the car window, she reflected on how hectic the day had been. It had only been a day since she had returned to the past, yet she had already accomplished so much.

The documents Seoyeon had prepared were not simply a list of potential marriage partners. They were an important clue to avoiding an arranged marriage forced upon her by her family and creating favorable conditions for herself.

After returning home, Yeseo had dinner as usual. Laughter and conversation filled the dining table among her family members, leaving her out of everything. Strangely, she no longer felt as lonely as she had before.

After dinner, Yeseo went to her room and sat by the window, lost in thought for a long time.

If things continued according to plan, she could rest easy about the pottery studio.

The next step was to escape the arranged marriage.

[SH Group Collaborates with Soryu Group. What Will Be the Outcome?]

The news was discussing a collaboration between SH Group and her ex-husband’s company, Soryu Group.

If things continued this way, talks of an arranged marriage might begin sooner than they had in her previous life. She began to feel anxious.

“There aren’t as many as I thought. People who might accept my proposal…”

She had to eliminate anyone whose company was smaller than SH Group.

Her parents would oppose a contract marriage with someone from such a company.

The other party must be someone who benefits the group. That way, I’ll be able to refuse any other marriage proposals that come later.

And the marriage had to benefit both parties.

As she crossed out names one by one, only one person’s name remained.

“Ryu Dogyeom. If it’s this man…”

He was a strong candidate to succeed the chairman of Jeongseong Group. In her previous life, he had no particular flaws apart from the fact that he had never married.

From a business perspective, an arranged marriage with her would be a reasonable choice for him as well.

Whenever she thought of him, she felt something complicated, somewhere between admiration and affection.

He was a man who commanded attention wherever he went.

His striking charisma made him stand out even among the most prominent figures in the business world.

As a result, there were always people gathered around him.

If he established a relationship with SH Group through marriage to her, he could firmly secure his position as the heir.

It would be a deal that benefited both of them. Dogyeom could find an arranged marriage partner to help him secure his position as heir, while Yeseo could find a supporter who would help her escape her family and run her pottery studio freely.

“It would be a deal that benefits both of us.”

There was one advantage to dealing with someone calm and level-headed: emotions did not matter.

If she proposed a deal that benefited Dogyeom, there was a good chance he would accept it.

Neither Dogyeom nor Yeseo would lose anything from this arrangement. If that was the case, there was only one conclusion.

“He’s the answer.”

Once she had chosen her target, the next step was to arrange a meeting with him.

After checking upcoming events they might both attend, she found a charity party being held at Jeongseong Le Château, which he operated.

It was an event attended by people of high social standing. She decided to meet Dogyeom there and propose the arrangement.

\* \* \*

On the day of the charity party, Yeseo entered the hotel lobby dressed in an elegant gown.

Unlike usual, when she would arrive alongside her family, she had come alone this time. As a result, people’s eyes followed her.

“I heard she inherited a pottery studio and is running it herself.”

“She’s already running a business at that age? That’s impressive.”

Yeseo had inherited the pottery studio when she was nineteen.

At the time, she had temporarily entrusted its management to a professional manager. It was only when she turned twenty-six that she began taking an active role in running it.

The news had attracted attention because it went against everyone’s expectations that she would continue leaving the studio in the hands of a professional manager.

“She seems family-oriented, judging by how she takes care of her family.”

“I’m sure that’s only temporary. Once she gets married, won’t she hire a professional manager again?”

Even as people whispered around her, Yeseo remained composed and carefully oversaw the preparations for the pottery pieces to be submitted to the charity auction.

This event was an opportunity to propose a contract marriage to Dogyeom, but it was also a chance to strengthen the standing of her pottery studio. She needed to dispel people’s doubts and demonstrate the discerning eye expected of the studio’s owner.

The pottery pieces submitted for this auction had been made by her maternal grandfather.

They were more than enough to showcase her artistic eye and the quality of her pottery studio, drawing admiration from the attendees.

“She has a better eye than I expected.”

“Her composure is also impressive for someone her age.”

As Yeseo listened to their evaluations, she searched for Dogyeom.

She had finished presenting the pottery pieces, so the studio’s reputation now depended on the results of the charity auction.

For the moment, she needed to focus on the contract marriage. Soon, she spotted Dogyeom standing out among the crowd.

As always, people had gathered around him. He moved with relaxed yet decisive steps. Yeseo watched him walk slowly, waiting for the right moment to carry out her plan.

A little later, when Dogyeom briefly stepped away from the crowd to get something to drink, she approached him.

“Hello. I’m Han Yeseo from SH Group.”

Yeseo handed him her business card and spoke to him. Since they had never interacted before, he looked puzzled by her approach.

“I’m Ryu Dogyeom of Jeongseong Group. I believe this is our first time speaking.”

“Yes. I’ve come here today because I’d like to propose a deal to you.”

“A deal?”

He clearly hadn’t expected to receive a business proposal at a charity party.

“This was the only opportunity I had to meet you in person.”

“Our schedules don’t usually overlap, do they?”

Although Dogyeom seemed puzzled by her approach, he also appeared displeased by this unexpected encounter. He raised an eyebrow.

“This is an important matter, and I’d rather not discuss it here. Would you mind moving somewhere else?”

“It had better be an offer worth my time.”

“You won’t regret it.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

Dogyeom seemed to have developed a little curiosity about Yeseo, who spoke so calmly. His guarded attitude had eased somewhat since their conversation began.

He turned around and started walking.

Yeseo clenched and unclenched her tense hands to calm herself before following Dogyeom, who was leading the way.

\* \* \*

They walked quietly without speaking and arrived at the VIP lounge. There were few people around, and soft music played beneath the gentle lighting, creating a suitable atmosphere for a private conversation.

The two took their seats in the lounge and continued their discussion.

“So… what kind of deal would you like to propose to someone you’ve just met?”

“I have two proposals. One is a business deal, and the other is an arranged marriage. I’ve heard you’re currently competing to become the next heir. And that you’re one of the leading candidates.”

“I think everyone already knows about the succession competition.”

Dogyeom turned his gaze elsewhere, as if he were losing interest.

“What about the fact that the chairman has made marriage and having a child conditions for succession?”

At Yeseo’s words, Dogyeom turned his attention back to her. He began tapping his fingers against the table.

“That information isn’t supposed to be public.”

“Let’s just say I’m good at what I do.”

Dogyeom leaned closer to the table, seemingly interested for the first time. Then he met Yeseo’s eyes.

“There must be a reason you’re bringing this up.”

“I’m also in a situation where I need to get married.”

A brief glint of interest appeared in Dogyeom’s eyes.

“I don’t want to simply obey my family’s demands and get married. I want to make a choice for the sake of my own life.”

Yeseo’s gaze was firm, and her voice was resolute as she spoke.

“So, what is it you want to say?”

“I’d like to propose a marriage that would benefit both of us.”