WAK 11

Chapter 11

The car carrying Mihee arrived at Jeonghan’s main house in Seongbuk-dong.

Before getting out of the car, she took out bright red lipstick and reapplied it to her lips.

She examined her face sharply and spoke to the driver.

> “Bring the bouquet with you.”

The driver got out of the car and opened the trunk. Inside were more than a hundred red roses.

Mihee got out of the car late, wearing heels so high her ankles seemed to bend, even though she was over fifty. Her hair was perfectly styled, and her clothes were all luxury brands.

She usually only wore luxury brands, but when she came to Seongbuk-dong, she dressed extra carefully.

When she pressed the doorbell, the house assistant answered.

> [Madam isn’t here right now.]

Mihee opened her eyes sharply and glared at the camera.

> “Hey, who are you talking to like that? Open the door.”

The house assistant hesitated. She didn’t want to let Mihee in while Mrs. Jeong was out.

She couldn’t understand the audacity of a mistress walking into the main wife’s house.

> “Open the door. I brought the flowers that our man likes.”

Mihee, in her middle-to-old age, boldly called her lover “our man” without shame.

After some struggle, the assistant finally opened the main gate.

Mihee grumbled and walked inside. Passing the garden where Chairman Ryu’s birthday party had been held a few days ago, she entered the hall, and the house assistant, looking uncomfortable, came out to meet her.

> “Scissors and a vase.”

Mihee spoke bluntly and confidently walked to the living room sofa. The driver followed cautiously.

Mihee pointed to the low table in front of the sofa. The driver quickly placed the bouquet down and stepped back.

The assistant brought out small scissors and a white porcelain vase for flower arranging and placed them in front of Mihee, glaring from out of sight.

Mrs. Jeong, who had gone to the hospital, was due back soon. The assistant sighed anxiously.

Mihee started humming while arranging the petals.

Halfway through, Mrs. Jeong returned.

The assistant nervously greeted her in the living room.

Secretary Kim, pushing Mrs. Jeong in her wheelchair, noticed Mihee and asked the assistant with a glance.

> “Why is she here?”

> “Oh my, sister-in-law. You’re here? How can someone who isn’t well go out like this?”

Mihee hid her sharp expression and spoke in a flattering tone, though inside she cursed Mrs. Jeong.

> “Madam, what is that smell?”

Mrs. Jeong ignored Mihee and frowned at the assistant.

> “I told you not to bring strange things into my house.”

> “Sorry, madam.”

> “Oh, sister-in-law. Strange things? That’s harsh.”

Mihee said, pouting,

> “I brought flowers that our man likes, but you don’t understand my feelings. I feel hurt.”

Mrs. Jeong was baffled. Who would welcome Mihee? How dare she bring such flowers. She pressed her temples and frowned; her senses had become sharp since her illness, and the smell of roses was unbearable.

> “Remove them quickly. Ventilate the room too.”

As soon as Mrs. Jeong said this, the assistant began clearing the roses.

> “How can you handle them like that…”

It didn’t matter; the assistant only cared about Mrs. Jeong.

> “Do you know how expensive these roses are!”

The roses were thrown out of the house.

Mihee tried to stop the assistant, but unlike her thin self, the assistant was sturdy.

> “Ignorant woman! You don’t even know how precious these flowers are!”

Her shouting was heard all the way to Mrs. Jeong’s bedroom.

> “Should we throw her out?”

Secretary Kim asked while helping Mrs. Jeong with her clothes.

> “Throw her out quickly.”

After hearing some good news about her recovery from the hospital, Mrs. Jeong’s mood immediately worsened at home.

—

Meanwhile, Hyunsu, dressed head-to-toe in luxury brands, wandered the department store luxury section.

People unconsciously looked at him as he passed, drawn by his handsome face and warm smile, almost celebrity-like.

When his phone vibrated, he checked the caller ID. It was his mother, Nam Mihee.

He frowned slightly, wondering whether to answer, but eventually picked up, knowing she would keep calling until he did.

> “Hello, Mother.”

His voice was gentle, contrasting with his expression.

Mihee’s voice was sharp.

> [You’re not home. Where are you?]

Mihee was annoyed that he had gone to his solo apartment again. He kept his composure.

> “I came out briefly for someone whose birthday is coming soon.”

Exactly one month after Chairman Ryu Juncheol’s birthday, it was Mihee’s birthday.

> [Oh, our youngest son.]

Mihee quickly softened.

> [You didn’t go to buy a gift for Mother, did you?]

> “Shh, it’s a secret.”

Mihee giggled over the phone.

> [What are you doing then?]

> [Nothing, I just wanted to see my youngest son.]

> “You could have called before coming.”

> [I’m always busy, so I just came.]

> “No plans today?”

> [No. That’s why I visited Seongbuk-dong…]

Mihee probably got scolded or ignored at Chairman Ryu’s main house with Mrs. Jeong there. As expected, she started complaining.

> [Ignorant woman, do you know how expensive those roses are…!]

Hyunsu sighed and waited for his mother’s complaints to end.

> “If I knew you were coming, I wouldn’t have left the house empty.”

> [Hohoho. Our youngest son talks so nicely. If your brother were even half as kind…]

Mihee’s initial sharpness disappeared gradually. Hyunsu silently snorted at the thought of his older brother, Hyeonjin.

> [Have I held onto you too long? Go on.]

> “Yes, I’ll hang up now.”

He put the phone back in his pocket, but it vibrated again.

> “Annoying…”

It was a call from his friend Sangjin.

> [Where are you?]

> “Department store.”

> [**Department store?**]

> “Yes.”

> [Perfect timing. I’m nearby. Let’s eat. I saw something a few days ago.]

> “What?”

> [Your brother.]

> “Which brother?”

> [Elder brother. Vice Chairman Ryu Jeonghan.]

Hyunsu’s indifferent gaze flickered for a moment.

> “Why my brother?”

> [Meet him and talk.]

Annoyed but curious, Hyunsu smiled and replied,

> “Fine. Come here.”

—

Walking out of the luxury store toward the parking lot, a small child suddenly ran into him with a thud.

The little girl bounced backward.

> “Oh my! Ara!”

It was Jua.

> “Are you okay?”

Hyunsu frowned at the vanilla ice cream spilled all over his brand-new pants.

> “How do you manage a kid like this?”

> “Sorry.”

Jua bowed repeatedly, panicked.

Ara began to cry, scared. Hana, who had just come from the bathroom, asked her sister,

> “What happened?”

Hana realized the situation: Hyunsu’s pants ruined, Ara crying, and Jua embarrassed.

> “Sorry. Seems my nephew bumped into her.”

> “What about the pants?”

> “I’ll pay for the cleaning.”

> “Do you know how expensive these pants are? I just wore them today.”

> “Ah… should I buy new ones?”

Ara finally started crying loudly, drawing attention.

> “Give me your contact info. I’ll charge you for the clothes.”

Hana handed him her card. He put it in his pocket with a displeased expression.

> “Bad luck today.”

He muttered while running to his usual brand shop.

—

After buying new clothes and reaching the restaurant, Sangjin sighed.

> “Were you at a different branch than Apgujeong?”

> “No. Just had some business.”

> “What about your order?”

> “I’ll order now.”

As soon as he did, Hyunsu asked immediately:

> “Why Ryu Jeonghan?”

Sangjin leaned forward eagerly.

> “Do you know what I saw a few days ago?”

> “No, tell me.”

> “I met a girl I really liked after a long time.”

Sangjin bragged about a one-night encounter at a club. Hyunsu listened, unimpressed.

> “Anyway, I took her to a hotel. Got a pricey room too.”

> “Haah…”

Hyunsu sighed at the boring story.

> “The hotel happened to be the one your brother stayed at.”

Now Hyunsu’s eyebrows twitched in curiosity.