IDMPYU 45

45. The Subject of the Rumors
“What kind of thing is that to say?”

It wasn’t Hajun who snapped at Seungho’s rather threatening tone, but Jihyun.

“Hajun and I are just friends. Calling him a thug—isn’t that a bit much?”

“Friends, huh…”

Seungho muttered softly as he looked at Hajun. Though his face showed no particular expression, there was a threatening air about him.

“If you were really friends, your fist wouldn’t have flown first. Or does your ‘friendship’ have some other definition?”

“That’s not what it meant!”

Jihyun’s voice grew louder at Seungho’s sarcasm. She was upset that Hajun was being looked down on by Seungho just because he was her friend. Their unexpected argument drew whispers from those around them.

Jihyun hunched her shoulders, disliking the attention now drawn to her. Seeing her tense posture, Hajun stepped closer.

“I’m fine. Don’t be so upset, Jihyun.”

As if comforting her, Hajun lightly patted her shoulder and then turned his head to face Seungho. Seungho’s lips twisted slightly at the upright and proper appearance of a man clearly raised in a loving home. Hajun spoke first.

“I was actually looking for you. Can we talk privately?”

“I don’t recall us being close enough for that. Or is my memory wrong?”

Seungho tilted his head, his eyes sparking. Hajun nodded calmly.

“Yeah, you’re right. We weren’t. But now, I think we need to talk.”

“Say that and people might think we’re having some kind of bromance.”

With a cold sneer, Seungho turned his gaze to Jihyun. He barely restrained himself from twisting the wrist of Hajun’s hand resting on her shoulder and spoke in a thoroughly indifferent voice.

“In case you forgot, it’s still working hours. This isn’t time for an emotional reunion with an old friend.”

Jihyun’s eyes grew cold at his pointed mockery. Just like how the sun dries up the river, Seungho’s patience was rapidly running dry.

The so-called friendship that claimed he mistreated his friend felt ridiculous and laughable. But in the end, it didn’t matter.

Because in Jihyun’s soft brown eyes, only one person was reflected—him. And that thought lifted Seungho’s mood a bit.

“So just come quietly. I’ve still got work to do.”

As Seungho turned to leave, Hajun called out urgently.

“Wait, I’m not done—”

“If you want me that badly, get in line. I’ll deal with you later. Still got someone over there to talk to…”

Seeing Seungho mockingly strut away in his polished exterior, Hajun clenched his fists tightly, his face hard.

Jihyun looked back and forth between the retreating Seungho and Hajun with a troubled expression. Hajun motioned with his eyes for her to go. He didn’t want to appear like Seungho to her.

“Seungho! Where the hell have you been?”

Minwoo came running over with an empty champagne glass in hand, panting.

“I was looking for you! I thought I was going to go bald trying to find you! Anyway, hey—”

Minwoo stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening at the sight of Jihyun standing behind Seungho.

‘Was she always this pretty?’

Minwoo had always been into glamorous beauties with strong facial features. So he’d never understood Seungho’s borderline obsession with Jihyun.

He used to think, “There are plenty of girls just as pretty at these social events.”

But now, he felt he needed to revise that opinion.

Jihyun, in her black A-line dress that highlighted her slender waist, radiated an aura more captivating than anyone else at the party. Especially her pure, unfiltered eyes and subtly flushed gaze.

“Cut the crap and just get to the point.”

Minwoo finally pulled his gaze away from Jihyun, jarred by Seungho’s sharp tone. There were more urgent matters at hand.

“Myeongho, that bastard—no, your dear older brother—was tearing into you like dried beef jerky in front of everyone. What are we going to do about it?”

“Would’ve preferred it if he’d said I was premium beef jerky…”

“You’re cracking jokes at a time like this?”

“I’m being sincere.”

Seungho chuckled, thinking of Myeongho, who had trembled while holding his martini glass and couldn’t even respond to a few jabs.

So many who bark loudly yet cower behind their tails.

“What was it again—he said you were a coward who ran away overseas, right? I realized while listening—he’s the source of all the rumors.”

“There’s probably more. Go on, I’m curious.”

Prompted by Seungho, who had just been labeled a coward, Minwoo hesitated and glanced at Jihyun, then back at Seungho.

“He said you have really low standards in women…”

Somehow, the more he talked, the more it felt like he was tightening a noose around his own neck, but Minwoo pressed on.

“He also questioned whether you were even a ‘real man’… Of course, total nonsense!”

He had already filtered out the worst parts. What Myeongho had said was far more crude.

“A pathetic little brother who’s drawn to vulgar things despite his refined appearance.”

Rumors change depending on who says them. Everyone found it entertaining because it was about Seungho, but no one actually believed it.

If Myeongho had said Seungho liked a maid from the mansion, most women present would’ve hoped to be that maid.

Myeongho’s desperate attempt to drag him down only added to Seungho’s mysterious charm—something Seungho knew better than anyone.

“Seriously, even his gossiping is vulgar…”

Minwoo clicked his tongue as Seungho chuckled at the absurdity of the rumors.

“You’ve got a strong stomach.”

But Seungho’s eyes, after laughing, turned ice cold. He had somewhat expected this. Myeongho had no clue how to win people over. He only did what he wanted, whenever he wanted.

“Alright, now that we’ve laughed, get to the point.”

“Myeongho is looking to make a deal with Shin Geonjoong, the CEO of Shinjin Trading. His daughter is Shin Haemin, a law school student.”

“Shinjin Trading, huh…”

“One of the rising companies. They were already solid before, but now they’re expanding fast.”

Whether Myeongho could make it a win-win deal was uncertain, but the possibility couldn’t be dismissed.

“He probably sent his daughter to law school to…”

Seungho nodded, already grasping what Minwoo meant.

“Marriage is the best way to expand influence.”

The CEO of Shinjin Trading likely wanted a son-in-law in law or politics.

“Seems like the daughter’s not opposed either—she’s getting actively involved.”

“Typical.”

“Oh, and why didn’t you tell me?”

Seungho took a champagne glass politely offered by a server.

“Tell you what?”

“About Park Chaerin.”

“Why are you bringing her up?”

“Your father apparently told her she’s going to be our daughter-in-law.”

Without blinking an eye, Seungho grinned.

“Looks like they’re finally getting the eldest daughter-in-law. Myeongho must be getting married.”

“This isn’t a joke. If it’s Ribernik, that changes things. And do you know what Chaerin’s dream is?”

“Don’t say it. I don’t want to know…”

Seungho frowned deeply, but Minwoo kept going.

“Her dream is to marry you.”

‘That name again…’

Jihyun, silently listening behind Seungho, heard a name she was all too familiar with.

Park Chaerin.

A name Minwoo always reacted sensitively to, and even the usually indifferent Seungho responded to.

She had been upset at how Seungho treated Hajun earlier, but that thought vanished instantly.

Even without ever meeting Chaerin face-to-face, her presence was now affecting Jihyun. Minwoo continued speaking, his face unusually serious.

“I got pretty close with her during our time abroad. You know she’s got a nasty personality, right? Just like you.”

“Who’s like who? Do you want to die by my hands?”

Seungho’s eyes glinted sharply, irritated by the comparison. But Minwoo wasn’t the type to back off at threats.

“She’s a total bulldog—once she bites, she doesn’t let go. You’re rare in our world, and so is she. Think she’d actually marry someone like Myeongho?”

“I’m not in the mood for nonsense.”

As Seungho stepped in close, looking like he might grab Minwoo by the collar, Minwoo lowered his voice.

“No, you need to hear this. Because Ribernik was also in talks with Myeongho. And…”

Jihyun tilted her head at the sudden drop in volume. A chairman calling her “our daughter-in-law,” deals with Myeongho… It was all set up for his benefit. But judging by Minwoo’s expression, that wasn’t the whole story.

“Hey, Shin Seungho!”

Just then, a high-pitched, excited voice rang out nearby. Jihyun turned toward the sound.

A woman in a sky-blue knit dress that emphasized her tall, slender figure was waving through the crowd. At the sight of her, Seungho scowled openly.

And Jihyun instantly knew.

That woman was Park Chaerin.

With bold steps, Chaerin pushed through the crowd toward Seungho. She was a striking beauty with sharp features.

“Shin Seungho! It’s been so long! Do you know how much I missed you?”

Despite Seungho’s open displeasure, Chaerin carried on as if she didn’t notice.

“Mmh, you’re still so handsome. I heard the rumors through Myeongho oppa and was so surprised!”

“Rumors? They’re all lies. Myeongho made them up.”

Minwoo tried to step in and explain, but Chaerin didn’t back down.

“They say you have incredibly low standards in women? So I wondered—was that why I didn’t interest you?”

An extraordinary confidence that fit her background. She spoke with the ease of someone who had never failed at anything in life.

“Now, what was your type again… Ah!”

Chaerin pointed at Jihyun, who had been standing silently behind Seungho.

“Is she the girl from the rumors?”