IDMPYU 27

27. You’re Really Awful.

“If you want to catch a live butterfly, go to the Amazon. Don’t drive people crazy here.”

Minwoo sighed heavily at Seungho as they walked out of the café together. He was the one most exhausted by the suffocating tension between the two.

It seemed he was worried about Seungho’s image after the way he’d casually mentioned taxidermy in front of Hajun. Indeed, such chilling words from someone with such elegant looks had instantly frozen the atmosphere at the table.

From their reactions, it was clear that meticulously raising butterflies only to stuff them wasn’t something an ordinary person could do. But Seungho didn’t care.

“The Amazon, seriously…”

Wearing a faint smile, Seungho walked even more slowly, as if savoring the sharp gazes stabbing at his back.

There were few people on the path home today, which pleased him. The quiet street allowed him to hear the soft footsteps following behind him. He listened to them like music, as someone hesitated to keep their distance.

But then, Seungho’s smile faded. Jihyun had stopped walking.

A moment later, he heard her soft, excited voice. Sweet—like the pink lemonade she had been drinking.

“It’s snowing.”

Instead of looking up at the sky, Seungho turned to look at Jihyun.

She was gazing up at the falling snow with a slightly flushed expression. The cold white flakes gently landed on her long eyelashes, melting and disappearing in moments.

It was a picture-perfect scene. Seungho watched her quietly. After some time, as if sensing his gaze, Jihyun slowly lowered her head.

Her breath came out in soft white puffs. The world around them had turned white, making her pale, clear eyes stand out even more as they met his.

The two simply stared at each other. The snow swallowed all sound, making the silence even deeper. Seungho quietly swallowed. The same white snow that had delighted Jihyun now seemed to fall gently in his own heart.

Meanwhile…

Manager Kim’s face turned from pale to ashen.

She had just received word that Madam, who was supposed to be in the U.S., was suddenly arriving at the mansion.

“Is dropping in unannounced the latest trend?”

The unwelcome notice irritated her, but there was no time to dwell on it. Madam was already notoriously difficult—there was no room for error.

“Move it! Now!”

Even those familiar with Manager Kim’s normally calm demeanor whispered amongst themselves at her uncharacteristic shouting.

She waved urgently, ordering the staff into formation as if a major crisis had hit. Hyunsook, who knew Madam’s terrifying reputation all too well, kept her head low among the others.

If anything even slightly displeased her, Madam would fire a servant on the spot—regardless of how many years they’d worked.

‘Thank goodness Jihyun isn’t here right now…’

Just as Hyunsook breathed a sigh of relief over Jihyun’s absence, a sleek black sedan glided up to the front of the mansion.

Even before the car door opened, Manager Kim bowed deeply toward the heavily tinted window. The rest of the staff followed her lead, bending at the waist.

“Welcome, Madam.”

The door opened, and a slender leg in black heels stepped out.

“It’s been a while, Manager Kim.”

Dressed in a black dress with a long ivory scarf and a gray coat, the woman stepped out.

She was called Madam—with a sharply cut bob that suited her perfectly. She smiled at the mansion, her face strikingly beautiful. But there was an unshakable coldness in her expression.

“Welcome home, Madam.”

With a face that did its best to appear genuinely pleased, Manager Kim led her inside. The sound of clacking heels followed.

“Where’s Seungho?”

“He’s stepped out briefly.”

The staff exchanged glances. Unlike Seungho, her older son Myungho never even asked after her.

“Maybe it’s jet lag or just age, but I’m exhausted after that flight.”

“Surely not, Madam. You’re still very young.”

Manager Kim responded smoothly to the complaint.

“A warm half-bath should help you feel better.”

“I’ll need a massage too. Contact the aesthetician.”

“Of course, Madam.”

“And report to me the moment Seungho returns.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Just when things seemed to be wrapping up smoothly, Madam turned sharply.

“Oh, right. Where’s that girl?”

“Pardon? Who do you mean?”

“The one who assists Seungho.”

Realizing she meant Jihyun, Manager Kim glanced nervously at Hyunsook.

“I believe she stepped out, Madam.”

“Stepped out? Did you just say she’s out right now?”

Madam’s brow arched with rising irritation.

“Ha. So this is what happens…”

Her sharp eyes turned to the staff.

“I guess everyone’s gotten too comfortable while I was away.”

Hyunsook squeezed her eyes shut. She had momentarily forgotten—

—Madam wasn’t just any difficult woman.

Do Surin. Wife of Chairman Shin. Seungho’s mother. A woman with the grace of a noble lily and the viciousness of a wild beast. She was born with a silver spoon and not a single ounce of empathy.

If there was anything she lacked despite her beauty and status—it was decency.

She had probably committed every kind of abuse you’d see on the news. For someone like her, reigning above others was simply natural.

Playing the role of the demure, ladylike wife of the chairman was an enormous source of stress. And whenever she returned from a public appearance, the mansion turned into a warzone.

Her voice dropped.

“Don’t tell me… that girl went out with Seungho?”

Manager Kim quickly glanced at Hyunsook, who shook her head frantically.

‘Is she trying to get someone killed?’

“Of course not, Madam…”

“Have her sent to my room.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Just when Manager Kim thought the worst had passed, Madam added coldly—

“Make sure she’s in front of me as soon as possible.”

Jihyun looked awkwardly at Seungho, standing a few steps ahead. She had only paused to enjoy the snowfall, but now he was staring at her like she was some neighborhood puppy.

“Is this your first time seeing snow?”

Uncomfortable under his constant gaze, Jihyun looked down.

‘What’s with the intense staring?’

The cold crept up through her thin sneakers, stealing the warmth from her feet.

‘I wish he’d just walk ahead…’

Tapping her feet on the ground, she waited for Seungho to move first.

“Are you just going to stand there?”

Her hopes were dashed when Seungho gestured to her to come stand beside him.

Jihyun took a startled step back.

“N-No. You go ahead.”

Some things were just better avoided altogether.

Even imagining walking alongside Shin Seungho made her dizzy. And if they entered the mansion together, Manager Kim—already sharp-eyed—would surely tear her apart.

“Hmm.”

Seungho’s eyes narrowed at her refusal.

“If you won’t come here, I’m not moving either. If you want to freeze to death, stay right there.”

His tone was soft, but the words were a clear threat. And Jihyun knew he meant it. He looked perfectly relaxed, just standing there, watching her.

‘You’re really awful.’

With a sigh, Jihyun finally walked toward him.

“Why are you two coming in together?”

Manager Kim was waiting at the gate and grabbed Jihyun’s arm immediately.

Her expression screamed disbelief, and Jihyun felt wrongly accused. Seungho had been treated kindly—but Kim was acting like Jihyun was a criminal.

“We just happened to meet on the way.”

“Do you expect me to believe that?”

If she said they’d been together, Manager Kim might actually faint.

Jihyun tried to sneak away to the annex but was stopped again.

“Jihyun.”

Kim’s voice was different now—more serious than before.

“Madam wants to see you.”

“What? Who?”

Jihyun’s eyes widened in shock.

‘The scary woman who once threw a water glass at the driver’s head?’

Seeing Jihyun’s pale face, Manager Kim looked her in the eye and said,

“Keep your wits about you. Even if it’s a tiger’s den, you can survive with your mind intact.”

But Madam was scarier than a tiger.

As she led the terrified girl toward the mansion, Kim gave repeated warnings.

“Remember—don’t talk back, don’t make eye contact, and…”

“…”

Her last piece of advice came with a grave look.

“If something flies at you, dodge.”

…Excuse me?