IDMPYU 40

40. Bad Guy

With the sound of the front door closing, Seungho left the house, and silence quickly enveloped the space. The sense of urgency Ji-hyun felt about needing to leave vanished now that the homeowner was gone. Feeling a little more at ease, she looked around.

“Maybe I’ll take a quick look around before I go?”

It was a luxurious apartment, the kind you’d only see in movies or dramas. Knowing she wouldn’t get a proper look with Seungho around, she decided to explore. The house was pristine, like a model home—elegant and spotless, not a speck of dust in sight.

It was exactly the kind of place Shin Seungho would live in. Ji-hyun clicked her tongue.

“No warmth—just like the owner.”

Not feeling comfortable opening any doors without permission, Ji-hyun’s exploration was short-lived. As she scanned the room without much thought, her gaze landed on a plain white wall in the living room. The spotless surface gave her an uncanny feeling, just like when she first entered.

“Ah!”

She had been staring intently at the empty wall, and suddenly realized what had felt so off since she arrived.

“There are no butterflies.”

Strangely, not a single butterfly was in the house. Seungho, who had always valued butterflies even more than most things, hadn’t brought any with him. Even if this was only a temporary place, he wouldn’t have stopped collecting them.

“There’s not even anything that looks like a butterfly… That’s odd—oh?”

She caught a familiar reflection in the window and screamed.

“Ahh! What is this?!”

The reflection showed her hair completely tangled and sticking out in all directions. Horrified at her appearance, Ji-hyun buried her face in her hands. She had seen Seungho off with that mess on her head and hadn’t even realized.

“I can’t live like this. Seriously!”

The luxurious café, decorated with white marble, was quieter than usual today. Kyung-wook, a regular, had given the owner a heads-up that he was meeting an important guest.

Leaning back on the sofa, Seungho listened intently to Kyung-wook, an executive from Yumin BioGen.

“So, what’s your conclusion?”

“Well, the drug itself—Demorac—is effective, no doubt.”

Demorac was a new drug from Jangin Biolab, Yumin BioGen’s rival. Backed heavily by Myungho’s investments, the drug had been skyrocketing in value amid reports that it helped treat rare, incurable diseases. Seungho gracefully set down his teacup.

“I heard the FDA Phase 3 trial is progressing smoothly.”

“I don’t care if it’s Phase 3—none of this makes sense.”

Kyung-wook exploded.

“Five consecutive days of limit-up stock prices? Come on.”

With a hardened expression, Min-woo tapped his tablet and handed it to Seungho. On the screen were quarterly sales reports and stock data of domestic biopharma companies, including shareholder info.

Still clearly annoyed, Kyung-wook crunched an ice cube with his teeth.

“Guess who’s been buying the most Jangin Biolab shares recently?”

Scanning the document, Seungho smirked.

“Well, it’s definitely someone not sitting at this table.”

Though no one said it out loud, they all knew. Shin Myungho was the one pulling the strings behind Jangin Biolab’s stock and new drug ventures.

“What do you think it means when someone deliberately crashes their own company’s stock to buy it privately and then waits for it to spike?”

“Seems suspicious as hell, that’s for sure.”

Min-woo threw a glance at Kyung-wook and added:

“BioGen needs a secret weapon too.”

Kyung-wook straightened up with pride.

“Of course, we’ve got a drug in Phase 2 of FDA trials right now.”

“Oh really? What is it?”

Min-woo perked up. If Phase 2 went well and Phase 3 succeeded, it could be a major win.

“Well… I can’t say just yet.”

Kyung-wook regained his composure and looked around cautiously before locking eyes with Seungho.

“Seungho, you better be careful. This time… it feels real.”

Leaning back and gazing at the chandelier like he was bored to death, Seungho chuckled softly.

“Since when has he not been serious…?”

Myungho, lacking both skill and patience, had always coveted what belonged to his younger brother. Every failure had come from his own arrogance.

“Brothers should get along, shouldn’t they?”

A cold glint flickered in Seungho’s sneering eyes.

“I’m home.”

After leaving Seungho’s apartment, Ji-hyun had practically fled to her own place. Her home, unlike his cold and sterile space, was always warm and cozy—especially with Hyun-sook around. Since she’d told her guardian she’d be working late, Hyun-sook had probably gone to work without worry.

“Must’ve been in a rush this morning.”

Pushing aside clothes strewn on the floor, Ji-hyun smiled. Eight years ago, when rumors spread that Hyun-sook had quit working at the chairman’s mansion, another household that thought well of her offered her a high-paying job as a house manager. But without hesitation, she had declined.

“I’ve had enough of living under someone else’s eye. I’m done.”

Though their finances were tight, Ji-hyun hadn’t worried. To her, Hyun-sook’s decisions were always right. After all, she had saved Ji-hyun from a life of despair. Now it was Ji-hyun’s turn.

“Auntie, I’m not going to college. I’ll work and support you.”

Hearing her resolve, Hyun-sook laughed heartily.

“Ji-hyun, I’m not giving up housework because I’m tired. I’ve found something I want to do. I’m going to make money doing that. I’m confident. I know I’ll succeed. So don’t even think about sacrificing your future just because we’re short on cash.”

“But still…”

Hyun-sook’s face turned serious.

“If you really want to help me, go to college. Take out a loan if you have to. Study hard, and help me after. Got it?”

And indeed, Hyun-sook had quickly become a successful florist, making a name for herself in the field. Wedding venues, seminars, and all kinds of events sought her designs—few could match her delicate and artistic style.

Mornings at the flower market, afternoons at events, and barely enough time to sleep at night—she was always busy. Naturally, household chores became Ji-hyun’s responsibility. She rolled up her sleeves.

“Well then, let’s do this.”

She loaded the laundry, tossed spoiled food that hadn’t been touched for days, and cleaned the apartment from top to bottom. Meanwhile, the comforter she’d dropped off at the laundromat came back fresh and fluffy. Hugging the blanket that smelled of softener, Ji-hyun beamed.

For this moment, she needed nothing else. A weekday afternoon with no expectations—it was a sweet luxury.

Normally, she would have just curled up in bed, but it felt like a waste with the sun still up. After a moment’s thought, she slung the blanket over her arm and pulled her phone out from her coat pocket.

“I was shocked when you asked to meet first. Thought something happened!”

Mi-ri welcomed Ji-hyun with exaggerated delight at the café.

“Is Ha-joon here yet?”

“He’s running a bit late. Has class.”

“Class?”

“You didn’t know? He’s in law school now.”

Ji-hyun blinked in surprise. It was the first she’d heard of it.

“…Not at all.”

Ha-joon, who usually told her everything, hadn’t said a word about law school. She felt a little hurt. Sensing it, Mi-ri quickly added:

“Honestly, I only found out recently too. I don’t think he was trying to hide it—maybe he just didn’t bring it up for a reason.”

“Yeah, I’ll have to ask him when he gets here.”

“Anyway, does he know you got a job?”

“Ah…”

Ji-hyun sighed softly. The last time she saw Ha-joon was when she had rushed out after a call from the TA Sooyoung.

“You two are always busy with your own stuff…”

Mi-ri clicked her tongue and sipped her latte. Ji-hyun stirred her pink lemonade quietly. Somehow, she had a feeling Ha-joon wouldn’t be happy if she told him she was working with Seungho.

“Why do I feel that way…?”

Looking out the window, Mi-ri changed the topic.

“So tell me about work. How’s the duke? Still gorgeous?”

“He’s the same.”

“So yes, still gorgeous.”

Ji-hyun couldn’t help but be amazed by Mi-ri’s cheeky tone.

“How can she say stuff like ‘the duke’ so casually…?”

“Hey, aren’t you going to ask if work is hard or not?”

Mi-ri widened her eyes.

“Is it hard? No way—just looking at the duke’s face must be an energy boost!”

“…I give up.”

Speechless, Ji-hyun sipped her lemonade. Then Mi-ri squinted at something outside.

“Huh?”

“What? What is it?”

Instead of answering, Mi-ri pointed across the street.

“Isn’t that Ha-joon?”

Ji-hyun turned to look. A man with comfortably styled bangs and a black casual coat—it was definitely Ha-joon.

“What’s he doing there? I’ll call him.”

Mi-ri pulled out her phone, but Ji-hyun stopped her.

“Wait—look over there.”

Ha-joon wasn’t alone. A woman stood beside him, clinging to his arm. She wore a fitted coat and long boots, and her long hair shimmered as she moved closer to him.

They couldn’t hear what was being said, but the two kept pulling apart and rejoining, speaking intensely.

Inside the café, Mi-ri and Ji-hyun silently watched, holding their breath.

“What a jerk—dating in secret…”

Mi-ri fumed, but Ji-hyun felt differently. The expression on Ha-joon’s face was one she had never seen before—cold and disgusted.

When the girl clung to him again, he forcefully pushed her away. Without hesitation, he crossed the street and entered the café. Spotting the girls, he approached with his usual cheerful smile.

But to Ji-hyun, even that familiar smile felt like a stranger’s.

When Ha-joon came close, Mi-ri pointed at him and shouted:

“Bad guy!”