IDMPYU 49

49. An Existence That Will Never Be Caught

“Chaerin…”

At the sound of her name, Chaerin flinched. Her father’s gentle voice and resolute gaze carried an unspoken message—one she knew all too well. It meant the situation had changed, and she was not to say another word.

Her father’s long-standing promise to make Shin Seungho her husband, his son-in-law, had vanished without a trace.

Chairman Park, a man quick with calculations, was clearly weighing his options between Myungho, who had made him an offer, and Seungho.

How amusing.

Seungho watched the situation unfold with a relaxed expression. If things were going exactly as he wanted without him lifting a finger, he was more than happy to sit back and enjoy the show.

“Dad!”

Chaerin’s lips trembled as she called out to Chairman Park. The precious, spoiled only daughter who had grown up getting her way glared at her father with all her might, but what came back was an unfamiliar rejection she had never experienced before.

Doesn’t he understand what this means?

Chaerin had grown up watching and learning from her father’s business dealings, even majoring in business management herself, and the way things were turning out left her chest tight.

She didn’t know what sweet words Shin Myungho—Shin Group’s black sheep—had used to lure her father, but he was definitely not material for a future company head.

She knew instinctively: if she didn’t secure Shin Seungho now, he would be an existence forever out of reach.

Surin, glancing quickly between Chairman Park, Chaerin, and Myungho, finished her assessment. It didn’t matter if things didn’t go exactly as planned. Whether she became the first daughter-in-law or the second, it made no difference. What mattered was that Rivernic and Shinyang were bound together.

Surin forced the corners of her Botox-frozen eyes to curve downward in a smile.

“Well, what does it matter? What’s important is that Chaerin becomes one of our Shinyang family.”

“That’s right. And I think Myungho, who resembles Chairman Shin quite a lot, would suit our Chaerin well.”

Ignoring Chaerin’s crumpled expression, Chairman Park flipped his stance as easily as turning over his palm. Glancing at Seungho, he added,

“After all, a naturally cold temperament can’t be changed.”

Just like Surin, Chairman Park hid his greed behind a kindly smile and raised his champagne high.

As they toasted, Seungho drank deeply, a smirk playing at his lips. It was exactly as Minwoo had said. Myungho had proposed some kind of deal to Chairman Park, and the chairman had accepted it—putting Chaerin on the table right here and now.

Seungho quietly raised his glass toward Chaerin, who was tearfully protesting to her father.

Since you’re such a precious daughter, you’d better become quite the weapon. You absolutely must.

[Go home first.]

Jihyun’s eyes narrowed as she read the text. No matter how many times she read it, it was clearly a message telling her to leave work early.

He’s telling me to go home like this?

Normally, the words “go home” would be welcome to Jihyun, who had been dragged to the party and was now stuck working late. Unfortunately, the current circumstances made it impossible to appreciate them.

Outside, it was a pitch-black night, with fierce cold winds and snow flurries in the air. She was wearing nothing but a dress—no coat.

The sleek, well-tailored designer dress was perfect for the party, but if she wore it outside, she’d look like a strange woman with flowers in her hair—drawing far too much attention.

On top of that, she had no idea how far the nearest subway station was.

So he’s basically telling me to freeze to death out there?

She hadn’t thought to bring her things when she came to the party in Seungho’s car. All her belongings and clothes were still at the apartment being used as an office.

If she’d known, she would have brought them.

Faced with the absurdity of the situation, Jihyun let out a short, incredulous laugh. Her earlier sentimental mood had completely vanished. Seungho’s words—telling her to go home on her own—only confirmed what he had told Hajun on the rooftop garden earlier.

“I don’t like her.”

Jihyun stared at her phone screen for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh.

Even if he doesn’t like me, he could at least care about the welfare of the employee he’s ordering around.

“Jihyun, is something wrong?”

As she was wondering how she would get home, Hajun approached her. A flicker of hope rose in her chest—maybe he could help.

“Hajun, do you think you could—”

“Hajun!”

A bright voice called out to him. Jihyun’s eyes widened when she saw the owner of the voice.

It’s that woman Hajun turned down.

In a striking red dress that emphasized her tall, slender figure, Haemin strode toward them in heels. Her daring backless gown, long hair swept to the side, and large sparkling earrings made her stand out anywhere. Even when she had secretly observed her with Miri before, Jihyun had thought she had a truly glamorous aura.

Without hesitation, Haemin placed a hand on Hajun’s shoulder, utterly unconcerned with the eyes around them.

“Fancy seeing you here! I didn’t think it was you at first. No wonder I felt like coming to this party tonight.”

While Haemin greeted him warmly, Hajun’s expression darkened, and he said in a low voice,

“Get your hand off.”

“That’s cold. I was genuinely happy to see a classmate from law school…”

Pouting, Haemin withdrew her hand—only to immediately glance at Jihyun.

“Is she your girlfriend?”

The sudden question, without even a proper introduction, caught Jihyun off guard. She shook her head quickly, and only then did Haemin’s face relax into a bright smile.

“Oh, sorry. That was rude of me. My name’s Shin Haemin. I go to the same law school as Hajun. What’s your name?”

“I’m Choi Jihyun.”

“Ah, Jihyun-ssi.” Haemin smiled warmly.

“I thought you were his girlfriend because Hajun seems to take care of you a lot.”

“You’re not my stalker, are you? I hate creepy people watching me from the shadows.”

Jihyun was startled at the harsh words. The Hajun she knew was always polite, with kind speech. His demeanor toward Haemin felt utterly unfamiliar.

“Well, if you put it that way, then I guess the stalker would be my father, not me.”

Unfazed by his bluntness, Haemin hooked her arm through Hajun’s.

“I told him I had a classmate from law school here, but he didn’t believe me. Come say hi to my dad, okay?”

Hajun’s gaze turned sharp as he looked down at their linked arms.

“Why should I?”

She laughed awkwardly, brushing her hair back.

“It’s a bit embarrassing, but after being tricked a few times, he doesn’t believe much of what I say anymore. He’s even doubting I’m in law school at all.”

“He could just ask the school.”

“My father’s pride would never allow that. Just one greeting would do. Please?”

“Why don’t you let go and then we can talk about it.”

Hajun tried to pull his arm free, but Haemin didn’t let go easily. She looked urgently at Jihyun.

“Jihyun-ssi, sorry, but can I borrow him for just a moment? You don’t mind, do you?”

Jihyun smiled and nodded.

“Of course not.”

“Thanks, Jihyun-ssi.”

“Jihyun…”

When she gestured for him to go, Hajun’s face clouded. Led away by Haemin, he looked back and told her,

“Stay right here. I’ll be back soon, okay?”

“Mm, don’t worry.”

Jihyun waved reassuringly. Despite her flashy, aloof appearance, Haemin seemed down-to-earth and nice.

Jihyun even thought she and Hajun suited each other well, and she immediately began moving.

Even though Hajun had told her to stay put, Jihyun knew she needed to leave. She had enough sense to realize this party wasn’t for her.

Taking a deep breath, she headed toward the entrance.

Once I’m outside, I’ll figure something out.

If worst came to worst, she could take a taxi and get money from home, or call Hyunsook and explain.

“Oh! Jihyun-ssi, there you are!”

Her train of thought broke off when Seungho’s chauffeur came running toward her, looking close to tears.

“What’s wrong?”

“Director has had too much to drink and is completely out of it. I was wondering how I could possibly get him home.”

“What? Really?”

Jihyun was shocked. The idea of Shin Seungho—who looked like he could drink a barrel of liquor without effect—being completely incapacitated was unbelievable.

“It’s a relief you’re still here. I was worried you’d already gone home…”

She didn’t understand.

If Seungho’s drunk, why do I need to be here?

“Why do you need me?”

“He’s in the car, so I’ll explain on the way.”

Gesturing for her to hurry, the driver led her out of the hotel. The night was pitch-dark, the stars invisible, the wind brutally cold. Jihyun shivered violently.

In this weather, she couldn’t even walk to the subway. Meeting the chauffeur was a stroke of luck.

He opened the door of a luxury foreign car, and she quickly climbed inside, curling up against the cold.

The warmth inside was almost overwhelming—along with the strong smell of alcohol. She frowned, then her eyes widened.

Seungho was slumped beside her, dead drunk.

He’s really passed out?

The chauffeur started the engine, looking relieved now that she was aboard.

“You can’t just let anyone into Seungho’s apartment. He fell asleep in the car right away, and I didn’t know what to do.”

I think I’m the one in trouble now, driver.

The heat from Seungho’s body was right beside her. Though the back seat was wide, Jihyun found herself pressed to the far corner, feeling uncomfortable.

She almost asked to be dropped at the nearest subway station, but seeing the driver’s sweat and effort, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

What now…

“Phew…”

It was then that Seungho, who had been slumped over, let out a deep breath and began to sit up.