Chapter 100
Ga-eun quietly took her designated seat.
“Our senior manager from Hwanhee Art Museum will have many here who are meeting her for the first time. It’s natural to feel unfamiliar and awkward.”
Park Ju-yeon scoffed at Ji-seon’s words.
The women in Jinri Society had grown up in a tightly interconnected social circle where everyone was practically just one connection away. Even if not close, they at least knew each other’s faces.
But Ga-eun, who hadn’t grown up in ‘this world’, was strange, awkward, and uncomfortable.
“Still, now we’re like a family. How deep our connections are. Everyone will take good care of her from now on. Understood?”
The women nodded with artificial smiles, some stealing glances at Jung Yeo-jin, whose face remained coldly impassive.
“By the way, how about the volunteer course recommended by our executive Jung Yeo-jin?”
“You mean Heavenly Orphanage? Oh, that sounds wonderful! How about golfing nearby afterward? The view there is absolutely stunning!”
Lee Yu-mi’s enthusiastic outburst was met with a smile and nod from Yang Ji-seon.
“That sounds good. So, our Hwanhee Art Museum senior manager, do you play golf?”
“No. I’ve never played before.”
Park Ju-yeon snorted at Ga-eun’s response.
“What have you been doing all this time? Never even played golf?”
“Oh my. Does this mean we should cancel the round for our new member?”
Yang Ji-seon looked at Ga-eun as if seeking an answer.
“It’s fine. Please don’t worry about me.”
“Well, you can learn gradually. Right? Hoho.”
“Chairwoman, you mentioned wanting to see the pianist performing from Sweden? I’ve already secured the entire first floor for Jinri Society members through my father.”
“Oh my goodness. Thanks to Hee-jin, we’ll get to enjoy a wonderful performance.”
“Oh, but we’re one seat short. We didn’t know someone new was joining…”
Ga-eun responded as before. She was fine. They shouldn’t worry.
Yang Ji-seon said they would get acquainted gradually, and everyone nodded, then shifted to other topics.
The same pattern continued.
Until the end of the meeting, no one spoke to Ga-eun.
***
“The meeting?”
“It was fine.”
Si-heon, silent for a moment after her flat response, spoke.
“Jung Yeo-jin?”
“She was there.”
Si-heon narrowed his eyes.
He wasn’t asking about her attendance. Ga-eun knew that well.
“Don’t let her climb. Your reputation is my reputation.”
Watching her offer no response, Si-heon moved toward the bed.
“Attend as much as possible. The conversations there could lift or drop the entire Republic of Korea.”
“I will.”
Si-heon stared at her intently, his gaze demanding why she wasn’t coming to bed immediately.
‘Being so cold…’
Why did they always have to sleep together?
His thoughts were utterly unreadable, and she couldn’t refuse his embrace.
Perhaps he held her every night because he felt something, however slight, for her.
Quietly harboring this sad hope, Ga-eun moved toward Si-heon.
***
Even after that, no one spoke to Ga-eun at the meetings.
Initially, she was subtly ostracized, but as she remained quiet and showed no reaction to Si-heon, they gradually began to blatantly ignore her.
Yang Ji-seon only feigned concern out of mere courtesy.
Soon, when Si-heon’s affections would be stripped away and Ga-eun divorced, it would be more advantageous to side with Jung Yeo-jin, who was set to become the director of Hwanhee Art Museum and eventually the mistress of Hwanhee Group.
Park Ju-yeon had subtly orchestrated this progression.
“Isn’t that right?”
“Indeed. I thought it would cause an uproar if it reached Kwon Executive’s ears. But seeing how quiet he’s been so far, it seems you’re right.”
“Exactly. That sly fox wouldn’t have kept quiet with Si-heon oppa. She would have reported it long ago. Yet Si-heon oppa remains still. His infatuation is definitely wearing off. We need to prepare for after he separates from Gye Ga-eun.”
Jung Yeo-jin nodded with a smile, and Park Ju-yeon spoke carefully.
“So, unni, when Si-heon oppa divorces, you’ll push me forward, right? I’ll manage without causing any disruption. You know I’m loyal to you.”
“Who knows? People’s thoughts can change after marriage.”
“No way, unni. I have integrity. I just want to be loved by Si-heon oppa. I’m not greedy. I’ll even write a contract if you want.”
“Ah, forget it. No need for a contract.”
Park Ju-yeon smiled inwardly, manipulative as a serpent.
Jung Yeo-jin was easier to manipulate than eating cold rice. Just elevate her and then bow down.
She probably thought of her as mindless as Lee Yu-mi, feeling completely at ease.
And that was precisely what Park Ju-yeon intended to exploit.
Then, like a lonely lotus flower, Ga-eun’s pure figure caught her eye.
She had deliberately misinformed her about the meeting time, hoping to see her flustered.
But seeing Gye Ga-eun standing conspicuously in the hotel lobby’s corner only infuriated her.
‘That pretty-faced vixen… Huh?’
Park Ju-yeon’s eyes widened.
A man was approaching Ga-eun with a smile.
“Ga-eun!”
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