Bound by a Ruthless Contract - Chapter 122

“If you have any conversation with the child, tell me everything. Leave nothing out.”

“Are you sure you want to hear this?”

He asked cautiously, but Si-heon remained silent. Noh Man-su cleared his throat and began recounting Ga-eun’s words and actions from the orphanage to Seoul, as vividly and thoroughly as he could remember.

Si-heon stared coldly at a single point on the desk, listening as if receiving a formal report. His reaction sparked when Ga-eun discussed the ring with the child.

“So, the child was delighted that the meaning of their name wasn’t actually “ring”, and also…”

“Wait.”

Si-heon narrowed his brows.

“Repeat the previous story.”

“Pardon? Oh, she said her mother held her and cried, apologizing…”

“Not that. About the ring’s meaning.”

Ah, so that’s the point. I was deeply moved by that part too, though I kept my almost-rising tears a secret. Noh Man-su continued.

“She explained to the child that the ring means “We share the same heart”. That’s why lovers often exchange rings with matching designs…”

“Did she say the same to her mother?” The child asked.

Noh Man-su flinched at Si-heon’s abrupt interjection, nodding quickly. “Yes,” he replied.

Hastily, as if interpreting Si-heon’s expression, he added, “Please don’t worry.”

“…Worry?”

“The chief director is not someone who would forget her fundamental responsibilities.”

“And what exactly is Ga-eun’s fundamental responsibility?”

“She won’t make a mistake.”

Si-heon fell silent.

“She was explaining to the child. While speaking, she continuously watched my reactions. It seemed she was worried I might report to the executive.”

And that was likely true.

Ga-eun didn’t know that Noh Man-su was aware of their contract. So she wasn’t reading his expressions, but using him to gauge her own boundaries.

“The concerns of the executive will not materialize,” Noh Man-su assured.

What am I even worried about?

He wanted to ask, but couldn’t.

Ga-eun’s words about sharing a ring like lovers who share the same heart were lodged in his heart like a thorn.

He didn’t want to acknowledge it.

But… he had to.

He was now anxious.

And because of this anxiety, he couldn’t directly confirm with Ga-eun.

Afraid that his suspicions might become reality.

“Executive?”

Si-heon washed his face dry.

He had never been this tense in any contract situation before.

This felt like the longest, most nerve-wracking business trip of his life.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Si-heon added in a low voice.

“Attach people to Kim Juhan. And… to Ga-eun as well.”

It seems Myung Hyun-ju is now Ga-eun’s person.

Si-heon rose from his desk, gazing out the expansive window overlooking Victoria Harbour.

Normally, he would have felt refreshed by the clear weather and the blue-spread sea.

Today, everything appeared gray.

Then Si-heon let out a brief, sardonic chuckle.

“Executive?”

“There was a tea specialty shop in Central that operated until a few years ago. Near Dudley Street. Check if it’s still in business.”

Even now, he’s thinking about buying the promised tea bag.

Grandfather’s experiment was a success.

And… his own experiment had yielded its results as well.

He exhaled a hollow breath.

He had thought if anyone could overturn him, it would be his uncle’s family.

But it was merely one woman.

White, pure, delicate… his wife.

The one who should always be where he returns.

As he continued staring out the window, Noh Man-su instinctively placed a cigarette in his outstretched hand.

He bit the white filter.

Did not light it.

‘The opponent has changed.’

Tomorrow, Si-heon will return from his Hong Kong business trip.
***

Yet, daily life will not change.

Still…

‘At least I can see his face.’

Trying to find satisfaction in that thought, Ga-eun attempts to refocus on her work when a message arrives from Yang Ji-seon.

[To commemorate successfully completing this weekend’s volunteer work, I thought we’d have a small party. I really hope you’ll come and grace the occasion.]

How diverse the pretexts for parties can be.

‘My sister was just the same.’

Come to think of it, Gye So-yeon had been surprisingly quiet.

The Hwanhee Group’s fence seemed quite large and sturdy.

But Ga-eun did not know.

She could not have anticipated the massive tsunami that would be triggered by a party orchestrated by Yang Ji-seon, the chairman of the Jinri Association.

[I will attend.]