Bound by a Ruthless Contract - Chapter 77

She couldn’t believe it.

That Kwon Si-heon was here, in this house, in the home of Gye Young-cheol and Woo Ji-hyang, where she lived.

“Oh dear, what should I do? I’m not sure if the food will be to your taste. I tried to prepare, but time was so tight.”

Ji-hyang shot a pointed look at her sitting diagonally across.

“Ga-eun, are you going to surprise the family like this? You know how much effort your mother puts into hosting guests.”

Ga-eun almost let out a bitter laugh.

Anyone watching would think they were a normal mother and daughter, intimately familiar with each other’s tastes and personalities.

“Haha. This time, dad’s on mom’s side too, Ga-eun. We’re talking about your future husband, not just anyone. They say a son-in-law is a guest for a hundred years.”

Gye Young-cheol’s words were even more ridiculous. His gentle smile, pretending to be the caring father who always took his daughter’s side, was utterly disgusting.

“I believe I should apologize instead of eating.”

Everyone’s attention turned to Si-heon with his sudden deep voice.

“It sounds like you’re saying you can’t give your precious daughter to someone with no sense of timing.”

His words sent Young-cheol and Ji-hyang into a fluster.

“Oh no, how could we! How dare we think such things.”

“Yes, there seems to be some misunderstanding…”

“I was the one who suggested coming to pay our respects today.”

Si-heon turned his head to meet her eyes.

“Not Ga-eun.”

Ga-eun. Seeing her light brown eyes widen at those words, Si-heon’s gaze darkened.

How strange.

She wasn’t throwing herself at him naked, nor seducing him with provocative expressions.

Why did he feel aroused every time he saw those eyes?

Why did his chest tighten and his blood boil?

Ga-eun wasn’t the only one surprised.

Witnessing Kwon Si-heon addressing Ga-eun so tenderly, Young-cheol and Ji-hyang exchanged incredulous looks.

“Well, um… we haven’t heard how you two met yet. We’ve been holding back our curiosity since Director Kwon said he’d explain himself.”

“Y-yes. I’ve been so curious about that too.”

Si-heon turned his gaze from Ga-eun to her parents.

Looking at just Ji-hyang, he had wondered if she was adopted.

Young-cheol and Ga-eun didn’t look much alike either.

True, compared to Ji-hyang, there was a slight resemblance, but their eyes and temperaments were worlds apart.

How could parents with such clouded eyes and servile natures have birthed a daughter with such clear eyes?

“It was love at first sight. At the exhibition in Youngso Hotel’s basement.”

That exhibition was held three months before they first met at the jazz bar, where she had managed a section of contemporary art.

He seemed to be crafting a narrative about falling for her then.

He must have investigated when they decided to marry. How thorough.

“While I was waiting for an opportunity, I heard Ga-eun was going to an arranged marriage meeting with another man. I couldn’t let her slip away, so I proposed.”

“You only saw her once three months ago… and that made you decide to marry?”

When Ji-hyang asked with a doubtful expression, Si-heon stared straight into her eyes and countered:

“Is there a law against that?”

“Ah, no, I mean, well… since you’re from such a prestigious family, I thought you’d be more cautious about marriage…”

“I thought an artist like yourself would understand. Can one control their emotions at will?”

It was an oddly sentimental statement from a man who seemed capable of controlling his emotions with 0.1% precision. Almost careless, even.

But overwhelmed by his proud and arrogant gaze that seemed to say ‘if I say so, then it is so,’ Young-cheol and Ji-hyang couldn’t say more.

“Pardon my boldness, but without this seemingly unbelievable proposal, wouldn’t you both have been in trouble?”

Si-heon tilted his head slightly.

“If I hadn’t fallen for Ga-eun enough to instantly resolve your financial troubles and even secure you a membership at an exclusive hotel that doesn’t accept just anyone.”

Ga-eun suddenly tensed her shoulders. Under the table, he had taken her hand resting on her knee.

“Anyone in this situation would treat their daughter like heaven. Wouldn’t you agree?”

The meaning was clear – treat Ga-eun well from now on. Fortunately, as sharp as they were greedy, the future in-laws nodded vigorously.