Prey (Lee Seohan) - Chapter 129

“Still, I don’t know anything about the past. What kind of wrong did Seol Hee-nam do to Do Jeonghan? Why did he transfer Mom’s hospital without a word, and why does he visit Mom’s columbarium every month…?”

“Is it okay to go along with his vacation like this, mixing bodies every night without knowing, or even lying to the company that I’m on a business trip?”

‘…If I begged you to love me, would you love me?’

Her heart, unable to hide its anticipation, thudded as the voice echoed in her memory.

‘If I asked you to love me, even for a moment.’

‘If I begged you, please do it, Seol Suhyeon.’

‘Then, would you be able to love me?’

“Ah…”

Suhyeon took a deep breath, her heart pounding so hard it hurt.

‘I still haven’t responded to that confession.’

Exhaling softly, Suhyeon thought.

When I find out everything, maybe then I can be honest too. Since Do
Jeonghan said I would find out.

Even if I don’t want to, I’ll find out.

‘Yeah… You said I’d find out even if I didn’t want to. Let’s not be too anxious for now.’

If what he said was true, and I’ll find out soon, I’ll be able to respond to that confession then.

With that, Suhyeon gathered her thoughts and left the conference room.

After hanging up the call, Jeonghan stared silently at his phone.

The corner of his lips curled into a soft smile.

He had intentionally avoided mentioning the business trip while they were together. Partly because he was curious about how Seol Suhyeon would handle the message officially delivered to her…

‘Was it because I wanted to make her call me first, even like this?’

Even if she had called in a fit of anger, the fact that Seol Suhyeon had contacted him first was pleasing.

‘Ah, then let’s talk later.’

Her flustered voice, hurriedly trying to end the call after mentioning a meeting, wasn’t like her and made her seem adorable.

So much so that he wanted to go to her immediately and hold her in his arms.

As Jeonghan allowed a faint smile to linger, a knock sounded at the door. He turned to see Chief Joo opening it.

“Director, the meeting preparations are complete.”

“Ah, okay.”

Jeonghan slipped his phone into his pocket and turned around.

As they stepped into the elevator together, Chief Joo spoke up.

“Do Cheoljun is making contact with Seol Hee-nam.”

Jeonghan glanced at Chief Joo.

“Since when?”

With eyes that turned cold in an instant, Jeonghan asked, and Chief Joo replied.

“As far as I’ve determined, it hasn’t been long. I’ve received reports that Lee Chief and Seol Hee-nam met several times at a room salon.’’

‘……’

Jeonghan shifted his gaze forward.

“It seems Do Cheoljun is taking advantage of Seol Hee-nam’s blocked bank loans.’’

Listening to Chief Joo’s explanation, Jeonghan spoke with a composed expression.

“Has Do Cheoljun cut off that supply yet?’’

“Not yet. While they periodically change suppliers, the amount being injected continues to increase. The debauched parties held every two months at the Yangpyeong pension are still ongoing as well.’’

A cynical smile flickered across Jeonghan’s face.

“What kind of confidence is that?’’

He uttered the words coldly as the elevator doors opened.

“Gather the evidence.’’

“Understood.’’

Chief Joo responded to Jeonghan’s quiet directive as he stepped out first.

Back then, because Chairman Do was with them, they usually used his private jet.

Each time, Jeonghan was mostly in the meeting room or his office, and Suhyeon stayed in her room. Unless she had a brief meal with Chairman Do, most of her time was spent alone.

‘Did I just read books back then?’

Even during her study abroad years, traveling alone between Korea and the U.S., she had spent the entire time reading. She had thought nothing had changed much since then.

The only difference was that her reading environment had shifted from the cramped seats of an airplane to spacious beds or plush sofas.

‘…This time, it will be different, won’t it?’

Suhyeon pondered this while sipping coffee in the lounge.

Across from her, Jeonghan was seated, checking his work on a tablet.

Now… It feels the same as back then.

As Suhyeon looked at Jeonghan, that thought crossed her mind. Back then, too, she would sit in this seat drinking coffee while Jeonghan worked.

While reminiscing about this, Suhyeon found herself meeting Jeonghan’s gaze as he suddenly looked up.

‘Ah.’

…It’s different.

Suhyeon took a sharp breath.

Back then, when their eyes met, Jeonghan would dryly avert his gaze. But now, he maintained eye contact, holding her gaze steadily.

Suhyeon, who had been watching his subtly darkening eyes, was the first to lower her gaze. She felt as though the tips of her ears were heating up for no reason.

A soft chuckle reached her ears.