Side Story 1
Suhyeon stepped into the café with its glass walls, wearing a bright coral-colored trench coat.
“Oh.”
As her eyes swept across the café interior, she immediately recognized the people sitting by the window.
“Manager! Over here.”
Hyunwoo and Bora, sitting across from each other, waved cheerfully when they spotted her.
A bright, flower-like smile bloomed on Suhyeon’s face as she walked toward them. Her long hair swayed gracefully over her delicate shoulders with each step.
“Have you been well?”
Suhyeon asked as she sat down, sweeping her long hair to one side.
Watching this, Bora responded with something completely unrelated to Suhyeon’s question.
“Manager, why have you gotten even prettier?”
“…Pardon?”
Suhyeon looked at Bora with slightly startled eyes. Though Hyunwoo’s eyes also widened in surprise, Bora earnestly asked with a slightly flushed face.
“I thought you must have been through such difficult times, but your face is glowing. You were always pretty, but now you’re just radiant…”
Hyunwoo jabbed Bora’s arm with his elbow, cutting off her enthusiastic words.
Silently chiding her with his eyes to be more tactful, Hyunwoo turned to Suhyeon with a gentle smile.
“We were all very worried about Manager Seol. Are you doing better now?”
Suhyeon returned his considerately careful smile with a gentle one of her own.
“You must have been shocked.”
“Honestly, watching the news felt like watching a crime drama. To think such things could happen…”
Hyunwoo frowned, stroking his chin.
He hadn’t believed the posts on the company bulletin board initially, but the news that broke out was even more unbelievable.
Direct murder and contract killing, and moreover, a devil who killed his own wife by disguising it as an accident for insurance money…
Sitting before Suhyeon, who had lived with such a monster as her father, Hyunwoo couldn’t find the right words.
Any consolation seemed like it would be tactless.
As Hyunwoo hesitated to continue, Bora asked Suhyeon from beside him.
“That woman who came to the company before – she was Park In-ok’s daughter, right? Seol Hana, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Suhyeon nodded slightly. Hana’s name and personal information had been public on the internet for quite some time.
Bora raised her eyebrows, as if even thinking about it made her angry.
“I heard she bought employee IDs with money to post false accusations about Manager Seol on the company bulletin board. Aren’t they just terrifying people?”
“No wonder it felt so creepy…”
Hyunwoo muttered. Even now, remembering that unsettling feeling when Hana visited gave him chills.
Bora grabbed Suhyeon’s hand worriedly and said,
“Manager, you must have gone through so much living among those devils.”
“Yes, you really went through a lot. It must have been so difficult…”
Hyunwoo added from beside Bora.
Suhyeon smiled softly.
“It’s all in the past now, so I’m fine. More importantly, I have something to give you both.”
Suhyeon reached into her handbag and pulled out wedding invitations for the two of them.
Bora’s eyes widened at the sight of it.
“Wow…! So you’re having another wedding ceremony with Director Do Jeonghan! Congratulations!”
“Congratulations.”
Hyunwoo also offered his sincere wishes while holding the invitation.
Suhyeon looked at them both with a slightly apologetic expression.
“The thing is, the wedding venue is in America…”
“America?”
Bora’s eyes grew even wider.
The second wedding venue was the <C.K> Resort in the Virgin Islands, owned by Cheonkyung.
Suhyeon had chosen the location.
When Jeonghan asked her where she wanted to hold the wedding, she remembered the opening ceremony of the C.K Resort. The memory of dancing with Jeonghan on the beach during the after-party.
When she tentatively suggested having their wedding reception outdoors in that brilliant sunset, Jeonghan readily agreed.
“We have a small memory of the Virgin Islands. We’re planning to keep it intimate, inviting just a few people.”
“Why not make it bigger?”
“Because it’s the second time.”
Suhyeon smiled quietly. Bora shook her head in disagreement.
“No, after everything that happened, you should have a grand, magnificent celebration! The whole world would bless you!”
Bora looked ready to pound the table. Watching her, Suhyeon spoke gently.
“We just want it to symbolize our fresh start together. As for a big, grand wedding… having done it once, I don’t think I could do it again.”
Suhyeon slowly shook her head.
“Ah… right, you’ve been through that. It must be exhausting for the bride.”
Bora nodded vigorously in understanding. A wedding was already troublesome enough to do once, especially after having gone through one that caused such a public stir.
“The company jet will be provided, and since the resort where we’re holding the wedding belongs to Cheonkyung, you’ll be able to stay comfortably. However, since it’s overseas, I’ll understand if you can’t attend. Please don’t feel pressured.”
“I’ll definitely come!”
Bora shouted without even checking her schedule, before Suhyeon could finish speaking.
“Our company has made so much profit thanks to Cheonkyung. The company will definitely approve it. I really want to go!”
“I’ll make sure to attend as well.”
“Thank you.”
Knowing how difficult it was for office workers to take time off for overseas travel, Suhyeon hadn’t expected much.
But she felt truly grateful for their enthusiasm, even if it was just words.
Her gaze turned to Hyunwoo.
“Thank you for taking care of various things at the company, Deputy Manager.”
Suhyeon was personally grateful to Hyunwoo for many things. Like Bora, the way Hyunwoo had supported her from his position as a superior still remained a warm memory.
“It’s nothing. I’m just glad everything worked out well.”
Hyunwoo smiled kindly.
“You’re really a good person, Deputy Manager.”
“Oh, stop.”
Hyunwoo scratched his head sheepishly. Suhyeon’s gaze shifted to Bora.
“Bora, thank you for staying on my side until the end.”
She meant it sincerely. That’s why she wanted to deliver the invitations personally to these two, even if they couldn’t attend.
“I’ll always be on Manager Seol’s side, remember that!”
“I will.”
Suhyeon’s smile deepened at Bora’s bright energy.
She really has become a goddess.
Momentarily lost in Suhyeon’s subtle smile that had grown even more beautiful, Bora carefully asked.
“But now… you won’t be able to work at the company anymore, right?”
Hyunwoo quickly chimed in from beside her.
“Of course not. Manager Seol is Cheonkyung’s person now – how could she work at another company? The chairman’s wife has so many roles to fulfill.”
“…I know, I just feel sad about it.”
Bora said with a gloomy expression.
“I won’t be able to work at the company anymore, but we can meet like this when time permits.”
Bora’s face immediately brightened at Suhyeon’s words.
“Really?”
To Bora’s sparkling eyes, Suhyeon readily replied.
“Of course. If you’d like, I’ll invite you to our home next time.”
“Wow, the Cheonkyung chairman’s house! I’m nervous already. Can I brag about this?”
“Yoon Bora, you’re being excessive.”
“It’s Chairman Do Jeonghan’s residence!”
Bora wouldn’t back down despite Hyunwoo’s criticism. At the mention of Chairman Do Jeonghan’s residence, even Hyunwoo’s expression suddenly changed.
“Then, would it be alright if I took some photos? I’m curious about the architectural interior.”
“…Taking photos is even more excessive, you know?”
Bora shot Hyunwoo a sidelong glance. Suhyeon quietly laughed watching them both.
“It’s all fine.”
“Thank you!”
Hyunwoo, an interior design enthusiast, spoke with an excited face at the prospect of photographing the Cheonkyung chairman’s residence.
Just then, someone entered the café.
“Ah…”
As the atmosphere in the café suddenly changed, Hyunwoo and Bora’s gazes turned toward the entrance.
Everyone was looking in that direction.
It was Do Jeonghan.
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