"S-Sa... Madam, please forgive me just this once."
Taeseok looked at Kim Dooshik with a cold gaze, and the corners of his lips curved slightly.
"I don't think I'm the one you should be apologizing to."
Kim Dooshik dropped to his knees and bowed down in front of Iseo.
"I'm so sorry. My son caused trouble again, and we didn't have the money for settlement. When I saw the necklace, I lost control. If we don't pay the settlement, my son will go to jail… I truly apologize for causing such a disgraceful scene."
Kim Dooshik's shoulders started to shake as he cried. Watching him, Iseo spoke quietly.
"Please stand up."
"Please, I'm begging you. Just this once, please be generous and forgive me. I sincerely apologize for falsely accusing you of stealing."
Leaving Kim Dooshik on the ground, Iseo walked over to the woman.
"Apologize."
"What?"
"Apologize for treating me like a thief and speaking so rudely."
"Ugh, my head hurts."
"I'm the one you tried to strangle, so apologize properly. Otherwise, I'll report the CCTV footage as it is—with the title: *'Rich Madam from BL acting high and mighty over money.'* What will you do?"
Taeseok smiled slightly watching Iseo, while the woman bit her lip and lowered her gaze.
"I-I'm sorry."
"What exactly are you sorry for?"
"For… accusing you of stealing without knowing the truth, and for the harsh words. I'm sorry for all of it."
"If your apology is sincere, then don't ever treat people like that again. You don't have the right to look down on others."
"I-I won't."
The woman's face turned pale, and she was trembling as if she might faint any moment.
**A little later.**
The police, who came after Secretary Min reported the incident, arrested Kim Dooshik for hiding the necklace. Once everything was settled, Taeseok started walking out of the hotel.
Iseo quickly followed behind him.
"Excuse me."
Hearing her trembling voice, Taeseok stopped and looked at her. His deep, dark eyes stayed on her face.
A breeze passed between them, gently brushing their hair, and the strong musky scent from him tickled Iseo's nose.
"Thank you."
Iseo's body trembled slightly, exhausted from a long day.
"Are you okay?"
Standing under the lights, Iseo bowed lightly, and Taeseok silently looked at her.
"I'm fine. Really, thank you."
"Anyone would have done the same."
"Still, it wasn't an easy situation, but you stepped in. I really appreciate it. I'll be going now."
As Iseo turned to leave, Taeseok kept looking at her back, unable to take his eyes off her.
Outside the hotel, Iseo let out a deep breath she had been holding.
Just then, a message notification sound rang.
Three million won had been deposited into her account as payment for attending the wedding as a guest.
— *I sent more than enough, so make sure today's incident doesn't become a problem.*
'Seriously, until the very end…'
Holding her phone, Iseo's face showed a mix of sadness and anger.
She quickly made a call somewhere.
---
**\[Choi Iseo?]**
"My friend Lee Jian. How are you?"
\[What's this all of a sudden? You never call first.]
"When have I not called you? I've just been busy."
\[Something happened, right?]
Jian sensed something different in Iseo's voice and asked right away.
"Nothing much. I made some money today. A lot, actually. So I thought I'd treat you to some meat. I'm near your place—want to come out now?"
\[I mean, who would say no if Choi Iseo is buying meat?]
"There's a fresh meat restaurant next to the convenience store. Come now."
\[Okay, I'll head out. Wait for me.]
It was rare for Iseo to contact her first, so Jian, excited, quickly changed and went out.
**A little later.**
"Here!"
As Jian entered the restaurant, she immediately looked at Iseo's face.
She had known Iseo since middle school. Despite many moves and school transfers, they had stayed close, and Jian was not just a best friend but closer than family.
"Tell me. What happened?"
"You can tell just by looking at my face?"
"Of course. Anyone could see it says 'Don't mess with me today.'"
Jian raised one eyebrow, trying to read the situation.
"Two servings of fresh meat and one bottle of soju, please."
"You're drinking?"
"Of course. If I don't drink today, then when will I? I'm buying, so eat as much as you want. I've always only received from you—I never even bought you a proper meal before."
"Don't say that. I know your situation."
"Yeah, that stupid situation. Damn money. It's always the problem."
"See? Something did happen."
As the grill filled with meat, Jian poured soju into Iseo's glass.
"Did you… get a call from your father or something?"
"My father? I don't even know if he's alive."
"Still, how can someone dump all their debts on you and just disappear like that?"
"It's easier to just live as if he doesn't exist."
"Drink slowly. You'll get drunk."
"I want to get drunk."
Her mom was a single mother.
Even on Children's Day, her birthday, Christmas, or her grandma's memorial day, Iseo had one wish in her heart—
To have a father.
As a child, she couldn't understand why she didn't have what everyone else had.
Then one day, after years of wishing, a man appeared like a dream.
Choi Byungtae—he said he would marry her mother. He even looked like Iseo. People assumed he was her real father.
Iseo felt like she was dreaming every day, finally having a dad.
Byungtae wasn't rich, but he seemed good to her and her mom—at first.
But the happiness didn't last long.
After three years, his true nature was revealed.
He didn't work, just gambled day and night, taking all the money. He even sold the land and house left by Iseo's grandmother, then vanished without a trace.
All he left behind was not memories of happiness, but huge debt, poverty, and pain.
"You can't even drink. Aren't you going too fast?"
"I'm okay. I'm fine. Life is bitter, but today, the alcohol is sweet."
"Yeah. I wish your life was as sweet as this drink."
**Two hours later**, Iseo and Jian finally stood up.
"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?"
"I'm not a kid. Don't worry. You be careful."
"I'm still worried."
"I told you it's fine."
"If anything happens, tell me right away. Don't keep it in. I'm not sure I should just let you go like this."
"I said I'm okay."
Iseo opened her handbag to pay but looked confused.
"What's wrong?"
"My wallet is gone. I definitely brought it today…"
"Silly Iseo must've left it at home."
"No, I don't think so."
"Just go home and check. If it's not there, report it lost. I'll pay for the meal."
"No, wait—how much is it? I'll transfer it."
**Outside the restaurant**, Iseo's face was flushed red.
She had forced Jian to leave and slowly walked on her own.
Looking up at the night sky, she saw stars so thickly packed, it felt like they might fall at any moment.
---
**Late that night.**
Taeseok, checking on the Jeju officetel issue at work, was interrupted by his phone ringing loudly.
After ignoring multiple calls, he received a message:
— *Come home immediately.*
Taeseok's brows furrowed.
**A little later.**
The large door opened, and Taeseok entered. The housekeepers all bowed at once.
Pilsoon, who had called him, waved them away. Her face was red with anger.
"If you have something to say, come to my office during work hours."
"You expect me to go to your office at this hour? I'm the only one home, so don't worry."
Veins popped on Pilsoon's temples as she gritted her teeth.
"What do you want?"
"Are you seriously asking that? Have you gone crazy? How could you do such a thing again? Do you know how many times this has happened?"
Chairwoman Jang Pilsoon of Kanghwa Group.
With sharp eyes and overwhelming charisma, she was intimidating even in her late 70s.
Her eyes burned as she looked at Taeseok.
"How long are you going to keep this up?!"
"How many times do I have to say this? I'll handle my own marriage."
A thick vein pulsed on his forehead as tension rose between them.