IMRMH 05

Chapter 05

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“…It’s been a while, Kwon Soo-hyuk.”

How did he even get here?

And how did he know she was on a blind date?

There were countless questions she wanted to ask him.

But even if she did, there was no guarantee he’d answer.

And even if he did, it probably wouldn’t help.

He doesn’t look like the kind of man who lives cleanly anyway.

Soo-hyuk carried the unmistakable aura of a lifelong predator.

Resting his chin on his hand, lazily tapping his index finger—there was an effortless dominance in his posture.

“You’ve been looking for me pretty desperately. Stirring things up everywhere.”

That arrogant attitude—like he was inviting her to try and persuade him.

“So, why were you looking for me?”

“….”

As he already knew, Soo-hyuk was her last way out.

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“Even with just a leather strap, you should be able to catch a tiger. That’s my daughter.”

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Recalling her father’s words, Shin Yoo-sung lifted her head.

I can do this. I’m Shin Byung-oh’s daughter.

The more dangerous the opponent, the more confidently she had to act.

The moment she bowed her head—it would be over.

His pitch-black eyes, devoid of emotion, tightened her chest—

but instead—

“I didn’t expect you to come find me in person.”

She lifted her chin even higher.

“I figured you missed me so much you came running.”

“For someone who came running, you’re a bit late. You’re my fourth blind date today.”

“Ah, I’m fourth?”

He raised an eyebrow and pulled his chair closer, narrowing the distance between them.

“Didn’t know I had that many brothers. What a filthy bloodline.”

For a moment, Yoo-sung held her breath at how close he suddenly was—

but she didn’t look away.

“So? Anyone you liked? I hate sibling rivalry.”

“Yes. There is.”

Her answer came without hesitation.

His expression flickered slightly.

“It’s you, Kwon Soo-hyuk.”

His lips parted just a little.

“Kwon Soo-hyuk… do you have a girlfriend?”

“What if I don’t?”

“That’s a relief.”

Yoo-sung smiled, letting out a small breath.

“Congratulations. You’ve caught my interest. My standards are pretty high—none of the others were good enough.”

“…Ha!”

Soo-hyuk let out a hollow laugh, rubbing his brow as if troubled.

This is more interesting than I expected.

“You know my situation, right?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then if you came all the way here like this… I assume you’re here to help me. Am I right?”

“You’re testing me, you little thing.”

She flinched slightly—caught.

But he didn’t deny it.

So… he really was here to help.

A small spark of hope lit up inside her.

“Before your father collapsed… did he tell you anything?”

“…It happened suddenly. He didn’t say anything special.”

“Then who was it?”

“…What?”

He slowly straightened from the table, like a beast stretching before a hunt.

“That marriage contract. Who handed it to Kwon Hyuk-jun?”

“How do you—”

Yoo-sung stopped herself, hiding her shock.

“Tch. What a hassle.”

Soo-hyuk clicked his tongue and downed the whiskey the staff had brought.

It looked like a single sip—but half the glass was gone in an instant.

Meeting her gaze over the rim, he wiped his lips with the back of his hand.

“You look like you’ve got a lot of questions.”

“…Too many. I can’t even organize them.”

People around them kept glancing over.

His presence alone was enough to draw attention.

Soo-hyuk noticed too, shrugging slightly.

Not the kind of conversation for here. If I suggest going upstairs, will she hate it?

He was curious.

What kind of reaction she’d show.

Right now…

She was like a kitten, fur bristling, hissing defensively.

Just as he opened his mouth to tease her—

“Let’s go upstairs. Together, Kwon Soo-hyuk.”

“….”

The kitten had taken the lead.

“You don’t want to?”

Yoo-sung picked up her bag and stood.

“I won’t eat you. Just follow me.”

She even turned back and smiled.

“…Ha.”

That was supposed to be my line.

Watching her walk off without hesitation, Soo-hyuk ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek.

“Crazy little thing.”

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Meanwhile…

A long, grand imperial dining table.

Dishes fit for royalty were laid out across it.

Only three people were eating.

In the heavy silence—

“Set the meeting date.”

The voice of Chairman Kwon Sung-jae fell across the table.

“Next Saturday. But… are you really not going to stop this marriage?”

He frowned deeply, clearly irritated.

“You again?”

“Our Hyuk-jun is your only son. How can you marry him off to someone so vulgar…!”

She clicked her tongue in disbelief.

A few days earlier, when Shin Kyung-hee and Oh Yoo-na visited—

she had tried to send them away, but Sung-jae stopped her.

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“She’s my friend’s younger sister. And his niece. Treat them properly.”

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And sure enough—

they produced that absurd marriage contract.

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“Oppa… I’m struggling so much since Byung-oh collapsed… Shinyang is practically ruined… can’t you help me?”

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Right in front of his wife, she acted coy and shamelessly asked for money.

And her husband gave her 1 billion won without hesitation.

Just thinking about it made Myung-sook furious.

Six years ago they tried to extort money using that school violence accusation—and now again?!

But the bigger issue—

was that he fully intended to go through with the marriage.

“I can’t even sleep these days. Don’t you know Shin Yoo-sung seduced Hyuk-jun in high school? He suffered so much back then!”

Clang!

Sung-jae slammed his utensils down.

“Enough!”

He looked at his wife and son.

“Look at your son.”

Hyuk-jun froze.

“I even got a call from Director Jung yesterday. Not a single family is willing to accept a proposal.”

Director Jung—an elite matchmaker.

Even she rejected them.

“…What do you mean?!”

“Your son has caused too many scandals. Even as my own son, not a single marriage offer comes in for him.”

Hyuk-jun’s face flushed red.

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“Why do you think the chairman allowed this marriage?”

“Because not a single woman wants to marry you.”

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The same words.

From both Yoo-sung—and his father.

His lips trembled with rage.

Seeing him, Myung-sook snapped back.

“I was already arranging his marriage! Even if he resisted, you should have stopped this!”

“Regardless… she’s my old friend’s daughter.”

“And…”

He hesitated.

“…It was a promise Yeojung wanted to keep.”

His late ex-wife.

When she was pregnant with Soo-hyuk—

she had made that marriage promise.

At the mention of her—

Myung-sook’s eyes flared.

“That gangster friend is more important than your son?! And that dead woman’s promise?!”

“Watch your mouth!”

He clutched his head.

“Continue with the marriage. No more arguments.”

And he left.

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In the hallway—

he stopped in front of a photo.

His late wife, Im Yeo-jung.

And his “dead” son, Kwon Soo-hyuk.

She wore a black dress, smiling brightly.

A wedding photo.

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“A black dress means you’ll never belong to anyone else. Isn’t it romantic?”

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She had said that once.

Myung-sook had smiled secretly back then.

Not knowing your husband was already sleeping with me.

And in the end—

the woman died.

With her son.

My victory.

“…You’re still beautiful.”

At his quiet murmur—

Myung-sook froze.

“…Ha.”

In his eyes—

was longing.

A look she had never received.

She trembled with rage.

And as he walked away—

her anger burned uncontrollably.