My Unrequited Love Is an Absolute Secret - Chapter 107

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story 2

“Huh? What?”
Harry was caught off guard by the sudden question that came out of nowhere.
Seeing her face flush and her words stumble, the Huntington Couple and Albert burst into laughter.
Only Aemerus refrained from laughing.
Instead, he quietly studied Harry’s face.
“Well, I don’t have any plans to break up with Aemerus for the time being. But marriage still feels like too early a topic to discuss.”
As Harry spoke while rubbing her cheeks, no displeasure or discomfort could be detected in her expression.
That was a relief.
“Even so, how can you talk about marriage without even a ring?”
Thanks to Albert’s joke from beside her, Harry laughed as well.
Sheryl, seeing that her reaction wasn’t negative, subtly added her own comment.
“Still, it’s better to introduce yourself beforehand. Truth is, Aemerus hasn’t been in the public eye for very long.”
“Quite late, actually.”
The Huntington Couple exchanged remarks in good harmony.
It would have been different if this were before Aemerus started dating Harry.
Now that he was with her, it was obvious he would never attend a party alone without her, not even if it killed him.
So there was no choice but to send him out with Harry by his side.
Aemerus was well aware of his parents’ true intentions, but he didn’t mind.
“Do that, Harry.”
Aemerus spoke as he cut through the beautifully browned scallop with his knife, butter glistening on its surface.
I felt her gaze turn toward me.
“Even if we break up later, the connections you build there will be helpful to you.”
Aemerus made excellent use of the advice his father had given him.
The art of leaving room for possibility—whether it was money or anything else, suggesting he could provide whatever she needed.
While James watched his quick-learning son with satisfaction, Sheryl clapped her hands together.
“As it happens, there’s a perfect opportunity. The Price Welfare Foundation’s summer performance report will be held soon.”
“We’re invited too?”
Albert showed interest.
He seemed thoroughly tired of being cooped up at home.
“Of course. Do you know how much I’ve donated to get an invitation to that event?”
James felt his own words were overly materialistic, so he added hastily.
“Still, the Price Foundation is trustworthy enough.”
“Exactly. The Morgan Foundation caused such a stir last year.”
When Albert nodded in agreement, Sheryl looked surprised.
“That news reached all the way to the military?”
“Soldiers have phones too.”
“You never contacted me, so I didn’t even know you were here.”
While Albert comforted the disappointed Sheryl, I smiled bitterly to myself.
As they said, the Morgan Foundation scandal had been a major topic last year.
The Morgan couple who ran the foundation had used donations for personal purposes, and suspicions spread that they had abused the adopted children they raised.
Among the adopted children was someone of Korean descent like me, so it didn’t feel like someone else’s problem.
“When is the date?”
Aemerus, who had been keenly attuned to my expression, asked.
“Hmm, in two weeks? I’ll confirm the exact date later.”
“Okay.”
“Lili, would you like to pick out what to wear with me?”
Sheryl looked at me with sparkling eyes.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do if I had a daughter. Sadly, I only have two uncooperative sons.”
At that, the two uncooperative sons simultaneously avoided Sheryl’s gaze as if they’d made a pact.
‘It would be rude to keep refusing after she’s said this much.’
I nodded and smiled softly.
“I’d love to.”
“Perfect. The Price Welfare Foundation event is one of the best. It’s a fine debut into society.”
Albert grinned at me.
“As the elder, I’ll take good care of you.”
Before his words even finished, Aemerus shot back.
“Thanks, but that’s not necessary. I’ll look after my girlfriend.”
Albert’s eyes widened at the aggressive tone—unusual for Aemerus.
He immediately whistled and waved his hand as if he’d touched something hot.
“Everyone be careful of burns. Couples in the throes of romance are quite hot.”
The Huntington couple burst out laughing at Albert’s jest.
I fanned my flushed face and gave Aemerus a look, signaling him not to get heated in front of family.
Though I couldn’t be sure if the message had gotten through properly.
Albert, who had been watching the two of us with interest, asked.
“By the way, how did you two start dating? I know you’re at the same school, but there must have been some catalyst.”
He seemed to expect an answer like Aemerus looked cool playing hockey or something of that nature.
I fell into thought.
For some reason, even Aemerus waited for my answer with a tense expression.
I smiled at him and gave my answer.
“Because he’s cute.”
“Huh?”
“Who?”
“Aemerus?”
Sheryl, who had given birth to Aemerus, and Aemerus himself blinked blankly.
Objectively speaking, Aemerus was far too solidly built as an adult man to be described as cute.
But I had long since lost all objectivity.
It meant I was viewing Aemerus through an extremely subjective lens.
“I wonder if he’ll be disappointed when he sees Aemerus’s childhood photos.”
Albert muttered quietly to himself.
A twinge of jealousy stirred within him—his younger brother, who had spent his entire life in a lesser position, was being loved so deeply by someone.
Of course, Harry, standing right beside him, heard his voice too.
“I’ve already seen what he looked like back then.”
“Oh, really?”
Sheryl informed the seemingly disgruntled Albert.
“Aemerus went missing briefly during Elementary School Summer Camp, remember? The child who found him was Lili.”
“What an incredible coincidence.”
“I think it’s not coincidence—it’s fate.”
At Aemerus’s words, Albert finally admitted defeat, throwing both his hands and feet up in surrender.
“Fine. I concede.”
Then, as if suddenly struck by a realization, he looked around at everyone seated at the table.
“I’m the only single one here. No wonder I feel so lonely!”
This time, even Aemerus laughed.
“While you’re at the party, try meeting a nice woman.”
At James’s nagging, Albert recoiled dramatically, shaking his entire body in protest.
“I’m not ready to settle down yet. And I haven’t met my destined woman like Aemerus has.”
As his grown son whined like a child, James swallowed his sparkling water and sighed.
“When he was young, the second son was a handful. Now that he’s grown, the first son is the problem. Sheryl, when will we finally be free?”
“Dear, think positively. At least we’ve solved one problem.”
Sheryl winked at Aemerus sitting beside her, matching James’s self-deprecating joke with her own.
Thanks to this, jokes and laughter never ceased throughout the meal.
The atmosphere was distinctly different from before, when they only discussed work.
“Oh, dessert’s already here.”
“Time really flew by.”
The dessert was Sujeonggwa that Harry had brought from home today.
The Huntington Couple had once visited Harry’s parents’ Restaurant and dined there.
Sheryl had particularly enjoyed the Sujeonggwa served as dessert that day.
She had separately asked Harry to bring some today so Albert could taste it too.
‘Since Albert is injured, alcohol wouldn’t be appropriate.’
James was drinking sparkling water instead of alcohol as well.
“This tastes pretty good, doesn’t it?”
Fortunately, the Sujeonggwa seemed to suit Albert’s palate well.
“More than good—it’s excellent. Everyone should thank Lili for this.”
“Lili?”
“Yes. This is one of the menu items served at Lili’s parents’ Restaurant.”
Surprisingly, Albert also knew about Harry’s parents’ Restaurant in Midtown.
“It’s incredibly famous. People line up and wait just to eat there.”
“That’s right.”
James finally realized it was his turn to speak.
After wiping the corners of his mouth with a napkin, he addressed Harry.
“Since we’re on the subject, Lili—would your parents be interested in opening a third location?”
“A third location?”
“Yes. If they are, I’d like to invest.”
He naturally expected Harry to be delighted.
Who wouldn’t be?
Everyone James had met thus far had desperately coveted his investment.
Yet Harry, the one actually chosen by him, merely shrugged with an unmoved expression instead of expressing gratitude.
“Your offer is truly appreciated, but a third location feels like overreach. To be honest, managing the second one already stretches us thin.”
After graduating high school and before entering university.
Harry, who had helped at the restaurant whenever time permitted during those interim months, shook her head firmly.
“Wouldn’t hiring a manager solve that problem easily?”
Even at James’s rebuttal, Harry continued shaking her head.
“My parents need to personally verify everything to feel satisfied. Rather than forcing business expansion, I think it’s better to focus on what the restaurant truly is—serving our customers delicious food in generous portions.”
James’s expectations had been thoroughly upended, yet instead of displeasure, he felt genuine delight.
‘My son has good judgment in people.’
His second son had only ever disappointed him.
Yet who could have predicted that at Riverside School, where he’d reluctantly sent him, Aemerus would find such an upright woman?
James’s gaze softened as he looked at Aemerus.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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