The Textbook of a Lover - Chapter 12

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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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12.
An urgent meeting was scheduled with the marketing team at Hyunshin Department Store to finalize the main campaign strategy.
The venue was a high-end Japanese restaurant. Though they called it a meeting, the timing and location made it clear this was more of a formal entertainment affair.
Do-a had heard that major corporations these days strictly prohibited agencies from receiving such entertainment, so she wondered if Hyunshin was an exception.
But that wasn’t the pressing issue at the moment.
‘So that’s why the Team Leader kept telling me to grovel and bow from this morning. There’s a meeting today.’ Everything clicked into place.
Do-a felt her chest tighten with frustration.
Even if she swallowed her pride and apologized to that despicable wretch, would he actually accept it?
“Today is both a meal and a meeting, so we’ll have drinks, but everyone knows this is still an official occasion, right? Remember the other side is a client. Keep your professionalism. Don’t give them any reason to sue us.”
Suppressed laughter rippled through the room.
Do-a glanced over to see Na-hui openly smirking.
Patience. She had to endure this for the future. To accomplish something greater, one had to weather such trials.
As Do-a was steeling herself with this resolve, the door opened.
Gyeong-jun entered with his superior.
The Team Leader greeted Park first, then turned his gaze toward Gyeong-jun and momentarily froze.
But he quickly recovered and finished the greeting.
“Welcome. Please, have a seat over here.”
Do-a had to bite down hard to suppress the laughter bubbling up in her throat.
The dark green suit that had looked reasonably subdued in the hallway now gleamed an almost fluorescent lime under the restaurant’s lighting.
And when Gyeong-jun bowed—his already slightly hunched shoulders curving deeper—he looked exactly like a grasshopper coiled and ready to spring.
“Have frogs become fashionable? My taste must be outdated because I’m getting on in years—fashion is increasingly incomprehensible to me.”
Pffft—hehehehe.
The laughter that had been straining behind Do-a’s teeth finally burst forth at Park’s remark.
A frog and a grasshopper? This wasn’t some rural meadow.
The laughter wasn’t contained to just Do-a; quiet snickers echoed around the table.
Yet Gyeong-jun’s gaze fixed sharply on Do-a alone.
‘So I’m not allowed to laugh at something funny? Everyone else was snickering—why is only I getting glared at?’
She caught a glimpse of Na-hui’s face, which had flushed a deep crimson.
It seemed she was mortified that her boyfriend had become the object of ridicule.
The Team Leader, oblivious to the tension, seated Gyeong-jun directly across from Na-hui.
Do-a took a seat somewhat apart from them and fell into thought.
Even looking at the two facing each other, she felt no jealousy anymore.
Instead, she couldn’t fathom her past self—how she could have sacrificed so much for this man.
‘What could I have possibly fallen for?’
Long before the affair with Na-hui, Gyeong-jun had been someone full of boasting and vanity.
Selfish, thinking only of himself, and arrogant enough to attribute achievements that came through others’ help to his own ability.
Yet there had been a catalyst for Do-a’s affection.
Years ago, during a university club hiking trip, when she nearly fell from a cliff, Gyeong-jun had risked himself to catch her.
‘If you’d give your life without hesitation for someone, that’s family.’
For Do-a, who had grown up in an orphanage, family had always been an aching phantom—something desperately yearned for but forever out of reach.
So when Gyeong-jun extended his hand without hesitation in that moment of danger, her heart shifted toward him in an instant.
Looking back now, it might have been less love and more a longing for family.
That’s why she’d convinced herself that even if he used her and treated her carelessly, she should endure it because he was family.
‘I don’t know what he was thinking when he saved me back then… but I’ve paid my debt.’
Do-a echoed this silently.
‘Now it’s time to collect my change.’
As she dwelt on the past, their eyes suddenly met across the table.
She tried to quickly look away, but before she could, the Team Leader called her name.
“Do-a, come here for a moment.”
Her premonition was spot-on. Do-a took a deep breath and stood, moving toward the center of the room where the Team Leader sat.
Na-hui occupied the adjacent seat, and directly across on the sofa sat Gyeong-jun, lounging with arrogant posture against the cushion.
Feeling the Team Leader’s persistent pressure, she finally swallowed her pride and bowed before Gyeong-jun.
“The incident from before… it was my fault. I apologize for any inconvenience I caused.”
But Gyeong-jun kept his gaze fixed elsewhere and said nothing.
As frustration began to boil up, Park, seated beside him, broke the silence.
“Well, you know how it is working at a company—strange things happen. We’ve accepted the apology, so why don’t you let it go at that?”
Then Gyeong-jun suddenly sat up from the sofa.
“No, sir. An apology doesn’t erase what happened, does it?”
His breathing had grown subtly ragged as he continued.
“I believe this isn’t merely a personal matter between us, but something that arose because Hyunshin Department Store was disrespected.”
“Gyeong-jun, Do-a did make a mistake, but I’m sure she didn’t intend harm.”
The Team Leader tried to smooth things over, but Gyeong-jun’s stance remained firm.
“Isn’t intent ultimately revealed through action? For the company’s honor, I intend to see this through to the end.”
Do-a clenched her teeth and bowed once more.
“I’m deeply sorry. I assure you it won’t happen again.”
But Gyeong-jun refused to look at her.
Do-a had no choice but to return to her seat. Her chest felt constricted.
‘I should have just endured it somehow back then.’
No matter how wronged or angry she felt, the fact remained that she had raised her hand in violence—a clear mistake on her part.
She could offer no defense for letting personal emotion overwhelm her judgment and causing her company harm.
It was pathetic that she couldn’t contain her rage in that moment because of stubborn pride.
The meeting-dinner dragged on.
Unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere, Do-a stood and said she needed some air.
As she made her way down the corridor toward the entrance, she noticed smoke seeping from the smoking area. It was Gyeong-jun.
“Hold on.”
As Do-a tried to pass, Gyeong-jun called to her.
“I follow through on my word.”
“…And?”
She couldn’t understand why he was repeating something she’d already heard.
“But there’s exactly one way for you to avoid a lawsuit.”
Do-a found herself leaning in despite herself.
“Write me a covenant stating you won’t mention, question, or cause problems regarding the Trousseau with me, Na-hui, or anyone else going forward.”
“What?”
“And naturally, the two million won I promised you is off the table.”
Gyeong-jun spoke with casual ease.
“If you do that, I’ll overlook your violence out of the goodness of my heart.”
So that’s all this righteous corporate spirit was about.
What a despicable bastard.
“That has nothing to do with the Trousseau issue!”
At Do-a’s protest, Gyeong-jun scoffed.
“If you don’t like it, forget it. I’ve got nothing to lose.”
“You’re really―!”
“Choose.”
He cut her off flatly.
“Do you keep escalating this here, or do you quietly sign the covenant and move on?”
His brazen words sent Do-a’s blood boiling.
Words crowded her throat, desperate to pour out, but she gritted her teeth and held them back.
To repay today’s humiliation with interest, she needed to endure now.
“Fine. I’ll do it, but you better keep your promise to drop the lawsuit.”
“I’ll send you the documents tomorrow. Just sign them.”
Having said his piece, Gyeong-jun turned away, shoulders taut with the posture of victory.
She wanted nothing more than to run after him and crack his skull.
No. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t.
One kick had already brought her to this degradation; she couldn’t afford another such mistake.
As she was steadying herself, her phone vibrated.
The screen showed an unknown number.
Do-a hesitated briefly, then carefully pressed the answer button.
“Hello?”
― Are you still at the meeting venue?
A low, measured male voice came through the receiver.

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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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