To My Brother’s Friend - Chapter 44

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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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Chapter 44
“I’m truly sorry. What should I do about this?”
Heo Sa-ra, director of the Butterfly Gallery and a member of the Jinri Society, was also on intimate terms with Jin Seo-ryeong.
Heo Sa-ra’s face grew troubled as she pulled out a handkerchief, fidgeting helplessly.
“My grip just loosened for a moment—it was my mistake. I need to go up soon, don’t I? What should I do, really….”
Hee-jo smiled reassuringly, patting Heo Sa-ra’s arm to comfort her.
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. We can clean this up quickly.”
Just then, the Secretary Director hurried over and examined Hee-jo’s clothing, her expression growing troubled.
“Would you be able to change clothes for a moment?”
“The Director said that if there’s even the slightest problem with today’s proceedings, she’ll consider it a lack of practical competence and postpone announcing your appointment. It seems you need to go up right now, but….”
The tea-stained blouse clung transparently to her skin, revealing her undergarments beneath.
‘Should I go up holding the documents? Once I’m standing at the podium, it won’t be visible. I just need to hide it until then….’
But if she took the stage in such an awkward posture, she would face her mother-in-law’s sharp rebuke: ‘Unable to care for her own appearance in a public setting, flustered and careless.’
Moreover, if anyone noticed the soiled clothing, not only her reputation but also Kwon Yeol’s standing would plummet.
Just as Hee-jo bit her lip firmly.
A heavy, warm weight settled across her shoulders.
“Hee-jo.”
Kwon Yeol, who should have been in the guest seating area, had approached and draped his jacket over her shoulders.
“Wear this.”
“But….”
The large jacket covering Hee-jo’s body perfectly concealed the stains and the exposed skin beneath.
“It suits you well.”
Kwon Yeol carefully adjusted her collar, offering a faint smile.
Those watching gasped in astonishment. Some let out small exclamations of surprise.
“I’d only heard rumors, but it’s true….”
“Beom Executive Director is said to absolutely hate being touched by others. Apparently, he even refuses to let his mother, Director Jin, straighten his tie.”
“It seems he makes an exception for his wife. Last time, he personally went through the department store, didn’t he? Choosing items that suit his wife himself, refusing even the protocol staff.”
Yet Kwon Yeol paid no mind to the whispers, his gaze fixed solely on Hee-jo.
“Think only of me. Pretend you’re practicing in front of me.”
“…I will.”
“Go. I’ll be waiting.”
Kwon Yeol pressed a brief kiss to Hee-jo’s forehead, offering a faint smile.
Before the countless watching eyes, this open display of affection sent a chill of shock through the hall.
As if proving the rumors that he was ‘obsessed with his wife,’ Kwon Yeol’s eyes held only Hee-jo.
She wanted to lower her head in embarrassment at the overwhelming gaze, but the heavy weight of the jacket settling on her shoulders and his scent calmed her turbulent heart.
Wrapped in that warmth, Hee-jo walked toward the podium, wearing Kwon Yeol’s jacket.
Somehow, she felt she could do this well.
Today’s speech, the responsibilities entrusted to her, and her relationship with him.
* * *
Perhaps it was because she was enveloped in Kwon Yeol’s scent and warmth.
Nestled against him, Hee-jo found herself steadied by that warm sense of security, allowing her to recite her inaugural address without trembling.
“…and thus, through the Beomho Cultural Foundation, I shall realize the public value of art and establish the most solid foundation upon which neglected talents may shine.”
Lifting her gaze naturally as though surveying the audience, Hee-jo’s eyes came to rest on Kwon Yeol seated in the front row.
Among the countless faces, only his remained vivid and clear.
When their eyes met, a faint smile bloomed at the corners of Kwon Yeol’s lips.
As if to assure her: I am watching over you.
As warmth flooded through her chest, Hee-jo drew a deep breath and continued with the remainder of her address.
“As a cultural bridge where tradition and modernity intertwine, our Foundation shall transcend mere patronage….”
Standing upon the podium draped in her husband’s oversized jacket, she embodied the very pinnacle of a romantic newlywed couple.
The tale of how these two had transformed an unexpected mishap into a flawless display of affection would soon spread throughout every corner of society.
How deeply bonded they were, how possessively Beom Kwon Yeol clung to his wife.
Jin Seo-ryeong bit her lip at this flagrant disregard for propriety, yet forced a smile in response to the envious admiration echoing from all sides.
“At this rate, won’t our Director soon become a grandmother? The two of you have an extraordinary bond.”
“…hehe, there is still much for the children to accomplish first.”
Jin Seo-ryeong’s awkward reply came with a tightening grip on her handbag.
In truth, for the past month, her youngest son Jae-yeol had been causing her such distress that she had scarcely found the energy to properly pressure Hee-jo.
Perhaps because his older brother had made such a disgraceful marriage, Jae-yeol had now brought home some woman of questionable standing, insisting on marrying her and turning her entire world upside down.
The smooth path her life had been following was suddenly crumbling beneath her feet.
“You were worried, but your daughter-in-law is quite the blessing, isn’t she?”
To this ambiguous compliment, Jin Seo-ryeong merely managed to force the corners of her mouth upward.
‘This cannot continue. Even my own position will become precarious.’
* * *
The moment Hee-jo descended from the stage, people surged forward as though they had been waiting.
Foundation staff and guests vied to thrust elaborate bouquets into her arms, and hands reached out from all directions seeking her handshake.
“Congratulations, Vice Director. Your inaugural address was truly moving.”
“The jacket was a masterstroke. You looked so fresh and confident.”
Amid the cascade of praise and camera flashes, Hee-jo offered greetings in a daze.
Yet even as she did, her eyes searched for Kwon Yeol.
‘Where did he go? He was definitely seated in front.’
Then, an employee approached and whispered something audible only to her.
“Vice Director, Chairman Beom wishes to see you.”
“…Now?”
“Yes. He asks that you move discreetly.”
It meant the meeting was to be disclosed to no one.
A chill of foreboding swept through her.
Perhaps Kwon Yeol’s absence from his seat was itself Chairman Beom’s doing.
No—it surely was.
“….”
Hee-jo clutched the hem of the jacket, still carrying Kwon Yeol’s scent, tightly in her fist.
Responding to the flood of congratulations with appropriate smiles, she slipped through the crowd as naturally as possible, her footsteps heavy with dread.
As I walked along the lengthy corridor, I spotted the Secretary Director of Beom Hun-young’s Household standing before the Private Guest Room where Chairman Beom conducted business during his visits to the Art Hall.
“The Chairman is waiting for you.”
Seok Ki-young knocked and opened the door.
Chairman Beom stood gazing out the window with his hands clasped behind his back, his silhouette still imposing and formidable as a mountain.
“You’ve arrived?”
At the sound of my presence, Chairman Beom turned slowly, offering a deliberately benevolent smile.
“Do sit down.”
“…Yes, Chairman.”
Hee-jo moved toward the sofa, concealing her nervousness.
“It’s quite heartwarming to see. Your bond appears remarkably strong.”
Chairman Beom’s gaze shifted to the jacket Hee-jo was wearing.
“I’ve never seen it before—that fellow Kwon Yeol willingly lending his own things to another person so readily.”
“…”
“Even with his own family, he would have new identical items purchased for them, but anything that had touched his body was absolutely forbidden. That’s the kind of man he was.”
Hee-jo pressed her lips together.
What could she say without offending him?
How could she respond in a way that approached the answer he desired…?
“Your work seems to be yielding considerable results. I reviewed the proposal and report from this project, and your work handling is quite impressive.”
“…It’s only thanks to the considerable support from those around me.”
“I hear you learn quickly. While your mother has been preoccupied with matters concerning Jae-yeol lately, you’ve been cleverly filling that void.”
“You’re too kind.”
Chairman Beom smiled faintly.
“I don’t make empty remarks.”
“…Thank you for viewing me so favorably.”
“Yes, and it’s because I wish to continue regarding you fondly going forward.”
Chairman Beom settled deeper into the sofa, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“You haven’t forgotten what I said before, have you?”
Hee-jo drew in a sharp breath. In that instant, Kwon Yeol’s scent flooded my lungs completely.
I had momentarily forgotten.
That deep misfortune inevitably follows brief moments of happiness.
“You’re not pregnant, are you?”

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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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