As the explanation continued, Secretary Kim’s eyes widened. Whether her appearance would solve the problem or become the beginning of another problem was uncertain.
But considering Taesang’s condition, it was undoubtedly good news for now.
“Got it. Cut the call for now.”
After quickly ending the call, she swiftly walked into the living room.
“Vice President.”
Taesang slowly raised his eyelids in the darkness.
It seemed he had reached the point where he couldn’t say it’s time to go down. Secretary Kim turned on the bright lights in the living room and approached him.
“The security team just called… It seems that Han Dajeong is here.”
“…What did you say?”
Taesang stared at her stiffly, and the tiredness that had seemed to melt away from his eyes now returned with a renewed strength.
“Contact has been made with the security personnel stationed at Han Dajeong’s residence. They followed her up to the hotel providing security but lost her when she couldn’t enter the lobby.”
“What does that mean…?”
“It likely means she’s inside the venue.”
Taesang felt like his chest was about to burst.
Is she here to meet me? Is she coming back to me? The thought of being able to hold Dajeong in his arms again made his heart race wildly.
Whether she resents me or forgives me, whether being by my side is dangerous or safe, none of it mattered now. If she decided to stay by my side again, I was determined not to let her go.
That’s the only way I can live. Though selfish, there was no other choice.
Taesang rose with explosive force, feeling clearer in his mind than ever before.
Entering the venue, Dajeong awkwardly looked around.
Champagne and finger foods lined up along the walls. Soft classical music played in the background. Elegant guests gracefully moved through the venue like tropical fish in an aquarium.
Amidst greetings and conversations, Dajeong stood alone, like an isolated island.
‘Is Taesang still…?’
The screen in front displayed today’s schedule. The first event was Taesang’s commemorative speech.
Dajeong clasped her hands tightly, staring at the front entrance of the venue.
She would soon meet Taesang again, and the anticipation made her oddly nervous.
Will he reject me coldly, turn away as he did before? Despite causing him unimaginable pain, the fear of how he would look at her tormented her.
Then, a neatly dressed man ascended the stage.
“To all the guests who have joined us, hello. We will now begin the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of Hyosung Group.”
As the composed voice echoed, everyone’s attention shifted to the stage.
“Today’s program includes introductions of our executives, a commemorative speech, followed by a brief refreshment time. This year’s commemorative speech will be delivered by Vice President Yun Jinchul from the Management Support Office.”
A puzzled expression crossed Dajeong’s eyes.
The commemorative speech was supposed to be given by Taesang. An uneasy feeling settled in, but the man on stage spoke calmly.
“Vice President Cha Taesang, who was scheduled to deliver today’s commemorative speech, is unable to attend due to health issues. Instead, he asked to convey his gratitude to all the employees for their hard work in contributing to the company’s growth.”
Dajeong stiffened in her place. Taesang wouldn’t say he was unwell, not even if he were in pain. He wouldn’t easily miss an important event, and if he did…
If it were due to overexertion, the previously calm heart now quickly became turbulent.
Dajeong tightly grasped the hem of her skirt and swiftly turned her body. As she forcefully opened the large door, a quiet corridor unfolded before her.
‘Home? No, is it a hospital?’
Dajeong ran towards the elevator, opening her handbag with one hand. Attempting to take out her phone, her hands trembled anxiously inside the bag.
Tap, tap, tap.
After a while, the ringing signal was answered.
Having reached the end of the corridor, Dajeong pressed the elevator button firmly. Shortly after, the doors opened, revealing a spacious VIP-exclusive elevator.
With an anxious expression, Dajeong stepped into the elevator. Taesang had never once failed to answer her calls until now.
“How much pain is he in…?”
Dajeong bit her lip and pressed the button for the first floor repeatedly, in her haste, hitting the small number two or three times in succession.
Soon, with a sound of , the elevator descended. Dajeong disconnected the still ringing call, placing her phone back into her bag.
She had no choice but to go home for now.
Ding.
As the doors opened, Dajeong froze in place, holding her breath.
It was Taesang. He stood in front of her, blocking the passage.
“Ugh…”
He entered the narrow space like an enraged beast. Dajeong looked up at him with astonished eyes.
Sweat drenched his disheveled hair. It was an unusual sight for the usually composed Taesang. He breathed heavily, clutching Dajeong’s shoulders with both hands.
His pupils, like newly kindled flames, burned intensely.
“You… You…”
Taesang couldn’t bring himself to continue, and he collapsed onto her small shoulders. He continuously struggled to breathe, pressing his forehead against her white neck.
“Taesang, are you okay? It hurts, doesn’t it?”
Her skin touched his burning forehead, which felt as hot as a heated brass basin. The large back she had felt the heat emanating from, indicating how much he had been running around.
Dajeong gently wrapped her hands around his lower back.
“Don’t worry about me? If it hurts, why don’t you say something?”
Taesang slowly lifted his head as he spoke.
His face, seen up close, looked much more haggard than in a photograph. Gazing at his sharply defined features, Dajeong burst into tears.
“Why… Why did you become so thin? How have you been all this time?”
Taesang said nothing and simply pulled Dajeong into a tight embrace. Bending his head and clasping her shoulders with both hands, Dajeong was completely enveloped in his arms.
“Don’t worry about me…”
“Taesang…”
“If you’re going to leave me again, don’t worry about me. I… I don’t think I can bear it anymore.”
It would be good if Dajeong could just crumble in his arms like this. Holding onto such selfish thoughts, Taesang continued to embrace Dajeong, over and over again.
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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