Min Kyung nonchalantly mentioned Eun Ji Yeon, looking more cheerful than ever.

Surprised by this new information, Joo Ran turned to Min Woo.

As if it was nothing, Min Woo, stroking his hair, said, ‘Ah… right.’

“I mentioned it when I visited Min Kyung’s house recently.”

“What?”

Both Min Woo’s casual attitude and Min Kyung’s parents’ approach were baffling to Joo Ran.

Such important matters should be discussed when both families are present, not decided in private!

“What kind of talk is this? I’m hearing this for the first time. This is a conversation to be had with both families, not just decided and reported!”

“Why do we need everyone’s decision for this? It’s our matter. If we agree, we live together, and registering early since we’re getting married anyway. Just know that. I’ll talk to Dad about it soon.”

Min Woo answered with a sigh, seemingly annoyed by Joo Ran’s probing.

Meanwhile, Min Kyung stood by, giving two thumbs up and saying, ‘Brother’s the best!’ which only fueled Joo Ran’s anger.

“Min Woo, let’s talk. Wait here, Min Kyung. No, go look at bags or something!”

Being in a crowded department store and with Min Kyung nearby, Joo Ran couldn’t unleash her usual fury.

Swallowing her anger, she grabbed Min Woo’s arm and headed towards the lounge.
Fortunately, the department store lounge seemed to be empty.

“You… what are you saying? Registering the marriage first? You two moving in together?”

“Why are you so angry?”

“How can you decide such a big thing on your own? Huh? How can you decide this without even a hint to your mother?”

“Mother, didn’t you want this marriage? I just followed what you wanted, why do you have to meddle in every little thing? I’ll leave the wedding planning to you and Min Kyung. Just prepare it, and leave the rest to me. I’ll handle it.”

Barely containing her urge to scream, Joo Ran spoke in a suppressed voice.

“And what about Se Ah? You’re planning to live together without sorting her out first? When are you going to kick her out of the house then?”

“Didn’t you say you’d handle it?”

“…What?”

“Weren’t you the one who told me to try things out with the PP Confectionery daughter?”

Joo Ran was infuriated by Min Woo’s attitude, as if Se Ah’s situation was not his concern.

‘Is he even in his right mind? What is he saying all of a sudden?’

“You said you’d handle Se Ah’s situation. So, I left it to you and have been proceeding with Min Kyung.”

“The kid will be fine, I’ll take good care of her. Don’t worry about anything else. Leave everything to me. You should be on your best behavior when we meet them. You know how important a wife is to a man in a big position. You need to make a good impression this time, especially on the chairman.”

Joo Ran suddenly remembered the words she had said to Min Woo, encouraging him to pursue the relationship.

She couldn’t believe how easily he was shrugging off his responsibility based on her words.

“Se Ah likes money, so maybe try to appease her with that. The kid… I don’t know, it gives me a headache just thinking about it… I wish you would just handle it all.”

Rubbing his neck as if it was a headache, Min Woo shook his head.

“I’ve hardly spent the night with her these past few months… Ha.”

Listening to Min Woo’s mumbling, Joo Ran’s mind raced with thoughts.

She had someone keep an eye on Se Ah ever since her reemergence, just in case.

There had been dubious incidents before, and when Chairman Cha Seung Jo had investigated Se Ah, her male relationships were complicated, so Joo Ran couldn’t trust her.

She had been prepared to expel her at the first sign of trouble.

However, disappointingly, reports indicated Se Ah only visited home, the department store, aesthetic clinics, and a chef’s studio for cooking lessons.

[Three to four times a week to the department store, three times to the aesthetic clinic, two to three times to the chef’s studio. Other than that, brief visits for necessities, which aren’t significant enough to report.]

The places she frequented were always the same, just with different frequencies.

This meant her routine was too clear and clean.

While she might have been different in the past, since reuniting with Min Woo, she seemed too devoted to him to find a reason to oust her.

“Anyway, handle Se Ah, please. I’m too busy with work and meeting Park Min Kyung. Like you said, I need to get on the right track this time. You understand, right?”

With these words, Min Woo left Joo Ran alone in the lounge.

‘My child, but who did he learn to be so selfish from?’

Unbeknownst to Joo Ran, Min Woo’s selfish and irresponsible behavior was largely a product of her own making.
Joo Ran had wanted to ensure that Min Woo did not feel inferior to the children of the main family, Kim Ji Won. She indulged his every wish and never scolded him, even when he was disrespectful to her.

She repeated phrases like ‘You’re right’ and ‘You’re the best’ to him so often that it became second nature.

This upbringing led Min Woo to become increasingly selfish.

As a child, he may have seen his mother as pitiable, but as he entered adolescence, he began to disregard and look down on Joo Ran.

Being seen favorably in the eyes of Chairman Cha Seung Jo and succeeding him as the heir of C&C was Min Woo’s life goal. Joo Ran’s existence, something he couldn’t proudly discuss outside, became an embarrassment and nuisance to him.

He might be cautious around his stepbrothers and the main family, but he was unabashedly rude and unfiltered with Joo Ran.

“Go ahead, you two. I have some work, so I’ll head back first.”

After the conversation with Min Woo, Joo Ran, no longer in the mood to shop, just wanted to go home and lie down.

“Sure~ I haven’t had much time for dates with Min Woo lately. Thank you, Mother. We’ll have a good time.”

Min Kyung, who seemed pleased that Joo Ran was leaving, didn’t try to stop her. Joo Ran glared at her, but Min Kyung paid no attention.

‘Oh dear… When will I ever get to teach her some sense?’

Feeling that staying any longer would only lead to her losing her temper, Joo Ran quickly turned to leave.

“Let’s meet today. I’ll be heading home.”

She called Se Ah as soon as she left the department store.

Whether it was for Min Woo or herself, it was time to conclude the conversation with Se Ah.