The day after the temporary shareholders’ meeting.

Seo Rin, who went to work at the company, was surprised by the atmosphere which was starkly different from the previous day.

She thought it would naturally be a topic of discussion that President Baek didn’t ascend to the top management position.

However, all attention was focused on Tae Joon, who appeared suddenly and created a twist.

His looks, of course, and even his wealth were definitely the talk of the town, and the fact that he was Seo Rin’s boyfriend was almost bombshell news.

Rumors even spread within the company that with this momentum, she might push President Baek out and ascend to the top management position.

All of this was a massive domino effect created by the man known as Kang Tae Joon in just one day.

“How do you feel?”

Director Park asked Seo Rin, who was sitting at her desk looking at her laptop, about to do an electronic signature. He, too, seemed to have a hard time adjusting, despite knowing about all this in advance.

“Well, there’s not much difference. Why?”

“You know, right? There’s a big fuss over there. It seems that the directors can’t even approach near President Baek’s office. Because the shares you secured are too certain, it seems like there’s a state of emergency for the next shareholders’ meeting.”

Tae Joon’s strategy worked. By embodying the fact that they were lovers, he effectively handed the directors a mine that could explode at any moment.

They must be flustered. If it were a simple business, they might already be approaching Tae Joon today to make some excuse to turn him to their side.

But this was, beyond business, tied by a romantic relationship, so they couldn’t see any space to barge in.

Yesterday, she resented Tae Joon’s sudden action, but today, she was grateful.

That brief display of affection would deter not only President Baek but also the board of directors from trying to exploit Tae Joon any further.

“Do you have any other schedule this afternoon?”

“No. I think you can leave work on time.”

“I’ll do it earlier than that. Just know that.”

As Seo Rin nodded her head as if her electronic signature was finished, Director Park did not ask any more questions and left the office after saying goodbye.

After Director Park left the office, she picked up her mobile phone.

Tae Joon was a much more excellent shield and sword than she had thought. Since he had done his role more than enough, now it was her turn.

“It’s me, the butler Kim. Have you had a meal today?”

[Ah. Yes. After hearing the news about Tae Joon yesterday, it seemed like you were feeling a bit better, so you finished a bowl of porridge.]

“Please switch it.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Butler Kim quickly handed the phone to Mrs. Park.

[Yeah. It’s me.]

“Did you only have a bowl of porridge today?”

[Why, is that a lot?]

“Have dinner with me today. I’ll reserve your favorite set meal.”

[Why bother when you’re busy……]

“Meet me at Danaham at five thirty.”

[Alright. See you then.]

She hung up the phone, but Seo Rin couldn’t put down her phone.

She hadn’t visited the family home even once since Mrs. Park fainted at her father’s funeral. Occasionally, she only checked on Mrs. Park’s condition through Butler Kim via phone call.

Therefore, she couldn’t gauge Mrs. Park’s exact condition, but she couldn’t postpone this meeting any longer.

Of course, it was a clear fact that the notification of her marriage to Tae Joon today would deliver another shock to Mrs. Park, who was already mentally weak.

But it would be better than notifying her after the late marriage registration, wouldn’t it?

“I’m just trying to face it, anyway.”

Hoping that Mrs. Park wouldn’t collapse on the spot, Seo Rin called Tae Joon.

Danaham, a fairly large traditional Korean restaurant.

As she passed through the quaint stone path, the reserved separate building, Mi, revealed its poetic charm.

As the sliding door opened and she was led inside, Mrs. Park, who had already arrived, was sitting calmly, drinking a cup of tea.

“I’m sorry. The traffic was heavy.”

“No, it’s okay. I just got here too. It happens when you’re working.”

Mrs. Park scanned Seo Rin carefully with her dark eyes, showing a faint smile at the sight of Seo Rin, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Then, with an almost tearful expression, she reached across the table and took Seo Rin’s hand.

“Your face looks worn out. Have you been eating well?”

Seo Rin frowned slightly, looking at Mrs. Park’s hand placed on hers.

Contrary to her discomfort, the warm and familiar energy emanating from Mrs. Park wasn’t unpleasant.

Momentarily lifting her gaze, she looked at Mrs. Park’s face, which had become shockingly haggard in her absence.

It made her heart sink.

Why was it that you, looking worse than me, were worrying about me?

It had always been like this.

The year she turned twelve, one winter.

This woman came into the big, cold family house. There was no way this woman, who married her father and filled the position of her deceased mother, could look beautiful in the eyes of the young girl.