Chae-Yoon’s unusual behavior began the day after their first conversation.

“[Do we have to continue this conversation?]”

After that conversation was abruptly cut off, Jae-O couldn’t properly see Chae-Yoon’s face for two whole days. Even if he came home late at night, it was strange that Chae-Yoon was nowhere to be found in the house in the morning, not even oversleeping.

He thought one day might be a fluke, but when it stretched into two days, then three, he couldn’t just ignore it and asked Ji-Pil.

“[Where did Song Chae-Yoon go?]”

Ji-Pil, with an expression of ignorance, replied.

“[Where did Chae-Yoon go?]”

“[I asked you first.]”

“[…I don’t know, so why don’t you contact her?]”

It was unlike Chae-Yoon not to inform Ji-Pil if she was going somewhere. It was also strange that Ji-Pil kept feigning ignorance.

After repeatedly experiencing this, Jae-O finally took out his phone.

「Song Chae-Yoon」

Selecting Chae-Yoon’s number from his contacts, he pressed the call button and put the phone to his ear. As the ringing seemed endless, his expression became more frustrated.

Then, Chae-Yoon picked up.

[Dash]Hello?

“Where are you?”

[Dash]Why?

His straight brow furrowed deeply at her returning question. Just like their last conversation, she responded with ‘why?’ instead of a straight answer.

Amidst this frustrating situation, Jae-O’s frown deepened. Taking a deep breath, he spoke.

“Why do you think I’m asking? I’m curious where you are.”

[Dash]…I’m currently…

Just as Chae-Yoon was about to reply, an unfamiliar woman’s voice interrupted.

[Dash]Chae-Yoon, did you finish what I told you to do?

[Dash]Ah, Team Manager. Yes, just a moment.

The unexpected sound of ‘Team Manager’ made Jae-O’s narrowed eyes widen in surprise. Before he could grasp the situation, Chae-Yoon’s voice came through again.

[Dash]Oppa, I’m busy, so I’m hanging up.

The call ended abruptly. Jae-O stared at the phone screen in disbelief, and Woo-Jong, who had been observing Jae-O’s mood, cautiously asked.

“What… happened?”

“…….”

“Executive?”

Staring blankly, Jae-O let out an incredulous sigh and spoke.

“Seems like she got a job?”

With Woo-Jong looking baffled, Jae-O called Ji-Pil.

[Dash]Why.

“Did Song Chae-Yoon get a job?”

[Dash]Why are you asking me? Ask Chae-Yoon.

The response was the same as that morning.

“Grandfather.”

[Dash]What.

“I’m asking you. Where did Song Chae-Yoon get a job?”

[Dash]Jae-O.

“Yes.”

[Dash]Even if you press your voice like that, my answer won’t change. Don’t waste your time and hang up.

Frustration was evident on Jae-O’s face.

“Did you two set this up?”

[Dash]What nonsense is that? Aren’t you busy? I’m hanging up, too busy here.

The fruitless call ended. Again rejected by his grandfather, Jae-O was about to call Chae-Yoon again when Woo-Jong interrupted.

“Executive, Chairman Choi is calling.”

Jae-O’s hand, which was about to call Chae-Yoon, stiffened.

“Should I tell him to call back later?”

After a moment of hesitation, Jae-O replied.

“No. Connect it.”

Meanwhile, Chae-Yoon, after finishing the tasks assigned to her, checked her call log.
At the top of the list was Jae-O’s name.

「Jae-O Oppa」

There had been no calls since their conversation earlier, but that call had certainly informed him of her new job.

Chae-Yoon’s gaze drifted to her employee ID.

「Employee Song Chae-Yoon」

Chae-Yoon had joined Taeil Chemical. This company was an affiliate grown by Jae-O, based on CS Chemical, which had been run by Haesang in his lifetime.

CS Chemical, even before being absorbed into Taeil, had never fallen out of the top five in its industry for several years. This indicated the firm’s strong technical capabilities and performance, and it was also the reason why Jae-O had proposed marriage to her.

Chae-Yoon had no regrets about giving the company nurtured by Haesang to Jae-O. She was grateful to be able to give him something and proudly watched him establish his place in the Taeil Group based on her father’s company.

But as she decided to end their marriage, she could no longer just watch from the sidelines.

Divorcing Jae-O would also gradually distance her from Ji-Pil, and she would truly be on her own.

Though the dividends from her shares in Taeil Chemical were more than enough to live on, she didn’t want to rely solely on others and thus chose to apply for a job.

So, she applied to Taeil Chemical without Ji-Pil’s knowledge and, after receiving the final acceptance, she told Ji-Pil.

Ji-Pil was pleased upon hearing the news. He even praised her, but Chae-Yoon couldn’t fully enjoy the compliment as she knew she had to tell him about wanting to divorce Jae-O. That’s why she hadn’t yet signed the completed divorce papers.

But now that Jae-O knew about her job, the bitterness of never being more than a ‘known sister’ to him and the necessity of informing Ji-Pil made her uneasy. It had been a few days, and she still hadn’t delivered the divorce papers, but now she felt it was truly time.

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