Cheap Seduction
Seol-hye summoned every last scrap of strength left in her body, forcing her eyelids upward. They felt heavier than lead.
Think of this place as the jungle.
The low voice that had settled against her ear refused to be ignored.
She really doesn’t listen to a word anyone says.
The owner of that intensely oppressive tone gradually took shape between her hazy, unfocused eyes.
“You’re awake.”
Only then did Seol-hye fully register the situation. She hauled her still half-asleep body off the sofa, bolting upright.
“Whoa—”
“At this point it’s basically a cheap seduction, isn’t it?”
In an instant, a powerful arm hooked around her waist and pulled her flush against a solid chest.
If she had known that standing up so abruptly would make her head spin and steal her balance, she would never have moved so recklessly.
She really ought to tell him—even as a joke—not to say such ridiculous things.
Swallowing hard, Seol-hye clenched her fists in the air before slowly parting her lips.
“You can let go now.”
“Are you sure?”
His expression said he didn’t believe her for a second. The look in his eyes seemed to ask if she truly didn’t realize this was a situation that called for gratitude. Seol-hye swallowed every retort that rose in her throat.
“If you’re not confident, I can always lay you back down on the sofa—”
“…That won’t be necessary.”
Truthfully, she had no strength left in her body. Her heels were lifted completely off the floor, with only her toes barely touching the ground. That probably made it worse.
“You know, for someone who needs this much looking after, you’ve done an impressive job of taking care of everyone else.”
Maybe it was because he had spoken at length. She could feel the rough movement of his lungs pressing directly against her skin.
That was when she realized it—her breasts were crushed far more deeply against his hard chest than she had expected, even through his jacket.
A slow shiver spread through her, growing stronger by the second. It began teasing the spot that was already hypersensitive right before her period.
“Let… go.”
“If you insist.”
The iron grip around her waist loosened. She poured all her strength into her calves and planted her feet firmly on the marble floor, steadying herself as if pressing down roots.
“The room opposite the study at the far end of the hall is the one prepared for you.”
“I’ll meet you here at seven tomorrow morning to prepare for the party.”
“Ah. The party.”
Whether it was because of the party or the excessively uncomfortable look on his face, her lungs only remembered how to function again after he had climbed the stairs and disappeared from view.
Seol-hye stepped into the room where she would be staying and sank onto the edge of the bed.
The sleep she had forcibly shaken off was crashing back over her like a tidal wave. If she laid her head on the pillow now, she would slip under in seconds.
Her entire body felt drained of energy.
All except for one place.
Her body had grown hot and damp some time ago, but that secret, deepest part of her felt less and less like it belonged to her.
Until this moment, she hadn’t realized that this reaction wasn’t instinct.
It was her true heart.
That even avoidance had its limits.
The next day, the banquet prepared to officially announce Tae-yul’s return to all the right people began.
A magnificent melody woven from piano, violin, and cello filled the Kang family garden.
Distinguished guests sat at round tables draped in white tablecloths, grouped by faction. On each table rested exquisitely prepared dishes and bottles of whiskey.
Neatly dressed attendants bustled about, serving succulent barbecue fresh off the grill from the hands of top-tier chefs.
In the midst of that lavish atmosphere, today’s true protagonist appeared. Unlike his usual style, Tae-yul wore a black suit with a crisp white shirt.
His polished appearance, the unusually glossy finish of his hair—every detail was the result of Seol-hye’s styling. She followed a step behind him.
With all eyes converging on him, Seol-hye took one more step toward Tae-yul where he stood tall and composed.
“I’ll remain on standby.”
Tae-yul scanned the room with a calm gaze before flicking a quick look in her direction.
“The chairman is waiting for you.”
Tae-yul wiped the expression that said he had plenty to say from his face, stretched his long legs, and continued walking toward the chair that had been reserved for him.
“Hello?”
A woman stepped directly into his path, forcing Tae-yul to stop.
“I’m Han Sun-joo.”
Every eye in the entire Kang family turned toward Sun-joo. No one could deny her striking beauty, perfectly accentuated by her extravagant gown.
Everyone except one person—Tae-yul, who elegantly sidestepped her outstretched hand and continued on his way.
At that moment, an opera singer’s trembling voice rang out, the curtain rose on a party brimming with formality and grace, and the evening unfolded exactly as planned. Chairman Kang introduced Tae-yul to the crowd, the main event of the night.
Anticipating any possible trouble, Seol-hye had stationed Pauto team members with each family on a one-to-one basis. She moved through the venue, assessing the overall situation.
While she was walking away from the table after being summoned by Chairman Kang, she happened to meet Han Sun-joo’s eyes. The other woman beckoned her over. Seol-hye glanced around. No one else was nearby.
Assuming she had something to say, Seol-hye approached.
“One glass of wine for me.”
There was no need to create an issue about neglecting guests while everyone was busy. At that exact moment a maid appeared with a tray, and Seol-hye accepted a glass of wine.
She walked toward Han Sun-joo, who sat with one leg elegantly crossed, turning her body in Seol-hye’s direction.
The white dress was heavily encrusted with cubic zirconia, and its thigh-high slit reached all the way to the hip bone. Seol-hye couldn’t help thinking the amount of skin on display was rather excessive.
“Is there anything else you require?”
Seol-hye offered the wine with polite deference. That was when she noticed the strange way the other woman twisted the hand holding the glass inward.
Surely not—
“Oh my!”
In the blink of an eye, Han Sun-joo snapped her wrist down so sharply her elbow lifted. Deep purple wine spilled straight onto Seol-hye’s silver heels.
“What are we going to do about this? You really should have been more careful.”
“Pardon?”
Only after the startled expression had already crossed her face did an unpleasant suspicion flash through Seol-hye’s mind.
“I’m sorry.”
Seol-hye quickly gestured for an attendant waiting at a distance.
“No, I don’t think a simple apology is going to fix this, do you?”
“How can I make this right for you?”
“Oh, look. The attendant brought a towel just in time.”
The attendant was about to bow and begin cleaning when Han Sun-joo thrust her foot out ostentatiously.
“Not her. The person who made the mistake should clean it up herself.”
Seol-hye took the towel from the flustered attendant and gave her a look that said she could return to her duties.
She grasped the hem of her trousers with one hand, pulling it up, then lowered both knees. With the towel, she dabbed at the wine-soaked instep and the silver high-heeled shoe with its textured surface.
Of course it wouldn’t come out.
“This won’t do.”
Han Sun-joo jerked her foot back and stood. Her shadow fell over Seol-hye, who was still half-kneeling.
“Go buy me a new pair.”
The absurd words whispered beside her ear made the corner of Seol-hye’s mouth twitch. A dry, hollow laugh slipped out. It was astonishing. Her first laugh in nine years.
“Did you just laugh at me?”
Seol-hye rose to her feet, still clutching the stained towel, and lowered her eyes into a calm line.
“No, ma’am. If you tell me the brand and size, I’ll take care of it immediately.”
“I asked if you think I’m funny.”
The situation, which had been forced from the very beginning, was rapidly spiraling toward its worst extreme.
Unfortunately, there was no way to stop it. Why? Because most apex predators, once they had chosen their prey, could not be satisfied until they had torn into it.
That was the habit Seol-hye had learned while handling risks for the Kang family.
“Of course not. Since my mistake caused you damage, it is only natural that I compensate you.”
“Hey, does a mere secretary like you even know how much these cost?”
“Please calm down and tell me. I’ll purchase replacements as quickly as possible.”
“What a hilarious girl. These?”
What was even more hilarious was how obvious the reason was. On the surface she pretended there was none, but inside there was clearly a real cause.
The only problem was that the cause was almost always childish and petty beyond belief.
“If there’s any part of my conduct that displeases you, please tell me and I will correct it at once.”
“Will you look at this girl?”
Clack.
The sound of something catching Han Sun-joo’s arm as she raised it high, the bracelet dangling heavily from her wrist.
“When I see someone touching what’s mine, my patience tends to go missing.”
Han Sun-joo’s open palm came down across Seol-hye’s cheek, right over the faint blush that had risen there. The golden light from the streetlamps scattered across it.
Seol-hye, whose lips had begun to feel dry, pressed them together, moistening them with her tongue. She tucked her chin toward her throat and lowered her head slightly.
The music had stopped at just the right moment, making the sound of her own heartbeat embarrassingly loud.
She did it to avoid the sharp, intense gaze that bored into her without mercy.