Na-young feigned sipping her champagne, her ears tuned to the hushed conversation of the models standing nearby.
“God isn’t fair, is he? If you’re the heir to Myeongseong Group, shouldn’t you at least be lacking in the looks department? That’s the only way it would feel equitable. When they carve a face with that much effort, doesn’t it just make every other man look like a squid?”
“You said it. But do you think he’d even glance at women like us?”
“Top star A tried to approach him before and was humiliated, remember?”
“True. A was way too blatant back then.”
“Why? Are you interested, too?”
“No. Look at those cold eyes. I feel like I’d freeze just by meeting his gaze.”
The moment she heard those words, a bell rang in Na-young’s head.
That’s the man. The romance of every woman here. The man who could make me soar.
Na-young took her champagne glass and drifted toward Choi Kang-woo. She told herself it was merely to brush past him, to see what he was like. Yet, her ankle wobbled a few steps after passing him. Had her heart taken control of her body? Regardless, it was a golden opportunity. In that fleeting moment, a man reached out and grabbed her arm.
*What a stroke of luck?* she thought, looking up, only to realize it wasn’t Choi Kang-woo, but the man beside him.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
Even while greeting Dowan, Na-young’s gaze remained locked on Choi Kang-woo. His cold eyes didn’t even flicker toward her; he stared straight ahead, continuing his stride.
As Na-young watched Choi Kang-woo’s retreating back, a hand settled heavily on her shoulder.
“You okay? What’s wrong?”
It was Director Son Young-seok, her lover.
“No, I’m fine.”
Young-seok caught her hand and led her behind a curtain, away from the prying eyes of the crowd. He leaned in, pressed his lips against the nape of her neck, and whispered, “Why? Was there someone you liked? Which guy were you ogling when you tripped?”
His hand roamed over her body. Na-young let out a seductive laugh and gripped his arm, her eyes holding an unreadable, glittering sharpness.
“Is there anyone else I could possibly like besides you?”
She moved closer, though the image of Choi Kang-woo’s icy expression still pulsed in her mind. She forced herself to focus, smoothing her expression as she looked at Young-seok.
“But I heard Myeongseong Media is expanding by another channel….”
Young-seok lifted his chin, wearing a relaxed smile.
“Where did you hear that? That’s supposed to be classified.” His tone was laced with surprise and a touch of admiration for her sharp intelligence gathering.
Na-young whispered back, “Even if it is classified, surely it isn’t a secret from me?”
She rested a hand on his shoulder, keeping her hold on him; to Na-young, Young-seok was a bridge to her ambitions. Yet, a corner of her mind drifted back to the cold, distant figure of Choi Kang-woo. How wonderful would it be if the man backing her were also that breathtaking?
Young-seok nodded at her touch. “That’s right. They’re looking to acquire a travel channel. Myeongseong Group has immense power, and the man at the helm is exceptionally sharp. Representative Choi Kang-woo, that is.”
His voice was a mix of professional admiration and a hard-to-hide sense of rivalry. Na-young wore a subtle smile, a flicker of regret passing through her as she remembered Choi Kang-woo passing her by. She quickly steadied herself and leaned into Young-seok’s shoulder.
“Then your influence will grow as well.”
She exchanged a suggestive look with him, hoping to leverage his position for more opportunities. Young-seok nodded confidently.
“Of course. The sports channel is doing well, but I’ll have to oversee the transition for the travel channel too. I’ve been with Myeongseong for quite a while now.” He smiled with the ease of a man flaunting his tenure.
Na-young gave him a playful, cutesy smile. “Could I do something like a reporter for the travel channel? Then I’d be able to travel, too.”
At the mention of the new channel, her face lit up with interest. She saw the opening—a stepping stone to climb even higher. Young-seok pulled her closer, murmuring, “I could send you anywhere, but I wouldn’t want to send you too far. You know I get lonely at night.”
Na-young giggled. “True, that’s fair. Then you can just come with me. Directors go on business trips too, right?”
She rubbed her body against him, feeling the heat rise in him.
“Shall we go home once this is over?” he asked.
Na-young nodded. “Are you sure you’re okay with doing it every day?”
“Why? Are you not, Na-young? Isn’t it better to do it often while you’re young?”
Na-young nibbled his earlobe. “Yes. I like it too.”
* * *
As soon as Na-young returned home and kicked off her high heels, Misuk straightened them, cooing, “Oh my, our pretty daughter, did you have a good time at the party today?”
“Yeah. Mom. I’m so tired.”
“Of course you’re tired. It’s exhausting being the target of so many men’s gazes.”
Na-young turned her head slowly. “Being pretty is a sin.”
“Oh, indeed. If being pretty were a sin, you’d be dead by now. Where else is there a daughter as beautiful as you?” Misuk unzipped her dress, catching sight of the mark on her neck. “Oh my.”
Ignoring the kiss mark, Misuk added, “Men simply lose their minds when it comes to women. But what can you do? If we want to live well, just keep treating them right.” Her tone was as indifferent as if she were stating the weather.
Na-young nodded, her lips curving slightly. “Mom, our Director Son—it looks like his influence is about to grow even bigger.”
Greed shimmered in Na-young’s eyes, and Misuk’s own gaze sharpened, watching her daughter with a calculating air.
“Really? Then you’ll be doing even better.”
“It looks like I’ll be going on more overseas trips, too.”
Misuk leaned forward sharply. “Just you?” She glared at Na-young with sudden dissatisfaction.
Na-young blinked, bewildered. “What do you mean, Mom?”
Misuk stood firm, her face serious. “Hey. You have to take me, too.”
Na-young burst into an incredulous laugh, shaking her head. “I’m going for work. And nothing is decided yet. I just heard they acquired a travel channel. They’ll need reporters once they reorganize, and since Director Son is there… well, I should be able to go to whatever country I want, right?”
She spoke as if boasting of a massive perk, but Misuk only had eyes for her own desires.
“Hey. I want to go to Spain. Spain.” Misuk clasped her hands together, her expression earnest, as if holding the Spanish sunlight in her palm.
Na-young sighed, annoyed. “Why are you bringing up the country you want to go to?”
Misuk retorted without hesitation, “Why am I bringing it up? You’re in a position where you could support me, aren’t you? My wish is to see Spain just once.”
Na-young looked at her, exasperated. “Mom, you traveled quite a bit when Dad was alive. You haven’t been to Spain?”
Misuk frowned and waved a hand dismissively. “That’s right. I haven’t. Only you’ve been everywhere. Who else in our family has traveled as much as you?” Her voice was thick with jealousy and discontent.
Na-young sighed again. “I only went because of work….”
Misuk narrowed her eyes and sneered. “Work, my foot. What work could you possibly have traveling the world just doing reports for a sports channel? You don’t even look after your own flesh and blood.”
The words were a sharp, cutting criticism. Na-young’s face turned beet red. She couldn’t take it anymore.
“Mom!” she shouted, her voice filling the room. “I told you not to say that! What flesh and blood do I have? I am a Miss! Legally, I’m a clean woman!”