Chapter 30: Chapter 30

As the elevator doors began to close, trapping the two of them in the confined space, a hand reached out and pressed the button.

“Hold on a second.”

The doors slid open again, and Jaehee’s hand released Suin’s, retreating as he stuffed it into his pants pocket, as if the absence of her touch left a void.

“Oh, good morning, Executive Director!”

The newcomer was Lim Seo-hye, the department head of the Construction Support Division.

Suin stepped back respectfully, while Seo-hye pressed the button for the 38th floor and purposefully positioned herself close to Jaehee, tilting her shoulder toward him.

“Heading in to work?”

“Yes,” he replied curtly.

Her face lit up as she looked up at him.

“I was just about to DM your secretary to ask something, but it’s such luck that I ran into you here.”

“Go ahead,” Jaehee said flatly.

“You’re scheduled to visit the construction site for a safety inspection today, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Our department had planned for Manager Park Kyung-min to accompany you, but he suddenly has a meeting. Would it be alright if Assistant Manager Baek Ihyeon goes in his place? He’s only at the assistant manager level, so I wanted to check.”

This is unbelievable.

It’s as if some unseen force is intent on stirring up conflict.

Not even three minutes had passed since the last round of their silent war, and now this?

“I have no objections,” Jaehee replied, his expression impassive, save for the glint of anticipation in his eyes.

He was clearly looking forward to a second match with Ihyeon.

It’s going to be a long day.

Suin’s gaze drifted to the elevator’s floor display, her focus blurring.

If only…

If there was even the slightest chance—if some higher power offered her one wish—she would ask to turn back time.

Back to that fateful moment when she foolishly chased after Chief So Moon-jung, the office gossip, and ended up creating an imaginary fling.@@novelbin@@

***

At 10 a.m., Jaehee had a private meeting with the Vice Chairman in his office.

Since he had a lunch engagement scheduled for 11 a.m., Suin and Kwon Jongin escorted him to the Vice Chairman’s office before heading to the company cafeteria for an early lunch.

With three site visits planned for the day and meetings with the site managers at each location, they wouldn’t have time for a proper meal later.

“Executive Director Seo is scheduled to visit three sites today,” Suin explained while eating. “Each site visit, including the manager meetings, will take about two hours.”

“Yes,” Jongin nodded, listening intently while chewing.

“I’ve planned the route to minimize travel time, but traffic will be the main variable.”

“If the roads are congested, it’ll delay the schedule,” Jongin pointed out.

“Exactly. That’s why I need you to monitor real-time traffic conditions and inform me immediately. We can’t afford to fall behind.”

“Understood.”

After their meal, Suin headed to the cafeteria’s café.

She bought a coffee for Jongin and prepared an icebox with bottled water and beverages for Jaehee to drink in the car.

As she finished paying and turned to leave, a figure suddenly stepped in front of her.

“Lee Suin?”

Suin froze as she met the gaze of a woman with wide, puppy-like eyes that now glared at her.

“Yoo Ahjin.”

Ahjin had once been her best friend.

Their friendship had cooled after Jaehee went abroad for his studies.

Yoo Ahjin had clung to Suin like glue while Jaehee was around but distanced herself the moment he left for the United States, as though she’d already gotten what she wanted.

Suin hadn’t mourned the loss.

She had long since seen through Ahjin’s facade.

“Suin, you’re the type to choose friendship over love, right?” Ahjin had asked once, her tone sweet and coaxing.

“Of course. Friendship is more important,” Suin had replied without hesitation.

“Then help me out. I’m really in love with Seo Jaehee.”

That day, Suin had come to terms with her feelings for Seo Jaehee—amidst the chaos of those damned misfortunes.

“It’s been so long, hasn’t it? The last time we saw each other was at Hyunjung’s wedding. What, two years ago?”

“Seems like it.”

Suin’s response to Yoo Ahjin, who was wearing her mask of niceness, was curt and dry.

Sensing the tension, Kwon Jongin quietly took the icebox from Suin’s hands.

“I’ll put this in the fridge until we leave.”

“Okay.”

Ahjin’s gaze followed Jongin as he walked away, her eyes busy scanning him just as they had scanned countless others before. Suin couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh at her old friend’s unchanging habits.

“What brings you here?”

“Oh, it’s because of the intranet system upgrade. I’ve been sent over to the development office. Didn’t you see the DM I sent you about it? You didn’t even read it.”

“I don’t check social media much these days.”

Currently, Ahjin worked at an IT firm partnered with Hyesung Group, but she wasn’t in development. The reason for her presence in this temporary group was glaringly obvious.

“Since we’ve run into each other, why don’t we have lunch together? I hear the cafeteria food here is really good.”

“I’ve already eaten.”

“So early? Wow, you’re quick.”

Suin’s unyielding demeanor drew a forced laugh from Ahjin, who then leaned in closer, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“Suin, I heard Seo Jaehee is back in Korea. As an executive director for Hyesung Group, no less.”

Of course.

Yoo Ahjin had come here for Seo Jaehee.

She had thrown herself at countless men, but Jaehee had always been her top priority.

Ahjin never hid her feelings for him. When Jaehee abruptly left for the U.S., she had cried as though her entire world had crumbled.

“I can’t live without Jaehee.”

“Suin, promise me. If he ever comes back to Korea, you’ll tell me. Promise me.”

That was the kind of person she was. Yoo Ahjin would throw herself at Seo Jaehee with everything she had, like a moth drawn to a flame, even knowing it would burn her.

“You promised to tell me if he came back. How could you act like you didn’t know?”

“I don’t recall making any promises.”

“It was just a joke. Why are you so sensitive?”

“I’m too busy for petty chatter. Excuse me.”

Suin wasn’t interested in dealing with a moth. She brushed past Ahjin coldly.

“Hey, Lee Suin!”

Ahjin’s annoyed voice trailed after her, but Suin saw no reason to stop.

The stress of seeing Ahjin again brought a chill that settled in her chest, leaving her feeling unsettled.

“I don’t care about Seo Jaehee.”

Back then, she had lied—not just to Ahjin but to herself.

***

The afternoon passed strictly by the book, with no personal interactions or incidents.

Seo Jaehee, accompanied by department heads, visited multiple construction sites. He monitored dust control, held meetings with site managers, and conducted safety inspections, all with unwavering professionalism.

By the time they arrived at the third site, it was already 6 p.m. Despite the long day, Jaehee remained composed and efficient.

Even in a yellow hard hat and safety vest, his charisma was undeniable.

“This summer is expected to bring heat waves more severe than previous years,” Jaehee addressed the site staff, his tone firm. “Take every precaution to prevent accidents. Above all, ensure the safety of the employees on-site.”

“Yes, Executive Director. We will.”

He was every bit the picture of a consummate executive.

There were no confrontations with Baek Ihyeon and no personal glances directed at Suin. It was hard to reconcile this version of him with the man who had teased her that morning with talk of kisses.

What’s going on?

It wasn’t Jaehee who was different—it was Suin.

From the moment she encountered Yoo Ahjin, the lingering chill hadn’t left her, making her steps feel heavier.

Still, she diligently fulfilled her duties.

“Senior Secretary, traffic is starting to pick up since it’s rush hour,” Jongin reported.

“It’s fine. This is our last site anyway.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Jongin, ever thorough, followed her instructions without fail. Suin gave him an approving smile before returning to escort Jaehee as he inspected the apartment construction site.

“Executive Director, this way, please.”

The site supervisor gestured toward a path to the right, avoiding the central area cluttered with leftover scrap metal and building materials.

As they began to move, a sudden gust of wind tore through the site.

Whhoooosh!

The whirlwind whipped across the ground, kicking up clouds of fine dust.

It was a common occurrence on construction sites. The group halted in place, waiting for the wind to pass.

Once the dust settled, they brushed themselves off and prepared to move again.

Crash!

The sound of materials collapsing echoed as some stacked supplies toppled over, their weight striking the ground with a loud thud.

Fortunately, they were far enough away to avoid injury.

But then—

Crack!

A shard of debris broke loose, hurtling through the air like a bullet.

Suin saw it in her line of sight, speeding toward her too fast to evade.

In that instant, Jaehee’s hand shot out, as if his reflexes were attuned solely to her.

Smack!

He caught the sharp projectile with his bare hand.

“Ah!”

Gasps filled the air as everyone registered what had happened.

Jaehee let out a low groan, his body hunching slightly as blood trickled from between his tightly clenched fingers.