By Zephyria 
Kwon Gwi-jun, who had been listening to Jin Seon-yu the entire time, reached out his hand. Without any ulterior motive, Jin Seon-yu placed the object in his hand. The pocket watch necklace passed into Kwon Gwi-jun’s large palm.
As Kwon Gwi-jun looked down at the pocket watch necklace, Jin Seon-yu murmured very kindly. He explained that if you press the button on the side, the cover opens, you can check the time, and you can even put a photo inside. It looked as if he were putting in every effort to ensure he didn’t lose Kwon Gwi-jun’s sudden interest in the pocket watch necklace.
In response to that long explanation, Kwon Gwi-jun’s question was very simple.
“Where did you get it?”
As he asked, Kwon Gwi-jun’s gaze briefly touched Seo Yi-kyung. It lingered on Seo Yi-kyung’s casted arm before moving back to Jin Seon-yu. It was just as Jin Seon-yu leaned forward to speak.
“I bought it at an auction.”
At Seo Yi-kyung’s words, the gaze of both men shifted toward him. Jin Seon-yu seemed to want to say something with his eyes, but Seo Yi-kyung, knowing his intention, subtly added more.
“Actually, I won the bid for 2 billion won, but it’s okay if I don’t get that much back. I wonder if there’s anyone who would buy it for even half that price?”
Seo Yi-kyung had to secure money somehow. He couldn’t keep relying on Jin Seon-yu forever. Moreover, judging by Kwon Gwi-jun’s attitude, it didn’t seem like he would buy it.
Because of this, Seo Yi-kyung changed direction by telling the truth and asking for help. Unaware of this, Jin Seon-yu tapped the table and spoke to Kwon Gwi-jun.
“The time is perfectly accurate, too. I’m telling you, it’ll be very useful to carry around. Don’t you believe me?”
“…….”
Kwon Gwi-jun remained silent for a moment, then turned his head and spoke to Seo Yi-kyung. He felt it would be easier to talk to Seo Yi-kyung than to the tactless Jin Seon-yu.
“I know someone who might buy this watch.”
For a moment, Seo Yi-kyung felt as if his vision had brightened. Jin Seon-yu showed curiosity.
“Who? Your Hyung?”
Kwon Gwi-jun was the second son of Mirae Steel. He slowly turned his head and looked at Jin Seon-yu calmly.
“No. But I don’t know if they’ll meet me; I’ll go and try talking to them.”
“What a relief, Yi-kyung. Now you can put your mind at ease.”
Jin Seon-yu gestured toward Seo Yi-kyung. At the same time, Jin Seon-yu picked up his chopsticks as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Suddenly, Seo Yi-kyung looked at Kwon Gwi-jun sitting in front of him. He slowly placed the pocket watch necklace back on the table.
Seo Yi-kyung felt an inexplicable sense of anxiety. An antique watch was closer to an object with little practical utility. Yet, hadn’t Kwon Gwi-jun mentioned so easily that there was someone who would buy it?
Furthermore, he hadn’t asked anything else. The more he thought about it, the more complicated things became in Seo Yi-kyung’s head. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Kwon Gwi-jun, but had he perhaps become similar in temperament after spending time with Han Seung-jae?
‘I’m overthinking.’
Since even Kwon Gwi-jun said he didn’t know if the person would meet him, it was too early to conclude that the person he mentioned would definitely buy it. So, for now, he had no choice but to trust him.
* * *
Butler Do, having come out of the restaurant, walked briskly with teacups on a tray. This was because he had just seen Secretary Park entering the drawing room.
“Secretary Park.”
Secretary Park, who was sitting on the sofa in the drawing room, turned his head. He put his phone into his inner pocket. Butler Do began as he placed the teacups on the table.
“Is the young master truly alright?”
Butler Do asked the question he had wanted to ask the previous day but hadn’t found the opportunity for.
“It is because I am so worried. The image of him before he left the house keeps flickering in my mind. His complexion didn’t look good when I saw him this morning. Is it certain that he is at his friend’s house?”
“It is.”
Butler Do strongly desired to hear more about Seo Yi-kyung’s current physical condition. He stepped closer as if concerned about that part. However, he couldn’t ask because Secretary Park stood up. As Butler Do looked back, Han Seung-jae was walking toward them.
His cool features seemed to reveal his uncomfortable mood. With cold eyes, Han Seung-jae allowed no openings. His coat hung long along his broad shoulders.
Secretary Park hurriedly approached his side and murmured.
“It seems he received treatment for his arm at the emergency room in the early morning.”
Han Seung-jae seemed to stop his pace for a moment, then turned his body to look at Secretary Park. Secretary Park continued without wavering.
“Based on my confirmation, it appears there is a crack in his arm. Would you like to see the photo? He is currently wearing a cast.”
Secretary Park took his phone out of his inner pocket. Han Seung-jae was a man who trusted what he saw over words. However, Han Seung-jae averted his gaze and resumed his walk. He crossed the garden and got into the sedan.
After closing the rear door, Secretary Park opened the passenger door and sat down. Once the car started, Secretary Park turned his head back to finish his report to Han Seung-jae.
“I am currently investigating how he got injured, but since it happened at Executive Director Jin Tae-won’s house, it hasn’t been confirmed immediately. However, according to the doctor who treated him, there is a crack in the arm and he must wear a cast for about eight weeks, so I will investigate more thoroughly.”
Secretary Park judged that since Seo Yi-kyung was injured at that house, Han Seung-jae would undoubtedly demand the truth about this matter without omission. Moreover, it wasn’t a light injury. Seo Yi-kyung was even carrying Han Seung-jae’s child.
Because of this, Secretary Park continued solemnly.
“It was a situation where both of them could have been hurt. Therefore, I will ask Executive Director Jin Tae-won directly about this situation and confirm it.”
Han Seung-jae, who had been listening quietly to Secretary Park’s words, spoke indifferently.
“I did it.”
“Pardon?”
Secretary Park didn’t understand immediately because Han Seung-jae’s voice was too low. Han Seung-jae spoke while staring coldly ahead.
“Because I grabbed him like that.”
Because he didn’t want to let go. Han Seung-jae recalled Seo Yi-kyung’s arm being wrapped in his grip. He had put an excessive amount of strength into his hand, so there was no way Seo Yi-kyung’s arm would be intact.
“…….”
Secretary Park understood Han Seung-jae’s words a bit late. He turned his head forward to stare straight ahead, then took his phone out of his inner pocket. While looking at the photo of Seo Yi-kyung leaving Seju Hospital with a cast on his left hand, he spoke as if he had remembered one more thing.
“He also had a meal with Head of Department Kwon this morning.”
Having said that, Secretary Park immediately looked back. A strange glint appeared in Han Seung-jae’s eyes. Secretary Park quickly added.
“They weren’t alone; Mr. Jin Seon-yu was also present.”
While Secretary Park was continuing the conversation, the sedan stopped in front of the Myeongjun Financial Group. Secretary Park got out of the passenger seat and opened the rear door. Long legs appeared first from the car. Walking alongside Han Seung-jae as he moved, Secretary Park said.
“I will also find out what conversation took place.”
Perhaps, because of Jin Seon-yu, they had simply had a brief breakfast. However, Secretary Park had dealt with Han Seung-jae for several years. He couldn’t conclude so easily. That was merely Secretary Park’s thought. Telling such things to Han Seung-jae was meaningless. It never worked.
Han Seung-jae stepped out of the elevator first. As he walked, he looked straight ahead. He brushed his cool lips while looking at Kwon Gwi-jun standing in front of the door.
“I can just ask him directly.”
Han Seung-jae went inside, took off the coat he was wearing, and sat in the seat of honor on the sofa. Shadows formed on his exquisite suit.
Once Kwon Gwi-jun sat down, an employee entered and placed teacups in front of the two men. Then, the employee closed the door and left.
Han Seung-jae turned his head slightly and spoke to Kwon Gwi-jun.
“I was actually about to send Secretary Park to you.”
Kwon Gwi-jun met his gaze.
“I thought you wouldn’t meet me, but it seems you already know the reason why I came.”
The reason he visited and Han Seung-jae’s words were not unrelated.
“What did you talk about? What did he say about me?”
Kwon Gwi-jun put his hand into his inner pocket. A long string trailed from his fingers. After placing the pocket watch necklace on the table, Kwon Gwi-jun answered.
“He told me to buy this watch.”
Han Seung-jae looked down at the pocket watch necklace placed on the sofa table. It was the moment he felt he had seen it somewhere before.
Han Seung-jae recalled the pocket watch necklace he had given to Seo Yi-kyung. He remembered attending an auction hosted by Atelier Atte, buying something like this, and placing it in Seo Yi-kyung’s painting studio.
However, he hadn’t thought that Seo Yi-kyung would have taken this with him.
No, even if he took it, it didn’t matter to him. He had given everything in the painting studio to Seo Yi-kyung. Including the studio itself.