Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Cheon Hye-yeon
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Cheon Hye-yeon.
In the executive office of Taesung Group, Cheon Hye-yeon was receiving a report from her chief secretary in her private workspace.
"The 'Yoon Chaewon contact' operation you ordered has failed."
Tension was evident in the chief secretary's voice.
Without changing her expression in the slightest, Cheon Hye-yeon nodded for him to continue the report.
"The artist we hired, 'Kang Ji-hoo,' approached the target (Yoon Chaewon) yesterday afternoon at a gallery in Cheongdam-dong. But the moment Kang Ji-hoo handed her his business card and tried to speak, the target called her accompanying bodyguard without any conversation and immediately left the scene. She maintained extreme vigilance afterward as well. We judge further approaches to be impossible."
As the report ended, a heavy silence filled the office.
The chief secretary swallowed dryly.
Cheon Hye-yeon stared silently out the window.
'A whore-turned-unwed mother.' She had assumed Yoon Chaewon was a vain, foolish woman who could be easily swayed with a bit of money and sweet talk.
That prediction had been spectacularly off the mark.
The woman was far smarter than expected—a cunning female who independently assessed and blocked any threat her husband might dislike, all to protect her 'sanctuary.'
"Leave."
At the cold voice, the chief secretary bowed and quietly exited the office.
Alone now, a chill, arrogant smile finally curved Cheon Hye-yeon's lips.
What she'd thought would be simple prey had turned out far more entertaining.
She turned on her tablet and checked the attendee list for a VVIP gallery party next week.
Then, next to the name 'Yoon Chaewon' on that list, she quietly added her own name: 'Cheon Hye-yeon.'
"A dumb horse is still useful. This time, the queen herself will have to make a move."
...
One week later, at Gallery Nuage in Cheongdam-dong.
Yoon Chaewon was attending the fall season opening gala here.
She recalled what her husband had said a few days earlier.
'Chaewon, someone will approach you soon. Probably a woman, and someone far more impressive than you can imagine. That woman will try to drive a wedge between us and pull every trick to make us divorce.'
He had forced a smile, saying it like a joke.
'If she tempts you with half my assets as alimony, just team up with her.'
His eyes hadn't been smiling.
Chaewon had seen it.
The anxiety and fear that the man—who reigned like a god in his empire—had revealed for the first time.
The weak side of one man, fretting over the collapse of the sole sanctuary she protected.
It was while she stood alone for a moment, steeling herself in front of a fierce abstract painting.
"It seems inspired by Marcus Lang's later works, but the dripping texture is far bolder. Doesn't it feel like it lays bare the artist's inner violence?"
A low, refined voice.
When Yoon Chaewon turned her head, there stood Cheon Hye-yeon, the executive director of Taesung Pharmaceuticals—one she recognized from TV.
'Ah, so she's the woman Cheolsu warned me about...'
Yoon Chaewon understood everything in an instant.
She swallowed dryly without thinking.
But no agitation showed on her face.
Instead, she perfectly donned the mask of an innocent Cinderella, awkward in such a glamorous party and naive to the world.
"Ah... Yes, you're right."
A timid response.
Seemingly pleased, Cheon Hye-yeon smiled softly and introduced herself.
"I'm Cheon Hye-yeon from Taesung Pharmaceuticals. You're the lady of Blue Sky Investment, aren't you? It's an honor to meet you, Ms. Yoon Chaewon."
Cheon Hye-yeon acted as if she knew nothing of Yoon Chaewon's past, treating her with perfect respect.
Yoon Chaewon thought to herself.
'She's come to deceive me and bring down my man.'
Unconsciously, she clasped the hand extended by this pinnacle of Korean nobility.
But the meaning was now entirely different.
This was no surrender—it was a declaration of war.
The start of a battle to defend her husband and her sanctuary.
Yoon Chaewon took the enemy's hand with her most innocent, fragile smile.
Seeing this, Cheon Hye-yeon smiled in satisfaction, convinced her plan was proceeding smoothly.
"It's truly an honor to meet you in person, Executive Director."
"The honor is mine."
Cheon Hye-yeon gently released Yoon Chaewon's hand and turned her gaze back to the artwork.
Instead of staring directly to pressure her, she showed seasoned tact by looking at the same spot and continuing the conversation.
"Actually, your husband has recently shown interest in Taesung as well, so I did a little research on Blue Sky. You're truly impressive. How did you come up with such an... innovative investment model?"
She perfectly concealed her true thoughts—that it was vulgar and abnormal—infusing her words with pure admiration and curiosity.
"Ah... He's just... a bit different."
As talk turned to her husband, Yoon Chaewon smiled shyly, a mix of pride and feigned ignorance, as if to say, 'My husband's special, but I don't know much about it.'
Cheon Hye-yeon perfectly misinterpreted that smile as coming from a worldly-naive wife basking in her husband's glow.
"More than a bit different. People who change the world are all like that. And someone by such a man's side must be extraordinary herself. As expected, your eye for art is exceptional too."
Cheon Hye-yeon naturally steered the topic back to art.
Then, as if she'd been waiting for a friend to chat art with, she began sharing her knowledge freely.
"This artist's early works were far more refined, but after a personal tragedy recently, they exploded like this. 'Pain births art'—that's what they mean by that, right? If you're okay with it, there's a section over there with his early pieces. Want to check them out together? Comparing them makes it so much more interesting."
Her invitation left room for refusal.
But Yoon Chaewon was already awaiting the next act in this play.
Pretending ignorance, she anticipated how this arrogant queen would teach her, pity her, and ultimately try to dismantle her.
To witness it all clearly and report back to her husband.
Yoon Chaewon looked at Cheon Hye-yeon with eyes brimming with pure curiosity and respect, nodding gladly.
"Yes, I'd love that, Executive Director."
The two women walked side by side deeper into the gallery.
One believing the hunt had begun, the other vowing war had commenced.
As they walked, Cheon Hye-yeon glanced at Yoon Chaewon's swollen belly and asked casually.
"How many months?"
"About a month left."
Yoon Chaewon gently stroked her belly in response.
Cheon Hye-yeon feigned surprise, her voice full of admiration.
"My goodness, you must really love art. Coming to see works like this despite the discomfort."
It was her first probing question, disguised as praise—testing the weakness of 'vanity for art.'
But Yoon Chaewon, as if reading the intent, dodged with an ambiguous smile.
"Hmm... Well?"
At the unexpected reaction, Cheon Hye-yeon's eyes narrowed briefly, but she quickly shifted to a safer, mundane question.
"A boy? Or a girl?"
"Don't know yet."
Yoon Chaewon flashed a childlike smile, radiating genuine happiness.
"My husband and I decided to keep it a surprise—we haven't even asked."
It was perfect defense.
A message: 'We're a blissfully special couple who share everything.'
A quiet, elegant warning that left no room for outsiders.
Cheon Hye-yeon understood the warning but played along with a kind smile.
"How romantic. You two look wonderful together."
Cheon Hye-yeon realized it.
This woman was far smarter and more fortified than anticipated.
Direct assaults wouldn't work.
She needed to find deeper, subtler cracks.
Cheon Hye-yeon led Yoon Chaewon to the gallery's most eye-catching piece—a massive canvas where red and blue paints clashed violently, bursting with raw energy.
"This one's incredible, right?"
Without taking her eyes off the painting, Cheon Hye-yeon murmured softly.
"It's overflowing with energy. Like the artist poured his soul straight into it."
"Yes. But that's what makes it all the more tragic."
Yoon Chaewon quietly awaited the meaningful words.
"Marcus who painted this was an undeniable genius. But his private life was pure, uncontrollable chaos—just like this painting."
Cheon Hye-yeon swirled her champagne glass lightly, continuing as if sharing an old secret.
"He had a wise, beautiful wife. But his side was always swarming with muses, models, and female patrons. He openly claimed his genius couldn't bloom without the 'nourishment of femininity.' His studio was practically a harem."
She glanced at Yoon Chaewon.
Yoon Chaewon's face remained serene, but Cheon Hye-yeon didn't miss the faint stiffening of her smiling lips.
"In the end, the very overflowing energy that made him great destroyed his family too. His wife finally left him. Maybe a genius's greatness and a woman's stable happiness... just can't coexist."
It was a direct jab at Yoon Chaewon's life, masked as art critique.
Yoon Chaewon gazed at the painting for a moment, then smiled softly at Cheon Hye-yeon.
"Maybe. But guarding a true genius up close brings joys and pains beyond what ordinary people can imagine. In the end, isn't it the 'choice' of the one who decides to bear it all?"
At that response, Cheon Hye-yeon's eyes sharpened momentarily.
Her first strike, aiming for marital cracks, had been blocked by an unforeseen, sturdy shield: 'This is my willful choice.'
'This woman's no ordinary prey.'
Cheon Hye-yeon smiled even more beautifully, sensing the hunt would be far more thrilling.