Chapter 233
Chapter 233
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 233
Chapter Title: Misguided Advances
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"What would you like for the main course?"
"Ah, I'll have the steak."
"Then I'll have the same."
Hyun Tae-seong handed the menu to the server who'd been waiting patiently by their side.
There was only one set course menu anyway, so they just needed to pick their main.
'I wonder how much this runs.'
Probably at least several dozen bucks per person.
"Oh, do you drink wine? I drove here."
"Me too."
"Then just bring the usual."
The server bowed politely at Hyun Tae-seong's words and retreated, leaving the two of them alone in the lavish private room.
I fiddled idly with my water glass, lost in thought.
'What's Hyun Tae-seong's reason for seeking me out?'
It had to be something tied to Hyun Ye-won, but that was just a hunch. No clue on the specifics yet.
'Is he here to urge me to kick Hyun Ye-won to the curb? Warn me that Hyunmu will apply direct pressure if I don't?'
Any normal company would just cut her loose as dead weight. She'd wander a bit, then end up drifting back to Hyunmu.
'Or maybe float the merger idea again?'
That wouldn't be a bad chat either. Hwang Tae-in got shot down last time, so it wouldn't be weird for someone higher up to step in.
'He wouldn't bring up JC, would he?'
Hyun Jeong-hoo, maybe. But I doubted Hyun Tae-seong had that kind of read on the board.
"I hear from Executive Director Hwang that you have quite refined tastes. Do you play golf by any chance?"
"I'm not great at it, but I enjoy it occasionally. What about you, Tae-seong?"
I tossed him an easy opening, and his eyes lit up.
"Just as a hobby, nothing impressive."
*'Ask me my score,' it's written all over his face.*
Normally, I'd have let the smug bastard squirm without giving him the satisfaction, but I held back until I could gauge his intentions.
"Wow. What's your best score?"
"My most recent round was around 78."
"That's incredible!"
"Haha, not really."
He couldn't hide his grin as he kept going.
*'The guy notorious for taking mulligans on every miss until he likes the shot, and he calls 78 his score? Yeah, right.'
Back before my regression, I'd tagged along to a few social golf outings, and Hyun Tae-seong's reputation was infamous even there.
He'd re-hit until it suited him.
Hyun Tae-seong got into the groove and started bragging nonstop.
Not a challenge at all.
*'We've crossed paths multiple times before the regression, after all.'*
I knew exactly what topics he loved.
Whiskey, golf, parties. Just nod along with 'Wow, that's amazing' to his boasts, and this conversation was already a perfect 100.
*'Whatever his angle, no reason to kick away a gourd rolling right into my lap.'
If I could turn him to my side, it'd be a decent haul.
As long as I could pry some internal Hyunmu intel out of him. Yeah. Viewed that way, this wasn't a bad meeting at all.
So why this nagging unease?
And above all.
"I've wanted to meet you for a while now. I became a fan after seeing you on TV."
What was with that sleazy smile?
Was he trying to soften my mental defenses to steer things his way?
If so, it was a brilliant tactic. My head was spinning.
"Really? That's an honor."
I reacted on reflex, and he shrugged with a casual air.
"Honor? It left a real impression. Anyone else would feel the same."
He put odd emphasis on 'anyone else.'
"Plus, your achievements in such a short time are dazzling. Successful female entrepreneurs like you are rare."
"Ah, yeah."
"We need more people like you in society, Woo-yeon."
Not Song CEO, but Woo-yeon?
The chummy familiarity turned my stomach. What was his game?
I shot him a cold look, and he flashed his perfect teeth again.
Please. Don't let it be what I think.
"People like me?"
"Haha, it's embarrassing to say it myself. People who rise to the top with exceptional talent. Like you and me."
"......?"
What nonsense was this?
Was it part of some mind game? I hesitated, and he pressed on smoothly.
"Truth is, I've learned from so many great people at Hyunmu. But I doubt you've had many mentors like that."
I decided to see how far he'd go, smiling faintly without a word.
Reading my expression somehow, he spoke a bit faster.
"That's why I admire you more. Climbing this far in such a tough environment isn't easy. That determination is truly impressive."
"Hmm. Yeah. I worked hard."
"But to go higher, that'll only get you so far. To climb faster and easier, you need guidance from someone who's paved the way, right?"
I couldn't even guess where he was heading.
I stared at him blankly, and he gave a shy look. Had he eaten something bad? It was a reasonable suspicion.
"In that vein, I'd like to be your mentor."
"...."
"Ah, call it giving back to society? It's the duty of those born with privilege."
He had a real talent for phrasing things obnoxiously.
I nearly lost control of my expression. He grinned brightly again at my subtle grimace.
"No need to feel burdened. I get it might be overwhelming."
This guy was driving me nuts.
I chose my words carefully. His behavior was so far off my predictions that reading him was impossible.
"Why make that offer? Even if it's about giving back, out of everyone, why pick me?"
*Isn't it about Hyun Ye-won? I know all your tricks, so spit it out.*
That's the vibe I conveyed, but he scratched the back of his neck bashfully.
What?
"Didn't expect you'd ask so directly. You're more forward than I thought."
What the hell did that mean?
"Yeah. I'll be honest. You're just... incredibly striking. Meeting you in person, you're even more charming than I imagined."
Oh. Please no.
Seeing him blush, my mind went blank.
As the saying goes,
Guys like this? *Does he like me? (thump thump)* That's 100% wishful thinking. *This jerk couldn't possibly like me...?* And bam, 100% hit.
This timeless rule was racking up another win today.
"You hear that a lot?"
"...."
As I sat silent, he nodded knowingly.
"I know you're already seeing someone..."
Seeing someone?
Me?
Before I could ask what he meant, he whispered in a voice sweet as cotton candy.
"Honestly, I don't think that's a big deal."
What fresh bullshit was this?
*'He thinks I have a boyfriend. And that's not a problem?'
His warped morals left me stunned.
"So if your current thing isn't that serious, think about it."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Come on, don't play coy. I like straightforwardness. Opportunities don't come every day."
"Huh?"
His tone was getting creepier by the second. I scowled openly now, and he grinned slyly.
"Do you really think Je Yoon-jae is serious?"
"......?"
Why drag Je Yoon-jae into this?
Probing my JC ties? Or testing the bastard child rumors?
Unclear, I froze. He seized the gap.
"I can treat you better. Yeah, let me be frank too. Truth is, I got interested because you're supposedly Je Yoon-jae's girl."
Je Yoon-jae's girl—me?
No clue where to even start correcting this mess.
"You're so straight-laced usually. Figured whoever could make you stray must be something special. Curiosity brought me here."
Ignoring my shock, he kept blushing with that shy smile.
This business meeting had gone completely off the rails.
"You're even more beautiful and charming than I expected. Never clicked like this with anyone."
*That's because I know your type inside out and played to it.*
Did he not see my face souring? He was lost in his fantasy future.
"I like you, Woo-yeon. What about you?"
What did I think?
I gave the guy who'd end up in jail for a drug-fueled party a frosty stare.
What a waste of time.
I pushed back my chair and stood.
"Woo-yeon?"
"It was fun."
I smiled thinly.
"But let's never meet again."
"Huh?"
"No idea what misunderstanding brought you here, but I'm not involved with your executive director like that. This assumption is deeply unpleasant."
He flinched hard, unprepared for the sharp rebuke.
"And honestly, boyfriend or not... I wouldn't date you anyway, Hyun Tae-seong."
He gaped at the clear rejection.
"Did I... seem unappealing?"
"Yes. Completely."
What appeal could a braggart who couldn't hold a real conversation have?
I snorted and rose.
"Please don't arrange meetings for personal reasons like this again. Goodbye."
I bowed curtly, slid the door open, and stepped out.
"W-wait, Woo-yeon...! Hold on...!"
I ignored his calls and shut the door firmly.
Whew.
Finally, some air.
I strode down the hall, muttering inwardly.
*'What the hell did that executive director tell him to spark this insane misunderstanding?'*
Thud.
Hyun Tae-seong stared at the closed door, lowering his outstretched hand.
"Huh."
Rejected. Utterly.
"...Haha."
Yet strangely, he felt exhilarated.
"Fun."
His heart raced. Something like conquest or validation churned in his gut.