Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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"Jua, you're here?"
"Seonhye! It's been forever!"
The interior screamed sophistication at first glance, with elegant decorations catching the eye everywhere.
The marble floors amplified the sharp click of women's high heels, ringing clearly in everyone's ears.
This was a private bar in Gangnam.
Kang Jua, who had gone all out on her outfit and accessories today, whispered to her college classmate Kim Seonhye.
"This doesn't exactly scream class reunion, does it?"
The place looked absurdly expensive, way beyond what she'd expected for a reservation.
Kang Jua swallowed the words How the hell did you book a spot like this? and forced a calm expression as she asked.
Kim Seonhye glanced around cautiously, as if watching for prying eyes, before continuing softly.
"No idea. It was supposed to be a barbecue joint, but Juwon changed the venue."
"Juwon? Jung Juwon?"
"He said he'd cover everything."
Kang Jua's eyes subtly scanned the room for Jung Juwon.
There he was, far off in the center of the male classmates, laughing heartily.
He had an average build, but his skin looked better than before—probably from some recent treatments.
She quickly rolled her eyes around, scanning him up and down.
Swish.
His watch. His clothes.
The outfit and accessories—worth hundreds of thousands to millions—made her eyes gleam.
Was he always loaded?
Kang Jua, once called a 'goddess' who lived a glamorous college life.
Just lining up the guys who'd confessed to her back then would lap the track field.
And Jung Juwon had been one of them.
Ugh, to think I let a guy like that slip away and ended up with Han Haeseong.
Kang Jua let out a small sigh.
She wasn't heartless; her marriage hadn't been entirely loveless.
She'd just grown tired of Haeseong's diligence.
A hardworking husband wasn't exactly a compliment in her book.
To her, it was just what incompetent men who couldn't make big money said to shield themselves.
Diligent? Hardworking?
If you had money, would you even need to be diligent or hardworking?
Your underlings would handle everything anyway.
Kang Jua's mindset seemed to be veering into dangerous territory.
"What has Juwon been up to?"
"Something about taking over his dad's business?"
"What kind?"
"No clue, but from what the guys were saying, it sounds like things are going pretty well lately."
Kang Jua wasn't stupid.
Back in college, she might've been the top dog, but now she carried the label of 'divorcée.'
That didn't shatter her self-esteem, though.
She still turned heads on the street with her looks, and years had only ripened her skills.
-She looks even prettier now, doesn't she?
-Yeah, her beauty's holding strong.
-Talking to her once was my dream in college.
-I mustered the guts to confess and got shot down hard.
Sure enough, the reunion's vibe shifted subtly the moment she arrived.
Men eyed her with eager intent, women with wary glances.
The friendly gathering had turned into a battlefield.
"Jua, how've you been?"
Like the alpha male leading the pack, Jung Juwon was the first guy bold enough to approach her.
"I've been good. You, Juwon?"
"Huh? You still remember my name?"
"Of course. We studied together in the library for that group project, right?"
"No way... You remember that too!?"
Kang Jua dredged up even the faintest memories from the back of her mind.
She wasn't about to let a golden opportunity slip.
"I even remember the sandwich you bought me back then."
"Whoa! I thought you'd forgotten all about me."
"Why would you think that?"
"You never accepted my Facebook friend request back in the day."
"Oh... You know, I was married then."
"R-Right."
"My husband didn't like it. I was in love, so I went along with what he wanted."
Everyone at the reunion knew she was divorced.
If you couldn't hide it, flaunt it.
Her candid revelation coaxed even the questions Jung Juwon had held back.
"Not to be rude, but is it true Haeseong got you to divorce over gambling?"
The noisy room fell silent at his question.
Everyone waited for her response.
"Ha... I don't even want to talk about him anymore. Like I said, he was someone I loved once, so I have to protect what I can."
Tears welled up in Kang Jua's eyes.
Seeing that, everyone nodded knowingly and began murmuring.
-Han Haeseong? Who knew he was such a psycho.
-Gambling addicts don't even recognize their own parents.
-I heard it was toto betting.
-Nah, I heard he went abroad, blew it all at baccarat.
Kang Jua squeezed her eyes shut, a faint smile on her lips.
The rumors spilling from their mouths were all ones she'd planted.
She hadn't meant to push Haeseong this far into the mud.
But then...
Word that Han Haeseong was coming to the reunion.
It scared her stiff.
What if her dirty laundry from the marriage got aired out?
Terror gripped her.
She'd acted fast.
Except for friends close to her ex, she'd called up the loose-lipped classmates one by one.
And framed herself as the victim, ever so subtly.
Serves him right for saying he'd show up and causing this mess.
Jung Juwon, oblivious to her sly smile, comforted her with a pitiful look.
"It's fine. Divorce isn't a big deal these days."
"Thanks for saying that. Honestly, I was on the fence about even coming."
"Because of Haeseong?"
"That, and... well, divorce isn't exactly happy news."
Jung Juwon discreetly eyed her up and down.
Time hadn't dimmed her beauty, and her body looked toned—like she ran along the Han River every morning.
Plus, she'd been one of the two queens of popularity in college, rivaling even Seo Yerim who was still on the rise back then.
Divorce aside, she had no real flaws.
Should I make a move now?
Jung Juwon slowly unveiled the lecherous glint he'd hidden behind his sympathy.
"Jua, if Haeseong shows, I'll set up a spot for us in the corner so he can't come over."
"No need. It might put you in an awkward spot."
"It's cool. I've got more than enough pull for that tonight."
"Pull? What do you mean?"
At her question, Jung Juwon continued with smug arrogance.
"I'm covering the whole tab tonight! So drink up, no worries."
"Really...?"
She feigned surprise despite already knowing, blushing with a smile.
Elated by her reaction, Jung Juwon smoothly took the seat across from her and raised his voice for the classmates to hear.
"I don't get how thick-skinned Haeseong must be to show up."
"...Maybe he missed his friends."
"Come on, Junseok aside? Who here was even close to him?"
It made sense.
Whenever Haeseong had tried hanging out with friends during their dating days, she'd complained endlessly.
Even though she mingled freely with others.
Hypocrite through and through.
That's why even his old close friends had drifted away, except for Seo Junseok.
Kang Jua knew this all too well but played dumb, mask firmly in place.
"Really? I thought he had tons of friends since he went out drinking every night even in our newlywed days..."
"Every night? Leaving you home alone!?"
"What could I do? He wanted to go, so I let him."
"Ha... Weren't you too nice? Spill any worries—you can tell me everything tonight."
"Pfft! You'll ditch me the second Yerim shows up."
"No way! We can just drink with her over here!"
Haeseong was already the villain in everyone's eyes.
Now, her only rival left was Seo Yerim.
Where Kang Jua had charmed guys with her sweet image back in college, Seo Yerim was different.
Nicknamed the 'Ice Queen' for freezing everyone with her untouchable aura.
Guys used to debate endlessly between the two.
If Seo Yerim had been sweet and approachable, could Kang Jua have shared the 'goddess' throne?
The consensus: No.
Seo Yerim would've reigned supreme.
Which was why...
Today, she was Kang Jua's biggest threat in landing Jung Juwon.
"You'll hear me out even if Yerim shows?"
"Haha! Obviously!"
Clack! Clack!
Then, the sharp sound of heels echoed across the marble floor once more.
Not model-tall, but visuals so striking you'd mistake her for an actress.
As everyone stared, dumbfounded by the new arrival—a guy from the reunion shot up from his chair, yelling.
"Ha—Han Haeseong!?"