Chapter 47

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 46

Chapter Title: Candid Shots and Hye-ri's Feint

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After that, Hyunwoo's suspicious behavior continued.

While being taken from behind, Eun Seol happened to glance back and caught sight of him—one hand on her waist, the other holding his smartphone.

"Wha... what are you... haaah... hngh!"

She wanted to snap at him to stop, but Hyunwoo's rough thrusts always left her burying her face in the bed, enduring the waves of pleasure with no other choice.

- Click, click

Even in her half-asleep daze after sex, the smartphone's shutter sound pierced the air.

She'd lash out, demanding to know what the hell he was doing, but Hyunwoo would clam up every time, lips sealed like a defendant invoking the right to remain silent.

While she was lost in the throes of sex, passing out from exhaustion, changing clothes, or even showering—Hyunwoo's phone camera relentlessly captured her every moment.

'A drop of just 3 in affection? That's pretty good.'

He was being as careful as possible with the shots, but every time Eun Seol noticed the sneaky photos, her affection dipped.

Considering it plummeted by 5 whenever he blatantly snapped her naked body, this was a smaller hit. Probably because she wasn't fully compos mentis, Hyunwoo speculated.

'Kukukuku, hate it? Whatcha gonna do? Affection's all good anyway.'

Thanks to the Work System binding her in a [Lover Relationship] with Hyunwoo, Eun Seol couldn't stop ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him from photographing her nude form. Her fiercest rebellion was that minor affection drop.

And even that recovered to max in no time, thanks to his superhuman virility.

- Click, click

One by one, shots of Eun Seol in humiliating poses piled up in Hyunwoo's smartphone album. At the same time, her inexplicable unease grew stronger.

"Deputy Manager Yi-niiiim~ Hellooo~"

Hye-ri's greeting, laced with a nasal whine and heavy aegyo, echoed through the office.

"Shh shh! What... what are you doing?"

"Whyyy~ Can't I even say hi? Hing..."

Hye-ri's face toward Hyunwoo screamed pure innocence, like 'I have no idea what you're talking about,' but he already knew the sly fox beneath.

"Don't play dumb on purpose."

"Hmph... You're no fun, Deputy Manager Yi."

"Log into Messenger first."

Hye-ri, seated next to Hyunwoo, powered on her desk computer. Soon, the lively tap-tap of keys filled the air.

The company messenger chat ended, and Hye-ri picked up her smartphone to slowly scroll through the backlog of texts from Choi Hyun-min. Of course, no replies yet.

One after an office call. One while sorting snacks. Another after gossiping with the female interns. She didn't even need to read them to know she was masterfully toying with him, keeping him on edge.

Unlike her fresh, cute rookie face, she was a vixen who played with men's hearts like a pro.

"Over here, over here!"

From afar, Assistant Manager Choi Hyun-min waved enthusiastically at Hye-ri. But her face was ice-cold in stark contrast.

"..."

"Haha... you made it?"

- Zing

Hyun-min's awkward grin met Hye-ri's piercing glare.

"Uh... so, shall we head to the cafe first?"

Unable to bear the hellish silence, Hyun-min escorted her to the cafe.

Thanks to his prior recon, the carefully chosen spot had a nice ambiance with soft classical music playing.

"What do you want? I'll get the drinks..."

"I'm good. I'll order my own."

Hye-ri ordered at the counter without even hearing him out. Hyun-min gave a wry smile in embarrassment, then ordered his after she paid.

"Drinks are ready~"

"I'll grab them. Stay put. Please."

Hyun-min jumped up and swiftly brought the two drinks. His eager movements betrayed his desperation.

"So, why'd you want to see me, Assistant Manager Choi?"

- Slurp, gulp

Seated across the table, Hyun-min downed his drink like his throat was parched.

No trace of the coy smile or nasal aegyo that disarmed men. Her expression was coldly furious, barely restrained—like frozen rage. Hyun-min shrank under it.

"Uh... y'see... about ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Busan last week..."

His rehearsed lines vanished; he stammered like a total nerd. A far cry from his usual confidence.

"I really want to apologize for what happened that day. I blacked out from drinking too much, honestly..."

- Thud

"Y-you... have no memory?!?!?"

Is this what they mean by hands and feet trembling in rage? Hye-ri unleashed an Oscar-worthy performance, acting like she'd been utterly violated.

Her hands shook violently, face flushed with fury. Her killer glare made Hyun-min instinctively think he was done for.

'Shit, wrong thing to say...'

"I... I clearly said it was my first time back then..."

"I said no... it hurt... I kept screaming... waaah..."

So immersed in her rape victim role, tears streamed down like a faucet.

'Deputy Manager Yi was right—I’ve got real acting chops.'

Hye-ri, hamming it up shamelessly.

And Hyun-min, oblivious to the mood, thinking, 'Damn, even her crying face is gorgeous...'

Maybe these two were a match made in heaven.

"Wh-what can I do to make you forgive me? That wasn't my real intention."

"How do you put spilled water back in the cup? That horrific 'experience'... you know? I've been having nightmares nonstop since. Reliving that moment over and over."

"..."

Hyun-min felt like he'd swallowed 100 sweet potatoes—stifling frustration. Sure, they'd had some drinks with dinner, but it was peanuts compared to his limit. Yet after the wine, total blackout.

He woke to bloodstained sheets (virgin blood, apparently) and Hye-ri's naked body covered in red marks.

Of course, Hyunwoo had claimed her first, but the evidence pinned it all on Hyun-min.

"Waaah..."

"I-I'll take responsibility for you!"

"...Pardon?"

"Uh, yeah... Not to brag in this situation, but my family's well-off, I've got savings... I can totally handle taking care of you, Hye-ri!"

"..."

"Pfft..."

His out-of-left-field proposal(?) drew an incredulous laugh from her.

He'd blurted it in panic, but there was truth to it.

Normally, Hyun-min's type changed daily—he had zero interest in marriage's shackles.

But the system's amplified [Favorability] was warping his values entirely.

"What kinda confession is that? I'm only twenty, you know? Why rush into marriage?"

His absurd confession eased her anger enough for a small smile. Of course,

'Should I forgive him here?'

The anger, the reluctant forgiveness—all theater.

"Then let's start by dating."

"Sure... but!"

"But?"

"I'm still scared from that day... so no skinship for a while. Got it?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course. Don't worry, I'll be good."

Boosted [Guilt] made him accept her extreme terms without hesitation.

His motto was snag any girl by any means, but for Hye-ri, even that he yielded.

"Hehe... Promise? I trust you, Assistant Manager Choi."

Her mood fully lifted, she flashed a man-melting eye smile and lightly grasped his hand.

"So, what's next on the date? If it's lame, I'll get mad!"

"Hahaha, next spot's all set."

Choi Hyun-min pulled two movie tickets from his pocket.

"To cheer you up, I booked this. Great reviews lately."

Tickets to a hit romantic comedy. Hye-ri brightened—she'd wanted to see it.

"Then let's hurry, Assistant Manager Chooooi~"

Hyun-min watched her retreating back, mood flipped like she'd never cried.

Short tennis skirt, blue crop top showing a peek of navel—her abs, waistline, thighs fully on display. Provocative outfit.

'Sigh... her skin was so soft and smooth...'

The feel of her waist from Haeundae lingered on his fingertips. He naturally reached for it, but

- Smack

"No skinship yet, Assistant Manager Choi. We promised, right?"

"Oh, right, haha..."

Her iron wall defense forced his retreat.

Memories of that hotel morning—glimpses of her flesh peeking through sheets, the passionate marks (courtesy of Hyunwoo)—stirred him rigid below.

'It's official now. Plenty of chances ahead.'

Vowing to conquer Hye-ri soon, Hyun-min headed to the theater with her.

Of course, Hye-ri's every move was reported live to Hyunwoo.

- Murmur, murmur

The weekend theater buzzed with families and couples. Hyun-min and Hye-ri held hands cautiously, but they looked every bit the perfect couple.

"Popcorn?"

"Yesss! Gotta have it at the movies~"

Hyun-min returned with two drinks and a popcorn set. Munching the sweet kernels, they chatted idly before entering the screening room.

A few ads later, the rom-com started. Hye-ri, a college girl who loved the genre, watched intently.

- ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Bzzz

Until her phone vibrated in her hand.

"Assistant Manager Choi, gotta hit the bathroom quick..."

"Yeah, sure. Be careful."

She whispered softly to him. Her sweet breath tickled his ear, stiffening his groin.

'Haa, wanna kiss her senseless.'

Truth be told, he'd picked the rom-com to set the mood. The film was at the flirty 'some' stage between leads—perfect for advances on Hye-ri.

'Of all times...'

'Come to think of it, this happened at Haeundae too, right?'

A nagging unease hit Choi Hyun-min as he stared at Kim Hye-ri's back, but in the dark theater, she'd long vanished.