Chapter 21. A Hundred Curses Wouldn’t Be Enough (1)

Translator: Lili

‘I need to bring up the breakup with that man again today.’

Since Cha Jaeheon wasn’t pleased with the idea of meeting Sera, she had to finalize the breakup while she still had the chance to see him. She believed that if she kept emphasizing that she was serious, he would eventually accept it.

“The car sent by Director Cha has arrived.”

“I’ll be right out.”

She had doubted Cha Jaeheon’s goodwill until the very last moment, but he really did send a car. And not just any car—a Rolls-Royce Phantom. However, what she hadn’t expected was that he had sent only the car, nothing more.

“If he was going to do this, I could’ve just taken my own car…”

Grumbling, Sera got into the vehicle. Now that she thought about it, Cha Jaeheon had never actually said he would pick her up himself. Realizing she had gotten unnecessarily anxious over nothing, she felt a bit embarrassed.

“We’ve arrived.”

After reaching the hotel, the chauffeur bowed politely. A hotel staff member approached to open the door, but before they could, the door swung open on its own.

“Oh.”

To her surprise, Cha Jaeheon was standing right in front of her. Not expecting him to be waiting, Sera stiffened in shock. Seeing her expression, he smirked.

“Why do you look so surprised?”

“Well…”

Dressed in a flawless suit, he gave off a pleasant scent. The masculine pressure he naturally exuded, combined with his disciplined sternness, created an oddly seductive allure. If she were the original Shin Sera from the novel, she would have lost her mind and thrown herself at him. Feeling awkward for no reason, she mumbled,

“I didn’t expect you to be waiting. You didn’t have to.”

“I’m just entering with you, that’s all.”

Cha Jaeheon responded firmly, as if cutting off any unnecessary expectations. He seemed to be worried that she might get the wrong idea.

Even though she knew what kind of person he was, she had still felt a moment of tension—but it vanished instantly.

‘Who’s clinging to who here? If overinflated self-awareness were a disease, he’d be terminal.’

Cursing him internally, Sera stepped into the hotel with him. The ballroom, which they entered under the guidance of a staff member, was already filled with guests.

“I’ll see you later, then.”

“Huh? Wait a second…”

But as soon as they stepped inside, Cha Jaeheon left with only a brief formal farewell. Sera wasn’t expecting him to escort her all night, but she hadn’t thought he would disappear so quickly either. She stared blankly at his retreating back.

Everyone else had come with a companion—except her. No one approached her, nor did she make any effort to mingle with others. She didn’t particularly feel like letting Lee Seonkyung know she had arrived either.

As she wandered, her eyes landed on the table full of finger foods. Having barely eaten all day due to various stresses, she suddenly felt a wave of hunger.

They say even ghosts look better if they die on a full stomach—might as well eat something.

Resolving herself, Sera started piling food onto an empty plate. Just as she finished filling her plate to a satisfying level and was scanning the room for a seat—

“Well, look who it is.”

Startled by the unexpected voice, Sera turned around, her eyes widening. To her shock, it was Seo Jungwon. Instinctively wary, she took a step back.

“What are you doing here?”

Seo Jungwon smiled and closed the distance she had created. Amused by her tense expression, he playfully mimicked her tone.

“I’m an invited guest.”

That was when she suddenly remembered—Seo Jungwon and Lee Seonkyung knew each other. Since Seonkyung was the host, it only made sense that he would be here. Why hadn’t she considered that before?

As she berated herself, Seo Jungwon leaned in slightly and murmured in admiration.

“By the way, why are you all dressed up today? If someone didn’t know better, they’d think you were the star of the event.”

“What nonsense…”

“I mean it. Haven’t you noticed? Everyone’s looking at you.”

Sera’s cheeks tinged with the faintest blush at the unexpected compliment. Whether it was Cha Jaeheon or Seo Jungwon, their outward appearances were undeniably striking. The problem was that, even though she knew what kind of people they were on the inside, she still found herself momentarily swayed. She quickly regained her composure and warned him.

“Stop saying weird things. And stop speaking informally.”

“If you don’t like it, why don’t you drop the formalities too? I think I’d find that… exciting. No—thrilling.”

“…”

If there was one good thing about him, it was that he revealed his true nature immediately, leaving no room for misunderstandings.

When Sera turned away with a sour expression, Seo Jungwon pointed at her plate and asked in a teasing voice,

“And… wow, you must’ve been really hungry. That’s quite a lot of food.”

“W-what does it matter to you?”

Isn’t this how people normally fill their plates at a buffet? Flustered, Sera instinctively tried to hide her plate, but Seo Jungwon was faster—he picked up a canapé before she could react.

“You don’t seem to be in great shape. How about getting a proper meal instead? If you tell me what you want, I’ll have them prepare it for you.”

“No need.”

“Then how about we go upstairs and have dinner together?”

“I said no.”

“Alright, then let’s at least move to a different spot.”

“…”

Seo Jungwon didn’t seem fazed by her repeated refusals. He wasn’t even bothered by the fact that she had been ignoring his messages all this time.

‘Does he just not have any pride?’

Whatever her expression revealed, he must have found it amusing, because he smiled shyly and said,

“You keep staring like that—it’s making me a little embarrassed. Does that mean you actually do want to go somewhere with me?”

“…”

Sera’s face twisted in an instant, making Seo Jungwon burst into laughter. His self-indulgent attitude was irritating, but she held back, afraid that reacting too strongly would only pique his interest further.

Just as Sera was racking her brain for a way to escape safely—

“Sera, you’re here?”

“Seonkyung!”

Right on cue, the host of the party appeared. At that moment, Sera was genuinely relieved to see Lee Seonkyung, and her face lit up with an unintentional smile. Seo Jungwon paused for a beat, watching her with a strange expression.

Noticing this, Lee Seonkyung’s gaze darkened.

“Thanks for inviting me today.”

“Oh, come on, like I wouldn’t invite you of all people.”

But just as quickly, Lee Seonkyung brightened up again, flashing a radiant smile as she grabbed Sera’s hand.

As always, Sera swallowed an unintentional sigh of admiration at Lee Seonkyung’s flawlessly beautiful appearance.

“By the way…”

Still holding Sera’s hand affectionately, Lee Seonkyung asked,

“What were you two talking about? I didn’t know you were close.”

“What are you talking about? We’re not close at all.”

Sera immediately denied it and took a step away from Seo Jungwon. He pouted as if offended.

“Why are you drawing a line all of a sudden? That’s harsh.”

‘This crazy bastard, seriously.’

Cursing him internally, Sera forced a smile. Maybe it was just her imagination, but the bright smile on Lee Seonkyung’s face seemed a few degrees colder. A warning bell rang in her head. She needed to get out of here.

“You two must be busy, so I’ll be going.”

The moment Sera finished speaking, she turned around to leave. Seo Jungwon tried to follow her, but Lee Seonkyung quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his way. Sera seized the opportunity and disappeared into the crowd.