Chapter 29. The Prison of Your Own Making (1)

Translator: Lili

“You’ve changed a lot recently. In a good way, of course. Not just me—the chairman also seems to think the same. He even asks me about your progress.”

“…”

“I wanted to tell you that your efforts aren’t going to waste, which is why I took the liberty of visiting at this late hour. If people saw us talking openly, they might jump to all sorts of conclusions.”

So she had successfully caught Chairman Shin’s attention. That was unexpected news, and Sera felt encouraged. But there was no way he would take an interest in her out of his own will—not after how fed up he had been with her. Which meant…

“You must have put in a good word for me, didn’t you?”

As she had guessed, Chief Baek calmly acknowledged it.

“Keeping the chairman informed about company affairs is part of my job.”

“I see…”

While she was pleased about the chairman’s interest, the bigger gain was Chief Baek’s active support. Still, a sense of caution arose within her. There was no reason for him to show her goodwill.

Why would a shrewd man like Chief Baek extend a hand to Sera Shin, of all people, when he could be aligning himself with Lee Rowoon? It was as irrational as choosing a bounced check over a diamond.

Instinctively, she realized she needed to figure out what he was really after. There was no such thing as kindness without a price, and the sweeter the fruit, the higher the cost.

“Chief Baek.”

That was why she deliberately provoked him, knowing it might offend—or even insult—him.

“Are you helping me because of personal feelings?”

“What do you mean…?”

“I was wondering if you had a personal fondness for me.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Chief Baek’s face turned cold, as if repulsed by the very idea. His loosely resting hands clenched into fists, as if restraining his emotions. That was exactly the reaction Sera had hoped for.

“I’m sorry. That was a ridiculous thing to say, wasn’t it? Please don’t be too offended—I didn’t actually think you would feel that way.”

After offering him an easy apology, Sera finally asked the real question she had been meaning to ask.

“Then… are you helping me because of Madam Song?”

For a fleeting moment, his expression, previously marred by offense, wavered. Sera didn’t miss it.

If Baek’s loyalty was to Chairman Shin, then logically, he should be supporting Lee Rowoon. But if the person he truly wanted to help was Madam Song, then his irrational support for Sera made sense.

“That’s not the case. You’re misunderstanding.”

Chief Baek firmly denied it, but the damage was already done. Whatever history he had with Madam Song—whether it was romantic or otherwise—was of no concern to Sera. In fact, if their relationship was inappropriate, all the better.

Sometimes, tainted desires were more reliable than pure goodwill.

“I apologize for being rude, Chief Baek.”

Hiding her true thoughts, Sera deliberately softened her voice.

“I’ve been hated everywhere I go, and yet you’re kind to me… I suppose that made me suspicious. Trusting someone isn’t easy for me.”

Her voice, tinged with suppressed emotion, even sounded pitiful to her own ears. Chief Baek’s gaze flickered. Despite the absurd insult he had just endured, he still looked at her with sympathy.

“If you continue thinking that way, you’ll only be trapping yourself in a prison of your own making, Vice President. Try not to be so pessimistic.”

Sera bowed her head. And just as a tear barely managed to spill from the corner of her eye, she lifted her gaze again.

“Then… would you be on my side, Chief Baek?”

Revealing her ulterior motives so openly, Sera wiped at her eyes as if she had none at all.

“If you stand by me, I think I can hold on. Honestly… it’s really hard. There are moments every day when I just want to give up… I don’t think I can last much longer like this.”

“Vice President…”

“So please, Chief Baek… help me. Won’t you?”

“As you know, I have no real authority.”

There was a faint trace of suspicion in his voice, as if he was wary of her intentions. Sera sensed it immediately and let more tears well up in her eyes, making herself look even more vulnerable.