A Madman in Love-Chapter 71

Woo Ilhwa did not rise to become the head of the massive Hyesung Group in her thirties simply by relying on survival of the fittest.

She possessed a charisma that could subdue a person with just a single word.

That was why Suin was afraid.

It wasn’t that Woo Ilhwa’s expression was terrifying, nor was her voice particularly sharp.

And yet, Suin couldn’t bring herself to meet her eyes. She lowered her gaze and answered.

“Yes.”

She didn’t attempt to make excuses.

For Woo Ilhwa to summon her personally and ask her question so directly meant that she already had all the necessary information.

Any explanation would be nothing more than a pathetic excuse.

“I’m seeing him.”

Instead, she bowed her head.

“I’m sorry.”

A trembling sensation welled up from deep inside her, but she tried not to let it show.

Even that was an act of arrogance.

Suin clasped her hands together and stood properly, waiting for her judgment.

Her insides burned.

***

“Dating isn’t something you need to apologize for, but… I am a little disappointed, Suin.”

Woo Ilhwa gazed at her.

“Even if it wasn’t intentional, you still deceived me.”

“Yes.”

“Do you have an explanation?”

“There’s nothing I can say. It’s the truth.”

Suin…

Even though her posture remained upright, she looked like a tattered scarecrow enduring a raging storm.

Barely managing to stay rooted in the ground, yet ready to collapse the moment the wind blew.

“Can I ask when it started?”

Woo Ilhwa averted her eyes and lifted her whiskey glass.

She couldn’t bring herself to look at Suin.

“Our relationship… hm.”

Realizing that the word she had used was inappropriate, Suin cleared her throat and corrected herself.

“We haven’t been deeply involved for long.”

“I see.”

For Woo Ilhwa, who had already seen the photos of them entering and leaving the hotel together, there was little difference between “relationship” and “involvement.”

She simply found Suin’s rigid demeanor—her unwillingness to allow even the smallest verbal misstep—bitterly disheartening.

“I suppose Jaehee must have been reckless and persistent as usual?”

“……”

“No matter how much he pushed, you should have kept your distance. I thought you would.”

“I’m sorry.”

We weren’t always this formal with each other…

Now, it was nothing but a strict superior-subordinate relationship.

It felt as if she were being disciplined without even being touched.

“I didn’t call you here to punish you. I needed to confirm the truth. And… I wanted to hear it directly from you.”

Woo Ilhwa took a sip of the bitter alcohol and exhaled a low sigh.

“Thank you for telling me honestly.”

After careful thought, she finally spoke again.

“But…”

“I’ll end it.”

Before she could even begin to state her point, Suin, who had been silent until now, suddenly cut her off.

She seemed so utterly breathless that even her chest didn’t rise or fall. As if she were a fugitive.

“I will take care of it quickly, so there’s no need for you to be concerned.”

Her voice was cold and heavy.

“Suin.”

“My relationship with the Executive Director was already something I planned to end. Please don’t worry about it.”

“So you were thinking of breaking up all along?”

“Yes.”

“Did you realize you weren’t compatible after actually dating him?”

“…Yes.”

There was a brief pause before she answered, as if she were gauging Woo Ilhwa’s reaction.

She had declared the breakup with such determination, yet at this moment, her pupils wavered.

She swallowed hard.

It was obvious she was lying.

She likes him.

Woo Ilhwa let out a small scoff.

Well, of course. That man was willing to throw away everything for her. Now that he’s actually made her his, he must be cherishing her to death.

Should she be grateful that Suin was trying to push ahead with the breakup?

Or should she feel sorry for her?

I’m the villain here.

The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth, but outwardly, she remained expressionless.

To Suin, who stood there like a prisoner awaiting sentencing, she must have seemed as cold as ice.

“Do as you wish.”

“Understood.”

“In that case, you’ll need a reassignment as well. I’ll transfer Hyun Jiye to the Executive Director’s office…”

She set the whiskey glass down on the table and began issuing instructions.

Then, Suin’s gaze lifted abruptly.

“Chairwoman.”

For the first time since entering the room, she looked directly at her. Her voice was firm.

“I resign.”

“What did you just say?”

The glass froze midair.

“I was personally involved with the Executive Director, even if only for a short time. Continuing to serve you under such circumstances would be improper.”

“……”

"I'll proceed with the handover process."

Suin was resolute.

Her gaze, the veins protruding on the back of her clenched hands—everything exuded firm determination.

Instead, it was Woo Ilhwa’s fingertips, as she set her whiskey glass down, that trembled.

“…Yes, that would be the right decision.”

“I’ll take my leave now.”

Hearing the low response, Suin bowed politely and turned around.

Her straight back, leaving the room without making a sound, felt like a thorn in Woo Ilhwa’s eyes.

It pricked at her.

Clack.

As the door closed and she was left alone, Woo Ilhwa downed the rest of her whiskey in one gulp.

“…I couldn’t even hold onto my own son.”

She laughed at herself.

In the end, she had ended up reprimanding Suin for no reason.

"She’s a highly trusted talent of Woo Ilhwa’s. But… is she the same as a daughter-in-law?"

Despite being someone she deeply valued and cherished…

"I don’t interfere in Jaehee’s relationships or marriage. I respect his choices."

That’s what she had firmly told Choi Gwangseon.

Yet here she was, doing exactly what she had despised in her own parents when they opposed her marriage to Seo Seongyeok.

A hypocrite.

The realization sent chills down her spine.

It was already raining when Suin left Moon River, Woo Ilhwa’s private bar.

The sound of the rain was quiet.

It was a fine drizzle, barely perceptible against her skin.

Just like how her heart felt.

"I'm home."

"You're late."

"Yes, I’m heading up."

Even on her way back, her heart remained as still as a deep lake—without even the slightest ripple.

Perhaps it was a warning sign.

But she wasn’t aware of it herself.

"You’re fast."

She was just momentarily dazed while preparing for bed.

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"How can it be this soon…"

She muttered to herself, realizing how quickly everything had happened.

She had thought there would be more time to brace herself after the clash with Woo Ilhwa…

But as expected, misfortune never came alone.

Holding hands in public now, are we?

―Just finished a dinner with a partner company. Heading out now.

A self-deprecating smile crossed her lips when a message from Seo Jaehee arrived.

―You’re home, right?

―I’m in front of your place.

The second message followed immediately.

Suin, who had been sitting on the edge of her bed, slowly got up.

She didn’t turn on the light, just quietly parted the curtain and peeked outside.

There he was.

Through the fine drizzle, she could see him with an umbrella slung over one shoulder, his phone in hand.

The corner of his lips was slightly lifted.

Even in the cold rain, he looked happy. As if waiting didn’t tire him in the slightest.

―I’m with a friend.

Suddenly, he looked hazy through her vision.

It was probably the drizzle.

Or the darkness in the alley.

―I might be late.

After reading the reply, he glanced up toward her room.

Suin instinctively retreated behind the curtain, gripping it tightly to keep it from rustling.

―That’s a shame. Have fun. Don’t stay out too late. I’ll worry.

―Okay.

As soon as he received her brief response, he left without another word.

His confident, unwavering steps led him straight to his car.

Because tomorrow mattered.

To him.

Not to her.

***

Woo Ilhwa and Lee Suin were professionals.

Like last night’s friction had been nothing but a bad dream, they participated in the forum event flawlessly, not betraying a hint of emotion.

The problem arose after the event.

"Chief, you look pale."

At the venue’s parking lot, after sending Woo Ilhwa ahead, Hyun Jiye was about to get into the secondary vehicle when she noticed.

"You have a fever… When did this start?"

"I don’t know…"

Jiye was the first to notice something was wrong.

Even as she touched Suin’s forehead with the back of her hand, Suin felt nothing.

"Jiye, I think it’s just a mild cold. I’ll take a half-day leave and go to the hospital. Can you submit the request for me? Don’t tell the Chairwoman."

"You don’t want to report it?"

"Yeah. No need to trouble her with personal matters."

"Got it. Should I call a taxi for you?"

"I’m fine. You go on ahead."

Only after sending Jiye into the car did Suin flag down a taxi herself.

She didn’t even bother going to the hospital.

She went straight home, filed for leave the next day, and spent the entire time sleeping.

She had enough accumulated leave to rest for a whole week if she wanted.

The only thing that mattered was one person.

Seo Jaehee.

Seo Jaehee.

***

And three days later—

Suin went through the final motions like completing an assignment.

"Let’s end this."