Bound by a Ruthless Contract - Chapter 11
“…I’m sorry.”
Ga-eun gathered her wavering consciousness.
She couldn’t ruin this arranged marriage meeting – her aunt’s safety depended on it. She couldn’t risk harming her aunt, her only reason for living.
“Excuse me, but could you step aside? I have an appointment soon.”
As she spoke with trembling resolve, the man met her gaze, looking deep into her eyes as if trying to read her innermost thoughts. Ga-eun turned away from his penetrating stare, fearing he might discover her true feelings – how much she despised going to this meeting, how desperately she wanted to sabotage it.
‘I can’t do that.’
Taking a deep breath, Ga-eun stepped sideways to avoid him, giving a slight bow. “Please excuse me.”
Though she quickened her pace, contrary to her expectations, he didn’t try to stop her. Yet she could feel it – his intense gaze fixed on her retreating figure.
‘Surely he hasn’t come looking for me.’
No, that’s impossible.
Ga-eun shook her head vigorously to dispel such foolish thoughts. How could he know I’d be here today?
It must be a coincidence – a coincidence that should never happen again.
With this thought, she entered the café in the Youngso Hotel lobby and took a seat by the window.
The unsettling feeling of meeting her one-time indiscretion at the very place of their encounter left her deeply troubled.
‘I won’t see him again. There’s no reason to.’
As she tried to calm herself with deep breaths, a man in his fifties hurriedly approached.
“Are you Gye Ga-eun?”
“…Hello.”
“Wow, you looked pretty in photos, but you’re even more beautiful in person!”
Fighting the urge to flee from his overly loud voice, Ga-eun managed to reply, “…Thank you.”
“I’m Yang Si-mon.”
He extended his hand, but Ga-eun pretended not to notice and kept her head down.
After awkwardly withdrawing his hand, Yang Si-mon quickly scanned her from head to toe, a lecherous smile forming on his face. She perfectly matched his taste – not a single flaw to be found.
‘Well, what man wouldn’t find that face and figure attractive?’
Fair skin.
A delicate yet shapely figure.
And an innocent face.
Barely concealing his delight, Yang Si-mon sat down across from Ga-eun.
“I’ve known Chairman Gye for quite a while, but never had the chance to get close. Who knew we’d become closer like this.”
“…”
“Isn’t this perfect? I got a beautiful bride, and Chairman Gye settled his debt.”
“…”
“Oh, don’t feel burdened. We’ll be family soon, right? A son-in-law should help when his wife’s family is struggling. Haha!”
The divorced man old enough to be her father had a son her age.
Surprisingly, her biological father, Gye Young-cheol, had arranged this meeting.
When his company faced financial troubles, he put his youngest daughter up for marriage like merchandise.
Though he had an older daughter, So-yeon, Young-cheol cherished her deeply.
Naturally so.
So-yeon was born to a congressman’s daughter, while Ga-eun was an illegitimate child from a youthful mistake.
Ironically, So-yeon was technically the illegitimate one, but officially… things were different.
“Don’t worry. I know everything from Chairman Gye.”
“…”
