<CHAPTER 09 >
It was a commemorative party with no real value.
It wasn’t a company that would be of much help to JM Group, nor were there people worth building connections with.
It was such a dull event that it would have been better to just stay at work, and Achero Rodrigo’s expression reflected nothing but dry indifference.
Watching people pass by in expensive clothes while hiding their true intentions, Achero Rodrigo eventually left the party hall and stepped outside.
“Annoying.”
Perhaps because the party was even more boring than expected, Achero Rodrigo stood outside, continuously smoking.
The pile of cigarette butts scattered on the ground clearly showed his current mood.
Since he disliked heat, enduring the early summer weather outside was nothing short of torture.
“Should I just leave.”
He had already thought that dozens of times.
Yet the only reason he couldn’t easily leave the tedious party was because Viviana Rodrigo was attending.
His father had personally come to the executive office of JM Group and sent him here.
With his old body yelling loudly, there had been no choice but to come.
‘Go and take care of the girl who will become your wife.’
‘Why should I go? I’ve already told you countless times that I won’t get married. Why would you stick some inexperienced girl next to me? Am I crazy enough to live with a girl in her early twenties?’
‘Who said you have to live with her forever? Just keep her for a few years and throw her away. We’ll use her and discard her when we’re done. She’s an adopted child anyway, so let’s make use of her. Have you ever seen me bring in someone useless?’
The pen in Achero Rodrigo’s hand stopped mid-writing.
He had no particular feelings toward Viviana Rodrigo.
She was just a young girl whose actions didn’t concern him.
Yet for some reason, his father’s words made his insides boil.
‘She’s not an object you can use and throw away. Are you even human?’
‘Why are you getting angry? There are already dirty rumors about us. If we cover them up with her, isn’t that beneficial? It’ll be good for them too if they become president thanks to us.’
‘Isn’t it natural for dirty rumors to spread? With the way you and I use our fists, how could there not be rumors? If you hate them, then clean up the people you keep around.’
‘Enough talking back. Go to the party today. I’m going to make you marry her. Go greet Seo Hancheol and talk to the girl. Make it happen. What else is that face of yours for?’
He had intended to ignore it.
But the final words his father spoke before leaving forced him to put aside all his work and come here.
‘If you don’t go, I will. And you know exactly what will happen if I do.’
He let out a long sigh, watching the hazy smoke rise into the sky, trying to relieve his stress.
If his father came here, he would immediately arrange a wedding with Seo Hancheol.
“What the hell is marriage.”
The image of Viviana Rodrigo looking at him with tears streaming down her face surfaced in his mind.
The memory of her lying messily on the bed, her reddened eyes meeting his, flashed back, making his body tense again.
He thought he had forgotten it, but the moment he saw her struggling among people at the party, that face resurfaced.
At the party, she looked like a completely different person.
The black dress suited to her pale skin made her stand out even more.
“She looks better without heavy makeup.”
Her face with thick makeup came to mind.
She suited a clear, bare face far more.
“Not like it matters to me.”
He had stayed long enough.
Thinking he should stop caring about her and leave, he was about to move when he heard the sound of high heels.
It wasn’t a natural sound, but one that limped slightly.
Without realizing it, he lowered his gaze.
As expected, it was Viviana Rodrigo.
Even as he pushed himself off the wall to leave, his eyes were already fixed on her.
“Why come outside dressed like that. Damn it, now those filthy bastards are staring.”
He noticed the lewd gazes of passing men.
As they met his eyes, the men awkwardly smiled and quickly turned away.
“Where do they think they’re crawling.”
Viviana Rodrigo rubbed her swollen ankle and took out her phone.
As he stared at what she was doing, his own phone buzzed.
Checking it, he smirked at the message.
[Sir, you haven’t replied. I’ve been waiting. Please contact me.]
Despite never receiving a reply, she was persistent.
Just then, Seo Hancheol approached her.
She lowered her head like a sinner, repeatedly apologizing.
With fewer people passing by, it seemed like he was taking the opportunity to torment her.
“This is amusing.”
Achero Rodrigo already knew that the claim of raising his adopted daughter with love was a lie.
If it were true, he would never have arranged this marriage.
“Not love, just money.”
Watching her unable to even lift her head frustrated him.
Where was the confidence she had when she asked him to sleep with her?
Why was she so afraid of Seo Hancheol?
Losing interest, his expression turned indifferent again.
“That’s enough.”
It would be better for her not to be involved with someone like him.
She still had many chances to meet better people.
“You useless bitch!”
Just as he took a step to leave, a loud slap echoed.
His steps stopped, and his gaze returned to her.
Seeing her struck across the face, his mind went blank.
All he could think about was going to her.
He tried not to care, but her trembling back as she struggled not to cry moved him.
Standing before her, irritation spilled out in sharp words.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone…”
Seeing her beg through tears not to cause trouble for Seo Hancheol made his blood run cold.
Why was this young girl so desperate for others?
That fearful gaze, afraid of being abandoned, tightened his grip.
‘What the hell do I care.’
Whatever he felt didn’t matter.
He could no longer ignore this small, injured girl.
“Do you want to get married that badly?”
She looked at him stubbornly.
He let out a quiet laugh.
If you want marriage that much, I’ll give it to you.
So no one else can dare touch you.
And so Seo Hancheol will never raise a hand against you again.
“That kind of marriage… maybe I’ll try it.”
When the time comes, I’ll let you go without regret.
So stay by my side just for now.
