221 Vexing Circumstances (1/2)

Taptaptap tap. Taptaptap. Taptaptaptaptap—

Secretary Kwon glanced at the young girl in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

The girl was scrunching her nose ever-so-slightly, tapping away at her phone as if she was pissed. The sound of the tapping seemed even more pronounced as she used the tip of her fingernails to type.

Secretary Kwon continued driving silently. Though he had many questions, he felt like it was not a good time to ask; the girl's mood was already bad as it is. If he went ahead and tactlessly opened his mouth, who knew what she might do.

Sighing to himself, Secretary Kwon shifted his eyes back to the road.

Yeo Ri busily typed a message to Mrs. Choi, telling her that she wanted to accept the offer. She was willing to sign the contract with Hope Entertainment.

It was not in her to act so arrogantly, but for some reason, the way the Han couple spoke made Yeo Ri feel very incensed. Yeo Ri had ended up saying things she did not quite mean. However, she was not lying either; since she had acted so brazenly in front of them, she would definitely walk her talk.

Looking at the message she had sent to Mrs. Choi, Yeo Ri sighed. Her anger had receded upon clicking 'send'. There was a little bit of regret and consternation once she realised what she had done, but at the same time, she was feeling excited.

There was a new purpose in her life: to prove that she didn't need those people's support—show them that she could still prosper even without their help!

She was no longer the useless little girl that she used to be; that stupid girl who cried herself to sleep, fearing for her safety and livelihood. She no longer needed to cower behind her brothers and let them shield her from all the dangers the world had to offer. After all that she had gone through, Yeo Ri felt like she was finally ready to leave her past behind and move on with her life.

Feeling her mood soaring up, Yeo Ri let out a giggle.

Secretary Kwon's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror upon hearing her laugh. She was smiling now, he noticed.

Although the smile was lovely, much like an excited child's, he could not help but feel eerie. It had only been a few seconds but her mood had changed so swiftly.

Yeo Ri seemed to notice his gaze.

Lifting her head to look at him, her grin widened. Tilting her head, she asked him gigglingly, ”What's wrong? Is there something you want to say to me?”

”No, miss.” The man could not help but tighten his grip on the steering wheel, taking a deep breath. He no longer dared to look back at her.

He was scared.

She was smiling, and yet he could not get rid of the feeling of alarm in his heart. It was akin to being stared at by a predator. He could feel his skin prickle as goosebumps rose. For the first time since he took the job, Secretary Kwon felt as if he did not know her at all.

Yeo Ri seemed tickled by his reaction. She leaned back in her seat and crossed her leg on top of the other, her eyes twinkling with amusement. ”You're not curious?” She asked as she absentmindedly rubbed her bottom lip with her forefinger.

”...About what?” Secretary Kwon pretended to concentrate on the road.

”Hm... I guess you really don't want to know? Or is it that you already know?” Yeo Ri's tone was light, as if she really did not care if her privacy had been infringed by the man and his employer.

”I didn't know,” the man dryly replied. He took a third look at the girl's reflection and finally relaxed after discovering that she no longer looked or felt dangerous. Her normal faint smile was hanging on her face again, seemingly unfazed. Her phone vibrated, then she checked the notification she had just received.

”Miss, why do you act like that?” He blurted once the tension eased.

”Hmm?” Yeo Ri made a sound as if she didn't know what he was talking about.

”Why do you hate them? Why do you act so rude towards them?” He pushed.

”Who? My mother's parents or your boss?”

Secretary Kwon thought for a moment before replying, ”Both.”

Yeo Ri laughed, ”I don't hate them.”

What? She doesn't? Secretary Kwon shot a disbelieving look at the girl.

”I really don't,” Yeo Ri repeated. ”You know my history. It's impossible for me to trust another person who suddenly call themselves my 'family', out of nowhere,” she chuckled.

”They're genuine, I know. They truly want the best for me, those two old people,” the girl added.