Chapter 41
41. Give Me Back the Ring!
Son Gukjang habitually embraced Hayoung when his stress peaked, as it seemed to ease his mind somewhat. Thus,
"Why are you doing this? Let's talk first."
However, Son Gukjang ignored Hayoung's words entirely.
"When have we ever been the talking type?"
Son Gukjang covered Hayoung's body once more. Moments later, the room filled with the heat from their passion. After,
"What happens now?"
"You already heard?"
Son Gukjang sighed as he looked at Hayoung. It infuriated him that everyone at the company already knew of his demotion.
"It's so petty and ridiculous. They confiscated the corporate card."
Hayoung gaped in disbelief at Son Gukjang's words.
"Then no more shopping, restaurant visits, or trips from now on."
"Why state the obvious?"
Son Gukjang meant it would be hard to keep funding Hayoung as before. Adding insult to injury, he muttered,
"Now I have to spit out everything I've eaten so far."
Hayoung's face paled at those words.
"Honey, you must be upset. So who do you think will be the next director?"
Hayoung's concern was the next director. Since Son Gukjang could no longer support her,
"Who else? That rigid Kim In-kwon CP will take over as director."
"What? Kim In-kwon CP becomes director?"
Kim In-kwon CP was too upright and uncompromising. That's why he didn't get along well with Director Son Youngseok.
[He lacks flexibility.]
That meant it would be hard to look out for personal gain while working with him. So Kim CP kept his distance from Hayoung too. Now that Son Gukjang was demoted, his successor would be Kim In-kwon CP.
Hayoung sighed. Just imagining working with that inflexible man was dreadful.
Hayoung had clashed with Kim CP before. On a filming day, Hayoung tried to delay the shoot for a personal schedule.
[As a celebrity, image management is important, but broadcasting schedules come first. You must take responsibility for your role to the end.]
But Hayoung pushed Son Gukjang away.
After finally separating their bodies, Hayoung looked at Son Gukjang and asked.
She had avoided dealing with him as much as possible.
Above all, Kim CP detested external favors or corruption in broadcasting. Unlike Son Gukjang, it would now be impossible for Hayoung to secure desired programs or sponsorships through such means.
It was clear this would make things tough and frustrating for Hayoung. Moreover, Kim CP maintained close ties with the internal audit department. Not only did he strictly oversee corporate fund usage to prevent corruption, but he was likely to instruct immediate reporting if production teams demanded unnecessary budgets or engaged in private deals with celebrities.
Hayoung already knew his principles, so she sensed her position would shake. Thus, the man before her irritated her even more.
"I won't be able to come here anymore. I'm going to Wonju!"
"What? Gangwon Province? Does Wonju even have a broadcasting station?"
Son Gukjang scowled fiercely at Hayoung's mocking words.
"Is that something to say?"
As Son Gukjang flared up, Hayoung swallowed her annoyance inwardly and said,
"You must be upset, honey. Prepare well for the move. I'll try to survive somehow too. And a friend is coming over today."
It was a dismissal.
"You're telling me to leave now? You've never said that before."
"Ugh, I already had plans with a friend today. What can I do?"
Son Gukjang suddenly exploded in anger.
"You're telling me to get out right now!"
Hayoung glared at him and yelled back.
"Can't you see how hard this is for me now that you've lost your director position? I said a friend is coming! So leave!"
Son Gukjang paused at Hayoung's cold attitude, staring at her. Then a cynical smile crept onto his lips. He sneered coldly in a low, rough voice.
"Fine. Give me back the ruby ring I bought you before."
Hayoung scoffed incredulously. On her finger gleamed the flashy red ruby ring Son Gukjang had given her.
"What? Ridiculous. Why demand a gift back?"
Hayoung clenched her fist, afraid he'd take the ring. The sparkling ruby between her fingers seemed to show she still relied on him somewhat.
Son Gukjang could no longer hold back and shouted.
"Are you breaking up with me right now?"
Hayoung replied coldly with a sneer.
"You're the one who said breakup first."
Son Gukjang looked flustered but suppressed his anger with a bitter smile.
"I never said that."
Hayoung shrugged lightly and snorted.
"You didn't say it, but that's the end of us, isn't it?"
Son Gukjang said with a still fierce glare.
"I've done plenty for you, but I don't need anything else—take off that ring."
As Son Gukjang finished, Hayoung's face hardened. He demanded the ring firmly, and his cold attitude filled her with bitterness and displeasure. Reluctantly, she removed it from her finger and tossed it coldly onto the bed. The ring fell, mirroring their shattered relationship.
"Take it. You jerk."
"What? Just kicking me out?"
"Isn't taking back a ring you gifted a woman petty? Things are tough for me now too!"
"Do you know how much that ring costs?"
Son Youngseok picked up the ring, pocketed it, and said.
"Anyway, off to snag another guy and play both sides."
"Is that something to say?"
"Fine, no need to talk more."
"So annoying! Really."
Youngseok dressed and left.
After Youngseok vanished, Misuk emerged, and Hayoung yelled.
"Mom! Did you know that jerk was such a loser? Not only demoted, but he yanked back my ruby ring during the breakup!"
"Aigoo, you fool. You should've kept the ring even if it meant biting your tongue."
Hayoung snorted at Misuk's words.
"Let him have it. As if no one else would buy me a ring like that."
"Ugh, that ring was worth tens of millions—you said so yourself. You think people who buy those are common?"
"It was all bought with company money anyway."
Misuk's eyes widened as she sighed and clicked her tongue.
"Aigoo, this is bad."
Misuk placed her hands on her hips and looked at Hayoung.
Hayoung shrugged indifferently.
"No big deal. I'll date the company owner. I'll become the lady of this company for sure."
Hayoung lifted the corners of her mouth confidently, dreaming of her future.
Misuk couldn't hold back a scoff at those words.
"What? Lady of the house? Aigoo, stop dreaming."
Misuk shook her head pitifully at Hayoung.
Hayoung glared slightly displeased at the look and said,
"You said dream big?"
- 4 -
"Dreams have their limits. You're not young anymore."
Hayoung snorted at Misuk's words and retorted.
"Mom, what's wrong with my age? I'm in my thirties now."
Misuk sighed with a more serious expression.
"There are plenty of twenties girls overflowing like you. And meeting people isn't easy."
Hayoung shrugged off Misuk's realistic advice. Her eyes still brimmed with confidence. Then she thought of Naeun. Recalling Naeun laughing while holding the balloon with Choi Kangwoo, her mind raced.
"Mom, Naeun can help me."
"What? Naeun? Why bring her up here?"
Hayoung said as if resolved.
"I need to meet Naeun. Even if nothing else, I can get close to the CEO through her. Mom, contact Naeun for me."
