Novel Translation: When the phone rings

 itsentertainment:

BRO WHERE ARE CHAPTERS BEFORE 11

We already watched them lol. 

Chapter 19:

From the very start, his gaze was fixed firmly on her. His sharp eyes, like those of a raptor, seemed to pierce through Hee-joo’s face.

“Hong Hee-joo, you seem quite familiar with hotels.”

His deep pupils regarded her coldly. Hee-joo, having frequently visited luxurious hotels with her chaebol heiress stepsister, really was familiar with them. She nodded obediently.

Baek Sa-eon’s expression immediately darkened.

“Very familiar, is that right?”

He repeated her words as if chewing over them.

...Yes, I’m very familiar!

She nodded firmly again. Baek Sa-eon seemed to be holding something back, his molars grinding audibly. Hee-joo quietly observed the line of his jaw tighten and relax before silently following him into the spacious living room.

The penthouse suite offered a stunning view of the Seoul skyline.

“Now that you’re done crying, can we talk?”

His voice was laced with irritation.

"Is this about the kidnapper?"

Baek Sa-eon toyed with the lighter in his hand, flicking it open and shut repeatedly, but he said nothing. His face remained as cold as ever.

"Your phone shows no signs of being hacked," he finally said, snapping the lighter shut and placing Hee-joo's phone on the large wooden desk.

Of course not. Hee-joo wasn't surprised. The suspender belt photo had been taken with the kidnapper's phone. Her phone should have been clean. It contained only a few saved contacts, mostly exaggerated messages from Director Han Joon.

"But I did find something suspicious."

…What?

"Han Joon. What exactly does this guy do?"

"…!"

"Every message starts with 'dear' this and 'dear' that."

…What?

Baek Sa-eon's gaze turned sharp, as if he were analyzing her stunned expression for answers.

"Sit down," he ordered, pulling out a chair.

"Sit down and use the keyboard to answer me."

"…!"

"From now on, we need to have a serious conversation."

…Was this an interrogation?

"It's not an interrogation," Baek Sa-eon clicked his tongue, refuting her assumption. He once claimed he didn’t have mind-reading abilities, but now that seemed like a blatant lie.

"Someone has been threatening me recently. They’ve targeted my car, my office, even my father's nursing home, and you’re obviously in danger as well."

"…"

"So I won’t overlook anyone suspicious."

…Was he suspecting Director Han Joon?

Baek Sa-eon's logic made sense, but it also missed the mark. The real threat was Hee-joo herself, albeit with the kidnapper backing her up. This convoluted division of roles made her head spin.

Reluctantly, she sank into the large executive chair, her fingers moving hesitantly over the keyboard. Soon, her response filled the white screen in front of him.

"Director Han Joon is the head of the sign language interpretation center."

"Director?" He immediately latched onto the term.

"I've called him that since I was a kid."

"How young were you?"

"After the accident, maybe around nine?"

Baek Sa-eon remained silent for a moment.

"Do you address him like that even in sign language?"

"…"

"And what about me—" his voice suddenly slowed, causing Hee-joo to tense up.

"Whether it's with your hands or your mouth, you've never addressed me even once. So how can you tolerate an old man calling you 'darling'?"

His icy tone sent a chill down her spine. Hee-joo hurriedly typed on the keyboard.

"He's not an old man…"

"Don’t spout nonsense. How is a twelve-year age gap not considered old? Even a six-year gap is significant, but twelve—" His brow furrowed deeply.

"Hee-joo, get a grip. Someone as weak and foolish as you—who else would dare leave you untouched but me? Where is your sense of caution?"

Her expression stiffened. How did he know Director Han Joon's age? And why mention the six-year difference—exactly the age gap between her and Baek Sa-eon?

It only fueled her annoyance. People who had known Hee-joo for a long time always treated her like a child. She was nearing thirty…!

"At the very least, you shouldn't leave traces."

Wait a minute…

"Are you referring to the garter belt photo?"

"It seems I've underestimated you, Hong Hee-joo."

Baek Sa-eon wrapped one arm around the back of the chair, leaning closer. His warm breath grazed her ear.

"When did the little girl with the yellow backpack grow up so much?"

He slammed his fist on the desk with a loud thud.

"Hee-joo, have you had proper sex education?"

Hee-joo jumped up from the chair in shock.

"What are you even talking about?"

"I'm asking as your legal guardian. Was it taught in school, or did you pick it up from hearsay?"

Talking about such things with Baek Sa-eon made her feel utterly humiliated. Her face burned as if it were on fire.

"In school..."

"By the school nurse?"

"No, an outside lecturer..."

"Then this time, have an expert teach you properly again."

"What?"

"Learn it again."

There was something crude buried in his words, but Hee-joo was too frazzled to notice.

"I don't care about your private life. But Hong Hee-joo-"

He flicked open the lighter once more, his voice dropping to a low, cold murmur.

"Stay away from those dubious people."

"…!"

Baek Sa-eon turned the chair, gripping the armrest tightly, his body leaning forward to lock eyes with her.

"I could force you to talk, drag out everything you’ve done, every person you’ve met, and all those childish actions of yours one by one."

"……"

"But I won’t do that, Hong Hee-joo."

His pupils, narrowing as if closing in on her, made him look like an entirely different person—a complete stranger.

"Because we have no relationship whatsoever."

"……!"

"We're not husband and wife. I won't indulge in that illusion."

"……"

"And I won’t take any further action."

He closed his eyes, grinding his teeth as though suppressing something deep within.

"So, stop asking."

When he opened his eyes again, every trace of emotion had vanished, replaced by the icy indifference she had always feared.

"Don’t overstep."

"……!"

"Even if we’re not a married couple, disciplining a child isn’t that difficult. If you don’t want every move of yours controlled, then watch yourself."

"……"

"If it happens again, I’ll make you stand naked in front of me."

Leaving the frozen Hee-joo behind, Baek Sa-eon strode toward the balcony. The cigarette he had only been biting earlier was now finally lit. Smoke rose fiercely, swirling into the air.

Seems like that photo really got under his skin, Hee-joo thought, her face pale as a ghost.

But if he despised it so much… why didn’t he just throw it away? Why was he tormenting her like this?

Her gaze locked on the clock on the wall. To preserve this façade of a marriage, did he really have to trample on her dignity? The humiliation and the frosty indifference he exuded made her blood boil.

Hee-joo’s pale face began to show a faint trace of defiance.

Let night come quickly…

She no longer feared jail or false accusations. Her numbed emotions, battered by relentless blows, had left her fearless.

She clenched her fists, her resolve hardening as time seemed to drag on endlessly.

Someone broke the silence by ringing the doorbell.

“...!”

But Baek Sa-eon didn’t react at all. Left with no choice, Hee-joo knocked on the glass of the balcony window.

‘Someone’s here.’ She pouted and pointed toward the door.

Though he fully understood her meaning, he simply took another deep drag of his cigarette, his cheeks hollowing as he inhaled. Then, he approached the glass window and exhaled a long stream of smoke directly onto her face.

The translucent haze clouded her vision.

‘This bastard!’ Hee-joo slapped the glass with her palm in frustration.

Baek Sa-eon smirked coldly, leaning in to extinguish the cigarette near her lips against the glass.

‘...!’

Even with the barrier between them, the act left her feeling humiliated, her cheeks burning with indignation. She could see every detail as the cigarette butt was crushed flat against the surface.

He then turned away casually, striding past her to open the hotel door.

Moments later, a gray-haired older man entered.

“Dragging this old man back and forth, as always…”

“You’re late,” Baek Sa-eon replied curtly.

The sharp odor of smoke lingered in his wake.

When Hee-joo was about twelve years old, she had seen him in his crisp school uniform smoking. He had berated her harshly back then, demanding she keep her mouth shut about it.

Now, the tables had completely turned.

Since that day, she hadn’t smelled that scent again.

Baek Sa-eon stepped aside, gesturing for the elderly man to enter. The man’s eyes widened as he took in the scene.

“Oh, what an adorable young lady.”

Standing awkwardly at the side, Hee-joo bowed politely, feeling the tension rise.

“I told him to get some nutrients into his system, but he wouldn’t listen to me...”

“Make it hurt enough that he cries,” Baek Sa-eon interrupted coldly.

“It’s rare for him to actually call me, you know…”

“Old man, cut the nonsense,” Baek Sa-eon said, his tone firm and dismissive.

“But you’ve taken all the expensive nutrients from our hospital stock!”

Hee-joo wanted to escape the scene quickly, but Baek Sa-eon immediately blocked her path.

Without much resistance, she was naturally ushered into the bedroom and soon found herself lying down. The doctor deftly set up the IV line, administering a nutrient injection.

Perhaps she really was exhausted; before long, her eyelids grew heavy. The muffled voices around her faded into the background as she succumbed to sleep.

‘Ah… this feels so warm.’

A rough hand gently stroked her hair.

A cool touch softly grazed her forehead, soothing and calming her.

She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt like they were weighed down, refusing to budge.

And so, Hee-joo drifted deeper into slumber, her thoughts tangled in the tense calls and the inescapable grip of time, losing herself in the warmth of her dreams.

Chapter 20:

"Child, you’ve arrived," said her mother-in-law in her usual poised tone, causing Hee-joo to quickly straighten her back.

They were in the hotel’s top-floor restaurant. Her in-laws, as impeccably elegant as ever, sat there like figures in a painting.

Hee-joo couldn’t stop herself from swallowing nervously.

“I didn’t expect you to show up,” her mother-in-law remarked, her gaze slowly drifting to the towering figure of Baek Sa-eon.

“Am I not allowed to come?”

“You wouldn’t say that back when we insisted you join us, and you refused at every turn.”

“Just here for a meal,” he replied nonchalantly.

“‘Just a meal’? Is there anything in this hotel worth doing ‘just because’?”

“There is,” he answered flatly.

The tension in the air remained icy, as always. In truth, Hee-joo felt the atmosphere had grown even more stifling since Baek Sa-eon’s arrival.

In this space, there was only one unspoken rule to follow: keep quiet and eat peacefully.

‘That’s something I excel at…!’

As soon as they sat down, her husband and father-in-law immediately launched into a political debate.

Baek Yi-ryong, her father-in-law, didn’t spare Hee-joo a single glance. As a figurehead of The Mountain Economy Daily, a prominent political and economic symbol, he had no patience for such trivialities.

At that moment, her mother-in-law put her chopsticks down with a faint clatter.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, but it seems your bad habits have only worsened,” she remarked sharply, her gaze cutting through the air.

Panic surged through Hee-joo as she instinctively looked up, only to find her mother-in-law’s stern eyes fixed on her.

“At the dinner table, engrossed in your phone—what kind of manners are those?”

Thankfully, her mother-in-law’s piercing words weren’t directed at her.

“I’m waiting for an important call,” came the reply from her husband.

…!

Hee-joo nearly choked on her water.

He had been quietly monitoring his silenced phone the entire time. Every time it lit up with a call, he would glance at the screen and then decisively reject it.

Despite the rarity of such family dinners, Baek Sa-eon was more fixated on his phone than his parents, as if his hands and eyes were glued to the device.

The piercing look from across the table made it clear that his mother wasn’t unaware of this behavior.

‘Could it be… is he waiting for that call…?’

Her throat dry, Hee-joo quickly picked up her glass of water to take a sip.

“Is it really that important?” her mother-in-law asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

“Yes,” Baek Sa-eon replied coolly, his tone unbothered.

Baek Sa-eon's mother observed his expressionless face for a moment before resuming her meal. As he once again rejected an incoming call with a swipe of his finger, she spooned a piece of ginseng stew into his bowl with a sigh of exasperation.

"You’re still as immature as ever."

"…"

Finally, Baek Sa-eon shifted his attention to his mother.

"All the lessons I’ve taught you seem to have been completely forgotten. Glued to your phone like that—whatever mission you’re on this time, it’s bound to fail. Isn’t that right?"

"It’s not like that," he replied tersely.

"Not like that?" His mother raised an eyebrow. "Look at yourself. When you stand on my stage, I teach that impatience is the greatest obstacle to effective communication."

"…"

"With your temperament, how do you expect to…" She trailed off, shaking her head. "Empathy has never been your strength. If you weren’t my son, you’d have been eliminated from the field long ago."

Baek Sa-eon didn’t argue. Instead, his neck turned slightly as if silently conceding to the critique.

"Getting a serial killer to open their mouth ultimately comes down to communication skills," his mother continued.

Her words piqued Hee-joo’s interest. She perked up her ears, recalling the stories of her mother-in-law’s past, where she had excelled as a negotiation expert in high-stakes situations.

"But you," his mother added, her chopsticks pausing midair as if carefully considering her next words. "When you get that call, your face looks like…"

She placed her chopsticks down and studied her son.

"Like you’re ready to commit murder."

The silence at the table became unbearably heavy.

“You really think a strong attitude guarantees victory? It’s a complete misunderstanding,” his mother continued, her voice sharp and cutting.

“...,” Baek Sa-eon stayed silent, his expression unreadable, though a slight tension gathered around his shoulders.

“I’ve spent my life teaching people this, yet my own son refuses to listen. I truly don’t understand.” She placed her chopsticks down with a measured calm, her tone growing heavier.

“A negotiation without trust will never succeed.”

“...,” he still didn’t respond, but the flicker of a muscle in his jaw betrayed some thought.

“Do you even understand the person behind that call?” His mother’s words sliced through the silence, her gaze boring into him.

“This isn’t as simple as you’re making it sound,” he finally replied, his voice low, as though weighed down by the admission.

“But it’s my profession to deal with things like this,” she countered. Her sharp eyes scanned the table before briefly landing on Hee-joo, who froze under the intensity. Turning to Baek Sa-eon’s father, she added, “For example, if your father had an affair, could you understand the other party? Could you build a rapport with them?”

She gave a short laugh, the sound like a knife scraping across glass.

“Child, I’ve lived with your father for half my life and raised you, my little troublemaker. After that, there’s no one I can’t understand.”

The heavy silence that followed was palpable. Hee-joo, clutching her napkin tightly, felt like the words were directed at her, but she couldn’t muster the courage to speak. Instead, she kept her head down, staring at the edge of the table as the tension in the room thickened.

Her mother-in-law's firm declaration made Hee-joo bite her lip. She felt as though her mother-in-law was hinting that there was nothing in the world harder to deal with than the men in the Baek family. Somehow, that thought made her feel a bit amused.

“Well... it might be difficult for you,” the older woman continued. “Sometimes this work feels just like marriage counseling.” She cut a piece of meat and placed it into Baek Yi-ryong’s bowl.

“I’ve always emphasized certain things: resolve problems through conversation, clarify objectives, avoid blame, show respect, don’t damage relationships, consult before making decisions, and never ignore the little signs…”

“...”

“In essence, it’s no different from managing a marriage. So it’s no surprise my son struggles with it as well.”

“Why are you giving such a long-winded speech here?” her husband grumbled in a dissatisfied tone.

“See?” the mother-in-law said, pouting slightly as she gestured toward her husband, directing Hee-joo’s attention to him.

To Hee-joo, her in-laws had always been difficult and unapproachable, but now she realized they weren’t much different from an ordinary married couple. Previously, their interactions had been limited to polite exchanges and formalities. But now, Hee-joo could clearly see how unwelcome she truly was in this family.

That sense of isolation was nothing new to her. Whether at her own family’s home or her in-laws’, she had no place she could truly call her own.

Unconsciously, Hee-joo glanced at her watch again.

"Sa-eon, you and Hee-joo are just a pair of ignorant kids who aren’t ready to hear any of this," her mother-in-law remarked with a shake of her head, as if mocking them.

Meanwhile, her father-in-law, who had been observing quietly, suddenly chimed in.

"But you two—married for so long—why is there still no news?"

"..."

"The contract should have included a clause about grandchildren."

"…!"

That look—the one that treated her as a mere tool—was sharp and piercing, identical to Baek Sa-eon’s. Hee-joo silently lowered her head.

Even Sa-eon, who had been fixated on his phone, suddenly shifted his gaze.

"If In-ya comes back, what are you going to do? Why are you still delaying?"

"…!"

Hee-joo’s heart was pierced by the unexpected mention of that name. Hong In-ya.

She had never imagined she would hear her stepsister’s name here.

"Even discounted items should know how to account for themselves," her mother-in-law continued, her tone cutting. "I prefer smart people who can secure their own future over fools."

She clicked her tongue in disapproval, finishing the wine in her glass in one swift gulp.

"Hmph… even if it’s not us, you could still marry into a decent family again."

"…"

"After all, Chairman Hong took you in as a stepdaughter for this kind of purpose. Businessmen all think the same way," her mother-in-law said nonchalantly.

"..."

"This time, he must have realized it works well to use you as collateral, so he’ll probably continue to do so..."

Hearing those words, Hee-joo felt as if she had been struck by something horrific. Though she had understood her precarious position from a young age, that didn’t mean she could calmly accept such blatant words. A wave of shame washed over her.

"But I do quite like your half-dim-witted demeanor. You’ll make a great prop for my campaign truck."

"…!"

Her throat felt as if it was constricted, the suffocating sensation she hadn’t felt in a long time surged back. Indeed, the world was not a friendly place that saves people. Only by relying on herself could she hope to escape her circumstances. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, hardening her resolve.

"I’ll notify you about the national campaign tour schedule later. You might be stuck on the truck for a long time. If you’re planning to get pregnant, try to avoid my campaign period. Campaigning is not your average high-intensity labor…"

Just then, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor interrupted her.

Her mother-in-law’s brows furrowed immediately. She turned to see Baek Sa-eon standing up.

"Child, you haven’t even eaten yet. Why are you getting up?"

"I’m leaving," he replied curtly.

“What?”

“Don’t ride on Father’s campaign truck.”

Hee-joo looked at him in shock, unsure how to respond.

Baek Sa-eon’s expression was calm, but his tone was firm as he tugged on her arm to guide her away.

“Since Father considers me nothing more than a breeding stallion, I see no need to uphold any courtesy here.”

“Wha—what?” His mother’s voice wavered, filled with disbelief.

“There’s no time for a stallion to eat. Too busy doing other things, isn’t it?”

“...!”

His mother’s face flushed red with anger as she slammed her hand on the table. “Baek Sa-eon!”

At the same time, Hee-joo wobbled in her chair, startled by his sudden declaration. Sa-eon yanked her chair back forcefully, pulling her out of her huddled position.

“Stand up.”

Hee-joo stared at him in panic, her wide eyes darting around the room.

“What? You’re not getting up?”

Her vacant, almost lifeless expression made him frown. Losing patience, Sa-eon grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet.

She stood there in a daze, still trying to process what had just happened.

“I said, don’t ride on Father’s campaign truck.”

“What?”

Hee-joo’s voice trembled as she stared at him, baffled. Sa-eon’s grip on her arm tightened as if to anchor her in reality.

"You’re to stand by my side, not his."

The family still hoping for Hong In-Na ...that's a whole new level of .....

But absolutely absolutely loving it 

The angst and tension I can feel it

 KayesDramas:

Who’s the other translator and where can it be found? 

https://moonlightnovel.com/novels/when-the-phone-rings/

Currently they've uploaded till chapter11

Chapter 21:

Baek Sa-eon was a man who displayed extreme indifference toward everything except himself. Even during the signing of their marriage contract or at countless events, he had never shown any active interest in Hee-joo. Even during his engagement with In-ya, he had been a detached figure, sipping water indifferently.

"My wife has her own voice to translate," he said with a darkened expression, gripping Hee-joo's hand firmly.

"If you intend to run for president, at the very least, you should familiarize yourself with the social climate before speaking."

"What?"

"If I were your advisor, I would have told you to shut up long ago."

"You...!"

"If you don't have an aide willing to speak frankly, you're simply wasting money."

"..."

"Now, the stud will go and do what a stud is supposed to do."

Hee-joo, nearly dragged by him, was forcibly pulled out of the gathering. For the first time since their marriage, she left the table before her in-laws.

The man who had hauled her out into the hall remained silent as they stepped into the elevator.

"My hand hurts...!" She tried to pull away from his grip, but the harder she struggled, the tighter his hold became. Her wrist felt constricted, blood no longer circulating, and the unfamiliar warmth made her feel acutely uncomfortable. For some reason, her heartbeat began to quicken.

"Hong Hee-joo, do you really want a divorce from me?"

"...!" Her knees nearly gave out, and her stiff gaze locked with his.

"But you were dragged into this to replace your missing sister-"

"And you can't even speak up." He slammed the button for the first floor with his fist.

"Even when your in-laws bark like rabid dogs, you don't dare utter a word."

"...!" His icy tone pierced her like an ice pick, striking directly at her core.

"As expected." He leaned closer, sweeping his gaze over Hee-joo's face before clicking his tongue in dissatisfaction.

"Not even a single tear."

Baek Sa-eon's cutting words stabbed at Hee-joo's heart, but he never loosened his tight grip. The contrast between the coldness and warmth of his touch paralyzed her.

"Nothing has changed, not a thing-"

"..."

"But why is it so irritating?" Baek Sa-eon stubbornly stared at her from head to toe, as if scrutinizing her for flaws. Hee-joo felt a chill run down her spine, her shoulders involuntarily trembling.

No, that's something I should be saying!

Anyone could tell that the strangest person recently was her husband. Ever since the threatening calls began, his behavior had been like a machine with a misaligned switch. Conversations, meals, even their rare moments of eye contact—it was as if the three silent years of their marriage had been a lie.

"Blue House sign language interpreter."

"...!" Hee-joo shuddered inexplicably at the mention of this title.

"If you're that desperate, climb up yourself."

"..."

"Don't sit in that old man's campaign truck. Come work beside me."

Suddenly, the elevator felt suffocating. Hee-joo grew dizzy, longing desperately for fresh air.

The car arrived. Baek Sa-eon practically shoved her into the back seat as if she were cargo, then slammed the door shut. But no matter how long she waited, he didn’t get in. Hee-joo finally rolled down the window, only to hear the driver turn on the radio.

The chaotic noise made her shiver as if struck by lightning, even though she knew her reaction was excessive.

"Driver, the radio is too loud. Turn it off, please."

At that moment, whether by coincidence or intent, Baek Sa-eon casually gave an order.

"You head home first."

He stood outside the car, one arm resting on the roof, looking down at her.

Hee-joo instinctively raised an eyebrow, her forehead slightly furrowing.

"I have something to take care of."

As he spoke, the corner of his lips curved faintly upward.

Realizing the implication behind his expression, a tide of anxiety surged through her chest.

He was waiting for the blackmailer.

"Eat properly when you get home. No picky eating," he said in his usual cold tone, but the words felt oddly misplaced.

Hee-joo nodded hastily, rolling up the car window to avoid further interaction.

What a long day it had been.

But the night was far from over.

As soon as she returned home, Hee-joo retrieved her long-unused backup phone. The screen’s blue glow illuminated her tense face.

This isn’t the first time. Why am I still this nervous?

Her fingers trembled slightly as they pressed the numeric keys.

Because the blackmailer might be listening.

If her threats failed, if Baek Sa-eon managed to suppress her—she couldn’t predict when or how that deranged blackmailer might hurt her father again.

Her back was as cold as if carrying a bomb. Hee-joo, feeling like she was standing on the edge of a cliff, picked up the phone. But the conclusion is still the same. Both she and the kidnapper needed to force Baek Sa-eon to act.

Beep, beep.

Hee-joo paced in the dark living room, eventually stepping out onto the balcony. The cold wind immediately cleared her mind. After wasting several days by stopping the threats, everything needed to be wrapped up quickly now. She waited patiently under the heavy pressure, listening for the signal.

When Baek Sa-eon answered the phone, all the tension—her father, the kidnapper, the grinding of teeth, the election trucks—everything...

"406."

The moment his voice came through, all the pressure dissipated.

"After causing so much trouble, why are you answering the phone so late?"

Strangely, she was suddenly speechless. Although she had just been with him, hearing his voice now felt particularly awkward. She rubbed the back of her neck.

"Are you waiting for me?"

"The guy who can even pull out people's teeth—would he hide?"

Hee-joo suddenly recalled the bloody scene, clenching her lips tightly.

"Why didn't you call immediately?"

"...... Why do you always drag things out?" Her voice trembled slightly, but it seemed that being sensitive worked better. "I only have one request. Hurry up and restore things to how they were...! If you won't, give me 2 billion. If that's not possible, then resign."

"......"

"You underestimated my threat, and that's your mistake." At the same time, this was the consequence of Hee-joo grabbing the wrong phone. "You almost suffocated, and yet you're so relaxed?"

Thinking of the man who came home that day in such a pitiful state, she felt a sharp pain in her heart. Why didn't he make a choice immediately, when he almost died? Hee-joo tried to suppress the anger rising in her chest and not think about it.

"Before that, I have some questions for you, which is why I've been waiting until now."

"......"

"I have to hear it from you, 406."

"What exactly do you want to ask...?"

"If I take care of Hee-joo, what will you get?" His voice sharply pierced through. "If you can't give me a proper answer, the negotiation will be indefinitely delayed."

"......!"

What Hee-joo could get, of course, was freedom.

But now, she had hidden her identity and couldn’t directly say what she wanted to. From here, Hee-joo’s plan started to go off track. She couldn't come up with a reasonable excuse.

"You want to set fire or pull whatever you like, it's up to you."

"......"

"But I must hear the answer." His cold, stubborn attitude made Hee-joo run her hands through her hair in frustration.

"......Because I hate you, and I want to see you suffer!" These words blurted out without thinking. Hee-joo made a regretful expression, but once the words were said, they couldn’t be taken back. The line was silent.

What was happening? Did he hang up? She checked the screen; the call was still going. There was no sound, not even his breath, just eerie silence.

Suddenly, heavier breaths came through the line.

"Hah...! You have no idea how ridiculous that sounds." His mocking voice was tinged with suppressed emotion. "What exactly is your relationship with Hee-joo?"

"...W-what?"

"Your threat sounds like it's for someone else."

"......!"

It seems like you know my wife very well."

"......"

"Let me ask again."

Hee-joo's face stiffened, a bad feeling washing over her. "What exactly is your relationship with Hee-joo?"

"......!" His voice, sharp as a needle, pierced into her ears.

"Wh-what nonsense is this?" She stammered as she spoke. "Did I find Hee-joo first, or did I catch you first?"

"......!"

It was just his voice, but that cold, threatening atmosphere spread like poison.

"Why is 20 billion 20 billion? How do you have that photo? You want Hee-joo to get a divorce and restore the original political marriage? Do you know how your words sound to me? Wait... Could it be...!

Hee-joo broke into a cold sweat, biting her nails in fear.

"It sounds like you want to take that kid away from her.

What? 

What did you just say?"

"You want Hong Hee-joo to divorce, and then what?"

"......!"

"Anyway, you're just a madman who would hurt Hee-joo's father. Do you think I would bow to a corrupt person like you?"

Her mind went blank.

"No matter if you were once involved with her, or if you're still her lover, I won't let you take Hong Hee-joo away."

"What? Lover... what?"

"From the car to the husband to the father, you harass the people around Hee-joo so violently—you're nothing but a madman. No, wait, hold on!"

"I never intended to let go from the start."

Her face quickly flushed. "What the hell is this nonsense...!"

Hee-joo felt as if her throat was being tightly squeezed.

She couldn't let this disadvantageous evidence be caught. If there was a wronged spouse, it should definitely be her husband, not herself. She couldn't swallow this...!

Camping out here eagerly waiting for more chapters. I hope you can drop 5 to 10 chapters today 

Sorry for being greedy but my brain is truly filled with this novel and drama....