"Brother-in-law. Please, drink this."

Gyeong-eun Lee approached the spot where a rigid Yeong-su Cha sat, Seong-ho Kim beside him, carrying a tray with a cup of honey water on it.

She set the honey water down in front of Yeong-su Cha and placed a glass of water in front of Seong-ho Kim.

Then she sat on the sofa with the tray resting on her knees.

Yeong-su Cha looked down at the sound of Gyeong-eun Lee's voice and at the cup of honey water, shook his head a few times to clear it, and offered his thanks.

"Sister-in-law. Thank you."

"Please drink it. I don't know how much you've had, but the smell is strong."

"Sorry. I've been drinking a lot lately, so even a little gets to me now. Thank you. I'll drink up."

Yeong-su Cha thanked her and downed the honey water.

Setting the cup down with a refreshed look, as if his stomach had settled, Yeong-su Cha wiped his mouth with his dress shirt and turned to Gyeong-eun Lee.

"Sister-in-law. I'm sorry, but could I speak with my brother-in-law alone?"

"Just the two of you?"

Gyeong-eun Lee glanced back at Seong-ho Kim.

Seong-ho Kim gave a nod to say it was fine.

Gyeong-eun Lee picked up the tray from her knees and rose from her seat again.

"All right. Then I'll go inside."

"I'm sorry, sister-in-law."

"It's fine. Please, talk freely."

Gyeong-eun Lee said it was no trouble and left with the tray in hand.

Yeong-su Cha watched Gyeong-eun Lee's retreating back for a moment before he spoke.

"I was originally going to call you tomorrow afternoon to meet, but there just isn't that kind of time. With every hour pressing, I couldn't wait until tomorrow, so I came like this. I'm sorry to you too."

"Brother. What's there to apologize for between family? It's fine. More importantly—is something really wrong?"

When Seong-ho Kim asked with a serious expression, Yeong-su Cha turned his body toward him.

"Actually, I was supposed to meet with Hwajeong Investment Trust today."

"Hwajeong Investment Trust?"

"Yes. I was going to meet their representative…