The chief's office at Ilseong Hotel. Go Mihui quietly regarded Min Seoyeong, seated across from her.

She was the wife of Hyundo Group chairman Gu Hoseon and the foundation chairman of the Hyundo Cultural Foundation.

They'd crossed paths many times at official events, but she had never come to see Go Mihui like this.

Min Seoyeong was two years older than Go Mihui.

Even so, Go Mihui had never called her unnie.

Whatever smiles they traded at social gatherings, the names Ilseong and Hyundo always lay between them.

"I'm sorry for dropping in without an appointment."

Min Seoyeong said, accepting her teacup.

"That's perfectly fine. My meeting was just wrapping up."

Go Mihui answered lightly. The secretary set tea down between them and left.

She lifted her cup, breathed in the aroma, then took a small sip.

Down to how she set the cup back on its saucer, not a single movement was out of place.

Go Mihui didn't rush either.

There was no need to guess ahead why an uninvited guest had come and put her on the spot.

"You must be busy with the foundation. What brings you here?"

Go Mihui asked, setting down her cup.

"I was in the area and you came to mind. I thought I'd stop in and have a little talk."

Min Seoyeong smiled meaningfully.

"Have you by any chance heard about yesterday?"

"You mean the Management Studies Society's New Year's gathering?"

"Yes."

"Yes, I heard."

Go Mihui said nothing more than that. Her son had come home and told her exactly what he'd said there.

He'd told her who had asked him what, and why he'd left.

He hadn't asked anyone's permission there.

He had simply explained to her, his mother, the result of a decision he'd made on his own.

Go Mihui liked that very much.

"Then this will be easier to talk about."

The dark of Min Seoyeong's eyes glinted slyly.

"Will Junu be all right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, acting out like that in front of his sunbaes, there's bound to be talk behind his back, don't you…