DDB Ch 22

Not only was it annoying that she was sticking close to Ishin, but the way she looked at Jiwoon with a mocking gaze, assessing her casual jeans and loose-knit sweater, was also irritating.

‘What, are they talking about me behind my back?’

Even when she smiled at Ishin’s words, there was a strange sense of contempt.

Contempt, huh.

For the past eight years, the contempt and disdain from Westerners towards an eccentric Asian woman weren’t uncommon.

No, it wasn’t uncommon; it was rather frequent.

It happened so often that she could count them daily, but the impact wasn’t that significant. Her emotions weren’t that intact to be moved by such events.

Her sensory disorder was sometimes convenient like this. Just not reacting to oppression was already a substantial defense.

No matter how much they tormented her, Jiwoon, who wouldn’t shed a single tear, often made people give up in disgust.

But why wasn’t this damned sensory disorder working now? Why had her previously dull emotions become so sharp?

That’s why she felt even more upset. Why did this woman’s contempt make her feel so indignant?

It was all because of this damned… arrogant Baek Ishin.

With her lips twisted, Jiwoon poked the ground with her sneaker. Ishin’s gaze lingered on her briefly but that was it. He casually withdrew his cold gaze, took out his phone, and left the store.

It seemed like someone called him. Judging by him lighting a cigarette, it would take some time.

Jiwoon, watching his back with eyes full of resentment, saw the manager approach.

The woman, scanning Jiwoon from head to toe once more, gave a slight sneer and nodded her head. Her attitude was quite insolent for someone dealing with a customer.

“Come this way.”

It was a clear sign of disregard.

But what could Jiwoon do? She was told to be quiet, so she had to be. Like a lady.

Taking a deep breath, Jiwoon suppressed her feelings and quickly followed the manager.

The place the manager led her to was a separate room, partitioned from the main store area. It was likely a space arranged for VIPs to shop comfortably. The reason the manager brought Jiwoon here must be because Baek Ishin was a VIP here.

“I’ll bring you clothes that will suit you if you wait here.”

Her voice was not just unfriendly but outright rude, openly showing her displeasure at having to serve someone like Jiwoon. Then, with a sour face, she opened the door.

The VIP room was much more luxurious than the main hall, boasting an elegant interior with a large three-tiered standing mirror, a velvet-covered sofa, a low table with a tea set and colorful macarons, everything exuding the height of luxury.

Jiwoon stepped inside and looked at the clothes lined up on one side of the room.

“These clothes…”

She wasn’t about to ask if she could try them on. She noticed the tea set on the table and the clothes hanging in a row, ready to greet a guest. Suddenly, she wondered if she had taken someone’s time and space by showing up unannounced.

If this space was already booked, it was only ladylike to change clothes quickly and leave.

But what?

“…Ah, you don’t need to worry about that.”

The woman’s scornful look and mocking tone sharply irritated Jiwoon’s already sensitive senses.

“You, what was it, the part-time employee who came to look after Vice President Heo Seungjae’s paintings?”

Jiwoon furrowed her brows.

“Those aren’t clothes that would suit you, and they’re very expensive.”

“Very…?”

“Yes, very.”

Meaning, clothes not just anyone can wear.

“So, don’t even touch them.”

Because it would lower the product’s value.

The manager scoffed disdainfully, turned her back coldly, and left the room.

“…What’s this?”

Jiwoon felt odd. No, she felt dirty.

A chill ran up from her feet as if she were walking barefoot on icy ground, because now she could guess what Baek Ishin had whispered to that woman with his expressionless face.

“Just a staff member…?”

Even a contract worker who came to look after Vice President Heo Seungjae’s paintings?

And they told her to choose clothes fitting for that? Not these expensive ones?

It wasn’t wrong, but it felt like she had indigestion, her chest tightening.

Pfft. Not fitting? Very expensive?

“They said they’d give the best treatment in the industry? Then how much am I worth?”

I’m expensive too. So, Baek Ishin, pay what I’m worth.

Suddenly, Jiwoon’s defiance kicked in, and she immediately walked over to the rack, grabbing the most expensive piece of clothing.

🐬🌊🐳

Ten minutes ago, the manager of the Cheongdam-dong Lunei Garcon flagship store received a call. It was from Go Miseung, the director of [Heritage Beyond].

— Baek Ishin will bring a woman.

The idea that Baek Ishin would bring a woman made her ears perk up. There were countless women in this circle trying to get his attention, but he had never given any of them a glance.

Baek Ishin bringing a woman? It had to be a big deal.

“What kind of woman… Maybe the CEO’s lover, Ishin…?”

To her question, Go Miseung burst out angrily.

— She’s from Vice President Heo Seungjae’s side. A three-month temporary technician who bewitched the naive vice president to secure the restoration job.

Go Miseung also knew about women targeting Baek Ishin. Even as she mentioned the woman was from Heo Seungjae’s side, her voice trembled slightly, which was somewhat suspicious.

— She’s a cunning, sly snake.

A vulgar woman who seduces men with her body.

She subtly conveyed her intention that such a woman should be recommended clothes fitting her behavior.

“Then what kind…”

— Do I have to explain everything? You should handle it.

After receiving a call from the Heritage secretariat asking to prepare the VIP room because they were bringing a guest, she was told to prepare clothes suitable for attending a Heritage dinner hosted by Vice President Heo Seungjae.

So, she had selected and hung only the most luxurious clothes of this season in the VIP room… but now this directive was overturning that. It was quite troublesome.

After hanging up with the director, ten minutes later, the woman escorted by Baek Ishin entered the store.

“They said she was a snake.”

…It was unexpected.

They said she was a cheap, vulgar woman who seduces men with her body, but she was nothing like that.

Her small, oval face with clear, rose-like features, yet as fresh as a forget-me-not flower.

Her casually brushed long hair, the worn and shabby clothes under her luxury coat, the sneakers stained with paint… none of these caught the eye compared to her immediately captivating presence.

Is she really a restorer? Not an aspiring actress?

But in the end, it was Baek Ishin who irritated the manager.

There was no woman in this circle who hadn’t tried to win Baek Ishin’s favor, including herself.

He wasn’t being particularly friendly but matched his pace with the seemingly dazed woman, holding her to prevent collisions, waiting for her, and even watching her with meticulous care when she wasn’t looking.

Was this really the cold, unyielding, and renowned Baek Ishin from [Heritage Beyond]?

In the end, it seemed men like beautiful packaging regardless of the content. It was quite disappointing.

Even the noble Baek Ishin was just another male… seemingly just that.

That made the woman very annoying.

So, she sent clear disdainful looks and chose her words to hurt. She left the prepared high-end labels untouched and picked out the darkest, most challenging outfits from the second label.

But…

The manager’s mouth dropped open as she entered the room.