Win | Chapter 1

The man drew attention wherever he went. It wasn’t because of any peculiar behaviour or outrageous remarks. His natural status as the second son of the Namwon Group, the pitiable yet free-spirited atmosphere it gave off, his tall and handsome appearance akin to that of a movie star, and his relaxed demeanour in dealing with others attracted people like a magnet.

Doah rolled down the backseat window halfway. She was quietly watching Nam Sion, who was standing at the centre of the entrance to the event venue crowded with onlookers.

“This is Reporter Kim Kyung-hee from Seonhai Daily. I heard that Mr. Nam Si-on also donated a cherished item to today’s charity auction. What kind of item is it?”

Nam Si-on, with a charming smile on his lips, responded with a good-natured retort.

“Take a guess.”

“This is Kim Seok-hyun from Yuhan Daily. I understand that Madam Namwon Group is also included in the Dalsem Association, the organiser of the charity event. Have you heard anything from her directly?”

“My mother’s words are always the same every day. Be careful with the car, don’t skip meals, don’t say unnecessary things. But I’m doing it right now.”

Small laughs erupted here and there. Nam Si-on moved through the crowd with an unfazed expression. Even amidst this, reporters thrust their microphones forward, hoping to get even a single word from him.

“I heard you were preparing to marry Ms. Han Do-ah, the esteemed daughter of the HX Group. Why didn’t you come together? Wasn’t Ms. Han also supposed to participate in today’s event?”

In an instant, Nam Si-on came to a sudden stop. It seemed as if a slight wrinkle formed on his forehead, but it was just for a moment. Soon, he wore a mischievous smile.

“Isn’t it something that no one will know until we enter the asile?”

“Are you saying that you’re also considering the possibility of breaking off the engagement?”

Nam Sion closely scrutinised the face of the reporter who had just asked the question. The smile still lingered at the corners of his mouth, but his eyes were cold.

“Your name?”

When he slightly leaned forward and asked in a low voice, the reporter, who had hesitated, visibly stiffened.

“…This is No Seung-chan, a reporter from the Economic Industry Department of Kyungshin Ilbo.”

“The quality of your questions is exceptional, so I thought you were from the entertainment department. Your name is beautiful.”

With a vague expression, Nam Si-on stared at the reporter for a long time before calmly disappearing into the building.

Only then did Doah roll up the car window completely. Although she couldn’t hear the questions and answers exchanged between the press and Nam Si-on from a distance, it was something that could be confirmed through articles. After all, Nam Si-on was so newsworthy that every word he said was reported.

“Executive Director, should we wait until the reporters disperse?”

The driver, Yoon, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, observed Do-ah’s expression in the rearview mirror and asked.

“Drop me off at the underground parking lot. I can’t stand people who make a fuss like that.”

Yoon drove around the building and headed to the underground parking lot. As Doah had expected, it was quiet there. It was hard to understand why Nam Sion chose to go through the crowd of reporters to face a barrage of questions instead of taking the easier route.

“Such a show-off.”

Doha quietly muttered to herself.

 

🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

 

 

As always, the event was just boring. This space, filled with overly flashy lights and forced laughter, was suffocating every time. It was more comfortable to sit in a meeting room, pulling out cards one by one and negotiating deals.

When exchanging formal greetings with acquaintances, sitting down to eat at designated seats, the host would come forward, give a brief greeting, and then the performance would follow. It was always the same repertoire.

Nam Sion was walking around the venue as if it were his own home, greeting people without even sitting down. Wherever he went, it became noisy, drawing people’s attention repeatedly.

“Even so, he’s going to be your husband soon. Doesn’t it make sense to at least greet him?”

The person sitting next to me whispered. Without changing her expression, Doah put the morning glory in her mouth. I had heard that famous chefs were donating their talents, and indeed, it was quite delicious. After chewing the food thoroughly, she responded.

“It’s a face I’ll get sick of seeing in the future, but here too? Seriously?”

“Look at that face. Is that a face you’d get tired of seeing even after a lifetime?”

Following Wookyung’s gaze, Doah rolled her eyes and glanced at Nam Sion.

The three-piece suit that clung to his well-toned body suited him perfectly. His face, pale to the point of being almost ghostly, with sharp jawline and distinct features, was flawless. Whether it was because he was a head taller than others, he exuded an air of arrogance yet maintained an elegant dignity.

That said, it was striking that he didn’t give off an entirely neat and proper impression. Every time he lifted the corners of his mouth, a hint of a carefree attitude peeked through. I thought that if he were dressed in a cheap suit, he might look like a swindler ready to pull off a con.

It was a brief moment, but Doah quickly averted her gaze from Nam Sion after scrutinising him closely. She didn’t want to meet his eyes while secretly observing him. She couldn’t leave the impression of being disappointed.

“What’s so important about looks?”

I never wished for a spouse with excellent looks. It was enough if they didn’t embarrass me when we went out together. As long as they didn’t have a big belly, were at least 10 centimetres taller than me, and their face wasn’t something that looked like it had been smashed with a fist, I could gladly accept them.

Last autumn, Wookyung, who married the eldest son of Hansoo Group, let out a heavy sigh.

“It’s important. You’ll understand as you live. You can’t thank your parents enough.”

“…That could be the case.”

Do-ah, who had conjured up the eldest son of the Hansoo Group in her mind, no longer objected.

“We will now begin the auction. Please take your designated seats, esteemed guests.”

As everyone sat down and focused on the front, the host gave an opening speech and then explained the auction methods and rules.

“Auction item number 1, let me introduce it to you.”

An object covered with a white cloth was brought up to the platform. The host, after building up the audience’s anticipation, unveiled the cloth. It was a pure white, elegant porcelain piece boasting perfect symmetry. A faint gasp of awe spread among the breathless crowd.

Since the organisation hosting the charity event is the Dalsem Association, a gathering of the wives of conglomerate families, valuable and rare items were put up for auction. Old cars and fountain pens with historical narratives that couldn’t be brought up to the podium were introduced through a screen.

However, there was nothing particularly interesting to catch Doah’s attention until the fifth item was auctioned off.

“Lastly, I will introduce auction item number 6.”

The spotlight crossed the stage. Two staff members carefully placed the final item onto the podium. The object hidden under the white cloth slowly revealed itself.

It was a simple rectangular canvas. In the tranquil landscape, lines and colours rising like flames created a mysterious harmony. The contrast between the dark indigo and the intense red captured the eye.

“At the beginning of the 20th century, this is the only unpublished work and final piece left by the master of the Korean art scene, Jang Eun-wook.”

Doa, who had been bored throughout the event, couldn’t take her eyes off the canvas. It was a moment when her heart fluttered for the first time in a while.

A painting that captures dynamism with bold brush strokes against the subtle night sky. It was just a painting, but it felt like it had explosive energy, as if it were alive.

As I watched, the painting made my stomach feel strangely hot, as if a fire had been lit at the base of my sternum. Excitement, stimulation, desire. Emotions I rarely felt were swirling inside me.

“I will start with one million won.”

The audience’s reaction was not much different from Doah’s, as everyone raised their hands and shouted out their bids.

“Two million won!”

“Two hundred fifty!”

“Three hundred!”

Doha, who had been quietly observing, raised her hand.

“Five Hundred.”

People’s attention turned to Doah. She didn’t want to be noticed like this, but there was no other way to get what she wanted.

A silence fell over the sudden spike in the bid. For the people gathered here, a few hundred thousand won was nothing, but it seemed they weren’t inclined to donate that much to a charity event.

“Here, five million won has come out. If there’s nothing more…”

“Ten million won.”

Confident that the painting would be hers, Doah’s hand, which was holding the glass of water, paused. Following the gathered gazes, she saw Nam Sion at the end, raising his hand.

Why is that suddenly….

The moment Doah slightly frowned, their eyes met. The relaxed smile hanging at Nam Sion’s lips came into view and stuck.

“One thousand two hundred.”

As she raised her hand while making eye contact with him, Nam Si-on also immediately raised his eyebrows and increased the price.

“Fifteen million won.”

“Two thousand!”

Do-ah clenched her teeth and shouted to seal the deal. If it was a posthumous work by Master Jang Eun-wook, it was worth this much. However, since it was a charity auction, it wouldn’t be wrong to say it was somewhat overheated.

After a brief silence, Nam Si-on burst into laughter and lowered his hand. It meant he had given up on the bid. However, his shoulders, wrapped in a luxurious suit, were still shaking.

Why are you smirking…?

Since there was nothing funny about it, the audience looked at Nam Si-on with puzzled eyes. Why is he acting like that? The murmuring noise swelled like a snowball.

“Twenty million won, sold! Please give a round of applause.”

At the sound of the auctioneer striking the gavel, Doah’s mind snapped back to attention. Although the painting she wanted was now hers, she couldn’t shake the feeling of having been caught up in something.