DS Ch5

“What, what? Jealousy? Me? Seo Baekhan, are you crazy?”08854289038be4b7

Kim Seungjun, who had jumped up as if feverish, quickly sat back down with his tail between his legs under Seo Baekhan’s icy glare.c9324d22ecbf3e6e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“S-so why would I be… jealous of J-Joo Taehyun…?”5ba84c3ce07d40e2

Seo Baekhan 107f38da04 quickly scanned 9d9bec38bd the press c88f848033 line that a0881b96a4 had started 6f97a06bf3 stirring as 36196569dc soon as c03ff33853 he stood 22f79d5ee1 up. The major 115c458c14 media outlets 04c899785f would be 3bf60712ec too busy ce59bf273d mingling with a7412243e4 celebrities to 3930aa9335 pay attention fcd3629008 to this 8be21d891d childish squabble, e1f1846571 but it a9945ec9b1 was different 6fb918c126 for the 826a76b36b small news 2fb8405074 agencies that b4b33c6815 had barely 296922260c managed to eab6a5d629 secure spots 1df98c5f21 on the 2ba5fec979 outskirts of ad1ae5f000 the banquet cf292a4b98 hall.164cf161b346db71

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

They’d already be desperate to catch anything newsworthy, so there was no need to give them more bait. In fact, smaller outlets were often trickier to deal with, as they tended to embellish minor issues with all sorts of extras to boost views, or try to leverage their coverage for unreasonable deals.e4c07a2243659728

So it would be ac63b47317 better not to escalate 6bddf88bed things further here.53ab9a39c84813d3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh really? It might be better to say you were just talking nonsense out of jealousy for Joo Taehyun.”47fb262ae1b80a81

Seo Baekhan tilted 5061eb379a his head as 54082c7c12 he accepted and 82c3c4bfd1 put on the a20f6967d9 coat handed to c9a17e4aa3 him by a b649898851 server.8ee847efd5bce94a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“The son of a small company CEO with no real position yet criticized the Second Prince’s traits at a scholarship event, and even brought up the traits of DH Group’s youngest son while saying tax money was being wasted… Wouldn’t my suggestion be much better than having that kind of story circulate?”c051b189ef7b04ec

“I-I never… No, that’s not what I meant… I was just speaking casually since it was just us…”8906bd2e8ae8bf6c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Right. You casually ran your mouth, directly bragging that you were personally invited by the Crown Prince. Kim Seungjun, how do you think the people gathered here will interpret it when the Crown Prince’s acquaintance criticizes the Lotus Palace and DH Group while constantly bringing up traits?”c96ef63a29581dce

Unlike when he was fired up mocking Joo Taehyun earlier, Kim Seungjun now drooped his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders. Was he actually crying? Why on earth did the Crown Prince bring in this brat who couldn’t even handle this level of pressure without bursting into tears?b7bc7d13c0909ee1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It wouldn’t be the first time the Crown Prince, consumed by his inferiority complex towards trait-bearers, thoughtlessly caused trouble. This time too, he must have wanted to hang out with someone who only tells him what he wants to hear. But Kim Seungjun was far too inappropriate to simply brush off lightly, which only added to Seo Baekhan’s concerns.509f8ba47178a14b

“Baekhan. I think he just got a bit carried away since this is his first time at an event like this. He probably spoke harshly because he wanted attention, so let’s stop here. Kim Seungjun, you should apologize too.”eb93766bff89f154

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The granddaughter of the Minister of Culture, who hadn’t said a word until now, stepped in to mediate. Since it wasn’t yet clear whether her family was aligned with the Crown Prince or the Second Prince, Seo Baekhan decided not to raise his voice any further.6952e047a9820048

However, he did stare intently at the press line. It was a warning that if they kept talking nonsense, he’d have articles published linking them to the Crown Prince, so they should watch themselves. While Kim Seungjun and his lackeys didn’t seem to notice at all, the others nodded slightly to Seo Baekhan. It was an acknowledgment that they understood and would keep Kim Seungjun in check even after Seo Baekhan left.f1ffbcf0e8d4c163

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Um, Seo Baekhan. I… I’m sorry, I…”a0e45c4f1b608974

Ignoring Kim Seungjun’s attempts to speak to him, Seo Baekhan finished tidying up the table.4618490ee041c520

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Soyeon is right, I was… too excited, Baekhan, Baekhan! Wait a moment!”4052b3853334a318

As Seo Baekhan moved away from the table, several guys held their foreheads as if dismayed. Reporters started swarming over, drawn by Kim Seungjun’s wailing. Those exchanging awkward glances in that area were likely all Crown Prince supporters… Seeing an unexpected figure biting their lip hard, Seo Baekhan felt a little better. At least he’d gleaned some useful information from this cesspool of a place.2a3951f187e7a02a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Hey, Seo Baekhan! Let’s go together!”82933e7e544743fd

“Shut up.”42487f61dc4f433e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Conveying his desire c5d8dd17f2 to not remain f713afb76d in this place 0354f55602 for even a d8a532f98d second longer, Seo 3b712cf1f1 Baekhan repeatedly pressed 5d9294818b the elevator button. Choi Yeonjun, who a0513e01b5 had trailed after 460a17e716 Seo Baekhan, hunched 69cbcc6770 his body and 4b8b9b449b looked around.762edbf48b04299a

“Hey. Was it because Kim Seungjun messed with Joo Taehyun?”09edfcef0b86d10a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

That name 0a9073de51 sure is c19dbde9f7 coming up f9e1fd8e46 a lot 082e92564a today. Seo Baekhan c86cdf3dbe clicked his cc8afc4ebc tongue lightly 61c1e40af2 and just eb0562a8c0 stared at 764458051f the dashboard.a25d37809e8ba72b

“Could it be, Seo Baekhan, you…” Choi Yeonjun was about to teasingly ask if he had feelings for a kid barely out of diapers, but when Seo Baekhan didn’t engage, he awkwardly ran a hand through his neatly styled hair.f26313de024b0aad

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Well. I’m glad, it was boring keeping my seat. But, Seo Baekhan. Don’t you think Kim Seungjun likes you too?”c1326a2fbca9d08e

“Stop saying disgusting things.”3d52d5e0f4b65c19

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Why, he seemed to be acting out like that out of jealousy towards Taehyun, just like you said.”8388dc9552d2854b

“How does him being jealous of Joo Taehyun lead to the conclusion that he likes me?”6d6257764be03be9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Ever since Joo Taehyun joined Hatch, you two have been linked day and night. Both alphas, from powerful families, major donors… It’s perfect to push the buttons of guys like Kim Seungjun. I mean, how can someone as sharp as you not realize this?”44630815ab43b3e5

“Because I don’t want to know. You should read the room too. Why do you keep bringing up that bastard Kim Seungjun in front of me at a time like this?”1faf2190d3455af8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seo Baekhan agreed with the point Choi Yeonjun made. He didn’t think the size or history of one’s company determined a person’s worth. But Kim Seungjun’s insistence on bringing up family and honor to put down Joo Taehyun likely stemmed from his own feelings of inferiority in those areas.845d2a5261eb92d8

“Anyway, thanks to you getting all worked up earlier, the rumors are going to spread like crazy again.”dbc6aa475f30611b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

When Seo Baekhan didn’t engage, Choi Yeonjun couldn’t resist fiddling with his phone. Some trendy, obnoxious music started playing, as if he was watching a short-form video.cb2a9d4db0d80e33

“Your specialty is usually making snobbish, sarcastic remarks. Everyone knows you’re twisted as hell, not just a pretzel, so why the sudden outburst… Oh? Seo Baekhan. This is Joo Taehyun, right?”3238ce32519a23e7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Choi Yeonjun held out his phone, saying “Look at this.” Seo Baekhan furrowed his brow and pulled back from the screen that was thrust so close it was hard to see.25115ec6d0bcba48

“Wow. The algorithm really is scary, huh? Look how news about Joo Taehyun pops up right after we talked about him a bit.”63b1a08f12006889

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Is this Joo Taehyun’s account?”9a81a18484b3d097

“No. Looks like it’s pieced together from photos posted on some community site? Could also be something DH’s PR team secretly released.”3f53965889173b69

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seo Baekhan was about to wave his hand dismissively, saying he wasn’t interested, but his gaze became fixed on the man’s face filling the screen.a171994a47903179

Strange.18d50c1cd27cc93a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was Joo Taehyun, but…5e2f37e4adba629f

Had Joo Taehyun always 4c6960ccbc had such a cold c72d2c5026 expression?69c3b71242bceba8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Wow, when we first met him he was such a baby, but looking at this, he’s all grown up now.”bc5bbe07a8b35332

“Choi Yeonjun.”99bacf2eedeb455a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Huh?”cee94036653be28d

“Was Joo Taehyun’s face… always like that?”56f5359536683fd4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Well… he does look a bit worse than in person.”44735859a5e347ac

“No, that’s not what I mean.”f9cbadeba9aea5c4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

How should he f11bc6c703 explain this? Seo Baekhan covered his d4e0a78fb9 mouth with one hand 056a0fa193 as he stared at 41534cccfe the face that was bac6e50597 both familiar and unfamiliar.2bfb74d0691c5090

The short video compiled from several photos of Joo Taehyun was so crudely made that it didn’t seem like something released by a corporate PR team. Even in the blurry, half-smeared photos, Joo Taehyun’s eyes were piercingly sharp. Someone who didn’t know him might think, “That guy looks like he’s got quite a temper.”bbddd2a1483b271d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Hmm. I guess you could say it feels a bit different from how I remember.”e386ad9269f3a024

“Hm. Is that so? Well, I suppose Joo Taehyun did suit being called pretty more than handsome… Whoa! Hey, this watch Joo Taehyun is wearing, it’s the one I mentioned before!”9defafc9e4d76fbf

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The point wasn’t to analyze Joo Taehyun’s looks.5f24ffaf1a7ce6b1

Though they hadn’t spent time together specifically, they often crossed paths. Every time they met, Seo Baekhan was surprised by how Joo Taehyun had shot up like a bamboo shoot, and found it curious how despite growing so tall, his body still seemed completely unripe. He even occasionally worried that Joo Taehyun wasn’t just shy, but perhaps a bit withered.b38fb779103b724e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But the Joo Taehyun 8cfcd14002 on the screen Choi c7cd08e142 Yeonjun showed was not df668e8aaf the gloomy kid Seo f2f3e0c556 Baekhan had known until a372bb07d3 now.afb7ed1409c86a86

“Now to get that model, you’d need to pay at least the price of a Seoul apartment. Damn, money really is everything. Who needs family trees or whatever.”36da4f4b70221d05

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Was it 3cc99f7ae9 because the 0f2ffc4aec photo was b06815ce1c taken while 5268849cf6 he was 79cf12d236 brushing back c91bc861f4 his bangs? Unlike usual, his 4573be8e83 eyebrows were arched cc1a7bfa00 sharply and his 11613db6e5 eyes were extremely d9a7de76d7 keen.96ab38b9cecd171f

That was all. Joo Taehyun’s clothes and upright posture weren’t much different from usual. He was simply wearing an expression he had never shown Seo Baekhan before.991123ee004fea06

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Seo Baekhan felt he understood Joo Taehyun’s true feelings much more in this moment than when he had directly said he liked him. Because until now, he had no idea that Joo Taehyun could observe others with such a cool gaze.521e2ecff9e93f88