---
As Choi Iseo thought again about what might've happened if it weren't for that man, she let out a deep breath.
*It's okay, Choi Iseo. It's nothing. You've been through worse. This moment will pass too. So don't worry.*
While she calmed her breathing, the man's voice echoed in her ears.
"Keep breathing slowly, just like that. One more time, slowly."
---
In the meantime, the wedding began.
It was a grand wedding.
Just like the bride had said the night before, the hall was packed with famous people — politicians, lawyers, and other VIPs.
As Iseo sat down inside the hall, countless thoughts ran through her mind.
Despite her complicated feelings, the ceremony went smoothly. A relative of the bride, who was supposed to catch the bouquet, stepped forward.
At the moment the bouquet was thrown—
It didn't land in the hands of the relative, but in Iseo's arms.
While Iseo stood there confused, the host quickly spoke up.
"Looks like the bouquet had its real owner. Beautiful lady, you do know the rule, right? If you don't get married within 6 months, you'll stay single for 3 years!"
Laughter filled the hall.
Everyone was laughing — except one person.
"Nice. You should get married too."
The bride forced a smile, but her lips were trembling with frustration.
First all the attention, now even the bouquet.
The looks thrown at Iseo were cold and full of jealousy.
One particular gaze locked onto her.
Not far away, Taeseok was watching Iseo holding the bouquet.
Her pale cheeks, which looked like she might faint earlier, now had a soft pink glow, like spring cherry blossoms.
The woman who looked like she could collapse was now smiling warmly, like sunlight in spring.
Then Iseo walked over and gave the bouquet to the bride's relative, its original recipient. Her bright, clear smile was deeply imprinted in Taeseok's eyes.
"We'll now take a group photo."
At the host's words, Iseo quickly moved to stand beside the bride, and Taeseok slowly followed her.
His tall, striking presence drew everyone's eyes.
"Isn't that the CEO of Kanghwa Group?"
"He looks like a model."
"With looks and money like that, who needs anything else?"
"Is he still single?"
"Rumor says women from elite families line up for him, but he doesn't care. That's why the chairman is desperate to get him married."
Then, the women's attention shifted to Iseo.
"Hey, look at her necklace — it's worth over 20 million won! How did she get that?"
"Twenty million?"
"That's the newest limited edition from brand T."
"She's supposed to be the bride's best friend. Makes sense. Haven't you heard? Juhui only hangs out with people on her level."
"Shh! She'll hear."
"She's different, even her friends."
After the wedding, the reception began in a fancy hotel. The bride changed dresses and stood with the groom to greet the guests.
"You're Juhui's friend, right? The one who caught the bouquet earlier."
"Yes."
Women sitting at the same table started questioning Iseo eagerly.
"Did you go to college with her? Or high school? You're her best friend, right?"
"Didn't Juhui study abroad in both high school and college? You must have come a long way for the wedding."
"We've known each other since we were young."
"Oh, I see. That necklace — is it the limited edition?"
The necklace around Iseo's neck sparkled under the lights.
"I wanted to buy it, but it was limited edition, so I couldn't. It looks even better in person. How did you get it?"
"I guess I was lucky."
"Well, being Juhui's close friend, it probably wasn't hard."
"Is your father in the same line of work as Juhui's father? A lawyer? Prosecutor? Maybe a member of the National Assembly?"
The endless questions made Iseo frown slightly.
"You seem really curious. But I'm not the star today — Juhui is. Why don't you focus on the bride a bit more?"
The mood turned awkward. Iseo stood up and walked away quickly.
*Money and power…*
To her, they didn't mean much. But to everyone here, they were everything.
Feeling uneasy, Iseo let out a hot breath.
As the newlyweds left for their honeymoon, guests started leaving one by one.
Just like the bride's mom said, they had rented the whole hotel for the day. Now that the event was over, it felt almost empty.
*I need to get out of here. It's suffocating.*
Iseo hurried to the restroom, changed into her clothes, and carefully placed the diamond necklace into its case before heading to the hotel lobby.
"Are you Mr. Kim Doosik?"
"Yes, that's me."
"If you give this to the lady, she'll understand."
Iseo opened the shopping bag to show all the items — clothes, the bag, and the necklace — so the secretary could confirm everything.
"Understood. I'll deliver it."
Feeling relieved, yet still anxious about running into loan sharks, Iseo quickly left the hotel.
Less than 30 minutes later, her phone rang.
"Hello?"
\[You ran away but still answered your phone? You've got some nerve! What's going on here?!]
It was the bride's mom, her voice sharp and furious.
"What's the matter?"
\[You'll find out soon. If you don't want to be dragged back, come to the hotel lounge right now!]
The call ended abruptly. Shocked, Iseo rushed back to the hotel.
She entered the lounge and saw the bride's mom standing with the secretary.
When she saw Iseo, the woman stormed over, face red with anger.
"I told you clearly."
"I don't understand. What's going on?"
"Didn't I say to return everything I gave you to my secretary?"
"I did give it to him. What's the problem?"
"Oh wow, still lying? Unbelievable."
Her loud voice echoed through the lounge. Iseo's face hardened.
"What lie?"
"You stole it. Do you even know how much that necklace costs?"
"What are you talking about? I returned everything."
"The necklace I gave you is missing!"
"What?"
Iseo's face flushed in confusion.
"What do you mean? I clearly put it in the case and gave it with the other stuff."
"Oh really? So you're sticking to your story. You want me to call the police?"
"Then ask Mr. Kim Doosik here. He saw it when I handed it over."
Iseo stepped toward the secretary with a serious face.
"You checked it all, including the necklace. Tell her what happened."
"I never saw a necklace. I don't know what you're talking about."
"What? You said you'd check everything!"
"I just received the shopping bag as it was."
Kim Doosik wiped sweat from his temples while stealing glances at the woman.
"See? Where's the necklace? You liked it so much you couldn't give it back?"
"I don't know what you're imagining, but I didn't do it."
"Imagining? I've dealt with people like you before."
"Watch your words."
"Call the police."
"Go ahead."
The tension between them was suffocating.
"This is why we can't trust people without money. I had no choice but to invite you, but look at this mess."
"Excuse me, ma'am—"
"Did you just call me *ma'am*? Who do you think you are?!"
Just then, as the woman raised her hand toward Iseo's face—
**Smack.**
Someone grabbed her wrist swiftly.
---
Outside the hotel after the wedding, Taeseok was spotted by Secretary Min, who quickly pulled up the car.
"Sir!"
"What is it?"
"Why haven't you answered your phone?"
"You know it's my day off. What's the emergency?"
"I know it's your day off, and I know you came to the wedding, but this is urgent. I had to come in person. Please, get in."
Min's face was full of worry.
Looking at his phone, Taeseok saw several missed calls from Min.
"I had it on silent. So what's this emergency that made you come all the way here on my day off?"
"There's an issue with the officetel project in Jeju Island."
Taeseok stared at Min's sweaty face as he wiped it with a handkerchief.
---