Corporate Cupid

Chapter 9: Unraveling the Truth

Wonho couldn't shake the thoughts running through his mind as he replayed every interaction he'd had with Hari—now revealed to be the same person as Kim Sari. The more he thought about it, the more betrayed and angry he felt. How could she deceive him so completely? The sting of her lies ran deeper than he wanted to admit.

At work, Hari received a message from Wonho, asking her to meet him near her workplace for coffee. Confused but eager to maintain her cover, she hurried out to meet him. As they sat together, Wonho casually asked her about her job, noting that he didn't actually know much about her. It seemed like a simple question, but Hari immediately felt uneasy. She lied again, keeping up her facade.

To her horror, right in front of her, Wonho arranged a meeting with her design development team over the phone. The tension was palpable as he watched her closely, waiting for her reaction. When the day of the meeting came, Hari arrived late, and Wonho wasted no time in making his displeasure clear. He demanded she redo her car design, stating that the cost needed to be lower while maintaining high quality. Hari was taken aback by his sudden change in demeanor, but she knew she couldn't protest too much.

It wasn't long before Woozi noticed how harshly Wonho was treating Hari. In a private conversation, Wonho confided in Woozi, revealing Hari's true identity as Kim Sari and vowing to make her pay for deceiving him. Woozi was torn; while he understood Wonho's frustration, he couldn't help but feel sorry for Hari, especially considering that this entire situation had been engineered by Wonho in the first place. Woozi quietly observed that Wonho had a tendency to lose his calm whenever Hari was involved, something that hadn't escaped his notice.

As time passed, Hari worked tirelessly, attempting various new designs to meet Wonho's impossible demands. Every time she thought she had succeeded, Wonho would find something to criticize. It was clear to her that this was more than just about the work. But she couldn't let herself give up, even as her frustration grew.

One afternoon, Chairman Kang made an unexpected visit to the company for lunch. Over the meal, he inquired about the upcoming Founding Anniversary Ceremony, a significant event for the company. Casually, he asked after Kim Sari, expressing a desire to finally meet her in person. Wonho's face remained impassive, but inside, he was already planning his next move. After the lunch, Wonho met with Hari in her Kim Sari persona, informing her that she would need to attend the ceremony. Hari tried to come up with an excuse, but Wonho quickly cut her off. He pointedly reminded her of the penalty fee she would owe if she didn't fulfill the obligations outlined in their contract. Cornered, Hari had no choice but to agree.

Meanwhile, Woozi privately confessed to Wonho that he was beginning to feel sorry for Hari. He noted that she seemed to be trapped in a situation that was spiraling out of her control. The entire plan, after all, had been Wonho's from the start, and now it felt as though he was using it to punish her rather than resolve things. Woozi pointed out that Wonho's emotions were getting the best of him whenever Hari was involved, and that worried him.

Back at the flat, Yuna and Hari talked about the strange gift Yuna had received from her new neighbor—a standing lamp. As they spoke, the camera lingered on the lamp, zooming in as their voices slowly became muffled. Unbeknownst to them, it seemed like the lamp was bugged, though they had no idea what this might mean for them.

The following day at work, Hari's mood took a positive turn. Her persistence had paid off, and she learned that her car design had won her a prestigious award. It was a major moment for her career, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to celebrate. But that joy quickly faded when she realized that she would receive the award from none other than President Kang himself at the Founder's Ceremony.

The weight of her situation hit her all over again. She would have to face Wonho and his family, all while pretending to be someone she wasn't. The walls were closing in on her, and Hari couldn't see a way out.

4o