Ransomed Fiancée (Michaeng) ✔️

Summary (Part 4)

Chapter 88: 2nd Mini Project Arc

The second mini project began with Jeongyeon, Chaeyoung, and Mina gathering in Jihyo's office at the Son Group headquarters. The task at hand was to design a logo that will represent the Im Group's new makeup line. They were given three days to come up with a concept that captures the essence and beauty of the makeup line in a visual form.

Unlike the previous mini project, Nayeon and Mina are not allowed to directly assist Chaeyoung and Jeongyeon in the design process. However, they can offer advice if needed. For this project, both Chaeyoung and Jeongyeon are required to create their logos completely by hand, from scratch, documenting their process from start to finish. This includes recording each step they take in developing their design. Chaeyoung and Jeongyeon will present their creations at a public voting event. The designs will be judged by an audience, who will vote on which logo best captures the essence and beauty of the makeup line.

Chaeyoung struggled with the idea of painting due to a past trauma. Mina sensed  her hesitation and suggested an alternative approach whivh was using makeup instead of traditional paints. Although Chaeyoung was uncertain, Mina encouraged her to try it. The next day, they spent time experimenting with the makeup lineup, playing with the lipstick shades and foundation tones from the collection. Chaeyoung offered to do Mina's makeup, supposedly to practice her technique, but really, she just wanted an excuse to admire Mina's features.

Jeongyeon was also struggling, feeling out of her depth with the creative aspect of the second Mini Project. Unlike Chaeyoung, whose artistic talents came naturally, Jeongyeon had never been great at the creative side. Reflecting on her previous win, she knew Nayeon had helped her not because she truly believed Jeongyeon deserved it, but more as a punishment for Chaeyoung.

After the building collapse incident, Nayeon had been so tied up with handling the aftermath that Jeongyeon barely saw her. They hadn't had a private moment to talk or a chance for Jeongyeon to apologize for what happened at the camp. She also had no clarity on whether Nayeon and Chaeyoung were still romantically involved. The ambiguity of their bond made her uneasy, but the way Nayeon had shown genuine concern for her during the building collapse incident gave her a glimmer of hope that there might still be a chance for them.

As for the Mini Project, Jeongyeon found herself hitting a creative wall. Without Nayeon's advice, she felt lost and frustrated. On top of that, her secret investigation into the "Peninsular Project" had led to only few answers. She discovered it had originally been a collaboration between the Im Group, the Hirai family, and the Son Group, but the project was later discontinued. One crucial new piece of information she uncovered was that Chou Tzuyu was somehow involved. Unfortunately, the lawyer was currently in Jeju Island with Sana, making it difficult for Jeongyeon to get in touch. Jeongyeon planned to ask Nayeon about it but with Nayeon's recent unavailability, she was left waiting.

Chapter 88:

During the third day of documenting her project, Chaeyoung poured her energy into using nearly all the makeup products to bring her logo concepts to life, while Mina stood behind the camera, offering encouragement.Three hours passed in a with Mina playfully urging Chaeyoung to smile and reminding her that she was doing an amazing job.

Afterward, Chaeyoung kept her canvas safely in her room and spent the rest of the day preparing and practicing her speech for the presentation. Although Chaeyoung was naturally confident, she was still haunted by her loss in the previous project, and the fear of repeating it caused a rare, overwhelming anxiety in her. Mina that sat beside her added little touches of affection whenever she could. Every time Chaeyoung stumbled over a word or lost her place, Mina stepped in with a gentle laugh, holding her hand and reassuring her, "You're doing amazing. I believe in you."

Mina made sure the atmosphere was light and warm, occasionally brushing her fingers through Chaeyoung's hair or tucking a loose strand behind her ear, smiling with a look that made Chaeyoung's heart flutter. When Chaeyoung grew frustrated, Mina reached over and cupped her face and whispered words of encouragement, telling her she had nothing to prove and that she was already brilliant.

Meanwhile, Jeongyeon took a different approach by using a collage technique. She repurposed The Immortal China magazines from the previous project, incorporating images that showcased past makeup lines, and created a unique design. During her documentation day, she received a surprise visit from Nayeon, who was impressed to see Jeongyeon managing the entire process independently from concept creation to final implementation. Nayeon's presence added to Jeongyeon's excitement and motivation, and her documentation wrapped up after two hours.

"You did well," Nayeon's simple words hung in the air after she had quietly studied Jeongyeon's finished project. It almost seemed like an afterthought, not a loud or extravagant declaration, but Jeongyeon's heart swelled with pride nonetheless. There was acknowledgment in Nayeon's gaze. The small nod that followed meant something as though Nayeon was assuring her that everything was going to be okay.

After their dinner together, Jeongyeon apologised for the misunderstanding during the camp. She admitted her mistakes, and Nayeon forgave her with a nod.

Jeongyeon hesitated before offering Nayeon a gift, a handkerchief. Nayeon looked at it in confusion, but Jeongyeon explained, recalling how Nayeon had lost her handkerchief during the winter vacation. She thought Nayeon might need a new one. Jeongyeon knew that the previous handkerchief, the one Nayeon had cherished so much, had been given to her by Chaeyoung.

Nayeon stared at the handkerchief Jeongyeon had given her. It was a cartoonish, somewhat childish design different than the delicate handmade one Chaeyoung had given her. Nayeon sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips as she asked if the pattern on the new handkerchief was the same one Jeongyeon had wanted for her rain boots when she was a child. Jeongyeon nodded.

Nayeon then tied the handkerchief around her wrist. Jeongyeon wondered if Nayeon understood the deeper meaning behind her gift and if she realized what accepting it truly meant. Her thoughts were confirmed when Nayeon reminded her to be sure to prepare more handkerchiefs in case she lost this one too. "I'll ask for it from you," she teased, the implication clear. Jeongyeon smiled, realizing that Nayeon understood far more than she let on.

Chapter 89:

As Chaeyoung prepared for her presentation at the public voting event, she noticed Mina's growing distress. Mina was on the phone, her hand trembling as she spoke, and Chaeyoung immediately sensed something was wrong. When Mina shakily explained that something had happened to Sana, Chaeyoung's concern deepened. Despite the importance of the upcoming presentation, Chaeyoung couldn't ignore Mina's state. She made the decision to drive Mina to the hospital, leaving the event behind. As they rushed out, the emcee nervously called Jeongyeon to present in Chaeyoung's place.

Meanwhile, Jeongyeon was scanning the crowd when she noticed Nayeon slipping out of the event and she followed. It wasn't long before Jeongyeon overheard a conversation between Nayeon and two men in black jackets, showing their police badges. Jeongyeon jogged over and asked Nayeon what was happening. The police officers informed them that Nayeon was being charged with negligence and needed to be taken to the police station for further interrogation.

Jeongyeon stood frozen for a moment, her concern for Nayeon now mixed with confusion. Investigators charged her with negligence after evidence emerged suggesting she had approved the use of cheap materials. Multiple leakage reports during the construction had also surfaced, but it appeared she had disregarded these early warnings.

Nayeon quickly pieced everything together, realizing she had fallen into the Chairman's trap, who used her fixation on Chaeyoung as a carefully set-up bait. The investigation revealed that the construction company she had switched to at the Chairman's recommendation had vanished without a trace, leaving only documentation of the initial contractor, Hong Li Construction (Chapter 38). This made it appear that the building had been solely under her supervision and that she'd dismissed critical safety reports.

Now, all evidence pointed to Nayeon, with no records of the mid-project company change. As police urged her to come in for questioning, Jeongyeon insisted on accompanying her. Despite the emcee calling her name from inside the hall, Jeongyeon ignored it, refusing Nayeon's advice to stay and continue the presentation. Instead, she stayed close.

-to be continued-