©Novel Buddy
A Madman in Love-Chapter 49
‘This shameless man.’
Suin observed her body in the bathroom mirror. Red marks bloomed across her skin like a field of flowers. A clear handprint on the inside of her thigh confirmed the intensity of their passion.
‘Is he trying to kill me?’
She grimaced silently as she examined herself further. The dark circles under her eyes were worse than ever, a sign of extreme exhaustion. Even her legs trembled, barely able to hold her up.
If this was the aftermath of her first time, she thought wryly, wouldn’t the next time kill her outright?
‘He’s such a beast...’
Still, she had no regrets.
The more they did it, the more she realized she wanted him just as much as he wanted her.
She didn’t know when it started or how far it had gone, but one thing was clear—she enjoyed it.
That was the truth.
“Ugh,” she groaned softly.
Her body, aching and sluggish, was something she wanted to discard entirely. Despite that, she managed to drag herself into the shower, clean up, and get dressed. But just as she stepped out of the bathroom, an all-too-familiar voice called out from the bedroom.
“Come here.”
Again?
They’d already gone at it four times.
“It’s two in the morning. I need to leave,” Suin said, shaking her head in disbelief at his seemingly endless energy and insatiable desire. She grabbed her bag, preparing to leave.
From where he lounged on the bed, Jaehee propped himself up and smirked.
“We can sleep together and head to work together. Problem solved.”
“Sleep together? No way.”
Suin leaned against the doorframe, ready to bolt. Her eyes wandered over his figure—tall, broad, and perfectly sculpted.
His body was as much a visual feast as it was a sensual one, and the fact that she’d tangled with that sexy form felt surreal.
“I need to change clothes, and my mom would notice if I stayed out all night. Plus...”
Her gaze lingered on him as she continued, her tone suddenly professional.
“There’s a breakfast meeting at seven this morning. Technically, in just five hours. Don’t forget, Director Seo, Kwon Jongin is coming to pick you up.”
“You could accompany me instead,” Jaehee countered smoothly.
“Should I wake him up at 2 AM to tell him?”
“Hm.”
Faced with her perfectly reasonable argument, Jaehee finally climbed out of bed, revealing his impressive form in all its glory. Suin pointedly turned her head away, raising a hand to gesture at him.
“Put on a robe, at least.”
Seemingly satisfied now that he’d had his fun, Jaehee complied, draping a bathrobe over his shoulders.
“You’re really something else,” Suin muttered, shaking her head with a sigh.
“I’m leaving,” she said, turning on her heel.
“Wait. I’ll go with you,” Jaehee insisted, grabbing her arm.
“It’s fine. I’ll go alone. I parked in the garage, anyway.”
“It’s late. That’s dangerous.”
Ignoring her protests, he wrapped an arm around her waist and steered her toward the walk-in closet like they were moving as one.
Suin didn’t resist. She hated to admit it, but the thought of walking through the dark parking lot alone did make her uneasy. The world was full of unsettling news, and even in a hotel garage, caution was warranted.
“Let’s go,” Jaehee said, now dressed casually and extending a hand toward her.
Suin ignored the gesture, stepping past him without taking his hand.
“Still no handholding?” he asked, trailing after her with a hint of irritation in his voice.
She smiled faintly but kept her gaze forward, her expression turning cold as she stepped into the elevator.
“Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
“What if someone sees us?”
“Who’s going to see us at this hour? And even if they do, so what?”
“The front desk staff, for starters,” she said, glancing up at him as if scolding a stubborn child.
Jaehee frowned like a sulking kid, wrinkles forming on the bridge of his nose.
There were CCTV cameras in the elevator, but in a fleeting moment of mischief, Suin reached out and tapped the tip of his nose with her finger.
His eyes flashed dangerously.
“Lee Suin.”
Here we go again. She could practically hear the switch flipping in his head.
Ding—
Thankfully, the elevator arrived at the lobby just in time.
“Director Seo, we’re at the lobby,” Suin said, her voice calm and professional as if nothing had happened.
She walked ahead of him, exuding an air of composure.
Jaehee’s gaze lingered on her, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he watched her retreating figure.
“You’re even more suspicious when you act like that,” he muttered.
“Doesn’t matter as long as I’m not the one getting caught,” she replied, unbothered by his teasing.
“You’re not innocent in this either, you know,” he shot back, though she paid him no mind.
As always, Suin maintained her impeccable posture, crossing the lobby with ease.
Matching her stride, Jaehee’s eyes naturally fell to the top of her head, the sight of her determined little figure filling him with affection.
Unable to resist, he glanced toward the front desk. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he playfully ruffled the top of her head.
“Don’t,” she hissed, flinching away as she shot him a frosty glare from the corner of her eye.
Jaehee’s lips curled into a grin, clearly enjoying her reaction.
***
Ding-dong—
The elevator descended straight from the sky lounge to the lobby, and out stumbled three middle-aged women, their faces flushed from alcohol and their steps unsteady.
“We really overdid it tonight. Drinking until closing time—how shameless of us.”
“Sometimes, you need nights like this. It’s not like we were out with men.”
“That’s right, Director. What did we even talk about besides kids and in-laws? One drink turned into two without us realizing.”
The leader of the group, Choi Kwangseon, wore a pearl necklace around her thick neck, exuding authority.
One of the younger women, eager to stay in her good graces, stepped forward and held out her gold-trimmed Birkin bag.
“I’ve got your bag, Director.”
“Thanks. You made sure I had a great time tonight.”
“Next time, I’ll find us an even better place, Director. Just let me know when you’re free.”
The younger woman, who happened to be Kwangseon’s junior and was desperate to please her, had ulterior motives. Her son was an art major, and she needed to stay on Kwangseon’s good side. Inside the Birkin bag, she had discreetly tucked a thick envelope of cash.
“Where is my driver? Why is he so late?”
Accepting her bag, Kwangseon scanned the hotel lobby with an imperious gaze.
At this hour, the vast lobby was quiet, save for a couple heading toward the main entrance.
Her eyes were drawn to the man’s striking figure. He was tall and broad, his back exuding an effortless authority. The woman walking beside him matched his elegance, her posture upright and graceful.
There was no need to ask; their relationship was clear. A couple checking out after a passionate night together.
Ah, to be young, she thought, watching them with thinly veiled envy.
Her musings took a sharper turn when the man placed a protective hand on the woman’s back. The gesture was natural yet refined, exuding a certain sophistication. Just as Kwangseon was marveling at his manners, the man’s profile came into view.
She froze.
“That man...”
“What is it, Director? Do you know him?”
“No,” she answered curtly.
Her junior’s curiosity was piqued, but Kwangseon quickly dismissed her suspicions. Just then, her driver rushed toward her, bowing apologetically.
“Ma’am, I’m so sorry. I must’ve dozed off.”
“You can sleep when you get home,” she snapped, striding toward the main entrance.
Before getting into the car parked by the curb, her eyes wandered back to the couple.
The man’s distinctive silhouette was unmistakable, even in the dim light of the parking lot.
It’s definitely him.
Certain now, she climbed into the back seat and pulled out her phone. She scrolled through her contacts, eventually finding the number under her “Family” folder.
The call connected after a few rings, and a gruff, irritated voice greeted her.
[Why are you calling so late?]
Always so grouchy.
“Is it true you’re arranging a marriage between Seo Jaehee and Hyeon?”
[Who told you that?]
“My sister-in-law.”
[Women and their gossip...]
“Does Chairwoman Woo Ilhwa feel the same way as you do?”
[Why wouldn’t she? It’s an alliance with Minister Kim’s family. She wouldn’t oppose it.]
Kwangseon frowned at her husband’s dismissive tone.
“Well, my sister-in-law is already thrilled at the idea of becoming in-laws with the Hyesung Group.”
She gestured for her driver to hold off starting the car, indicating that she had more to discuss.
This was no small matter.
Her husband, Kim Seoncheol, had long coveted the position of chairman after Woo Minseong’s death. But Woo Ilhwa had exceeded expectations, leaving him with no excuse to challenge her.
Now nearing retirement age, his influence as vice chairman was waning. If he stepped down, their eldest son’s future at Hyesung SC—a position already clouded by nepotism rumors—would be uncertain.
An alliance through marriage would secure their son’s place and ensure his stability within the company.
This was an opportunity they couldn’t afford to lose.
[Is this why you’re calling me at this ungodly hour?]
“Have you even looked into Seo Jaehee properly? He has a woman.”
[A woman?]
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His tone shifted instantly, intrigue replacing irritation.
Kwangseon smirked, leaning back against the seat.
“It’s a political marriage, so his love life doesn’t matter, but don’t you think it should be handled before it turns into a scandal? Better to clean things up quickly.”
[You saw her? What kind of woman was she?]
“I didn’t see her face, but...”
Her gaze wandered back outside. Under the faint glow of the parking lot’s streetlights, she spotted Jaehee standing beside a black sedan, seeing the woman off.
Even from behind, the man’s devotion was palpable.
“Seo Jaehee is clearly infatuated.”