29-167

EP.167 – Housewarming 

The penthouse dining room was a masterpiece in itself. 

Beyond the glass walls, the city night of Isang glittered like scattered jewels. On the long marble table, first‑class tenderloin steaks and expensive wine were exquisitely set out. 

But contrary to the luxury filling the table, the atmosphere was awkward, heavy. 

The only sound was the sharp clatter of fine cutlery striking plates. 

“Why do you both look like that? Don’t you like the food?” 

Hyunseong’s nonchalant question broke the silence, ringing across the dining room. Ju‑young responded first. 

“No, it’s not that…” 

Before she could finish, Mi‑na set her fork down with a sharp clink. 

“…Senior, don’t you have something to tell us?” 

“Tell you? Let’s see, other than ‘enjoy your dinner’? What else is there?” 

Though a slight grumble tinged her tone, Hyunseong leisurely sipped his wine. 

“Do you even know how worried we were after you ran out like that?” 

Ju‑young agreed quickly. 

“Mi‑na’s right. We couldn’t reach you for hours.” 

“And then—” 

Mi‑na cut in, pointing toward the wall nearby. 

More precisely, at the two women standing there like statues. 

“What about them?” 

“This place is too big. Lizetta can’t handle it alone, so I hired help.” 

“That white‑haired woman—wasn’t she the one who smashed into your apartment before? Why is she here?” 

Mi‑na’s voice rose a pitch, clearly saying don’t give us that obvious lie. 

But Hyunseong only let out an exaggerated sigh of wonder, casually carving his steak and lifting it to his lips. 

“You’ve got some memory. Remembering all that.” 

“Senior~~!” 

His continued playfulness snapped Mi‑na’s patience. 

“Fine, fine. I’ll stop teasing.” 

He clumsily dabbed his lips with a napkin and leaned forward. 

“Like I told you in text—it was all just a misunderstanding.” 

“And what kind of misunderstanding involves breaking into someone’s house?” 

“…Complicated. They mistook me for someone else. And, as you can see, they’re a bit… aggressive. Things escalated.” 

There was no way he was going to expose the Bureau connection now. That would only invite suspicion. 

He shrugged. 

“Anyway, it’s resolved. They apologized. As part of it, they’re working as maids now. So it’s fine.” 

Misunderstanding. 

No one else would describe the deadly situation from that day with such a word. But with Hyunseong drawing a line, they had no choice but to accept it. 

He turned his chin toward the two stiff women. 

“Go on. Apologize properly. I’m sure you scared them back then.” 

At the order, Seohyun’s shoulders trembled. Lips parting as though to curse—but Naeun stepped forward first. 

“We truly apologize.” 

Her flawless poise left both Ju‑young and Mi‑na watching silently. 

“It was our blunder and we gravely offended. Please forgive us.” 

Then she lightly tapped Seohyun’s back, pressing her wordlessly. 

Unable to resist, Seohyun muttered, voice small, “...Sorry.” 

Her humiliating apology left another silence. Yet this one felt different, heavier. 

Now Ju‑young and Mi‑na’s gazes shifted squarely onto Hyunseong. 

“Kill him. Kill him. I swear, kill him…” 

“Calm down, Seohyun.” 

From behind, Naeun patted her shoulder, whispering. But in this moment, her senior’s comfort only ignited her fury deeper. 

“So, how’s the food? Lizetta put in some effort for once since you two were coming.” 

He could have stopped there—but he didn’t. 

“She nearly burned the kitchen down a few times while practicing, though.” 

His joking tone loosened the stiffness. 

“Ha, ha… She must’ve worked hard. Still, it’s delicious. I’d like to thank her in person—where is she?” 

“She’s in the kitchen. Said she’d tidy up.” (Really, she was taking food to Child. No need to have that nuisance here tonight.) 

Changing the subject, Hyunseong let his eyes sweep over the two women. 

“By the way—you two look gorgeous tonight.” 

The sudden compliment made Ju‑young’s shoulders stiffen. 

“W‑what? Don’t say things like that out of nowhere…” 

Turning her head, embarrassed, the elegant curve of her neckline and collarbone shone above her fitted black dress. 

“You do know how to talk,” Mi‑na muttered poutily, but she slid her chair forward deliberately, leaning her body in. 

Her bare shoulders under an off‑shoulder crop top gleamed, her legs accentuated by leather skinnies. She pretended indifference, but the praise clearly pleased her. 

Trying to hide her fluster, Ju‑young raised her wineglass. 

“Anyway, congratulations. The Felice penthouse, huh? You’ve made it.” 

There was admiration beneath her words—complicated admiration. A subordinate who she once dismissed was now seated above her. Naturally, it stirred feelings. 

Hyunseong clinked his glass against theirs, the crisp sound ringing. 

“You said some investment went well, right? You should leave the travel agency and be a full‑time investor now.” 

“We’ll see.” He smiled faintly. 

Although the world seemed stable again thanks to his full immersion, in truth, things had already been restored—the half‑destroyed Travel Wiz office rebuilt, notices sent to return to work soon. 

“There are still… things worth keeping,” he said simply. 

“Things worth keeping?” 

She tilted her head. 

“Maybe the recognition from that last project? Would be a waste to leave now that you’ve finally proven yourself?” 

“Come on, Team Leader, you know that’s not it.” 

Mi‑na smirked knowingly. 

“Like he cares about a promotion. What he really doesn’t want to lose is the thing we used to do secretly at the office, right?” 

That. 

Even with vague words, Ju‑young’s suspicion grew sharply. She glared at him. 

Caught, he only grinned with faux guilt. 

“…Busted?” 

Both women groaned in unison. 

“Seriously. Your brain is just filled with sex, Senior.” 

Shaking her head, Mi‑na reclined with a sigh. 

“Ugh. I’m jealous. Makes me want to quit and just work as your maid too.” 

Right—that’s the same woman who once said maid outfits embarrassed her. 

“Keep dreaming. I’m not paying your salary.” 

“Cheh.” 

She puckered her lips, clicking her tongue. 

“Um…” 

Ju‑young spoke suddenly, raising her hand. 

“Hyunseong… what about me?” 

Her words stunned the others. Mi‑na blinked rapidly. 

“T‑Team Leader, are you serious? What about your job?” 

“I’ll keep working. But maybe… a weekend job? Part‑time.” 

Her cheeks burned, but her eyes glittered with anticipation—at the thought of seeing Hyunseong every weekend. 

“But shouldn’t weekends be for your husband, Team Leader? Your only time off?” 

Mi‑na smiled, but her tone carried sharp thorns. 

Hyunseong smirked at the sparks flying and stroked his chin, deliberately thoughtful. 

“Hmm… Maybe I should consider it.” 

At that, Mi‑na nearly bolted to her feet. 

“W‑what? No way!” 

“Fuufu…” 

Her jealousy, Ju‑young’s shyness, Hyunseong’s amusement—the whole dinner almost looked like a normal lovers’ quarrel… if not for the two silent women at the wall. 

The laughter quieted when Ju‑young spoke again. 

“Anyway, we have to plan our trip soon, since work’s starting again.” 

“Of course,” he said, sly eyes glinting. 

“I need to see you both in swimsuits.” 

“Ugh, is that seriously all you think about?” Mi‑na scolded, though smiling. 

Ju‑young too gave a small, blushing nod. 

Laughter filled the room—until a blade of ice cut through it. 

“…Trip?” 

The frigid voice silenced everything. 

All eyes turned to Seohyun, fists clenched, glaring with burning hate. 

“Are you insane? Do you know who you’re laughing with right now?” 

“Seohyun, stop.” 

Naeun tried to restrain her, but she shoved her aside. 

“Stay out of it, Senior! These women need to know what kind of monster he is.” 

Her finger stabbed toward Hyunseong. 

“He’s not human. He possesses heroes from other worlds, steals powers, and forces his will on people’s hearts!” 

The tension snapped tight like a bowstring. 

“Your feelings for him aren’t love. They’re fake—manufactured with hypnosis!” 

Her desperate cry froze the table cold. Faces drained pale. 

Of course she knew this wouldn’t destroy him. Punishment from the seal would be brutal after this. But she couldn’t just sit by while he laughed. 

“Hyunseong…” 

“Is that true?” 

Ju‑young and Mi‑na’s eyes locked on him. 

Yes, try to wriggle free now. Try another hypnotic lie, Seohyun thought. 

But his reply shattered her expectations. 

“Yeah. It’s true.” 

Blunt, calm. 

“I can possess otherworld protagonists and steal their traits. The hypnosis app I used on you both was one of those powers.” 

Silence swallowed everything. 

Seohyun waited eagerly for screams, rage. 

“…I see.” 

“…What?” 

Her voice cracked in disbelief. 

Mi‑na only nodded slowly, as if the final puzzle piece had fallen into place. 

“Of course. No way something like that just falls from the sky.” 

That’s it? 

Too weak a reaction. 

As Seohyun reeled in confusion, Hyunseong smirked. 

“What, thought you’d uncovered a dark secret? These two already knew about the hypnosis app.” 

Her eyes shook wildly. 

“Y‑you knew? Then why… why are you still with him?!” 

“Of course. We’ve known what kind of bastard he is all along. Right, Team Leader?” 

“Yes.” 

With graceful poise, Ju‑young sipped her wine and spoke flatly, as though noting the weather. 

“He’s scum. A boss who defiled his subordinates one after another.” 

“Hey, phrased like that, you’re not helping me,” Hyunseong grumbled. 

But Mi‑na only rose, circled behind him, and looped her arms over his shoulders. 

Her chest pressed tight against his back. 

“So what? None of that matters anymore.” 

Her breath was hot against his ear, eyes fixed on Seohyun. 

“My body belongs to him now. I can’t live without him anymore.” 

Her hand slid down his chest. 

“I remember the pleasure he gave me.” 

Ju‑young too stood, moving closer, resting her hand on his thigh. 

“Once we became his sex slaves, there was no turning back.” 

Sex slaves. 

The word shattered everything Seohyun had clung to. 

Meanwhile, Naeun only sighed softly, as though expecting all this. 

“…So you’ll take responsibility for making us this way, won’t you, Master?” 

At her whisper, Hyunseong set his wineglass on the table. 

Clink. 

A bright sound marked the end of the dinner. 

“Then that’s enough for tonight.” 

He stood, gesturing to Naeun. 

“We’ll be going to bed. Clean up the table later.” 

“Yes, Master.” 

Quickly, before Seohyun could erupt further, Naeun lowered her head. 

“And forgive my junior’s rudeness. I’ll take responsibility for it.” 

“Forget it.” He waved her off. 

“I was going to tell them sooner or later anyway.” 

Though surprised they had taken it so calmly, the result pleased him. Still—he’d make sure to discipline his insolent maid later. 

Concealing it behind his smile, he leaned back in his chair and asked the two women, 

“You’ll both be staying tonight, right?” 

Though a question, his voice left no space for refusal. It was a command. 

Ju‑young’s face burned with shy excitement. 

Mi‑na’s lips curved into a sultry grin as she licked them slowly. 

“…Of course ♥” 

Their voices overlapped in perfect unison, as if rehearsed.