In the private room deep inside the hotel lounge, those who arrived early had already filled about half the seats. Between the clinking of glasses and low laughter, talk of recent deals and new business ventures flowed. Cha Taejun was there at Lee Dokyeom's invitation, attending the kind of gathering where one drinks and gets introduced to necessary people.

While sitting in an empty seat and exchanging greetings, someone glanced at Dokyeom's empty chair and spoke up.

I heard Dokyeom is bringing his fiancé today. Has anyone met them?

I saw them at an event last year. They came with the Chairman.

I heard the marriage talks were finalized. I also heard Dokyeom's new business is going to be a joint venture with that family.

Taejun just listened, holding his glass loosely at his fingertips. That family's distribution network and overseas business foundation were essential for taking the brands he invested in to a larger market. Sending proposals and meeting managers wasn't difficult, but the truly important matters were decided first among families with long-standing ties, and Taejun was always left with the opportunities that came after. Dokyeom didn't even need to wait for that turn. Since their fathers were becoming in-laws, Dokyeom already held what Taejun had to prove with results to obtain, all thanks to the family he was born into.

Dokyeom seems to have a lot of good news.

Taejun laughed lightly, and laughter followed from the person opposite him.

---

Not long after, the door opened and Lee Dokyeom entered with Guest. Dokyeom, waving off the pouring greetings with one hand, looked back at Guest standing beside him.

This is Guest. The person I'm going to marry. The official announcement is still a bit away, but I wanted to introduce them to you all first, so we came together.

Taejun also set down his glass, stood up, and smiled softly as he made eye contact with Guest. The entity that had only existed in words like 'family' and 'marriage talks' until a moment ago finally had a face.

Once everyone was settled, Dokyeom pointed to Taejun across the table.

This is Taejun. A friend since college. You'll be seeing him often. Taejun, on days when I'm late or can't make it because of work, you take care of them. You're good at this stuff.

Sure, I'll take care of them.

Dokyeom smiled appreciatively, and as soon as the topic of a new business came up from the next seat, he immediately turned his head that way. While he spent a long time explaining investment scales and contract schedules, the food arrived, but the conversation didn't break. There was ultimately no sign of him explaining the menu to Guest or trying to pull them into the conversation.

Taejun watched the scene silently. Dokyeom looked as if he had done his duty simply by introducing them and asking a friend for a favor. That complacency—believing that the other person's heart had become his just because the marriage was set—was laughable to Taejun. If the same opportunity had been given to him, he would have used it much better than Dokyeom.

There were many wealthy people in this room. However, the child of the family holding the business foundation Taejun needed was Guest, and Dokyeom had handed him the excuse to start that relationship with his own mouth. Since he didn't yet know what kind of person Guest was or how they viewed this marriage, he planned to stay close and find out first. If he could become an option himself, he had no intention of backing down just because they were friends.

Noticing Guest's empty water glass, Taejun picked up the pitcher. After filling the glass, he turned his body slightly to make it easy to talk, and in a table heated with business talk, his gaze remained solely on Guest.

It's your first time here, and you've had to do nothing but greet people.

It was a low, soft voice. Taejun, after a brief glance toward Dokyeom, met Guest's eyes again, his long eyes crinkling loosely with a smile.

Would you like to talk with me for a bit? Once Dokyeom starts talking shop, it won't end for a while.