Chapter: 08
I replied casually.
“Well… objectively speaking, I guess that’s true.”
“…….”
“But I don’t really care about conditions or anything like that…”
However, as I muttered on, a question popped into my mind.
“…Why is he asking me this?”
I wasn’t the client; I was just the center director.
“No… why are you bringing up my opinion now? An objective perspective is important, not what I think.”
Rian, who had been staring at me intently, let out a silent scoff.
Then his lips curled into a subtle, unreadable smile.
“Just…”
It was an enigmatic expression I couldn’t interpret at all.
The red in his long eyes seemed unusually vivid today.
Facing Rian like that gave me a strange feeling.
‘This isn’t the guy I usually see.’
Sometimes he gave off this kind of vibe.
He maintained the usual charming “butter” demeanor like Chase, then suddenly turned serious and heavy.
‘It’s like there are two souls living inside him.’
Even the staff seemed as taken aback as I was.
I could feel the atmosphere in the center instantly grow awkward.
Fiddling with my sleeves for no reason, I suddenly snapped back to reality.
The clock on the wall caught my eye.
“Alright, back to the main point… we have to decide within ten minutes whether to carry out the request or not.”
“…….”
“Yohan Veloster, the Marquis, is on his way to the center. He’s scheduled to arrive exactly at 10 o’clock.”
Heaven, who had been quietly sipping juice, swallowed it nervously.
Isadora and Finn tilted their heads to check the time.
‘Current time: 9:50.’
The Yohan I know would never be late for an appointment.
“So, what’s it going to be?”
“…….”
“We either tell Marquis Veloster the truth and cancel the request here, or keep it a secret among ourselves and push through recklessly.”
Finn ran his fingers roughly through his hair.
“Wow… so it’s basically a choice between keeping your conscience and becoming a beggar, or taking the money and throwing away your conscience.”
“Damn it, I already thought of what to do if we get incentives…”
Heaven sulked, flattening his face against the desk.
Isadora spoke up.
“I’ve already stated my position. I believe it’s right to be honest.”
“But Dora, why are you like this this time? You usually go crazy for money.”
Exactly.
I was also curious why Isadora, the most materialistic of us, was suddenly acting morally upright.
When Heaven asked, Isadora pushed her glasses up with her middle finger.
“It feels wasteful to turn down incentives that fall into my lap, but protecting the reputation we’ve built is important too.”
“…….”
“I’ve contributed significantly to the ‘100% success rate in romance’ reputation of Willow Counseling Center. I’m obviously the employee who has written the most love letters.”
“…….”
“I want this record to remain unbroken forever.”
Ah…
‘Of course. She’s choosing honor over money.’
Finn and Heaven nodded in agreement with Isadora.
“I also don’t think we should start knowing we might fail.”
“Money’s nice, but let’s protect our reputation instead.”
Rian, sitting at the desk, murmured while shaking his legs.
“Too bad… it looked like it would’ve been fun.”
Seeing the staff react this way, I had to give up too.
‘Well, that actually works out for me.’
I never wanted to connect Yohan and Violet in the first place.
‘Although that doesn’t mean I get the chance myself…’
I had already heard where Yohan’s heart was headed.
So I couldn’t approach him anymore.
‘My own love failed miserably, but… at least I don’t have to lie to Yohan. That’s a relief.’
At that moment, the bell at the main entrance rang, and Yohan entered the center.
‘Jesus Christ…’
Once again, his divine beauty made me feel like all my sins were forgiven.
I greeted Yohan, trying to act casual.
“You’re here?”
“You arrived on time.”
Yohan checked the clock showing exactly 10:00 and smiled.
‘Ha… I have to say goodbye to those beautiful dimples.’
I didn’t want to see Violet and Yohan flirting, but I was happy I’d get to meet Yohan frequently because of the request…
But suddenly, men started entering behind Yohan.
‘Huh…?’
All five men were carrying something large in their hands.
It was… baskets full of food.
Yohan made eye contact with the staff.
“I know I’ve asked you for a special request outside your normal duties. I understand this could interfere with the center’s work.”
“…….”
“But since you kindly accepted my request, I wanted to give you a small token of appreciation.”
The men placed the baskets of food on the empty tables.
Finn and Heaven, as if teleported, were already inspecting the food.
“Steak… lobster…”
“What is this? What do you call it?”
“Foie gras.”
“Wow… there’s salmon roe too.”
“Not salmon, sturgeon roe.”
He said it was a ‘small’ token of appreciation.
‘This rich male lead…’
Yohan was offering a bribe with three luxury delicacies.
Finn and Heaven, drooling, immediately turned to me.
“Director, let’s do it.”
“Let’s just do it.”
These guys…
‘How do they switch gears so fast every time?’
I didn’t answer and looked at Isadora.
Quietly examining the feast, she spoke softly.
“…Earlier, I belittled Yohan Veloster’s kindness to everyone, didn’t I?”
“…….”
“On reflection, that was a very careless comment. The Marquis is a good person.”
One corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
“Let’s uphold the name of Willow Counseling Center and turn the outcome around.”
And so, the staff once again succumbed to capitalism.
There was nothing I could do anymore.
‘And I can’t send Yohan away now that he’s brought food.’
I approached Yohan and greeted him.
“I’ll gratefully accept, Marquis.”
“Thank you more, Director. I look forward to working with you.”
As Yohan spoke, his dimples played hide-and-seek with his smile.
Seeing his radiant smile made my heart ache.
‘Damn, I have to struggle again to set you up with Violet…’
If I refused the request, I couldn’t see him and it would be hard. If I carried it out, I’d have to see him with another woman.
This is unbearable.
‘I’m not in a romance fantasy; I’m just a female reader playing my favorite simulation game.’
But now, I couldn’t cancel it forever.
I had to steel my resolve.
‘Alright… Yohan really does have potential, just like I said.’
A man who wouldn’t lose anywhere.
‘Violet, I don’t care if you like the crown prince or not.’
I’ll show you how great a kind male lead can be.
Night, 9 PM, Barony of Izet.
Dim lights illuminated the study of the mansion.
Chase Willow sat in a chair, reviewing a stack of papers.
Of course, given his playful personality, he hadn’t been diligently working until now.
He was looking through love letters that had arrived for him.
After flipping through countless letters, Chase set them down.
“…If you were going to send them, you should’ve done it without going through our center.”
Chase immediately recognized the handwriting as Isadora Mendoza’s upon opening the letters.
Isadora, Finn, and Heaven—three talents personally selected by Chase.
Chase had an excellent memory.
After all, a Casanova must have a good memory to avoid mistakes with the women he meets.
Smart.
Suddenly, a knock came from outside.
Chase took a swig of whiskey and said,
“Come in.”
Creak.
The door opened, and a large figure stepped into the study.
Wet black hair, as if freshly washed.
Red eyes shining vividly even in the dark.
It was none other than Rian visiting Chase’s study.
Recognizing him, Chase rose from his seat.
A greeting came from his curved mouth, flowing like a song.
“You’ve arrived, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
