"Darling, you came," her mother-in-law's elegant voice made Heeju instinctively sit up straight.

Her in-laws were sitting like a picture-perfect couple with an intimidating air. They were in the restaurant on the top floor.

Heeju swallowed unconsciously.

"But what brings you here?"

Her mother-in-law's eyes travelled upwards to the tall figure of Baek Sa-eon.

"Is there a reason why I shouldn't be here?"
"It's not like you're one to talk. You never come even when you're called."
"I came to eat, that's all."

The atmosphere was cool as usual. With Baek Sa-eon there, it was even worse.

In moments like this, there was only one rule to follow. Eat without saying a word.

Coincidentally, this is also what I excel at...!

As soon as they sat down, her husband and father-in-law plunged into political discussions.

Her father-in-law, Baek Ui-Yong, didn't even look at Heeju.

To him, she was just a token of cooperation from the Sangyeong Daily. And he wasn't the type to worry about such details.

Her mother-in-law put her cutlery down.

"Looks like you've picked up a bad habit because of my negligence."

Feeling inexplicably guilty, Heeju looked up, only to find her mother-in-law's stern eyes focused on someone else.

"Fiddling with your phone at the table - what kind of manners is that?"

Fortunately, the rebuke wasn't directed at Heeju.

"I'm waiting for a call."
"...!"

The one who answered was her husband. Throughout the meal, Baek Sa-eon had been quietly busy with his mobile phone.

Each time a call came in, he checked the number and repeatedly rejected it. Even in the rare setting of a family meal, his attention was more on his phone than on his parents.

There was no way his mother, sitting across from him, hadn't noticed.

Could the call he's waiting for be mine...?

Heeju's mouth went dry and she reached for her water.

"Is it really that important?"
"Yes."

Baek Sa-eon's answer was short.
 

His mother studied his cold expression for a moment before picking up her chopsticks again.

When Baek Sa-eon swiped his phone to reject another call, his mother sighed in resignation.

"You're still so immature."
"..."

Baek Sa-eon's eyes finally turned to her.

"You seem to have completely forgotten what I've taught you. Your desperation will cause you to fail. Tell me, am I wrong?"
"It's not like that."
"Not like that? Look at yourself. On the podium, I teach that impatience is the greatest obstacle to communication."
"..."
"Honestly, with your temperament... Besides, empathy has never been your strength. If you weren't my son, you would have failed in negotiations long ago."

With a completely detached expression, Baek Sa-eon tilted his head slightly, as if in silent agreement.

"Even getting a serial killer to talk is a matter of establishing a relationship."

Heeju pricked up her ears.

Coming from her mother-in-law, a former negotiation expert, the remark carried weight.

"And yet you treat this expected call as if..."

Her mother-in-law paused, choosing her words carefully, and then continued.

"As if you want to tear the person to pieces."
"...!"

Heeju clutched her napkin in surprise.

"You might think that's a powerful strategy, but it's not. It's nothing but a reckless move that invites retaliation. I can't understand why someone who knows better would act so foolishly."

Suddenly, she remembered the time Baek Sa-eon had abruptly ended a phone call. The incident had infuriated her and almost driven Heeju to post an exposé online.

"In negotiations, the belief that being tough guarantees victory and showing weakness leads to loss is a complete misconception. My life's work has been to teach this, yet my own son ignores it."

Her mother-in-law shook her head dramatically.

"You cannot win a negotiation without trust."
"..."
"Do you even understand the person at the other end?"
"It's not as easy as you make it sound."
"There's a professional sitting right here."

Her sharp eyes glanced briefly at Heeju before returning to Baek Sa-eon.

"If father had a lover, would you be able to understand her? Could you have a relationship with her?"

Her mother-in-law laughed briefly.

"My dear, I've spent half my life with your father and even gave birth to you. There's no one in this world I can't understand."

Her resolute declaration made Heeju bite her lip.

It felt like a veiled statement that no one could be more difficult than the men of the Baek family.

Strangely enough, the thought lightened her mood a bit.

"Well... it could be difficult for you. Sometimes this job feels like marriage counselling."

Her mother-in-law cut a piece of meat and put it on Baek Ui-Yong's plate.

"I will say it until I get tired. Tackle problems through conversation, clearly define your goals and avoid criticism. Show respect, maintain relationships, consult before making decisions, and never overlook small signals..."
"..."
"At its core, negotiation is no different from a marital relationship. So of course my son struggles with it."
"Why are you giving a lecture here?"

Her father-in-law interjected gruffly. Her mother-in-law seemed to pout at him.

For Heeju, her in-laws were always difficult to deal with, but at moments like this, they seemed no different from any other couple.

For so long their conversations had been limited to formalities, but now she could fully understand how unwelcome she was in their world.

She was familiar with alienation, whether at her family home or here with her in-laws. No place had ever given her a sense of belonging.

Almost unconsciously, her eyes flicked back to the clock.

"Neither Sa-eon nor you are willing to listen. Ignorant fools, both of you. And yet I'm supposed to make this man president..."

Her mother-in-law shook her head, half in jest.

At that moment, her father-in-law, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.

"But seriously, how long have you been married and there's still no news from you two?"
"......"
"Maybe I should have put a clause in the contract about grandchildren."
"......!"

The cold, calculating stare made her feel like she was nothing more than a tool. That sharp look was one of the many traits Baek Sa-eon had inherited from his father.

Heeju lowered her head quietly. The man who had been fixated on his phone suddenly shifted his gaze.

"Are you just going to sit here and wait for In-ah to come back?"
"......!"

The unexpected mention of that name pierced her like a blade.

"Hong In-ah.

She hadn't expected her stepsister's name to be mentioned here.

"Even if you're just an extra, you should do your part. I'd rather have someone cunning enough to secure their own future than a brainless fool."

The father-in-law clicked his tongue and swallowed his drink.

"Well... even if it's not us, I'm sure you'll find another good family to marry into."
"......"
"After all, Chairman Hong probably only took in his stepdaughter for practical reasons. Businessmen all think the same way."
"......"
"You're a convenient pawn, and now he understands the benefits of keeping you as such. Heeju will probably be used like this in the future."

The words were like poison. Heeju knew her situation all too well, she had grown up painfully aware of her position. But that didn't mean it wasn't excruciating to hear them out loud. Shame welled up inside her.

"Still, I appreciate that you're simple-minded. It makes you a perfect addition to my campaign car."
"......!"

Her throat tightened as if she couldn't breathe. It was the first time in a long time that she felt this kind of crushing helplessness.

No one in this world could save her. Only she could pull her out of this quagmire.

Heeju exhaled slowly, a growing determination taking hold of her.

"I will announce the details of the national campaign tour later. You may have to spend a lot of time in the car, so if you have any plans to get pregnant, avoid my election period. Campaigning isn't for the faint-hearted."

At that moment, the screech of a chair being pushed back cut through the room. The father-in-law and mother-in-law's faces instantly darkened at the lack of decorum.

Turning their heads, they saw Baek Sa-eon rise from his seat.

"Why are you getting up? You haven't even finished eating."
"I'm leaving now."
"What?"
"I have work to do."

Even Heeju stared at him with wide eyes.

"If my father insists on treating me like a stallion, there's no reason for me to stay here out of obligation."
"Excuse me?"
"Where does a stallion find time to eat when he's expected to perform effortlessly?"
"......!"

Sa-eon's father slammed his hand down on the table, his face red with anger.

"Baek Sa-eon!"

At the same time, Heeju felt a sudden pull.

Baek Sa-eon had grabbed her chair and pulled it violently away from the table. Her body curled into a defensive posture, suddenly distanced from the suffocating dining arrangement.

"Get up."

Heeju looked at him in shock.

"Will you stay seated?"

She was paralysed, her expression vacant and confused. Baek Sa-eon frowned at her hesitation.

Finally, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet with enough force to leave no room for protest.

Even then, Heeju remained dazed, unable to comprehend what was happening.

"Heeju," he announced coldly, "you are not riding in my father's campaign truck."
"What?"
"You're staying by my side, not his."