The morning sun poured gently over the glass-roofed horticulture center, where rows of flowers bloomed in every color imaginable. The air smelled faintly of earth and lavender, and the U.S. investors looked genuinely impressed by the cultural display.
Mr. Philip laughed, holding a watering can. "This is marvelous, Mr. Lee. A refreshing way to understand your country's culture."
Joon-hyuk smiled politely. "Korea prides itself on precision. Even our flowers know discipline."
It earned a few chuckles. But while he maintained his poised CEO demeanor, his focus was elsewhere — namely, the trio across the garden.
Hye-rin was bent over a table, carefully trimming stems beside Park Se-hee. And next to them, Choi Min-jae — brown hair slightly tousled by the breeze, sleeves rolled neatly, the picture of relaxed confidence — was teaching them how to balance the arrangement's height.
"Ah, careful, Miss Kang," Min-jae said with an easy smile, stepping closer. "You're holding it too tight — the petals will bend that way."
"Oh—" She froze, flustered. "I didn't realize."
"That's alright," he said, his tone soft but playful. "I'm here to guide you."
He reached out, steadying her hand briefly as he adjusted the flower in the vase. The move was completely proper… yet far too smooth.
Se-hee clasped her hands dramatically. "Mr. Choi, are you secretly a florist? Because this is unfair."
Min-jae chuckled. "I learn fast."
From where he stood, Joon-hyuk's grip on his clipboard tightened ever so slightly. His expression didn't change — but his eyes darkened.
"Isn't he charming?" Se-hee whispered to Hye-rin once Min-jae moved to help another group.
Hye-rin rolled her eyes lightly. "He's… polite."
"Polite?" Se-hee laughed under her breath. "That man's practically every woman's dream right now."
Hye-rin smiled faintly but didn't respond. Still, she felt something warm creep up her neck — and when she dared glance toward where Joon-hyuk stood, he was already looking at her.
Their eyes met.
For a second, the noise of the room faded — just her, him, and the unspoken storm swirling behind his calm exterior. Then he turned away, muttering something to an assistant as if he hadn't been staring at all.
Se-hee leaned close again. "Is it me, or does your fiancé look like he's about to uproot every flower in this place?"
Hye-rin blinked, startled. "What?"
Se-hee grinned. "Oh, come on, girl. He's jealous. Look at that jawline."
Hye-rin's lips parted, then curved into a small, disbelieving smile. "Lee Joon-hyuk doesn't get jealous, Se-hee. He just… doesn't like losing control."
"Uh-huh," Se-hee teased, clearly unconvinced.
And as Min-jae returned to help her again, Hye-rin couldn't help but wonder why Joon-hyuk had turned so quiet — or why her pulse had started to quicken in the middle of a flower garden