The elevator doors closed, and a heavy silence filled the small space as it climbed toward the 80th floor.
The glowing numbers ticked upward until they reached the top, and the doors slid open to reveal the breathtaking, glass-walled penthouse.
As soon as they stepped inside and the heavy door clicked shut, Shin-hye turned to her daughter, her composed mask finally slipping.
"Miss Eun-soo, you will tell me right now what is happening," she demanded, her voice sharp with worry. "Who was that man, and why were you holding that child? Is... is that boy yours? Did you hide a life from us?"
Eun-soo let out a long, exhausted sigh and dropped her bag onto the marble counter. "Mom, please. It's nothing like that."
"Then explain the coat! Explain why you are coming home with a man and a child at this hour!" Shin-hye pressed, her eyes searching her daughter's face.
"The boy is Hajun, one of my students from the kindergarten," Eun-soo explained calmly. "And the man is Mr. Jin-woo, his guardian. We are just neighbors."
Shin-hye's tension eased slightly, but her brow remained furrowed. "If he is just a student's father, what were you doing with him? Eun-soo, do not tell me you are falling for a married man. What if his wife finds out? You cannot be involved in a scandal like this!"
Eun-soo's face turned bright pink. "Mom! What are you even saying? You know me better than that. I would never do something so inappropriate."
"Well, the man is very handsome, and you are young," Shin-hye countered. "It's easy for feelings to get complicated when a man is married."
"He isn't married, Mom," Eun-soo said, her voice dropping to a softer tone. "Hajun's mother passed away in an accident. He is raising that boy all by himself."
Shin-hye froze, a look of genuine pity crossing her refined features. "Oh... I see. That poor child. And that man... life is truly unfair to good people."
She went silent for a moment, reflecting on the image of Jin-woo holding the sleeping boy, before turning back to her daughter.
"Even so," Shin-hye added, "you must be careful. People will gossip if they see a young woman with a single father. You have a reputation to protect."
"I know, Mom," Eun-soo replied. "Today was just a thank-you. A man bothered me at the gym this morning, and Mr. Jin-woo stepped in to help. He even made sure the man's pass was revoked."
Shin-hye gasped, reaching out to touch Eun-soo's arm. "A pervert in Gleam Tower? Are you hurt? I should call the owner immediately and demand an explanation!"
"Everything is fine, Mom. It's already handled," Eun-soo assured her. "I'm safe."
Shin-hye took a deep breath to calm herself. "Good. We allowed you to live here to enjoy your independence, not to deal with such people. Just remember, Eun-soo... eventually, you must return to the family business and help your brother manage the hospitality empire."
"I haven't forgotten," Eun-soo said with a small nod. "I will do my duty when the time comes."
Satisfied for now, Shin-hye's expression brightened. "Since you've had a stressful morning, let's go to the Cheon Kwan Jang spa. A red ginseng treatment is exactly what we need to relieve this stress."
Eun-soo smiled, the idea of a luxury sauna sounding perfect. "That sounds wonderful, Mom. I'd love to go."
"And are you still looking after your skin?" Shin-hye asked, eyeing her daughter's glowing complexion. "Beauty is a woman's greatest asset."
"Of course," Eun-soo laughed. "I'm using the Sulwhasoo Ginseng cream and the Reon Healer ampoules you sent. My skin has never felt better."
"Good," Shin-hye said, patting her daughter's cheek. "A lady must always take care of herself, no matter how 'simple' she wants her life to be."