The tension in the room was palpable as soon as the reporter dropped that question. The color drained from Soo Ah's face and even the charismatic Woo Bin was beginning to feel uncomfortable since the scandal involved him. Didn't they bury that, though? It's been seven years already, where and how did the reporter find that out?
Soo Ah's mother was the first to rouse from that shock and she laughed nervously, saying, "Where did that question come from? It wasn't what we discussed," She didn't like it at all.
With the disappearance of In Ha over the years, some people had come to assume that her daughter Soo Ah was the only daughter of the Chae family. However, it was obvious that this particular reporter had done her homework well since she knew about Chae In Ha and the scandal years back. They didn't want the public to know about that.
"Yes, it wasn't on our list, however, people have been curious about that incident. So I assumed -"
"Which people?"
"What?" The reporter was taken aback by the fierceness of her question. Soo Ah's expression had distorted as a result of the anger running through her veins and clenched her fist together.
"It's quite shocking that as a reporter who is supposed to have clear logistics, you are assuming things," Soo Ah went on, "In this case, you should have been a paparazzi instead of a reporter? Well, what's the difference since all of you are like bees always going for the honey," She muttered under her breath but everyone heard her.
"Soo Ah…." Woo Bin tried to stop her, but a glare from her was enough to shut him up. The poor guy had no choice but to back out from the conversations since it was a fight amongst women.
Standing up now to her feet, Soo Ah wrapped her arms across her chest and asked the reporter hauntingly,
"Tell me then, who hired you to come to my family and sniff around for news,"
"W-what?" The reporter was shocked at her rudeness and accusation. She snorted, laughing in disbelief, and then looked at her through narrowed slits, "Hey, Miss Soo Ah -"
"Listen to me," Soo Ah interrupted her fiercely, "What happened seven years ago is our family's business and not yours. You are going to publish my engagement story as planned and if any word goes contrary to any word discussed here and the topic of the scandal comes up, I'll make sure to render you jobless for the rest of your life, " She promised, her expression stoic with a dark glint in her eyes.
The female reporter stood up, still trying to digest what she heard. She pointed to her chest, "Are you threatening me?"
"What do you think?" Soo Ah smirked wickedly, "Surely, you don't want to be jobless all through your life because I'll sure as well keep my eyes on you. I believe no man would want to marry a jobless woman,"
The both of them looked each other in the eyes fiercely and in the end, the reporter backed down, knowing that the Chae family was powerful and she couldn't go against them.
Seeing the submission in her eyes, Soo Ah smirked. In the end, she won.
"Now, you can take your filthy things and leave here. I don't want this place to be contaminated with your cheap perfume," She insulted the woman who didn't respond and simply glared at her.
At once, her assistant who had been quiet since they arrived hurriedly packed their equipment and they were good to go. They walked to the entrance when Soo Ah said, "Yes, run along, you filthy dogs."
The reporter grabbed the doorknob and halted in her steps when Soo Ah humiliated her. She turned to the pompous young miss and laughed crudely before her lips formed into scorn and she cursed her, "I pray your marriage fails." With those words, the reporter left the room.
"Hey! That little wrench!" Soo Ah could not believe that bitch had the nerve to curse her marriage. The young lady was so provoked that she decided to go give that lowly reporter a piece of her mind. How dare she?!
However, as soon as she took a step forward, Woo Bin grabbed her arm and asked her sternly, "What are you going to do? Are you seriously planning on causing a scene at our engagement party?"
But Soo Ah glared at him while pulling her arm free. She said sneeringly,
"Says the one who was with another woman and even got her lipstick stain on the inside of his collar?! Tell me then, was your sidechick planning on planting a hickey on you or destroying our engagement party. Because If I were you I would be careful of the women you hung around with behind your fiancée's back. You don't need one of the reporters publishing that as the headlight of our engagement party. " She reminded him.
Woo Bin frowned at her, "And did you have to say that all out in front of your mother?" He pointed at the woman at the corner, watching their drama, unsure whether to butt in or not.
But Soo Ah laughed, "Sure, why now? Do you think she has no idea of your rendezvous?!"
At once, Woo Bin's expression shifted and he was about to say something when a staff member came to inform them that it was time for their appearance. The staff noticed the tension between them and didn't say anything, it was none of his business.
At once, Soo Ah and Woo Bin composed themselves and though they were still mad at each other, they had to put on an appearance. The outside world can't know there was trouble in paradise already.
"Yes, this is all marriage is all about, forgiveness and understanding." Soo Ah's mother showered them with compliments when she saw them being all lovey dovey again.
However, both couples knew there was no forgiveness. At least, not tonight.
Together, they left for the main hall which was flowing with guests and they all turned to behold the lovely couple.
The bright lights in the room were lessened hence the guests weren't plunged into complete darkness and a spotlight beam was cast on the couple descending the stairs. It was a romantic sight and Soo Ah felt like a princess.
She held on to Woo Bin's arm with a smile on her face as she walked down graciously. However, the attention didn't last for long because there was a sudden commotion in the crowd and a second beam of light was cast on God knows who.