"This bastard!"
Bae thought, shimmering with anger, trying to keep it from exploding at this crucial moment.
Holding herself back, Bae gently began to push Brag's face away from her as a wave of discomfort and disgust crawled over her skin.
"And why does that matter now?!"
Bae began, as Brag grabbed her wrist. She studied him closely.
"I hate this bastard so much it makes me want to puke!"
she thought.
"After all, me being sad could be for many reasons. Your conclusion that I'm sad—that's just your speculation, Uncle Brag!"
As soon as Bae added "Uncle Brag," she noticed a slight change in his demeanor. His cheerful expression shifted slightly. She gave a faint smile, watching his reaction.
"Anyway,"
she said, glancing at her watch.
"Seeing your reaction to being called 'Uncle' was quite telling, Brag,"
she thought.
Just then, Brag smiled and let go of her.
"I guess that could be said,"
he replied, agreeing that sadness could come from many things.
Suddenly, Bae's eyes widened as he leaned in close, his tone unsettling.
"But in your case, I'm sure it could only be because of him,"
he said, his voice laced with a sinister confidence.
"So, why don't we team up, as I suggested?"
Brag's lips curved into a faint grin, and his expression grew cold.
A chill ran down Bae's spine from his unsettling tone.
"Is this some kind of pressure to force me into teaming up with him?!"
she thought, as Brag's demeanor became even more uncomfortable and unsettling.
"Uncle Brag, I'd appreciate it if you kept your distance, as we aren't that close,"
Bae began, her gaze icy.
"And about us teaming up—sure!"
She noticed Brag moving back, away from her ear, looking at her with a faint smile.
"But on one condition!" she added.
"Brag,"
Bae thought, watching him as he waited for her condition.
"I'll only team up with you against Zanier once I overtake her position—that's the deal," she said.
"This time, I'll definitely surpass you!"
Bae thought as she saw Brag's demeanor shift.
"After all, if I want to be effective at your side, I need a solid position, right?"
Bae questioned, looking at him.
Meanwhile, Brag looked back at Bae with a faint smile, now even more intrigued by her.
"I don't know exactly what she's up to, but she certainly knows how to choose her words and prioritize herself,"
he thought.
"Of course!"
Brag responded.
"I completely agree with you on that. But I hope that when the time comes, you won't abandon your own side of things," he added, his tone turning sinister.
"Who do I like? One of you men?"
Bae said, her tone slightly mocking, aware of Brag's subtle hostility.
"Actually, I'm more concerned about you neglecting your part,"
she added, studying every reaction from him.
"Rest assured," Brag replied coldly.
"I'll make sure you're in that position before this month ends."
"Besides, not all men are liars."
He gave a faint smile.
"Well, I hope so…"
Bae said as she began to open the door.
"Damn clown,"
she thought, looking at him.
"Oh, and by the way, I appreciate you considering me as someone you could partner with."
Brag, watching her with an icy demeanor, faintly smiled as she said this.
"Now I can't tell if she's truly regained her memory or not,"
he thought, watching her close the door behind her.
Brag sighed as he sat on his couch, his shoulders spread across the top, and looked back at the moon behind him.
"And i didn't know she like the brand of perfume I gave her then,"
he thought, his expression cold.
"Bae, what exactly are you after?"
A thrill sparked within him, a challenge he couldn't resist.
"I'm sure you're not only after that company, right?"
"She thinks she needs a strong position to stand by me against Zanier."
"Though, she was never interested in the company before she changed. And not to mention she doesn't actually need that kind of position to stand with me against Zanier,"
Brag stretched, flashing a rare smile that showed his molars.
"Man, I haven't smiled like this in a long time!"
he thought, maintaining his smile as he gazed at the moon.
"Not since… that time. This moment feels oddly familiar."
"Then again, her being in that position wouldn't be bad."
Just then, his gaze turned cold and serious.
"Let's see where this will take me, Bae."
Brag picked up his phone and began to make a call.
******
Bae entered her apartment, already on the phone with Paverick.
"Now that he's promised that, it doesn't mean I fully trust him. Besides, I already have another plan in place anyway,"
she said.
"That aside, how was your date with her?!"
Bae asked, closing her door.
"Why do you care? Are you worried she might steal me from you?"
Paverick replied.
"Well, if that's the case, d—"
He heard Bae abruptly cut him off, her tone unmistakably angry.
"I don't give a damn what you two talked about," she said.
Paverick faintly smiled, realizing she genuinely didn't care.
"I'm asking because I have a strong feeling that Brag will definitely try to get her married to you—and you know, that fraud, along with his dirty schemes."
Bae's voice was calm, despite Paverick's attitude.
"Well, wouldn't that be better if it happened?"
Paverick asked seriously, causing Bae to briefly consider his point.
"Maybe," she replied, aware of what Paverick was implying.
"Using that situation to our advantage would be an unexpected angle."
She faintly smiled at his suggestion.
"Anyway, she's gone. Mind if I come over?"
Paverick asked.
"No! Goodnight!"
Bae replied curtly. Paverick chuckled softly at her last word before ending the call.
"What a character!"
he thought, just as his gaze caught sight of someone familiar.
"Zanier?"
he thought nonchalantly, noticing Zanier sitting at a table with his family—his son, his sister, his mother, and his wife—as a waitress served them.
"Is this some kind of family outing?"
Paverick stood up and walked away, his thoughts darkening as he left the restaurant.
"Zanier Frankford," he thought, his demeanor shifting.
Just then, he heard a voice behind him.
"Do you have a minute to spare?"
"And why would I do that?"
Paverick asked coldly, turning to face the person behind him.