Chapter 286 - Sore thumb

It has been long since Jinhee had worn a ball gown, and seeing the heavy dress she was wearing, a sigh left her mouth. Wearing such big gowns were not something she fancied. Nonetheless, she had to do it.

As the party will be held in the mansion of one of Taeho's close relative, he was allowed invite couple of people as well, and therefore, he took this chance to invite both Jinhee and Jinkyung.

While Jinhee will be accompanied by Taeho, Jinkyung will be coming on her own. Even though it was difficult to not make Jinkyung suspicious with this part, Taeho managed to do it by telling Jinkyung loads of lies.

As Taeho and Jinhee elegantly walked into the mansion, Jinhee could feel the multiple eyes thay were upon them. Nonetheless, being under the crowd's eyes did not bother her that much anymore.

Wearing a smile on her face, she whispered, "When will Jinkyung be arriving?"

"If it is by the time I have told her to arrive yet, then it is by exactly fifteen minutes," Taehyun voiced out to which Jinhee nodded.

Han Taehyun's orders for her were to just play along, and when she had ask regarding Taehyun's plans for tonight, the only simple reply she had gotten was they will be differing due to how Jinkyung behaved. Therefore, Jinhee decided upon not pushing the matter further.

As the two of them entered into the mansion, Jinhee immediately noticed that people started approaching Han Taehyun, and courteously, he began to exchange words with them.

There were no strict instructions regarding her being by Han Taeho's side at all times, and communicating with others was not something Jinhee fancied regardless of how important that was. Thus, she decided upon excusing herself from that place.

Pulling away her hand from Han Taehyun, Jinhee decided to go towards the banquet table and stand at one corner before someone approached her. She was not good at carrying out conversation, and she would be sticking out like a sore thumb.

However, before she was able to walk towards the banquet table, her plans were interrupted when she felt someone place their hand upon her shoulder.

Internally letting out a sigh, Jinhee turned her head to see who it could be, and seeing the unfamiliar slender woman— who seemed to be in the late forties— standing in front of her, Jinhee had confusion written over her face.

She did not recognize the woman in front of her or what did she need with Jinhee. Then again, seeing how she was Taeho's fiancee, it made sense for many to approach her.

"You must be Lee Jinhee?" The woman questioned as a soft smile formed on her face. 

'Bootlicker.'

That was the only word that came to Jinhee's mind when she observed the woman in front of her. Although, in Jinhee's opinion, there was nothing wrong with bootlicking, Jinhee did not like it when she was the victim of it.

"Yes," Jinhee answered politely. 

Now, that she was Han Taeho's fiancee, the reputation of the Han Family was also something she was responsible for, and she had to carry herself with manners.

"Look at you! You are such a beautiful girl, and I know you have refined manners as well. I have seen you when you were small, and back then, you had the best temperament among all the kids," The lady in front of her vocalised.

'Back when I was a kid, I used to hide behind the staircase, but if you take that to be a good temperament, then sure.'

Forcing out a smile on her face, Jinhee vocalised, "I am apparently bad at remembering faces. I am sorry if it is a hassle for to introduce yourself to me."

Shaking her head, the woman vocalised, "No, no, that is not a problem for me. Our Jinhee is really a busy and important person, and you definitely meet lots of people on a regular basis. 

It is absolutely understandable if you don't recognize me. I am Minyoung, Han Minyoung. I am sure you have heard of that name before. My son was really close to your fiance, Taeho, back in their childhood days."

That name did not sound at all familiar to Jinhee. Nonetheless, Jinhee was not the type to say that out loud, and she presumed her to be one of the distant relative of the Han, seeing how she was trying to bootlick Jinhee.

"Ah, yes," Jinhee awkwardly stated. 

Jinhee was not at all good when it came to handling situations such as this, and at the current moment, she was stuck on what to do.

She might do something impolite if she was stuck with this woman for couple more seconds and do something she will truly be regretful about. When Jinhee tend to get nervous, she doesn't exactly take the best decisions.

That is when, Jinhee felt another hand on her shoulder, and wondering who it could belong to, she turned her head slightly. Seeing how Jaehyun stood behind her, a small smile formed on her face.

"Miss, would you mind if I borrow Lee Jinhee for a moment? I really need her help," Jaehyun vocalised.

An impassive expression sat on his face, and Jinhee could not think what he was thinking at this moment. This was their first encounter after the truth about Yejun was revealed, and Jinhee was curious to know how his reaction to it would be.

The woman shook her head and said, "No, you can take her with you if it is important. Jinhee and I will be catching up later. Alright, Dear?"

Keeping that forced smile on her face, Jinhee nodded and stated, "Let's do it later on then, Han Minyoung-ssi."

After that, Jinhee turned her back, and noticing that Jaehyun had started walking, Jinhee followed after him, curious on about what he had to talk with her.

Although the party would not be the best place for them to talk at, Jinhee knew that it would be better to get done with this soon.