After their lovely dinner, the two left the restaurant in a pleasant mood. They were about to get into the car when someone called Lee Joon's name from behind.
When they turned around, Lina's stomach turned at the sight of the people in front of her.
Of all the people she could have run into tonight, these two had to appear. It was as if an invisible string tied them to her to ensure they always followed her around and caused trouble.
Lina suddenly started to question if her life was part of a story where these two were the protagonists and she was merely a side character for them to trample on.
Isn't this the kind of cliché plot often seen in dramatic novels?
Honestly, she was trying her best to ignore these two, but one of them kept showing up to annoy her. And now, she even brought the other one. Lina sighed deeply and accepted her fate tonight.
"Uncle Joon, I didn't know you were coming here tonight. How are you?" Han Bin greeted. He glanced at the woman beside his uncle with a gentle smile but was momentarily stunned to see Lina.
He was genuinely surprised to see her tonight, especially after hearing that she had left the Choi residence and was currently living in the school dormitory.
Seeing her outside with his uncle was the last thing he expected.
Next to him, Park Bora was also shocked, especially by how close Lina stood to the head of the Lee family—it clearly indicated they had a close relationship. And since there were no others with them, it meant the two had dined together.
They both couldn't help but imagine malicious things.
"I don't think I need to report my whereabouts to you. And who is this with you? Did you forget you have a fiancée?" Lee Joon asked, his voice cold.
Lee Han Bin and Park Bora felt cold sweat form on their backs at the direct question from the Lee family's head. Whatever negative thoughts they had about Lee Joon and Lina's relationship vanished instantly, replaced by guilt.
Tonight was supposed to be their first date as an official couple. Although Han Bin was engaged to Lina, she wasn't a Choi by blood, and the promise made by their fathers and grandfathers no longer applied.
Since Bora was the original daughter, she should have been Han Bin's true fiancée—not Lina, who was only a replacement.
Thinking this way, they never considered their actions shameless. Instead, they believed they were merely correcting a mistake.
After learning the truth from Bora this morning, Han Bin had a change of heart, and the feelings he had hidden for the girl grew stronger.
Tomorrow, he planned to speak to his parents and suggest dissolving his engagement to Lina before the public learned the truth about her identity. That way, they could avoid any embarrassment once it was revealed.
He didn't want to be tied to someone with no real background. For someone like Han Bin who was pampered since birth with endless resources and a promising future, an engagement to an orphan was unacceptable.
"This is my friend from school. We happened to see each other here, so I invited her to join me and my other friends for dinner," Han Bin lied smoothly. Telling the truth wouldn't benefit him, especially not in front of a man even his father feared to offend.
"I see. I'm borrowing your fiancée tonight. We have important matters to discuss. I hope you don't mind."
Hearing his uncle's words, Han Bin focused his gaze on Lina, his expression questioning, seeking an explanation.
Lina ignored him and climbed into the car, pretending she hadn't noticed his stare.
The hatred she felt for this boy was like a wildfire ready to be unleashed, and speaking to him now might shatter the self-control she was struggling to maintain.
The best option was to avoid them altogether. She wasn't being a coward. One thing she had learned from playing Go was that retreating wasn't a weak move. It was a strategic step—an opportunity to revise your plan and strike when your opponent least expected it.
For now, she would give them no opportunity to waste her time or ruin her mood further.
Seeing that Lina had no intention of exchanging pleasantries, Lee Joon dismissed the two and left with her.
Lee Han Bin and Park Bora felt humiliated by Lina's treatment. How dare she ignore them like that, especially in front of Lee Joon?
Park Bora had planned to use this opportunity to make a good impression, but Lina's actions had ruined everything.
Who did she think she was? She was nothing but an impostor. Bora crossed her arms tightly across her chest, trying hard to steady her breathing. This woman infuriated her more and more every day.
She felt Lina had changed drastically. No matter how much she tried to befriend her or provoke her, Lina always ignored her efforts, as if Bora didn't even exist in her world.
Han Bin felt the same. He had never seen Lina like this before. Although they had never been close, they were engaged, and she used to at least acknowledge him.
He remembered how she used to smile politely and accept his greetings, sometimes even showing her girly side. If he hadn't fallen for Bora or discovered Lina's true identity, he might've imagined a future where they married.
However, tonight's events unsettled him, and Lina's behavior lingered in his mind.
He began to wonder—did she already know about his relationship with Bora?