episode_0003

As I left the restaurant after eating, I locked eyes with the nun and her entourage. They seemed uneasy and just breezed past me.

“…Feels like something’s been stirred up for no reason.”

Even though I hadn’t done anything, their attitude towards me had noticeably changed. Did someone in the orphanage say something to them?

“If it was going to end like this, I would have said something sooner.”

I couldn’t understand English. Still, I considered it a good thing since it seemed positive for me.

“Maru.”

The director called out to me. She seemed tense about something.

“Have you seen Alice?”

“She probably went to the restroom after leaving the restaurant.”

“Oh, then could you tell her to come to my office right away?”

“Sure.”

After finishing speaking, she walked toward the office. It seemed like she had something important to discuss with the director.

“What kind of event is this now? It’s hard to predict since they didn’t reveal past events in the webtoon.”

I drummed my fingers in front of the women’s restroom, waiting for Alice. Finally, she emerged, tidying herself up.

“Alice.”

“?”

She looked at me strangely when she saw me waiting right in front of the restroom. I had never approached and waited for her first before.

“The director is waiting in her office. Right now.”

Upon hearing me, Alice briskly walked towards the office. She remained silent as ever. The only times she spoke were during meals or when brushing her teeth.

“It’s really hard to get used to the differences from the original work.”

As I headed towards the library, two people in suits were walking towards me from a distance. Both were women, and as they passed by, one of the papers the woman was holding caught my eye.

“…Adoption.”

They turned the corner towards the director’s office and disappeared from my sight.

“Is that Alice?”

In the original work, Alex becomes the adopted child of Lee Jaeyeon, the executive director of Sungkwang Electronics. In this world, Sungkwang Electronics is a leading conglomerate in South Korea, so for Alex, it’s a life-changing situation.

However, Alex didn’t see it as a life-changing event at all.

An adoption without affection, merely for show.

Alex’s exceptional appearance and Lee Jaeyeon’s wealth made for a perfect match that resonated well with the media, something Jaeyeon was acutely aware of.

“For Jaeyeon, it was an opportunity to enhance the company’s image.”

Given recent corruption scandals, a turning point was necessary. Moreover, without any intention of marriage, securing a successor required the presence of both parties.

So, is Alice also becoming Jaeyeon’s adopted daughter?

How would Alice feel about that?

Honestly, it’s hard to say. Just because the original Alex was hesitant about adoption doesn’t guarantee the same for Alice. In fact, she might want to escape from this cramped orphanage.

If that’s her wish, then going to Jaeyeon might be the right choice.

Yes, that’s the right thing to do…

“Why am I feeling so frustrated?”

Is it because Jaeyeon isn’t just a good person? Or is the problem with me?

“Here you are, Alice. Have a seat.”

As Alice entered the director’s office, she saw the director sitting on the sofa and the vice-director standing beside her.

The vice-director, always wearing a gentle smile, had the same subtle grin as usual.

The director, with an emotionally restrained expression, looked at the just-arrived Alice.

There was no noticeable difference between the first impression Alice had formed in her mind and what she saw. The vice-director seemed kind, and the director appeared pragmatic.

“By the way, Alice, your birthday is coming up. Is there anything you’d like as a gift?”

At the vice-director’s attempt to lighten the mood, Alice shook her head. She hadn’t really thought about gifts.

“You can tell us without hesitation.”

When the director interjected, Alice was taken aback. Having never received a gift in her life, she didn’t know how to respond.

“Well, maybe this could be your birthday present.”

The director added, handing a paper to Alice. Attached to it was a familiar woman’s photo.

“She’s someone named Lee Jaeyeon, who has applied for adoption at our orphanage. It seems you’ve caught his eye.”

“…”

“During the consultation, you were specifically pointed out. Of course, the most important thing is Alice, your doctor. We will try to consider you as much as possible.”

The gentle words of the head of the orphanage resonated in Alice’s ears.

Adoption.

Honestly, as Alice, it was something she hadn’t even dared to hope for. Being abandoned from birth, she couldn’t imagine being accepted by anyone.

What was even more surprising was this:

Yi Jaeyeon.

The bright Alice accurately remembered her impressive image and name often mentioned in the media.

The most remarkable chairman in South Korea. Incredibly wealthy. A person who does a lot of charity work.

That was the image of Yi Jaeyeon that Alice had in mind.

“I suppose a couple of people will come to meet Alice soon. Is it okay for a little while?” the head asked, and Alice nodded.

Smart.

Just then, a knock was heard. At the director’s invitation, two women in suits entered.

“Hello, Director, Head of the Orphanage. I’m Lee Yujung, the lawyer I contacted.”

Lee Yujung was an elegant woman with long hair.

“And this is Kim Hyerim, Chairman Yi Jaeyeon’s aide.”

“Pleased to meet you, I am Kim Hyerim, the chairman’s aide.”

“Come on in, sit over there.”

The director had the two women sit opposite Alice. Their gazes naturally fell on her.

“Wow, she’s really… much prettier in person. When she grows up, she’ll attract a lot of men, won’t she?” Lawyer Lee Yujung joked lightly, trying to ease Alice’s tension, but there was no noticeable change in Alice.

The uneasy lawyer cleared her throat and shifted her gaze to the documents. The head reminded Alice.

“Alice, you should greet at times like this.”

“….”

Alice quietly nodded her head.

“Don’t be nervous. We’re not here to evaluate you, so just act as you normally would.”

Kim Hyerim, the aide, mistakenly thought that Alice was frightened by meeting unfamiliar people.

However, the vice president, who knew Alice relatively well, remained silent. He didn’t want to say anything that might lead to a negative direction for Alice.

“Today, we will have a casual chat with the chairman. Since he’s too busy, we’ll do it via video call… um, think of it as a video call,” explained Lawyer Lee Yoojung, trying to adapt her explanation to Alice’s level. Meanwhile, Kim Hye-rim opened her laptop and launched the video conferencing program.

After a while, Jaeyeon Lee’s face appeared on the screen. Alice felt that Jaeyeon’s atmosphere was different from what she had seen in the media. Being a child, she could sometimes perceive the adult’s true nature. Alice didn’t feel sincerity in Jaeyeon’s eyes.

The warm, fuzzy feeling one gets when looked at by the vice president or Director Kim Maru was completely absent. Nevertheless, Jaeyeon maintained a superficial smile.

“Hello, you must be Alice.”

Afraid of being reprimanded by the vice president, Alice nodded slightly.

“I’m Jaeyeon. I want to be part of your family.”

“Haha, Chairman, there are still many procedures left. Aren’t you being too hasty?”

“Really? Was I too impatient?”

Everyone except Alice was affectionate. It was natural for the vice president and the director to be happy as the chances of the child being adopted had arisen.

Only Alice wore a dark expression due to an inexplicable discomfort. She expressed her thoughts only through nods or shakes of her head, refusing to speak.

“You’re really good at studying, huh? Always ranking first or second in the orphanage studies.”

“……”

“Is there anything you like? Soccer? Games?”

“……”

Lawyer Lee Yoojung carefully refrained from speaking, thinking that Alice had not yet opened up.

She couldn’t just blurt out something like “Can’t you talk?”

“It seems like Alice is nervous. She’s not responding well to the chairman’s questions,” Lawyer Lee Yoojung tried to cover for Alice.

“We can gradually reduce the distance. The meeting time is approaching, so shall we end here for today?”

When Jae-yeon tried to make a place for himself, everyone prepared to finish today’s meeting.

“Shall we call it a day here? Alice, you’ve worked hard. Here’s some chocolate for you,” the vice-chairman handed a piece of chocolate to Alice’s slender fingers. She quietly accepted it.

At that moment, Jae-yeon threw a curveball. “Do you want to become part of my family?”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Alice. She silently met Jae-yeon’s intense stare.

From what the adults were saying, once Alice became part of Jae-yeon’s family, her life would drastically change. No more cramped rooms with many girls, no need to wait for the bathroom.

However, Alice wasn’t swayed by these things because in Jae-yeon’s family, there wouldn’t be “that boy.”

“…Me.”

“What?”

“Am I going to be adopted alone?”

The vice-chairman and the director were taken aback by Alice’s unexpected response. Kim Hye-rim and Lee Yoo-jung were also surprised by her unchildlike pureness.

“Do you not want to part with your close friend?” The vice-chairman’s question went unanswered as Alice simply gazed at Jae-yeon in silence.

Jae-yeon, lost in thought, finally responded, “I’m sorry, but I only want you, Alice, to be part of my family.”

Upon hearing this, Alice closed her eyes tightly. With that conversation, the meeting came to an end. The knights and the lawyer frowned, clearly displeased with how the meeting ended.

After seeing Alice off, only the adults remained.

“If I adopt a child from this orphanage, I’ll naturally develop strong attachments to this area. I plan to provide various forms of support,” Jae-yeon said.

The director quietly nodded in response to Jae-yeon’s words.

“But the child’s wishes come first. I understand that the chairman is interested in Alice due to her exceptional nature, but there’s nothing we can do about it,” the lawyer, Lee Yoo-jung, said firmly, then directed a word to the director.

“Given the nature of the orphanage in an underprivileged area, it’s likely to face increasing difficulties. I wish they would actively promote adoption. When the topic of adoption was brought up, the director’s expression brightened the most, didn’t it?”

She had been a gentle lawyer with a mild expression in front of Alice, but now she was confronting the director so fiercely that her previous demeanor seemed unrecognizable.

“Of course, as the director of the orphanage, it’s understandable that you wouldn’t dislike adoption. However, as the director, you can’t ignore the child’s wishes, so you can only take a passive stance.”

“I agree with the director’s opinion as well. Adoption against a child’s will is absolutely not permissible, even if the orphanage’s circumstances become difficult.”

As the vice-director interjected, Kim Hye-rim, the executive officer, let out a deep sigh. She had thought that the chairman, Lee Jae-yeon, would feel uncomfortable with the unexpected turn of events.

Sure enough, Lee Jae-yeon abruptly ended the video call with only the bare minimum of courtesy.

The lawyer and the executive officer eventually left the director’s office.

As the tense atmosphere slightly eased, the vice-director slumped into her seat.

“…Director, our situation is getting worse. Just like the financial department I sent last month.”

“I know.”

“The nearby property has been listed as a candidate for redevelopment…”

“Sigh…”

The orphanage’s circumstances were becoming increasingly dire.

‘Where will we find another one like this?’

The director recalled Alice’s face, which had been looked at with cold eyes.

‘Adoption will be difficult.’

*

*

*

“Is this the place designated for redevelopment?”

In the car returning to Chairman Lee Jae-yeon, Lawyer Lee Yoo-jung spoke up.

“Yes. There isn’t much opposition, and priority occupancy rights are being offered, so there shouldn’t be any legal issues.”

“Legally…”

In other words, outside of the law, there would be many complications. Most likely, the residents would be largely opposed to redevelopment.

“Some people will suffer, but I believe this area needs redevelopment.”

The lawyer tilted her head at the firm assertion of Kim Hye-rim, the executive officer.

“Is that so? Do you know much about this area?”

“Even before Chairman Lee Jaeyeon hired Lee Yoojeong for adoption-related matters, I often came here to scout out this place.”

“Well, of course… You need to be well-informed about the situation around the orphanage.”

“I’ve been looking around until late at night, and the security here is not very good.”

“Of course, compared to the bustling downtown, it might not be great, but still, this is South Korea.”

“Just getting to the nearest police station takes quite a while in this neighborhood….”

The operative paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. It was because he still hadn’t forgotten the tension of that night.

“The recent arsonist who finished serving time, their hometown is here.”

“……”

“While conducting preliminary investigations, we also looked into nearby criminal records. On that night, someone with a resemblance to the criminal we saw in the documents passed by me.”

“Could it have been a mistake?”

“…I hope it was a mistake.”