CHAPTER 113: NOT A JOB APPLICATION

Throughout the meeting, Yeri barely spoke. She had never once intended to help Tiffany. Even if Tiffany had shown her leniency, it wouldn’t erase the fact that she had bullied countless other students.

Yeri had no right to help, even more forgive Tiffany on behalf of those victims. Justice was theirs to seek, not hers.

By the end, Tiffany’s side lingered, their faces sour. As Yeri left with her father, she noticed more families waiting outside. Among them were Rita and Cherry, with their parents and lawyers at their side.

Cherry caught Yeri’s eye briefly. She looked thinner, her face still half-covered in bandages. Her head was bowed, her expression unreadable.

---

Before noon, SC University released a statement suspending the students involved in the bullying case, Tiffany Rhian and her two closest friends, while the investigation was ongoing.

Back home, Yeri wasn’t surprised. The school had moved quickly. Even if Tiffany came from a powerful background, the administration had to prioritize its own reputation and the rest of the students.

Tiffany wasn’t the only wealthy student enrolled. If the backlash spread, concerned parents would surely complain, and the school couldn’t afford that.

Between protecting a handful of students or maintaining its standing with the majority, the school’s choice was obvious.

While scrolling on her phone, Yeri’s screen lit up with a message from Shin Keir: Come out.

Yeri tensed. To be honest, she wasn’t ready to face him yet, though at the same time, she wanted to.

Part of her wished she could just leave everything behind. But she knew she couldn’t. Running away wasn’t a solution.

If she wanted to continue living a good life, she couldn’t slack off and expect her family to shield her forever. The world wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies. She had to learn to withstand storms too.

Just then, her nanny came hurrying over, face lit with excitement. "Little Miss, the young master from the Keir family is here."

Yeri, who had been enjoying the morning sun in the garden, nearly toppled off her chair.

Didn’t Shin just tell her to come out? Why was he suddenly barging into her house?

Shameless man. So impatient!

Was this because she hadn’t replied right away, or was it because her father already knew of his intentions so now Shin was arrogantly marching in?

Yeri forced a polite smile, trying to appear calm, and simply nodded to the nanny.

Inside the living room, Shin Keir was sitting comfortably on the sofa. A housekeeper nervously placed down a plate of snacks while apologizing for the delay in tea service.

Yeri’s mouth twitched. Isn’t it a weekday? What the hell is this man doing here?

"Young Master Keir is not busy at work?" Yeri greeted, seating herself across from him.

Shin smiled, but his gaze quickly fell on the faint scars along her arms and legs. His expression darkened.

"Have you found a good dermatologist? If not, I’ll arrange one for you." He paused, then his tone sharpened. "What did you just call me?"

Yeri awkwardly scratched her nose, gaze darting around. "...Brother Shin," she whispered.

Shin chuckled and picked up a cookie. "This goes well with tea."

Yeri: "..." Did he come here just to freeload cookies?

"What about you, don’t you have online class?" Shin asked casually.

"I pushed them to the afternoon. The school dean asked for us this morning," Yeri replied.

Her parents weren’t home. Father Zhi was at the company, and Mother Zhi had gone to check on her jewelry boutique.

Shin nodded, though he already knew most of the details from Nathaniel Armour.

Soon, the housekeeper returned with tea.

"This is rose tea our young miss brought in. She loves it, and Madam has grown fond of it as well."

Before Yeri could stop her, the words were already out.

Yeri nearly groaned. Of all the teas in the house, why this one?

The very tea Butler Hong had bragged about brewing, which Shin had given along with the rose bouquet.

As the housekeeper left, Shin took a sip. The corners of his mouth lifted into a self-satisfied grin, tasting the familar tea.

Yeri resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Petty or not, that smug face is annoying.

"Butler Hong will be thrilled to know you like the tea he made so much you brought it home. If you run out, let me know," Shin said smoothly.

From the garden, Carpet came bounding in with his usual wiggle, immediately darting to Shin’s side with uncontainable excitement.

Yeri: "..."

She’d almost forgotten about this little traitor’s newfound loyalty.

"How did you bribe that dog?" she asked sourly.

Shin chuckled. "Bribe? It’s a golden retriever."

Yeri pursed her lips, then asked the serious question. "So, what brought you here?"

"I just wanted to see you. Why ask such a strange question?" Shin shrugged.

Yeri glared at him. The CEO of a conglomerate skipping work just to see her? Was he insane?

"By the way, have you spoken to your father?" Shin asked suddenly.

Yeri cleared her throat. This was the topic she had been dreading. She had to face it eventually.

"Dad told you about my supposed marriage alliance with the Nafplions?"

Shin scoffed. When he first heard that Yeri had been promised to another man, he almost lost control and stormed the Nafplions into ruin. If not for the seal suppressing most of his demonic consciousness and power, and the fear that unleashing it could bring the downfall of the entire realm, the Nafplions would have already been erased from existence.

To dare lay claim upon his empress? Let them abandon all hope of reincarnation.

"That maggot? I’ll take care of it. Unless you want to marry him?"

Yeri wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Even a stray dog would be better off than being with that man. Then you should also know...the Nafplions are so confident because of the family backing them."

Shin smiled meaningfully. "You worry too much for your age. The Songs aren’t the type to let maggots cling to them without gain. Their ties may look like steel on the outside, but inside they’re rotten. As long as you’re with me, the Songs won’t dare act rashly."

Yeri blinked, then carefully asked, "Why? I mean, there are plenty of eligible women out there..."

But the moment Shin’s piercing gaze locked on her, she trailed off.

Is he mad?

With quiet intensity, Shin said, "Yeri Zhi, what would it take for you to believe I have feelings for you? The reason isn’t complicated, you just don’t want to accept it. It’s good that you think logically, but what lies between us isn’t business. Unlike others, my intention isn’t a marriage alliance. I, Shin Keir, don’t need a woman and her family to build my empire."

Yeri was struck silent. For once, she couldn’t find a retort.

And in that silence, a thought struck her: why did she hold such prejudice against him in the first place?

This wasn’t about applying for a job where she needed a sparkling résumé. She had been so busy looking up at him that she unconsciously devalued herself.

Wasn’t she also a proper lady from an upper-class family? Maybe not as prominent as the Keirs, but still well-educated, with a stable household and a family of good standing.

"Are you afraid marriage would affect your studies?" Shin asked softly. "I’m not saying we should wed right away. We’d get engaged first... that alone would ease your father’s worries and keep pests at bay."

Yeri almost sneered. It sounded like he was giving her leeway, but in the end, she’d still be bound to him.

Even if Shin Keir truly had feelings for her, she wasn’t sure of her own.

How did one even know they were in love? Did it just come naturally?

She prided herself on being a "succubus" in her past life, yet when it came to emotions, she was woefully ignorant. Her fragmented memories didn’t help in the slightest.

"What if... after the engagement, I change my mind later?" she asked clumsily.

Shin’s expression was calm, but a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes. "Oh? Is there someone out there better than me?"

Yeri: "..."

She shouldn’t have asked.

Forget love or not, the real issue was keeping Leo Nafplion and the Songs far away from her father.

Besides, Shin Keir was undeniably and absurdly attractive, ticking off every box of her ideals since the day they met. That alone was a decent starting point, wasn’t it?

At length, Yeri agreed to the engagement.

Shin’s expression lit up instantly. He clasped her hand and swung it playfully, like a child walking through an amusement park.

Yeri didn’t notice the faint, possessive glimmer in his eyes.

At that moment, Madam Zhi returned home. She froze upon seeing Shin Keir but quickly composed herself, already briefed by her husband.

"Young Master Keir, I didn’t expect your visit today. I had gone out for business," she said warmly.

Shin rose and greeted her with polite respect. "It’s my fault for coming without notice. I hope I’m not imposing."

Madam Zhi nodded, discreetly studying him. This was only her second time meeting Shin Keir in person since her daughter’s banquet.

Good bearing, respectful manners, no arrogance despite his status. She found herself quietly approving. With a smile, she invited him to stay for lunch.

Yeri expected him to refuse considering he had already achieved his purpose for being there, but Shin agreed without hesitation.

"What is he up to now? Truly shameless." Yeri muttered under her breath as she followed them to the dining room.

Soon, Shin and Madam Zhi were chatting easily, hitting it off at once.

Meanwhile, Yeri sat on the sidelines, watching in disbelief.

Capitalists really are terrifying. They always know exactly what to say and reel in others.