Affectionate Obsession - Chapter 39

Yeonhee pressed down hard on the accelerator of the sedan she had recently purchased. The car, which had been speeding for a long time, stopped at the gallery parking lot.

As soon as Yeonhee finished parking and turned off the engine, she let out a sigh.

‘The Gallery’, which she visited today, was famous as the exhibition space that top-tier artists in the country sought out as their first choice.

It was a place she had encountered a few times in articles due to its widespread reputation, but this was her first time actually visiting.

The reason she had come all the way here amidst the chaos of Yeonjeong’s situation was because she had heard from Junhyeok last night that Yoon Sera was acquainted with the director of ‘The Gallery’.

Yeonhee gripped the steering wheel with both hands, leaning forward to gaze blankly at the building visible through the windshield.

Besides being a popular gallery among artists, ‘The Gallery’ was also famous for owning the largest plot of land in the country.

Because of that, the gallery building felt grand and immense; even though there was a considerable walk from the parking lot to the gallery, the building couldn’t be taken in at a single glance.

“People with money, this is how they spend their money, I guess it’s just another task for them.”

Yeonhee muttered absently. Every time she saw something she had only thought about with her own eyes, an inexpressible sense of doubt washed over her.

Some people had to run themselves ragged just to make a living day by day, while others took time and moved around simply to spend money like this; it wasn’t something she could accept with a good heart.

At times like these, she felt so lethargic she didn’t want to move at all.

Her resentment showed no signs of subsiding, and it was incredibly tiring to have to act as if she belonged to their class.

But for the sake of revenge, she had to overcome even that.

Yeonhee recalled what Junhyeok had told her recently.

‘There’s nothing special you need to do. At the department store, just pretend to shop, and at the gallery, just pretend to look at the exhibited works. If people you know approach you, just do one thing that’s out of line with etiquette.’

She wanted revenge on Sera, who had done that to Yeonjeong. She wanted to make Sera suffer too. She wanted to return double, triple, or even more of the pain she herself was experiencing.

The fact that she had uttered those words in a voice filled with indignation was purely an instinctive act.

Yet, to those words, Junhyeok had made a proposal with a composure he had never shown before.

‘Yoon Sera was educated from a young age to maintain her dignity in any situation. That’s why she was excessively polite in front of people, and thus built her public image.’

When Yeonhee first heard this, she couldn’t easily believe it.

The image of Sera being excessively polite was so unfamiliar it was almost unimaginable.

Moreover, if she was a woman who knew how to act that way, she wouldn’t have shown her usual demeanor in front of Yeonhee, and she certainly wouldn’t have gone to Yeonjeong and caused this whole mess.

But all those doubts were completely resolved by Junhyeok’s subsequent words.

‘So, it seems she acted incredibly high-handed and arrogant towards those around her. She would take out the frustration she suppressed outside on people she considered easy targets.’

At those words, Yeonhee felt an even stronger surge of venom. Since she and Yeonjeong couldn’t be considered part of Yoon Sera’s family, they fell into the category of easy targets.

Putting aside what Sera had done to her, the fact that she had acted that way, seeing Yeonjeong as an easy target, was unbearable.

‘The people who mistook you for Yoon Sera will find your behavior strange and contact Yoon Sera’s side. Whether they gossip amongst themselves and it reaches Yoon Sera’s ears, or it’s told directly to Yoon Sera, through any channel, Yoon Sera will become increasingly emotionally agitated.’

‘…….’

‘Then, if Yoon Sera herself steps forward and makes a mistake, it would be a blessing for us. Even if not, at the very least, cracks will begin to form in Yoon Sera’s image that has been built up until now.’

Not a single word was wrong. So, even though it was difficult to collect herself, Yeonhee diligently followed Junhyeok’s words.

To do so, she had purchased everything needed to appear as Yoon Sera: the clothes and accessories she was currently wearing, the bag she held, and even the car she had driven here.

This was possible because she had the 400 million won Yoon Sera had previously transferred to her.

Junhyeok, unaware that she had received 400 million won, had offered to help if needed, but Yeonhee had firmly refused.

She was already causing trouble for Junhyeok for her personal revenge; she didn’t want to ask for financial help on top of that.

Yeonhee let out a sigh and then visited a luxury boutique that Yoon Sera frequented, where she caused a scene and purchased the bag she now held.

From inside the bag, she took out lipstick from the same brand as the bag.

It was a color Shin Yeonhee would never have bought.

It was incredibly vibrant, with a fluorescent sheen, making it very flashy.

Yeonhee unhesitatingly applied the lipstick, a color she herself would never wear, to her lips.

As the slightly faded color of her lips became vivid, she had transformed into someone who could pass for Yoon Sera.

Yeonhee steeled her resolve and got out of the car.

Her steps towards the gallery were filled with a grim determination.

“Oh my, Sera, you’ve come again this time.”

Just as she was stepping into the gallery entrance, a woman dressed elegantly greeted her familiarly.

Yeonhee shrewdly guessed that the woman was the director of ‘The Gallery’.

A passing staff member greeted the woman, using the title ‘Director’, leaving Yeonhee with no reason to doubt.

“It’s been a while, Director.”

Yeonhee offered a greeting for the welcome with a brazen face.

Just as it had been until now, the director of ‘The Gallery’ showed no suspicion that she wasn’t Yoon Sera.

Yeonhee followed the director into the gallery, her legs moving in high heels.

The interior of the gallery wasn’t crowded, but more people than expected were viewing the exhibited works.

Yeonhee walked into the crowd with the director.

She had expected to have a longer conversation with the director before viewing the exhibition, but contrary to her expectations, the director remained silent, acting only as a guide.

Yeonhee sensed that the timing wasn’t right yet and silently followed the director, looking at the displayed paintings.

Fitting the grand size of the building, there were quite a few exhibition areas. About halfway through the tour with the director, Yeonhee reached a new section.

The director, who had been quiet until then, opened her mouth for the first time as she looked at a painting in the newly entered area.

“Sera, what do you think of this painting?”

The director’s voice was filled with anticipation. Yeonhee instinctively knew that the artist of this painting was someone the director was keeping a close eye on.

However, she had no artistic taste, not even basic knowledge, so finding words to respond was difficult.

After observing the painting with considerable concentration, she could vaguely grasp the meaning conveyed in the artwork.

The key was how to phrase her thoughts.

Yeonhee pondered for a long time. If she said the wrong thing here, she might arouse suspicion about her impersonation of Yoon Sera.

Just then, the director’s voice continued.

“This is a piece by an artist I’m currently interested in. Honestly, she doesn’t yet have the reputation to exhibit in our gallery. She debuted quite a while ago but never really got noticed. I felt so sorry about it that I contacted her first and invited her. I truly hope she gets noticed through this opportunity.”

Yeonhee stopped worrying about her critique of the painting and curved her lips upwards.

As soon as she heard the director’s words, an appropriate remark to damage Yoon Sera’s image immediately came to mind.

A perfect stage had been set to display a lack of refinement, and there was no reason to hesitate.

Yeonhee erased all feelings she had as Shin Yeonhee and recalled the bright smile of Yoon Sera she had seen before.

Although she wasn’t entirely confident in her imitation, she moved her facial muscles to the best of her ability, recalling that expression.

“The artist is quite lucky in many ways. Thanks to catching your eye, she gets to exhibit in a gallery that’s too good for her.”

Yeonhee’s bright red lips chattered. She maintained a cheerful smile throughout.

As soon as she finished speaking, she felt the director cast a displeased glance her way.

“She may not have been noticed yet, but it’s possible our gallery could be too good for her. If the artist gains recognition through our gallery, then our gallery will become special to her, and isn’t that how we help each other?”

Although the director wore a gentle smile, Yeonhee could tell at a glance that it was forced.

It seemed her previous remark had indeed offended her.

If so, it was a great success. With just one more blow, she could leave the gallery.

Thinking so, Yeonhee nodded again with an innocent smile.

“Well, you never know what might happen in life.”

“Yes, I believe this artist will surely be recognized someday. That’s why I’ve already bought several pieces.”

“Oh dear! What should I do? I have a prior engagement this afternoon.”

Yeonhee clapped her hands together loudly.

This instantly drew the attention of the people quietly viewing the art around them.

Whether it was discomfort from the stares, or discomfort from her actions.

The director’s usually gentle expression showed a subtle crack.

Despite this, Yeonhee continued with her prepared words, feigning ignorance.

“I think I need to leave now, what should I do? I’m sorry I can’t stay until the end after you took the time.”

“No, no. If you’re busy, that can happen.”

She said the words, but the director’s brow remained furrowed.

Nevertheless, Yeonhee maintained her smile until the end.

“I came intending to buy a painting this time, so I’ll offer that as my apology for not being able to stay.”

“Oh, was there a painting you liked?”

The director’s face, filled with displeasure, brightened instantly.

It was so amusing to see.

Yeonhee felt like she might burst into laughter any second but held it in.

Instead, she stared intently at the painting the director had been praising so highly moments before.

As if to make her seem like she had decided to buy that very painting.

After a long moment of fixing her gaze on the painting, she turned to look at the director.

As expected, the director seemed to be anticipating her purchase of the painting she was championing.

Yeonhee put on the purest smile she could manage at that moment with all her might. Then, without delay, she spoke her prepared words.

“The painting I saw first. I’ll buy that one.”

“Ah, one of Artist Han’s pieces? I thought you might have taken a liking to this one since you were looking at it so intently.”

Although she didn’t drop her smile at the mention of money, the director’s expression was filled with disappointment.

That was enough. It was a perfectly unadorned stage for her final line.

“After all, a painting is an investment. In a capitalist society, you can’t just value it solely on potential.”

It was a remark that drove the nail in.

She was implying, ‘Even with your discerning eye, can you honestly guarantee that commercialism isn’t involved?’

She didn’t forget to maintain an expression that would challenge the director’s pride.

The director’s complexion visibly darkened in an instant.

Yeonhee stared at the sight resolutely and then turned her back without lingering.

Her time impersonating Yoon Sera was over.

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