114. Mark's Memory

The car slowed to a stop at the side of the road, right in front of a small, cozy-looking café. Through the window, a round pendant light illuminated the neatly arranged wooden tables. The place wasn't too crowded, quiet enough for a private conversation—the perfect spot for the meeting Ashley had hoped would never happen.

“Is this the place?” Josh asked.

Ashley glanced at the café's sign through the car window before switching her gaze to her phone screen. The café's name and location matched the message Mark had sent earlier that morning.

Ashley nodded slowly. “Yes. It's really near our apartment. Just a five-minute drive.”

Josh said to his driver, “Mr. Smith, wait for us here. We won't be long.”

Ashley turned immediately, her face anxious. “Wait. Are you coming too?”

Josh nodded lightly, his expression relaxed. “Why not? I want to meet your friend.”

"Josh... you don't need to come. Seriously. Just go straight to the office. Your work will be in disarray if you're late.”

Josh replied calmly, but his tone was unwavering. “My work is done. Besides, I'm curious about the person who's close enough to get you hired at their company.”

Ashley opened her mouth to respond, but Josh had already opened the door and stepped out of the car. Reluctantly, Ashley followed him out with a heavy sigh. In her heart, she just wanted this meeting to end quickly.

They stepped inside. The scent of coffee and wood greeted them. From the corner of the café, a man raised his hand high with a wide smile. Mark.

Ashley waved back, then turned to Josh and whispered quickly, “Please, after saying hello, just leave. I don't want my friend to feel uncomfortable.”

Josh remained silent, offering no response, but his steps were steady as he followed Ashley toward Mark's table.  

“Hi, Mark.” Ashley greeted him as they reached the table where Mark was sitting.  

Josh walked behind Ashley, one step slower than the girl.  

Mark stood up, his smile fading instantly upon seeing Josh. For a moment, the man looked confused. His gaze was vacant, as if his thoughts were drifting and trapped elsewhere.

“Mark?” Ashley called again.

Mark was startled. “Ah! Yes.” Then hurriedly, he extended his hand to Josh to greet him. “You must be Ashley's husband. Nice to meet you.”

Josh shook Mark's hand with a flat expression, almost as if he didn't care. “Josh.” But at the same time, he tried his best to control his expression and sat down calmly. 

Meanwhile, Ashley gently nudged Josh's arm, who was sitting next to her. She intended to signal Josh to leave since he had already greeted Mark. Instead of responding, Josh took Ashley's hand and intertwined his fingers tightly with hers. His grip was strong, too strong to be released quietly.

Ashley looked at Josh with surprise and annoyance, but Josh only looked at Mark with an arrogant smile. “I've heard a lot about you. Thank you for hiring my wife at your company.”

Mark laughed awkwardly. “Ah, it's no big deal. I'm happy to help Ashley. And… It's also nice to work together with her after not seeing her for a very long time.”

Josh nodded slowly. “Actually, I hoped Ashley would just relax, do hobbies or do enjoyable things. But she insisted on working, and as her husband, of course I have to support her happiness.”

Ashley lowered her head, wanting to release Josh's hand, but the man remained unmoved.

Josh continued, “I offered her a position at my company. But she refused, saying it would be weird to work with her own husband.”

Mark nodded slowly, joining in the laughter. “Yeah, I understand. And our company is indeed in need of new people. But... don't worry, Ashley got in because of her abilities. Not because of me.”

Josh raised his eyebrows. “But I heard you own Horizon. So... it's a little hard to believe you didn't interfere.”

Mark smiled, calmer now. “The hiring process is handled by the HR team. I'm not involved.”

Josh laughed briefly. “But HR knows you know Ashley, right?”

Mark paused for a moment. Then he nodded. “Well... they know.”

Josh laughed again, this time more deeply.

Ashley pulled her hand away with all her strength, but it was no use. Anger began to rise in her chest. “I'm not that stupid. My work at my old job was excellent, you know. Besides, why does it matter if Mark gets involved? It's his company. He can hire whoever he wants.”

Josh turned quickly, his eyes meeting hers with an angry glare. “If meddling isn't a problem, why did you refuse when I offered you a job at my own company? You could even choose any position you wanted. Isn't it better to work close to your own husband?”

Mark’s gaze suddenly shifted from Josh to Ashley, then back to Josh again. “Sorry, Wood&K is… your company—?” Mark furrowed his brow, seeking confirmation of what he had just heard.

Josh nodded firmly, his expression brimming with pride. ”Yes. Ashley didn't tell you? Kim Deokjae, the Chairman of Wood&K, is my grandfather. And Ashley is his beloved granddaughter-in-law. So it's not wrong to spoil her, is it?”

Mark rounded his mouth. “Oh...”

That one word sounded like a revelation. A missing piece of the puzzle had finally fallen into place. After that, Mark fell silent. His gaze drifted, as if he were replaying everything he had been trying to forget.

Ashley roughly pulled her hand away and succeeded this time. She glared at Josh with annoyance, but still tried to suppress all the turmoil in her heart by putting on a forced expression of patience. “Josh, didn't you say there was a meeting today? Go. It'll be bad if you're late.” 

Josh didn't look at Ashley. His gaze remained fixed sharply on Mark. “Yes. But it doesn't start until after lunch. It's still a while, honey...” But his tone was as soft and romantic as possible with Ashley.

For a moment, Mark was again lost in his own memories and thoughts. He couldn't care less about the random chatter of the two couples. But he quickly snapped back to reality and stood up swiftly. 

Mark forced a smile with a friendly expression toward Ashley and Josh. “I think I need to use the restroom for a moment. Sorry.”

He left without waiting for an answer, leaving Ashley and Josh at the table that suddenly felt cramped and hot.

Ashley leaned back in her chair, holding her breath.

Josh finally looked at her. “Are you angry?”

“You know the answer,” Ashley whispered, her eyes staring blankly at the coffee table.

Josh sighed. “I just wanted him to know you went to his company not because you had no other options. You don't even need the job.” His tone began to show frustration. ”You could just relax, but you chose to make things harder for yourself by working at someone else's company.”

Ashley laughed briefly. “You're so annoying.” Then she turned, glared at Josh, and emphasized her words. “You realize how annoying your attitude just now was, right?”

Mark returned a few minutes later, his face calmer but clearly not the same as before. “Sorry. Let's order some food.”