10. A Difficult Choice

Iril just stayed silent and focused on driving, ignoring Serena's question—or more precisely, pretending not to hear it.

Serena simply looked at her best friend, let out a deep sigh, and decided not to continue the conversation about Frau. It seemed like Iril didn't want to talk about it.

Suddenly, something crossed Serena's mind.

"Ril..."

"Hmm?"

"If you know anyone who needs a part-time worker or a freelancer, let me know, okay?"

Hearing Serena's request, Iril found it strange.

"Do you need money?" Iril asked. "How much? I can lend you some."

"Who doesn't need money, Ril?" Serena replied.

"I have savings, but just in case, I want to be prepared in case it's not enough."

Iril immediately realized that Serena was trying to gather money to pay Frau's fee.

"How much is it?" Iril asked, curious.

"Mr. Knight didn't mention the exact amount, but I need to be ready. I can't afford to be short," Serena answered.

"That makes sense... Hey, how about I ask my cousin? He usually hires Frau, so he might know the standard fee."

"That's a great idea!" Serena smiled, pleased with Iril's suggestion.

Knowing the standard fee would ease her mind. If her savings weren't enough, she'd have to find a part-time job. But if the amount was covered, she wouldn't need to push herself too hard.

&&&&&

That night, heavy rain poured down relentlessly, accompanied by the constant roar of thunder.

Iril, who was reading a book in the family room, flinched when she heard a particularly loud thunderclap.

"SHIT!" she cursed in shock.

"Are you alright, Miss?" the head butler asked.

"Ah, I'm fine, just startled," Iril replied.

Noticing that the butler was holding an umbrella, Iril raised an eyebrow, her face full of curiosity.

"Young Master Ren called earlier. Because of the heavy rain, he decided to stay here for the night. Coincidentally, he was nearby," the butler reported, sensing Iril's unspoken question.

"Really?"

Iril looked surprised.

As far as she knew, her cousin Ren , who was ten years older than her , was a workaholic.

Before Iril could respond, the butler excused himself upon hearing the sound of a car pulling into the mansion's driveway.

Moments later, he returned with Ren.

As Iril watched her cousin , tall, handsome, and radiating an overwhelming aura , she sighed and shook her head.

With a face that could make every women swoon, Ren was infamous for being cold, indifferent to women, and ruthless in the business world.

"What a waste of a good face,"

Iril muttered under her breath.

Ren heard her but chose not to respond.

He sat down across from her, and Iril stared at him intently.

"What?"

Ren asked, his deep, husky voice carrying his usual indifferent tone.

"Ren, are you gay?"

Iril asked bluntly, her curiosity piqued.

Ren was speechless.

The butler almost spilled the coffee he was carrying upon hearing Iril's question. However, he quickly regained composure and, after placing the coffee in front of Ren, he promptly left the room.

"It seems you have too much free time, thinking about nonsense like this,"

Ren commented dryly.

Hearing his remark, Iril stuck out her tongue at him.

Although Ren was known to be cold, difficult to approach, and even feared by many, to Iril, he was just her older cousin.

"Oh, right!"

Iril suddenly exclaimed as something came to mind.

"Ren, how much do you usually pay Frau for his services?"

Ren frowned.

"Did he ask for a specific amount? I'm sure you can afford it,"

he replied casually while scrolling through documents on his phone.

"It's not for me. It's for Serena."

Ren froze the moment he heard Serena's name from Iril's lips. But since Iril wasn't paying attention, she didn't notice his odd reaction.

"So when you asked for Frau's contact, it wasn't for you but for Serena?"

Ren asked, wanting to confirm.

Iril nodded.

"What did Serena hire Frau for?"

"I don't know. She didn't tell me,"

Iril answered.

"So, how much do you usually pay Frau?"

Ren mentioned a number, and Iril's eyebrows shot up in shock.

Even though her family was old money, the fee Ren stated was so high that it still surprised her.

"This is bad,"

Iril muttered, frantically searching for her phone to call Serena.

"Where on earth can she find a part-time job that pays this much?"

Unknowingly, she had spoken her thoughts aloud.

"Serena is looking for a part-time job?" Ren asked cautiously, trying to sound casual.

"Huh...?" Iril was momentarily dazed.

Her mind had been too focused on finding her phone, so she hadn't fully registered Ren's question.

"If she needs a part-time job, my company happens to be hiring," Ren said.

"Really?"

Iril perked up. "What's the position?"

"My assistant."

"No way!!"

Iril immediately rejected the idea upon hearing the job title.

Ren frowned at her reaction.

"Even if you don't agree, that doesn't mean Serena will refuse," Ren countered.

"But if I don't tell her, she won't take the job," Iril retorted, just as fiercely.

Suddenly, Ren smirked mockingly.

"But there's no other part-time job that can cover the amount she needs to pay Frau."

Iril's eyes widened. She wanted to argue, but Ren was right.

No part-time job would pay that much , except working for Ren.

Now, Iril was truly torn about what would be best for Serena.

*****