Part 1: The Debut of the Good Wife
The Gyeonggi Orphanage Charity Gala was everything Park Yu-Jin had read about in the high-society chapters of the novel—a dazzling spectacle of wealth, designer gowns, and razor-sharp gossip. The venue, The Grand hotel ballroom, shimmered under crystal chandeliers.
Yu-Jin, dressed in the simple yet elegant deep blue gown, felt completely out of place, yet surprisingly composed. She reminded herself: I am Kim Ji-Su now. I am the wife of Lee Yun-Woo, the richest man in the country. I have two sweet Baby Boy to protect.
She entered the ballroom alone. As expected, her entrance—without Lee Yun-Woo, who was away on business—caused an immediate ripple of whispers.
"Look, it's Kim Ji-Su," one woman hissed, clutching a champagne flute. "She actually showed up. And she's alone."
"Where is her usual entourage? And that dress... it's almost modest!" another commented, clearly amused.
🐍 The Confrontation
Yu-Jin scanned the room and quickly spotted her target. Han Seo-Jin (The Antagonist) was standing near the center of the room, impeccably dressed in a shimmering silver gown, surrounded by a group of equally well-dressed socialites, including Yoo Hye-Min, Seo-Jin's friend.
Yu-Jin took a deep breath and walked straight toward the group.
"Seo-Jin! Yoo Hye-Min!" Yu-Jin greeted them with a warm, genuine smile—a smile the original Kim Ji-Su had never possessed.
Han Seo-Jin's surprise was palpable. She quickly recovered, her eyes hardening. "Ji-Su. You're punctual. A new habit, perhaps?" Her tone was laced with condescension.
"Just focusing on my priorities," Yu-Jin replied smoothly, maintaining eye contact. "It's a beautiful event. Such important work for the orphanage."
Yoo Hye-Min chimed in, "We were just talking about how busy your life must be, Ji-Su. Clubbing, shopping... it must be hard to find time for this sort of thing."
This was the opening Yu-Jin needed. This was the moment to change the narrative.
"Actually, Hye-Min, I've completely cut back on those activities," Yu-Jin said, her voice clear and firm, drawing the attention of several other nearby guests. "I realized my true priorities are here, at home, with my husband, Yun-Woo, and my two Baby Boy, Ha-Joon and Ju-Won. Family comes first now."
Seo-Jin's mask slipped entirely. She hadn't prepared for this kind of sincerity. "That's a rather sudden change of heart, isn't it? Just last week, you missed Ha-Joon's kindergarten parent meeting."
Yu-Jin nodded, refusing to look away. "Yes, and I deeply regret it. I'm making amends, starting today. I even spent the afternoon with them in the garden, preparing for their Spring Pickling Day. It was wonderful."
💰 A Strategic Move
The mention of the children and the domestic detail completely threw the gossips off balance. High society was built on facades, and Yu-Jin had just pulled hers down with an honest admission of past failures, immediately followed by proof of change.
Seo-Jin, sensing she was losing ground, quickly moved to financial attack. "Well, that's sweet, Ji-Su. But a charity event requires more than just good intentions. Did you bring a donation?"
The original Kim Ji-Su would have likely forgotten her checkbook or written a token amount. Yu-Jin, remembering the novel's detail about the importance of generosity in securing a good reputation, was ready.
She reached into her small clutch and produced a sleek, branded envelope. "Of course," Yu-Jin said, handing it to the event organizer who had just approached.
"I decided to make a contribution in the name of my sons, Lee Ha-Joon and Lee Ju-Won. I want them to know the importance of giving back."
The organizer opened the envelope. His eyes widened slightly before he gave Yu-Jin a respectful nod. "Madam Kim, this is an incredibly generous amount. Thank you."
Yu-Jin had donated a sum large enough to make a statement—a sum the original Kim Ji-Su would have spent on one handbag, but which Yu-Jin considered a worthy investment in her new life's reputation.
🥶 Seo-Jin's Cold Fury
Han Seo-Jin was furious. Not only did Yu-Jin show up, but she deflected the gossip, emphasized her role as a dedicated mother, and made a surprisingly large donation in her children's names.
"You're full of surprises lately, Ji-Su," Seo-Jin sneered, her voice barely a whisper. "But changing a dress and writing a check doesn't erase years of neglect. Lee Yun-Woo might be fooled, but I am not. We will see how long this performance lasts."
"You are welcome to watch, Seo-Jin," Yu-Jin said, meeting her cold gaze with a hint of genuine steel. "I have everything I need right here. And I'm not performing; I'm fixing a mistake."
With that, Yu-Jin gracefully turned away, leaving Seo-Jin simmering with frustrated rage. Yu-Jin felt a burst of adrenaline. She had faced the first villain, and she hadn't just survived—she had landed the first blow. The public had witnessed the debut of the 'New Kim Ji-Su.'