Episode 10 of "Romance in the House" commences with a vibrant start, as Tae-pyeong leaps onto his bike, gearing up for the daily grind, blissfully unaware of the impending revelation that would shake his workplace to its core. Yet, this prelude precedes his role as the intern, where he earnestly begs Nam Chi-Yeol to conceal their familial ties. Little does he know, Mr. Nam relishes in the secret, smugly departing, leaving behind an eerie silence that foreshadows turmoil to come.
This subtle revelation, however, sparks a gossip frenzy that ravages the office corridors, akin to wildfire consuming dry grass. Mi-rae, warned by a concerned colleague, braces herself for a tumultuous journey ahead, a hint of dread creeping into her heart.
Elsewhere, Hyeon-jae's eyes gleam with dollar signs as Moo-jin hands him an envelope bulging with cash, his allowance for the day. While he eagerly prepares for his endeavors, Ae-yeon too, embarks on a new chapter, firmly deciding to embark on the modeling gig. Moo-jin, ever the supportive figure, sees her off with a promise to mentor her through this venture, his enthusiasm palpable.
Amidst this camaraderie, Mi-rae finds herself at odds, confiding in Tae-pyeong outside the office walls. They forge a silent pact, vowing to maintain professionalism within the confines of work, lest their budding romance be exposed and jeopardized. In secret, they continue their clandestine meetings, their love affair a well-guarded secret among the team dinners and office chatter.
As for Ae-yeon, her initial jitters soon give way to a triumphant performance that captivates the crowd. Her impassioned speech ignites the atmosphere, driving sales through the roof as phone lines buzz incessantly. It's a triumphant moment, one that finds both Mi-rae and Moo-jin cheering her on from the sidelines, their pride evident.
Emboldened by her success, the ladies who hired her extend an offer for a second gig, further solidifying her burgeoning career. However, Moo-jin's playful teasing on the ride home, jesting about the hordes of men soon to be at her feet, elicits a dismissive chuckle from Ae-yeon, though she can't shake off the strange undercurrent in his demeanor.
As Mi-rae and Tae-pyeong make their way home, they stumble upon Moo-jin, engrossed in CCTV footage, searching intently. Mi-rae warmly invites him in for a cup of coffee, surprising him with her heartfelt gratitude for his assistance with Ae-yeon. In the solitude of their shared space, she delicately broaches the topic of the villa incident and the landlord's daughter's tumultuous ordeal, leaving Moo-jin visibly agitated while Mi-jae remains tight-lipped, though acutely aware of the undercurrents.
At the workplace, Mr. Nam's jaw drops as he catches sight of Tar-pyeong, clad in a comical chicken costume, enthusiastically promoting and distributing products. Mi-rae, unwavering in her professionalism, puts him through the paces, treating him no differently from any other colleague. Yet, her stern demeanor softens with a thoughtful text message later, ensuring her sternness didn't cross into harshness.
Tae-pyeong takes it all in stride, but Mr. Nam seeks out Mi-jae in the elevator, sensing her disbelief at the sudden transformation. He implores Mi-rae to guide Tae-pyeong on a steady path, hoping for longevity in his tenure. Though hesitant to make promises, Mi-jae vows to mentor him to the best of her abilities.
However, the veil of secrecy surrounding Tae-pyeong and Mi-rae's budding romance proves thin, as a few observant colleagues catch them exchanging tender glances and playful waves in the parking lot.
Elsewhere, Moo-jin confronts the landlord's daughter, who reveals a damning truth: his father's fire insurance claim was denied due to arson—perpetrated by none other than Moo-jin's father. The revelation stuns Moo-jin, who was unaware of his father's deceit. Matters worsen when he learns that the landlord had entrusted his life savings to Dragon Investment, a fraudulent firm that Moo-jin had inadvertently introduced him to. The landlord's daughter accuses Moo-jin of outright scamming her father.
As the first anniversary dinner preparations commence, Moo-jin opts to skip the festivities, drowning his sorrows in solitude and alcohol. He reaches out to Ae-yeon, apologizing for his foolishness and confessing that every attempt to rectify his past only seems to unravel more. Fearful of repeating the same mistakes, he hesitates to attend the dinner.
Yet, fueled by alcohol, Moo-jin eventually arrives, only to find Jae-geol seated with Jeong-in, their paths having crossed earlier at the salon. But it's not Jae-geol who stirs the pot; it's Jeong-Hyeok, who announces his intention to move out, citing fear and unease.
Just as tensions begin to escalate, the landlord's daughter appears, dousing Moo-jin with a drink and publicly branding him a scoundrel. She forces him to confess his role in duping her father and demands the return of his stolen fortune, leaving the room reeling from her accusations.
Ae-yeon steps forward, her presence a soothing balm amidst the turmoil. Deep down, she knows Moo-jin's heart; he wouldn't have returned to the fold if he were truly a deceitful swindler, toying with their emotions. Her trust in him is unwavering, rooted in the bonds of family, and she stands resolute by his side. Hyeon-jae echoes her sentiments, but what of Mi-rae, who has borne witness to a different narrative? Yet, even she finds herself believing in Moo-jin, her doubts melting away. This reassurance is all Moo-jin needs to gather his strength and venture forth.
Jae-geol, meanwhile, elects to confront the landlord's daughter, choosing to unravel the truth before the eyes of the villa's inhabitants. It's true, Moo-jin's fortune did intertwine with Mr. Kim's visits, but his intentions were pure—to bestow the villa upon his daughter. Moo-jin initially shunned Dragon Investment, but their relentless representative, Jung Jun-yong, wormed his way into Mr. Kim's ear. Moo-jin valiantly warned against the investment, but Mr. Kim was deaf to reason. Jae-geol's signature, too, was entangled in the web of deceit, and in a desperate bid to escape blame, he castigated Moo-jin, using him as a scapegoat.
The truth, however, is far more sinister. Mr. Kim, driven by greed, ignited his own apartment to claim the insurance money. Tragically, he failed to escape the flames, perishing in the very villa he sought to profit from. And who stood to inherit that insurance payout? None other than Mr. Kim's daughter, burdened by debts and desperate to sell the villa to alleviate her financial woes. Jae-geol's assistance, it turns out, was a twisted form of help, rooted in arson and deceit.
As this revelation sinks in, Ae-yeon catches up with Moo-jin, her eyes filled with empathy. He apologizes profusely, convinced he's once again shattered everything. Ae-yeon takes his hand, their fingers intertwining as she plays their old melody, a melody that stirs memories and brings a fleeting smile to his lips. But it's not enough to fully lift the weight from his heart. And then, a gentle kiss, soft yet potent, banishes the shadows, restoring light to Moo-jin's world.
