CHAPTER 15…………………………….
Since Seoyoung was young, Jingyeong had assumed she would obediently listen to adults.
That assumption had been a massive mistake.
Unlike the clueless girl who had first shown up in Hannam-dong, Seoyoung’s eyes eventually filled with fierce determination as she threw herself into hotel work.
Jingyeong had thought, What could someone like her possibly accomplish?
But while she relaxed her guard, Seoyoung had climbed all the way up to the position of division head.
“I should’ve realized earlier that her mother was pulling strings behind the scenes.”
Even with talent, it should have been nearly impossible for someone like Seoyoung—still not even thirty—to rise so quickly.
It still irritated Jingyeong that she couldn’t openly complain about Minhyung becoming vice president, because she had been the one to push him there.
That was why she had planned to actively support Minhyung so he could firmly establish himself as the heir apparent.
But everything fell apart thanks to that foxlike President Hong’s meddling.
It was partly because Seoyoung had genuinely proven her capability—but Jingyeong couldn’t deny Seoyoung had both talent and absurd luck.
Jingyeong cast a sidelong glance at her brother, Jingyu.
He had nothing to do with hotel management and thus wasn’t interested at all. His smiling face annoyed her for no reason.
“He must think that girl—Seoyoung—will only take over the hotel, right? But do you think she’ll be satisfied with just that after becoming the Hanho Group’s daughter-in-law?”
Even if Seoyoung herself didn’t know, Jingyeong knew very well that Hanho Group’s chairman and vice chairman—who would become her father- and mother-in-law—wouldn’t just sit quietly and watch.
She couldn’t ignore the fact that Cha Hyukjin was the beloved grandson of Chairman Cha.
The goodwill they showed Seoyoung said everything.
Because Hyukjin had no greed despite his ability, there was no guarantee that other affiliates of Shinhwa Group wouldn’t start funneling opportunities toward Seoyoung too.
The moment she imagined Jingyu fuming like she was now, a bitter smile almost formed on her lips—but disappeared when she realized there was also no guarantee her own area wouldn’t be encroached upon someday.
“Surely he’s not really that clueless… right?”
Seeing Jingyu smiling like a fool, Jingyeong scoffed internally and lifted her spoon.
Jingyu, already aware of her gaze, occasionally glanced toward Seoyoung while eating.
Poor kid.
He knew very well how hard Seoyoung had worked to meet Chairman Park’s expectations—the chairman who had declared he would pass the company only to the most capable, not to his own blood.
Jingyu hadn’t let his two sons grow up spoiled like typical third-generation chaebol heirs.
Unlike Jingyeong’s children—Minhyung and Minhee—his sons at least had real skills.
He didn’t know exactly what Jingyeong was scheming, but he didn’t share her thoughts.
To him, Seoyoung was the youngest sibling he had always carried like a thorn in his heart.
Meeting Seoyoung—his late sister’s daughter—only when she was grown, at his sister’s funeral, had left him with deep regret.
He regretted not looking after her more under the excuse of being busy.
Because of that, he wanted to help her, as long as she didn’t infringe on his own territory—at least as a way to honor his late sister.
Setting aside their individual thoughts, both families enjoyed a pleasant meal together.
Following the tastes of the older adults, Seoyoung had chosen a traditional set menu, and seeing everyone’s satisfied faces brought a smile to her lips.
She was relieved that the formal family meeting between the two conglomerate families was proceeding smoothly in a friendly atmosphere.
Simple fruit and tea were served for dessert.
After checking a text from Jinho, Seoyoung excused herself and stepped out to the restroom.
When she called, Jinho picked up after a few rings.
“—Is the meeting still going on?”
“Yes. Why? What happened?”
Seoyoung asked anxiously.
Since Jinho knew she would be meeting Hyukjin’s family today, the fact that he texted her at such timing meant it had to be important.
“—There’s word that President Kang Jingyeong is reaching out to our hotel’s shareholders through intermediaries.”
“My aunt?”
She hadn’t expected Jingyeong to sit still, but she was moving even faster than expected.
“We need to finalize the partnership with Hanho Construction as soon as possible.”
Now that the engagement to Hyukjin had been announced, news of a business partnership with Hanho Construction—where Hyukjin was an executive—would cause the stock price to soar quickly.
If that happened, shareholders wouldn’t dare sell their shares or take Minhyung’s side lightly.
They knew how crucial Seoyoung was to the hotel’s future growth and wouldn’t sacrifice long-term value for immediate gain.
Without Jingyeong backing him, Minhyung had never once demonstrated any real competence.
He was, in every sense, a parachute hire.
So it was only natural that shareholders would see Seoyoung—backed by the Hanho Group and with proven talent—as a far more suitable candidate for president than Minhyung.
“—Understood. I’ll contact Hanho right away and speed up the contract process.”
“Thank you.”
Seoyoung sincerely thanked Jinho, who was even working on a Saturday, and hung up.
Just as she grabbed the stall door handle to leave, she heard her cousin Minhee’s voice—Minhee, who hadn’t come to the meeting.
“They’re probably still doing the family meeting. Everyone’s raving about how handsome Cha Hyukjin is, so Kyungmi and I came early to sneak a look while having tea, but he hasn’t shown up at all.”
Minhee continued in a tired, complaining tone—she was clearly on the phone with a friend.
“I still can’t believe how someone like Seoyoung managed to get engaged to a guy like Cha Hyukjin. …Yeah, exactly.”
Seoyoung froze in place, unable to open the door as she listened.
“Seriously, did she sleep her way up or something? Her body is amazing. Not just skinny—she’s got curves too.”
The more Minhee talked, the more absurd it became.
Not knowing Seoyoung was in the stall, Minhee’s whining continued, making it impossible for Seoyoung to step out.
Minhee had disliked her from the moment they first met.
Not only was Seoyoung an unexpected same-age cousin, but she was good at studying, pretty, and even had a great body—everything Minhee envied.
And to top it off, Seoyoung had managed to get the attention of Cha Hyukjin, the man many women admired.
Minhee had never cared about her brother Minhyung’s rivalry with Seoyoung.
But when it came to men? That was a whole different matter.
It was impossible for her to see Seoyoung in a positive light.
She had assumed Seoyoung had no interest in dating—too busy studying and working like someone married to her job. Minhee had dismissed her completely.
But suddenly, Seoyoung had emerged as a dark horse.
“Yeah, let’s talk about it more when we meet later.”
Is she leaving now?
Seoyoung’s face brightened.
But after ending the call, Minhee didn’t leave—she rustled around fixing her makeup.
Only after a while did the clicking of her heels fade as she exited the restroom.
Seoyoung finally let out a small sigh and stepped out of the stall.
“Hah! Sleeping my way up?”
A laugh of disbelief escaped her.
The more she thought about it, the more ridiculous it was.
Did Minhee really think everyone behaved like her?
Seoyoung knew very well how messy Minhee’s relationships were—no less messy than her brother Minhyung’s, despite their privileged positions as third-generation chaebol heirs.
But why on earth did Minhee treat her like some kind of tramp?
Whoever Minhee had been talking to was likely the same type, she figured, and decided to let the comments in one ear and out the other.
She had never done anything shameful—not once.
And even if she had, Minhee had no right to judge her.
Besides, she had earned her position fair and square.
She wasn’t a leech who clung to her parents’ wealth and idled her life away.
After washing her hands, Seoyoung looked in the mirror, smoothed her stiff expression, and lifted the corners of her lips.
Natural, not forced.
She dried her hands and stepped out.
The final part of the family meeting awaited.
By now, the parents were probably deep in discussions about wedding dates and dowry arrangements.
