Chapter 42…………………………………..
However, the moment he spoke, his narrowed eyes suggested he wasn’t fully convinced by her easy answer.
“It’s true. So please believe me. I’m busy, so I’ll head to work now.”
Hyukjin cut through their doubts with a single statement and got up from his seat.
Watching him walk toward the entrance, Seunghoon let out a nervous cough.
Why is he answering so easily?
Even though they got the answer they wanted, suspicion lingered.
“You should go to work too. Hyukjin said it himself, so let’s just see how it goes, honey.”
“Right. Father, you should head to work as well. Whether Hyukjin keeps his word will become clear soon enough. And Mother, start looking into herbal medicine good for pregnancy as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Strike while the iron is hot. Since Hyukjin is cooperating so easily, we need to push forward quickly.”
Chairman Cha’s eyes sparkled at the thought of finally having a grandchild, which he hadn’t yet seen from Youngjin and Mihyun.
While he genuinely wanted to hold a grandchild, he was even more excited because this was the only way to keep Hyukjin in Korea.
Seunghoon and Mihyun nodded in agreement, sharing in the optimism.
“President Kang Jinkyung has stopped purchasing shares of the Carlos Hotel.”
“Really?”
Hearing this, Seoyoung looked up from the approval documents she had been reviewing.
“It seems she realized that the Sinwha Food shares she sold were flowing in large amounts to someone else and decided to stop.”
“I see. That’s good news.”
Seoyoung’s lips formed a thin line.
Grandfather has moved.
The move simultaneously blocked Jinkyung’s plan to help Minhyung and also aimed to make herself the major shareholder of Sinwha Foods in the future.
The only way to bring down money-obsessed Jinkyung was to control both the hotel her son had intended to take over and the company she managed as president.
A plan she thought would take longer was now unfolding faster thanks to Chairman Cha.
Even with the shareholders’ meeting approaching, things wouldn’t just automatically flow in Minhyung’s favor.
Her heart raced as the plan progressed smoothly.
“How’s the response to the contract to hold the Hanho Group’s workshops at our hotel?”
“Very good. It’s a major deal that offsets any leaks of internal information, so there shouldn’t be any negative talk for a while.”
“Good. Now let’s focus on identifying any insider traders. How’s the investigation I ordered last time going?”
Seoyoung gestured toward the secretary’s office and looked at Jinho.
“There’s nothing unusual among the directors, but it seems this secretary recently accumulated a significant debt, even using private loans. We’re still investigating the details.”
She had noticed something off about Juhee previously, and now it seemed she was facing a major financial problem.
“I see…”
Seoyoung pursed her lips and clicked her tongue quietly, while Jinho’s expression darkened.
Although the youngest secretary always smiled brightly, it wasn’t the time to be swayed by personal feelings.
After a moment of thought, Seoyoung looked up.
“Let’s subtly let Juhee know that the company can provide a loan.”
“Yes. Since she’s worked hard, I’ll call her under the pretense of a dinner meeting and discuss it separately.”
“That’s a good idea. Thank you, Director Oh.”
After Jinho bowed and left the office, Seoyoung turned her chair toward the window.
She could see the entire Seoul skyline.
Watching the busy traffic and tall buildings, she sighed deeply.
She knew all too well how hard it was to live without money.
Her parents, who had borrowed money from the bank to start a restaurant, had struggled every month just to pay interest and principal.
Things had been improving as the restaurant gained popularity, but then the accident happened.
Maybe it would have been better if my father had just stayed a tutor at the academy.
Her father, who used to paint, had become an entrance exam art instructor when she was born, needing money immediately.
Her mother had grown weak after giving birth, struggling just to raise her.
Yet despite the hardships, they always lived happily and harmoniously.
Looking at the neatly filled photo albums reminded her of that.
Thinking of her parents brought to mind her in-laws in Pyeongchang-dong.
She felt she could now somewhat understand their strong desire for a grandchild.
A sense of guilt welled up in her throat.
“You’re early.”
Seoyoung’s eyes widened as she opened the front door.
Hyukjin was sitting on the living room sofa, directly across from the entrance.
She hadn’t expected to see him at this hour, and the sight startled her.
“Madam, you’re here? Wash up and have breakfast first.”
Hearing the door, Mrs. Kim came out from the kitchen to greet Seoyoung.
Hyukjin uncrossed his long legs and stood.
“Yes. I’ll change clothes first.”
Wanting to buy some time, Seoyoung hurried up the stairs.
Seeing him follow her, she realized she had acted without thinking.
Yet Hyukjin also followed her upstairs.
As soon as they entered the bedroom, Hyukjin grabbed her arm.
“Let’s talk first.”
Seoyoung frowned as she looked back.
Was he desperate to talk about his love life?
She didn’t want to hear it—why insist on talking first? A wave of irritation crept up.
“Is it urgent?”
Her tone was a little stiff as she looked up at him. Hyukjin raised his eyebrows.
“I’ll change and wash up first. Let’s talk after dinner. I’m quite hungry, unlike you, I suppose.”
Hyukjin’s grip loosened, and Seoyoung seized the opportunity to dash into the bathroom.
She turned on the faucet—the water gushed out strongly.
Leaning on the sink, she studied her reflection in the mirror.
Her stiff face revealed her discomfort plainly.
Why does my face look like this? As if I’ve been hurt.
She covered her face with her hands, then forced a small smile.
It looked completely unnatural.
Hadn’t she actually hoped Hyukjin and Minwoo weren’t in that kind of relationship?
So why did these strange feelings arise now?
It had been less than two months since preparing for the wedding and honeymoon.
The only intimate contact had been a few kisses as part of a compatibility test.
Since moving into the Pyeongchang-dong house, they had shared a bed every night, sometimes falling asleep holding each other due to his mischievous suggestions—but nothing beyond that.
Unlike her initial discomfort, she now felt settled and slept well.
She also knew Hyukjin, who liked women, wouldn’t cross any boundaries.
And yet, just seeing the two of them together makes my emotions sway this much?
Exhaling a long sigh, Seoyoung struggled to understand her own feelings.
Perhaps she had mistaken her in-laws’ exceptionally kind treatment for genuine family connection.
Maybe she had even started to think of Hyukjin as a normal husband. The illusion had gone on too long.
I was really lonely, wasn’t I?
Only now did she realize that she had genuinely immersed herself in this little play.
Living alone and then briefly tasting happiness with people like family—it was intoxicating.
Realizing this made her eyes well up.
Rubbing her reddened eyes with the back of her hand, she thought:
I can’t go on like this.
She had gotten too caught up, mistaking the play for reality.
If she continued, not only she, but others could get hurt too.
With that thought, Seoyoung concluded she needed to keep a distance from her in-laws.
She wouldn’t give them the grandchild they longed for, and after the predetermined period, she would leave anyway.
To lessen the shock for them, it was the right choice.
Seoyoung’s expression hardened with determination.
Even though just thinking about it left a void in her chest, she forced herself to ignore it.
Yes. This is right.
She thought of Mrs. Kim, who was waiting.
But she couldn’t go downstairs with red eyes.
Turning off the faucet, she instead started the shower.
