Chapter 29
Jichan stood up. As Chairman Kang disappeared after briefly greeting Na-ae, Seungjo turned his gaze to his grandmother.
“Mrs. Hong, you should be ashamed of yourself now.”
“……”
“You worked that woman’s hands like a servant when she was the one massaging your grandson’s body day and night.”
Na-ae, whose face was full of fury, turned red at the neck and held her breath. She glared fiercely at Haeju, whose wrist Seungjo still had in his grasp.
Haeju tried to pull her hand away, but Seungjo wouldn’t let go. His grip was like a rock.
After Na-ae and Chairman Kang Jichan left the room, the air filled with the aroma of fresh food.
“Eat.”
“I don’t want to cause trouble for you, Executive Director.”
“Or should we just have sex right here first?”
Seungjo put down his chopsticks and narrowed his long eyes. Haeju, sitting across from him, looked like a guilty person.
“She must be very angry.”
“I didn’t know you were so afraid of Mrs. Hong.”
“I’ve known her for a long time. I know what kind of person she is.”
“And what kind of person is she?”
“……”
Haeju pressed her lips shut. Publicly, she was known as the matriarch of Taehwa Group and a generous benefactor who held piano concerts through charitable donations.
But the Na-ae Haeju knew personally was a little different.
“She’s a very straightforward person. Sometimes overly sensitive and picky. You being around someone like that for so long is quite something in itself.”
“……”
“She’s extremely devoted to the things she loves. She pours time and money into them, like the annual piano recital. There’s a lot to admire. But when it comes to her grandsons, she loses all sense and makes a lot of mistakes.”
“……Yes.”
“She must have wronged you too.”
Haeju’s eyes met Seungjo’s. His gaze was deep, as if he already knew everything about her past.
“She probably made you leave through the back door of the annex every time, just so you wouldn’t run into me. And when I came home early, she stripped you of everything and didn’t even let you leave her room.”
“……!”
Haeju’s breath trembled.
“You knew?”
“Whenever you left, there was a strong rose scent coming from Mrs. Hong’s room. It even drifted out into the hallway.”
“No… That’s unbelievable…”
Embarrassed, Haeju covered her mouth. She had no idea Seungjo knew everything.
“I just didn’t know it was you.”
“……”
“I thought it was just some naïve and foolish woman.”
Seungjo looked at Haeju. He knew well how eccentric Na-ae was, especially in the way she treated employees. His own father’s issues with women had left a deep impression on her.
Because of that, many women had been cast out naked. Haeju was probably no different.
Seungjo knew that the college-age Haeju would often sit trembling in silence, so he had finished his meals quickly on purpose several times.
“I thought it was only natural. You’re a bloodline of the Taehwa Group.”
“That’s strange.”
“Excuse me?”
“When people know I’m from the Taehwa Group, they usually try anything to get close to me. But you’re different. What are you, Seon Haeju?”
“I—I just…”
Haeju shook her head slowly.
“Executive Director, please go and tell her again. You and I are just…”
“I wish you’d be a little more selfish.”
Seungjo smirked and tilted the corner of his mouth.
“You’ve suffered so much because of me. You deserve more than this.”
Seungjo sat next to her and gently cupped her thin cheek, pressing a light kiss to her lips.
“Now that everything’s settled, we can go back to enjoying our nights.”
His lips swiftly claimed hers. He expertly bit her lower lip and slid his tongue deep inside, making her heart pound wildly.
Seungjo’s intoxicating scent overwhelmed Haeju.
“She hasn’t had a proper meal in days.”
A week later, Seungjo arrived at the family home in Seongbuk-dong and headed to Na-ae’s room. Sun-i met him with a troubled look.
“She’s been skipping meals and seems to have lost some immunity. A few days ago, she had chills and now she’s caught a cold.”
“You don’t have to come in. Go ahead and take care of your other duties.”
Sun-i bowed politely and stepped away from the door. Just as Seungjo opened it, a pillow flew at him.
“You heartless brat! Just like your father!”
“It didn’t even hurt. Want me to offer my cheek next?”
Seungjo casually picked up the pillow and stood beside her bed.
“Our Mrs. Hong has quite the punch.”
He lowered his handsome face as if inviting her to slap him again. With a furious expression, Na-ae smacked his chest repeatedly.
“You know how much I suffered when your father said he’d marry your mother, and now you’re doing the same thing!”
“I wasn’t even born then. How would I know?”
“You brat!”
Na-ae often talked about Seungjo’s parents when she saw him. At his cheeky reply, she hit him with the blanket. He calmly tucked the pillow back under her head and helped her lie down.
“So is your protest over now?”
No matter how angry she was, her heart was soft as tofu in front of her precious grandson.
“There are plenty of women out there! Why does it have to be that low-class Kwak girl’s niece?”
Though she lay in bed as Seungjo guided her, her face was still flushed with anger.
“Yes, yes, Haeju is lovely and kind. She’s thoughtful and quiet and gentle.”
“You know her quite well.”
“That’s all she is! She’s of no help to you at all! She’s a liability, a flaw! Just imagine what Jae-woong and Hee-young will say! They’ll jump at the chance to exploit your weakness!”
Seungjo chuckled softly. He pulled a chair from the window table, crossed his legs, and sat beside her.
“Aunt already knows. You’re late.”
“What?! Hee-young knows? So I’m the only fool who was left in the dark?”
“Let’s just say it was your grandson’s way of protecting your health.”
“You brat! Are you teasing me?!”
Na-ae tried to sit up in anger, but Seungjo gently held her small shoulders down.
“Why do you keep underestimating yourself, Mrs. Hong?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You kept Seon Haeju by your side for over ten years. Even during important events and outings, you always had her with you.”
“Th-that’s because she’s so capable…!”
“Every time you came to the company, you told my secretary, ‘That girl who helps Executive Director Tae so closely is practically his right hand.’”
“……”
“And I know how picky you are about who you let stay close to you. You have very high standards.”
With a little cough, Na-ae turned her wrinkled lips away from her grandson’s sharp gaze.
“You always say ‘Kwak’s niece’ this and that, but even you know Haeju’s worth. You just never imagined your grandson would mess around with a woman like that.”
“You little…!”
“You know better than anyone. Seon Haeju is a woman who understands her place. I started this, not her. So if you don’t want to lose face in front of me, don’t take it out on her.”
Na-ae turned her head sharply, her feelings clearly hurt by Seungjo’s firm tone. But he was thinking about Haeju.
That night, she had come into his arms first—but the truth was, Seungjo had already fallen for her before that.
Even if it hadn’t happened then, Seungjo would’ve found a way to make her his eventually.
He let out a soft chuckle, but Na-ae still grumbled in a sulky voice.
“You’re a smart boy, so you should know this. This old lady only acts this way for your sake! You think Jae-woong and Sang-yoon will stay quiet? Sang-yoon’s dying to become chairman, and he watches you like a hawk at every dinner table. And now you go showing a weakness like this!”
“I’ve never thought of Seon Haeju as a weakness.”
Seungjo replied without a moment’s hesitation.
