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The brawl that broke out in the middle of the night finally ended after the police arrived and caused a commotion. Chairman Lee and his secretaries were drenched in sweat trying to fend off the reporters who swarmed like ghosts. However, stopping the police wasn’t as easy.
Fortunately, with the help of a congressman they had maintained good relations with, Chaerin was released. On the way back home, Chairman Lee, sitting in the back seat, massaged his neck wearily. Chaerin, seated beside him, gently combed her disheveled hair with her fingers while stealing glances at Chairman Lee.
“I’m… I’m sorry…”
“Go on a blind date.”
“Dad!”
Chairman Lee’s words made Chaerin jump in surprise. She knew he was about to explode, but she hadn’t expected him to bring up a blind date.
“Find someone higher than Min-Hyuk Jung. That’s how you win.”
“There’s no such man. Do you see anyone, Dad?”
“We’ll find one even if we have to search to the ends of the earth.”
Chaerin shook her head, convinced there couldn’t possibly be another man with such looks, qualifications, and wealth.
Just then, the phone rang.
“Speak.”
Chairman Lee, who had been answering the call with his eyes closed, suddenly snapped them open.
“What?”
Chaerin also looked at Chairman Lee with a tense expression.
“Damn it… why now of all times…”
Chairman Lee, visibly agitated, cursed under his breath.
“A-ah, Dad. What’s wrong…?”
It turned out that the congressman who had helped Chaerin was now under investigation by the prosecution.
Thinking about the phone calls and text messages left behind when they asked for help, Chairman Lee felt dizzy. He realized this could implicate the entire GB Group.
“Turn the car around. Head back to the company!”
The car screeched around, but it was already too late. The search had begun under suspicion of long-standing connections between the congressman and GB Group, and soon Chairman Lee’s office was in chaos, being ransacked by the police.
________________________________________
“Search and seizure?”
Chairman Jung raised his voice in disbelief.
“They’ve found evidence of our long-standing connection with Representative Bang. They’re using that to dig into Chaerin Lee’s assault case as well.”
“This family is falling apart.”
He seemed to have forgotten that he was the one desperate to send his son into this dysfunctional household.
“We should always be prepared. We never know what might get us into trouble.”
“Yes.”
“Well, these days, there’s something scarier than the police or prosecution—Lee Jin-Sook. Any unusual movements?”
The secretary who had been delivering rapid reports cautiously glanced at Chairman Jung before speaking.
“Madam… reportedly set up a shop for Song Joo-Eun’s mother.”
“What? For that woman’s mother?”
True to form, Chairman Jung’s anger reverberated through the room, shaking the very walls.
“Damn it!”
There was little left to shock him these days, but Jin-Sook kept pushing his buttons, causing his blood pressure to spike.
“This lunacy…!”
“The young master bought her a house…”
“The house…!”
Jung collapsed back into his chair, overwhelmed.
“Chairman, please take care. Your blood pressure has been rising dangerously.”
“Even if my veins burst, that woman will not have her way. How dare she…”
He was grateful that Joo-Eun had filmed Hong Ki-Man’s transaction, something that could be repaid with money. But he still had no intention of letting her associate with his son.
“I’ll deal with these lunatics right now...!”
As he struggled to rise from his seat, the door to his office burst open without a knock.
“No need to look for me. I’m here.”
“Lee Jin-Sook. You… you…!”
“Oh, by the way, belated congratulations. Didn’t you have a doljanchi last week?”
Jin-Sook, who rarely spoke to him, barged in again after just a few days. Chairman Jung was exasperated.
“Hmm.”
His body slumped back into the chair. The secretary discreetly bowed and exited, leaving Jin-Sook to continue.
“I heard the other woman was upset she couldn’t hold a grand doljanchi. Shall I make her famous instead?”
“Divorce papers would be better. I’ll sign them anytime.”
“Why would I divorce for someone else’s benefit? Absolutely not.”
“What do you want?”
“I told you to leave those children alone. Don’t ruin their lives like you did mine.”
“How could any parent want to ruin their child’s life? Well, there are some mothers who seem intent on ruining their children.”
Chairman Jung neither understood nor wanted to understand the woman who had attempted suicide during a trip with their son. All he wanted was for her to remain silent and unobtrusive.
Her sudden rebellion against years of quiet compliance was nothing short of infuriating. If she pushed too far, he had a psychiatric hospital ready to lock her away.
If only she knew…
His expression froze as he moved only his lips.
“You know I’m a dangerous man, yet you provoke me so recklessly.”
“No mother wouldn’t risk her life to protect her child.”
“Your life isn’t worth much. You know that.”
“I thought the same until now. Turns out, it’s not light—it’s heavy. After living stubbornly, I want to repay some debts.”
With that, she tossed a bundle of photos onto his desk. Dozens of women stared back at him.
Chairman Jung’s face twisted in rage. If she was willing to risk her life confronting him, he could take it—but the risks were too great. Above all, he feared his son’s reaction if anything happened to his mother.
Bang! He slammed the desk, trembling as he glared at Jin-Sook.
She smiled faintly, as if amused. “More photos again? How many is this now? If you don’t decide soon, these women will tear each other apart. Choose wisely if you don’t want to see that.”
She turned and left the office. Chairman Jung, drained of energy, pressed his hand to his forehead.
________________________________________
Joo-Eun, sorting through her belongings, rubbed her sore shoulders. There was much to organize after moving. Discarding old items revealed countless things she needed to replace.
Deciding to go on a date—a rare treat—she called him.
“The orphanage?”
[Yes.]
His simple reply came as though it weren’t surprising at all.
“Even without me, you went to the orphanage… alone?”
This was news to her. Remembering how difficult things had been for him, she couldn’t believe it.
[Often. Alone.]
Joo-Eun blinked repeatedly, stunned.
[I need to prepare lunch for the kids. Hang up if you want to see me. Come or handle it yourself.]
Come or handle it yourself…?
Before she could ask, the call disconnected.
Joo-Eun stared blankly at her phone, bewildered. With no explanation, she decided to visit and find out herself.
Hastily changing clothes, Joo-Eun headed to the orphanage, taking the subway instead of the luxury car he’d bought her.
Climbing the steep path as usual, she entered to hear the kids shouting joyfully.
“Sister!”
“Wow, you really came! I thought maybe you wouldn’t…”
“Shh, shh!”
The children gestured for silence, confusing her.
“What’s going on?”
“No secrets! The uncle’s probably in the cafeteria.”
Lunchtime had ended hours ago. Was he still cleaning up?
“Thanks for letting me know. Let’s play later.”
Smiling, Joo-Eun walked toward the cafeteria. Two girls were playing word games nearby.
“Hey, Sister!”
“Hi, Soyi. Did you see the uncle I came with before?”
“The handsome uncle? He’s in the activity room. Heehee.”
“You like him that much?”
“It seems like you do too.”
Kids truly couldn’t be fooled.
“Ah… um, yeah. Let’s play later.”
Feeling awkward, Joo-Eun waved lightly and headed to the activity room. But another child pointed elsewhere.
“He went to the principal’s office.”
At the principal’s office: “He just went to the playground.”
On the playground: “He said he was going to see the cherry blossoms in the backyard.”
How could he be everywhere at once?
Exhausted, Joo-Eun trudged toward the cherry blossom tree, thinking this would be her last stop.
Fortunately,
“Have you arrived?”
There he was, glowing brighter than ever.
“I finally found you.”
Joo-Eun sighed in relief, glad she wouldn’t have to search anymore.
“We’ve come full circle to meet again.”
From their childhood meeting to finding her after she disappeared during their travels—it had been a long journey. Yet neither doubted its value.
“That’s true. Looking back, this isn’t even a full circle yet.”
“Let’s never drift apart again.”
“Yes.”
Joo-Eun smiled, blinking slowly, as Min-Hyuk pulled something from his pocket.
“Song Joo-Eun.”
His soft voice made her smile fade slightly. Anyone could guess what lay in his hand.
“Director…”
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