MHD -  9

At the headquarters of the Kanglim Group, a president’s meeting was being held with about 50 key executives from the group’s major subsidiaries in attendance.

Before the meeting began, the current chairman, Yeon Ji-seon, emphasized the need for the group to unite, but the actual meeting was filled with constant bickering among the executives, unable to bridge their differences.

“…So what Director Yoon is saying is that you’re planning to take the project we’ve worked on for a year in the shipping division and hand it over to the construction division?”

“That interpretation is off. It’s obvious that the project should be handled by the construction division.”

Even though this was a comprehensive meeting with executives from all departments gathered, it looked more like a chaotic argument where no one had any decorum or dignity.

When Lee Jung-chul was in charge, the executives would quietly bow their heads, but now, in front of Yeon Ji-seon, they all bared their teeth and showed no restraint.

From now on, it would be Jae-hyuk’s job to lead these senior figures and prevent the company from falling apart.

Bang.

Unable to bear it any longer, Yeon Ji-seon slammed the desk.

“Let’s end today’s meeting here.”

Her voice, filled with displeasure, echoed through the room, and soon, the atmosphere settled.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

As everyone stood up, the executive who had monopolized most of the conversation, Executive Director Cho Il-seong, approached Jae-hyuk.

He was one of the key figures who had emerged as the de facto leader of the company after Lee Jung-chul’s downfall. He frequently opposed the chairman’s opinions, often casting votes against her.

“Congratulations on your promotion to executive director. Let’s have a drink sometime soon.”

Although he used polite language, his tone conveyed arrogance.

Jae-hyuk gave a slight nod in response, his reaction to the provocations minimal.

“Thank you. I’ll invite you soon.”

“Alright.”

Executive Director Cho’s snake-like smile widened as he turned around, and the executives who followed him rushed out behind him. It was almost comical, like a group of school bullies scurrying off together.

Did they not understand what was important? Instead of focusing on petty internal struggles, it would be better to improve performance and achieve even a single additional success.

Sighing, Jae-hyuk’s gaze followed the group as they disappeared. Then, within his line of sight, the face of Manager Oh Byeong-uk appeared.

“Executive Director, the chairman wants to see you before you leave.”

“Let’s go.”

Jae-hyuk gave a slight nod to Gong Sun-young, Yeon Ji-seon’s personal secretary, who had been waiting behind him.

Gong Sun-young, who was about the same age as Jae-hyuk’s aunt, had been Yeon Ji-seon’s right-hand secretary since she served as the director of the Kanglim Cultural Foundation.

“Congratulations on your promotion, Executive Director.”

“Now the real work begins.”

After exchanging formal pleasantries, Gong Sun-young cautiously mentioned the chairman’s mood as they walked toward Yeon Ji-seon’s office.

“The chairman seems a bit upset. She said she still hasn’t had a chance to meet with Executive Director Lee since his return.”

“She has given me so much work since before my return, the chairman really is a person with a lot of ambition.”

“She knows you have the ability to handle it, which is why she’s like that.”

Gong Sun-young, who had been speaking quietly, stopped in front of the office door and carefully knocked.

“Chairman, Executive Director is here.”

Inside, Yeon Ji-seon could be seen sitting on the sofa.

Jae-hyuk took a deep breath before walking inside.

“Now I see you.”

“Mother.”

Once they were in a space where it was just the two of them, Jae-hyuk was finally able to address her with a different title.

After a brief moment of eye contact, Yeon Ji-seon smiled, her face clearly showing signs of fatigue.

“You were planning to leave immediately if I hadn’t called, weren’t you?”

“I thought I’d come and see you since I’m here.”

“I hope that’s the truth. Otherwise, I’ll be disappointed.”

Yeon Ji-seon gave him a playful sideways glance, the wrinkles around her eyes deepening.

Since she became involved in management, especially after Lee Jung-chul withdrew from the frontlines due to his illness and passed away, Ji-seon’s role in the company had grown significantly.

She was promoted to vice-chairman, and later, following her husband’s death, she took on the chairman role, her once soft gaze now sharp and piercing.

Her face, which had looked youthful for her age, seemed to crumble more with each passing day.

Originally, she had led a quiet life as the chairwoman of the cultural foundation, completely unrelated to business affairs.

When the secretary who had entered briefly brought in some new tea, Jae-hyuk decided to change the subject to clear his complicated feelings.

“This tea is from England. I hope it suits your taste.”

“You shouldn’t have, it’s not like I’m that busy.”

Despite her words, her face could not hide her joy, and she looked exactly as she always had.

“But Jae-hyuk, I can’t believe you started throwing punches as soon as you came back. I didn’t believe it when I first heard.”

Putting her teacup down, Ji-seon carefully broached the topic.

“As soon as word spread that you were returning, everyone was already glaring. You know that, right? Be careful not to get caught up in unnecessary scandals. Executive Director Cho is not an easy opponent.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What happened?”

“Dong-hwan had too much to drink and made a mistake. I tried to stop him, but I guess I got a bit worked up.”

Jae-hyuk had intended to mention Heesoo, but for now, he kept his thoughts to himself and gave a vague apology.

“I’ll make sure there’s nothing else to worry about.”

“You’re not always like this, are you?”

Ji-seon didn’t press any further and took a sip of her tea.

Her increasingly haggard face showed that she no longer had the energy to focus on anything else. Ji-seon had already poured all her strength into managing the company.

And with that, her expectations for her son were high. She had never hidden the fact that she was eagerly waiting for the day when Jae-hyuk would ease her burdens, and perhaps even take everything over.

For someone like her mother, it was still too soon to bring up Heesoo.

“Don’t worry about Executive Director Cho. If everything goes according to my plan, it won’t be long before I run into him at the company.”

“I’ve heard you’ve been meeting with some of the major shareholders personally. You’re probably aiming for re-election next year.”

“Meeting with them alone won’t accomplish anything. I’m currently gathering information on the backdoor deals they’re proposing.”

“Alright, Jae-hyuk.”

Jae-hyuk shared his thoughts on some of the projects discussed in the main meeting with Ji-seon. When the tea in their cups had completely cooled, the conversation finally came to an end.

“You’re busy today, right? Let’s make some time for a meal soon.”

“Yes. I’ll think about a place and a menu you’ll like.”

“Okay.”

Ji-seon smiled contentedly as she looked at her son, then suddenly asked, as if she had just remembered something.

“…Have you paid your respects at your father’s grave?”

“Not yet. I plan to go this weekend.”

“He was someone who didn’t want to show weakness, refusing even hospital visits. Now that you’re fully back in Korea, make sure to visit his grave sometimes so he won’t feel neglected.”

“I’ll finally be able to visit him after he passed.”

“Your father always wanted to remain a strong person. His pride was something no one could compare to. A foolish man.”

“…Is that why he was fond of Heesoo? Because she resembled him?”

It was an impulsive question.

The name had always occupied a part of his mind, even without consciously thinking about it. As he thought of his father, the question had slipped out.

Jae-hyuk noticed the moment Ji-seon’s hand, holding her teacup, momentarily paused.

“…It’s been a while since I heard that name.”

Ji-seon took a sip of her tea, her face hidden behind the cup. After a moment, she lowered the cup and raised her head again, her expression now indifferent.

“Do you remember what your father said about Heesoo?”

“…”

At her words, Jae-hyuk lowered his gaze and fell into silence.

“Jae-hyuk.”

Ji-seon watched him in silence for a moment, then, as if to change the atmosphere, raised the corner of her mouth into a slight smile.

“I’ve narrowed down a few people for you to meet. I’ll have Director Oh send the details; just decide on the order.”

“The order?”

Jae-hyuk asked, and Ji-seon rummaged through her phone, showing him a few pictures.

The women in the pictures had a serene and gentle demeanor. Their appearances were all different, but the atmosphere was the same.

You sure have a clear taste, Jae-hyuk thought, before Ji-seon withdrew her hand and continued speaking.

“Now that you’re back in Korea, it’s time to properly settle down. You’ll need to rise up within a few years, and to make a big impact, a strong partnership is essential.”

“With the women you approve of, I feel like I could just marry without even meeting them.”

“Jae-hyuk.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve never put much meaning into marriage, so I won’t be stubborn about it.”

“You brought up Heesoo, and it made me think of something else.”

“That’s not the case.”

Jae-hyuk reassured Ji-seon for the moment.

Ji-seon, who was waiting for her son to quickly take his place, was hoping everything would go smoothly according to her plans.

Whatever thoughts she had in mind, it was best to remain silent until things became clear.

Jae-hyuk smiled gently at Ji-seon, who was studying his expression.

As Jae-hyuk got into the car, he let out a deep sigh. Even sitting face-to-face with his mother, his mind was consumed by thoughts of Heesoo.

He knew it would turn out like this. He had known it would all spiral out of control, even though he saw it coming.

Jae-hyuk furrowed his brow deeply.

Just like when Heesoo had vanished at the age of twenty, she had disappeared again, but Jae-hyuk wasn’t about to let her go so easily this time.

Now, if he set his mind to it, he had the power to send Seo Heesoo to an even darker place than before. At the very least, Heesoo had to know that she couldn’t just disappear and reappear at will.

Jae-hyuk immediately dialed Director Oh’s number.

“Seo Heesoo, have you identified her?”

[Yes, Executive Director.]

Director Oh recited the information he had gathered.

It was about the agency currently under contract with Seo Heesoo, the reputation of its CEO, and how the CEO had been running around trying to attach Seo Heesoo to various projects across different genres, regardless of the work.

[If you wish, I can connect the call right now.]

“Connect it.”

[Yes, please wait a moment.]

As he waited for the call to connect, Jae-hyuk slowly closed his eyes and then opened them again, his face hardening.

The person who would soon be on the line was Cha Ju-won.

For whatever reason, he was the one who had pushed Heesoo into such a situation.

Jae-hyuk was now in a position where he could give Cha Ju-won orders with a mere gesture. And now, it was time to use that power to its fullest.

From the agency’s perspective, since an advertising contract directly affected the company’s revenue, they wouldn’t dare oppose the wishes of the President of Kanglim.