PSS - 18

Chapter 18: The Formal Meeting

The night before the formal meeting, Hae-in tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

On the morning of the event, she finally received a brief message from Director Seok. Thankfully, it confirmed that Chairman Park would not be attending.

Relieved, Hae-in realized her anxiety had been tied to the thought of facing him. After reading the message several times, she carefully sent a text to Soo-hyun.

[Can I come a little earlier than the scheduled time today?]

[Why.]

[I have something to ask you before our parents meet.]

He replied immediately to her first message but remained silent after the second. The “read” notification appeared, yet no response came even after several minutes.

While preparing to leave, Hae-in checked her phone intermittently, but there was still no reply. With no other choice, she sent another message.

[If you’re busy, can we at least meet briefly right before you enter the reserved room?]

Soo-hyun’s parents were unfamiliar faces, but Jung Soo-hyun himself was the biggest concern. If he acted as coldly during the formal meeting as he did in private, her parents might notice.

She doubted he’d behave recklessly in front of her father, but his grandmother-like temperament made her question whether he’d play the role of a polite son-in-law quietly.

Though she didn’t expect warmth, even a semblance of affectionate eye contact would suffice.

Was it too much to hope for? Imagining Soo-hyun smiling at her, Hae-in quickly dismissed the thought.

“Hae-in-ah, are you ready?”

“Yes, Mom. I’m done.”

As she finished getting ready, her father excitedly announced that Taesung Group had sent a chauffeur and a luxury car. Though Hae-in was accustomed to such treatment, her father, who had retired as a department head, looked overwhelmed with emotion.

Seeing her father so thrilled, Hae-in could only sigh deeply.

Please, let today pass without incident. Let my parents’ joy not end in disappointment.

---

The venue chosen for the formal meeting was a traditional Korean restaurant near Bukak Mountain.

The place exuded elegance, with well-crafted tiled roofs. Without needing to say anything, the staff recognized Hae-in’s family upon arrival and guided them to a private room deep within the estate.

“Hmm, looks like we arrived too early.”

Reaching the location 30 minutes ahead of schedule, Hae-in’s family sat awkwardly in silence.

“Mom, Dad, I’ll step out for a moment.”

Worried about potential discomfort, Hae-in rose from her seat. She felt it crucial to meet Soo-hyun before entering the room. Her parents’ tense expressions suggested they’d be overly sensitive to any hint of rudeness.

Her mother asked worriedly, “Where are you going?”

“To the restroom.”

“All right, hurry back. If they arrive while you’re gone, it’ll defeat the purpose of coming early.”

“I will.”

Forcing a smile, Hae-in left the room. As she closed the door behind her, she glimpsed her parents staring blankly at the empty seats across from them.

Sighing deeply, she retraced her steps toward the central courtyard she’d passed through earlier.

The structure was designed so visitors entered through the main gate, crossed the courtyard, and proceeded further inside. Passing quickly through the entrance, Hae-in opened the glass door and stepped into the courtyard—only to see Soo-hyun walking in.

“Oh! Sunbae!”

Startled to see him despite his lack of response to her messages, Hae-in froze in place. He noticed her and approached slowly.

“What is it?”

“Ah… um, thank you for coming early.”

Soo-hyun, impeccably dressed in a sharp suit, looked slightly different from usual. His hair, typically tousled over his forehead, was neatly combed back, revealing his clear brow. Standing there immaculately groomed, he seemed almost like a different person.

Every encounter with Soo-hyun had left her flustered—whether when he dragged her out of Chairman Park’s presence or during his irrational proposal at the hospital. And their intimate night together was unforgettable.

‘Looking at him now, he seems so… normal.’

Perhaps arriving straight from work, his composed demeanor gave off an air of professionalism fitting for the heir to Taesung Group’s massive organization. Watching his perfectly knotted tie, Hae-in cautiously began.

“Could you please act a little warmer toward me?”

“What do you mean?”

His dismissive tone conveyed annoyance at being summoned for such a request. Hae-in hurriedly continued, aware that Soo-hyun’s parents might arrive soon.

“Not everyone knows this, but my parents don’t know the details—the contract, Chairman Park’s demands… all of that.”

Soo-hyun’s face remained unbothered by her plea, his expression indifferent as he stared down at her.

To him, the expensive toy his grandmother thrust upon him was now making unreasonable requests. Anxiety crept into Hae-in’s voice.

“I’m really sorry. But I want to keep this from my parents. You wouldn’t want unnecessary complications either, right? If they suddenly oppose us…”

“You signed the contract. There’s no turning back, even if your parents object.”

Unmoved by her entreaty, Soo-hyun responded with detached indifference, treating the matter as entirely someone else’s problem.

“Please, Sunbae.”

Hae-in implored him earnestly, locking eyes with his cold, emotionless gaze. His eyes flickered down at her briefly before looking away again.

“They’re here.”

Suddenly bowing slightly, Soo-hyun gestured toward the courtyard entrance where Tae-hoon had just arrived, supported by a woman. Though older, she retained traces of youthful beauty.

“Father, I’ve arrived ahead of time.”

Soo-hyun’s hand gently rested on Hae-in’s shoulder.

“Ah… hello. Nice to meet you for the first time.”

Hae-in bowed deeply, but Tae-hoon avoided eye contact entirely.

“Let’s go inside.”

Their curt attitude signaled that the meeting ahead would be far from easy.

---

The woman accompanying Tae-hoon was Soo-hyun’s stepmother.

Later, Hae-in learned she was the youngest daughter of the HBS broadcasting family.

Elegant and beautiful, she appeared meticulously maintained, showing no signs of aging despite being well into her fifties.

In stark contrast, Hae-in’s mother bore weathered hands and a face etched with years of hardship.

Aware of the disparity, Hae-in’s parents visibly tensed as Tae-hoon and his wife took their seats across from them.

“If there’s anything you can’t eat or prefer not to, please let us know.”

Amidst the palpable awkwardness, it was Soo-hyun who occasionally initiated conversation, easing the tension. He methodically brought up topics related to wedding preparations, gradually loosening the atmosphere. His behavior was unexpectedly considerate.

At times, he stared intently at Hae-in, but whenever their eyes met, he quickly averted his gaze.

“What scale of ceremony are you envisioning?”

“We’d like to keep it small, just family. What do you think?”

“Well, this is our first wedding, so we’re unsure…”

Polite discussions ensued between both sets of parents, including talk of gifts.

Everyone except Hae-in’s parents understood how superficial these exchanges were. Unsurprisingly, Soo-hyun’s side preferred an intimate gathering limited to immediate family.

“Inviting guests would make things unnecessarily complicated. A quiet ceremony at one of our villas would be ideal.”

Tae-hoon emphasized avoiding grand events attended by reporters and high-profile figures, which would only add stress.

Though Hae-in’s parents tried to contribute ideas, Tae-hoon firmly rejected each suggestion.

“We may not match your level, but we still wish to give our daughter a proper dowry.”

“We appreciate the sentiment, but we prefer simplicity. We’d like the wedding kept low-key.”

Though polite, his words brooked no argument.

When Tae-hoon reiterated that everything stemmed from Chairman Park’s wishes, Hae-in’s parents reluctantly conceded.

The wedding would proceed with only close family members present, discreetly held without public announcements.

Concerned that their daughter’s sole marriage ceremony seemed overly modest and rushed, Hae-in’s mother expressed occasional sorrow.

“Please leave the arrangements to us. We’ll ensure nothing feels lacking.”

Soo-hyun’s stepmother chuckled delicately, her manicured nails catching the light as she covered her mouth.

“Though I’m not Soo-hyun’s biological mother, I raised him like my own, so I hold deep affection for him.”

As she smiled warmly, Soo-hyun’s eyes flashed dangerously, sending a chill down Hae-in’s spine.

Each time Hyeyeon spoke, Soo-hyun’s gaze grew sharper, his furrowed brows twitching as if ready to overturn the table. Hae-in wiped away beads of cold sweat, unnerved by his barely restrained irritation.

Amidst mounting tension, the final course of the meal arrived, signaling the nearing end of this charade.

‘It wasn’t as bad as I feared.’

When their eyes met, Hae-in offered a silent nod of gratitude. Though Soo-hyun hadn’t been particularly warm, his minimal courtesy was appreciated.

“Shall we wrap up?”

As plates were cleared, Tae-hoon began to rise. Hae-in sighed inwardly with relief—it was finally over. Just then, the door behind her burst open with a loud bang.

Clang.

Startled, Hae-in whipped around, only to feel a shiver run down her spine. Standing there was none other than Chairman Park.