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Lost in thought about how to effectively wound her, Soo-hyun slowly continued.
“It seems like you’re enjoying being tormented.”
“How could you say such a thing?”
Hae-in abruptly turned around, her face streaked with tears. Her already pale complexion stood out even more against the snowy backdrop, her reddened eyes drawing attention.
“…You know everything.”
Hae-in’s lips quivered as she tried to hold back her sobs. Her eyes glistened, ready to spill over at the slightest provocation.
I know everything.
Soo-hyun slightly averted his gaze from Hae-in’s eyes, lowering his line of sight.
Because I know everything, I’m pushing you away faster.
This was the best method Soo-hyun could think of right now. With every word he uttered, Hae-in’s shoulders flinched, her brows furrowed, and her eyes welled up with tears.
Each negative reaction from her felt like a stone piling onto his heart, weighing him down. Yet, in a way, he was relieved. This was exactly what he intended, and it was working.
“Don’t expect me to understand or acknowledge anything. That’s not going to happen.”
“That’s too cruel.”
“You knew this would happen. If you’re going to be shameless, then see it through. Don’t act pitiful.”
“Do you really have to be this harsh? I waited for you all day today.”
Her voice trembled, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Not just today—I always wait for you. Alone in that empty house.”
“Did I tell you to do that? Why does it sound like you’re blaming me?”
“I know you dislike me. But isn’t it natural for someone who puts effort into caring for you to expect at least a glance in return?”
“You’re forcing me to accept something I never asked for. That’s quite an odd logic.”
“This marriage wasn’t just my decision. You agreed to it too, didn’t you? So why are you acting like this…?”
Hae-in’s words grew faster, and soon her emotions overwhelmed her. She bit her lip and shook her shoulders. Watching her frail body tremble, Soo-hyun wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms.
Her body had grown thinner since before their marriage.
“Let’s go inside.”
“Why do you have to dig so deep into people’s hearts? Why…”
Soo-hyun approached Hae-in and pushed gently on her back, but she stubbornly stayed rooted in place, turning her head away.
“That’s why I’m telling you to stop.”
“I can’t stop because… you already know why.”
“Then do as I say.”
“And then what?”
And then what happens? What about my family? What happens to us?
Her tear-filled eyes bore into Soo-hyun, heavy with unspoken questions.
If he were to ask her to trust him and suggest divorce now, would she believe him? If he promised to take care of her afterward and urged her to leave, would she comply willingly?
She likely wouldn’t.
As Soo-hyun gazed into her questioning eyes, he couldn’t hide the conflicted emotions swirling within him.
She probably wouldn’t understand the depth of his feelings for her—how he had cherished her as a symbol of his memories since the moment he first saw her. Even if he confessed that, she’d likely dismiss it as another scheme to push her away.
To her, he wasn’t a good husband. Perhaps it would be stranger if she trusted him easily.
Soo-hyun tore his gaze away from Hae-in’s face and exhaled deeply.
‘I imposed meaning on you without your consent and dragged you into my life.’
If only he hadn’t fallen for her in the first place—it would’ve been better. He regretted the moment he fell head over heels for her.
Without a word, Soo-hyun removed his coat and draped it over Hae-in’s shoulders.
“…That’s enough.”
“Sniff…”
Unable to get an answer, Hae-in buried her face in her hands. Unable to bear the sight, Soo-hyun turned away. For the first time, he felt utterly powerless.
________________________________________
“I’m back.”
When Soo-hyun re-entered the main house, the entire family was seated in the living room, drinking tea. Tae-Hoon, who had supposedly left the hospital late, was also sitting with Hye-Yeon.
“Now that Soo-hyun is here, let’s talk. A few of you come with me.”
The moment she spotted her grandson, Chairwoman Park rose from her seat.
“You three, Soo-hyun, and Hyuk-Jae—come with me.”
Chairwoman Park gestured toward the group as she headed toward her office. Such large family gatherings following meals were routine. Those summoned to the office would receive evaluations of their recent performance, followed by rewards or punishments.
Though retired, Park Yoon-Hwa still held the position of the apex predator in the overall governance structure. The fate of the next successor depended on whom she decided to allocate her shares to.
Park Yoon-Hwa had yet to finalize her successor.
“First, Tae-Hoon. I’ve heard reports, and aside from some issues, the shipbuilding division’s funding seems problematic.”
“Recently, there has been government intervention… cough cough .”
Tae-Hoon struggled to speak between dry coughs. Seeing this, Soo-hyun stepped in to continue the report on behalf of his father.
“Allow me to take over. Government intervention made things tricky, but we secured the Qatar refinery project, so we’re expecting profits by the first half of next year.”
“Good.”
Satisfied, Chairwoman Park nodded and turned her attention to her second son and youngest daughter. While listening to their reports, she also questioned Hyuk-Jae, Tae-Hoon’s second son.
Hyuk-Jae, Soo-hyun’s peer, was ambitious but lacked the competence to match.
Listening alternately to Hyuk-Jae and his father Jae-Hoon, Chairwoman Park furrowed her brows.
“You still haven’t grasped your responsibilities fully? Pathetic.”
Unlike her tone with Tae-Hoon and Soo-hyun, Chairwoman Park clicked her tongue repeatedly at Jae-Hoon and Hyuk-Jae. After a few sharp remarks, she cut them off and continued.
“I’ll soon decide on a successor.”
“Mother, please call Dae-Ho in as well.”
No sooner had Chairwoman Park finished speaking than Jae-Eun expressed her displeasure at her son being excluded. Smirking, Park replied,
“Jae-Eun, your son needs to manage his wife better. Rumors of both of them cheating are giving me a headache.”
“Mother, that’s…”
“You couldn’t even stop your husband from cheating, and now you can’t control your daughter-in-law leaving home?”
Soo-hyun smirked faintly at Chairwoman Park’s blunt words. Meeting his aunt’s glare, he deliberately shrugged his shoulders provocatively. It was a challenge.
But this was in front of Chairwoman Park. Unable to lash out as she wished, Jae-Eun suppressed her anger and glared at Soo-hyun instead.
“If you married a media heiress, use her properly. Once Dae-Ho trains his wife to at least earn her keep, then we’ll talk.”
After finishing, Chairwoman Park fixed her daughter with a stern gaze—a clear signal to drop the subject. Though her mother, she remained their superior, their chairwoman. Jae-Eun clenched her mouth shut and stared at the floor.
“You’re fighting over shares—I understand. Compete properly. By the first half of next year, I’ll side with whoever holds more.”
In a situation where cooperation was already strained against external threats, Chairwoman Park was deliberately stoking conflict among her children. Tae-Hoon, puzzled, spoke in a raspy voice.
“Chairwoman, foreign investment firms are targeting some of our subsidiaries. Why are you pitting us against each other?”
“Foolish. If someone tries to take over, fight to reclaim it. Whoever loses automatically gets disqualified.”
Rather than mediating share distribution herself, Chairwoman Park’s approach was akin to throwing gladiators into the Colosseum, letting them fight while predators circled nearby.
Those who couldn’t survive and fell behind would lose their stakes, which Chairwoman Park would gladly snatch up.
‘Claiming she’ll choose a successor while refusing to relinquish her own influence.’
Seeing through Park’s transparent intentions, Soo-hyun inwardly sneered. The greedy old woman would never willingly surrender her power until her dying day.
As her children, his father, aunt, and uncle still harbored some hope for her favor.
Soo-hyun was different. To him, Park Yoon-Hwa was simply the chairwoman of Taesung—nothing more, nothing less.
“Everyone else can leave. Soo-hyun, stay.”
Leaving Soo-hyun behind, Jae-Hoon and Jae-Eun exchanged awkward expressions. Despite considering themselves far older and more accomplished socially and financially, they were powerless before Chairwoman Park’s favoritism.
“Then we’ll take our leave.”
Wearing expressions of dissatisfaction, Jae-Hoon and Jae-Eun exited the office. Once everyone had left, Chairwoman Park smiled warmly at Soo-hyun.
“Soo-hyun, I know you dislike me.”
“No need to sugarcoat it. Just get to the point.”
“I want to give you the successor position.”
An ordinary grandson might have jumped for joy. Soo-hyun, however, silently awaited her next words. Every gift from Chairwoman Park came with a price.
“But as your grandmother, I sincerely hope to see you build a happy, harmonious family.”
Chairwoman Park mentioned family matters Soo-hyun despised, studying his reaction.
“The new one doesn’t suit you? How about Se-Young? She’ll join the secretarial office next week. Treat her kindly.”
“I’ll treat her kindly.”
Soo-hyun responded indifferently, careful not to betray any emotion. Chairwoman Park’s intent was obvious, but reacting would only invite more torment.
Her desire to control and manipulate was clear.
This was Chairwoman Park’s psychology—she couldn’t tolerate losing control. Unfortunately for her, Soo-hyun was the most capable grandson under her wing.
To Chairwoman Park, Jung Soo-hyun was an irreplaceable thorn in her side.
“I’ll follow your orders, Chairwoman.”
Soo-hyun replied calmly. Pleased with his demeanor, Chairwoman Park burst into laughter.
“What a pleasant surprise—you’re behaving so well today. Soo-hyun, keep it up. Understood?”
Facing her loud laughter, Soo-hyun’s gaze grew colder.
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