PTT - 68

However, the porridge Ra-on had made tasted far worse than expected. Though it was simply rice and vegetables boiled together, where did this peculiar bitterness come from? Si-heon’s expression grew increasingly complex as he swallowed a spoonful. After a brief pause, he cautiously asked:

“Did you… burn it a little?”

“A bit, but I removed all the burnt parts.”

“It also seems like you added a lot of sesame oil…”

“Yes. I remember my grandmother always sprinkling sesame oil and seeds on top.”

“Uh… You didn’t pour in the whole bottle, right?”

The unpalatable flavor made Si-heon swallow hard. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to leave uneaten food that Ra-on had prepared with her own hands. With a solemn determination, he continued eating each spoonful, his demeanor almost as grave as an agent preparing for a mission.

“Sigh, if it tastes bad, you don’t have to force yourself. I should’ve tasted it before bringing it. I rushed out because I was worried about being late…”

“No, it suits my taste perfectly. It’s even better since you made it.”

“I’m not falling for that. Your face clearly says you can’t eat another bite.”

She regretted not asking her grandmother to prepare it instead. Frustrated, she reached out to take the spoon away, but Si-heon stubbornly finished every last drop. Forcing a smile after swallowing the final spoonful, he wiped his mouth with a tissue.

“I enjoyed it. Thank you. Next time, I’ll cook for you—your favorite dish.”

“You’re… too perfect.”

“Me?”

“Yes. People should have things they’re not good at. If you’re good at everything, including cooking, it’s boring.”

Amused by Ra-on’s adorable pouting, Si-heon smirked slightly. Letting out a deep sigh, she opened the thermos lid. A stream of deep red liquid filled the paper cup with a soft gurgling sound.

“It’s grapefruit juice. My grandmother made it, so don’t worry—it’s safe to drink.”

“I’d enjoy it even if you’d made it.”

“Hmm.”

“You’re so cute. I wish I could show you your expression in a mirror.”

The bittersweet tang of grapefruit spread across his tongue. Downing the entire cup in one gulp, Si-heon gazed at Ra-on thoughtfully.

“…Is there something you want to say?”

“Yeon-ah.”

“Yes.”

“When I’m discharged, let’s go on a trip somewhere far away. Director Kwon gave our team a ten-day reward vacation.”

“…Really?”

Ra-on’s eyes widened at Si-heon’s suggestion. She had been feeling exhausted from the relentless string of cases over the past few months. Perhaps sensing her need for rest, he proposed the idea of traveling together. Her heart fluttered at the thought.

“Yes. Anywhere you’d like to go? Let’s just relax and have fun.”

“Hmm… I’d love to see the ocean. Just sitting on the sand and staring at the waves feels like it would clear my mind.”

“The ocean? Great. Do you have a favorite beach in mind?”

“As long as it’s the sea, anywhere is fine. Somewhere near Incheon would be nice, or maybe Jeju Island if we have enough time.”

Jeju might be too far. Scratching her cheek thoughtfully, Ra-on placed the empty paper cup back on the table. Si-heon nodded firmly.

“I’ll look into destinations. Once I’m discharged, let’s definitely go.”

“…I’ll look forward to it.”

Suppressing a quiet laugh, Ra-on turned her gaze toward the hospital window. The night outside had grown dim, but the future she envisioned with him seemed radiant and full of promise.

---

Baek Moon-jin had been in a foul mood for weeks now. Ever since hearing about Mayor Bang Won-gyeol’s arrest, his spirits had plummeted to their lowest point. How much he despised that arrogant four-term congressman who rose to power solely through party connections! He had even humbled himself to curry favor with Bang for the sake of constructing a massive hotel near Gogung. Now, all his efforts felt wasted.

To make matters worse, his ungrateful stepson Baek Woo-hyuk had started acting up recently. At only twenty years old, Woo-hyuk followed in his mother’s footsteps, showing ingratitude and defiance.

If his biological son, Si-heon, had agreed to inherit the company, Moon-jin wouldn’t have bothered grooming this “black-haired beast” as his successor.

“Tsk… Why is it so noisy outside?”

Even though Bang Won-gyeol had fallen from grace, abandoning the hotel construction project wasn’t an option. He had no choice but to find new allies and push forward.

Today, he was scheduled to meet Kim Won-hoon, a potential mayoral candidate for the upcoming by-election. If Kim won, Moon-jin could revive his stalled project.

As Moon-jin prepared to leave the Hwacheol Group building, his chauffeur came running up, panting heavily.

“Chairman! Please stop for a moment. You can’t go out now!”

“Do you know what time it is? I only have thirty minutes before my appointment!”

“There are reporters swarming outside… You should use the underground parking lot!”

“What? Baek Moon-jin is here! Hey, hey, move inside.”

Outside the building, dozens of reporters armed with cameras and microphones were waiting. Countless questions bombarded him as soon as he stepped out.

“Chairman Baek Moon-jin! Do you admit to manipulating stock prices?”

“Look this way! Is it true you bribed former Mayor Bang Won-gyeol? Please respond!”

Caught off guard by the sudden barrage of questions, Chairman Baek panicked. His security detail rushed to the lobby, but the reporters relentlessly flashed their cameras.

“Is the anonymous tip accurate? Please answer!”

“What was your relationship with former Mayor Bang Won-gyeol? Did you know about his crimes beforehand?”

“Block the cameras and escort the chairman!”

The burly suited bodyguards surrounded Baek Moon-jin, but they couldn’t shield his visibly shaken face. Like piranhas, the reporters surged toward him.

Who could have leaked such confidential information to the press? Cold sweat dripped down his forehead, and his face turned pale. Only high-ranking executives within the group knew about his illegal activities.

Moreover, very few people were aware that he had handed over tens of billions in slush funds to Bang Won-gyeol.

Could it be Baek Woo-hyuk? Or perhaps Bang Won-gyeol spilled everything during the investigation? Suddenly, his blood pressure spiked, and his vision blurred.

“Ugh…!”

Feeling as though he’d been struck at the back of his head, Chairman Baek collapsed. Click-click-click. Sensing the moment, the reporters frantically snapped photos. The central lobby of Hwacheol Electronics descended into chaos as guards tried to block them while others attempted to intervene.

From outside the building, a woman removed her sunglasses and murmured softly:

“It’s too early for him to faint. There’s still more to expose. Chief Jang.”

“Thanks to the excellent source material you provided, Director. We’ll release the next batch in three days when the timing is ripe. But seriously, how did you endure living with someone like that for over a decade? Your patience must be extraordinary.”

“I endured for the sake of my son.”

The anonymous whistleblower was none other than Baek Moon-jin’s ex-wife, Director Kwon Jung-ah. Standing beside Chief Jang of KBN, she watched the scene unfold, taking a deep breath.

Over decades leading Hwacheol, Chairman Baek had committed countless unspeakable acts. It was only a matter of time before he faced prosecution and imprisonment like Bang Won-gyeol and Min Young-nam. No amount of connections could save him now.

Stretching lazily, Chief Jang tilted his head curiously.

“By the way, we’ve known each other for over fifteen years. Why did you wait until now to blow the whistle? From what I heard, you’ve had plenty of dirt on him for years.”

“Well…”

Jung-ah crossed her arms, her expression complicated. Suddenly, she recalled the scene from a few days ago in the hospital room. She couldn’t forget the look on Si-heon’s face as he greeted Ra-on—so full of happiness and affection.

Realizing that her son had endured staying connected to Baek Moon-jin for her sake tore her heart apart.

Director Kwon Jung-ah now wished for Si-heon to live his life freely, happily, and without the burdens of the past. To achieve that, she needed to sever the ties binding him to his father.

Turning to Chief Jang, Director Kwon spoke with unwavering resolve. The dark clouds that had weighed on her heart began to lift, replaced by a rainbow of hope.

“I must protect my child. That’s what being a parent means.”