RB - 47

47. Humiliation and Disgrace, That Filthy Mire

Chairman Shin gazed at Park Yeo-wan’s regret-filled eyes and decided it was time to get to the point. In his view, Park Yeo-wan was a woman who had made being a “stepmother” to her stepsons the driving force of her life. Assigning her a task related to Jung-hyuk might even have a positive effect on her current illness.

Think of it as oiling a rusty locomotive.

“There’s something you need to do for Jung-hyuk.”

As expected, Park Yeo-wan nearly dropped her spoon in surprise, trembling with joy. Her voice quivered with excitement as she spoke.

“What is it? Tell me, dear!”

After years of emotional distance, Chairman Shin gave her a tender smile before solemnly assigning the task.

“Lately, Jung-hyuk has been infatuated with some frivolous girl. There’s no need to forcefully separate them, but you should make her aware of her place. Make sure she doesn’t get any funny ideas. If she asks for money, give her whatever she wants.”

Park Yeo-wan felt an overwhelming catharsis as her deepening depression lifted in an instant. She beamed, ready to take on the mission. For Jung-hyuk, there was nothing she wouldn’t do. To be honest, if it meant reclaiming her role as the “mistress of the house,” she’d leap into a pit of fire without hesitation.

The girl Jung-hyuk was smitten with—Chairman Shin handed over a slip of paper with nothing but an eleven-digit phone number. Strike while the iron is hot, and besides, Park Yeo-wan had plenty of free time these days.

Having finished his meal first, Chairman Shin headed to his study. Alone, Park Yeo-wan sipped on a cool glass of sikhye (sweet rice drink) and muttered under her breath.

“Another test… You’re testing me again, aren’t you, dear?”

With her well-manicured nails clicking softly, Park began typing a text message:

“I’m Jung-hyuk’s mother. Let’s meet at the café in Lion Building’s basement at 6 PM tomorrow. I hope you don’t foolishly go running your mouth to my son.”

In the Shin family, where women were known for their romantic exploits, there was no real need to go out of the way to break up with some insignificant girl. But the fact that her husband, Chairman Shin, had personally intervened suggested this girl was getting too cocky. A little scare to put her in her place would settle things quickly.

Park Yeo-wan was a woman who had realized by her late teens that the phrase “love is beautiful” was a tired cliché. Her lips, painted with red lipstick, curved subtly as she savored the cool sweetness of the sikhye rolling down her throat. The taste sent a tantalizing shiver through her tongue.

---

The next day, 5:30 PM, JB Company.

Seo-yeon glanced at the clock and sent an internal messenger note.

“Jin-hyuk, I have something to take care of, so I’ll be back later. Don’t worry—I’ll return by 7. Oh, and I’ve already decided on dinner. We’re having clam kalguksu (noodle soup) on the first floor of Lion Building. See you soon.”

Seo-yeon quickly shut down her laptop and left the office. Thankfully, Lion Building was just two bus stops away from JB Company.

In truth, she already had dinner plans with Jin-hyuk that evening. But responding with, “I have a prior engagement, so let’s meet another time,” seemed impossible given the unilateral “summons” from Jung-hyuk’s mother. Seo-yeon bit her lower lip nervously. Scenes from dramas and movies flashed through her mind.

“What if she throws water on me? Well, water wouldn’t be so bad. Surely she wouldn’t throw coffee, right?”

Lost in various scenarios, Seo-yeon made her way to the meeting spot.

Finding Jung-hyuk’s mother wasn’t difficult. In the café sat a solitary, elegant woman exuding an air of refinement. From head to toe, she radiated sophistication—no visible brand logos, yet everything she wore screamed luxury.

Taking a deep breath, Seo-yeon approached politely.

“Hello. You must be Mrs. Shin, Jung-hyuk’s mother?”

Park Yeo-wan gestured gracefully for Seo-yeon to sit across from her. Seo-yeon eyed the two steaming cups of coffee on the table with unease. If that scalding liquid hit her face, it would surely cause second-degree burns. Unconsciously, she clenched her fists.

Park Yeo-wan studied the nervous Seo-yeon before speaking.

“You’re late. How impolite.”

Seo-yeon glanced at her watch—it was 5:50, so she wasn’t actually late—but reflexively apologized anyway.

“Oh… I’m sorry.”

Park Yeo-wan scrutinized Seo-yeon’s delicate features. Then, shock washed over her face.

Seo-yeon watched as the refined lady opposite her turned deathly pale. She swallowed hard. Had she dressed too casually? Was her bag too cheap? Guilt pricked at her conscience.

Breaking the suffocating silence, Seo-yeon spoke first. She had another appointment at 7 and wanted to wrap this up quickly.

“My name is Han Seo-yeon. I understand why you called me here today.”

At the mention of her name, Park Yeo-wan’s brow furrowed slightly. Her already pale complexion turned ashen, and the carefully maintained smoothness of her skin now revealed wrinkles. It was the moment she came face-to-face with her own daughter, Han Seo-yeon, whom she had abandoned over twenty years ago.

Unaware of the gravity of the situation, Seo-yeon swallowed a sigh. Am I really that disappointing? Suppressing the growing lump in her throat, she continued.

“I understand you’re not satisfied with me. But we haven’t known each other for long…”

She had intended to reassure Park, saying something like, “Thankfully, it’s not some eternal love story, so you can rest easy.” But Park’s cutting voice interrupted her.

“Stay away from my son. Immediately.”

Each word dripped with contempt, as if Park found Seo-yeon repulsive, like a filthy disease.

Embarrassed, Seo-yeon bowed her head. She had come prepared for some level of insult, but this felt different. Sure, Park was part of a wealthy family, but shouldn’t that mean more civility? This was going too far.

Park’s large diamond ring trembled along with her shaking hand. This was a nightmare, karma, hell itself.

Facing her spitting image—the daughter she had abandoned, the name she had once chosen, “Han Seo-yeon”—was unbearable. And to think, this girl had become her stepson’s lover.

Over twenty years of karma bound Park Yeo-wan tightly. She couldn’t let her daughter ruin her life again. A chilling warning escaped her lips—an act of survival.

“If you had even basic decency, I wouldn’t object to your relationship. If we gathered all the mistresses in the Shin family… their number might exceed your age.”

Park continued, addressing the silent Seo-yeon.

“At the very least, one must have roots. Do you think being an orphan makes sense? Your biological parents might be in prison for all we know! Your lineage is questionable! Completely questionable!”

Her words crossed a line. Seo-yeon raised her bowed head. Though crying would mean losing this battle, tears welled up uncontrollably. With tear-filled eyes, she glared at Park.

“Choose your words carefully. There are lines in this world that shouldn’t be crossed, and you have no right to treat me this way.”

“The one crossing the line is you, with your arrogance. As you said, there are boundaries in this world—clear ones between you and Jung-hyuk! Don’t you see them?”

Seo-yeon’s brows furrowed slightly, her chin lifting ever so subtly—a sign of suppressed anger. Park shuddered; even this expression mirrored her own.

“You don’t seem stupid, so I assume you understand. Today was just a warning, but next time will be a threat. If you still refuse to listen… who knows how far I’ll go?”

Seo-yeon’s voice remained low but unwavering as she countered.

“A warning followed by a threat, huh? What’s next, a hitman? Even for a chaebol, that’s quite the bluff.”

It was a dramatic shift—from melodrama to thriller—but Seo-yeon’s demeanor remained unshaken. Park grew desperate. If she didn’t resolve this now, the consequences would be a headache. It was time to drive the final nail. Park aimed straight for Seo-yeon’s Achilles’ heel.

“Our family cannot mix with someone like you, who has no roots. Have some conscience. Being born without parents is a sin.”

Finally, tears spilled from Seo-yeon’s eyes, rolling down her sharp jawline. In three months, this contract romance would end anyway. Summoning her last ounce of strength, she replied.

“There’s no need to worry. I plan to live a long life. I have a prior engagement, so I’ll take my leave.”

Seo-yeon stood, pushing open the café door with force. Outside, the unusually breathtaking sunset only deepened her sorrow. There’s nothing quite as hollowing as admiring nature’s beauty when your heart feels heavy.