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Inside the car, Kang-joon asked, “On such a good day, do we really have to meet that person?”
Instead of answering, Sehee kept her gaze fixed out the window, her mind working busily. She had been thinking of contacting him anyway, so she was rather glad that Youngguk called first. He must have been quite desperate. That meant the situation would flow advantageously for Sehee.
“I’m going to get all the fatherly duties he couldn’t do for me all at once.”
“...”
“I’m going to use him so much it’ll make you swear.”
Only then did Kang-joon look at Sehee with a slightly surprised expression. As Sehee didn’t avoid his gaze, Kang-joon said with a stern look,
“Vice Chairman Yoo, you’re in big trouble. Joo Sehee is incredibly scary when she’s angry.”
When did I ever get angry at you? Despite feeling a little unfairly accused, Sehee spoke with an even more serious expression.
“From now on, I’m going to transform into an incredibly ill-behaved and selfish villainess.”
For Pré, and for you. I’m going to use you to the fullest, and I’m going to use Yoo Youngguk to the fullest too.
“Can you still love me then?”
Just then, the light turned red. As Kang-joon leaned closer, Sehee instinctively tensed up like Pavlov’s dog. Chok—. The moment Kang-joon softly pressed his lips against hers, Sehee closed her eyes. Opening her eyes gently after the short kiss, she met Kang-joon’s smiling eyes.
“Didn’t you know? My type is a bewitching witch plus a villainess.”
How would I know that? Sehee mumbled, averting her gaze, embarrassed, which seemed to amuse Kang-joon as he burst out laughing.
________________________________________
The meeting with Youngguk was scheduled at Garim Hanjeongsik, the same Korean restaurant they had met at before. Upon arriving at the restaurant parking lot, Kang-joon held Sehee tightly in his arms and whispered tenderly,
“I’ll come pick you up, so call me when you’re done.”
Even though she said she understood, Kang-joon showed no sign of letting go. Sehee also desperately wanted to remain in his embrace indefinitely. But one of them had to keep their wits about them for everyday life to be possible. Sehee gently pushed Kang-joon’s chest with her hand.
“Kang-joon, you should go now.”
Only then did Kang-joon reluctantly release Sehee and get into the car. After Kang-joon’s car exited the parking lot, Sehee turned around and saw Youngguk. It seemed he had been watching from inside and came out when Kang-joon left.
“It seems Chairman Seo still cherishes you very much.”
Sehee found Youngguk hypocritical, speaking as if he just found out, when it was obvious he knew when he contacted her.
“Kang-joon loves me very much. I’m practically exhausted from him constantly pestering me to marry him every time we meet.”
Youngguk laughed out loud, apparently pleased with Sehee’s brazenly calm reply. The two sat facing each other in the traditional Korean-style room, guided by a staff member. Even before the meal was set, Sehee asked,
“What was your reason for wanting to see me?”
“I called you to treat you to a meal, to congratulate you on defeating your aunt and becoming the CEO of Inno Fashion. As a father, I should at least do that much.”
Sehee could see right through Youngguk. Having forgotten about her until now, he must have deliberated after learning that Kang-joon was the major shareholder who had dealt a blow to Chairwoman Cho. He was probably wondering where to align himself to gain more. But Sehee smiled faintly and replied,
“Thank you, Dad.”
“Did you just call me Dad?”
“You are my father, aren’t you? Honestly, with Unnie leaving for Germany for good, why shouldn’t I act as your daughter?”
Youngguk, momentarily blank at hearing the word “Dad” from Sehee for the first time, cautiously asked,
“You’re not... intentionally approaching that child and trying to break up the parent-child relationship, are you?”
“Why not? Unnie monopolized Dad’s love for 30 years. It’s about time it was my turn, isn’t it?”
“Hmph, really.”
Sehee gave a bitter smile at Youngguk’s exasperated sigh. Still, a child born to the legitimate wife must be a sore spot, rather than an illegitimate one.
“Do you dislike me, Dad?”
“Of course not! You’re clearly my daughter too. Rather, you’re a sore spot because I couldn’t take care of you.”
Only then, as if his senses returned, Youngguk sprang up and continued,
“I ignored it for a long time because of your aunt, but from now on, I’ll properly act as your father.”
“How will you act as my father?”
“For your sake, I’ll divorce your aunt right away. Then it’ll be easy to put you on my family register. Then it’ll be easier to visit Hanshin too. Dad will go with you, okay?”
What should she do with this man who would so easily abandon his long-suffering wife? Though he couldn’t control his inherent philandering, it was Chairwoman Cho who had placed him in the position of Vice Chairman of Inno Group and was still solidly supporting her husband. Far from appreciating the preciousness of such a devoted wife, Youngguk was now trying to betray and abandon her. Solely for the sake of getting a key position in Hanshin Group. It was a thought both naive and pathetic. Sehee considered herself incredibly lucky not to have inherited this fool’s dullness from her father.
“Dad, especially for my sake, you shouldn’t divorce Aunt. And you shouldn’t put me on your family register either.”
“But if I don’t put you on my family register, I can’t become in-laws with Chairman Seo, can I?”
It was the moment Youngguk’s simple, dark ambition was revealed.
“If you put me on your family register, it’ll be like revealing my birth to the Hanshin family first. Will Hanshin, a family close to the legitimate line of chaebols, really accept me as a daughter-in-law graciously?”
“Hanshin... still doesn’t know?”
Sehee almost let out a cynical laugh at Youngguk’s utterly shamelessness, enough to make her teeth clench. He just wanted to swoop in and take credit for a situation I had already resolved.
“Only Kang-joon knows. That’s why he stood against Aunt.”
“Surely, then Chairman Seo also...”
Youngguk’s face turned pale, unable to finish his sentence. He must have finally felt guilty for ignoring his daughter, who had been tormented by his wife for so long.
“Don’t worry. I know, and Kang-joon knows, that you couldn’t do anything for me because of Aunt. And Kang-joon is so deeply in love with me that he’s even willing to cover up that secret and marry me. If I just say the word, Kang-joon will actively support and back you.”
Only then did a smile spread across Youngguk’s face again.
“What can Dad do?”
“Please gather evidence of weaknesses that would make Aunt step down from her position as Chairman of Gayang Hospital and hand them over to me.”
“Me, me?”
“You’re the chairman’s husband, so it’ll be easier for you to access Gayang Hospital’s secrets than for me. Whether it’s unfair transaction details or videos of her abusing power, secure everything you can.”
Sehee was now passing on her own planned task to Youngguk. This was based on her judgment that while he lacked business acumen, he would be good at digging into his wife’s background. Naturally, the duller the man, the more exceptional he was in such matters.
“When Aunt loses her power after stepping down as chairman, you can then firmly control her. It’s time for you to take the lead, isn’t it?”
“That’s true, but.”
Sehee intended to use both Alisha and now Youngguk as pawns to attack Chairwoman Cho. Just as she did to me as a child, Aunt should experience the same thing. What it felt like to be stabbed in the back by her own child and the husband she trusted. So Sehee decided to dangle the most powerful and sweet bait in front of Youngguk.
“If you contact me with the evidence secured, I’ll immediately arrange a dinner with Kang-joon. It wouldn’t be bad for you to subtly hint at any key positions you want in Hanshin at that gathering either. That way, Kang-joon can look into them in advance, don’t you think?”
Only then did Youngguk’s mouth split into a wide grin, as if he had never been in distress. Watching Youngguk with cold eyes, Sehee thought of Kang-joon. The man who had unhesitatingly told her to use him as much as she wanted when she asked if she could. He would willingly grant her any other request. Because that was Seo Kang-joon: he would do anything, listen to anything, and tell her it was okay. Knowing this, her shameless act of exploiting Kang-joon’s love stung her heart painfully. But she couldn’t stop now. Even if she left it to Kang-joon, he would likely use the same methods. Kang-joon would rather dirty his own hands, but Sehee didn’t want that. If it’s going to be done, I’d rather do it myself. I’ll do all the dirty work, resolve everything, and then go to you feeling free.
________________________________________
At 6 PM, as soon as he finished work, Kang-joon went to pick up Sehee. Though he didn’t ask, Joo Sehee would have skipped a meal again. Books said morning sickness subsides around the fourth month of pregnancy. While not as bad as before, Sehee was still experiencing morning sickness. But he couldn’t just feed her cold sorbet. After much deliberation, Kang-joon took Sehee to a charming individual cafe with a bakery on the first floor and a rooftop on the second. Since Sehee, who used to prefer Korean food, was now reacting negatively to it after becoming pregnant, he had completely changed direction. Thanks to his reservation call, their table was laden with desserts: various types of madeleines, scones, and even canelés. Though she hadn’t tasted them, Sehee seemed captivated by the intricate and vibrant visuals. Kang-joon, feeling needlessly nervous, subtly glanced at Sehee. If Joo Sehee ate well, like she did sorbet, he felt he would be happy enough for today’s fatigue to vanish. Kang-joon chuckled at the unconscious thought. Since when did this small, delicate woman eating well become my happiness? He felt that he had indeed changed a lot, just as Joo Sehee had said. Kang-joon calmly pushed a canelé, black as if burnt, towards Sehee.
“Try it, don’t just look at it.”
Sehee sniffed it first. Since the smell wasn’t bad, she used a fork to take a small piece of the canelé and put it in her mouth, chewing it.
“It’s delicious.”
As a gentle smile spread across Sehee’s lips, her eyes widening, a smile also spread across Kang-joon’s face.
“Then eat a lot.”
“You eat with me too, Mr. Kang-joon.”
Sehee offered a forkful of canelé, but Kang-joon recoiled in disgust.
“Not a big fan of carbs.”
“Ah, my Growler is a carnivore, right?”
Sehee playfully wrinkled her nose and smiled, then brought the fork back to her own mouth. Kang-joon propped his chin on his hand and watched Sehee, who was busily forking food, with a contented gaze, as if it suited her taste. It was also the moment he realized what it meant to feel full just by watching someone eat.
________________________________________
When they left the cafe, Kang-joon had several types of canelés and scones that Sehee had enjoyed packed for take-out. Upon arriving at the villa complex, Kang-joon got out of the car and watched Joo Sehee’s retreating figure. Not long after her slender silhouette disappeared into the villa, a light turned on in unit 505, building 1. And he saw Sehee waving from the terrace. Though Sehee wouldn’t be able to see him due to the distance, Kang-joon was smiling. He kept recalling Joo Sehee, who had declared she would transform into an incredibly ill-behaved and selfish villainess. What kind of villainess declares herself so openly? Far from being scary, Joo Sehee, making such a serious declaration, made him almost crazy with how cute she was. That would be a secret only Kang-joon would know until he died. He was itching to tell Pré once she was born. Your mother is such a cute and lovable woman. Kang-joon got into his car, started the engine, and called Director Yoon.
“Let’s investigate the couple, Vice Chairman Yoo Youngguk of Inno Group.”
It wouldn’t hurt to prepare in advance. Whether to use it later or discard it, preparing first was Kang-joon’s meticulous way.
“Especially investigate the money flow on Chairwoman Jo of Gayang Hospital’s side, down to every ten-won unit, and put people on her.”
Kang-joon’s eyes sank coldly after hanging up the phone. The image of Sehee’s cheek being slapped by Chairwoman Cho came to mind again. Even if punishment wasn’t his role, he couldn’t let that slide. Even if it wasn’t a lawsuit, there were countless ways to punish Chairwoman Cho. This time, Kang-joon called his mother, Yeonsuk.
[Son! Is our daughter-in-law doing well? When are you going to bring her over, your mom is dying of impatience.]
Yeonsuk, his mother, was another person who was completely smitten with Joo Sehee, rather than him. Kang-joon couldn’t help but smile at Yeonsuk’s voice, asking about Joo Sehee’s well-being before his own. He knew she would be delighted if he told her about the pregnancy, but it wasn’t the right time yet.
“Chairwoman Jo of Gayang Hospital slapped Sehee’s cheek.”
He wasn’t one to tattle, but given the circumstances, he had to. The answer Kang-joon wanted immediately came from Yeonsuk.
[Heavens, where did she hit that delicate child? Just watch me let that woman get away with it!]
In the political and business world, women’s social lives were as important as men’s. Looking deeper, the psychological warfare waged by women was even more fierce and ruthless than men’s. Fortunately, Yeonsuk, born the youngest daughter of a powerful political family and becoming the eldest madam of Hanshin Group, wielded immense influence. As far as Kang-joon knew, there was no one in women’s high society, other than the First Lady, who could rival Yeonsuk.
“Please do, Mother.”
Only then did Kang-joon hang up the phone and start the car. I’ll torment her in my way, so Mother, please torment her in yours. He hoped that message was well-conveyed to Yeonsuk.
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