Chapter 9 (Part 2)

All mysteries were solved.

The reason why Lee Hwa-woong had to take in Seo-hye, who was an illegitimate child.

And because of that reason, Hwa-jun was killed, and Seo-hye had to suffer from guilt for a long time, having her talent taken by Hwa-woong.

Recalling Seo-hye sobbing sorrowfully in front of her own painting hanging in the hotel made his heart ache severely.

Do-jin steadied his wavering reason and asked,

“Mr. Kim, you said the reason you’re telling me all this is because of guilt.”

“Yes. It was because I suggested to the artist that Miss Seo-hye might have talent in painting…”

“……”

“I think it was actually due to my own greed…”

Mr. Kim’s eyes were filled with deep sorrow.

In the end, he shed tears and revealed the secret about Seo-hye’s birth.

He said that even before Hwa-jun married Chae-seon, Hwa-jun and Hyo-young had secretly harbored feelings for each other.

Even after marriage, Hwa-jun couldn’t let go of those feelings and often flirted with Hyo-young, but since he already had a family, Hyo-young firmly rejected him. Enraged by this, Hwa-jun forced himself on Hyo-young.

He also mentioned that he, who was working as a butler at the time, was the one who discovered the scene.

Hyo-young, who thought of Mr. Kim as a close colleague, confided in him about her pregnancy after that day.

Mr. Kim tried to prevent her from having the baby, but Hyo-young, who had not grown up with good parents, insisted on giving birth due to her strong maternal instinct, and that’s how Seo-hye came into the world.

“So, did Seo-hye’s mother raise her in that house?”

“No. When the Madame Chae-seon found out about the pregnancy, she inflicted severe violence on Hyo-young. Fearing she might lose the baby if things continued, she asked me to help her leave…”

“……”

“I helped Hyo-young escape secretly at night. After helping Hyo-young escape, I was left alone in Cheongun-dong. Still, Hyo-young kept in touch with me frequently.”

One day, she called to announce the birth and invited him to see the baby if he could sneak out, sounding very bright.

Thinking she couldn’t even eat seaweed soup alone, he went to visit her.

“The resentment towards Mr. Hwa-jun, who had been like a friend to Hyo-young since childhood, and who didn’t accept her, was directed towards the innocent young lady…”

Mr. Kim added that he felt ashamed of himself for resenting Seo-hye, who had come into the world, and did not see Hyo-young for a long time.

After a long pause, he continued with reddened eyes.

“Even after committing such an act, seeing Young Master Hwa-jun living happily with his family and the artist pretending not to know about it all made everything feel futile. My love wasn’t here, after all.”

Do-jin felt sorry for Mr. Kim’s misguided love, but thinking of Seo-hye, who was probably not welcomed from birth, made him feel so uncomfortable that he couldn’t sit properly.

“So I wished for everyone to be unhappy. If Seo-hye, the illegitimate child, came into this house, everyone would be unhappy. And perhaps I could be by Hyo-young’s side.”

“Then, it wasn’t a mistake but intentional when you gave the hint to Artist Lee that Seo-hye might be good at painting.”

Mr. Kim slowly closed his eyes, acknowledging his mistake.

“Yes. But I don’t know where it all went wrong… When I visited Hyo-young after a long time, she was ill and could never be happy anyway.”

In the end, Seo-hye had to live an unhappy life due to the selfishness of the people in Cheongun-dong, regardless of her own will.

“I realized my mistake too late. I don’t believe handing this USB to you will absolve me of my wrongdoing.”

“Yes, because of that selfishness, Seo-hye had to endure a hellish life that was too much to bear.”

“……That’s right.”

“Can you apologize and testify if needed?”

Mr. Kim finally burst into tears, begging for that opportunity.

The sound of a middle-aged man’s sobbing was strange and mournful, like a wild animal crying in the night.

“Hmm. I don’t intend to offer comfort, but if I were to make a prediction.”

Mr. Kim paused his sobbing.

“I think Seo-hye and her mother might forgive you, Mr. Kim, even knowing what you did.”

Do-jin stood up.

“You may leave when you feel composed.”

He picked up the USB from the table and headed toward the entrance.

The sound of loud weeping echoed from the drawing room.

***

Do-jin reported the truth about the past traffic accident involving Hwa-jun and Hwa-woong to a prosecutor he was acquainted with.

The evidence was so solid that he received confirmation that Hwa-woong and the prosecutor who had covered up the incident at the time wouldn’t escape imprisonment.

With the help of a competent legal team, he prepared to expose Hwa-woong’s art forgery scandal to the world, ensuring that Seo-hye would suffer as little as possible.

Fortunately, those who had purchased Hwa-woong’s paintings were already showing a favorable attitude upon hearing the name Seonghan.

Having completed all preparations to bring Hwa-woong down, Do-jin went to see Eung-soo for Seo-hye’s sake.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this was the last chance he was giving Eung-soo.

As he entered the Chairman’s office, Eung-soo looked at Do-jin with an unwelcoming expression.

Do-jin placed the documents concerning Hwa-woong’s illegal activities on the table.

Eung-soo glanced down at the table and then back up.

“What is this?”

“It’s the list of Lee Hwa-woong’s misdeeds so far. Take a look. You’ll find it interesting.”

With a look of discomfort, Eung-soo irritably picked up the documents.

After skimming through them, he began to read intensely, almost burying his face in the papers.

When he finished the last page, he placed the documents back on the table with difficulty.

The once confident face of Eung-soo was now as pale as a corpse.

“……Murder…?”

Eung-soo groaned, rubbing his temples as if he had a headache.

Perhaps realizing he could no longer protect Hwa-woong, he remained silent for a while.

After a long pause, he finally spoke with his wrinkled lips.

“Alright, I concede. I won’t tell you to marry into that family.”

“No. Why should it be so easy for you, Chairman?”

Do-jin replied with a cold smile and played the recording he had brought.

It was a conversation previously held between Eung-soo and Do-jin.

As Eung-soo listened quietly, his forehead crumpled sharply at the part where it was revealed he knew about Hwa-woong’s art forgery.

“Are you threatening me with this now?”

“Yes. All the articles about Artist Lee will be released by noon today. The prosecution has already issued an arrest warrant.”

“……”

“What do you think will happen if this recording is released to the world along with it?”

“You bastard!!!!!”

Eung-soo sprang up in anger.

Then, as if feeling dizzy, he grabbed the back of his neck and collapsed back onto the sofa.

“Do-jin, how can you do this to me? Don’t you realize that it’s all thanks to me that you’ve been able to live so comfortably?”

Ignoring him, Do-jin continued to speak.

“This is your last chance. You wouldn’t want the star called Seonghan that you’ve built to fall, would you?”

Eung-soo groaned openly.

“The chairman of Seonghan knowing about the crimes and still pushing for the wedding? Aren’t you someone who values your image above all?”

Eung-soo, as if truly defeated, barely moved his now bloodless lips.

“……What do you want?”

“Marriage with Seo-hye.”

Eung-soo’s eyes flared up fiercely.

“You mean to tell me you’re doing this just to marry that girl…!”

But he soon realized it wasn’t a situation where he could be angry, so he calmed his fury and closed his eyes.

“……Is that all you want?”

“Of course not.”

Do-jin sneered at him.

“Transfer all the hotel shares to my father. You don’t really need them, do you? Take this opportunity to let go of some greed. In fact, I wish you’d step down from your position, but since it’s your company, I won’t force that.”

Eung-soo let out a deep sigh.

“Fine. Marry that girl if you want, and I’ll transfer all the hotel shares to Jae-jun.”

“There’s more.”

Eung-soo closed his eyes, trembling with clenched fists, swallowing his anger.

“What else?”

“At least pretend to be fond of Seo-hye.”

“You bastard!”

“It won’t do. You have to go as far as to urge Seo-hye to marry me for me to feel at satisfied.”

“……”

“Ask Seo-hye to marry me directly. And since you probably won’t want to cherish her as your granddaughter-in-law, just pretend and act like you do until you pass away.”

Eung-soo leaned his head back completely.

For a while, he said nothing.

Meanwhile, Do-jin, who was watching him, remained calm and composed.

After all, Eung-soo had no choice.

Pretending to be affectionate, even if insincere, would benefit him more than the title of a conglomerate chairman who condoned crimes.

In reality, it wasn’t something to ponder over, but perhaps due to his last shred of pride, Eung-soo took a long time to give his answer.

“Fine. Arrange a meeting with her. I’ll do as you say.”