12.2

“Originally, highly confidential matters were handled this way. Since it’s a membership-based service, being the first to market is crucial.”

Seonho was right. It had been customary for business plans involving large sums of money to first decide on significant or directly family-related business plans at such meetings, especially since the honorary chairman’s retirement. While Chairman Yoon might have been the figurehead, the real influence still lay with the honorary chairman.

“The details included here are known only to us, excluding my sister-in-law.”

Seonho’s remark about keeping the details confidential within the group was calculated to provoke Minhu. His facial expression twitched once more at the implications—any leak would directly suggest someone at this table as the culprit, and the targeted insinuation was clear.

It was evident to Minhu that this cunning maneuver was deliberately chosen for this setting. Seonho was likely wary that proceeding through regular channels might give his father or Minhu themselves a chance to interfere.

“Ha, the world changes so fast, it’s hard for an old man to keep up.”

The honorary chairman casually flipped through the content with a light laugh. His expression was difficult to interpret, leaving it unclear whether he was pleased or not.

Seonkyung also held her tongue, unable to overtly support Seonho. Opposition was the easy part, but supporting the proposal carried significant risks at this juncture. In the current situation, she had to be prepared for Seonho to fail without consequence.

“Please approve it. Give me the authority to proceed.”

“There’s no need to gamble unnecessarily.”

Minhu spoke again.

“It’s not like it’s the first or second time we’ve lost, so what’s the big deal if we lose one more time?”

At this, both Chairman Yoon and Minho’s faces hardened.

It all started with Chairman Yoon, who acquired an automobile company that was a money pit. Minhu far from making any progress, couldn’t even maintain it and produced losses.

“Go ahead. Every venture comes with a price. If it fails again, we’ll sell it.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

Seonho was the only one smiling at the table.

“It seems we’ve nearly finished eating; let’s move to the study and have some tea.”

With that, the honorary chairman stood up and led the way to the study.

Following behind, Seonho sent Seonkyung a questioning look, wondering what was going on. In response, Seonkyung slightly shook her head as if she didn’t know either.

One might wonder why having tea in the study was such a big deal, but it was a well-established fact among them that being summoned to the study often meant a significant announcement was about to be made.

They entered the study trying to conceal their nervousness and took their seats.

Teacups were placed in front of each person, and all the servants, including the personal secretary who was like part of the family, exited the study.

In the ensuing silence, so profound that even the drop of a pin could be heard, the honorary chairman slurped his tea as if on cue, prompting everyone else to take a sip as well.

“Speak.”

The honorary chairman nodded at Chairman Yoon.

“Ahem.”

Chairman Yoon cleared his throat. Seonkyung narrowed her eyes, sensing something ominous.

“I would like to adopt a child under my name.”

It was surprising news that he had a child out of wedlock, but nobody was shocked. It was entirely plausible, and that included his wife Seonkyung.

“Is it a boy or a girl?”

“It’s a girl. She’ll be seven soon. She needs to be listed next year to go to school.”

The honorary chairman silently looked at Seonkyung.

“I disagree. That’s clearly specified in our prenuptial agreement.”

Seonkyung spoke in a business-like manner, yet she appeared composed.

“I cannot abandon a child who shares my blood.”

The honorary chairman, speaking these words, was visibly exhausted. What would not have been a major issue in the past is now significant in the current era.

Moreover, ignoring the prenuptial agreement was risky given the power Seonkyung held. Breaking the contract would bring significant disadvantages to the group. This could not be dismissed as merely a private issue between the couple.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be under the Yoon surname. Adequate compensation can be arranged, just like now.”

Emphasizing the phrase ‘just like now’, Seonkyung stared intently at Chairman Yoon. Her attitude conveyed the nuance that she had already known about her husband’s extramarital child.

“Please also divide the shares. I won’t oppose that. So far, children from extramarital relationships have never held any position in the group, and it will likely continue that way. But why bother putting her name on the family registry?”

Seonkyung produced a radiant smile, a beautiful smile tinged with iciness.

“Mother, please don’t be so emotional about this…” 

Minhu said to Seonkyung.

“Emotional? Do I seem emotional to you? I only wish for the terms of the contract to be enforced.”

“Even if the shares are distributed, what’s the big deal about putting the child’s name under the family registry?”

“Is that so? Then put it under your name.”

Seonkyung looked at Minhu with a look of amused contempt.

“What?”

Until now, Yoonjeong, who had been watching the proceedings as if they were someone else’s business, exclaimed in surprise.

“Your husband says it’s no big deal to put the child under the family registry. Since she’ll end up having the Yoon surname one way or another, why not just put her under someone who doesn’t mind?” 

Seonkyung proposed sarcastically.

“That’s ridiculous. What would people say…”

“I also don’t want to hear what people would say.”

“But Mother, it’s different for us. That child has nothing to do with us.”

Yoonjeong, looking flustered, nudged Minho in the ribs as if to urge him to support her. Her mother-in-law was the type to follow through with her threats. Now it looked like she might end up having a sister-in-law as a daughter.

“It doesn’t concern me either. It only concerns my husband.”

Seonkyung sneered as she looked at Chairman Yoon.

“If you don’t want to regret it, it’s better to just register it.”

Chairman Yoon spoke to Seonkyung in a high-handed manner.

“Why? Are you going to divorce me and remarry that woman if I don’t?”

Seonkyung’s face clearly conveyed that she dared him to try. Everyone in the room knew that was not an option. At this, Chairman Yoon scowled.

Even the powerful honorary chairman acted cautiously in this situation, so it wasn’t a place for someone guilty of infidelity to speak loudly.

“I’ve made my opinion clear. Then, if there’s nothing else to be said, I’ll take my leave. There’s a lot to handle, especially with the end of the year approaching, Father.” 

Seonkyung said to the honorary chairman, smiling gently.

“Let’s have tea sometime later.”

“Yes, Father.”

Seonkyung bowed and left the study.

“You all should leave as well.” 

The honorary chairman dismissed Minhu, his wife, and Seonho. There was nothing more they could say in that situation.