Chapter 3 Part 3

Gihyun’s car pulled up to the front of the hotel. This time, Gihyun got out first and opened the passenger door for Minjoo, who followed him out. Gihyun, seeming familiar with the surroundings, took the VIP elevator. Minjoo followed him absentmindedly as they arrived at the check-in booth in front of the banquet hall. The staff confirmed Gihyun’s name and allowed them inside.

As they entered the hall, they saw numerous people enjoying their meals and mingling at round tables. Minjoo, estimating over 400 attendees, was taken aback by the scale. Gihyun gently pulled her hand to link arms with her.

“Mr. Park Gihyun.”

As Gihyun entered, people began to recognize him, standing up and offering handshakes. There were both young and old, and Gihyun responded to each greeting with composure, as if he had always belonged to this world.

“The chairman boasts about you so much, and now I see why. You look like a movie star. You should show your face in the media more often.”

“If you feature me in your main segment, I’d be happy to. I’m not interested in appearing in gossip columns,” Gihyun replied smoothly.

Minjoo tried to distance herself from Gihyun, but he tightened his grip on her arm, preventing her from pulling away. Because of this, the people around Gihyun began to take notice of Minjoo as well.

“And who might this lady be in relation to you, Mr. Park?”

“The chairman mentioned finding a granddaughter-in-law, has he found one already?”

Their comments were bewildering. Realizing that Gihyun had not simply brought her as a partner, Minjoo saw him smile smoothly.

“The chairman doesn’t need to bother. I built my business on my own, and I’ll find my own partner too,” Gihyun said.

Before Minjoo could question him, a sarcastic voice interrupted.

“I heard the chairman was finding a bride for you, but it seems you’ve brought your own girlfriend.”

Gihyun’s demeanor shifted. He placed his hand over Minjoo’s and slowly opened and closed his eyes, a sharp glint in his gaze like a finely honed blade.

“I’ve always done well on my own. Unlike those who half-threaten to publish an article,” Gihyun replied.

The other man’s face flushed instantly. It seemed he was a journalist. The surrounding people watched their exchange with keen interest. The man, feeling flustered, tugged at his tie and directed his gaze at Minjoo.

“If you chose so well, then what does Mr. Park Gihyun’s fiancée do?”

The question was directed at Minjoo. Without hesitation, Gihyun pulled her closer to him.

“You’ll hear about her when I introduce her to the chairman,” Gihyun replied smoothly.

His gaze shifted to the side, and Minjoo noticed a robust elderly man approaching them. The old man with a full head of white hair acknowledged Gihyun first.

“You’re late.”

“Chairman,” Gihyun greeted.

The man who had been challenging Gihyun immediately backed down in the presence of the elder. Minjoo then noticed a banner that read “Se-yong Group New Executive Dinner.” She vaguely guessed that the elderly man was Chairman Park Jong-hwan of Se-yong Group.

“I thought you weren’t coming,” the chairman remarked.

“I was delayed by work.”

“Do you think there’s anyone here without work?”

“It’s not easy to gather such busy people, so I made time for this as well,” Gihyun replied with a bright smile, seemingly enjoying himself despite the chairman’s reprimand.

“I have someone to introduce to you,” he continued.

Gihyun released Minjoo’s arm and clasped her hand firmly. To others, it might have looked like a loving gesture, but to Minjoo, it felt like a signal to stay silent.

“This is my partner. Her name is Cha Minjoo.”

Minjoo’s eyes wavered, but no one noticed her reaction, as they were all focused on Gihyun’s bombshell announcement. Chairman Park stared at Gihyun before speaking.

“Didn’t Secretary Choi tell you that we had arranged a meeting?”

“I preempted that,” Gihyun responded, still smiling.

The chairman raised an eyebrow but remained silent, scrutinizing Minjoo as if evaluating her. His piercing gaze made Minjoo feel even more miserable. Gihyun then delivered another shock.

“She’s expecting a child.”

Once again, he squeezed Minjoo’s hand, clearly signaling her to keep quiet.

“It’s been four weeks now.”

“…Why so hasty?”

“Since bloodlines are of utmost importance to you, I acted quickly. I hope you understand why we can’t attend the arranged meeting.”

“If it’s your blood, you should take responsibility. But why bring the woman to me?”

The implication was clear: only the child mattered. Standing there like a puppet beside Gihyun was difficult enough, but hearing those words made it even harder. Yet, Gihyun maintained his unbothered smile.

“You haven’t changed at all, Chairman.”

Gihyun then turned his attention to Minjoo. This time, he spoke to her directly, but loud enough for the chairman to hear.

“I think our definitions of responsibility differ.”

“……”

“I’m determined to live differently from my father.”

Gihyun interlaced his fingers with Minjoo’s, catching her by surprise.

“I intend to marry her.”

He squeezed Minjoo’s hand tighter, solidifying his statement.

“Granddaughter-in-law, I have introduced her in advance. Since her mother is ill, I hope you understand that we would like to skip the formal family meeting.”

There was a peculiar aura about him. Gihyun, unperturbed by the presence, continued to speak, still holding Minjoo close.

“I will take that as your consent.”

The two didn’t stay long at the banquet. Gihyun left early, without attending the dinner. It was only after getting into the car that Minjoo felt she could finally speak.

“Is it okay to lie like that?”

Gihyun turned the steering wheel calmly as he replied.

“Otherwise, the old man will keep bothering me to pick a woman and get married.”

“……”

“Since his son and grandson died together, he has learned the importance of descendants. Saying that you’re pregnant will stop him from telling me to break up with you.”

Minjoo retraced her memories. She had heard that Gihyun’s father had abandoned him and that he was raised by a single mother. But she had never seen him in contact with his mother.

As she looked out at the rapidly changing scenery outside the car window, Minjoo asked again.

“So, the pregnancy contract was to avoid an arranged marriage?”

Minjoo thought she understood Gihyun’s intentions now. She felt like a pawn on his chessboard, realizing that any small doubt that Gihyun might have feelings for her was baseless.

“What if you find someone else now? If we don’t have a baby soon, you’ll have nothing to tell the chairman.”

“It doesn’t matter. He abandoned an illegitimate grandson before. Now, he can’t get angry about a great-grandchild supposedly on the way.”

“…Then why do you want to have a child?”

“I told you, because I want to.”

“…What were you planning to do after the baby was born? Tell them it was a child born out of a contract?”

“……”

“What if the person you marry in the future finds out about this?”

Minjoo wanted to say that there was no need to reveal herself. Gihyun, who seemed focused on driving, slowly pressed the brake. When the light turned red, Gihyun took his hands off the wheel and looked at Minjoo’s hand neatly placed on her thigh.

“That’s right.”

“…”

“It would be troublesome if the woman I marry and the mother of my child were different people.”

It was a confusing statement. While Minjoo remained stiff, the light changed again.

“Let’s go home.”

“…”

“It’s time for s*x.”

Leaving those words behind, Gihyun focused on driving again.