Chapter 6.3

Leehan Group conducted its regular executive appointments to mark the New Year.  

As expected, the most notable changes were the promotions of Seouk and Seojun. Seouk was promoted from to Vice President of Leehan Hotel, while Seojun moved up from Managing Director at HAN Motors to Executive Director, each advancing one step.  

Unlike their relatively swift promotions, Nam Leehyun’s two daughters had remained in the same positions for four years. This reflected Kim Seokyeong’s firm stance that Leehan would never be handed over to daughters, no matter what.  

Nam Leehyun’s eldest daughter was particularly outraged that she had been excluded from the latest promotions despite the outstanding performance of the Leehan Home Shopping division she managed.  

When Nam Leehyun reviewed the executive appointment list, her eyebrows rose.  

“Ha! So they’re planning to hand everything over to that brat, Seojun.”  

What stood out to her even more than the brothers’ promotions was the fact that two Managing Directors from the Future Strategy Office, Seojun’s direct department, had been promoted and transferred to Leehan Electronics.  

This indicated that Seojun was being groomed to eventually take over as CEO of Leehan Electronics, with these two individuals sent there in preparation for that day.  

Seojun and his wife were scheduled to arrive soon for their first family dinner at Do Hyowon.  

While Nam Leehyun kept her composure despite her boiling anger, Shin Jueun had been fuming since morning.  

“Madam, did you see the executive appointments that just came out?”

“Who are you calling ‘Madam’? How many times do I have to tell you to watch your wording?”

Shin Jueun approached Nam Leehyun, who was giving specific instructions to the staff about the food, and raised her voice.  

“Madam, isn’t this clearly Chairman Kim’s way of sidelining your two daughters? Are you really going to let this slide?”  

“And if I don’t? Are you planning to flip the breakfast table in front of the Chairman?”  

Shin Jueun, feeling rebuffed, quickly backed down.  

Honestly, she was already grateful that her son, Seouk, had been promoted to Vice President despite his history of causing trouble at Leehan Hotel.  

Still, she couldn’t help but bring up Seo Moonkyeong’s name with a sneer.  

“But why hasn’t Seo Moonkyeong shown up yet? Unbelievable. Is she planning to just show up after all the food is ready?”  

Nam Leehyun shot her a sharp look, prompting her to clamp her mouth shut. It seemed her casual mention of Moonkyeong’s name had struck a nerve.  

“Fine, I’ll address her properly.”  

“I told her to take her time.”  

“What? Why?”  

Nam Leehyun, who was inspecting the colors and shapes of the assorted pancakes prepared by the staff, nodded as she explained.  

“With Seojun being so busy that they even postponed their honeymoon, she must be exhausted from supporting him. She needs to rest.”  

“Madam, why are you so protective of her? You should be making her life harder, not easier.”  

Finally, Nam Leehyun lost her temper.  

“Get out! If you’re just going to spout nonsense, sit here and help fry the pancakes.”  

Clearly unwilling to help with kitchen work, Shin Jueun hurriedly fled the scene, leaving Nam Leehyun shaking her head in disapproval.  

“Tsk, tsk. She’s so hopeless.”  

This was something that couldn’t be made obvious. Just as she had subtly alienated and tormented Shin Jueun without the Chairman noticing, she intended to do the same to Moonkyeong.  

From the start, she had disliked the girl. How could she like someone Seojun had chosen?  

“The rice cakes are overcooked. Redo them.”  

Nam Leehyun harshly rejected the rice cake soup after a single glance.  

Once she left the dining room after nitpicking every detail, the ten or so staff members collectively sighed in relief.  

Jinju, who had recently joined, frowned deeply.  

“Why would anyone marry into a family like this? No matter how much money they have, I’d run away immediately.”  

Chief Secretary Goo warned her to keep quiet, especially in the house, and never to criticize the Leehan family.  

Even so, Jinju couldn’t help but worry about the new bride who was about to join the family for her first meal.  

***

For nearly two weeks after the wedding, Seo Moonkyeong had been overwhelmed.  

She had attended numerous major events at Seojun’s side and visited various relatives of the Leehan Group’s extended family in traditional Korean attire during weekday evenings to pay her respects.  

The formalities and protocols were exhausting, and every elder seemed to have as much to say as a school principal.  

Still, she appreciated that once they returned home, Seojun never interfered with her.  

Since they had agreed to be a “show-window couple,” it was only natural that they slept in separate rooms.  

Returning to her spacious room after a long day allowed her to finally catch her breath.  

In return for his consideration, Moonkyeong did her best for him.  

Every morning, she tied his tie and prepared breakfast. In just two weeks, she had learned his favorite foods—soft tofu, sausages, and steamed eggs.  

Although she pretended to eat diligently, she noticed that he slightly frowned when eating eggplant and preferred not to deal with fish bones in the morning.  

Moonkyeong couldn’t help but smile at his surprisingly childish food preferences.  

She didn’t realize she was smiling as she tied his tie.  

Seojun raised an eyebrow at her subtle smile.  

“Ah.”  

“I’ll do it today.”  

“No, let me.”  

He took the red tie from her hands.  

“You’re too slow. I can’t wait.”  

At his familiar criticism, Moonkyeong bit her lip. She had been practicing, but she knew she was still much slower than him.  

She resolved to practice tying ties again for hours after returning home that evening.  

Quietly, she closed the door to the dressing room and left.  

Back in her room, Moonkyeong quickly changed into her outfit.  

The hanbok sent by Nam Leehyun a week ago was even more beautiful than the one she had worn at the wedding.  

That didn’t mean she liked hanbok.  

The thought of wearing such an uncomfortable outfit all day and being dragged around made her sweat already.  

Thanks to an early morning visit to the hair salon with Do Hyeran, her hair was elegantly styled, and her makeup was flawless, making her look like a radiant bride.  

Determined not to be late, Moonkyeong hurried to get ready.  

But as she rushed out of the living room, she stepped on her skirt and fell flat on the floor.  

Seojun, who had been watching her from a distance with perfect composure, shook his head and walked out the front door first.  

Moonkyeong, her face red with embarrassment, quickly followed him.  

As they rode the elevator together, Moonkyeong let out a hollow laugh.  

Elegance just doesn’t suit me. It really doesn’t.  

How did someone with my personality ever manage to perform ballet so gracefully?  

She was laughing at the thought when, as expected, her eyes met his.  

With his hands in his pockets, Seojun tilted his head slightly and muttered softly.  

“Seo Moonkyeong, you seem to be enjoying life these days.”  

Moonkyeong immediately denied it.  

“Not at all.”  

He exhaled sharply. His next words were advice she knew she had to take seriously.  

“The Chairman doesn’t like it when meals are too quiet. Make sure to engage him in conversation.”  

“……Yes.”  

He seemed to have more to say.  

After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke again.  

“On weekends, you can skip preparing breakfast. Don’t overwork yourself.”

“No, I’m fine too. I actually enjoy cooking.”  

The elevator arrived at the underground parking lot with a ding, and the doors opened.  

“Suit yourself.”  

He stepped out of the elevator first, and Moonkyeong followed closely behind him, like a shadow.  

Chief Secretary Yoon, who was already waiting, bowed politely to the two of them. When he opened the backseat door, Seojun gestured for Moonkyeong to get in first.  

Managing the voluminous folds of her skirt was a task in itself, but Seojun, pretending to be indifferent, helped her with it.  

On the way to the Leehan Group’s main residence, Do Hyowon, Moonkyeong’s lips felt dry.  

This was her second visit since the wedding, but her heart was pounding even harder than the first time.  

The solemn and imposing atmosphere, coupled with the envious and hostile gazes surrounding Seojun, made her feel even more uncomfortable and prickly.  

The previous visit had ended with a simple greeting, but the New Year’s family meal was said to last over two hours, and the thought already made her head spin.  

She tried to reassure herself: 

I’ll get used to this lifestyle eventually. And when I do, it’ll be time to prepare for the divorce.

Moonkyeong was determined to distance herself from Seojun as quickly as possible.  

After all, if she allowed herself to care, she would only end up hurt.  

In the fifteen days of their marriage, he hadn’t kissed her even once. While she understood it as his way of showing consideration, she also found herself feeling foolishly disappointed.  

Clenching her fists tightly, she resolved: 

If I have to be a scarecrow, I’ll just mimic one. I can’t become the real thing.  

Dreaming of the day she would confidently demand a divorce, Moonkyeong’s eyes gleamed with determination.  

Once he let her go, she would calmly figure out where to go next.  

Will he really hand me 20 billion won?  

Either way, she decided to revise her plans. Plans with 20 billion won would be entirely different from those without it.