Chapter 6.4

“We’ve arrived.”  

At Chief Secretary Yoon’s words, Seojun got out first, and Moonkyeong followed him.  

As the heavy iron gates of Do Hyowon opened, three grand buildings came into view. Moonkyeong naturally linked arms with Seojun.  

Crossing the stone path of the luxurious garden, the true appearance of Do Hyowon revealed itself—a cluster of buildings resembling a townhouse.  

It felt as though the site in Hannam-dong had been designed to perfectly replicate Korea’s ideal feng shui of mountains behind and water in front.  

The main house, where Kim Seokyeong and Nam Leehyun resided, was a traditional hanok-style building with a classical and Eastern aesthetic.  

The annex, directly attached to the central building, showcased a sleek, modern design.  

Behind the buildings stretched a vast lawn, while in front lay a unique pond designed by a renowned international architect, complete with a fountain that never stopped flowing, 365 days a year.  

The central building connecting the main house and the annex was designed like a museum, displaying various firearms at the entrance—evidence of Chairman Kim Seokyeong’s passion as a collector.  

The biggest inconvenience of Do Hyowon was that one had to pass through the central building to reach either the main house or the annex.  

Moonkyeong thought to herself, 

I’ll never understand the Chairman’s bizarre hobbies.

As they walked through the central building, she instinctively moved closer to Seojun. She didn’t want to show her nervousness, but her shoulders kept tensing up.  

Leaning slightly toward her so only she could hear, Seojun whispered in a low voice, 

“Straighten your shoulders, Seo Moonkyeong.”  

At his words, Moonkyeong straightened her hunched shoulders. Even a slight adjustment highlighted her well-balanced figure, honed through years of ballet.  

Her small head and elegant yet innocent features perfectly complemented her ivory jeogori and apricot-colored hanbok skirt.  

Her graceful and pristine appearance reached its peak, and as she walked, the staff behind her couldn’t help but whisper.  

“Wow, she looks like a beautiful butterfly fluttering around.”  

“Shh, keep it down, Jinju!”  

Caught and scolded, Jinju hesitated, lowering her head in embarrassment. But then her eyes met Moonkyeong’s.  

Moonkyeong gave her a slight smile, and for a moment, Jinju was mesmerized.  

She also noticed Seojun’s gaze, which was fixed solely on Moonkyeong. 

So this wasn’t an arranged marriage but a love match? They really do seem to be in love.  

Her earlier worries about the delicate new bride enduring the harshness of the two mothers-in-law in the Leehan family began to fade.  

Having endured her own difficult married life, Jinju knew that as long as the husband acted as a shield, there was nothing to fear.  

Somehow, she felt that Seojun would fulfill that role perfectly.  

“Come on in.”  

As Seojun and Moonkyeong stepped into the spacious living room of the main house, they were greeted by Nam Leehyun, her two daughters, and their respective husbands.  

“Where is the Chairman?”  

At Seojun’s polite question, Nam Leehyun smoothed her white jeogori and replied, 

“He’s in a meeting with Chief Secretary Min in the study. He’ll be out shortly.”  

“I see.”  

“How are you feeling, my dear? You must have been busy since the wedding.”  

Moonkyeong bowed her head slightly as she responded to Nam Leehyun’s question. She had no intention of provoking her and planned to behave as compliantly as possible during her time in the Leehan household.  

“Thank you for your concern. The Executive Director has been very considerate, so I’ve managed my schedule without any issues, and I’m not feeling unwell at all.”  

“Instead of calling him ‘Executive Director,’ perhaps you should call him ‘Seojun’ instead. I understand that it might take time to get used to addressing him as ‘honey’ when you’re alone. Work on that gradually.”  

“I’ll keep that in mind.”  

As Nam Leehyun led the way to the dining room, Moonkyeong walked beside Seojun.  

Even in that brief moment, she could feel the piercing stares of Nam Leehyun’s daughters and sons-in-law burning into the back of her neck.  

“Take a seat.”  

Everyone began finding their places at the table. Seojun pulled out a chair for Moonkyeong, who hesitated, unsure where to sit.  

“Here, sit here.”  

“Oh, thank you.”  

As Moonkyeong sat down, she took a moment to glance around.  

The food prepared by the staff was flawless. There was plenty to go around for such a large family, and the color coordination of the dishes had clearly been given special attention.  

The floral-shaped chandelier hanging from the ceiling and the pure white ceramics displayed near the central table exuded a sense of Korean aesthetic beauty.  

While the main house was hanok-style, the interior design incorporated modern conveniences throughout.  

It was said that Nam Leehyun, a former hanbok designer, had been deeply involved in the design of the building when it was constructed.  

In the end, Do Hyowon was a blend of everyone’s preferences.  

The main house reflected Nam Leehyun’s taste, the annex reflected Shin Jueun’s, and the central building connecting the two showcased Kim Seokyeong’s.  

A short while later, Shin Jueun and Seouk entered the main house, accompanied by Lee Heejin, who was impeccably dressed in a hanbok.  

Lee Heejin’s presence, which hadn’t been planned, caused Nam Leehyun to frown.  

Shin Jueun quickly defended herself.  

“I invited her since she’ll soon be part of the family anyway. I already got the Chairman’s approval.”  

In the Leehan family, it was customary for the women to wear hanbok on New Year’s morning.  

Nam Leehyun, known for her meticulous and exacting standards when it came to selecting hanbok, typically preferred simple, understated designs rather than vibrant colors.  

The women of chaebol families were expected to behave in a certain way. Yet, Lee Heejin’s hanbok—a black jeogori paired with a violet skirt, embroidered with butterflies and flowers—resembled the attire of a Joseon-era courtesan.  

Nam Leehyun lowered her gaze as she sat at the dining table.  

“Who chose your hanbok?”  

Without hesitation, Lee Heejin proudly puffed out her chest.  

“I picked it myself. I commissioned it from a famous designer.”  

“How pitiful.”  

Lee Heejin’s face flushed red, as if she had been struck by Nam Leehyun the moment she set foot in Do Hyowon.  

In truth, Lee Heejin had never wanted this marriage.  

She acknowledged that the Leehan Group had grown far larger than her own family’s business. But when she heard that her match was Kim Seouk, an illegitimate child, she had thrown a fit.  

Even though she had spent much of her time abroad, she had crossed paths with people from similar circles and had heard rumors about his affairs.  

Marrying a man who wasn’t even fully functional, whose health was rumored to be frail?  

Although the specifics of his illness were kept tightly under wraps by the Leehan family and hadn’t leaked to the public, it seemed inevitable that she would end up taking care of her husband as soon as they married.  

Her father, however, had coldly declared that if she didn’t marry Kim Seouk, she would be cast out of the Jeesung Group.  

And so, like a cow being led to slaughter, she had ended up here.  

Already seething with anger, her insides twisted further as she laid eyes on the newlywed couple before her.  

Seo Moonkyeong and Kim Seojun—the very two who had once humiliated her.  

Lee Heejin glared openly at Moonkyeong.  

At that moment, Kim Seokyeong emerged from the study, removing his glasses with a string attached.  

When he entered the dining room, everyone immediately rose to their feet and bowed their heads.  

Kim Seokyeong took his place at the head of the table and picked up his utensils.  

“Let’s eat.”  

Moonkyeong slowly picked up her spoon. The atmosphere was so solemn she couldn’t tell whether the food was entering her mouth or her nose. She had no idea how to approach the Chairman in conversation.  

“Chairman, you must try this. Chief Secretary Goo said this pickled vegetable was brought directly from Jeolla Province.”  

Shin Jueun, smiling so brightly her eyes nearly disappeared, placed a piece of the pickled vegetable near Kim Seokyeong’s lips.  

Moonkyeong was taken aback by her boldness.  

She hadn’t expected the tiger-like Kim Seokyeong, exuding a predatory aura, to accept it so easily.  

Although his body was aged, his sharp gaze was still piercing. It seemed like it could cut through her, yet Shin Jueun appeared completely unafraid.  

Meanwhile, the other family members at the table, seemingly indifferent to her antics, quietly continued their meal.  

Even within a short span of time, Moonkyeong could clearly see the dynamics at play within the Leehan Group—the hierarchy, the distribution of power.  

Everyone maintained a delicate balance, neither overstepping nor retreating too far.  

According to Seojun, Kim Seokyeong enjoyed being spoken to during meals.  

Yet, despite knowing this, no one dared to speak out of turn. That role seemed reserved solely for Shin Jueun.  

Does that mean I’m supposed to challenge her? 

It was clear from the rumors that Shin Jueun was not Seojun’s biological mother. The conversation Moonkyeong had overheard between the two in his office before their wedding had confirmed as much.  

There was no need to overthink it. If the boss who would eventually hand her 20 billion won gave her an order, she would follow it.  

Moonkyeong steadied her voice and addressed Kim Seokyeong, who was still accepting food from Shin Jueun.  

“Father.”  

At her call, all eyes at the table turned to her. Ignoring the blatant stares clinging to her cheeks, she continued.  

“I understand that Seojun’s company is launching a new electric vehicle next week. How about the two of us attend the upcoming banquet for newly promoted executives this weekend in that car?”  

Shin Jueun interrupted her, looking incredulous.  

“What are you even saying? Chairman, she—”  

Kim Seokyeong turned his head toward Moonkyeong, who was seated to his right.  

“Go on.”  

Moonkyeong resumed speaking.  

“I’ve heard that photos from our engagement and wedding have been secretly taken by reporters, sparking significant public interest in Seojun. I thought this might be a good opportunity for him to support the marketing team.”  

Kim Seokyeong mulled over her words, which bordered on impudence.  

It was not a bad idea. Lately, even chaebol families had adopted a pragmatic approach, with heirs actively participating in marketing efforts to achieve positive results.  

More than that, he found it intriguing that Moonkyeong already seemed interested in her husband’s business.  

Before the wedding, reports from both Nam Leehyun and his Chief Secretary had painted her as a sheltered flower, raised in a greenhouse, knowing little of the world beyond ballet.  

She was said to rely heavily on her mother, Do Hyeran, to the point where she couldn’t even handle simple banking tasks on her own.  

He had also received detailed reports on how Do Hyeran had molded her daughter during the adoption process. The image presented to him was that of an obedient and naive girl.  

But perhaps that wasn’t entirely accurate?  

Kim Seokyeong’s gaze shifted to Seojun.  

There’s no way you would’ve chosen a woman like that.  

Take good care of her. You two are the ones who will carry on the Leehan bloodline. That’s my final wish.  

Kim Seokyeong sided with Moonkyeong.  

“Let’s do as you suggested. Seojun, contact the marketing team after the meal.”  

“Yes, Sir.”  

From then on, Moonkyeong occasionally engaged Kim Seokyeong in conversation.  

Her unexpected knowledge of economics made him laugh heartily, while Shin Jueun, who had previously monopolized his attention by serving him food and smiling sweetly, was pushed aside.  

Her lips quivered with frustration as she glared at Seojun.  

Though subtle, the corners of his mouth curved upward slightly.