Chapter 9.3

The news that Chairman Kim Seokyeong had collapsed during a meeting, just a week before the scheduled honeymoon, was shocking to Moonkyeong. His immediate family rushed to the hospital, and due to the secrecy surrounding the situation, everything had to be handled with utmost discretion.

The security in the VIP ward was tight. Moonkyeong, along with Seojun, hurried to the hospital room to check on the Chairman’s condition and encountered the family gathered there.  

“You’re here.” 

Nam Leehyun greeted them.

Nam Leehyun’s face looked gaunt. Although her marriage had also been a strategic arrangement between families, she had lived with the Chairman for nearly half a century. Beyond the issue of inheritance, the impending death of her husband seemed to bring a flood of memories rushing through her mind.  

“…What will we do about our Chairman?”  

Shin Jueun was also in tears. Even though she was adorned with expensive jewelry, she couldn’t hold back her sobs after hearing the doctor’s prognosis that the Chairman wouldn’t survive the week. She had already had a tearful breakdown in Kim Seouk’s arms.  

Since Nam Leehyun had harshly scolded Shin Jueun, there had been no further harassment of Moonkyeong from her side, nor from Lee Heejin. Yet, everyone was restless tonight, their curiosity about the inheritance growing.  

The Chief Secretaries accompanying each person bustled through the hospital lobby, and as time passed, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Moonkyeong looked up at Seojun.  

In his black suit, with eyes revealing no emotion, he seemed distant. Yet, Moonkyeong felt an overwhelming sadness emanating from him. She wanted to comfort him, even in this moment from which he could not escape. Gently, she held his hand, trying to convey warmth.  

“It’ll be okay.” 

She whispered.  

He slowly lifted his head to meet her gaze.  

“I doubt it.” 

Her heart ached, watching him act so composed even in the face of his father’s impending death.  

Moments later, Chief Secretary Min, who had served the Chairman for over forty years, stepped out of the hospital room and called for Seojun.  

“The Chairman wishes to see you alone.”  

Seojun entered the room by himself, with everyone’s eyes following him.

Chairman Kim Seokyeong passed away within two days. His death, earlier than expected, sent shockwaves through the Leehan family. It was a silent battlefield.  

The lack of a clearly established succession plan led to knives being drawn from all sides. The primary issue was that Seojun was deemed too young to take the position of head of the group.  

Although he had proven some of his management capabilities by leading HAN Motors, the prevailing opinion was that he still lacked sufficient experience.  

On the night of the Chairman’s passing, Leehan Group held a family meeting at Do Hyowon, which lasted for hours.  

The principle of primogeniture had been established in Leehan specifically to prepare for such situations, yet everyone was fiercely competitive.  

“The principle cannot be broken. Once the subsidiaries are divided, Seojun will take Leehan Electronics. That was the Chairman’s wish.”  

The CEO of Leehan Department Store, the Chairman’s younger brother, sternly warned the family at Do Hyowon. His message was clear: no one should challenge the late Chairman’s wishes through lawsuits or disputes over shares.  

He suspected that Nam Leehyun had secretly been gathering shares in anticipation of this situation.  

Until the process of dividing the subsidiaries and inheritance among the siblings was complete, everyone agreed to keep the Chairman’s body in the freezer. His death could not yet be made public.  

Pressure was placed on hospital staff and media executives to ensure their silence.  

Moonkyeong’s eyes welled up as she thought about how the Chairman, who had once held everything in his grasp, now seemed so pitiful in his final moments.  

She couldn’t shake the memory of him visiting the bridal waiting room on her wedding day, asking her to take care of Seojun. Although he had never shown her any affection, that simple request continued to linger in her mind.

***

The next morning, Moonkyeong received a call from Hyeran.  

“Yes, Mom.”  

• Did the Chairman pass away?  

“…Yes.”  

• It’s not public yet, right?  

“Yes.”  

• Kim Seojun must be struggling. What’s happening with the honeymoon? It’s canceled, of course?  

“Yes, it is.”  

• Good. Things will be chaotic for a while, so stay quiet and keep me updated.  

“I will.”  

• By the way, are you still taking the herbal medicine? Don’t forget it.  

“Yes.”  

At such an important time, Seojun couldn’t afford to leave the country.  

Although Moonkyeong had heard from Chief Secretary Yoon that the honeymoon had been canceled, she had already accepted it as a given.  

Still, she had hoped that Seojun would mention it to her directly. But he said nothing.

Two weeks after the Chairman’s death, one morning, as Moonkyeong picked out Seojun’s necktie, their eyes met.  

His late work hours lately had made it nearly impossible to have a proper conversation with him.  

“I made abalone porridge for breakfast. You’ve been overworking yourself lately.”  

“I don’t have time for breakfast.”  

“Just a little—”  

“I’m fine. I’ll be late again tonight. Take care of yourself.”  

Despite knowing how cold he had become again, Moonkyeong couldn’t help but worry.  

He had always been busy with work, but now he seemed even more overwhelmed. Though she couldn’t know the specifics, she could sense how serious the situation was.  

The issue of inheritance had reignited tensions, and the family had started to pressure Seojun again.  

It was said that on the day of the Chairman’s passing, Kim Seokyeong had held onto Seojun and cried for over thirty minutes.  

As expected, the Chairman’s will stated that all shares of Leehan Electronics would go to Seojun. This sparked intense jealousy among the extended family and the Do Hyowon household.  

From all sides, Seojun was being suffocated. Moonkyeong wasn’t oblivious to this.  

Just as he was about to leave, she softly called his name.  

“Seojun.”  

Standing by the door, putting on his shoes, he turned his head at her call. Though he didn’t respond, Moonkyeong calmly continued.  

“Make sure to eat. Don’t skip meals.”  

He opened the door and disappeared from sight. Feeling a wave of loneliness, Moonkyeong hugged herself.  

Her gaze fell on the abalone porridge she had woken up early to make for him. Though she had no appetite, she sat down at the table to eat.  

In the end, she couldn’t finish even half of it. The rest was thrown into the trash.  

After hurriedly washing the dishes, she looked around. The empty house felt lonelier than ever.  

Bzzzz. Moonkyeong didn’t have much time to dwell on her thoughts. The schemes from Do Hyowon weren’t directed solely at Seojun.  

They had also begun targeting her.  

Every day after Seojun left for work, Moonkyeong had to visit Do Hyowon without fail.  

Since the Chairman’s death, Do Hyowon had been in chaos.  

Nam Leehyun openly tormented Shin Jueun, who, in turn, used Lee Heejin whenever she felt cornered.  

Meanwhile, Jeesung Group subtly pressured Leehan Group, using the opportunity of the Chairman’s death.  

Caught in the middle, Lee Heejin was dragged around endlessly.  

The stress experienced by the three women naturally spilled over onto Moonkyeong.  

Each had their own reasons for tormenting her.  

Nam Leehyun’s harsh scoldings, Shin Jueun’s frequent demands for household chores, and even Lee Heejin’s passive-aggressive behavior—all of it weighed heavily on her.  

Moonkyeong endured each grueling day with determination.  

She wanted to remain by his side during this difficult time.  

Though her body was exhausted and her mind worn out, her resolve only grew stronger.  

For the first time, she realized she didn’t want to leave him.  

She wanted to stay, to have a child who resembled him, to pick out his ties every morning, and to prepare his meals.  

Wouldn’t that be enough?  

Even if it wasn’t love, she wanted to be a wife who stayed by his side and fulfilled her role.  

***

While Moonkyeong was catching her breath after finishing chores at the annex, Jinju brought her a cup of juice.  

“Here, drink this. But seriously, how can they make you do so much work?”  

“It’s fine. Thank you for the juice.”  

“‘Fine,’ my foot. Your face looks half its size already. Honestly, people who act like that always get what’s coming to them. They just don’t know it yet. Tsk tsk.”  

As Moonkyeong gently touched her cheeks, Shin Jueun suddenly barged into the kitchen. Jinju flinched and turned around, while Moonkyeong quickly stood up.  

“Why is it so noisy in here? Who gave you permission to chatter in my house?”  

Jinju immediately turned back around, bowing her head low. Since the Chairman’s death, Shin Jueun had become even more sensitive. It seemed she was under immense stress, likely because the atmosphere in the household suggested that Nam Leehyun, the senior Madam, was trying to push her out.  

“I’m sorry.”  

“You should be living like a mouse, silent and out of sight. Isn’t that what you’re paid for? Am I wrong?”  

“…No, Ma’am.”  

Shin Jueun’s sharp gaze then shifted to Moonkyeong.  

“You, come with me for a moment.”  

“Yes, Director.”  

Moonkyeong followed her, nervously fidgeting with her polished nails.  

Chairman Kim Seokyeong had not forgotten to address the ownership of Do Hyowon in his will. The property, which had been used as both the Leehan Group’s executive office and a reception center, had lost its symbolic importance as a financial hub after his passing.  

It seemed the Chairman had anticipated that Seojun wouldn’t use Do Hyowon. He had left the property to Nam Leehyun’s eldest daughter in his will.  

This decision continued to irritate Shin Jueun. She had been utterly convinced that Do Hyowon would be hers, even pleading for it in the months leading up to the Chairman’s death.  

The fact that her son, Kim Seouk, had only been left with a single hotel further fueled her frustration. Compared to what Seojun had inherited, it was utterly laughable. The realization that she would soon be evicted from Do Hyowon left her feeling like an outcast.  

“I’m not going down alone.” 

She muttered. 

When Moonkyeong entered the room behind her, Shin Jueun’s eyes gleamed maliciously.