40.
‘Don’t get involved with that man. Find your own happiness.’
But mother, how can I completely ignore him when I’ve heard about my father all my life? Jung Hae-in couldn’t do that. That’s why he decided to meet his father. It seemed the only way he could define his feelings about him and move forward with his life.
After saying goodbye to his mother and finishing at the funeral home, Jung Hae-in got into the car with Choi Mujin. Unlike Kim Chunbong, Choi Mujin didn’t treat Jung Hae-in warmly. He maintained only minimal conversation and courtesy, nothing more.
‘I suppose that’s natural.’
To this person, he was just a random intruder. Jung Hae-in composed himself.
“Will I be able to meet my father when we arrive in Seoul?”
Once again, Kim Chunbong answered.
“Yes, of course. However, due to certain circumstances, you might not be able to see him right away.”
“You mean I’ll have to wait?”
“Perhaps.”
Jung Hae-in’s expression darkened at Kim Chunbong’s words. He didn’t need to ask further to understand why. Chairman Jang of Isaac Finance was someone who could be searched on the internet. Through his research, he had discovered that the chairman had a wife. While the couple had no children, that didn’t mean an illegitimate son would be welcomed.
“I see.”
As Jung Hae-in closed his mouth, the car became quiet again. Meanwhile, Choi Mujin was continuously looking at his tablet PC. What could he be doing that absorbed him so deeply? Curiosity suddenly pricked him. If he tilted his head just a little, he might be able to see the screen.
‘No, I shouldn’t do that.’
Whatever he was doing, it would be inappropriate behavior. With that thought, he tried to ignore it, but coincidence intervened. As the car went over a speed bump, it jolted, and Jung Hae-in lost his balance, which caused him to glimpse the tablet PC screen.
“Huh?”
Jung Hae-in involuntarily let out a sound.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m still not very good at driving.”
Kim Chunbong apologized, assuming that was the reason, but that wasn’t why Jung Hae-in was surprised. It was because the split-screen display showed a person. Realizing this, his heart began to race. Whether Choi Mujin knew this or not, he continued to stare intently at the tablet PC screen.
It was strange. Who could it be that he was watching so obsessively? Jung Hae-in’s mind raced quickly. Did the person on the screen know that Choi Mujin was watching them like this? If they didn’t know, wasn’t this a crime? Even installing CCTV to monitor part-time workers is not allowed.
“Director Choi.”
Even knowing it would be better to keep quiet, Jung Hae-in called out to Choi Mujin. Only then did Choi Mujin take his eyes off the tablet PC and look at Jung Hae-in.
“What is it?”
His seemingly emotionless expression somehow appeared flawless. While he exuded a dangerous aura, he didn’t have the appearance of what one would typically call a gangster. Even if he were a gangster, he’d likely be at the top rather than the bottom.
“I, excuse me. What are you looking at?”
At Jung Hae-in’s question, Choi Mujin pulled up the corner of his mouth.
“Did you see?”
“I didn’t try to look deliberately.”
“I suppose not.”
Choi Mujin turned his gaze forward again.
“Does that person know you’re watching them?”
“They probably do. I haven’t particularly hidden the fact that CCTV is installed.”
While he didn’t install it openly, he didn’t hide it either. Moreover, Choi Mujin wasn’t the type to feel particularly guilty about such behavior. That’s why he gave that answer, but Jung Hae-in didn’t understand.
“It’s not right to watch someone like that.”
“Ah.”
Choi Mujin’s eyes rounded as he smiled.
“Yes. I suppose it’s not right.”
How unexpected. Jung Hae-in knew he was different from his father, Chairman Jang, but he seemed more upright than expected. And Choi Mujin didn’t like that. He knew a young man similar to Jung Hae-in.
Yu Hyunjin. The young man who took Seo Jaewoo from him. Despite making it so difficult for him, he ultimately overcame everything and lived happily with Seo Jaewoo. It was fine now, but at the time, the mere thought of it made his insides twist. Why couldn’t Seo Jaewoo be happy with Choi Mujin? And why did Choi Mujin let Seo Jaewoo go? He should have kept him by his side, even if they were both unhappy.
Seo Jaewoo was Choi Mujin’s weak point.
Therefore, Jung Hae-in, who reminded him of this, was unwelcome. He’d rather Jung Hae-in had the viper-like disposition of his father.
“But why do you do that?”
Choi Mujin had no intention of giving Jung Hae-in a proper answer. Why did he do it? How could he answer something he didn’t know himself? He shrugged and returned to what he was doing.
Haseo was once again sitting blankly in his room. The housekeeper brought by Park Dongsu was quite good at her job, but unlike Haseo, she was skilled at everything. She cleaned the house thoroughly, set a proper table, and then called Haseo. She was surprisingly good for someone hired in a hurry.
‘It’s a shame I can’t hear the sound.’
The device could transmit sound as well as video, but he wished he had brought earphones. He didn’t usually use such things, but now that he didn’t have them, he missed them. However, he didn’t want to raise the volume here and let others hear Haseo’s voice. So he just watched him. And Jung Hae-in gave Choi Mujin a look of disgust.
“Oh my.”
Kim Chunbong made an unintelligible sound and then focused on driving again. Thus, Jung Hae-in traveled from Daegu to Seoul. Despite arriving in Seoul, he couldn’t meet his father right away. However, he was able to meet the person who was said to be his father’s secretary.
“Welcome, young master.”
While Jung Hae-in was taken aback by the title he had never heard before, Secretary Ahn continued.
“The Chairman is too busy with construction work to meet you for a while. So it seems you’ll be living with Director Choi for the time being.”
“With Director Choi?”
“Yes, considering the Chairman’s position, there are various threats, so we chose the safest place.”
More precisely, they chose someone whom even Chairman Jang’s wife wouldn’t dare to interfere with. No matter that Choi Mujin worked under Chairman Jang, his wife couldn’t treat him carelessly. This was because Choi Mujin already had his own influence.
“The safest place?”
“I understand what you might be thinking, but it is safe.”
Secretary Ahn said firmly.
“In any case, Director Choi is busy, and the place is spacious, so you won’t have many encounters. Please bear with it for a few days.”
“I understand. If it’s just for a few days.”
“Thank you. Now, since you’ve come with just yourself, shall we first acquire what you need?”
Afterward, Secretary Ahn assigned someone separately to Jung Hae-in. He seemed to be of a similar type to Secretary Ahn, taking Jung Hae-in around to buy various items. First, they bought clothes, shoes, and a watch from a department store, and even tried to give him a car, which Jung Hae-in refused.
“I don’t think I should accept a car as well.”
“It’s not a significant amount for Chairman Jang.”
“I won’t need to drive anytime soon anyway, will I?”
Only after barely refusing the car could Jung Hae-in head to Choi Mujin’s home. Throughout his movements, Choi Mujin and Kim Chunbong accompanied him, which was quite burdensome. Choi Mujin was someone who drew attention wherever he went.
‘His attire is quite unique.’
He wore a suit that looked expensive at a glance, with leather gloves as well. His hair was slicked back, revealing a face of rare beauty. His jaw was sharp, his nose straight and high. His slightly deep-set eyes gave him a profound impression, but even that looked handsome.
Unlike Jung Hae-in, who had a gentle appearance resembling his mother, Choi Mujin was different. They say there are people who attract attention wherever they go, and Choi Mujin seemed to be one of them.
The person assigned by Secretary Ahn only left Jung Hae-in’s side after giving him a new phone.
“If you need anything, please call. Secretary Ahn will answer immediately.”
“There’s no need to do this much. Thank you.”
“Not at all. It was what I should do.”
He bowed politely and saw Jung Hae-in off. Then, Kim Chunbong, who had been quiet the whole time, started talking as if taking the place of the person who had just left.
“It’s a well-located penthouse, so you’ll find it comfortable to stay in. There’s a supermarket right nearby, and everything can be delivered. If I could, I’d like to live in that area too.”
The atmosphere was less awkward with at least one person talking. But that didn’t last long either.
“A penthouse, you say?”
Jung Hae-in’s eyes widened at the large, grand building he was seeing for the first time. The penthouse he knew wasn’t like this. Entering with an awkward expression, the interior was even more impressive than the exterior.
The elevator was the same. After riding it up to the top floor, they arrived at Choi Mujin’s home. However, they couldn’t enter the house right away.