67.
Ryu Jiyeon. The youngest daughter of Toho Construction’s chairman had a somewhat different disposition from her older siblings. She shared their determination to get what they wanted, but in other aspects, she was more relaxed. Perhaps this was because the family had raised her comfortably, assuming she wouldn’t inherit the family business.
“Heejun-ssi.”
She had been a bit worried when first told to go on a blind date, but fortunately, her match was good. Ryu Jiyeon quite liked the man called Jeong Heejun. He was good-looking, considerate, and from a decent family. Though Chairman Jang said he was born outside his marriage, he clearly stated he would make him his successor.
“Let’s try this café today. They say the soufflé cakes here are delicious.”
When she showed him a picture on her phone, Jeong Heejun smiled with his eyes crinkling.
“You’re right. It looks really delicious.”
“I’m going to have the strawberry set when we get there.”
“Then shall I get a different set? That way we can try a variety, don’t you think?”
This was what she particularly liked about Jeong Heejun.
“That’s a great idea!”
Ryu Jiyeon offered her hand to him with a bright smile. He hesitated briefly but carefully took her hand. She liked this about him. This must be love. She had thought she would eventually marry someone from a blind date anyway, so it was lucky that she liked her match.
However, she did have one concern. Though Jeong Heejun always smiled in front of Ryu Jiyeon, occasionally he wore a dark expression. Naturally, people want to know what’s bothering someone they like. Ryu Jiyeon was no exception. With the freshly served strawberry soufflé in front of her, she asked Jeong Heejun:
“Has something been bothering you lately?”
Perhaps Baek Sira, Chairman Jang’s wife, was giving him a hard time. Though she gave the impression of a gentle lady on the surface, he wasn’t her biological son after all. In typical dramas, stepmothers were often cruel to children who weren’t their own.
“Why do you think that?”
“Your expression doesn’t look good.”
“Me? Oh dear, I didn’t mean to. I apologize.”
“It’s okay. It just darkens occasionally. But really, what’s going on?”
“Hmm.”
Jeong Heejun hesitated briefly before speaking.
“Actually, I have a friend who helped me a lot in my childhood.”
Oh? This wasn’t about Baek Sira, it seemed.
“But I recently found that my friend is in danger.”
“Danger?”
The unexpected story made it impossible to imagine what was happening. But listening to Jeong Heejun calmly explaining, she began to understand the situation.
“So, Director Choi is keeping your friend?”
Though Ryu Jiyeon had grown up uninvolved in the family business and lived freely, she still knew certain names.
‘Choi Mujin? He’s a terrible man. Never get involved with him. He wouldn’t let you anyway, but you still need to be careful. He’s a gangster not worth associating with.’
One might wonder why a gangster would be in a corporation. Such questions could arise, but Ryu Jiyeon simply nodded obediently. Though she didn’t directly jump into business, she was perceptive enough. Both Isaac Finance and Toho Construction had similar beginnings. And she knew that made them different from ordinary businesspeople.
“But why did Director Choi do that to your friend?”
She avoided saying “imprisonment” in the café, phrasing it indirectly. No matter how violence-obsessed he might be, now that he’d become a director of a company, he maintained basic standards. Even if he committed certain acts, it was rare for him to take direct action. But to imprison and torment Jeong Heejun’s friend? What grave sin had they committed against Choi Mujin? Even Ryu Jiyeon couldn’t help but be curious about this.
“It’s because of debt.”
“Then can’t we just pay it off for him?”
At this, Jeong Heejun lowered his eyes and made an awkward expression.
“It’s embarrassing to say, but I don’t have the means to do that right now.”
This sight only made him seem pitiful in Ryu Jiyeon’s eyes. He had lost his mother and barely found his biological father, but his new stepmother only mistreated him. Wasn’t this a common drama story? And such things typically happened in reality as well.
“Then I’ll help you!”
There was no hesitation in Ryu Jiyeon’s words.
“I have plenty of money.”
The assets she had already received as gifts since childhood were substantial.
“No, I can’t impose on you like that. Besides, even if we give money, I’m not sure Director Choi will release my friend.”
“I’ll talk to my father about it.”
At her firm statement, Jeong Heejun wore an apologetic expression.
“Would that be alright?”
“Of course. It’s just one person.”
What could happen? Thinking this, Ryu Jiyeon stuck her fork into the cooling soufflé cake. She didn’t want to see Jeong Heejun distressed about his friend anymore, though she knew her father would be shocked if he found out. After the date ended, Jeong Heejun escorted her home as usual.
“Don’t worry about your friend! I’ll figure something out!”
“I feel so reassured. While I hate myself for asking such a favor, I also think I’m fortunate to have met you, Jiyeon-ssi.”
“Really?”
“Really. Your purity is always nothing but lovely.”
At Jeong Heejun’s words, Ryu Jiyeon smiled broadly.
“Take care on your way back.”
“Have a peaceful night, Jiyeon-ssi.”
After parting like this, Ryu Jiyeon entered her home. Crossing the spacious yard into the mansion, the housekeeper welcomed her as usual.
“Welcome back, miss. How was your date?”
“It was good! Is Father home from work?”
“Yes, he’s in his study after dinner.”
As soon as the housekeeper answered, Ryu Jiyeon quickly ran to the study. She had always been told to behave properly, but that was easier said than done.
Knock knock knock.
After rhythmically knocking on the study door, a familiar voice came from inside.
“Is that you, Jiyeon? Come in.”
When Ryu Jiyeon quickly opened the door and entered, her father was waiting for her.
“So, did you have a good date today?”
“Yes!”
“Do you still like him?”
“I do. He’s a good person.”
“What do you like? His personality? Or his appearance?”
“Oh, stop teasing me!”
He might be a stern person outside, but to Ryu Jiyeon, he was just a kind father.
“Alright, but what brings you here? It doesn’t seem like you’re just reporting on your date.”
“Father, I was wondering…”
“Yes?”
“Could you help rescue someone?”
“Someone? What person?”
When Chairman Ryu asked with round eyes, Ryu Jiyeon quickly clung to him and began chattering. She had gone to a soufflé specialty shop, and Jeong Heejun’s expression was dark. When she asked, he told her about his friend who was being held by Director Choi because of debt. Couldn’t they somehow rescue him?
“Director Choi is holding them?”
“That’s what he said.”
“Hmm?”
Director Choi didn’t involve himself in small matters and had never shown such interest in anyone. For someone like him to be holding a person captive. Come to think of it, there had been a report recently. It said Director Choi was showing interest in a young man, but he had dismissed it as a joke at the time. Though he had slept with many people, he had never been fixated on just one.
‘Now that I think about it, Ryu Jiho, that kid has been walking around with bodyguards lately.’
He had left him alone, thinking his son might have lost a friend after confronting Director Choi and was afraid of retaliation. But thinking about it now, he hadn’t looked into exactly how his son had angered Director Choi. This was because his second son, Ryu Jiho, was always causing trouble. Additionally, his inferiority complex was severe, causing him to make a fuss trying to establish dominance over anyone he perceived as better than himself.
“Tsk.”
When he clicked his tongue unconsciously, Ryu Jiyeon looked at Chairman Ryu with round eyes.
“Father?”
“No, it’s nothing. It’s not about you. Anyway, Jiyeon.”
“Yes?”
“Do you really want to help Jeong Heejun?”
“I do! He’s going to be my spouse.”
“Alright. Then I’ll look into this matter separately.”
“Really? Thank you!”
“No need for thanks.”
Chairman Ryu looked at his excited daughter with a kind expression. He had given her special affection as the youngest, and unlike a certain dimwit, she was quite clever. So he wanted to grant her request if possible.
“Now go rest.”
“Yes! I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Watching his daughter leave the study while waving her hand lightly, Chairman Ryu immediately picked up his phone. It was to summon his son, Ryu Jiho. It would be better to hear directly from the person involved.
* * *
Days repeated like a hamster wheel. Lee Jeongin was confined to a small room, eating only boxed meals and going out once a day. And the place he visited was the hospital where his mother was. The people who accompanied him were generally fixed. Haseo accompanied him about twice a week, and the rest of the time, it was that ignorant muscleman named Park Dongsu.
There wasn’t much to do at the hospital. He just tried talking to his mother, who lay there like a half-corpse. Occasionally he caressed her hand, but it wasn’t something he enjoyed. Though she was being cared for by a caregiver, her wrinkled and thin hand felt strange to touch. It was like touching a dead branch.
“Mother.”
Even when calling her name, she showed no reaction. Lee Jeongin was gradually growing bored with the similar routine each day.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
