By the time Yuri got out of the taxi, several doctors, including the director of the Cancer Center, were already streaming out of the hospital lobby to see off Chairman Han Myeongcheol.
“I’m glad the prognosis is good, Chairman. For now, let’s have you rest at home and keep monitoring your condition.”
From overhearing the center director’s words, it seemed today’s test results were positive. Yuri exchanged a brief eye greeting with Director Park, the chairman’s secretary, then approached Han Myeongcheol with a smile.
“I’m here, Haraboji.”
“You’re here.”
Chairman Han glanced up briefly before continuing to walk. Yuri supported his arm with practiced movements.
“It seems today’s test results weren’t bad.”
The center director nodded in response to Yuri’s question.
“Yes. There’s no need to worry for the time being.”
“That’s a relief. Thank you for your hard work, Director.”
“Not at all. By the way, it must be reassuring for the Chairman to have Director Han come to escort him every time like this. Haha.”
Despite the center director’s praise of Yuri, Chairman Han simply got into the waiting car without any particular response.
“I’m busy. Let’s hurry.”
The chairman urged. Yuri bowed once more to the center director, then walked around to the other side of the sedan and got in.
The car soon started driving toward Chairman Han’s residence in Hannam-dong.
“Here’s the first quarter ROI report you asked for.”
Yuri held out the tablet screen she had prepared. Chairman Han Myeongcheol’s expression remained quite indifferent as he took out his reading glasses to examine the report.
“We’ve already achieved about 125 percent of the first half target. I think it would be good to prepare an additional campaign. What do you think?”
Despite Yuri’s question, Chairman Han just continued examining the report without any particular response. Director Park, who had been quietly listening from the front passenger seat, turned his head and added a word.
“Not just the return rate, but public response has been excellent, Chairman. The marketing department will soon submit their report, but consumer satisfaction and brand preference have also increased significantly.”
Tap.
The chairman closed the tablet as if he disliked hearing this. Then, reluctantly, he spoke.
“Prepare an additional campaign.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Don’t overdo it. Marketing—that stuff tends to backfire if you overdo it. Understand?”
“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Yuri answered politely and retrieved the tablet. She then smiled at Director Park when their eyes met.
Despite successfully completing the brand renewal project, the company’s first major project in 20 years, and achieving numerical results that anyone would have to acknowledge, Chairman Han’s evaluation of Yuri remained harsh.
Of course, since this was the reaction she had expected, Yuri remained composed. This kind of mistreatment from Chairman Han was nothing new.
“If only you had been a boy, how nice that would have been.”
Those words she had heard countless times since childhood. Yuri had never forgotten those words that remained in her heart like an old wound.
No, rather, she tried not to forget them. She remembered them to constantly remind herself of what her goal was and why she was running so hard.
From the beginning until now, her goal had been only one thing: Shinyu Group. Yuri intended to fully possess this company that should rightfully be hers and hers alone.
Click.
The car door opened after stopping beneath the tall wall. Yuri supported the chairman and followed Director Park. The main gate opened, and they passed through the spacious yard into the house.
“Father, you’re home? You’re back?”
Park Mihee greeted the two as if she had been waiting. She naturally took hold of Han Myeongcheol’s free arm. In response, Han Myeongcheol roughly pushed Yuri away as if telling her to let go now.
Yuri’s feet weakly stepped back.
“I just got a call from the center director. He said the results were good. How was the examination? Was it uncomfortable?”
Despite his daughter-in-law Park Mihee’s gentle questions, Chairman Han headed to his room without any response.
Mrs. Lee, who had been in charge of this household for many years, approached Yuri who was left standing alone and whispered.
“Eat before you go. I made tofu hot pot, your favorite.”
“No, thank you. I’m busy and need to leave right away.”
“Eat before you go. I want to have a meal with my daughter after so long.”
When she looked up, Han Wonshik was walking down the stairs from the second floor. Yuri asked with curious eyes.
“Why are you home at this hour?”
“I wasn’t feeling well, so I came home early. My throat feels rough, seems like I’m coming down with a cold.”
“What about medicine? Have you taken any?”
“I’ll take it after eating. Come in, let’s eat together.”
Before she could refuse, she followed him into the dining room as he gestured.
Mrs. Lee brought Yuri’s spoon and chopsticks and placed them on the already set table.
“I ate lunch not long ago, so I’m not really hungry.”
“When did you eat lunch? Did you skip a meal again because of work?”
“I was busy.”
“Busy or not, you need to eat. We’re all working to make a living. Sigh, that work, work, work. Why do you look thinner every time I see you? It breaks your Appa’s heart.”
Clicking his tongue, Han Wonshik moved the hot pot bowl from in front of him to in front of Yuri.
Though he was a philanderer who fooled around with any woman he could, he was extremely devoted when it came to loving his children. He showered equal affection on all his children—sons or daughters, children from his first wife, second wife, or even children from affairs—without discrimination.
As a result, he had created what could be called a completely dysfunctional family.
“Oh? Noona, when did you arrive?”
A youthful face appeared suddenly, wearing a pleased expression. It was Han Junsu, Yuri’s other half-sibling. Now a high school student, he was the late child born between Han Wonshik and actress Kang Inyoung.
A rice bowl and utensils were also placed in front of Han Junsu as he naturally sat at the table. Yuri picked up her spoon and reluctantly began eating. Somehow not wanting to engage in other conversation, she brought up work first as a safe topic.
“I told Haraboji that we’ll proceed with the additional campaign.”
“Did you?”
“Yes. Please check the report that will be submitted tomorrow morning and approve it right away. If we want to maintain the current momentum without interruption…”
“Daughter, talk about work at the company. Now, tell me about that blind date you went on the day before yesterday.”
Han Wonshik abruptly raised his hand, cutting off Yuri’s words.
“…”
“Why are you silent? Didn’t you like him?”
The question she had anticipated was thrown at her.
“Blind date? Noona, you went on a blind date? With whom?”
As expected, Junsu also asked with sparkling eyes.
“We just weren’t compatible.”
“Why? What wasn’t compatible? Don’t be so vague. Tell me in detail. Your Appa is dying of curiosity.”
“Oh, who was it? Who did you meet?”
The two continued their different lines of questioning.
Ah… do I need to continue this conversation?
Yuri let out a silent sigh.
“I think he didn’t like me.”
“What?”
Han Wonshik put down his spoon with a clank and frowned deeply, clearly displeased.
“Well, that’s ridiculous! How dare he, a divorced man, judging whether he likes my daughter or not…”
“Divorced man? You went on a blind date with a divorced man?”
This time, both of them raised their voices simultaneously. Yuri felt her head throbbing from their noisy interrogation.
“Please, the child is trying to eat. Stop it.”
Park Mihee, who had entered the room, joined the conversation. While criticizing her husband’s childishness, she personally filled his empty crystal cup.
Then, just as she was about to pick up the cup in front of Yuri, Yuri grabbed it faster and brought it to her lips. Park Mihee’s brow twitched slightly as her hands were suddenly left empty.
“He’s insolent, that’s why! How dare he, the nerve of him!”
Han Wonshik continued to fume angrily. Understandably so, as he hadn’t been keen on their meeting from the beginning. No matter how great Haegang was, he thought it made no sense to match his precious daughter with a divorced man with so much gossip surrounding him.
He had been greatly upset when Yuri first informed him that she would be going on the blind date. Had he not known that it was his daughter, who normally showed no interest in men, who had requested it first, he would never have permitted such a meeting.
“Daughter! Forget about that disrespectful guy! Your Appa will soon find a really good man for you, so just wait.”
“That’s enough. I’m not going on any more blind dates.”
“Why? Don’t you trust your Appa?”
“Well, now that things have turned out this way, maybe try meeting different people.”
Park Mihee suddenly interjected.
“Should I look into it? Your name comes up often in my prayer group. If you’re okay with it, I could arrange a nice meeting…”
“No.”
Yuri cut off Park Mihee’s words, looking at her face where the ulterior motive was clear.
“You don’t need to do that.”
“…”
“I just want to focus on work. With Haraboji unwell, I should be firmly attached to the company now more than ever.”
“Is that so?”
Park Mihee’s expression was quite detestable.
Yuri lightly ignored that face and moved her spoon again.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
