#97
Gasp. Eunhong caught his breath.
“The secretarial staff will lure the reporters to a different gate. We’ll go straight to the meeting point and escape in the prepared car. The call took longer because we had to decide on the location.”
“Mmm. Okay. I’m fine. I’m fine.”
Seeing Jaeha’s grim face looking ominous, Eunhong just nodded repeatedly, insisting he was fine.
“Even if you get photographed, I’ll make sure you’re never exposed. Don’t worry.”
Despite saying this, Jaeha seemed anxious and took out dark sunglasses to put on Eunhong. He also gave him a hat and mask that appeared from nowhere. Perhaps he had prepared them just in case.
“Won’t it be more conspicuous if we go out like this? It’s like advertising that Lee Jaeha is here. I think we’ll be impossible to miss…”
“I don’t mind if I get photographed. These people will report it’s me even if only my shadow is caught. I just need to hide you well.”
Though Eunhong had been to various places with Jaeha before, this was his first experience with such a situation, and he felt dazed. Whatever was discussed during the phone call had caused Jaeha to stiffen his face frighteningly as he firmly gripped Eunhong’s hand and pulled him along. Eunhong followed Jaeha through the carpeted corridor so quickly that he didn’t even notice he was out of breath.
Thanks to the secretarial staff’s handling, they successfully evaded the reporters, but Jaeha’s expression remained fierce. Even after abandoning their original car and boarding the one Manager Kim had brought, he continued his conversation with a rigid expression. Manager Kim faced Jaeha with a troubled look, feeling responsible for failing to prevent the news from breaking and the reporters from gathering.
“Chairman’s instructions are to go to Hannam-dong instead of your home, sir.”
“What about the hotel?”
“That’s not a good choice in the current situation.”
Jaeha covered his face and just breathed for a while before seemingly giving up and waving his hand. Manager Kim started the car as if he had been waiting for this cue. Eunhong, who had been sitting stiffly, only felt his tension release after the car had been on the road for quite some time, and he removed his hat and mask. As he took off the sunglasses and set them down, Jaeha took his hand. His eyes were full of apology.
The real-time search terms were filled with discussions about Han Jung Group’s succession plan. Chairman Lee Suhyeok’s health condition. The chairman’s succession direction. The will. Lee Jaesung. Lee Jaeha. Stocks. Eunhong read all the news he could find but couldn’t bear to continue for long. Jaeha was staring out the window with a fierce expression. It all seemed so surreal.
The new place they moved to was smaller than Jaeha’s original home, but it was a structure thoroughly controlled from the parking entrance. All facilities were inside the building, and even delivery food was received by the building managers. Eunhong thought this might be a comfortable prison as he looked down at the Han River spread far below.
Jaeha had been busy discussing with his secretarial staff in the inner study since earlier. Eunhong only gave brief greetings to his family’s messages on his phone, postponing detailed responses. He decided to wait until he fully understood what was happening before explaining.
Although he was worried about having to go to work in just two days, Jaeha’s mood was unusual, and in this situation, he chose to trust him completely and wait, setting everything else aside. Eunhong decided to unpack and freshen up while waiting.
Quite some time seemed to have passed, but the conversation showed no signs of ending. Sitting alone in the spacious living room drying his wet hair, his nerves were all focused on the inner study. Just then, the front door opened, and Chairman Lee entered, accompanied by an attendant.
Too surprised to remember to turn off the hair dryer, Eunhong stood blankly as the elderly man wearing a vermilion cardigan approached with a kind smile and greeted him first. On the hand gripping the cane, a large ring sparkled prominently, as if inlaid with a seal. Eunhong’s eyes darted back and forth, not knowing where to look.
“It’s been a while, child.”
Chairman Lee approached Eunhong without hesitation, closing the distance. Despite leaning on a cane, his steps were broad and quick. Eunhong bowed in greeting and suddenly found his hand being held by the chairman. Chairman Lee smiled broadly with a pleasant face, his intentions unreadable.
“You must have been surprised while returning from your trip. This old man didn’t handle things properly.”
“Ah, no. I came without any inconvenience.”
“Good, have you eaten? You must be exhausted and confused.”
Eunhong, who had been unconsciously tense and looking at Chairman Lee with suspicious eyes due to Jaeha’s attitude, instantly lost his wariness. The warm hand patted Eunhong’s hand and invited him to sit on the sofa. While awkwardly sitting down, he even felt a slight sense of guilt. Memories of Chairman Lee treating him kindly during his childhood began to surface.
‘Where did such a pretty child come from?’
‘Unlike our grandson, you’re so soft and squishy.’
Come to think of it, he had subtle similarities to Jaeha in his choice of words. Like saying “soft” or “smooth.” Despite everything, family was family. Both Lee Jaesung and Chairman Lee reminded him of Jaeha in many ways.
Eunhong responded with a smile to his smile. It was time for pleasantries and greetings. Just as the warm atmosphere was about to continue, Jaeha burst out from the study.
“Grandfather! What are you doing here…!”
Jaeha wedged himself between the two and hid Eunhong behind him.
“Eunhong, go to the room.”
Eunhong opened his mouth in shock. Manager Kim and the attendants—everyone present—seemed surprised. Jaeha reacted sensitively, as if he had met an enemy on the street. The atmosphere froze instantly as his expression of disgust seemed unfamiliar even to the secretarial staff.
It was like the gesture of a carnivore protecting its mate. Chairman Lee didn’t even blink at his grandson’s behavior.
“You act as if your grandfather is going to eat your mate. Ill-mannered boy.”
Jaeha’s face turned pale. More precisely, it happened after the word “mate” was mentioned. Chairman Lee pushed aside the stunned Jaeha and took Eunhong’s hand again. He continued with kind words, asking if he had an enjoyable time at the travel destination, if there was anything he wanted to eat, and if he felt comfortable in this house despite his fatigue. He ignored Jaeha as if he weren’t present.
Although Eunhong knew that Jaeha disliked his grandfather, he was confused by Chairman Lee’s attitude. He wasn’t sure which rhythm to follow. As he was stammering, not knowing how to respond,
“So, you two are dating. I heard you manifested last month.”
Chairman Lee brought up the topic of Eunhong’s trait without warning.
“That’s a blessing.”
At Chairman Lee’s words, Jaeha’s expression hardened frighteningly. Manager Kim, who briefly made eye contact, shook his head vigorously, indicating he hadn’t disclosed this information. They had gone to the trouble of borrowing Lee Jaesung’s help to carefully arrange the attendants to keep it from reaching Chairman Lee’s ears, but it was unclear where the leak had come from.
In the tense atmosphere, an attendant prepared simple refreshments. These were brought by Chairman Lee, including rice porridge for Eunhong, who had just come off a long flight. Chairman Lee sat at the head of the table, with Jaeha diagonally across, and Eunhong next to him. A heavy silence descended over the table.
Lee Jaeha had been engaged in a silent eye battle with his grandfather for some time. He had already figured out what his grandfather’s intentions were and why he had appeared here at this time, and was silently expressing his disapproval.
Then, breaking the long silence, Chairman Lee spoke.
“Eunhong, have you thought about studying more?”
“Pardon? What kind of study are you referring to…?”
“You’ve been working for a company from a young age. It’s certainly rewarding. But you can’t keep working for others, receiving a salary from a small pond forever.”
“……”
“Would you consider moving on to something bigger? You could set up your own business… or study abroad further… I’d like to help you.”
“Eunhong loves his job and is perfectly capable. He’s studied enough. Grandfather, you have no right to say such things.”
Lee Jaeha flared up and interrupted Chairman Lee’s words. Ignoring Jaeha, who was glaring at him with fierce eyes, Chairman Lee continued.
“I thought Eunhong might do well with what you, Jaeha, refuse to accept even if it kills you. He seems to have good judgment. If he becomes part of our family, I’m thinking of putting him in charge of the cultural foundation. It’s traditionally been managed by omegas in our family, and as you know, they’re more sensitive.”
“Grandfather!”
“Wait a moment!”
The two men shouted almost simultaneously. Jaeha turned his head sharply at Eunhong’s voice that erupted beside him.
As both Chairman Lee and Lee Jaeha’s gazes focused on him, Eunhong’s cheeks flushed. In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the eyes of everyone in the living room were fixed on him. After all, Eunhong, who had been quietly observing the situation until now, had raised his voice for the first time.
Eunhong hesitantly asked:
“Did you just say fa… family? Family?”
To put it simply, Eunhong didn’t have a bad impression of Chairman Lee. Even his mention of traits didn’t strike him as particularly negative. It might have been Eunhong’s naivety or ignorance of reality, but it was based on his trust in Lee Jaeha. He had faith that no harm would come to him regardless of how Chairman Lee behaved, so he didn’t find this situation uncomfortable or frightening. However, what Chairman Lee said next succeeded in surprising Eunhong.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
