133.
#Plan B
Everyone was puzzled as to why Hayun wasn’t appearing at the venue and was greeting them through a screen.
[I would like to express both my gratitude and apologies to the distinguished guests who have taken time out of their busy schedules to attend this event.]
His attitude and tone were polite. As Hayun bowed deeply, the guests looked at each other and murmured. Some thought it might be some kind of event.
[Today, Choi Yu-na and I will not be getting engaged.]
He didn’t mince words. As soon as he stated the conclusion, the murmuring grew louder.
“Father!”
A loud voice was heard, and when they turned to look, Congressman Choi Min-guk’s son was supporting him as he collapsed, clutching the back of his neck. Chairman Jeong gripped his cane tightly, trembling as he glared at the video.
[Nevertheless, the reason we arranged this gathering and invited you to take this precious time is to clearly convey our opinions to as many people as possible.]
Our? Did he just say “our”?
Both the guests from Haedo Group and those from Congressman Choi Min-guk’s side were taken aback. They had thought there might be a problem on one side when they heard the engagement wouldn’t proceed, but Hayun was now speaking as if he and Choi Yu-na had come to an agreement.
The guests looked back and forth between Congressman Choi Min-guk and Chairman Jeong. Judging by their visibly shocked and angry expressions, it seemed clear that Hayun and Choi Yu-na had blindsided them.
[Both Choi Yu-na and I have someone precious to us.]
This was a bombshell like no other. Chairman Jeong clenched his jaw and squeezed his eyes shut. Among the guests were several journalists. He wanted to throw them out immediately, but camera shutters were already clicking. If he forcibly removed them now, speculations would run even wilder than the truth.
“Chairman! Did you foresee this situation?”
“Congressman Choi, what are your thoughts on this situation?”
Some journalists had already started shouting questions at Chairman Jeong and Congressman Choi Min-guk, the most senior figures from both families.
“Please be quiet!”
The emcee who was supposed to conduct the ceremony tried to quiet them down and redirected attention back to the video. The guests, too, were more interested in hearing what Hayun had to say rather than the barrage of questions from the journalists.
[I understand that some may criticize our choice as foolish. We too have pondered whether it might be right to follow our elders’ wishes, as we have done until now. That’s why we even set a date for the engagement ceremony.]
Hayun subtly hinted that this engagement was not of their own will, but rather pushed by their elders.
[However, after much deliberation, we concluded that this is not right. I believe it’s more appropriate to plan Haedo’s future solely based on Haedo Group’s capabilities, rather than seeking benefits through an arranged marriage between families. A political-business alliance through marriage is an anachronistic judgment. I believe that by breaking this long-standing and misguided custom, Haedo Group can look forward to a positive future.]
Small gasps erupted here and there at Hayun’s resolute words. To those who had already built solid relationships through their own marriages, Hayun’s words sounded like those of a naive child who didn’t understand the world.
However, the journalists’ reactions were different. They watched Hayun’s video with expressions of curiosity and favor. They were also recording Hayun’s video from start to finish.
[Furthermore, I want to protect the person precious to me until the end. I hope that person won’t be hurt because of a marriage that’s like a struggle for vested interests. If the elders of our families continue to oppose, I am prepared not to marry anyone in the future.]
Having heard that much, Chairman Jeong frowned and turned away abruptly. There was no need to listen further. There was no need to confirm who Hayun had in mind when he said those words.
Such an ungrateful child. He was packaging it as if he were protecting the love of the century, completely omitting the fact that he desired his own brother. Chairman Jeong was seething at Hayun’s duplicity, but he couldn’t step forward and reveal that the person Hayun was talking about was his own brother.
If it’s not Jeong Dawoon, he doesn’t want anyone else. So he doesn’t need marriage in the future either.
He was clearly conveying this message to Chairman Jeong.
[I will personally visit and apologize to those who attended today. However, I would like you to understand this: The fact that we went to such extreme lengths shows how sincere Choi Yu-na and I are, and that we invited you all with that level of determination. If you could overlook this point and understand, I will surely provide an appropriate compensation.]
At the final word “compensation,” people’s expressions changed. The compensation mentioned by Jeong Hayun, who was practically the real power holder of Haedo Group, could be different from what ordinary people might think. Whether someone else’s engagement was called off or not didn’t really matter to them. Rather, they were curious about what kind of compensation Haedo Group would offer.
“Well, it can happen. Aren’t times changing?”
The chairman of a group that had long been in a rivalry with Haedo Group due to overlapping business areas stood up and spoke. There was even a faint smile on his face. It was unclear whether he was satisfied that this incident would cause turmoil for Haedo Group, or if he was interested in the compensation Jeong Hayun mentioned.
“Brave.”
A man who looked about the same age as Hayun clapped while remaining seated.
“It’s about time for a change, isn’t it? I like it.”
In response to his hearty reaction, other guests nodded. Although the engagement ceremony hadn’t been properly held, it didn’t seem like they would lose much. The Jeong Hayun they knew wasn’t someone who spoke idly. So they expected there must be something.
“I am Park Ju-jin, the chief of staff for the Haedo Group Vice Chairman’s office.”
As the video ended, Director Park stepped forward in front of everyone and introduced himself with the microphone.
“Documents with your company name or personal name are prepared at the entrance. Our staff will verify your identity and give you the correct document. Inside that document is a proposal prepared by the Vice Chairman, so please check it.”
Proposal? Those who had been tilting their heads soon realized that this was the compensation Jeong Hayun had mentioned. People curious about what it might be hurriedly stood up. None of them cared anymore about the engagement being called off.
“Hah, is this okay?”
Jeong Seo-in, watching the guests leave, frowned and grumbled to her husband.
“Weren’t you unhappy about the engagement proceeding anyway?”
Her husband pointed out that until yesterday, she had been displeased about Congressman Choi Min-guk becoming Jeong Hayun’s backer through this engagement.
“That’s different! He caused such a major incident, and it’s just going to pass like this?”
She was desperate to find fault with Hayun.
“Whether it passes like this or not remains to be seen.”
“What’s there to see? Didn’t you see people’s reactions earlier? Everyone’s eyes were shining with expectation, wondering what kind of goodies Jeong Hayun would throw at them. Isn’t this crazy? Jeong Hayun alone broke off the engagement, so why is Haedo Group offering compensation?”
“Not those people, but over there.”
Her husband nodded towards where the reporters were gathered. Unlike the guests from political and business circles, no benefits were mentioned for the journalists.
“Is this an ordinary event? The internet will probably be buzzing soon. I saw them recording everything on video earlier.”
At her husband’s words, Jeong Seo-in narrowed her eyes and let out a long “Hmm” sound. While the guests might be placated with talk of compensation, public opinion wasn’t so easily controlled. If Jeong Hayun’s broken engagement was received negatively by the public, it could lead to damage to the company’s image.
The journalists were gathered together, having a serious discussion among themselves. They seemed to be discussing how to write their articles.
“I should go check it out.”
“Don’t. If we stir things up unnecessarily, it could backfire on us too. Just leave it be.”
Jeong Seo-in’s husband stopped her as she tried to approach the journalists. Persuaded by her husband that it was better to remain completely uninvolved in this incident, Jeong Seo-in turned away, pouting. She hoped this incident would blow up and set the internet ablaze. Even Jeong Hayun couldn’t control all public opinion.
***
Dawoon, who had been watching the video until everyone left the engagement venue, couldn’t even sigh.
“From the beginning… you had been planning this.”
Without prior preparation, they couldn’t have displayed a pre-recorded video, nor would they have had proposals to appease the guests. Preparing separate proposals tailored to each guest wasn’t something that could be done overnight.
“When exactly…?”
“From the moment I agreed to get engaged to Choi Yu-na.”
Hayun answered calmly. Dawoon looked up at Hayun with a sickened expression.
“It was another lie.”
He felt foolish for believing that Hayun had really intended to give up everything. Feeling manipulated by Jeong Hayun once again, he felt beyond shocked and was starting to feel empty.
“I never lied.”
Hayun answered while maintaining eye contact with Dawoon.
“After preparing all of this, you say it wasn’t a lie?”
“It wasn’t.”
Hayun was still confident.
“Because this was just Plan B.”
At these words, a slight wrinkle appeared between Dawoon’s brows.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
