TWB 60

“Fuck. Who the hell does she think she is, telling people to come and go? The nerve. She’s really getting out of hand lately.”

Yoon Seong-ho, the second son of the Seo-il Group, vented his frustration while sitting in the backseat of the car. He was already dying of busyness with company work when he received a call from his younger sister, Yoon Se-na. She told him that she had an important announcement and wanted the family to gather at the main house in time for dinner.

She had been a cute youngest child when they were young, but as time passed, Yoon Se-na had become a thorn in his side. Perhaps she was relying on her stepmother’s backing, but her arrogance had reached the skies over time. This current situation was a perfect example. She should have just enjoyed some moderate hobbies. How dare she eye the subsidiaries? Her lack of self-awareness was exactly like her mother.

Cursing, he incessantly scratched the inside of his jacket sleeve. Because he had been walking on eggshells around his father, Chairman Yoon, he hadn’t attended any gatherings recently, and as a result, the side effects of the forbidden drug were appearing. As soon as he resolved the task he was currently assigned, his first stop would be Oasis. Once he took the drug mixed by President Park, it was nothing short of heaven. That man might not be much in other areas, but he had an exceptional talent for mixing drugs.

Meanwhile, the car came to a stop in front of the main house. Upon stepping out, he saw that his eldest brother, Yoon Tae-ho, had arrived first. How could they be so different despite sharing the same blood?

Yoon Tae-ho had been like that since childhood. He was more diligent than anyone and was the type of person who would pretend to die if his father told him to. He was upright in everything and a relentless hard worker, which was why their father trusted and utilized him more, despite them being brothers.

While receiving greetings from the staff waiting at the gate, a yellow sports car drove up. Soon, the car stopped, and Im Gyeong appeared wearing sunglasses. Usually, he would at least give a half-hearted greeting, but today he seemed to be in a bad mood and brushed past them, heading inside.

Watching that retreating figure, Yoon Seong-ho muttered a curse under his breath.

“That fucking rude bastard.”

Because the father had put Im Gyeong forward for the 50th anniversary celebration, rumors had been circulating among the executives. Some wondered if he intended to hand the company over to the fourth son instead of the eldest; others questioned if there was some other intention since he had never stayed in Korea for this long; some said it was more necessary to be wary of his mother and maternal family than of Im Gyeong himself, and so on.

It was all nonsense anyway. As long as his brother Yoon Tae-ho and he were around, there would never be a place for Im Gyeong to stand. If that bastard coveted his position, he would stop him by any means necessary. Even if it meant spilling the blood of his own kin.

With that resolve, he walked up the stairs, only to find that the dining table had been set outdoors rather than inside.

The eldest son, Yoon Tae-ho, who was sitting at the table talking to a staff member, gestured toward him.

“Welcome.”

“Where’s Father?”

“He said he’ll be out shortly and told us to wait here.”

Yoon Seong-ho pulled out a chair and subtly tested his brother.

“What’s going on all of a sudden? Have you heard anything?”

“I don’t know either.”

Yoon Seong-ho sneered.

“It’s obvious. Isn’t this just a declaration of war, saying she wants to get a foot in the company?”

Yoon Se-na would never know. Her father, Chairman Yoon, had no intention of handing the company over to his daughter. He had said he hoped she would live quietly after marriage. Just as the eldest daughter, Yoon Mi-jung, had. While he loved his children equally, he discriminated when it came to the business. In short, he was a man with an outdated, old-fashioned way of thinking. His sons were the ones benefiting from that.

“Is everyone here?”

The person who appeared with a bright smile was the stepmother, Kim Su-jin. She had dressed herself more radiantly than usual today. Looking far younger than her age, her daily routine consisted of eating and grooming herself. Yoon Seong-ho sneered inwardly that all of this was only possible because of his father’s money.

“Stepmother, you look even more beautiful today.”

“Thank you, Seong-ho. You’re the only one who notices.”

“Where’s Sena?”

“She said she’s on her way. She mentioned stopping by a salon.”

“Just how grand of a story is she planning to tell that she had to go to a salon?”

Kim Su-jin shrugged. It meant she didn’t know. Looking at her expression, she truly didn’t know. Kim Su-jin was simpler than she seemed, and everything tended to show on her face. In the meantime, as his arm itched and he unconsciously scratched it, his brother Yoon Tae-ho gave him a nudge.

“Stop it.”

“It’s because it itches.”

Yoon Tae-ho scanned the surroundings and lowered his voice.

His expression showed a mix of worry and contempt.

“Are you still doing it?”

“What are you talking about? I quit ages ago.”

“You bastard. If Father catches you, it’s really over.”

“I told you, I didn’t. I only did it once.”

“Please get your act together. Unless you want your position taken away.”

As Yoon Tae-ho spoke, his eyes pointed toward Im Gyeong, who was sitting in front of them. Im Gyeong, however, had no interest in the two of them and was talking with Kim Su-jin. Kim Su-jin, who had worked as a celebrity, and Im Gyeong, who had briefly worked as a model, had a certain kinship. He didn’t know what they were thinking internally, but on the surface, the two seemed quite friendly.

“Birds of a feather flock together.”

“Listen. Be quiet.”

“At this rate, isn’t that bastard going to seduce Stepmother too?”

You, that mouth! The eldest son kicked his brother’s leg under the table. It was a signal to please watch his mouth. The second son, Yoon Seong-ho, was often the subject of gossip due to his light behavior and speech. He had improved a lot as he got older, but old habits die hard.

“By the way, what happened to that guy, Kang Hee-shin?”

“It’ll be hard for him to make a comeback. It seems Father has made up his mind.”

“He was sticking close to Im Gyeong, so serves him right. Anyway, those nobodies need to be stepped on once in a while.”

“It’s pitiful. He was betrayed by the people he trusted.”

“That’s how they realize. Their place in the world.”

Meanwhile, the food began to appear one by one. King crab legs with lemon wedges, thinly sliced tuna and salmon carpaccio, freshly baked baguettes with truffle butter, and on one side, caviar with blinis and smoked duck. Just then, Chairman Yoon came out, and the children rose in unison.

He sat in the seat of honor with his secretary.

“Where is Sena?”

“She said she’s almost here. I think the traffic was heavy on the way.”

“Just what on earth is she planning to say that she’s causing such a fuss?”

“I wouldn’t know. She hardly tells me anything.”

Chairman Yoon clicked his tongue with a displeased look. In the midst of this, voices were heard at the entrance. Yoon Se-na appeared wearing a light pink suit, and Kim Su-jin quickly headed toward her daughter.

“Sena. Come quickly. Why are you so late?”

Yoon Se-na sat in her designated seat and smiled brightly at her family.

“I’m sorry for being late.”

As soon as she sat down, all eyes were on her.

Yoon Se-na looked at Im Gyeong, who was sitting opposite her.

He was holding a wine glass in his hand, staring only at the plate in front of him.

“Just what is going on that you’ve gathered the whole family?”

At Chairman Yoon’s words, Kim Su-jin stepped in to stop him.

“Honey, let everyone eat first.”

“No, Mom. Please listen to my story first.”

Yoon Se-na stood up confidently from her seat.

Then, after glancing around at her family, she smiled radiantly.

“Everyone, I’m getting married.”

Everyone looked bewildered and surprised. Her mother, Kim Su-jin, worried if her daughter had come home drunk. Chairman Yoon also thought Yoon Se-na was playing a prank.

“I’ve decided to marry Kang Hee-shin next month. Please congratulate me.”

Yoon Se-na’s gaze now locked onto Im Gyeong.

Im Gyeong said nothing, still clutching his glass.

Chairman Yoon, who had been listening in silence, raised his voice.

“What on earth are you talking about! Speak so I can understand!”

“It’s exactly as you heard. You gave me permission to marry him, Father.”

“You call that speaking? Have you lost your mind? Have you completely forgotten the promise you made to your father?”

“Which one? The lie about giving me a subsidiary?”

Chairman Yoon’s cheek trembled.

“You had no intention of keeping it from the start. You said you wanted me to marry quietly and live in the shadow of my husband.”

Finally, Chairman Yoon bolted upright from his seat.

“Who said that!”

“Have you already developed dementia? Those were words that came directly from your own mouth, Father.”

Kim Su-jin gasped and tried to stop her daughter. Chairman Yoon’s rage was poised to pierce the heavens.

“You, you! Are you defying your father right now! Do you think I would ever permit that marriage?”

“It’s useless even if you oppose it.”

“What?”

While everyone held their breath, Yoon Se-na’s gaze shifted to Im Gyeong.

To her half-brother, who was glaring at her while holding his wine glass.

She smiled faintly and continued.

“I’m pregnant.”

Crash—. The wine glass in Im Gyeong’s hand finally shattered into pieces. A murderous glint flashed in Im Gyeong’s eyes, and Yoon Se-na cheered inwardly. Kim Su-jin screamed in surprise, and Chairman Yoon, beyond anger and confusion at the sudden turn of events, was on the verge of collapsing.

In the midst of the chaotic atmosphere where no one knew what to do, someone walked up from a distance.

Dressed in a neat suit, carrying a flower basket in one hand.

With a smile more bright and confident than ever.

“Hello, I’ve come to introduce myself formally. I am Kang Hee-shin.”