By Zephyria 
Joo Kyung-han added that he was personally involved, not his secretaries, because it concerned Tae-hyun, not just anyone else.
“My parents, Hyung, and even Yoon-woo. Do you even have the leverage to deal with them? No one here does.”
It seemed DH Group had decided to completely exclude him. But instead of feeling unpleasant, he was surprisingly indifferent. He was actually grateful to Joo Kyung-han for his coldness, which seemed deliberate, as it brought him back to reality.
Seo Baek-han straightened his upper body, which had been leaning forward without him realizing it, and quickly regained his usual composure.
“Yes, I understand what you mean. And I agree. If we dwell on these things, it might only tarnish Tae-hyun’s image.”
Seo Baek-han inhaled slightly, recalling Joo Tae-hyun’s nonchalant voice saying that he didn’t care about his image like Hyung did.
“Hmm, I have no intention of solidifying Tae-hyun’s image as merely a pitiful person.”
Joo Kyung-han raised his eyebrows in surprise at the addition that he could ignore his father’s opinion, which was only trying to steer things in his favor.
“Exclude Assemblyman Seo?”
“You know very well that he only looks after his own interests. And while it may not be as significant as a minister or special advisor, I don’t think the position of Director of the Royal Hospital is insignificant.”
“What?”
“I’m saying this in the hope that you won’t consider my proposal from here on out to be presumptuous.”
Seeing that he wasn’t just trying to find fault but wanted to negotiate, Joo Kyung-han’s eyebrows rose even higher. Look at this bastard? He seemed to be thinking that.
“I believe you already know that Kim Seung-jun is behind this, that Kim Seung-jun committed dubious acts during the preparation process, and that the Second Prince is trying to cover it up even though he knows everything.”
“Well, Kim Seung-jun’s father is loyal to the Second Prince. Anyway, so what?”
As expected. DH wasn’t attacking Kim Seung-jun because they didn’t know the full story.
“Kim Seung-jun has harbored inexplicable animosity towards Tae-hyun and me for a long time. We need to end this completely this time so he can’t resort to any more clumsy tactics. The same goes for the Second Prince.”
“…I understand what you mean, but as I said, stirring things up will only tire Tae-hyun out. Besides, people won’t be swayed by such absurd stories anymore.”
“You know that’s not true.”
That there would be no more instances of the media and the public recklessly criticizing Joo Tae-hyun? That was nothing more than a pipe dream. The people who cursed Joo Tae-hyun, hit him with canes, and threw eggs at him would try to tarnish Joo Tae-hyun again at any time, if only to avoid admitting their mistakes. That was the only way they could justify their past wrongdoings.
“We need to nip it in the bud when it’s still a small spark that can be stamped out. And I think now is the perfect time.”
Seo Baek-han turned on an app and showed Joo Kyung-han some notes that hadn’t been organized yet.
“It seems Kim Seung-jun has been doing terrible things while digging into Tae-hyun’s past. I’m going to expose this. I’m going to clearly address the fact that there are even circumstances suggesting the Second Prince ordered it.”
Joo Kyung-han sighed deeply, as if he thought Seo Baek-han was insisting without understanding the seriousness of the situation. He didn’t even try to hide his rising annoyance at having seriously listened to the nonsense of someone who didn’t know anything.
However, Seo Baek-han had no intention of backing down either. He hadn’t brought it up to ask for permission in the first place. He had only requested a meeting to give them a heads-up in advance so that the elders wouldn’t be surprised.
“Since DH can’t openly intervene, I’ll take care of it.”
Joo Kyung-han studied Seo Baek-han for a while, as if trying to figure out his intentions, then shrugged as if to say that what he did was none of his business.
“Well, fine. I’m not going to stop you. We have enough leeway to block any sparks that fly our way.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t know anything. No matter how you finish off Kim Seung-jun, it won’t undo the divorce with Tae-hyun.”
“That issue—”
“I know that discussions regarding the divorce haven’t even properly started yet. What I mean is that even if you take on this difficult task, it doesn’t mean that we, especially Tae-hyun, will reconsider the divorce.”
So, Joo Kyung-han was asking why he would bother taking on a task where his own benefit wasn’t guaranteed.
“Do you think the Second Prince will just stand by and watch? If they dismiss the case, not only your position but also Prince Lee could be in trouble, you know that, right?”
“…”
“I don’t know what your plan is, but since you said you’re ‘determined to expose it,’ I assume you’re not just going to tip off the media….”
But what would Seo Baek-han gain from going that far to protect Joo Tae-hyun’s reputation?
The spiteful malice of a guy consumed by inferiority would disappear after a few days of sensational news.
Well, if things went well, it would be hard to find articles that recklessly criticized Joo Tae-hyun in the future, and the media would be more careful when mentioning Joo Tae-hyun.
But that was all.
Compared to the risks he had to bear, Seo Baek-han would gain almost nothing, so why was he so determined?
“Don’t tell me you even need the image of being someone who can’t live without their spouse?”
“…….”
“Tae-hyun declared that he would get a divorce himself, so what benefit would such actions bring you? How are you going to convince other people when you can’t even convince me?”
Seo Baek-han had been unwavering when he gathered his people and laid out his plan to handle this case just before coming to Seoul. But now, he was speechless and remained silent.
Joo Kyung-han’s question was valid.
The effort he was putting in was significantly less than what he would gain. In fact, he might only make a fool of himself. It wasn’t that he didn’t know that…
“It’s because of imprinting.”
He was dumbfounded even as he spoke. He should be giving Joo Kyung-han confidence, but instead, he was bringing up the variable-filled topic of imprinting.
“……What?”
“Hyung wouldn’t understand, but that’s how it is when you’re mutually imprinted. I feel like I have to… go this far for Tae-hyun.”
Joo Tae-hyun’s point was correct. This wasn’t just a slight loss of reason.
Did that make sense? He was so angry about the immediate situation that he couldn’t even calculate simple things.
“Seo Baek-han.”
Why the hell was he doing this? As he pondered his state, recalling Joo Tae-hyun’s words, he kept coming back to the divorce issue like a broken record.
It had been like this ever since he saw Joo Tae-hyun’s press conference.
Joo Tae-hyun’s statement that he would divorce him, the fact that his affection, which had been completely enveloping him, might be coming to an end… Was it more shocking than he had thought?
“……Anyway, I’ll assume you have no further objections, and I’ll proceed on my own.”
“Hey, Seo Baek-han!”
He quickly left the lounge, leaving Joo Kyung-han, who had long since abandoned his glib attitude, behind. The dopo he had casually draped over his shoulders fluttered like waves as Seo Baek-han moved urgently.
This was also a first.
Showing a back view of himself fleeing from others, like someone being chased by something.
“How about this? Can you eat this?”
It was the second day after Joo Tae-hyun’s surgery and hospitalization.
Joo Tae-hyun couldn’t understand why Seo Baek-han, who had volunteered to be his caregiver, was trying to take care of him.