By Zephyria 
As I looked back and forth between my eldest brother and Kwon Yi-kang with a confused face, my eldest brother looked at me, perhaps noticing my strange expression.
“I guess Soo-kyung didn’t know.”
“Know what?”
“That Mr. Kwon Yi-kang’s company is the Hwang Seong Group. Weren’t you dating him knowing that?”
“Hwang Seong Group?”
The Hwang Seong famous for electronics? They have Hwang Seong Motors, Hwang Seong Insurance, Hwang Seong Card, Hwang Seong Securities, and they even own department stores and hotels. And the Hwang Seong that has countless affiliates I don’t even know about?
There might be people who don’t know the names of the assembly members for their city or province, but there’s no one who doesn’t know the name of the Chairman of the Hwang Seong Group. The Chairman of the Hwang Seong Group’s name was Kwon Do-gyun. It’s true they share the same surname, Kwon, but I don’t know if the father of the Kwon Yi-kang I’ve been meeting is truly Kwon Do-gyun.
“Are you talking about the Hwang Seong I know? The one that makes refrigerators and washing machines?”
It would be hard to find a household that doesn’t have Hwang Seong appliances. From TVs to refrigerators, kimchi refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, microwaves, and even mixers or hair dryers. If you search the house, there’s bound to be at least one small Hwang Seong product.
“Probably.”
I stared blankly at Kwon Yi-kang, who whispered playfully in my ear.
I thought he was the child of a somewhat well-off family, but he was a huge figure. I wondered why he or his father lived with such a strange sense of victimhood, but if it’s the level of Hwang Seong, it’s understandable to start with suspicion.
“Don’t you think we need a conversation about this part?”
I whispered in a low voice, almost like ventriloquism, smiling toward my eldest brother. Instead of answering, Kwon Yi-kang only smiled, his eyes curving.
“Wow, Soo-kyung really has an eye for people. I guess blood doesn’t lie. Seeing how he can smell money even without being told.”
Clap, clap, clap. My eldest brother laughed loudly, clapping his hands. This doesn’t seem like a compliment, but rather an intention to mock both my Omega Father and me at the same time. He’s a guy I dislike even in a situation like this.
As an employee placed the prepared tea on the table, my sister-in-law, who had been so excited about the news of the visit but had been in a strange state since seeing Kwon Yi-kang, hesitated and stood up from her seat.
“I… I’m not feeling very… well. I’ll excuse myself first. I’m sorry, Father. I’m sorry… I’m sorry. Please continue your conversation comfortably.”
The way her hands were trembling made her look like someone who was truly unwell. A person who didn’t even eat properly couldn’t have indigestion. Could she really have some past with Kwon Yi-kang? Following the Hwang Seong Group, another topic to discuss with Kwon Yi-kang had been added.
“What’s wrong with my sister-in-law?”
When I spoke bluntly with a pout, my eldest brother glanced at Kwon Yi-kang without a word. He too had a poor expression from the moment he first saw Kwon Yi-kang, but after learning he was the son of the Hwang Seong Group, he seemed to be managing his expression, becoming almost expressionless.
“Father, why aren’t you saying anything? You were so angry, as if you’d catch him like a rat if I brought him here.”
I asked, pointing out my quiet Alpha Father, but Father still said nothing. I couldn’t even guess what the expression on Father’s face meant as he stared at Kwon Yi-kang. The only certain thing was that it wasn’t a sign of gladness or welcome.
“I have no intention of welcoming you, nor do I have any intention of permitting this marriage. Did you come here knowing that?”
“Father. You were practically dying to get me married off, so why are you bullying the person I brought here to marry? His credentials are decent enough. He’s from Hwang Seong. Better than that bank president’s son you tried to push on me? I looked it up, and bank presidents have term limits anyway.”
I used to wonder why it mattered what your parents did or what kind of family you came from. But it was clear that having a powerful background made it much easier to speak loudly and boldly. I guess that’s why background is so important.
No, even if Kwon Yi-kang had been the son of some unknown company CEO, I would have been fine. My confidence wouldn’t have been shaken by something like that.
Either way, whether it was my family’s hospital or Kwon Yi-kang’s company, neither could be sold off in a heartbeat, and so Hwang Seong or whatever held no particular charm for me. Rather than business cards like Hwang Seong Group or Hosan Hospital, I preferred tangible assets I could hold in my hand.
“If you don’t know, go home and ask your father. Hosan and Hwang Seong cannot stand on equal footing.”
“Isn’t Hosan a bit lower?”
At my mutter, Father’s eyebrow twitched. Why is dissatisfaction always expressed through eyebrows? This person twitches, that person twitches. There were more than a few dancing eyebrows around.
“I don’t wish to raise my voice. Go back.”
“Father-in-law.”
“Even that title is uncomfortable. Did you approach my child knowing everything? I suppose the shamelessness of the father and son is no different. I have no desire to be entangled with your family, nor do I want rumors to spread. Do not think of seeing Soo-kyung again, and live as if there were no connection between us.”
Father, who I expected to shout, conduct a background check, grab someone by the collar, and throw a tantrum, was unexpectedly polite. It was also unexpected that he drew a firm line without giving any room for maneuver.
“Shouldn’t the problems of the older generation be settled by the older generation? If word gets out, it won’t just be my family that suffers. Given the Chairman’s personality, would he enjoy a scandal spreading?”
When he mentioned the older generation, who was he talking about? Was there some issue between the fathers of both sides? Did they fight and grab each other’s collars? Or did someone commit fraud or stab someone in the back?
I glanced at my eldest brother; he also looked flustered by the current situation. Certainly, my eldest brother had shown a bit of favor when he heard Kwon Yi-kang was the son of Hwang Seong Group. Although he immediately put down me and my Omega father, he hadn’t been hostile toward Kwon Yi-kang. That meant my eldest brother was also unaware of the current situation.
A sharp psychological war ensued amidst a brief silence. Father glared at Kwon Yi-kang, and Kwon Yi-kang smoothly ignored the gaze. My eldest brother held his breath, and I struggled to turn my slow-working brain to figure out what was going on.
“I-I’m sorry. I came to greet you, but I think I should leave first.”
My Omega father stood up from the sofa, stammering. I looked on with curiosity as the hand resting on the table trembled violently.
No, seriously, why is everyone acting weird today—both my sister-in-law and my Omega father? They seemed perfectly fine during the meal. Did the two of them coordinate to snub Kwon Yi-kang?
Before anyone could respond, my Omega father turned hurriedly toward the bedroom and disappeared. In the empty living room, only the sharp-tempered Alpha father, Kwon Yi-kang, a bewildered me, and an inexplicably intimidated eldest brother remained.
“Why is the atmosphere like this? Is there something I don’t know? Are we actually talking about my marriage right now?”
“Shall I tell Soo-kyung? If you keep persisting, I have no choice but to tell him.”
“Please do. It’s not my family’s shame, but this family’s, isn’t it? I’m perfectly fine with it.”
The smile on Kwon Yi-kang’s lips deepened.
There definitely was something I didn’t know. It was something my eldest brother didn’t know either; only Kwon Yi-kang and my Alpha father knew.
“This is frustrating. It seems there’s something only you two know, so tell me. I want to hear it too. Aren’t we gathered here because of my marriage? I’m the primary party involved, so why does it feel like everyone is talking except me?”
“Be quiet. Do you not know your place and just barge in?”
“Shouldn’t Soo-kyung know what he needs to know, Father-in-law?”
“I don’t want to hear it. It’s horrific just looking at your face. Get out of this house immediately. This is not a place for you to set foot.”
Excuse me, I’m right here.
I was infuriated by the conversation that excluded me until the very end. I grabbed Kwon Yi-kang’s hand and pulled him up from his seat.
“You came to get permission for marriage, but you’re just sitting here talking in riddles. Did you date my father or something? Why do you two have so many secret stories? Come on. Come out and talk to me first.”
“Soo-kyung, go up to your room. I’ll set a date soon, so prepare for a blind date. Consider today’s meeting as if it never happened.”
“Let’s set a date for the formal family meeting soon, Father-in-law.”
“You low-born brat. You have no lineage…”
Father, who was about to say something, hurriedly shut his mouth. Alpha father, who had been glaring fiercely at Kwon Yi-kang, grabbed my arm and pulled. I frowned at the strength of the grip, which pressed deep into my flesh.
“It hurts.”
“Come here. Baek-joo, see the guest out.”
“I said it hurts. Let go.”
I shook off Father’s hand violently and stepped back a couple of paces. I looked at Kwon Yi-kang and Alpha father in turn, taking another step back to prevent them from approaching.
“Which one of you is going to tell me? I’ll follow the person who tells me.”
“Come here.”
“I told Soo-kyung to go up! Baek-joo, take Soo-kyung upstairs.”
“Eldest brother, if you don’t want to trade punches with me, just stay put right there.”
Take one more step. My fist will land right on your face. If you’re not involved, just stay out of the way. When I glared at him, baring my teeth, my eldest brother stepped far back and took the position of a bystander.
“Choose quickly. Who is going to explain the current situation to me?”
“Let’s go, Soo-kyung. There’s more than one or two things you need to hear, right? I can tell you everything. Everything, honestly.”
Contrary to Kwon Yi-kang’s beaming face, Alpha father’s face grew pale and grim by the second. Scowling deeply, Father took out his phone and called someone.
“Chief Bae. There is an uninvited guest here. Escort him out. Keep Soo-kyung in his room so he cannot come out.”
Wow, he’s actually trying to use force. I was so appalled I couldn’t even laugh.