By Zephyria 
Inside the fast-moving car, Han Seung-jae drifted into thought, rubbing the screen of his tablet PC with his fingertips. He had known that Seo Yi-kyung had been unable to sleep all night.
If Yi-kyung had asked for help, Han Seung-jae would have taken him to the hospital regardless of the time. However, as if being stubborn, Seo Yi-kyung had swallowed his groans of pain and tenaciously suppressed his breathing.
“Director Han, we have arrived.”
Secretary Park called out to him while holding the rear door open. As Han Seung-jae stepped out of the car, he handed over the tablet PC.
“If you’re going to look that pained, shouldn’t you be clinging to me? I would have helped if you had.”
“Pardon?”
Secretary Park, who was holding the tablet, asked back. Realizing the words weren’t meant for him, he quickly followed behind Han Seung-jae. Numerous people bowed their waists before Han Seung-jae. Passing them indifferently, Han Seung-jae entered the elevator.
The reflection in the door showed a face full of displeasure.
Why on earth does he not beg me for help?
Usually, people brightened up the moment they saw him, looking up to him with anticipation and listing their desires. Everyone around Han Seung-jae had shown this consistent attitude until now. There were no exceptions.
The number on the electronic display changed to 85. As he stepped out of the elevator, a man who had been conversing with an employee turned his head. There were two other men around him who seemed to have come along.
The man’s face brightened the moment he saw Han Seung-jae. Expectation was etched all over his face. Regardless, Han Seung-jae walked coldly into his office.
Once the door closed, Secretary Park spoke to Han Seung-jae as he headed toward his desk.
“It is the President of Gawon Shipping. He is the appointment scheduled for this morning. Shall I tell him to come in now?”
Han Seung-jae took off the dark-colored suit jacket he was wearing. Secretary Park took the garment and hung it on a rack. Han Seung-jae sat at his desk and looked at the watch on his left wrist.
“I will tell him to wait a bit longer.”
Secretary Park added the words tactfully and withdrew. Han Seung-jae’s foul mood was more than evident. If they met now, even though it was a hard-won appointment, the man would receive scathing criticism rather than an investment.
He turned around and put his hand in his inner pocket. Buzz— He looked down at the phone screen ringing repeatedly. Vice President Seo Dong-hu of Woorim Construction.
While Han Seung-jae opened the approval documents, Secretary Park put the phone to his ear. His legs moved quickly toward the door.
* * *
[……Director Han is currently in a meeting. He has a schedule until the afternoon, so I will convey your message once he is finished.]
Secretary Park’s voice drifted calmly through the phone. Seo Dong-hu lowered the phone from his ear.
“Fuck, who does he take me for, an idiot?”
The chauffeur, who was holding the rear door open, flinched. Seo Dong-hu stepped out of the car, sliding the phone into the inner pocket of his gray suit.
He looked at the townhouse located in Seongbuk-dong. It was surrounded by high walls, making the interior completely invisible. Nevertheless, the corners of Seo Dong-hu’s mouth curled up.
“Wow—our Yi-kyung has really made it.”
The chauffeur pulled a fruit basket and a box out of the trunk. Standing before the iron gate, Seo Dong-hu pressed the doorbell.
* * *
At the same time, Butler Do, who was inside the house, hurried his pace. Passing an elevator that was being cleaned, he climbed the stairs and knocked repeatedly on the door of the inner bedroom.
“Young Master!”
The door opened slightly, and Seo Yi-kyung, who had been resting after taking painkillers, peeked out. He stared with glazed eyes at Butler Do, who seemed somewhat flustered.
“Is something wrong?”
Had Han Seung-jae returned by any chance? Otherwise, there was no reason for him to come looking for me so urgently. Out of habit, Seo Yi-kyung started to raise his right hand but then lowered his arm. Butler Do murmured with a troubled face.
“The Vice President has arrived.”
“…….”
Perhaps due to the effects of the medication, Seo Yi-kyung didn’t understand immediately. Then, Butler Do lowered his voice and whispered.
“I mean the eldest Young Master.”
“Ah.”
Seo Yi-kyung’s lips parted slightly. He remembered the fact that in the original novel, ‘Seo Yi-kyung’ had an Alpha Hyung eight years older than him.
Butler Do seemed to hesitate, then, as if suddenly remembering something, he waved both hands in front of him.
“I absolutely did not call him. I merely thought about it, and he arrived without any notice.”
Following Butler Do, Seo Yi-kyung entered the drawing room. Seo Dong-hu was standing there.
He had opened a glass showcase himself and was currently touching a deer-shaped hunting trophy resting on velvet. He grabbed the golden deer head and shook the antlers. The rubies embedded in place of the deer’s eyes glowed red.
“Is this the kind of thing Director Han likes? It’s nothing special. And here I thought there was something grand.”
Suddenly, he turned his head. Seo Dong-hu’s gaze appraised the cost of the turtleneck and cardigan Seo Yi-kyung was wearing and guessed the price of the ring on his finger. Then, his gaze reached Seo Yi-kyung’s bandaged wrist. Seo Dong-hu carelessly tossed the deer head aside.
Showing both palms, Seo Dong-hu strode forward and suddenly wore a smile. It was as if he were dreaming of a reunion between brothers filled with intense emotion.
Wearing slippers, Seo Yi-kyung took a step back. However, Seo Dong-hu’s reaching arms were longer. He wrapped both arms around Seo Yi-kyung’s body.
“Mmm—the smell of money.”
Seo Yi-kyung raised his left hand to push Seo Dong-hu away. However, his frail arm lacked strength, and Seo Dong-hu did not budge. Unable to watch any longer, Butler Do intervened. He grabbed Seo Dong-hu’s arm.
“Eldest Young Master, you cannot do this here……”
This wasn’t even the family home. Furthermore, there was a helper walking toward them carrying a teacup. There were many eyes watching.
Slap— A sound like skin tearing echoed through the drawing room. The face of the entering helper turned pale. She stepped backward.
Having slapped Butler Do’s cheek, Seo Dong-hu raised his voice.
“Vice President.”
“Yes. I am sorry, Vice President.”
As Butler Do bowed repeatedly, Seo Yi-kyung frowned. That was it. The reason Butler Do mentioned the father but didn’t use Seo Dong-hu’s name was—.
“What’s it to you if I want to hug and roll around with my brother? Fuck, have you gone senile now? I was feeling great, so why the hell are you interfering and acting out?”
Having grown up achieving whatever he wanted to do and desired, Seo Dong-hu was close to a time bomb that could explode at any moment.
In the original novel, there were times when Seo Dong-hu entered the house like this, and every time, he demanded money. He acted recklessly, as if asking for something that had been left in his care. Whenever that happened, ‘Seo Yi-kyung’ would confess the family situation to Han Seung-jae and seek help.
In that way, Seo Dong-hu achieved his goals. Thus, it was only natural that such events repeated several times. And the cycle grew shorter and shorter.
Seo Yi-kyung spoke.
“Butler Do, please go attend to your work.”
“Pardon?”
Butler Do, who was clutching his cheek, turned his head. Only then did Seo Dong-hu seem to have cooled off, grinning again.
“Right. Right. We’re trying to catch up after a long time, so you get out and do your work. The house is this big, so you must have plenty to do, right?”
Seo Dong-hu craned his neck and looked around. Butler Do hesitated. He moved his feet slowly, feeling as though they were glued to the floor. After surveying the drawing room, Seo Dong-hu headed for the sofa. Before he could sit, Seo Yi-kyung spoke bluntly.
“I don’t have any money.”
There was no need to even sit on the sofa. Seo Dong-hu had only one purpose.
Moreover, it wasn’t a lie. He had opened his eyes to find himself inside a novel. There was no way he had money. And it was the same for the owner of this body, ‘Seo Yi-kyung.’
This house belonged to Han Seung-jae. The clothes he was wearing were all his. The only things in here that belonged to ‘Seo Yi-kyung’ were his worn-out art tools. Even Butler Do was only able to stay by his side because Han Seung-jae allowed it. If Han Seung-jae decided to kick him out, that would be the end of it.
“…….”
Seo Dong-hu’s steps came to a dead halt. The same went for Butler Do. Seo Dong-hu forced the corners of his mouth up to maintain a smile.
“What kind of nonsense is that. Making your Hyung angry……”
Seo Dong-hu turned and approached again, explaining slowly.
“Even if you don’t have any, you have the noble Director Han. Do you know how expensive that trophy in the display case is? Well, you might not know.”
At his words and behavior, which were not much different from what he had seen in the original novel, Seo Yi-kyung suppressed a sigh that was about to leak out.
“Couples just use each other’s money freely. It’s all fine—.”
The image of standing face-to-face with Han Seung-jae unfolded in Seo Yi-kyung’s mind. He didn’t know if that could be called a married couple, but it was true that Han Seung-jae had a lot of money. However, he had no intention of begging or pleading with him. Knowing better than anyone what the end of that path looked like, how many people could actually walk that same road?
“Seo Yi-kyung.”
It was the same name, but it felt different every time he was called. When Han Seung-jae called him, tension filled his body and he froze. But when Seo Dong-hu called that name, it made him shudder with disgust.
“You know, don’t you? Father doesn’t trust me because he thinks I’m immature. That’s why I want to show him a good side of myself and be recognized. You know you’re the only person I can ask for this, right? We’re blood brothers.”
Seo Dong-hu changed his method and began to coax him.
“Only if I do well will you do well, too.”