By Zephyria 
Seo Yi-kyung felt his chest tighten. His heart pounded as he watched Han Seung-jae walk around the sedan toward him. Given the nature of the visit, Butler Do could not accompany them.
However, the person most surprised while watching the scene was actually Secretary Park. In his time working, he had never seen Director Han bring anyone along, nor was there any room for anyone to intervene unless they were perfectly suited for the task at hand.
No, perhaps this person was more suited for this task than anyone else. After all, he was the man’s father.
“…….”
Seo Yi-kyung’s reflection in the elevator doors showed clear signs of nervousness. The image of Han Seung-jae angrily telling him they should never meet again flickered in his mind. Along with the image of Seo Dong-hu writhing in agony.
In the hallway of the VIP ward, the sound of Secretary Park’s footsteps echoed as he walked ahead. Seo Yi-kyung looked toward the location of the room, which he already knew. Noticing the same spot, Secretary Park stopped in front of the door and knocked.
“Yes.”
Upon hearing the answer, Secretary Park opened the door. Immediately, Seo Dong-hu let out a loud shout. At that moment, Secretary Park stepped aside, and Han Seung-jae stepped forward.
“Di… Director Han.”
His tone was different from before. Upon spotting Han Seung-jae, Seo Dong-hu glanced sideways at the pillow he had been kicking. Then, noticing Seo Yi-kyung following behind, he suddenly tried to scream but bit his tongue.
“How… how did you…”
Seo Dong-hu kept staring at Han Seung-jae’s empty hands. Seo Dong-hu knew very well that Han Seung-jae was not the type of person to visit someone he had beaten. Thus, his eyes darted around frantically, fearing that Han Seung-jae’s hand might fly at him once again.
“Father will be here soon.”
It was a warning, telling him not to act as he had back then. However, hearing this, Han Seung-jae spoke indifferently.
“I know. That’s why we agreed to meet here.”
The VIP room was equipped with a refrigerator, a TV, a shower, and a sofa for guests.
Secretary Park turned around. At the end of the hallway, CEO Seo Young-hwan was walking toward them accompanied by the attending physician. Soon, the physician bowed and headed back the way he came.
CEO Seo Young-hwan entered the room. He looked slightly surprised upon discovering Seo Yi-kyung. However, it was such a momentary change that not many people noticed.
Even with only a few people present, the large room felt crowded. When Han Seung-jae sat in the seat of honor and pointed to the left, Seo Yi-kyung followed the gesture and walked there. Following that, CEO Seo Young-hwan sat down while looking at Seo Yi-kyung.
Leaning against the hospital bed, Seo Dong-hu watched the situation closely, glaring at the back of Han Seung-jae’s head. His eyes fell upon a fruit basket inside the room. He wondered if throwing that would make him feel better.
But he soon decided against it. Not only was his bandaged hand unable to lift it, but given Han Seung-jae’s personality, he wasn’t the type to just stand by. The thought of ending up unable to walk made shivers run down his spine.
“I didn’t know you’d come together…”
CEO Seo Young-hwan’s words were directed at Seo Yi-kyung, who sat opposite him. A crease formed in the dark suit Han Seung-jae was wearing. He dismissed the comment curtly.
“I will not be making any further investments in Woorim Construction.”
Seo Young-hwan’s face distorted visibly. He ignored Seo Yi-kyung, whom he had been concerned about, and quickly stared at Han Seung-jae.
“You agreed to provide support for the construction currently underway. How can you suddenly change your word like this? We were relying solely on you.”
Until now, Woorim Construction had led the way in residential and commercial spaces, including apartments, officetels, and industrial centers. As the Myungjun Financial Group backed them and provided unstinting support both materially and spiritually, they had been more advantageous than anyone else in selecting construction firms.
Secretary Park took out a document and placed it on the table so CEO Seo Young-hwan could see it clearly. The hands of Seo Young-hwan, resting on his lap, trembled.
The support from Myungjun Financial Group was originally specified with the condition that it would last until Seo Yi-kyung got married.
President Han Yechan of the Myungjun Group, who had led Han Seung-jae’s betrothal, considered Seo Young-hwan’s status to be significantly lower. Had Seo Yi-kyung not been an extreme dominant Omega, it was a union that would never have happened. Because of this, he intended to cut ties with Seo Yi-kyung’s family as cleanly as a knife cut once the two were married. However, Han Seung-jae had maintained the connection for four more years.
“Consider it a blessing that I’m ending it at this level.”
Leaning back in the seat of honor on the hospital sofa, Han Seung-jae’s gaze turned toward Seo Yi-kyung. The pale face was constantly following Seo Young-hwan.
If Seo Yi-kyung had not come along, this matter would not have ended so easily with just a conversation. Given Han Seung-jae’s personality, he would never have tolerated it.
Han Seung-jae’s eyes were scathing. He recalled the moment they sat across from each other at the dining table this morning.
—I… I’ll go with you.
—It’s not for you to interfere.
It wasn’t that he wanted to show a good side of himself, but he felt there was no need to show an even worse side.
—I know that you bought me, Seung-jae.
—Who told you that?
Han Seung-jae’s eyes turned sharp. Although it was a betrothal arranged by the family regardless of his will when he was young, they had married following proper procedures and etiquette. However, Seo Yi-kyung’s thoughts seemed entirely different.
—So, even if you come to like someone else, I can understand everything.
* * *
Inside the fast-moving car, Secretary Park, sitting in the passenger seat, was preoccupied with work. For some reason, the air inside was vibrating with a heavy atmosphere, just as it had been when they arrived. Director Han had seemed to be in a good mood until they met at the painting studio.
“What you said earlier.”
Seo Yi-kyung, who had been looking out the car window, turned his head. Han Seung-jae leaned his upper body forward. Seo Yi-kyung shrank back as the space suddenly narrowed, but with nowhere left to run, he had no choice but to stay put.
“I don’t know what your father told you, but…”
The low voice resonated right in front of him. He reached out, grabbed Seo Yi-kyung’s chin, and locked eyes with him.
“I cannot tolerate it.”
“…….”
“Such a thing will never happen.”
“…….”
Even though no answer came from Seo Yi-kyung, Han Seung-jae did not stop talking.
“I need to visit the family home this weekend. We haven’t paid our respects once since the wedding. Of course, you’ll have to come too.”
Feeling the white sandalwood scent spreading softly at the tip of his nose, Seo Yi-kyung blinked. Han Seung-jae withdrew his hand and leaned back against the seat. Similarly, it seemed that Seo Yi-kyung’s answer was not required.
Seo Yi-kyung’s head slowly turned to the side. His face, clad in the dark suit, looked heartless. From his flawless appearance to his cold eyes.
Then, he remembered the parts about Han Seung-jae’s family that he had seen in the original novel. His parents had also entered a loveless marriage. They had done it out of a sense of duty following the family’s coercion. And the result could be inferred to some extent by looking at Han Seung-jae’s twisted personality.
It was written that his mother always drank, and his father was constantly meeting various Omegas.
* * *
The towering mansion exuded an exotic atmosphere. Butler Do’s eyes widened as he stepped out of the car. From the fountain in the center to the lined-up trees, it was clearly a building designed with great care.
Coming back to his senses, he stepped back and opened the rear door. Seo Yi-kyung, wearing a white suit, stepped out of the car.
Seo Yi-kyung’s neatly arranged hair fluttered in the lukewarm breeze. At the same time, the rushing wind swept through the leaves, making a pleasant rustling sound.
Seo Yi-kyung felt the gazes of people looking out at him from inside the house through the windows, enough to make his face stiffen. However, looking toward the open door, he forced himself to climb the stairs calmly.
“You have arrived.”
Seo Yi-kyung stared at the elderly man who approached him. He introduced himself as Butler Choi, the general manager. Butler Choi looked around Seo Yi-kyung.
“Did Director Han not come with you?”
Butler Do, who was beside him, answered suggestively.
“He said he would come here from the office, but it seems he is stuck in traffic.”
“I see. Please follow me.”
Butler Choi turned around. Seo Yi-kyung’s cheeks stung from the gazes flying at him from all directions. No, he felt as if he were melting.
‘Wasn’t I going to pay my respects to the family home?’
He had simply thought it was a meeting to see Han Seung-jae’s parents.
Seo Yi-kyung couldn’t find a place to look. He caught a glimpse of a child in a skirt running quickly and hugging her mother. It looked as if all the relatives had been gathered.
Meanwhile, they leaned their heads together or tilted them, whispering. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t hear them. He’s here. Oh my—look over there. He could hear talk of himself coming from everywhere.
Seo Yi-kyung’s heart pounded. As he entered the living room, a family photo hanging on the wall caught his eye. It was a picture of a happy family of three.
The father, Han Yechan, was smiling benevolently. Han Seung-jae’s eyes seemed to resemble his, but because he was smiling, the feeling was distinctly different.
The mother beside him was wearing a hat with a veil, partially hiding her face, but she was a stunning beauty whose elegance was palpable.
And behind the couple stood Han Seung-jae.
The gazes of the people sitting on the sofas and tables layered upon one another. Everyone was wearing formal attire. It was as if they were enjoying a banquet.
‘I didn’t hear anything about this…’
Seo Yi-kyung’s eyes wavered.
He hadn’t heard anything like this from him until this morning. He only realized once again that Han Seung-jae was not a kind person who would give detailed explanations for things that weren’t asked.
Among them, President Han Yechan, who was sitting in the seat of honor, turned his head. The light-colored suit he wore had a sheen to it.
“Did Seung-jae not come with you?”
Seo Yi-kyung’s fingertips curled. His hands instinctively clenched into fists.