FGP 54

Chapter 54

After tracking down Hyun-jung, Tae-geon had Kim Seon-woo dig into everything about the people around her.

“They say that when Seo Ye-rim had a hard time in high school due to rumors of being an illegitimate child, Jo Jae-seok was the one who protected her. There are also rumors that the two dated.”

“Hearing that makes him sound even more like a bastard.”

“The more appalling thing is that Jo Jae-seok allegedly fell for Seo Hyun-jung at first sight in high school and even proposed to her.”

Tae-geon was dumbfounded and couldn’t say anything further.

“The more you dig, the more disgusting it gets.”

“They say that from then on, the pressure to marry was intense. Seo Hyun-jung asked to postpone it until after college. It seems she wanted to buy time to make sure the marriage never happened.”

Seon-woo spread out some photos on the desk, different from the ones earlier.

Tae-geon picked up each one and listened to Seon-woo’s explanation.

“She once tried to run away from home. This was the shop run by the parents of the friend who helped her escape.”

Everything looked destroyed, as if a tsunami had swept through. Even the signboard had fallen; nothing looked like a place that sold food anymore.

Inside, all the dishes and tables were overturned, and everything was a mess, as if mud had been thrown all over.

“And this photo is of another shop run by the parents of a different friend who helped her escape.”

It looked like a fairly large neighborhood market, but it was no different from the previous place.

All the items were strewn across the floor, covered with various filth. The mess was so bad that cleaning it seemed nearly impossible.

“Of course, they reported it to the police, but apparently no one was punished.”

After that, they saw several more cases—friends whose parents worked for a subcontractor of the Joshu Group who were forced to resign, or homes turned into ruins by suspected arson.

The cruelty was unimaginable for anyone sane. Just for helping Hyun-jung, they had to endure such trials.

“It seems Seo Hyun-jung wanted to help them personally, but in reality, it looks like the friends cut contact first.”

“…Hyun-jung and her friends must have gone through so much.”

Tae-geon felt a prickling in his throat. He felt sorry for the years he had completely forgotten her, unaware of the hardships she had endured.

He couldn’t even imagine how Hyun-jung must have felt knowing that the friends who helped her had lost their homes and livelihoods.

“So that’s why she seemed so helpless.”

He remembered the time he had unknowingly reunited with Hyun-jung. Her innocent eyes, suggesting spending the night together. But in those eyes, there was neither fear nor expectation of pleasure—only a sense of helplessness.

His chest sank heavily, aching.

“I wonder how everyone is living now.”

“It’s been over three years, but everyone is struggling.”

“First, let’s find Hyun-jung. Then, we’ll arrange a meeting with her friends’ parents.”

Tae-geon’s heart ached imagining Hyun-jung’s feelings toward her friends, whose lives had been shattered just for helping her.

He wanted to embrace her, to fill her heart that had been worn down by pain with hope and courage.

He also wanted to tell her how proud he was that she endured it so well. Resolving that she should never suffer like this again, he firmly made a vow, thinking of his late mother.

Jae-seok’s car screeched to a halt in front of Young-wook’s house.

He roughly removed the sunglasses he had been wearing, exhaling a frustrated sigh as he looked at the house.

“Seo Ye-rim, seriously… this is…”

He was already annoyed from having to secretly prepare the wedding without Tae-geon knowing, and unexpected matters made him even more irritated.

It was obvious Tae-geon would be searching for Hyun-jung with fire in his eyes. Yet, the silence was worrying. If things got noisy, they could prepare, but this calm, under-the-radar approach made him uneasy.

He had thought Tae-geon might give up on Hyun-jung, but he couldn’t let his guard down.

He had even contacted Prosecutor Hwang to bring as many police officers as possible for the wedding, but for some reason, he still felt anxious.

It was all because of Seo Ye-rim. That damned child in her belly kept holding him back.

Jae-seok roughly ran his hand through his hair and pressed the doorbell.

It was still the freezing winter, but his frustration made him feel hot.

As he impatiently pressed the bell repeatedly, a sharp voice called out:

• Who is it? Who is ringing the bell so loudly…

“Oh, Mother. It’s me, Jo.”

He concealed his irritation and spoke politely, and Myeong-hee’s voice immediately softened.

• Oh my, Jo? At this hour?

“I’m just passing by and wanted to say hello. Could you please open the door?”

• Hold on a moment, let me gather myself.

Soon, the door opened, and Myeong-hee rushed out, barefoot, apron on, and spatula in hand, greeting him warmly.

“How did you come without telling us?”

“The weather is cold. Let’s go inside first.”

As Myeong-hee laughed, she set down the spatula and brought a drink. She gestured for him to sit on the sofa, her eyes scanning him curiously.

Jae-seok realized he came empty-handed. He had been too angry at Seo Ye-rim for not showing up at the promised time to think of bringing anything.

He regretted not contacting his secretary to prepare something and covered the situation with a smile.

“I was just passing by.”

“Oh… I see. But what brings you here?”

“Well, I thought you might be worried since you haven’t seen Hyun-jung in a long time. I also came to give you news about her.”

Myeong-hee smiled awkwardly, as if she hadn’t gotten the answer she wanted.

“And since my sister-in-law is at home…”

Today was the day she had scheduled an abortion at the clinic. Seo Ye-rim had promised him she would go through with it, but had disappeared.

Though he had contacted her workplace, she was reported as absent. After persistent calls, he found out she was home. The hospital had tried to cancel the appointment for no-show, but the checks he offered shut them up.

“Oh my, our Ye-rim? She’s lying down because she’s sick.”

“I need to discuss something important with her.”

“…She’s probably asleep now.”

“It’s important, regarding work.”

“Can’t you talk to him? You’re waking a sick person.”

“My father said to discuss it with my sister-in-law. It’s urgent. The loan you asked me to handle last time…”

Myeong-hee realized the urgency was not his but Young-wook’s, and her expression immediately changed.

“Alright, wait a moment.”

She quietly went into Ye-rim’s room. But she had no intention of waking her.

“Even so, why wake a sick girl?”

She pouted slightly and brushed Ye-rim’s forehead, who was sleeping with an eye mask on.

Lately, her daughter had been overly sensitive and tired due to work. She didn’t want to disturb her precious rest after she finally got a day off.

“What does he think he’s doing? Tch. I really don’t like him.”

Myeong-hee disliked Jo Jae-seok. She had heard from Ye-rim how reckless and immoral he was.

Every time Ye-rim revealed his true nature, Hyun-jung’s face would turn pale with shock.

“Our Ye-rim should marry a good man. Someone who cherishes her, loves her, has good character, is handsome, and wholesome. Make sure she doesn’t get involved with someone like that.”

After tucking Ye-rim in properly and adjusting the humidifier, Myeong-hee quietly left the room.

Looking regretful, she hurried to Jae-seok.

“What should we do? Ye-rim isn’t feeling well and won’t get up. She took medicine earlier and fell into a deep sleep.”

“She took medicine?”

Jae-seok’s tone was strange, but Myeong-hee answered casually.

“Yes, cold medicine.”

“You saw her take it?”

“Well…”

Myeong-hee felt slightly guilty for lying but didn’t let it show. Jae-seok watched her carefully, but how could he know she was lying?

“Understood. I’ll discuss it with my father.”

“Good. See you at the wedding!”

Myeong-hee accompanied him to the door, then ran to the kitchen, drawn by a burning smell.

“What should I do!”

Because Jo Jae-seok barged in, the chicken porridge she had prepared for Ye-rim had burned, and she looked distressed.

“Anyway, Jo Jae-seok! I don’t like you! Tch.”