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Chapter 25
“What are you all doing standing here instead of sitting?”
Before Tae-eun could even say anything, the arrival of Chairman Han brought the situation to an end. Those chatting near the entrance hurriedly bowed.
“Father, you’ve come out? We just arrived and were greeting the nieces and nephews we haven’t seen in a while.”
Tae-eun replied in a coquettish tone. One would expect the father to react to his affectionate daughter, but Chairman Han’s expression remained neutral.
“Father-in-law, how have you been? You look healthier.”
Chanseong, standing next to Tae-eun, quickly added. It seemed Chairman Han’s discomfort was probably because of Chanseong. He spoke curtly to him after all.
“An old man doesn’t look healthier just because he lives longer.”
Taken aback by the colder-than-expected response, Tae-eun stepped forward. She intertwined her arm with his.
“You have to live long and healthy. You need to see your lovely grandchildren grow.”
She deliberately pulled in Seo-hee and Isu. More specifically, Seo-hee.
“Seo-hee, are you planning to teach her company management?”
Though she wanted to check if it was true, Tae-eun asked nonchalantly, speaking as if genuinely concerned for Seo-hee.
“What’s it got to do with you?”
“Father, it’s about the niece. How can it not concern me?”
Soon, the main point came out.
“Don’t force her too much. Seo-hee must have things she wants to do too. If you keep doing everything your way, how is she supposed to refuse? I think good-hearted Seo-hee just wants to make grandfather happy.”
Listening quietly, Seo-hee couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. She knew Tae-eun’s greed very well. She wanted something bigger than the department store but was worried about getting in her way.
“Are you really going to teach Seo-hee management? Isn’t it a bit late? My Eun-seong started in middle school.”
Tae-eun even brought up her own son. Clearly, she was trying to block a strong competitor.
“Is it your company?”
“No, it’s not that.”
“I run my company my way. You handle your own affairs. Just because I gave you the department store doesn’t mean it’s yours.”
Chairman Han wasn’t unaware of his daughter’s ambition. He had already warned her indirectly to focus on what she was doing. Yet Tae-eun only smiled coyly. Sometimes she seemed completely oblivious.
“I’ve been doing really well. Didn’t you see the increase in our department store brand ranking and sales? I can handle something bigger too.”
“Tae-eun.”
Calling his daughter’s name, Chairman Han withdrew his arm and continued. It seemed the conversation he had planned after dinner would have to happen now.
“If you don’t want to be scolded in front of the nieces and nephews, go to the study with Mr. Kim.”
Turning sharply, Chairman Han walked away. Tae-eun looked at Chanseong in surprise. Seeing the slight change in his expression, it seemed he felt guilty about something.
Ah, that’s right. A memory struck Seo-hee—her grandfather had been firmly displeased with her because of this incident.
Exchanging glances, Tae-eun and Chanseong followed Chairman Han.
“Did aunt mess up again this time?”
Watching them disappear into the study, Isu spoke in a friendly tone. Because they hadn’t seen each other much at school recently, the atmosphere between the two was slightly awkward. Isu didn’t seem to mind. After all, that had never been his type of concern.
“How can one be loved by grandfather? Ah, I wonder if sister knows?”
He was teasing, no doubt. Seo-hee met his gaze expressionlessly.
“Simple.”
If you really want, I’ll tell you. Though knowing may not mean you can do it.
“Just don’t do what grandfather dislikes.”
At Seo-hee’s words, Isu’s expression hardened. His pride was clearly wounded.
To be so offended by a single word… how boring, Isu.
“Is that an answer now?”
What grandfather dislikes is greed. It’s something Isu could never truly give up. Understanding Seo-hee’s implied meaning—that even knowing, he could never act on it—he bit the inside of his cheek.
Inside the study, an uncomfortable silence prevailed. Sitting in the main seat of the sofa, Chairman Han stared at Tae-eun with a sharp gaze, saying nothing.
Feeling guilty, Tae-eun fidgeted with her hands resting on her lap. Chanseong, having no say, quietly stayed by his wife’s side.
“Tae-eun.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Do you know why I called you?”
Tae-eun hesitated for a brief moment. She had two options: confess honestly and beg forgiveness, or lie flawlessly to deceive him.
Could I really lie to Father? If he hadn’t mentioned it so far, maybe he doesn’t know.
The few seconds of hesitation felt like an eternity. The surrounding silence tightened the atmosphere.
Swallowing dryly, Tae-eun cautiously spoke.
“I was wrong.”
She chose to beg for forgiveness.
“What did you do wrong?”
“Well… you see…”
“Mr. Kim, what kind of man are you?”
When Tae-eun failed to answer properly, the heat of his anger turned toward Chanseong. Shock appeared on Chanseong’s face as well.
“You managed the department store like this and still want more?”
“Father, I think there’s a misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding? Do you still call this a misunderstanding after seeing it with your own eyes?”
Chairman Han took out the documents he had kept in the side table next to the sofa and slammed them down in front of them. Their eyes wavered. The affiliate reports should have gone directly to the chairman.
The department store CEO was Tae-eun, and the vice president was Chanseong. Since no complaints were made during reports, the chairman assumed everything was fine. This quarter’s sales report had even been slightly manipulated.
Following Chanseong’s advice that changing a few numbers wouldn’t be noticed, the sales had declined over several months.
The main reason was Tae-eun’s extravagance. Limited-edition items went straight to her dressing room before reaching customers. Brands she disliked were outright removed.
Adding to that, videos of her mistreating employees had almost caused a massive scandal. She thought money could smooth things over, but apparently it reached the chairman. She thought she could hide it…
“You dared to deceive me?”
“Father, that’s…”
“You thought I wouldn’t notice?”
A thunderous voice erupted from Chairman Han.
“Whose idea was this?”
It was a pointed question. He already knew the situation. His daughter preferred luxury over management. She was no kind of leader for employees. It couldn’t have been her idea. Chanseong must have come up with it after she whined about how to report things.
Swallowing dryly, Chanseong held his breath. Tae-eun, however, spoke first.
“It was him!”
She betrayed Chanseong to save herself.
“Honey!”
Chanseong called out, but she was already flat on the ground, begging.
“Father, it was just this once. I didn’t deceive on purpose—it just happened… We thought changing a few numbers wouldn’t be noticed, and Mr. Kim said money could fix the article and video too.”
The situation came spilling out of her mouth. Everything went exactly as expected. Chanseong, now implicated, also began to beg.
“We’re sorry, Father-in-law. We really didn’t mean it. We were afraid you’d be disappointed…”
“Do you call that an explanation!”
At Chairman Han’s roar, they closed their mouths. The heavy, uncomfortable silence descended. All they could do was wait for his judgment.
After a long sigh, Chairman Han spoke.
“Don’t be greedy anymore. The department store is already more than enough for you.”
“Father…”
Tae-eun’s eyes welled with sorrow.
“Is it fair to treat me like this over just one mistake?”
“Just one mistake? You deliberately deceived me and call it a mistake? Have you considered the lives of those working under you because of that ‘one mistake’?”
Tae-eun clenched her lower lip, unable to respond. She resented the scolding, not her own wrongdoing.
“Shall I even take the department store away?”
“They’re my employees. I can fire them anytime. Do I also need to think about their livelihoods?”
Her answer unsettled Chairman Han again.
“I see I’ve made a grave mistake. Putting someone like you in charge as CEO…”
“…!”
“I’ll have to think more about what to do with both of you from now on.”
His words implied they could be dismissed. Realizing the gravity, Tae-eun knelt, begging. She didn’t even realize it might be too late to change his mind.
“I don’t want to see either of you. Leave. You don’t need to attend dinner either.”
It was an order to go home.
