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chapter 11
Hyeok-jun, summoned to Seong-jae’s office, stood frozen—unable even to sit because of the ominous atmosphere.
“…Director Kwon Hyeok-jun.”
Clatter—!
Chairman Kwon Seong-jae violently hurled a glass toward the floor beside him, fury written across his face.
“Yes, Father…!”
He was far too old to still be causing scandals, yet the “owner risk” of the Kwon family kept dragging them into trouble. And now he trembled just from hearing his name called—his one and only son.
Chairman Kwon glared at him as if he were looking at a worm.
“The joint semiconductor development deal—you lost it, didn’t you? Why hasn’t the report come up?”
“…!”
At some point, Chairman Kwon stopped calling him “son.”
Because Hyeok-jun was no longer someone he felt proud calling that.
“Director Kwon. You need results if you want me to keep you by my side. Not just because you’re getting married now, or because you’re my only son!”
He had taken for granted that being the only son meant automatically inheriting the conglomerate.
“How is it that no performance reports come up, but filthy scandals do every other day?!”
“F-Father…”
“How much longer will you disgrace this family?! How much longer!”
Seong-jae let out a long, exhausted sigh.
Because his son lacked results and had such a weak foundation, even as his only child, Hyeok-jun remained stuck at “Director.”
“Haa…”
Ashamed, the chairman couldn’t help the sigh that escaped him.
After hesitating for a long moment, Hyeok-jun finally spoke.
“Actually… I do have something in progress.”
“What is it?”
“Father, do you know the famous investor in Silicon Valley—‘Rex’?”
One of Chairman Kwon’s eyebrows lifted slightly—clearly a sign of interest.
Hyeok-jun swallowed and hurried to explain.
“For the semiconductor materials development—rather than the company we originally considered, I was planning to reach out to him for advice and get a list of promising firms.”
“You’re not planning to find them yourself?”
The briefly promising conversation bent sideways again.
Hyeok-jun swallowed down the irritation rising in his chest.
“Come on, Father. Me running around blindly is different from leveraging experience and an established network.”
“And what makes this person so great?”
“All the semiconductor material startups he invested in early—they all blew up big. When I made that list of companies, every single one turned out to be his investments.”
“Hm…”
“Instead of sticking to established companies, we choose innovative startups. What do you think, Father? Shouldn’t we be looking long-term?”
A wide grin spread across Hyeok-jun’s face.
“You have to see the forest, not the tree.”
The anonymous venture capitalist “Rex,” whose every investment hit the jackpot.
He was so shrouded in mystery that finding him was like searching for an oasis in the desert—but because he was famous, rumors were rampant.
The one that caught Hyeok-jun’s attention was Rex’s net worth.
An estimated 400–500 million dollars—around 600 billion won.
More than the market cap of Sinyang Trading—practically a walking mid-sized enterprise.
“Tsk, do as you want. If you find that oh-so-amazing guy, introduce him to his father, too.”
“Yes…! Of course, Father. Once I find him, I’ll tell you his name, age, where he lives—everything.”
Receiving reluctant permission, Hyeok-jun cheered inwardly.
Good. Now all he had to do was find this Rex, and he’d win back his father’s trust.
He grinned broadly as he left the office and closed the door behind him.
“Mmm…”
Yuseong’s eyelids trembled softly. The first thing she felt was the warmth of soft bedding wrapped around her body.
“You finally woke up.”
When her eyes opened, she saw Su-hyeok in a comfortable T-shirt, looking down at her.
Seeing her squint in discomfort, he dimmed the lights.
“This place is…”
“My home. I brought you here since it was urgent.”
“Ah, I see…”
No wonder—it was far too luxurious to be her place.
“You slept for about three and a half hours. Didn’t wake up once. Like a kindergartener.”
“I… slept that long?”
“Yeah. Is it okay to leave your husband unattended like this?”
When Yuseong tried to sit up, Su-hyeok naturally supported her by the shoulders.
“Anyway… thank you. I would’ve been in trouble otherwise.”
“You’re nicer than I thought. You even know how to say thank you.”
Thump. His large hand gently rubbed the top of her head like one would pet a puppy.
Yuseong fiddled with the part of her hair he had touched—and then realized her outfit had changed into a black silk shirt.
“My clothes…”
“They’re being washed. Too dirty, so I changed you.”
“…You didn’t change them yourself, did you?”
Her wary stare made him tilt his head slightly.
“Do married couples need modesty?”
That ambiguous answer made her heart pound—not from embarrassment, but because of the scars that still marked her body.
Chest, waist, stomach, arms, legs—
Bruises and scars everywhere.
“Ew—hey, what’s wrong with your body? It’s disgusting!”
She could still hear Yuna’s voice vividly from the time she barged in while Yuseong was changing.
If he had seen her ugly body…
“…Did you really change my clothes?”
Su-hyeok clicked his tongue as he looked at her.
‘Is it that unpleasant?’
In reality, a female physician had come earlier to examine her, change her clothes, and administer a simple IV.
He knew she had her own personal doctor, but since he couldn’t bring that person here, he called an available female physician instead.
“No major issues—just a simple fainting episode. She should be fine after some sleep. And um… not sure if you knew, but she has an excessive number of scars…”
The doctor had said, looking concerned.
After she left, Su-hyeok immediately entered the room and gently lifted the sleeping Yuseong’s shirt.
And he saw them.
All the scars she had hidden.
On her shoulder beside her collarbone, across her chest, on her flat stomach.
Su-hyeok stared for a long time.
‘…You’re unbelievable, Shin Yuseong.’
Not pitiful—admirable.
That she endured so much pain without ever asking for help—so foolish.
And at the same time, fury ignited inside him toward the bastard who shared his blood—the one who left those marks on her small body.
It was the first time as an adult that he felt anger on someone else’s behalf.
“So… you saw everything?”
“What?”
“…If you did, then you already know.”
She turned her head sharply, avoiding his eyes.
Su-hyeok’s gaze briefly lingered on her chest area—through her shirt—before he let out a small snicker.
“Your underwear tastes are pretty childish.”
Polka dots. Seriously—polka dots?
Flustered, Yuseong jumped.
“A-are you crazy?! Why were you staring so closely at my underwear?!”
“You’re yelling just fine. Looks like you’re recovered. Get up. We’re eating and then signing the contract.”
He said that and left the room without another word.
Staring blankly at his retreating back, Yuseong muttered:
“He finished the contract already? That fast?”
Following him out, she nearly dropped her jaw.
Beyond the endless panorama windows stretched the full view of the Han River.
Wow…
The ceilings were absurdly high. The usable area was easily 430 square meters.
She grew up well off, but this penthouse was in a whole different league.
“Your jaw’s gonna fall off.”
When she reached the living room, two copies of a marriage contract were neatly placed on the long island table.
While eating the porridge he’d prepared, she read the contract thoroughly.
‘Nothing problematic. Very clean.’
She especially liked the clause stating the agreement could be revised by mutual consent.
Considering her revenge plans, she didn’t know what variables might arise.
She was about to sign when she paused at the clause on marital relations.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah…”
The parties do not bear the obligation to engage in marital relations.
Seeing her stare at that line, Su-hyeok teased:
“What. Should I change it to mandatory?”
“What? No!”
“….”
How did he know she was looking at that exact clause?
Quickly signing, she handed him the contract.
“No issues. Here, I’m done signing.”
“Now we’re really married. No turning back.”
“Yes… we’re really married.”
Clearing her throat at the sudden awkwardness, her gaze drifted—and spotted the wine cellar.
“Mr. Kwon Su-hyeok. Shall we have a toast to celebrate our marriage?”
“You faint at the drop of a hat. Trying to act like an adult?”
“Hey—I’m twenty-five. Mid-twenties! I stopped being a kid ages ago.”
“Sure, sure, noona. Wine okay?”
His face basically said ‘you’re still a kid.’
She scrunched her face, then laughed softly.
‘Nothing breaks awkwardness like alcohol. If we drink together, things will loosen up.’
Exactly one hour later…
The atmosphere had definitely loosened.
“You said I’m a kid. Is it okay to do… this… to a kid?”
“Should we reconsider our no-intimacy clause…?”
Completely unaware of what was about to happen to her, Yuseong smiled innocently.
