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chapter 34
Kwaang―!
The door made a deafening noise, as if it were about to shatter.
The two of them froze because of Kang Jae, who had barged in without even knocking.
Startled, Yeonseo trembled, glancing between Kang Jae and Doheon. She hadn’t expected him to return so quickly. It seemed he hadn’t even gone as far as the Seoguk Hotel, coming back midway.
“You’re good at lying too, aren’t you? Sister-in-law?”
Kang Jae’s cold gaze swept over Yeonseo. Doheon, not knowing what was happening, instinctively blocked Kang Jae with his right arm.
“Don’t even know how to knock? Where do you get off making a scene?”
“Hah, I just have something to ask your sister-in-law. You—step aside.”
In terms of physicality, Doheon was the more intimidating of the two. As Doheon stepped closer, Kang Jae flinched and pulled back.
“Come in politely and ask.”
“Hah, you f***ing bastard. Move. Or not?”
Without flinching, Doheon pushed his brother out the door and shut it behind him.
From inside, the sound of Kang Jae striking the wall in frustration could be heard.
“Just open it.”
The fear in Yeonseo’s eyes dissipated, replaced by a composed expression as she spoke.
“You don’t need to be polite with Seo Kang Jae.”
“No, I think there’s been some misunderstanding. I’d like to talk it out.”
Doheon looked displeased but opened the door with the hand that had been in his pocket.
Kang Jae, halting his wall-beating, glared at Yeonseo.
“Can you step out? I won’t let anything happen to your sister-in-law.”
His voice sounded like he had forcibly restrained his anger. It seemed he had lowered himself, knowing that if he didn’t, he would never allow them a chance to talk.
Doheon snorted quietly.
“Now that you say that, I’m even more curious.”
Kang Jae gritted his teeth, head bowed.
“Five minutes. Five minutes is enough. If anything happens during that time, I’ll disappear where you won’t see me. Deal?”
Doheon looked at Kang Jae with an indifferent expression, then shifted his gaze to Yeonseo, as if worried about leaving her alone with Kang Jae.
“Doheon, I’m really fine. If you could just step aside for a moment…”
She appreciated his concern but didn’t want her lie exposed to Doheon. If he found out she had gone to Kang Jae on purpose, it might seem suspicious.
A faint sigh escaped Doheon’s teeth. He lightly squeezed Yeonseo’s shoulder and then stepped back.
“I’ll be in the living room. Shout if anything happens.”
“Yes, don’t worry.”
Yeonseo forced a smile to reassure him.
After Doheon left, silence settled in.
“Now. Try to explain yourself, sister-in-law.”
Kang Jae, arms crossed, looked down at Yeonseo as he spoke.
“I’m sorry. Actually, I thought you and Doheon seemed to be on bad terms, so I planned to make you meet, even if forcibly. I wanted you two to at least talk.”
“Ah, perfect excuse. I like it.”
“I really mean it. I had no other intention. But since Doheon came to Myeongseonjae earlier than expected, it didn’t go exactly as planned.”
Yeonseo showed no hint of hesitation. At the same time, she felt suspicious.
If she had exposed her lie to Doheon, it might have benefited Kang Jae. So why insist on staying behind alone with him? She couldn’t understand.
“Are you naive? Or just bad at acting?”
Kang Jae’s expression softened, then he chuckled quietly. It gave her a strange sense of déjà vu—it reminded her of something Doheon had said to her before.
“Did you have anything to do at Myeongseonjae while I was away? You’re sneakier than I thought. Not even a stray cat, this…”
Kang Jae’s indifferent expression returned as he spoke.
“You don’t trust me?”
“Ah, if you insist, fine. I’ll play along.”
His tone was clearly mocking.
Kang Jae had quickly figured out why Yeonseo had lied. She forced a calm expression, but her heart pounded violently.
“Don’t take this place lightly. Do you think Seo Doheon will protect you forever?”
“…I never have.”
“If you want to survive, you need to make a good impression on me too, sister-in-law.”
In the end, Kang Jae’s words were a threat. That’s why he hadn’t said a word to Doheon—a cowardly move.
When Yeonseo stayed silent, Kang Jae turned away. The sound of the door closing made her relax, her legs going weak.
That evening at Myeongseonjae, the Seoguk family gathered at the table. Seeing everyone together like this for dinner was rare.
The table was filled with a lavish spread, but despite the abundance, an overwhelming chill filled the air.
“I always knew this one would be smart. Everything he touches succeeds. In some ways, he might even be better than me.”
Sitting at the center, Chairman Seo laughed heartily.
“You flatter me, grandfather.”
Doheon smiled politely, maintaining humility. Yeonseo sat quietly beside him, carefully observing the room.
The expressions of Geum Seon-ae and Kang Jae were noteworthy. They looked displeased, as if they had been forced to swallow something inedible.
“I plan to give my shares to Doheon. Don’t oppose it. Haven’t I proven myself countless times? Kang Jae, I’ve given you many chances, but you’ve always disappointed me.”
Chairman Seo’s words were practically a declaration of war to Kang Jae and the Seon-ae mother. The previously warm atmosphere turned icy in an instant.
“Father, this is too much! Kang Jae is the eldest son, how can it look good if the younger sibling becomes the head?”
Seon-ae choked back tears.
“If you didn’t want to lose face, you should have done it properly! Don’t you know how precious Seoguk is to me? How much more do you want after leaving it in such a mess?”
Chairman Seo’s voice rose.
“You still don’t treat me as a daughter-in-law, just as back then! Do you hate me that much? What did I do wrong? Why!”
Seon-ae’s anger surged dramatically before her father, making even onlookers uneasy.
Chairman Seo frowned at her outburst.
“Fine, I don’t like it at all! If it weren’t for Kang Jae, you wouldn’t even have set foot in Myeongseonjae.”
“Father, please stop!”
Seo Jin-bae, anxious in the middle, tried to calm his father.
“Is it so hard to congratulate your son on such a good day? Tsk, tsk.”
“…But what about our Kang Jae? And me? Since entering Seoguk, I’ve never disobeyed you once! I endured everything for Seoguk!”
“Hah, look at this. No matter how hard you try, it’s useless. Is Kang Jae the only son in your eyes? And endure? Ha, endure!”
Yeonseo worried silently for Doheon, who was listening.
Even though Seon-ae wasn’t his biological mother, he had tried to maintain a good relationship, and it must have hurt him.
He smiled faintly without a word.
“I must hurry the share transfer. Don’t get greedy beyond that! Where else would you receive such treatment? Ungrateful.”
Seon-ae suddenly stood. Her hands, adorned with elegant nail art, trembled with indignation.
“…If I die, will you properly see my son? Like the woman you adored so much?”
Her extreme words only further provoked Chairman Seo. He slammed the spoon he was holding onto the table.
“My appetite’s gone. Eat and rest, everyone.”
Chairman Seo rose and left.
From his perspective, the occasion must have felt empty. A moment meant to celebrate his family’s success was ruined by someone’s desires.
Yeonseo also felt at a loss. She hadn’t expected the topic of Doheon’s deceased mother to come up. She didn’t know who to approach first in such a cold atmosphere.
“Stop standing. You won’t even eat here otherwise.”
At that moment, Doheon put down his utensils and took Yeonseo’s hand, pulling her up. Yeonseo had no choice but to leave the fuming, tearful Seon-ae behind.
From behind them came the sound of dozens of dishes shattering. Turning back, Yeonseo was horrified at the scene.
