CH 1.3

Just as he had expected, within eight hours after the advertisement was published in the newspaper, Mrs. Oh and Director Oh came to him.

With his precise and accurate calculations, Geon Hyeong faced the two people with a stern face, without the slightest trepidation.

Now what else do these greedy hyena-like people want? They are the ones who have been desperately trying to find Kim Geon Hyeong’s weaknesses for the past 10 years, from challenging the inheritance issue, to the issue of his origins.

They will use any means to unseat Geon Hyeong from the position of ‘company successor’ either by mere rumors or scandals like this.

“Please say what you need.”

Without greetings, Geon Hyeong went straight to the point. It felt like he couldn’t bear to make small talk about how they had been doing.

“You’re making trouble again. If other people find out, the situation will be even more chaotic.”

“It won’t be like that. After all, problems like this don’t just arise once or twice.”

Geon Hyeong replied nonchalantly and boldly to the two people watching him without the slightest worry. Last month, when he went on a business trip to New York, someone presented him with a naked woman in his hotel room. Then, six months earlier, there was an interview of a woman claiming to be pregnant with his child published in a women’s magazine. There were also rumors that he was using illegal drugs and another rumor that he was taking bribes.

Geon Hyeong knew who was behind all of this. Therefore, the issue of contract advertisements like this is not really a problem for him. There are many other incidents that seem appropriate for the son of a playboy and a scandalous female actress.

“Even so, this incident cannot be ignored. People in our position should be more careful.”

“So, what should I do now?”

Geon Hyeong again asked the question ‘what do you want?’

Of course Geon Hyeong already knew what their answer was. He just wanted to make sure once again. An obvious question like this was just a bait he threw at the two people.

“Just cancel the director inauguration at the committee meeting this time. You can just refuse. In that case, we’ll also keep our mouths shut about this matter.”

Finally, the answer was spoken as well. At this rate, their battle would become more pronounced. Geon Hyeong smiled sarcastically at their threat to spread and admit that this advertisement was true if he did not cancel the inauguration.

“What if it’s the other way around?”

“What?”

“If you agree to this inauguration, I will let you spread the advertisement.”

“What do you mean? Perhaps, you…”

Mrs. Oh hung her words with a suspicious face. She didn’t understand what Geon Hyeong really meant. She was curious about what Geon Hyeong would be willing to do for the inauguration.

“Although I don’t know what kind of woman it will be, I want to seriously look for my partner.”

“Huh. In that case, it’s completely useless for us.”

“Oh yeah? That’s fine, if that’s what you think. Let’s hope that the person who posted this ad also thinks that way.”

Geon Hyeong nodded slowly while raising the cup on his desk.

Mrs. Oh and Director Oh looked at each other in response to Geon Hyeong’s last words.

That’s right. There’s no way these two people don’t know who the advertisement is referring to.

Shin Hee, so this is what you want? Okay. I’ll do what you want and what I have to do.

Geon Hyeong had to endure embarrassment in order to make someone regret it.

“It doesn’t make sense.”

“Shin Hee is engaged to another man.”

“Then? Don’t you two know best how our relationship is?”

Geon Hyeong recalled that Director Oh was closely acquainted with President Yoo, a businessman from Donghae C&T’s company.

Director Oh looked panicked at Geon Hyeong’s blunt insinuation.

Is this kid really planning to marry Shin Hee?

Although Shin Hee’s family is against this, Geon Hyeong could be desperate to take extreme measures.

Kim Geon Hyeong and Yoo Shin Hee. They cannot be united. Shin Hee is the only daughter of a seafood businessman. Their family also knows how the seafood industry can support Geon Hyeong today.

Now, the thing that worries them the most is the marriage between the wealthy businessman’s daughter and Geon Hyeong.

Geon Hyeong’s marriage has everyone in his family, except President Kim, worried.

Will this marriage make Geon Hyeong’s position even stronger? And, that woman is Yoo Shin Hee?

“So, you’re seriously going to marry the woman you met from that newspaper ad?”

“Don’t think too far ahead. The order is to meet first, then become lovers, right?”

“What the hell are you doing? There’s no point in doing something like that.”

“I don’t really need Mrs. Oh’s help at the shareholders’ meeting anyway. Although it’s not easy, I’m sure other people also need people who can make money instead of just generating rumors.”

Geon Hyeong cut off Mrs. Oh’s various protests firmly.

Director Oh and Mrs. Oh then looked at each other for a moment and were busy brainstorming. Meanwhile, Geon Hyeong waited for their decision casually. Mrs. Oh then directed her gaze at Geon Hyeong.

She realized that Geon Hyeong’s words were right. No matter how much he’s bullied, the boy won’t give up and back down. The shareholders will also definitely not let go of Geon Hyeong who always brings satisfactory results. However, if he is willing to pretend to be in a relationship with a woman who has no power, then one thing is certain.

That at the very least, he cannot marry Yoo Shin Hee. If that’s the case, then the conclusion is obvious.

***

Mrs. Oh finally stated that she would approve Geon Hyeong’s inauguration as company director on the condition that he could not marry Shin Hee. Meanwhile, Geon Hyeong promised to take responsibility for the Goryo Group’s image being tainted by this advertisement.

He also said not to worry firmly to Shin Hee’s mother who called him once again to ask about his decision.

The world seems to be against his relationship with Shin Hee. Until Shin Hee’s wedding day, or until she finds another partner, these people will not stop trying to bring them down.

Maybe that short ad in the newspaper can fulfill everyone’s wishes. After all, Shin Hee couldn’t be his companion in the end either. After all, she wasn’t too bothered about this ad either.

No matter what he did, nothing would harm him. No matter what he did, there was no love for him anymore.

“Why would Shin Hee do this to you?”

“Never mind. No need to interfere.”

“You think I can stay out of it? You really…. let Shin Hee go?”

“Yes. I gave up.”

Hearing Geon Hyeong’s flat tone, Jason watched him even more intently as if he wanted to read his heart.

Jason had been watching the two people since they were 20 years old. He witnessed firsthand how the previously lonely Kim Geon Hyeong met the perfect Yoo Shin Hee and became lovers. They used to be a couple who never fought once. He had never seen a couple who always tried to do their best like Geon Hyeong.

But now he wants to give up? He doesn’t know about Shin Hee, but it seems hard to believe that Geon Hyeong would say that.

The person who had never known the word surrender was now willing to erase the person he loved and guarded the most from his heart.

“If that’s your decision, I can’t say anything else. But, you don’t have to do that either, right?”

Jason frowned at the thought of Geon Hyeong going into a relationship with a woman he’d never even met before. Just because of that newspaper ad. Crazy.

“What exactly is your plan? I should at least know so I can help you too.”

Geon Hyeong just shook his head in response to Jason’s impatient question.He didn’t have any plans. He just chose the best path for Shin Hee and himself. Geon Hyeong also knew what Shin Hee really wanted to tell him through this horrendous newspaper ad. It was a gesture that told him to go back, but Geon Hyeong couldn’t go back to her either.

Separation is the best wedding gift he can give Shin Hee.

“There is no intention.”

“So, you want to date a woman you don’t know?”

“That’s not what matters right now. If that’s what they all want, I don’t care who the woman is.”

Geon Hyeong said firmly. He didn’t care who it was, as long as it wasn’t Shin Hee. After all, right now he and Shin Hee had to go their own way. He still had a goal to achieve, while Shin Hee already had another man. Even though it left a wound, he should not regret this choice.

Now, the inauguration of the director was something he could not avoid in order to achieve his goal. As he had told Director Oh, he could indeed go through this inauguration without their help.

However, the interruptions that appeared before he could even run the company were enough to upset him.

“Although this ad is for finding a wife, you’re not planning to marry the woman you meet from this ad are you?”

“It depends on how the person is.”

Geon Hyeong responded to Jason’s words which were not really a question, but just to make sure seriously.

That answer was not the answer Jason wanted. However, Jason was sure that there was no way Geon Hyeong would do something stupid by getting married under duress like that. The Geon Hyeong he knew was a smart and calculating Geon Hyeong.

“It could be that the woman has nothing.”

Jason warned him. Jason was sure and knew everything about Geon Hyeong, but sometimes he couldn’t understand the way his friend thought.

One thing was for sure, if Geon Hyeong was determined to do something, then no one could hold him back. He also knew that Geon Hyeong always kept the promises he had made.

“It’s better if the woman has nothing.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s easier to decide. And easier to compromise with.”

Jason chuckled at the cynical and calculating answer.

“Instead of that, you’re better off dating for real. With a good woman. Like everyone else.”

“I’m different from other people.”

Without changing his expression in the slightest, Geon Hyeong muttered quietly at his friend’s suggestion. Meanwhile, Jason’s face was getting more and more annoyed and impatient.

Everyone knew that Geon Hyeong was different from other people. Starting from his birth, his talent, to his nature. However, Jason now only wants Geon Hyeong to be able to live like other people, especially in terms of choosing a wife who will be his life companion. But, for his friend who can’t put trust and respect in the woman, finding a companion is not something easy.

I don’t know if the ad can really bring a good and right woman or not.