Chapter 28
“Why do you always have to twist your words like that? Is your condition getting worse because you're not taking your medication?”
Yugam leaned back slightly.
“Ah. So stating facts makes me mentally ill, but flattering people and covering things up makes someone normal. I suppose that's the rule around here.”
From the time KE Group had been nothing more than a tiny shop, Chairman Do had built schools and supported children.
Now the school had become an international school with the image of an elite academy.
Even so, it still gave scholarships to enrolled students and provided support to students from other schools under the name of the Uitae Foundation.
The problem was that recently, both the amount and frequency of those scholarships and donations had been decreasing.
Director Jin, whose attention was focused entirely on KE Group, had little interest in how the Uitae Foundation was actually being run.
Tuition was already expensive, which gave parents a strong voice.
People cared more about college admissions results and the number of students going abroad than anything else.
“Haa... Son.”
Heeyeon rubbed her forehead.
“I won't complain about you hiding in that school and living comfortably.”
She looked at him.
“Just help me with one thing.”
Yugam already knew what it would be.
Anyone could see the ambition in Director Jin's eyes.
“I'll say it clearly.”
His voice turned firm.
“I have no intention of remarrying.”
Heeyeon's head began throbbing.
It was true that she had abused Yugam harshly when he was young and suffered extreme hysterical episodes.
After her husband died and she discovered the existence of his illegitimate child, she had felt as though she would truly lose her mind.
Because of that, she had followed Monk Godeok's advice and brought some cheap, worthless girl into the family as her son's partner.
There was a reason she was cheap.
All that wasted time and money, only for Yugam to still be unable to come to his senses.
Even now, the humiliation of thinking about the kind of vulgar, unimpressive girl she had once allowed into the family as a daughter-in-law made her grind her teeth.
“To get this enforcement decree passed smoothly, we need the Minister of Justice's influence.”
Heeyeon looked directly at Yugam.
“Help give KE Group some strength.”
She continued,
“If we can secure the North American business rights...”
Yugam cut her off.
“That's something you should solve legally, not by selling your son into marriage.”
His eyes hardened.
“If something is lacking, restructure the organization and improve the product.”
There was nothing technically wrong with Yugam's insistence on rules and principles.
But to Heeyeon, it was the naive fantasy of someone who didn't understand the real world.
She frowned at her son.
What does this child know about business?
“I'll handle that myself.”
Her voice became cold.
“Minister Han said he wants to form a marriage alliance.”
Then she added,
“For KE Group's growth and success, this is necessary.”
Damn growth.
Success.
Expansion.
Yugam swallowed the curse that rose in his throat.
“Does Minister Han still not know about my mental illness?”
He leaned lazily against the back of the sofa as though discussing someone else.
“Watch your mouth!”
Heeyeon's expression sharpened.
“Who doesn't take medicine for headaches these days? It's the same thing.”
“Panic disorder.”
Yugam began counting calmly.
“Bipolar disorder. Obsessive-compulsive tendencies. And severe mysophobia.”
He looked at her.
“That's different from a headache.”
Then his voice turned colder.
“It may even be hereditary.”
Did she not realize his head was a time bomb that could explode at any moment?
Yugam tapped the side of his head with one finger while staring directly at Heeyeon.
“The woman's family says it's all fine.”
Heeyeon sighed.
“What a good match.”
Yugam gave a faint laugh.
“If they're willing to accept a madman, then either they desperately need money or there's something wrong with the bride.”
He tilted his head.
“Those are the only two possibilities.”
Heeyeon's face darkened.
“Do you have to say things like that?”
“Oh.”
Yugam's lips curved.
“Does both apply?”
“That nonsense is enough.”
Heeyeon pressed a button and spoke to her secretary.
“Secretary Choi? Send the guest in.”
Yugam looked down at his phone.
Jaekyung still hadn't answered.
He sent another message demanding to know where she was and what she was doing.
Then he raised his head.
A guest?
A woman from the hotel café appeared, smiling brightly.
Yugam immediately recognized her.
“What is this?”
“I already told you.”
Heeyeon gestured toward the seat.
“Minister Han's daughter.”
Then she smiled.
“Come sit over here.”
“Yes, Director Jin.”
Yugam tilted his head slightly.
His cold gaze held no trace of interest toward a woman he was only seeing for the second time.
This marriage existed only to satisfy Director Jin's ambition.
It was long past time she stopped hiding that greed behind the excuse of helping the company.
“Didn't you say you went to the same school as Yugam?”
Heeyeon smiled warmly at Sora.
“Our chairman is very busy.”
“So I hope you'll understand.”
“O-Of course.”
Sora smiled awkwardly.
The outfit.
The smile.
Everything about her looked arranged.
Like an artificial doll dressed up to play a role in a reenactment.
Yugam exhaled.
“Haa.”
He looked at his mother.
