Chapter 42: Tensions and Unspoken Fears

Mother sat at the dining table in a thin trench coat, looking like she’d just arrived. I was so shocked I stammered.

“What… brings you here?”

“Can’t I visit?”

“No, that’s not it.”

My eyes darted to Do Yoon. He sat across from her, glancing at me before dropping his gaze, his face as timid as when I first saw him at Grandfather’s birthday. Either no words had passed between them, or words better left unsaid had. I clenched my fists unconsciously.

In front of Mother was the croaker Do Yoon promised me, fresh seaweed, seasoned greens, crisp kimchi, and steaming rice—clearly just served. I said awkwardly.

“You came unannounced. I was worried you waited long.”

“I haven’t been here long. I knew your hours.”

“…Good then.”

To lighten the mood, I shed my coat and sat next to Do Yoon. But Mother gestured to stop me, standing up.

“No need to settle in, Seung Hyun. Let’s go out.”

“What?”

“Let’s eat out.”

My eyes widened. Do Yoon had obviously just cooked, even preparing her portion, yet she was blatantly rejecting his effort. She stood without touching her water.

I glanced at Do Yoon. He sat like a doll, lips sealed, eyes downcast. Seeing him look guilty despite doing nothing wrong made my chest tighten.

“We can eat here. The food’s fresh and looks delicious.”

Mother looked at me, then turned to Do Yoon.

“Really? Then you leave. I need to talk to my son alone.”

“Mother!”

I shouted. Do Yoon scrambled up, flustered.

“I-I’m fine. You two talk.”

I grabbed his arm, pulling him back down.

“No, you’re not going anywhere. Eat first. I’ll be back soon.”

He looked up, trying to stay expressionless, but his light brown eyes trembled, on the verge of tears. I faced Mother coldly.

“Let’s go.”

Mrs. Shin Mi Seon glanced at me, then strode out the door. I wanted to say something to Do Yoon but couldn’t. I squeezed his shoulder, let go, and followed her.

My mind was a mess. I took her to a nearby café—eating now would’ve made me sick. Sitting down, I said.

“Did you have to treat him like that?”

She scoffed.

“Did I hit him? Insult him?”

I stared silently. I knew she didn’t like Do Yoon, but seeing her openly cold-shoulder him after so long felt awful. She clicked her tongue.

“You’re acting like his parent.”

“He’s still young.”

“He looks taller than you.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

Silence hung between us. Sighing, I asked curtly.

“Why are you really here?”

“To eat, I said.”

A bad feeling crept in.

“Did Father…?”

“No. I’m here to ask about your plans. Okay?”

“What?”

I stared, baffled. She sipped her hot coffee and said.

“Getting into that company on your own was good. Grandfather’s pleased. But you’ve proven your diligence. What’s next? I’m not saying quit now.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re not staying at E&M forever, are you?”

In an era of longevity, “one job for life” is outdated, but her tone suggested something else.

“I’ve been there less than six months.”

“Your place isn’t there. Why do what your cousins do?”

She seemed to see E&M as a stepping stone to another affiliate. She toyed with her coffee cup’s rim.

“But I think staying two or three years looks good. Switching affiliates too soon invites gossip. Starting from the bottom as a Haewon heir won’t hurt your image. Or next year, reveal your identity and climb fast like Seung Hee. You can move to Haewon Electronics after proving yourself here.”

I was floored. I’d told Grandfather no electronics or hotels. Had he changed his mind? Or was this her idea?

“Mother, I told you I’m not interested in the chairman’s seat.”

“Why so naive? Or stupid?”

Her sharp tone made me flinch. She glared.

“You think disliking it ends things? You know you’ve lived better, educated better than others. Nothing’s free. You take, you give. Want to live like an average person? Then ditch all your assets. That’s fair, right?”

I winced. For a moment, I wondered if she saw through my plans. Her cold gaze pinned me.

“You think you can maintain your lifestyle on that measly salary? Saving scraps, trembling before buying anything? I know my son—you can’t.”

The novel’s Choi Seung Hyun couldn’t. He wore years’ worth of salaries on his wrist. But me? I’d lived like that before and was preparing for it with hidden accounts. She continued.

“And that’s what happens if you lose the fight. Think your cousins will spare you? Don’t be dramatic. Your father’s still here—you’re not becoming chairman tomorrow.”

“…”

“You think opting out saves you? Run, and you’re the first to die. Get it together. You didn’t need this explained before.”

I bit my lip. I couldn’t say I’d die anyway if I followed the novel’s path.

Honestly, even without the novel, being a chaebol chairman didn’t suit me. Even if Choi Seung Hyun could’ve been chairman, I’d refuse.

Leading a company means holding countless livelihoods in your hands.

I could barely handle my own life. How could I manage others’?

When my father’s small clothing factory failed in my past life, it crushed many lives. Just thinking about my choices affecting others kept me up at night.

Call me a coward—I don’t care. I just want a life with basic needs met. In this life, I’ve already secured that, so I don’t need more greed.

“I’m not cut out for business.”

She smirked.

“Enough playing house. No matter how nice you are, that ‘kid’ becomes your enemy in a succession fight.”

My face stiffened. Given my bond with Do Yoon, that worry felt distant. Yet her words stirred an inexplicable anxiety, my heart pounding. She glanced at my silence, stood, and said.

“Came to eat with you, but your face says that’s impossible. I’ll come back.”

“My stance won’t change.”

She paused at the door, looking back.

“Hope you know mine won’t either.”

I sat in the café long after she left, thoughts popping up like chaotic browser windows.

When I left, night had fallen, pitch-black. The house was deathly quiet. In the kitchen, Do Yoon sat exactly as before, at the table.