Chapter 3: Left in the Dark

Jiheum gripped the trembling wig even tighter.

She didn’t want to let her emotional turmoil show.

She knew Jiyoon only grew more excited the more she appeared shaken.

Jiheum turned toward the second-floor stairs as if she hadn’t heard a word.

She wanted to stand there and take the insults submissively, just as Jiyoon desired, but she was too exhausted to even remain standing.

Right now, her only thought was that she wanted to wash.

The aches in her body, which kept reminding her of what had happened, were getting on her nerves.

She wanted to wash away the traces and memories of the encounter as quickly as possible.

Everything that had happened a few hours ago—she wanted it gone completely.

“Hey!”

At the low, urgent shout, she instinctively turned back toward Jiyoon.

Her heart thundered, fearing Jiyoon might throw her phone at her.

Even in the darkness, she could clearly sense Jiyoon’s eyes smoldering with rage.

She wondered what had put Jiyoon in such a foul mood that she was taking it out on her.

Even though she was used to it, the unpleasantness always overwhelmed her.

Still, there was nothing to be gained by provoking Jiyoon.

The girl might hurl her phone at any moment, or start screaming at the top of her lungs and wake everyone in the house.

Just thinking about such a situation made a wave of exhaustion wash over her.

To prevent an irrecoverable disaster, it was best to bow her head first.

“I’m sorry. I’m just a little tired.”

Jiheum took a submissive stance, like a dog tucking its tail in surrender.

“Why? Are you exhausted after rolling around to your heart’s content?”

Jiheum flinched at the question, which was dripping with mockery.

It was likely just a random jab, but Jiheum’s heart sank as if her actions from a few hours ago had actually been discovered.

“What do you mean by…”

“Playing around in that state, it’s no wonder you’re tired.”

Jiyoon’s eyes scanned Jiheum’s body, as if asking if she was wrong.

Yes, you’re entirely right. So what excuse could I possibly make?

“I won’t let it happen again.”

“Hey, Sinner Jiheum.”

A wide smile spread across Jiyoon’s face, satisfied that things were going her way.

“Let’s stop embarrassing the family, shall we?”

“……Yes.”

“Your very existence is already enough of an embarrassment.”

Only after trampling over her one last time did Jiyoon turn off the flashlight.

Jiheum blinked in the sudden darkness.

Once her eyes adjusted, there was no one in front of her.

In the end, she was left alone again.

She felt a sudden resentment toward Jiyoon for never letting her go peacefully.

****

On the marble floor, a somewhat impatient gait coexisted with a leisurely one.

“Master. The Chairman is waiting for you.”

Junhwan, following behind the incredibly relaxed Joyoon, whispered in a low voice.

He hinted at his inner desire for Joyoon to hurry, but…

“That’s why I’m on my way right now.”

Joyoon was unbothered.

Junhwan was always the one left anxious. Joyoon never hurried for anything.

People perceived his languid attitude as the elegant flutter of wings, and even the blunt vitriol he spat out enchanted them like a Siren’s song.

The crown prince of Seojeon Group, Ki Joyoon.

He knew well that people were easily captivated by his looks, and he knew how to use that to his advantage intelligently.

The various etiquettes and manners he had learned since childhood bestowed a sense of dignity upon him, and his education and sports made him shine even brighter.

“Chief Seo, are you worried I won’t be able to handle one old man?”

They were already near the dining room. Junhwan discreetly scanned the surroundings.

“Master. There are many eyes watching and many ears listening.”

Junhwan gripped the dining room door handle and gave him a low warning.

Chairman Ki wasn’t the only one living in the mansion.

Seoanjae was the estate of the Seojeon family, surrounded like a massive fortress.

Seoanjae consisted of several buildings, and the Chairman’s second son and his wife resided in one of them.

Although no one would easily enter the main house without the Chairman’s word, it never hurt to be careful.

“The way you’re dodging the subject suggests I’m right. Don’t worry. Even if I spent all night exerting myself, I still have enough stamina to win against our Chairman.”

Junhwan remained silent at Joyoon’s confident smile.

“What? You don’t believe me?”

A mocking smile played on Joyoon’s face, which seemed to have been sculpted to perfection by a god.

“No, Master.”

Junhwan looked up into his boss’s eyes and maintained a firm expression.

He had been seeing this face for over ten years, so he should have been used to it, yet Joyoon’s face was something one could never truly get used to.

A mother who was a great beauty and a father with masculine features—Joyoon’s beauty was a perfect blend of their best traits.

His features were in perfect balance and harmony, with nothing out of place.

A sculpted face that possessed both softness and charisma.

The eyes were the finishing touch to that masterpiece.

His dark irises built a wall so deep and solid that no one could tell what lay behind them.

He always seemed like a cheerful, mischievous boy, but Joyoon was a man whose skill at hiding his emotions had only grown after experiencing things he never should have had to.

Junhwan swallowed hard, feeling the tension as he stared into Joyoon’s deeply sunken eyes.

“Surely he won’t kill me. I am technically his grandson.”

Joyoon was busy teasing Junhwan, looking incredibly amused.

The veins popped out on Junhwan’s hand as he gripped the handle.

Noticing his patience fraying, Joyoon adjusted his clothes.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make it out alive. Let’s head in.”

Joyoon gave Junhwan a wink and stepped into the dining room.

****

Inside the luxurious dining room sat a long table that could easily accommodate twenty people.

However, the only person sitting at that table was Chairman Ki Do-hwan.

The door swung open fiercely and without warning.

Chairman Ki, who was about to take a spoonful of rice, stopped abruptly.

Lowering his hand, which looked like aged wood with prominent liver spots and veins, he stared at the open door.

His eyes were sharp as he checked to see who was disturbing his peaceful morning.

Joyoon, standing in perfect poise from head to toe, caught the Chairman’s gaze.

However, the look directed at the grandson who had just returned after being out all night was anything but kind.

“Chairman. The CEO has arrived.”

Sensing the sharp air, Junhwan quickly stood by Joyoon’s side and gauged Chairman Ki’s mood.

“My eyes are still working perfectly fine.”

Though he was nearly eighty, Chairman Ki’s voice was still powerful and clear.

“My apologies.”

Junhwan hurried to bow his head.

In a power struggle between two giants, the subordinate standing nearby was always the victim.

Junhwan knew this well, but as someone on Joyoon’s side, the reprimand was unavoidable.

“Is that fellow’s mouth only meant for eating?”

Even in the face of the sharp glare directed at him, Joyoon didn’t waver in the slightest.

“Since I’ve confirmed you’re healthy enough to pick a fight, I’ll be going now.”

The sly Joyoon who had been teasing Junhwan moments ago was gone.

As always, an air of dignity and straight-backed charisma enveloped him.

“Chief Seo, you may leave. Mrs. Gosan, bring out some breakfast for Joyoon.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Mrs. Gosan, who had been waiting nearby to serve, started to move.

“Don’t go to the trouble. You know we aren’t the type to sit across from each other and eat a friendly meal.”

Mrs. Gosan’s feet were halted by Joyoon’s refusal.

In times like this, it was Mrs. Gosan who felt like the shrimp whose back was broken in a fight between whales.

She looked at Chairman Ki, unsure of what to do.

“It’s no trouble. Everyone out. You, sit.”

Chairman Ki gave in slightly and picked up his spoon again.

He ate in silence until he finished his meal.

He treated the grandson sitting in front of him as if he didn’t exist.

That was Chairman Ki’s unique way of taming his people.

Though Joyoon was not a man who would ever be tamed.

Joyoon sat with a posture as steady as a sketch model.

The only sound in the needlessly spacious dining room was the low clinking of utensils.

Chairman Ki’s breakfast, which seemed as if it would last all day while keeping Joyoon seated, finally came to an end.

Chairman Ki rinsed his mouth with water and pressed the bell beside him.

The door opened, and Mrs. Gosan entered.

“Why is the soup so salty?”

Contrary to his words, the bowls in front of Chairman Ki were wiped clean.

“I’m sorry. Shall I prepare something else?”

“Forget it. Clear it away.”

Mrs. Gosan took the tray that had been in front of the Chairman.

The Chairman, who wanted to pour out his anger on his grandson, vented it by blaming the perfectly fine soup instead.

As if she were used to this, Mrs. Gosan quietly left the dining room.

Once they were alone again, Joyoon finally broke his silence.

“Since you’re finished with your meal, I’ll be going as well.”

“Sit down.”

The time was approaching for his uncle and his wife to arrive for their morning greetings.

He wanted to avoid them if possible, but he sat back down anyway.

“Did you come here just to check if food would go down my throat?”

His raspy voice expressed his discomfort toward Joyoon.

“I suppose so. I heard you were looking for me so urgently it was as if you were about to draw your last breath. It would be a problem if you actually did.”

“And why? Why would that be a problem?”

With a glimmer of some lingering expectation, the Chairman’s eyes turned toward Joyoon.