Chapter 68: Exposure and Excuses

Ah Young sent me a barrage of rumor texts. The first was bad enough, the second built on it, and the third compared my face to a photo of Haewon Corporation’s VP Choi Seung Hee. Even I had to admit the third was well-crafted.

These people… spent the whole weekend on this?

I bolted to the rooftop, the quietest spot at this hour. After circling to ensure no one was around, I called Ju Ria in the States. She picked up immediately, and I quickly explained the situation.

“What do I do?”

To my anxious tone, she replied with surprising calm.

<Oh… I don’t care. My face isn’t in it, right?>

“You wanna die?”

<Kidding. What’s the big deal?>

“It’s a hassle! They’ll start with ‘Why’d you hide it?’ then move to ‘Is this heir training?’ or ‘Did you get in through connections with no skills?’”

She sounded slightly surprised.

<You care about that stuff?>

“…”

<Sorry. But seriously, that’s what’s worrying you?>

“Of course.”

Then she said something unexpected.

<Hmm, you really think no one knew who you were? Higher-ups probably played dumb. You’re kinda naïve.>

“…If they’ve been pretending for years, that’s some Oscar-worthy acting.”

<If someone above ordered it, it’s doable.>

Grandfather came to mind. I didn’t want to admit it, but it made sense. Then she continued.

<And you didn’t think you could hide it forever, right?>

True. I’d imagined awkwardly confessing one day, not having my identity exposed on a quiet Monday morning via a four-year-old engagement photo.

<What’s so bad about it being out? You’ve worked your ass off. Isn’t it a likability boost? ‘Haewon heir Choi Seung Hyun, unlike other chaebols.’ Your PR team must be thrilled—new material.>

I sighed deeply.

“Then next year’s breakup will be even louder.”

<Oh.>

Did she forget? Must be living the dream since getting citizenship.

Yet every Chuseok, she’d show up at our house with a truckload of gifts, charming the elders. A life role model.

“Anyway, I’ll make sure no articles get out. If Grandfather’s been muzzling people, this was unpredictable, so he’ll handle it if I ask.”

<Hmm, sure.>

If my face got out, the later reveal of my birth secret would dwarf the breakup scandal. The juicy story of Haewon’s heir being an illegitimate child, kicked out penniless, would be a media frenzy. They’d tear Haewon apart through me. That’s why I planned a smooth breakup with Ju Ria—to owe Koryo Ilbo a favor.

<So why call me? You’ve already got it all figured out.>

“Even if we stop the press, I can’t shut up everyone here. It’ll spread quietly.”

“But our contract… it’s still fine, right?”

I swallowed hard.

This was what I really needed to confirm. Our contract stated, “Party A (Choi Seung Hyun) shall not disclose this agreement or cause a disturbance during its term. Violation incurs a 10 trillion won penalty.” I needed to know if this counted as a disturbance. I’d argue it didn’t, but still.

She laughed over the phone.

<You worry about everything. Of course it’s fine.>

Relief washed over me.

“Good.”

<What, want to break up now? My job’s stable, so it’d be better later, but if you want, I’ll consider it.>

“Nah, it’s fine.”

Over two years into the engagement, Koryo Ilbo had been hinting about marriage, but I dodged with excuses. It wasn’t my fault—Ju Ria was in the States. I had nothing to feel guilty about.

Funnily, my family’s attitude shifted post-engagement. Mother started saying, “No rush to marry.” Grandfather stayed quiet, suggesting some deal among the elders.

“Let’s stick to next year.”

<OK, gotta go. In the middle of work.>

Back from the rooftop, more people stared at me like I was a celebrity. I’m not used to this attention. Looking exhausted, I sat down, and a few people finally approached.

“Seung Hyun, so…”

But someone burst into the office faster, eyes gleaming. It was Kwak Sun Woo, a colleague who’d moved to HR years ago. He rushed over, shouting.

“Seung Hyun, are you really the heir?”

The entire office turned. Even the team leaders by the window perked up, pretending not to. Why yell it like that?

“Not the heir.”

“But you’re Chairman Choi Man Sik’s grandson, right?”

“…That’s true.”

Gasps echoed—hup, huk. Ah Young looked shocked too. Seeing me answer calmly, people crowded my desk.

Sun Woo, oddly moved, stared at me.

“I knew it from the start. Your watch, your sneakers—crazy expensive! I asked to borrow them for Insta once, remember? You brushed it off, so I thought they were fakes, but they were real! Wow, chaebol class!”

His theatrics made my face burn. Shut up…

Others chimed in, fidgeting.

“You always had a refined vibe.”

“I had no idea, Seung Hyun. Sorry.”

“Wow… just wow. That’s amazing.”

Amazing how?

“So that’s why you worked so hard. Is all the company stock yours?”

No.

“You’ll keep working here, right? But… can we still call you Seung Hyun casually?”

Exhaustion hit me fast. I stood, and the chatter stopped like a switch flipped. I bowed slightly.

“Sorry for hiding it. I wanted to get in on my own merit and avoid privilege debates. I planned to tell you at the right time, but it came out today. If you feel betrayed, I’m sorry.”

The room went quiet.

“I’m Chairman Choi’s grandson, but nothing’s set about being an heir. Please treat me as you always have. And…”

I scanned the crowd.

“I’ll request those online posts be taken down today, so please don’t spread rumors. If anyone here posted on Behind, please remove it. It’s me, and the growing comments are a bit overwhelming. And Sun Woo.”

“Yes!”

“Don’t post this on social media.”

“Aw…”

He looked crushed. Just try spreading it.

Thankfully, my hard work paid off—no talk of unfair hiring, and my colleagues weren’t hostile. Those sneaking glances relaxed as I acted normal. But Sun Woo clinging to me was a pain.

“Man, I’ve never seen our team leader’s face that pale. You know he’s obsessed with Behind, checking who’s badmouthing him. When that post went up, he called me over and was like, ‘Sun Woo, you’re close with Seung Hyun… nim, right?’ So I said, ‘Yes! Super close!’”

Why lie?

“Then he asked what you like, if you ever mentioned HR, any complaints…”

“I like peace, have no thoughts on HR, and you talking is my complaint.”

“That coolness is so awesome. I wanna be like you.”

I sighed, staring into space, not answering.