Bound by a Ruthless Contract - Chapter 123

It was the morning when Ga-eun had just set down her bag after arriving at work.

A crisp, neat knock—Knock knock—and shortly after, the door opened.

It was Myung Hyun-ju.

“Director, I just received a call from Director Sung Won-gyu.”

Sung Won-gyu. Ga-eun momentarily pondered who he was.

The secretary of Chairman Kwon Soon-yeol. A robust middle-aged man with an inscrutable face, always standing a step behind the chairman, breathing quietly.

“The chairman’s message is for you to come to Jungshimwon Manor this evening.”

Ga-eun’s body stiffened with tension.

“…What’s the reason?”

“I wasn’t told the reason. He simply said to arrive by 6 o’clock.”

What could this sudden summons mean?

She couldn’t even begin to speculate.

Though, whether she could guess or not, the result would ultimately be the same.

Everything would proceed according to Chairman Kwon Soon-yeol’s wishes.

He was her husband’s grandfather and the head of Hwanhee Group—the only person who knew her origins, even more than Si-heon.

The sole person who could manipulate her more arbitrarily than anyone else.

“I understand.”

“I’ll prepare the traditional Korean sweets the chairman always enjoys, so you can bring them when you visit.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s what I’m supposed to do. Please call me anytime if you need anything.”

Myung Hyun-ju smiled softly and quietly left the office.

“…Ah.”

Only then did Ga-eun release the breath she’d been holding.

Already, she felt as if her throat were being constricted, just imagining sitting before Chairman Kwon Soon-yeol.

‘What could he possibly want to say? Surely… it’s not about my aunt.’

Whatever it was, it certainly wouldn’t be in her favor.

She had never visited Si-heon’s family home, not even when greeting them or after her marriage.

The chairman would not summon her to Jungshimwon Manor to deliver good news.

Though she wasn’t eating much, her stomach felt heavy, like it was filled with stone chunks, causing a deep, gnawing pain.

For several days, these symptoms had been intermittently occurring.

‘Should I visit a hospital?’

She exhaled a faint sigh.

With every action of hers being reported, she could no longer freely visit hospitals or pharmacies like before.

‘I’ll endure for now. I can take some antacids from the office later.’

Ga-eun inhaled deeply, turned on her monitor, and checked today’s schedule.

She needed to complete her assigned tasks to the best of her ability before going to Jungshimwon Manor.

This was the only thing she could do right now.

‘Please, let it not be as serious as I fear.’

***

On Ga-eun’s lap sat a rectangular set of traditional Korean sweets, wrapped in a glossy grayish-brown cloth.

Myung Hyun-ju had shown her the various sweet sets, and Ga-eun had chosen the ‘Gentle’ set.

She had chosen it with a silent prayer that today’s time at Jungshimwon Manor would pass without incident.

“We’ve arrived, Director.”

At Myung Hyun-ju’s words, Ga-eun took a deep breath, hiding her trembling nerves.

Though this wasn’t her first meeting with Chairman Kwon, she always felt as nervous as if it were.

“The chairman does not trust those who avoid his gaze. No matter how frightened or nervous you are, do not look away from the chairman’s eyes. You understand, of course.”

With Myung Hyun-ju’s concerned words, Ga-eun raised her quivering lips in a smile and nodded.

One of the men in black suits waiting by the gate approached and opened her car door.

Ga-eun picked up the wrapped sweet set and stepped out.

“Welcome, Young Madam.”

The unfamiliar title made her flinch.

No matter how many times she heard it, she could never get used to it.

But she must not show her discomfort.

‘I must stay composed.’

Thinking this, she gripped the cloth-wrapped package tightly.

“Hello. I’m Hwang Tae-ju. You can think of me as the steward managing Jungshimwon Manor’s household.”

True to his Hwanhee Group affiliation, he was a sturdy, broad-shouldered middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and sharp, darting eyes, who bowed slightly.

In the car, Myung Hyun-ju had given her a brief briefing.

Hwang Tae-ju, the steward of Jungshimwon Manor, was known for being straightforward and bold.

As one of the chairman’s close confidants, his loyalty was legendary.

While Sung Won-gyu might smile while harboring hidden thoughts, Hwang Tae-ju was known to breathe fire at anyone who dared to oppose the chairman.

“It is an honor to have you visit us like this.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

As Ga-eun tried to bow her head, Hwang Tae-ju swiftly raised his hand.

“Please do not bow. You are a member of the master’s family of Jungshimwon Manor.” His voice carried a weight that seemed to fill the entire space, a delicate mixture of respect and subtle warning.