Chapter 139
The word “illegitimate.”
Its destructive power was immense.
After a brief silence, shock, horror, disappointment, and anger spread like smoke through the room.
“What are you saying, Ju-yeon? Illegitimate?”
When Yeo-jin asked with feigned surprise, Park Ju-yeon barely suppressed a smile as she replied.
“This rumor circulated in the social circles where Ga-eun’s mother is active. Isn’t that right, Yu-mi?”
“Oh? Oh yes, th-that’s right. My mother mentioned it.”
Yu-mi, suddenly put on the spot, nodded hesitantly.
“There was an argument, they say. When questions arose about how differently she treated her daughters, she suddenly became angry.”
“My goodness, did Ga-eun’s mother try to hide that her daughter was illegitimate? That makes her complicit.”
“What? Well, that…”
“This lady just said it herself.”
Park Ju-yeon gestured toward Sun-mi, who still trembled in Ga-eun’s embrace.
“She said not Gye Ga-eun, but Eun Ga-eun. That they share the same surname – Eun.”
Park Ju-yeon turned to Ga-eun with an upturned smile.
“Tell us, Ga-eun. Is it true that you’re not Gye Ga-eun, but Eun Ga-eun?”
Holding her aunt tightly, Ga-eun met Park Ju-yeon’s eyes and spoke.
“Yes, it is.”
Her admission sparked gasps and exclamations throughout the room.
“What? So she deceived everyone?”
“How could anyone deceive the Hwanhee Group?”
“Exactly. The Chairman must have known…”
“We’ve been deceived too. Had we known she was illegitimate, we would never have accepted her into the Jinri Association. Right?”
Ga-eun continued sheltering her aunt, unmoved by the hostile stares directed at her.
“Listen here, Gye… no, Eun Ga-eun. Do you understand what you’ve done? This is a crime, a crime! How dare you hold your head high after deceiving everyone?”
Yeo-jin exhaled sharply in disbelief.
“Because of you, not only has the Jinri Association’s reputation been damaged, but the Hwanhee Group’s image has hit rock bottom. Do you understand what this means? You’ve made a laughingstock of your brother-in-law, the Chairman, me, my husband, my parents-in-law, and even my own family.”
Murmurs of agreement followed Yeo-jin’s words from all around the room.
Ga-eun lifted her head and quietly surveyed her surroundings.
Then, upon seeing someone, she finally spoke.
“I’d like to use a guest room.”
Her serene voice, unwavering and calm, made everyone doubt their ears.
“What? What did she just say?”
“Did she ask for a room…?”
Ga-eun addressed the hesitant staff member standing in the corner once more.
“Please reserve a room. And bring some undergarments and clothes for changing.”
Park Ju-yeon glared at Ga-eun with venomous eyes.
“Wow. You’re something else.”
“I intend to go up right now. Please make the preparations.”
“Hey, are you failing to grasp the situation here?”
Park Ju-yeon walked toward Ga-eun with clicking heels, positioning herself directly in front.
“There’s a limit to shamelessness. Even if you were born without dignity, how dare you make fools of everyone here and then dismiss us?”
“Are you people even in a position to be dismissed by me?”
Park Ju-yeon’s face contorted.
“What? What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Someone of illegitimate birth like me couldn’t possibly dismiss people like you, could I? Not you, nor those standing behind you.”
“Hah, so now that you’re exposed, you’re showing your true colors?”
Ga-eun met Park Ju-yeon’s eyes directly.
Her usually calm, gentle brown eyes now reflected a quiet fury.
Park Ju-yeon flinched momentarily, then, irritated by her own reaction, directed her anger at Ga-eun.
“Being from an unremarkable family would have been bad enough, but an illegitimate child? And you dare bring your mentally challenged aunt here to ruin the Jinri Association’s atmosphere…”
Ga-eun cut off Park Ju-yeon’s words.
“Apologize.”
“W-what?”
“Apologize to my aunt. She doesn’t deserve such disrespect from you.”
Anger surged through her.
Her insides burned hot while her mind turned ice cold.
Her aunt had done nothing to deserve such treatment.
Her aunt faced such treatment for one reason alone – having someone like her as a niece.
That single fact was enough.
“Who do you think you are to demand apologies?”
“As long as I remain Si-heon’s wife, I am a member of the Hwanhee Group. Insulting me and my family is equivalent to insulting the Hwanhee Group itself.”
She desperately wanted to protect her aunt.
Even if it meant invoking Si-heon’s name, Ga-eun would use whatever means necessary to shield her aunt.
Even if she might regret it later.
Even if Si-heon became angry and punished her severely upon learning of this, it didn’t matter.
Getting her terrified aunt out of here took precedence.
Her aunt was everything to her.
“I am still Si-heon’s wife.”
As Ga-eun anticipated, Park Ju-yeon’s lips trembled, but no words emerged.
Instead, Yeo-jin raised her voice.
“One might think you’re the only daughter-in-law of the Hwanhee Group.”
“Si-heon won’t remain silent when he learns how you’ve disrespected me.”
“Hah, you’re still under that delusion? That my brother-in-law would take your side? He’ll surely despise how an illegitimate child has tarnished Hwanhee Group’s reputation more than the fact you’re illegitimate.”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.