Chapter 152
Si-heon wasn’t the only one who had withdrawn from work. Gye Ga-eun, the Director of Hwanhee Art Museum and wife of Director Kwon Si-heon, had also been absent for two weeks. Most assumed she was in seclusion following her husband’s wishes. Those who had attended the bazaar believed the Hwanhee Group had temporarily hidden her away for damage control. Only a select few knew the truth—that Ga-eun had vanished.
“The family of the woman your grandfather chose as Si-heon’s wife will be the one to place him on the throne,” Jae-sung revealed.
Si-jung’s face turned ashen as he finally grasped his father’s meaning. “Then… wouldn’t it be better to find that illegitimate child? If Si-heon receives support from his in-laws too, we’ll be completely ruined. We’re already overwhelmed as it is.”
Jae-sung grimaced, letting out a contemplative “hmm.” His expression betrayed his growing headache. “We must pursue whichever path offers us even a one percent advantage.”
***
However, contrary to public knowledge, Si-heon’s absence from the company wasn’t due to power struggles—it was because of a woman.
As they observed him, Noh man-su and the other attendants recalled the name they once used to describe him.
Doberman.
A mad dog that charges straight toward its target.
If his previous objective had been business, now he focused solely on finding his wife.
Then, on the night marking two weeks and five days since Ga-eun’s disappearance…
“Bring them in.”
2:30 AM.
Far too late an hour to summon anyone.
Yet Noh man-su simply bowed his head without protest.
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
Si-heon was in the Youngso Hotel’s suite.
The place where they first became intimate.
And… where Ga-eun had stayed until the very end.
Si-heon stared fixedly at a point on the floor.
Dark circles beneath his eyes.
Tightly pressed lips.
Eyes devoid of any emotion.
Noh man-su, who had been silently observing his superior, stepped out of the suite’s living room and made a phone call.
After some time passed…
“Sir, the Gye Young-cheol family has arrived.”
“Bring them in.”
“Yes, sir.”
At Noh man-su’s gesture, Gye Young-cheol, Woo Ji-hyang, and Gye So-yeon hesitantly entered.
“Ah, Director Kwon, why at such a late hour…”
“Stand in a line.”
At the commanding voice of Noh man-su, with his distinctive scar near his eye, the Gye family stood in a line before Si-heon, their faces tense with anxiety.
However, Si-heon paid no attention as he removed the cork from the wine bottle on the table.
As the crimson liquid slowly filled the crystal glass with a gentle swirl…
Lee Yu-mi and Ju-yeon Park entered in quick succession.
Ju-yeon Park, who had entered with an excited expression, first grimaced at the sight of Lee Yu-mi , then exhaled sharply in disbelief upon seeing the trembling Gye family.
“What are these people doing here?”
She had thought she was the only one summoned.
That’s why she hadn’t minded the early morning wake-up call.
She had even worn her favorite lingerie, hoping for something special.
But now, what was all this?
“Ju-yeon…”
At Yu-mi’s whisper, Ju-yeon gritted her teeth and muttered under her breath.
“Hey, Yu-mi. Why are you here?”
“I… I got a call from someone who said they were Director Kwon Si-heon’s attendant…”
“Hah. Called to a hotel at dawn, and you just came? Did you have other thoughts?”
“No, no! How could I, when you’re here? And how could I refuse when such intimidating people asked me to come…”
Just as Ju-yeon’s face contorted and she was about to speak…
“I don’t recall giving permission to speak.”
Si-heon, holding the stem of the wine glass, slowly raised his head.
“There’s no need to spread your stench by opening your mouths. I already know everything.”
His gaze darkened intensely.
“That you—all of you—are trash.”
His large hand tilted gradually.
The red liquid spilled across the exposed marble floor—the carpet having been removed beforehand—scattering in all directions.
The ruby in his wedding ring caught the light for a moment, gleaming.
“Lick it.”
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.