BHB 139

There was a sense of disgust in her low murmuring voice, “It’s quite something to see you come running as soon as you’re invited.”

Her follow-up comment was clearly meant to belittle Yeowon.

“Yes. I heard you wanted to see me.”

“Do you really think I invited you because I wanted to see you?”

‘She’s deliberately trying to provoke me.’ Having expected this, Yeowon intentionally smiled respectfully.

“I wanted to meet you as well.”

“What?”

“Since I’m living with your son, I thought I should at least greet you properly.”

Tae-joo, who had been watching, let out a light laugh at this rather presentable response. At that sound, the woman shot a sharp glance at her eldest son, then stared intently at Yeowon, contemplating how to roast him.

“Oh my, it’s been a while, Chairwoman!”

Just then, a guest appeared like an uninvited visitor and greeted the woman warmly. Instantly, the woman’s face transformed into a gentle expression.

“Have you been well?”

“Of course. Thanks to you, ma’am… no, I shouldn’t call you that anymore. Right, First Lady?”

“Haha. How embarrassing.”

The woman skillfully returned the flattery with a practiced smile. How pretentious. Just as Yeowon was silently clicking his tongue, the guest’s gaze happened to fall on him.

“I don’t recognize this face?”

The guest, perhaps a close relative, keenly noticed Yeowon’s unfamiliar presence. As the woman hesitated to answer this unexpected situation, Yeowon opened his mouth with a gentle smile.

“I’m an employee at the foundation the Chairwoman runs.”

As Yeowon told this lie without changing his expression and politely extended his hand, the guest awkwardly reached out. He firmly grasped the guest’s hand as if he had been waiting and smiled brightly.

“We may see each other often in the future, so I look forward to our acquaintance.”

“Oh, my… Is that so?”

‘How dare you?’ 

The woman’s piercing gaze was felt, but unlike her, the guest stammered, momentarily entranced by the uncommonly handsome face and natural manners of the person before her.

“I was invited because I work closely with the Chairwoman.”

“This kind of gathering is usually boring with only familiar faces.”

“I’m nervous since this is my first time greeting everyone.”

“What’s there to be nervous about? It’s just a place to chat and laugh lightly. No need to be so tense.”

“I thought there would only be stiff, important people, but seeing you, I realize that’s not the case.”

“Oh, is that so? Well, I do hear quite often that I make a good first impression.”

“Thanks to your kindness, I feel less nervous. Thank you.”

As he smiled gently with his eyes and skillfully flattered her, the guest paused momentarily before covering her mouth and laughing softly.

“You certainly know how to say the right things.” The guest, her face slightly flushed, glanced at the woman who had been just watching and continued playfully. “It seems our Chairwoman hires employees based on looks.”

“…The president seems to have taken a liking to him.”

As the woman responded glumly, the guest smiled with satisfaction and lavished praise.

“Young men with both good looks and character are rare to find.”

The woman looked incredulously at Yeowon, who had instantly won the guest’s favor, and invisibly bit her lip.

“The Chairwoman has high standards in many ways.”

“That’s right—. If you know any good people, introduce them to our side sometime.”

To the guest’s sincere jest, the woman smiled stiffly and answered quietly, “…I will.”

“See you again then. Please give my regards to your husband.”

“Of course.”

“And I hope to see you again too, employee.”

The guest subtly ran her hand along Yeowon’s arm before quickly blending into another group. She was a middle-aged woman similar in age to the woman before him, but her authoritative demeanor seemed familiar.

“That was the president of Sanhwa Securities, wasn’t it?” Tae-joo, who had been happily listening with his back turned, quietly spoke up, “I didn’t know the president was such a friendly person.”

At Tae-joo’s words, his lips still twitching with amusement, the woman again coldly regarded her eldest son. Then she immediately turned her gaze to stare icily at Yeowon, who was smiling calmly.

“…To think I’d have to witness such an absurd scene…”

At that moment, a glass of champagne appeared, blocking their interaction.

“Drink.”

The suddenly dropped gruff voice was directed at Yeowon.

“Eat this too.”

Taegang handed him the champagne and other food he had prepared. The woman stared at her second son with an exasperated expression as he didn’t even glance in her direction, then alternately scrutinized Yeowon and her second son.

“…What a pathetic sight.”

The woman finally left first, feeling as if she might fully reveal her true nature if she stayed any longer. 

Tae-joo, who had been sipping wine, watched his mother walk away for a moment before smiling obliquely. “You made quite a first impression.”

Despite the clearly ironic statement, Yeowon paid no mind and calmly put the food Taegang had handed him into his mouth, chewing informally.

“From what I see, it’s not that you need to keep Taegang in check.”

“……”

“You both need to keep each other in check.”

Though Tae-joo offered this advice to Taegang, Taegang pretended not to hear. 

Instead, he asked Yeowon, who was contentedly eating what he had brought, “Want me to get you more?” 

Yeowon nodded. Though he had thought food wouldn’t go down easily in such a tense setting, it actually tasted good once he started eating.

“Still as rude as ever.”

At the sudden unfamiliar voice, Yeowon instinctively turned his head. The remarkably pleasant voice was so impressive that he unconsciously stared at the man who had appeared beside Tae-joo. 

Both Taegang and Tae-joo displayed clearly irritated expressions at the man’s arrival. 

‘Why? Who could he be?’ Yeowon became more intrigued by the man’s appearance due to their subtle reactions.

“Not even looking at your brother when he’s speaking to you.”

Yeowon had never seen anyone more handsome than Taegang, but this man was a bit different. Though he looked completely unlike Taegang, he was more delicate in appearance and possessed looks that made even Yeowon momentarily lose himself in staring. Not only that, his well-fitted black suit was so stylish it could have been from a fashion spread. Yes, “stylish” was the most honest assessment.

“…I didn’t think you’d come?” Tae-joo asked with a disgruntled face. 

It was the first time Yeowon had seen him make such an expression. He clearly displayed the uncomfortable feeling of meeting someone extremely distasteful.

“It seems you were hoping I wouldn’t come?” The man skillfully smiled with his eyes. There was a flirtatious atmosphere hovering around him. “I should offer my congratulations for this joyous occasion. Uncle has finally pulled it off.”

“…Why does that sound sarcastic?”

“Did it sound that way? How biased of you.”

The man smiled calmly and drank his champagne. At that moment, his eyes met directly with Yeowon’s, who had been absently staring at him. 

The man smiled brightly and offered a simple greeting, “Hello.”

Though he was immediately informal, strangely it didn’t feel arrogant. He had an authoritative attitude that suggested it was natural for Yeowon to be younger and lower in status than himself.

“Ah… yes. Hello.”

As Yeowon greeted him with a casual nod, the man simply maintained his characteristic smile. Though very different from Taegang, there was something strangely… strangely similar: that attitude of smiling but appearing completely uninterested. His boredom was evident despite his smiling face.

Even funnier was Taegang’s reaction. Of everyone present, he was glaring at the man most irritably. He wrinkled his face completely and grabbed Yeowon’s arm, hiding him behind himself. The man burst into laughter at this unexpected behavior.

“What are you doing?”

“What?”

“Ah… so he’s the one from the rumors?”

“Mind your own business.”

“How can I? Thanks to him, my villa was turned into a rag.”

It was a stark statement that didn’t fit the formal setting.

“…I said I’ll fix it. Taegang hesitated momentarily, overpowered by the other’s momentum.

“Anyone listening would think you can’t afford to fix it.”

“What do you want me to do, then?”

“Why hasn’t this rudeness of yours ever changed?”

“Did you come all the way here to talk about that?”

“To see someone like you? As if.” The man continued his words savagely despite his smiling face. 

At that moment, Yeowon could precisely identify who the man was. He was the owner of the villa where they had briefly stayed comfortably.

“Ah, I’m truly grateful for that time. I’m Han Yeowon, Taegang’s friend.” Feeling he should properly greet him, Yeowon stepped forward and politely offered his greeting again.

“Ah…”

The man scanned Yeowon’s figure from top to bottom, as if examining him.

“Never mind. Don’t talk to him.” Taegang grabbed Yeowon’s arm again and hid him out of sight. 

The man let out an incredulous laugh at this blatant interference. “Is that how you should talk to a brother you haven’t seen in a while?”

“…Stop acting so detestably. Since when did you treat me like a younger brother?”

“If you’re younger, you’re a brother. This one doesn’t have the charm of being obedient.”

The man furrowed his brows and openly criticized Taegang, pointing at him while addressing Tae-joo. 

After watching their light bickering, Tae-joo exhaled briefly before asking politely, “…Have you greeted Father yet?”

“Not yet. Just thinking about how his face will sour when he sees me makes me look forward to it.”

“Just go. I’ll tell him you stopped by.”

“Will you? Make sure to tell him properly. That his nephew came to sincerely offer his congratulations.”

“You want me to tell him what’s not true?”

“I really did send a wreath though.”

“He did mention that.”

“I just came to make a brief appearance. The elders were pressuring me so much.”

“I thought as much.”

Yeowon quietly observed Tae-joo and the man as they engaged in light conversation. Standing together like that, they did seem like they shared the same bloodline. If anything, Taegang was the one who didn’t quite fit in. 

Taegang had completely turned his back on them and was facing Yeowon, stubbornly insisting that he shouldn’t look in their direction. Yeowon had noticed for a while that Taegang kept up a strange guard against this man.

“Do you dislike that brother?”

As Yeowon quietly asked, the corner of Taegang’s eyebrow twitched.

“…He’s annoying.”

“Why?”

“He’s the richest among us.”

“That’s why?”

“…And he’s really handsome.”

“Since when did you care about that?”

“I heard he has a boyfriend too.”

“Are you bothered because he’s gay? Don’t worry. I’m not gay.”

Taegang’s face froze in astonishment at this nonchalant response.