Episode 20
Inside the photograph were two familiar faces in an embarrassing scene—Ha Joong and Hwa San.
Lee Hyun picked up the photo that had fallen near his shoe and walked over to Hwaran. Holding the photo next to her face, he glanced back and forth between the two.
“This photo turned out well. You actually look better here than in real life. Or is it because you’re with someone you love? Mother, you’re really amazing. How could you think of marrying me off to the daughter of your affair partner? Truly, your thoughts are… unique.”
“I think… you’re misunderstanding something. President Ji and I aren’t… it’s not what you think… It was just a coincidence… We met to talk about you two…”
Hwaran stammered, her voice trembling, trying to explain, but her words didn’t move Lee Hyun in the slightest.
“Then it’s even weirder. If you’re not lovers, what were you doing in a place like that? Did you think you wouldn’t get caught if you came separately? Visiting the same hotel room on the same day—how could that just be coincidence?”
“Even if you’re just close acquaintances, these photos are a bit much. And it wasn’t just a hotel café—you went into a room. I confirmed it. Please stop making excuses. It’s pitiful.”
Lee Hyun stepped closer to Hwaran’s face, flashing a smirk.
“You… this is a crime. You know that? Do you think I’ll stay silent?!”
“If taking your picture is a crime, maybe so. But what about what you did? Adultery? Being a mistress? What do you think people will say? What will Grandfather say? When he finds out that his only remaining bloodline almost married the daughter of his daughter-in-law’s affair partner…”
Lee Hyun’s sarcastic and relentless replies infuriated Hwaran, but she couldn’t say a word—not with the irrefutable evidence laid out in front of her.
If Chairman Seo, who currently held a favorable view of her, were to find out about this, she would surely lose everything she had enjoyed until now.
Lee Hyun could see that fear clearly written all over her face, and he almost found it amusing. Why would she do something so reckless when she had no plan and couldn’t even say a word in defense?
Truthfully, it hadn’t been long since Lee Hyun started to suspect their relationship. Their persistence in trying to marry him off to Ji Ah raised red flags, so he had someone investigate.
What the investigator brought back was more shocking than expected—photos of them entering and leaving the hotel, getting into the same car, and even engaging in intimate behavior inside it.
Lee Hyun was never interested in using people’s weaknesses against them, but…
“Fine. I won’t interfere with your wedding to the secretary. That’s a promise. But destroy these photos. That’s the least you can do. After all, I’m the mother who raised you for 20 years.”
“If you promise, then I swear I’ll get rid of all the photos. After the wedding. And if you want to keep your current position, I suggest you take my words seriously. You know my personality better than anyone, don’t you… Stepmother.”
Lee Hyun smiled with narrowed eyes, but Hwaran wasn’t fooled. She could feel the warning behind that smile.
He wasn’t her biological son, but she had raised him for 20 years. She knew his nature well enough to understand—he never spoke in vain, and he never let things end just like that.
“And if you lay even a finger on Harin, the result will be the same.”
This wasn’t just an empty threat—and Hwaran knew it. She had no choice but to back off.
“Fine. I’ll leave now.”
She grit her teeth in frustration. Why did her life get so tangled up with this cursed family?
Even while raising Lee Hyun, she always had a lingering fear that he would eventually become the one to strangle her. She wasn’t sure if it was just paranoia or if it was the guilt from her own actions catching up to her—but that anxiety had always haunted her.
Now it was clear—it hadn’t been paranoia.
And now, there was only one person who could protect her.
Breathing heavily, she stormed out of Lee Hyun’s room.
She was sick of everything—of Harin, who insisted on marrying Lee Hyun, of Lee Hyun himself, and even of Jihoon, the son Lee Hyun brought after his biological mother passed away.
If it hadn’t been for Jihoon, her life wouldn’t have gotten so twisted.
Why did she have to suffer this misfortune just for being tied to this wretched family?
Her anger boiled over, but there was nothing she could do now.
She couldn’t burden Ha Joong—the man who gave her the love even Jihoon never did.
Ignoring Lee Hyun’s warning wasn’t an option.
The problem now was Yeoun.
That girl was so obsessed she’d do anything to marry Lee Hyun. What could stop her? Maybe sending her abroad?
Truthfully, the marriage between Yeoun and Lee Hyun was just a scheme to transfer S Group’s wealth to Jium Group.
To inherit Chairman Seo’s fortune, Lee Hyun had to be married. But considering his personality, a lifelong marriage with Yeoun was nearly impossible.
So, the plan was simple: they’d marry, get the inheritance, divorce, and half of that wealth would then go to Jium Group through Yeoun. That would be enough.
And after their divorce, Hwaran planned to live happily with Ha Joong.
Everything would go according to her plan.
Her plans had never failed—not for 20 years. Until now.
Lee Hyun was about to destroy everything she had built.
She couldn’t let that happen.
She had sacrificed everything for this house. Raised him with her own hands. She wasn’t going to let it all fall apart so easily.
She wasn’t going down without a fight.
With that resolve, she immediately sent Ha Joong a message.
