Chapter 50
Weekend.
As promised, Jitae visited Haemi’s home.
Being one of the most prominent conglomerates, the building’s grand and imposing exterior easily outshone even Pilsoon’s mansion.
After passing through a garden so vast it was hard to measure, Jitae entered the living room and saw Chairman Kang sitting on a long sofa.
He had seen numerous articles about the NY Group and Chairman Kang, so he had a rough idea of what kind of person he was—but this was their first meeting in person.
Famous for avoiding group luncheons and political gatherings, Chairman Kang possessed sharp and striking features, and his strong, commanding presence exuded an air of unapproachable authority.
“Welcome.”
Amid the stiff and cold atmosphere, NY Group’s hostess, Soyeon, greeted Jitae.
With her youthful appearance and elegant demeanor, she looked so much like Haemi that it wouldn’t be strange to mistake them for sisters. She had married young and given birth early.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Han Jitae,” he greeted naturally.
Chairman Kang’s expression as he looked at Jitae was far from welcoming.
Chairman Han of Kanghwa Group—whose scandals had once stirred the media—and the rumors surrounding his family were well known to Kang as well.
The news of Jitae’s biological mother’s accident, followed shortly by Chairman Han’s remarriage, and the articles about Jitae, the son of the new wife with no blood ties—he knew them all.
But more than anything, what irritated Chairman Kang was the fact that the arranged meeting between Taeseok and Haemi had been called off. That alone made him want to kick Jitae out on the spot.
To reject the only daughter he cherished above all else—it wasn’t just an insult to Haemi, but to the NY Group and to himself. Still, there was one thing he couldn’t give up:
If he were to forge ties with Kanghwa Group, he wished the connection to be through Taeseok, not Jitae.
No matter how many times he thought it over, Han Taeseok—not Han Jitae—was the better match for his daughter.
Though not the type to easily reveal his feelings, it was clear he wasn’t pleased with Jitae being the one.
His narrowed eyes scanned Jitae from head to toe.
“I heard you enjoy wine, so I prepared something special.”
A limited edition wine—only five bottles in the world. Jitae, together with Haemi, sat across from Chairman Kang.
“I’ve heard the stories,” the chairman’s deep, resonant voice echoed through the wide living room.
“I should’ve come much sooner. My apologies for the delay.”
“You’re currently the managing director of Kanghwa?”
“Yes, sir.”
Chairman Kang frowned deeply in thought, and Haemi quickly cut in.
“He’s managing director now, but he’ll be president soon.”
“Hmph.”
“He’s very much like me. That’s why I chose him. You know my eye for people.”
Haemi was raised with everything she could ever want.
She had always stood at the top, and as someone who had inherited Kang’s talent, ambition, and business sense, she was the one person he expected to choose the very best life partner.
Jitae was well aware that the chairman didn’t approve of him.
But he didn’t care. As long as they were married, he would be the son-in-law of NY Group and its future successor.
“If you allow this marriage, I’ll do my best to be someone worthy of Haemi and of you, sir.”
“Effort isn’t everything. Some things in this world can’t be achieved no matter how hard you try.”
The chairman’s hand clenched tightly around his glass, a chill passing through his narrowed eyes.
“I’m only permitting this marriage for my daughter’s sake. Don’t forget that. Effort doesn’t matter—become the best. Reach a place so high that no one can touch you. Can you do that?”
“Absolutely.”
A sly smile curled on Jitae’s lips.
“Where do you plan to live after marriage?”
“Wherever Haemi wants.”
“In that case, I’ll take care of your home as a wedding gift.”
“There’s no need, sir.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m planning to move into your house for the time being.”
At the unexpected reply, both men turned their gaze to Haemi.
“I heard President Han recently got married. Are you saying you want to move into that house?”
Chairman Kang’s eyes narrowed. He already disapproved of her marrying Jitae, a man who had met Taeseok before her. Now she wanted to live in the same house as Taeseok?
“Do you even know what that means?”
“When have I ever spoken without thinking? We can move out later. But for now, I’d rather live with you and Mom than alone with just the two of us.”
He knew well that once his daughter made up her mind, she wouldn’t back down. His clenched jaw betrayed his frustration.
“Are you sure you won’t regret it? Living together is different from marriage life.”
“If I thought I’d regret it, I wouldn’t be doing this.”
An unspoken tension filled the space between the three.
* * *
After the marriage, Taeseok began getting off work an hour earlier.
The man once known for being married to his work shocked the entire company, including his secretary Min, with his sudden change.
“I’ve postponed the meeting to tomorrow. You should head home too, Secretary Min.”
“I keep saying this, but it’s like I’m working for a completely different person these days.”
“Should I take that in a good way?”
“Of course. Since your marriage, you seem brighter, and the office feels more energized. Even some employees who never considered marriage are rethinking it after watching you. It’s a huge compliment.”
Taeseok couldn’t help but chuckle at the idea of accidentally becoming the company’s marriage ambassador.
But it wasn’t just his work hours that had changed.
The once icy expression on his face now often softened into a smile. He even started driving himself to and from the office more frequently.
“Have a good evening, sir,” his secretary called out as Taeseok climbed into his car.
At a red light, his gaze settled on something outside.
Moments later, he pulled over and walked into a flower shop.
“Welcome!” The shop owner quickly approached the tall and broad-shouldered Taeseok.
“Is there a specific flower you’re looking for?”
“Not really. But it’s for someone special, so I want something meaningful—not just ordinary.”
After a moment of thought, the shopkeeper held out a single flower.
“How about this one?”
A sweet fragrance reached Taeseok’s nose.
“This is a mini delphinium. In Greek, ‘delphinium’ means dolphin. The shape reflects that, and its meaning is beautiful. It’s often gifted to loved ones for that reason.”
Soon, the shopkeeper had crafted a large bouquet mixing pink and blue mini delphiniums.
* * *
At home.
Warm ambient lighting reflected off the large glass windows in the living room, and the faint scent of food lingered in the air.
For a fleeting moment, happy childhood memories crossed Taeseok’s mind—but he quickly shook them off.
As he stepped inside, the house staff rushed to greet him, and Lee Seo, who had been in the dining room with Aesook, walked over to him.
“You’re home.”
Aesook gave a brief nod at the bouquet in his hands, then quietly exited with the others, a bright smile lighting her face.
“Didn’t you have a meeting today?”
“Did you forget I’m the president? Managing my schedule is easy.”
He handed Lee Seo the bouquet.
Her eyes widened at the large bundle that barely fit in her arms.
“What’s this?”
“Can’t you tell?”
He hadn’t thought much when buying the flowers, but now that he was giving them to her, he felt oddly shy and awkward.
“Is this for me? Don’t tell me this is one of those ‘I picked it up on the way’ things.”
“I didn’t pick it up—just happened to pass by a flower shop.”
Lee Seo, knowing full well that he wasn’t the type to buy flowers on a whim, smiled faintly. The thought that he had personally chosen them for her warmed her heart.
“They’re beautiful.”
“You’re more beautiful.”
“Sorry?”
“In my eyes, you’re the most beautiful, Lee Seo.”
His words were enough to make anyone cringe with embarrassment. Her cheeks turned bright red.
Unlike the flustered Lee Seo, Taeseok leaned in and gently kissed her cheek.
“Don’t do that. The whole family’s home.”
Her face turned so red she looked like she might disappear.
“It was just a kiss.”
“You shouldn’t do that here!”
“Then is it okay somewhere else?”
“No, I mean—”
“Shall we go upstairs?”
Taeseok quickly took her hand.
