Chapter 2: Chapter 2

*Hyesung Group.*

Built on the wealth accumulated over generations, it had grown under the leadership of the first and second chairmen, and now, under Chairwoman Woo Ilhwa, into a leading conglomerate representing Korea. Specializing in construction, automobiles, and shipbuilding, it was a powerhouse in heavy industries.

And the son of the group’s leader, its sole heir—

“Jaehee!”

Seo Jaehee had returned.

Eleven years after being exiled from Korea.

“Jaehee! Over here!”

Professor Seo Seongyeok’s enthusiastic call to his son echoed loudly as Jaehee emerged from the airport gate, flanked by a team of bodyguards.

Spotting his father, Jaehee closed the distance with long, confident strides.

“Father.”

Towering above the crowd with his tall stature and striking features, Jaehee’s presence left Professor Seo grinning ear to ear.

“I’ve missed you, my boy.”

It had been five years since they last met, and Seongyeok’s eyes were visibly misty.

But his only son’s response was curt and emotionless.

“Why did you come?”

“How could I not? My son is coming back after over a decade!”

“The bodyguards would’ve been enough.”

“If I could, I’d have flown to New York myself to bring you back.”

“Am I a child?”

“You are. You’ll always be my child. Besides, it’s been years since I saw you last—since your college graduation, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Despite his father’s heartfelt words, Jaehee remained indifferent. The entourage of bodyguards, who had accompanied him all the way from New York due to his grandmother Kim Myeongrye’s insistence, was already annoying enough.

“Let’s go home.”

Still, Seo Seongyeok, too excited to care, grabbed Jaehee’s thick arm.

This boy—look at these biceps.

There’s no way I could grip these with one hand.

“Your grandmother’s been in the kitchen since morning, cooking everything herself. She’s probably already set the table. Let’s have a delicious lunch together.”

“No, I’ll head to the office.”

Jaehee gently pulled his arm free.

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“You must be tired from the long flight… You could start work tomorrow.”

“I’d like to greet the Chairwoman first. It feels like the right thing to do as an executive of the group.”

“Really?”

“Please let Grandmother know. We’ll have a family dinner tonight, with Mother as well.”

Though his tone was cold, his demeanor was respectful and firm.

Seongyeok found himself looking at his son anew.

At 175 cm, he was already tall, but Jaehee stood a full head taller. With broad shoulders and a solid build radiating masculinity, Jaehee’s composed and determined expression made him seem even more mature.

The faint disappointment Seongyeok felt at Jaehee’s coldness quickly dissolved.

“You’re right. As a proper executive, you should act accordingly. We’ll see you later tonight.”

“Yes, Father. Take care.”

“No, no. You go ahead first.”

For Seongyeok, family had always been the priority, and he was content to let Jaehee lead the way.

Jaehee, understanding his father’s unwavering love, got into the car prepared by the security team.

“Professor.”

Even as the chauffeur held the door open for him, Seo Seongyeok stood watching until the car carrying Jaehee disappeared from sight.

“Driver Park, our Jaehee has become a true man.”

“Yes, sir. He used to just be handsome, but now he looks truly impressive.”

“Doesn’t he?”

The driver’s agreement only deepened Seongyeok’s satisfaction.

After all,

Our Jaehee is thirty now…

***

The tearful father-son reunion his father had imagined was left behind as Jaehee sped straight to Hyesung Group's headquarters without pause.

He had only one purpose.

She's not here.

Even as he passed through the main entrance.

Still not here.

Crossing the lobby, being escorted by the group’s security staff, and stepping into the elevator.

She must be in the Chairwoman’s office.

And yet, even as he entered the final destination—the Chairwoman’s office—

Why isn’t she here?

His purpose remained singular.

Lee Suin.

“It’s been a while, son.”

Even as Chairwoman Woo Ilhwa greeted him with a welcoming nod, all Jaehee cared about was Suin’s absence from his radar.

Where did she slip away like a slippery fish? Did she hide? Or was she hidden?

“Must’ve been tiring to travel such a long way.”

“Yes.”

Unlike the emotional father-son reunion, the mother-son encounter was far from sentimental. It was stiff, a mix of wariness and caution, making the atmosphere awkward at best.

“Where’s Father?”

“We parted at the airport.”

There was no doubt in his mind—the reason for Suin’s absence was Woo Ilhwa.

Her casual yet calculated demeanor was far too suspicious, leading Jaehee to suspect she had deliberately spirited Suin away.

Is she trying to break our agreement? Maybe she never intended to keep it in the first place.

If anyone was capable of such a maneuver, it was his mother.

After all, she had forced him, someone utterly uninterested in management, into becoming a part of Hyesung Group, and she had successfully kept Suin—whom she coveted like a daughter—firmly under her command.

Fine. I’ll make sure she gives in.

Jaehee decided to approach the inevitable psychological battle on his terms.

It was all or nothing.

“You could’ve gone to Hyesung Manor with Father. Grandmother’s been waiting for you all morning.”

“I came here on purpose, to see my owner.”  @@novelbin@@

He began with a cheeky jab before changing his tone entirely.

Relaxing his previously straight posture, Jaehee slouched into the sofa, his movements slow and deliberate.

“And to thank you for promoting me to Executive Director.”

Flopping onto the sofa, he leaned back, stretched out one leg, and crossed it casually.

Woo Ilhwa, who had just stepped around her desk, twitched her eyebrow in annoyance.

“Sit properly.”

“Cut me some slack. I’m with my mom.”

Ignoring her stern command, Jaehee stayed in his insolent pose, his expression nonchalant.

“I don’t act like this outside.”

“A pot that leaks inside leaks outside as well!”

As expected, Woo Ilhwa’s calm composure shattered.

***

“Earrings now?”

Her disapproving gaze caught the earring dangling from Jaehee’s left ear.

It was a plain, bar-shaped piece, but to her, someone who valued impeccable grooming, it was an eyesore.

“When did you pierce your ear?”

“In the U.S.”

“An executive with an earring? Take it out immediately.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“It’s part of my body.”

No matter how much she scolded him, Jaehee didn’t so much as flinch, shrugging his shoulders instead.

“Ugh…”

Woo Ilhwa massaged her temple, feeling a headache coming on.

[Darling! Our Jaehee is back as a grown man! He looks so dignified now!]

Recalling her brief phone conversation with her husband, she smirked inwardly.

“Grown man,” my foot. He’s still the same insubordinate brat.

While she didn’t entirely trust her overly sentimental husband, she had held certain expectations for her son, who had delivered results as the head of the New York branch.

Yet, seeing his flippant demeanor now, regret was creeping in.

“What kind of behavior is this? How did you conduct yourself in New York?”

“What does it matter? As long as the job gets done.”

“The future head of the group cannot rely solely on results! You need to be mindful of your every word and action!”

“Yes, yes.”

Jaehee’s posture remained relaxed, his tone dripping with indifference.

Ugh.

Woo Ilhwa exhaled sharply, barely suppressing an exasperated sigh.

He was no different from the troublemaker he’d been at eighteen—the same expression he had when he’d been dragged to the police station for fighting with classmates.

At least in New York, reputation wasn’t as much of an issue. But here in Korea…

She was beginning to regret bringing him back so hastily. But it was too late to send him back now; it would only tarnish the heir’s image further.

“I’ll be going now.”

Jaehee stood up, casually shoving both hands into his pants pockets—a gesture that made Woo Ilhwa’s irritation spike further.

“Where are you going?”

“I need to check out my office. My belongings will arrive this afternoon, as you know.”

“I’ll have your secretary handle the setup.”

“My secretary?”

Woo Ilhwa had initially planned to assign Hyun Jiye as Jaehee’s secretary.

But looking at him now, she doubted the timid Hyun Jiye could handle his personality.

Absolutely not.

After deliberating briefly, she changed her mind.

She decided to assign someone she trusted implicitly—someone capable not only of covering Jaehee’s shortcomings but also of keeping him in check.

“I’ll assign you my chief secretary.”

“Oh…”

She didn’t realize it, but she’d just taken the bait her son had laid out for her.

“Do as you wish.”

“It’s temporary!”

“Yes, yes.”

As he turned to leave, the corner of Jaehee’s mouth curled upward.