Dan-Han knew his visit to his fathers was unnecessary yet he made the trip anyway. The old man could be many things, but one thing he was not, was stupid. This case somewhat involved his mother, so he believed it was of some importance to his father.
Dan-Han didnât miss the black Maybach taking the left turn as he drove in the already open gates. He met his fatherâs gaze who didnât look surprised to see him as he alighted, rather he looked like he had expected him to come despite the call he had received telling him otherwise.
âYou must be missing me a lot, son.â Father Lee said with an amused smile which Dan-Han didnât see the humour to return it.
âDonât be flattered, father. I didnât come to continue fighting or beg you to leave my company or relationship alone.â Dan-Han stoically replied making his father chuckle. It was an expected response.
âI never would have thought otherwise.â He scoffed. âAnyway, you just missed them.â He said on a dismissive note as he turned towards the pavilion.
âI guess you entertained him well?â Dan-Han asked as he followed behind him, making his father scoff again.
The old man briefly paused and looked over his shoulder. âIf you mean if I was a good actor, then yes, by all means, I was.â He continued his stride towards the pavilion and took his seat but Dan-Han remained standing.
.....
He raised his head and cocked a brow at his son. âWhat? Youâre not going to sit? Weâre now enemies?â
âArchenemies, you mean?â Dan-Han corrected. He could see his father was enjoying whatever he was doing, or whatever he had in mind to do. âA few hours ago you started a war. I donât have to remind you of that.â
âSo why are you here? To see if I gave her away?â
âNo, to ask you why you brought Kwon-Nara back in the first place. It seems I never really got to ask.â He said, keeping whatever other reason had brought him to his fatherâs compound to himself, least he fed the manâs ego. He wasnât expecting Mr Kim to do anything stupid, but the man also seemed like someone whoâd do anything to protect whatever he was hiding. So even though this wasnât the Kimâs territory, an open confrontation wasnât impossible.
Father Lee amusingly chuckled for reasons Dan-Han didnât know or found funny. He briefly glanced at his son before picking up the magazine his butler has placed on the table.
âIsnât that obvious? Sheâs a better option for you.â He replied as he flipped open the book.
Dan-Han slightly frowned at his response and the non-chalancy with which he replied. âA better option? I think you might have to re-examine the criteria for picking these your âoptionsâ because they all seem to be murderers.â
Father Leeâs hand flipping the book suddenly halt as he raised his head to Dan-Han. âDonât tell me youâre blaming her for the incident are you?â He tilted his brows at his son.
âNo, Iâm not. Iâm blaming you. You seem to think you know whatâs and not best for me, but all you do is cause trouble for me.â
âTroubleâs thatâll save your life, you mean?â He asked. âAnd yes, I know whatâs best for you. Iâm your father, and I canât let you make such a costly mistake. And donât blame her incident on anybody, that girl attracts trouble and sheâs too weak to protect herself. Howâs she going to protect you and the family name?â
âI never told you I needed protecting, but if you think I canât do my job very well, then itâll be your fault that I wasnât groomed well. And father, I didnât come to talk about my woman with you. Kindly answer my question. How did Ji-Tae convince you to bring Kwon-Nara back?â Dan-Han sternly asked.
Father Lee furrowed his brows as he was slightly surprised by his question, but he quickly concealed the surprise reaction in his eyes. He maintained a stoic countenance as he returned his attention to the magazine in his hand. âAnd who said Ji-Tae influenced me?â
Dan-Han took his seat opposite him. âLetâs not waste each otherâs time. Tell me what deal he made with you.â
Father Lee raised his eyelids and glanced at Dan-Han without lifting his head. He was utterly surprised by Dan-Hanâs question. He had not expected Dan-Han to find out about his little deal with Ji-Tae.
âWhat deal?â He asked feigning ignorance.
âFather, donât call me a fool. What deal do you have?â Dan-Han coldly asked.
Father Lee lolled back on the chair and replied. âHeâll help bring Kwon-Nara back into your life while you let go of that girl, and Iâll give him a permanent position.â He truthfully said, while Dan-Han silently stared at him.
âAnd this position happens to be my position?â Dan-Han was sure that was the case, and indeed the old man confirmed it.
âYes.â
Dan-Han chuckled as he amusedly stared at his father. He couldnât believe the man. âYou sure dream big.â He unbuttoned his suit and lolled back on the chair.
He tilted his head to the side as he continuously gazed at his father. âAnd I can guess youâre never going to give the position?â He raised his brow at his father, who gave a non-committal shrug.
âWho knows.â The old man replied.
Dan-Han couldnât help the chortle that escaped his lips. He turned his face away as he pitiably shook his head. The man was always trying to be sly.
He was never going to give him the presidency because all this was a facade to make him send Eun-sun away from the company and break up with her. His father knew he would never give up his seat, so he was certain he would have his way because that was who he was. He wanted things to always go the way he desired them to. The worst was, that he would make Ji-Tae a director.
Dan-Han was certain Ji-Tae already knew this absurd outcome. If Ji-Tae approached his father with this plan, then he already knew this from the beginning and his father was probably playing by his rules while the old man thought differently.
He glanced back at him. âFather, do you know your problem?â He asked, making his father drop the book in his hand and pay his full attention to him.
âI believe youâre going to tell me anyway.â
âYou underestimate people too much,â Dan-Han told him. âYou think everyone still plays by the old rules, but youâve yet to realize not just the rules have changed, the game has also changed and you have no idea whatâs going on.â
âWhat are you trying to say?â Father Lee stoically asked.
Dan-Han sighed. âWhat Iâm saying is, whatever game you think youâre playing with Ji-Tae, have a rethink. Donât mistake his smiles for stupidity.â Dan-Han advised. He wasnât about to tell his father what he had just discovered, as that would result in Ji-Taeâs parents finding out that their son hasnât changed, which would break his auntâs heart. She was as fragile as his mother. He would find a way to handle all this madness. He really wanted all these issues resolved as soon as possible so he could finally get to be with Eun-sun and just enjoy some baby boy treatment with no drama.
Father Lee scoffed dismissively. âYou think too much, boy.â He hissed as he picked up the magazine and continued reading.
The man was stubborn and Dan-Han knew there was nothing left to say to him. He rose to his feet. âWhatever you do, make sure Eun-sun doesnât get caught in it.â
âThatâs your problem, not mine.â The man indifferently replied as he continued reading.
âIndeed itâs mine.â Dan-Han nodded as he turned to leave.
âRemember you have till the next meeting to determine whether you want to keep your seat.â Father Lee said from behind him while Dan-Han stopped.
He gazed at his father. âYou have until then to remain as the chairman of the company. Because the next seat Iâm occupying itâs yours.â He turned towards the building before glancing at his father who was weirdly staring at him.
Dan-Han revealed a small smile. âI think itâs time we made your retirement more permanent, what do you say, sir?â
âYou wouldnât dare.â Light flickered through Father Leeâs eyes while Dan-Hanâs lips tilted upwards in a daring manner.
âOh, I dare, Mr Lee.â He shook his head and smiled at his father. âAnd good luck with you and your underdog. I hope you hold his leash well before he turns into a wolf.â Dan-Han said before walking into the building to check on Soo-min, leaving his father who kept staring at him.
He really hoped his father doesnât give Ji-Tae room to cause some damages that heâd forever regret, this wasnât for his sake but the entire family.