Trying to Put in Some Effort
It was the last Friday of April.
Kang In-hyuk was on his way with Tae Ju-ha in his own car.
After roughly ten minutes of silence, the woman in the passenger seat spoke first.
“I didn’t realize you were so sensitive about safety that even having a chauffeur drive makes you uneasy.”
“I simply don’t like entrusting my life to someone else.”
“Did someone once try to kill you by yanking the wheel?”
“I’m making sure that kind of thing never happens.”
Their destination was the private residence of Kang Chun-gyu, Chairman of KQ Group, located in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province.
Chairman Kang had published his autobiography and thrown a commemorative party; the Tae Shin family had been invited to attend.
In the original timeline, Tae Ju-ha had gone alone, without Kang In-hyuk.
But on the day he went to see Go Mi-ah, she had asked him to accompany her to the publication event.
Clearly I haven’t changed anything major… so where and how did things start to diverge?
The bigger problem was that a situation In-hyuk could not refuse was already waiting for him.
Besides, if this woman doesn’t die, my own chances of staying alive go up….
Just as he had recalled, today was the day Tae Ju-ha was supposed to die.
On the surface it had been a traffic accident caused by a truck. A drunk driver had slammed into her vehicle, killing her on impact.
The case was closed with no one left to prosecute.
The Tae Shin family never dug any deeper, and before long the whole thing was forgotten as if it had never happened. That was why In-hyuk, who had been her bodyguard at the time, had never heard any real details.
After another stretch of quiet, Tae Ju-ha spoke again, her lips pursed.
“Your returns have been excellent lately. Did you pick up a decent information pipeline somewhere?”
“I suppose so.”
“Looking at the picks, the risk level seems rather high… Aren’t the clients worried?”
She had the air of someone with many questions.
“They throw tantrums at first, then shut their mouths once they see the profits. They’ll kick up a fuss again the next time they smell an opportunity.”
“…Have you always spoken this harshly?”
Ever since reuniting with In-hyuk after a year apart, Tae Ju-ha had sensed that his entire demeanor had grown rougher.
“People used to take me lightly because I always spoke gently.”
“Still, talking to clients that way doesn’t seem appropriate.”
“I choose the time and place carefully, so there’s no need for you to worry. By the way, did the Chairman truly say I should attend as well?”
This was the reason he could appear with her now, unlike the original future.
“Why? Were you afraid I lied because I wanted to come with you?”
Her tone had turned prickly.
In-hyuk let out a shallow sigh.
“No.”
Where had Chairman Tae Geon-seung’s changed decision come from? The calm reply only invited more questions that coiled around one another.
While they exchanged various bits of conversation, they arrived near the residence of Kang Chun-gyu, Chairman of KQ Group. Because so many people were attending, a long line of cars waited outside.
Only after waiting a little longer could In-hyuk and Tae Ju-ha finally step out.
Given the importance of the occasion, both were dressed impeccably—he in a luxurious suit, she in an elegant dress. After identity verification at the entrance, they were allowed inside.
“You’re not planning to drive back yourself, are you?”
“Is that a problem?”
“At an event like this, you’ll be talking with people. Champagne or wine is inevitable.”
To be honest, although it was nominally an autobiography commemorative party, most attendees were there to manage economic and political connections.
Tae Ju-ha, now running a stock management company, was no different. Every single person here was either a valued client or a potential one, so she would have no choice but to circulate busily.
“If it were any other day, maybe. But today I have no desire to drink.”
“On a day like today, you’ll end up drinking whether you want to or not.”
“I’ll handle it myself.”
At In-hyuk’s decisive answer, Tae Ju-ha shook her head helplessly.
“Fine. Do as you please.”
“I intend to.”
“Yes. You do that.”
Far more people than the number of cars lined outside filled the party venue.
Since it was the autobiography launch party for Kang Chun-gyu, Chairman of KQ Group, the crowd included corporate leaders, politicians, and celebrities—people anyone might have seen in the news at least once.
Tae Ju-ha lightly touched In-hyuk’s shoulder.
“They’ve all arrived.”
Through the garden entrance of the mansion they had just passed, Chairman Tae Geon-seung of Tae Shin Group and the rest of the family were walking in.
The pair immediately went to greet them.
“You were already here.”
“We just arrived as well.”
“Good. Kang son-in-law isn’t used to occasions like this, so stay by his side and help him.”
Tae Geon-seung glanced at In-hyuk.
When their eyes met, In-hyuk bowed politely.
“Thank you for the invitation.”
“Chairman Kang of KQ invited our whole family, so of course you should attend together.”
Nearly a year had passed since the marriage, yet until now there had been no treatment worthy of family.
Yet Tae Geon-seung was showing a completely different attitude.
“…Thank you.”
While they were exchanging greetings, a middle-aged man walked over briskly from one side.
“Hello! Chairman! Have you been well?”
Wearing a luxurious brown suit that complemented his sturdy frame and black horn-rimmed glasses that loudly announced his status as an author, the man was none other than Kang Chun-gyu, Chairman of KQ Group.
“It’s been a while, Chairman Kang.”
Tae Geon-seung had already passed ninety, and he had been friends with Kang Chun-gyu’s late father, Kang Gil-seok.
Their long acquaintance created a naturally warm atmosphere.
“Thank you so much for coming. And calling me Chairman Kang so stiffly? Please address me comfortably, like in the old days.”
“It’s already been five years since Gil-seok left us. In that time you’ve taken the chairman’s seat and built a solid foundation. I should treat you with appropriate respect. Besides, being too casual wouldn’t look proper.”
Kang Chun-gyu scratched the back of his neck, looking sheepish.
“When you acknowledge me like that, Chairman, I don’t know where to put myself.”
“You’re guiding KQ Group well. It’s only natural.”
While the two chairmen conversed, In-hyuk observed the people standing behind Tae Geon-seung.
There was Tae Seok-hyun, along with his wife Lee Seon-hye and their son Tae Yeo-jun.
Lee Seon-hye in particular met In-hyuk’s eyes and sent him a murderous, ice-cold glare.
Now that I think about it, the reaction was milder than expected. Did she only tell her mother?
It had been several days since the encounter with Tae Yeo-jun at the club. Since both Tae Seok-hyun and Lee Seon-hye had remained quiet, he had simply let it pass.
But seeing Lee Seon-hye’s expression now, it was clear she was carefully biding her time.
So she does have a brain after all.
She wasn’t acting rashly. She had noticed Chairman Tae Geon-seung’s changed attitude toward In-hyuk, who had previously been beneath his notice.
In-hyuk glanced at Tae Yeo-jun and then spotted the man standing behind him.
Because the entire Tae Shin clan had entered in a group, In-hyuk hadn’t noticed him at first. Yet this was a person he could never forget, even after returning to the past.
…Baek Si-hwan?
The man who had betrayed him at the very end and driven him to his death.
I was told he was on an overseas business trip serving as exclusive bodyguard to Executive Director Jeon Won-jun of Tae Shin Electronics.
From the moment he returned to the past, In-hyuk had approached the situation with extreme caution. Moreover, inside Tae Shin Group there could be others connected to the mysterious “upper echelon” besides Baek Si-hwan.
Since nothing had been uncovered yet about the unidentified “upper echelon” Baek Si-hwan had once mentioned, In-hyuk had to ensure he himself remained hidden.
When their eyes met, Baek Si-hwan gave a slight, polite bow with an utterly unfamiliar gaze.
As expected, he doesn’t know me.
Originally, as a member of the security team and a fellow UID special forces operative, he should have recognized In-hyuk immediately.
But right now In-hyuk was Kang In-hyuk, son-in-law of the Tae Shin family. Naturally, the person who should have existed in that role had vanished, so they were not acquainted.
Meanwhile, Chairman Tae Geon-seung walked off while continuing his conversation with Chairman Kang Chun-gyu. The rest of the family watched them go and remained still, intending to move separately.
Once they were far enough away, Lee Seon-hye stepped directly in front of In-hyuk.
“Director Kang seems to be stirring up all sorts of noise lately. Considering the atmosphere at the company and within the family, wouldn’t it be better to show some restraint? You can’t expect things to keep going this well forever.”
Recently In-hyuk had posted the highest returns at Tae Shin Asset Management. Of course, the clients he handled were not at a high enough level for truly massive profits.
Still, while the average return for a typical asset management firm hovered around twenty percent, In-hyuk had far surpassed that in a short period of time.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it would make Mother-in-law uncomfortable. However, I do hold a position in the company, and my performance has been far too lacking until now, so I’m trying to put in some effort.”
The smile on Lee Seon-hye’s face flickered; her brows twitched.
“Do you think that just because the Chairman shows you a little interest, you’ve suddenly become somebody?”
“Oh, is that the case? I wasn’t aware. The Chairman’s interest… I can only be grateful.”
“….”
Perhaps because his response was so brazen, Lee Seon-hye’s eyes grew even sharper.
As the air between them rapidly chilled, Tae Seok-hyun, who had stayed silent, finally intervened.
“There are people watching. Keep it moderate.”
Lee Seon-hye had spoken as politely as possible, yet In-hyuk’s dismissive reply had clearly irritated her.
“Shouldn’t you say something as well?”
“He should have understood by now. And if this reaches Father’s ears for no reason, it will only get worse—for you too.”
“That’s—!”
Everyone in their circle knew that Tae Ju-ha, Tae Seok-hyun’s youngest daughter, was an illegitimate child.
Of course, illegitimate children were rarely viewed favorably. Yet because the name Tae Shin was attached to her, no one could openly dismiss her.
However, publicly it was Lee Seon-hye—the eldest daughter-in-law of the Tae Shin family—who had accepted her husband’s child from outside the marriage. Creating a cold atmosphere here would ruin the event hosted by Kang Chun-gyu of KQ Group.
“Chairman! As you said, everyone enjoy yourselves appropriately. Especially Yeo-jun—refrain from any unnecessary behavior.”
“Father! Why am I—!”
“Are you asking because you truly don’t know?”
It seemed the club incident had reached Tae Seok-hyun’s ears as well, not only Lee Seon-hye’s.
Under his father’s stern rebuke, Tae Yeo-jun closed his mouth, eyes brimming with discontent.
“All of you, stay quiet and then leave.”
“…Understood. Then, if you’ll excuse us.”
Tae Ju-ha answered on their behalf, then grabbed In-hyuk’s arm and pulled him away from the group.
“What exactly are you doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“You deliberately provoked her earlier.”
He had deliberately avoided calling her “stepmother.”
Yet In-hyuk had addressed her as “Mother-in-law,” further irritating her.
“Because she started it first. I have no obligation to keep enduring it.”
“Huu—! From the way she and Director Tae Yeo-jun reacted, it looks like something happened.”
Currently Tae Yeo-jun held the position of Head of Overseas Business at Tae Shin Electronics.
“A few days ago, Director Tae called me to a club and picked a fight. Kwon Seung-hyun of KSE Fund and Moon Jae-min of Moon Sung Corporation were there as well.”
Tae Ju-ha knew exactly what kind of relationship In-hyuk had with those men.
She also knew it was anything but friendly.
“And then?”
“He was so blatantly provoking me that I dealt with him appropriately and left.”
For a second Tae Ju-ha nearly raised her voice, but she quickly lowered it.
“Dealt with him? More importantly, if something like that happened you should have told me!”
In-hyuk looked at her with a perfectly calm expression.
“Why should I?”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m not a three-year-old child, and we are not a real married couple, are we? So why should I report every trivial matter to you, Representative Director Tae Ju-ha?”
“That’s….”
At a loss for words, Tae Ju-ha simply stood there in silence.