Chapter 178
Chapter 178
Episode 178. A Regrettable Relationship (1)
A few days later, Shinwoo was summoned by Myung Joong-hwan and visited the MH Group headquarters for the first time in a while.
From the moment he passed through the lobby, he was greeted by the KITE employees in charge of MH Group security as he entered.
At the same time, employees passing by also recognized Shinwoo and began to murmur. Word had spread throughout headquarters about his continued success, having acquired MH Future Security and then MH Distribution.
“I heard MH Future Security secured over 3 trillion won in investment funding this time?”
“They say MH Distribution has also normalized, with almost no issues anymore.”
“But that person next to CEO Baek, how tall is he?”
Various whispers could be heard. The last comment, in particular, was directed at Rick, who stood over 2 meters tall.
Meanwhile, Shinwoo, paying no mind, went up to the Chairman's office.
Gu Sang-ho, who had been waiting outside, opened the door for him. Upon entering, Shinwoo saw that Myung Joong-hwan was not alone.
“……”
After Shinwoo stared intently into the room for a moment, Myung Joong-hwan stood up and spoke.
“You’re here. This is Chairman Uhm Sundong of QA Group. Please greet him.”
It was Eom Ayoung’s father, the one who had brought up the topic of a blind date.
Shinwoo felt a slight unease at his unexpected presence.
“Hello. I am Baek Shin-woo.”
“I am Uhm Sundong of QA. I was having a breakfast meeting with the Chairman today, but upon hearing that CEO Baek was coming to headquarters, I decided to stop by.”
“I see.”
As he replied, the three of them took their seats.
“I waited because it was related to the business you have today.”
“Please, go ahead.”
Shinwoo knew what the matter was, but he pretended not to.
As Myung Joong-hwan cleared his throat to continue, Uhm Sundong interjected from beside him.
“How about CEO Baek Shin-woo meeting my youngest daughter?”
Shinwoo was slightly taken aback by the directness of the proposal.
“…Your youngest daughter?”
“She is CEO Eom Ayoung of Breath Film. You know that MH Future Security is the largest investor in the film they produced, don’t you?”
“I have met her a few times.”
“That child is my youngest daughter.”
“I am aware.”
Chairman Uhm Sundong of QA Group’s children were well-known even among other corporations.
“So, what do you think?”
“Are you asking me to go on a blind date?”
Uhm Sundong smiled at the direct question. Regardless of the topic, the young man, only twenty-four, was remarkably composed in front of the chairmen of major corporations.
“What young people call a blind date these days is too formal… How about something more like a casual introduction?”
Shinwoo, noting Uhm Sundong’s surprisingly gentle demeanor, spoke cautiously.
“This may be rude, but I have no intention of meeting anyone right now.”
“I’m not saying you have to meet her and get married immediately. And won’t you eventually want to get married? Besides, my daughter is not lacking in any way.”
Indeed, Eom Ayoung was popular for her striking looks and charismatic personality.
Furthermore, as the second-generation heir of QA Group and the CEO of Breath Film, many had tried to propose marriage to her.
However, Uhm Sundong cherished Eom Ayoung so much that he had rejected every offer.
“It’s not that I don’t like CEO Eom Ayoung. It’s just that I have too much work to do. I have no intention of looking elsewhere until that work is reasonably settled.”
Uhm Sundong looked at Shinwoo with admiration.
“I know you have grown at an unprecedented pace and accomplished a great deal. Yet, you still feel it’s not enough?”
It was a question that seemed to stem from a misunderstanding.
Shinwoo did not bother to correct him and continued his reply.
“Not to my satisfaction.”
“Hohoho! Truly remarkable. Chairman Myung, why did you only find such a grandson now?”
Such praise made Myung Joong-hwan’s shoulders subtly twitch.
“There were circumstances.”
“You must be incredibly proud. My own children are not lacking, but I truly envy CEO Baek’s conviction regarding his goals.”
Shinwoo, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, spoke up immediately.
“In any case, I have no immediate plans. Therefore, I must decline your earlier suggestion.”
“…Are you serious? Such an opportunity doesn’t come easily. Of course, my Ayoung is older than CEO Baek, but age differences between couples are common these days, aren’t they?”
Uhm Sundong seemed to believe Shinwoo’s refusal was due to something else.
“Age is not the issue. As I said, I have too much to do.”
“Hoo……”
Uhm Sundong let out a sigh at Shinwoo’s earnest reply.
Myung Joong-hwan, who had been watching for a moment, looked at Uhm Sundong.
“Now, now. Let’s leave it at that. CEO Baek said he might refuse.”
“But I can see that our Ayoung is also interested in him. I don’t know what CEO Baek is thinking right now, but people’s feelings can change at any time. So, when will such a good opportunity come again?”
“I am grateful that Chairman Uhm sees her favorably. However, are there not other concerns besides feelings?”
It was a cautious question.
Uhm Sundong understood what Chairman Myung was implying.
“If it’s because he’s your grandson by your second son, there’s no need to worry. While we can’t completely ignore public attention, doesn’t he possess the physique to overcome it?”
Uhm Sundong’s gaze then shifted to Shinwoo.
The atmosphere suggested he wanted Shinwoo to reconsider his decision.
“My decision will not change, regardless of the circumstances. And if you have nothing further to discuss, I will take my leave. I still have a lot of work to do.”
“Alright. You may go. Oh, if you have time, you can stop by your mother’s at MH Electronics.”
MH Electronics headquarters was not far from the MH Group headquarters building.
“I was planning to go there anyway, so I will do that. Excuse me for now.”
Shinwoo finished his greetings and left.
Watching his retreating figure, Myung Joong-hwan said to Uhm Sundong with a slightly apologetic expression,
“I hope my grandson didn’t displease you, Chairman Uhm.”
However, Uhm Sundong, who had watched Shinwoo leave, let out an exclamation of admiration rather than displeasure.
“No. Not at all. Rather, it’s astonishing how he can be so confident in front of us at that age. Was he like this from the start?”
“He was more than just fearless from the start. So, what will you do now? You’ve told your family, haven’t you? Won’t you be put in an awkward position?”
Myung Joong-hwan also showed a hint of regret.
Uhm Sundong let out a hollow laugh.
“Well, there’s nothing to be done. By the way, Chairman Myung, how long will you continue to address me formally? I’ve told you several times before, please speak to me comfortably as you used to.”
Chairman Myung Joong-hwan of MH Group was a close friend of Uhm Byunguk, the former chairman of QA Group. After Uhm Byunguk passed away due to illness, and his only son, Uhm Sundong, took over the position, he began to be treated with the respect due to a chairman.
“How can I do that?”
“It’s because I find it difficult.”
Uhm Sundong pleaded sincerely.
At his earnest request, Myung Joong-hwan couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hahaha! Alright, alright. Just seeing you flustered like this reminds me so much of Byunguk hyung.”
“Phew! Now I feel a bit more at ease. And since I am that father’s son, I am just like him.”
“Speaking of which, isn’t it almost the third anniversary?”
It had been nearly three years since Uhm Byunguk, the former chairman of QA Group, passed away.
“That’s right.”
“And isn’t this year QA’s 60th anniversary as well?”
“It is.”
“You must be swamped.”
“It’s the related departments that are working hard. Frankly, the anniversary is a hassle, but I can’t face them if we do nothing.”
Myung Joong-hwan nodded in full agreement.
“It’s a headache.”
“You must be even more so, given the commotion at the MH Group party.”
At that time, Chinese assassins had appeared, attempting to kill Im Hee-yeon. Lim Do-hwa, who had been captured, was also killed by someone while receiving treatment in the hospital, and another one of the remaining individuals was found dead in Incheon’s Chinatown.
The last one remained missing and had yet to be found.
Although they had tried their best to keep it quiet, an incident that occurred during the anniversary party could not be entirely suppressed.
“Well, it’s a bit of a bother. Anyway, thank you for respecting your grandson’s decision.”
“Not at all. Perhaps there will be another opportunity. However, I am worried about whether Ayoung will be alright.”
“You mentioned that CEO Eom Ayoung showed interest in Shinwoo, but is she this attached?”
“It’s the first time she’s shown interest in a man like this. Of course, it could be for business reasons, but… they are not far apart in age, and she is not lacking in looks or ability, so as a father, I can’t just stand by.”
“Hahaha. I knew you cherished your youngest daughter, but I didn’t realize it was to this extent.”
Uhm Sundong’s affection for his youngest daughter was famous among business circles. Of course, he did not love his elder daughters and son any less.
However, having given birth to his first and second children in consecutive years, and then having his late-born daughter seven years later when he was over forty, he felt a deeper connection.
“Now, even when I try to do something for her, she finds it off-putting, which is disheartening.”
“…I see.”
Myung Joong-hwan felt a pang of bitterness as he listened to him. Although he was also raising children, he couldn’t shake the feeling of a growing wall, prioritizing work over family.
Afterward, Myung Joong-hwan and Uhm Sundong continued to chat about various things.
.
.
.
Shinwoo would have visited MH Electronics even if Myung Joong-hwan hadn’t mentioned it.
As he waited for the elevator to go to the executive office, the doors opened, and he was slightly surprised. Standing inside was Myung Woon-suk, who had come up from the underground parking lot.
Shinwoo, without a word, boarded the elevator with Jang Jin-ho and his bodyguards.
“…It’s been a while.”
When he spoke first, Shinwoo furrowed his brow.
“You’re speaking more curtly than before, Director of Future Technology Planning Department 3.”
Previously, he had at least spoken respectfully to Shinwoo.
In response, Myung Woon-suk scowled slightly, much like Shinwoo, and then said,
“Even so, we’re cousins. And I’m your older brother, five years your senior.”
Myung Woon-suk simply didn’t want to use the title of CEO for Shinwoo. Even though he had concurrently held the position of KITE CEO before, he had never used that title.
“Do as you please.”
Annoyed at having to deal with him, Shinwoo gave a perfunctory reply.
Perhaps due to that attitude, Myung Woon-suk glared at Shinwoo from beside him with sharp eyes.
“Seriously, take it easy. If you slip up, you could fall hard in an instant.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to worry about yourself first, Director? I heard the Future Technology Planning Department 3 hasn’t been doing very well lately.”
“Cough—!”
Myung Woon-suk was silenced, having gained nothing from the exchange.
As the elevator stopped, Myung Woon-suk pushed past the people in front of him and practically fled out.
Watching him go, Shinwoo let out a hollow laugh and went up to the floor with the executive offices.