Chapter 247
Chapter 247
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: Take Hyunmu from Me
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Densely packed personal details were visible.
One of the major domestic distribution and logistics companies—their second son. He was nine years older than Hyun Ye-won and had average looks.
Gazing at the man smiling neatly in the well-groomed ID photo, Hyun Ye-won lifted her head.
"......"
Hyun Jeong-hu had already turned his gaze back to the documents, brandishing his pen.
It looked just like a grim reaper inscribing names in the ledger of the dead. How many people would have to suffer because of that single sheet of paper?
Overwhelmed by the dizzying sensation, she squeezed her eyes shut. Her mind spun, but she clung to the thread of reason and asked,
"......Are you telling me to get married right now?"
"Yes. It's about time."
Hyun Jeong-hu replied flatly.
"It's a company that spans large marts and food distribution networks. Partnering with our Hyunmu would take us in a better direction. Unfortunately, as the second son, getting Sekwang Logistics thrown in is unlikely. But that's precisely what appeals to me."
Hyun Jeong-hu showed no interest whatsoever in Hyun Ye-won's expression.
"Even as the second son, far from any management rights, he's handling major logistics strategy planning. I've reviewed a few of his plans, and the workmanship is impressive."
"......"
"Extensive experience running businesses, and well-versed in F&B logistics and supply chain optimization to boot."
"......"
"Not a bad trade."
Hyun Ye-won found herself speechless and simply stayed mute. Undeterred, Hyun Jeong-hu pressed on with his monologue.
Every conversation boiled down to money, money, money.
A decision made solely for the company's gain, with zero regard for Hyun Ye-won's feelings or thoughts.
Hyun Ye-won imagined herself being disassembled piece by piece, each part slapped with a price tag. It probably wasn't far off from her current reality.
She worked her parched lips and finally forced out,
"What about my opinion?"
"Your opinion?"
Hyun Jeong-hu scoffed in disbelief.
"Aren't you part of this family too? Raised in the shadow of me and your grandfather, you have obligations you're duty-bound to fulfill."
Hyun Ye-won clenched her fists tight.
"You're not some clueless child who wouldn't know that, are you?"
*I know.*
That to Hyun Jeong-hu, she was nothing but an investment. That he was the type to squeeze out far more value than the cost of feeding and clothing her.
Yet why did her heart ache as if gripped in a vise?
She had anticipated it, but confronting it head-on made a wave of emotion surge up her throat.
She wanted to vomit out this pent-up rage right then and there. But past experience had taught her it was utterly pointless.
"Get married. Enough with the make-believe games—come home. We've got mountains of preparations ahead."
*Make-believe games.*
That was how Hyun Jeong-hu dismissed her work at The Song.
The childish rebellion of a pampered heiress from a wealthy house. A fleeting youthful jaunt. His tone left no doubt that she'd circle back to Hyunmu in the end.
*'You saw it that way, huh.'*
All this flailing about.
All her efforts to break free from the shadow he'd methodically built since her childhood—mere child's play.
"I'll make it grand, at the perfect moment."
*Child's play.*
"It'll be a wedding anyone would envy. The most dazzling and opulent in the world. After all, it's the day we welcome Hyunmu's new master—it has to be."
"......"
"I trust you grasp the meaning."
Hyun Ye-won ground her teeth. Determination gleamed clearly in her eyes.
By the time she jerked her head up, her thoughts were already sorted.
"I'll handle a house nearby, and you'll step back from the front lines..."
"What if I can't do that?"
The words burst out more defiantly than she'd intended.
Only then did Hyun Jeong-hu turn to look at her. The hand signing the document froze midair.
As his gaze locked onto her alone, wordless pressure choked the breath from her lungs. But backing down now was impossible.
Hyun Ye-won spoke again.
"I can't."
"......We've already covered that ground."
Hyun Jeong-hu said, setting down the glasses perched on his nose.
"Living cozy under Hyunmu's shadow, but dodging your duties?"
"Shadow, not shade."
Hyun Ye-won willed her voice not to tremble, forcing her pitch steady.
"The Chairman always taught me the world is cold and ruthless."
Hyun Jeong-hu tilted his head as if to say *go ahead*. He leaned deep into the chair's backrest, listening.
"The world is a zero-sum game. Everyone thrashes just to survive. If the person beside you profits, I lose—and if I profit, they lose. Like that."
"And?"
"That nonsense tormented me endlessly. Even trying to break free, that childhood indoctrination kept dragging at my ankles."
*How did The Song—no, Song Woo-yeon—change that mindset?*
*-Even so, it doesn't overlap perfectly, and boosting market share ultimately benefits The Song, doesn't it?*
*-It could end up stabbing those owners in the back—the ones who trusted us and signed on as Songdabang franchisees.*
Widening her vision, blinded by short-term gains,
*-If I just bow out, it's all solved. You know that—why keep rattling me?*
*-Don't worry. I'll make our rookie pay through the nose for those tears.*
Catching her as she tried to flee, persuading her to stay put.
Those moments had steadily eroded the brutal worldview Hyun Jeong-hu had instilled.
And finally, when Song Woo-yeon braved the danger alone to topple Hyun Tae-seong.
The moment he appeared in court, confusion hit—but intuition soon followed.
*'To protect us, perhaps?'*
That hunch solidified into certainty during her talk with Baek Jae-ha.
*-Ran into that guy last night.*
*-What?*
*-Hyun Tae-seong. Went to pick up noona in front of the company, and there he was.*
*-Psycho. Stalking now?*
*-Not sure exactly. He spouted weird crap; I nearly snapped, but noona held me back. Dinner was quiet after—no big talk—so I figured he didn't wanna chat and let it be. If I'd known he'd sneak out alone that night playing anonymous whistleblower...*
Baek Jae-ha was too rattled to connect the dots. But Hyun Ye-won could.
*'That's why.'*
For laying a hand on Baek Jae-ha.
Such a tender motive. Quintessential Song Woo-yeon, leaving her chest tender and aching.
How could the world be nothing but cold in the face of this?
How to boil Song Woo-yeon's actions down to mere quid pro quo, pluses and minuses?
"Now it's different."
Hyun Ye-won was no lost lamb dithering in indecision, no timid fool craving shelter in Hyun Jeong-hu's arms from a heartless world.
"Thank you for raising me. But that's where it ends."
No reason left to bow her head.
Shoulders squared with pride, she stood firm on her own legs.
"Haha. Planning to write off all the years you've eaten and lived here?"
"If there's anything you want repaid, hire a lawyer and bill me."
"Such insolence."
"Isn't mortgaging my whole life ahead—fifty-plus years—for a measly twenty-odd years of support the real raw deal?"
Not conceding a syllable, a heavy silence descended. Hyun Jeong-hu's aura made her want to crumple, but she held firm.
Submit here, and she'd be chained to Hyunmu forever, yanked around like a dog.
"Haha!"
Then Hyun Jeong-hu shattered the frozen hush—not with ire, but a booming, unburdened laugh.
"I've raised a tiger cub. Or maybe it's true what they say: no unworthy sons under a tiger father..."
He seemed less offended than relieved.
"......?"
As Hyun Ye-won blinked in bewilderment, he raked a hand through his hair.
"An unexpected angle, but you've proven your resolve handily."
"Pardon?"
"Exactly that."
Hyun Jeong-hu swept the document pile aside and leaned forward.
"Had you jumped at the marriage, I'd have been sorely disappointed."
"What do you... You were testing me?"
"You've never shown a lick of ambition for Hyunmu till now. Had to see if those teeth you bared were a fleeting spark—or the payoff of persistent grind."
*That's a test,* Hyun Ye-won shot back inwardly.
"Had you taken the deal, I'd have truly made him my son-in-law and Hyunmu's heir. There was some sincerity there."
"......"
"But you didn't."
A gentle smile curved Hyun Jeong-hu's lips.
"I concede. I was wrong."
He spoke as if settling a wager with some unseen foe.
"Ye-won."
"Yes?"
"Won't be easy. I still believe marriage would bring you more happiness."
His tone turned gravely earnest. Hyun Ye-won struggled to track his words.
"However... if you're truly set on it."
Fingers laced, chin propped atop them, he declared,
"Try taking Hyunmu from me."