Chapter 137

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 137

Chapter Title: Summoned by the Chairman

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Han Aebom took a small deep breath as she entered the bathroom.

She had never hesitated once she decided on something, no matter how embarrassing the moment. But whenever it involved 'Han Serong,' her heart always pounded away on its own.

'I still can't get over it.'

She understood it with her head. Anyone who had watched her grandfather work up close since childhood would inevitably feel intimidated in front of Han Serong.

That might be why the people of Hanban Group were desperately trying to surpass him. They were humans who had never bowed to anyone, yet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠they were still being thoroughly crushed by an elderly man well advanced in years.

'Same for me.'

Because of the education she'd received since childhood, she both revered her grandfather and saw him as a monster. That was probably why she'd desperately tried to become a monster herself.

'If you've been born into Hanban Group and received its benefits, you have to take responsibility for them! Don't show any pathetic sides! Isn't that the duty of someone born into a chaebol family?'

Han Aebom unwittingly took a deep breath. For a moment, dizziness swirled in her head.

"Trash bitch."

It was petty jealousy. No matter how hard she worked to the point of death, she couldn't achieve it, but her brother had perfectly accomplished the missions Grandfather assigned while writing the novels he wanted to write.

"Pathetic bitch."

Han Aebom stared at her reflection in the mirror. An utterly ugly woman stared back. Just moments ago, she'd been bragging to Kim Hyunwoo, acting like she knew everything. But in the end, she was just a narrow-minded, selfish bitch who lost her mind to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠jealousy and inferiority whenever someone better than her appeared.

The only time she showed a human side was when she was with Kim Hyunwoo.

That was why Han Aebom resolved herself and picked up the phone.

「Ring... Click!」

-This is Secretary Jang, miss.

"Grandfather's there with you, right? Put him on."

-Would you mind holding for a moment?

Han Aebom's breathing had already steadied. Her heart might still be pounding, but she'd been trained not to panic once things turned real.

-Yes, it's me. What brings my granddaughter—who said she needed nothing and walked out on her own two feet—calling this old man?

Even so, just hearing Han Serong's voice made her frown. It wasn't anger; it was a habit to loosen the tension.

"It's been a while, Grandfather."

-Hah, hahaha! Hilarious girl. The one who said she'd fulfill that blockhead's dream of success and ditching us for ungrateful gains. You hounded me to death for three months, and now you call me?

Even as he brought up her dead brother, Han Aebom's eyes didn't waver. Han Serong, who'd tested it once before, was the same. That's the kind of people they were.

-Hang up. I have nothing to say to you. If you really have something, come to the main house and say it to my face. But if you walk in on your own, you'll admit defeat and have to go through the heir training even harsher than before.

"Sorry, but no. I haven't achieved my brother's dream yet."

-Why waste your time on that damn writer's nonsense! You're dead set on ruining the family—no, the whole country! You're the real traitor! Do you even know how Korea's faring right now? And in the midst of it, Hanban Group's people aren't snapping out of it... Hoo.

After bellowing loudly, Han Serong let out a small sigh and changed the subject.

-You know it too. If Hanban Group puts its mind to it, we can make even a book written by a seven-year-old a bestseller. That crap isn't even important.

"No. That would defeat the purpose. My brother didn't want to achieve his dream that way. He wanted real recognition from people based purely on the writing, not rankings bought with money."

-Han Aebom!!

"You've gotten old too, Grandfather. Yelling over something like this. Or perhaps..."

Han Aebom said coldly.

"No matter how much you are Grandfather, my brother's death must have shocked you quite a bit?"

-You insolent bitch!

Neither hesitated to bring up the dead. What was scarier was that they calculated and used it.

-Heh, looks like a few months out there have made you lose your edge completely.

"......"

-The fact that you called with such impudence means you need my help right now. And you talk like that? Where'd you sell the basics of negotiation? You think I'll grant your request when you speak like that? Hang up! If you don't want to see the country fall, crawl back home now! I'll personally fix that rotten brain of yours...

"You'll hear me out, Grandfather."

Han Aebom boldly cut him off.

"Because..."

And then, the moment her calm voice continued.

「Crash!」

-Yes, you've gone mad! Finally lost it! You're set on screwing over this old man! You call that something to say!!

Sounds of things shattering came from the other end, along with Han Serong's genuine fury—one Han Aebom had rarely heard in her life.

Yet Han Aebom didn't blink. Instead, the corners of her mouth, stiff from tension, softened gently. One of the basics of negotiation: the moment they show emotion, you've won. She felt relieved that even the great Han Serong was shaken.

"I absolutely won't compromise on this. In fact, it's even more important than my brother's death."

-You bitch...!

"Will you help or not? Just tell me that, Grandfather."

Click. Han Serong's voice cut off. But Han Aebom didn't falter. Experience told her at this point: she'd won this negotiation.

Though she'd have to go through a little test to get what she wanted.

-That bastard son of a bitch you just mentioned.

"You mean Hyunwoo-ssi?"

-Yes. That Kim Hyunwoo punk. Come to the main house with him right now. We'll talk after.

With that, Han Serong hung up, and Han Aebom waited a moment before saying,

"Secretary Jang, send a car."

Emergency quest? I'd seen random quests before, but an emergency one was a first.

I tried to check it casually, recalling usual quests, but I couldn't help jolting.

…First time seeing extra notes like that on a quest. The message even felt urgent. Was it called emergency for a reason?

But a question arose.

'Get acknowledged by Han Serong?'

Me? Why?

I racked my brain based on the quest, trying to infer the situation, but I couldn't guess.

Even if Han Aebom's call had gone south, what did that have to do with me?

Did a route exist where a regular convenience store part-timer like me got tangled with the Hanban Group chairman, who shoulders half of Korea?

'What the hell is this ridiculous quest?'

My bewilderment was brief; a hollow laugh escaped. It seemed like a quest given by mistake. The only boss I'd ever met was our store manager.

For someone like me to meet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Hanban Group chairman and earn his acknowledgment? Unless I was some lost chaebol youngest son—which I wasn't—the odds were zero...

"Hyunwoo-ssi. You need to come with me to the main house."

…Not zero?

Such a crazy world line existed, and it was this one?

"Th-the main house? Han Aebom-ssi’s main house? You mean where the Hanban Group people are?"

"Yes, that main house."

Flustered, I checked the calendar without thinking and shook my head. It was mid-May—no April Fool's.

"Really... me going?"

I knew Han Aebom wasn't one for empty words, but I couldn't accept reality. If there was any possibility, I'd thought of Oh Hana connected to Ilha Group. Not her—me?

"Yes, you're coming with me. I want to say don't worry, but you should a little. Grandfather seems pretty—really—angry."

"......Pardon?"

What the hell did she say!

"Still, I did it banking on you pulling it off. It'll be fine. If we get through this, not just Hana's issue, but your future too, will be way better than now. Trust me."

"Ah, no, Aebom-ssi, of course I trust you. Without you, I couldn't do anything here anyway. B-but separate from trusting, thinking about meeting the great Han Serong... Uh, my head's not working right now."

Holy shit, hallelujah... no, I'm going insane!

Even shaking hands with a two-star general visiting my unit in the army had me nearly pissing myself from nerves. This was a four-star—four-star.

I wouldn't faint just from eye contact, right? Maybe fainting would be better? Shit, who'd acknowledge a guy who passes out from a glance!

Ugh, my body and head aren't syncing. I'm not sane. Actually, staying sane would be weirder.

"Wait, Unnie! What did you even say that the problem's Hyunwoo oppa—not me, the actual issue—getting summoned?"

At Oh Hana's question, I nodded too. That's what I'd thought earlier.

Han Aebom, already dressed, said,

"Just."

Just?

"Grandfather wanted to see the person I'm most indebted to right now. And when I mentioned leaning on him a bit too, he got mad."

"Ah, that makes sense. But getting that furious over it is a bit much. A chairman with such a narrow mind? Or maybe he worries and loves you too much?"

"Who knows. I've never understood Grandfather's heart."

As Oh Hana nodded in understanding, I cautiously asked Han Aebom privately.

"What you just said... is it true?"

"Of course. So don't worry too much. Just think of it as showing your face."

Her response held no tremor. Voice, expression—nothing suggested a lie.

But why? I kept feeling like she was hiding something. Hadn't she said you can do it from the start? Wasn't that already off?

"Let's go."

"Ah, yes."

Still dazed, I left the entrance with Han Aebom.

A person was already waiting. I startled at the unfamiliar man standing rigidly by the door. The driver? First time seeing one in my life.

"Miss, I'm here to escort you."

"It's been a while, Driver."

"Yes, miss. And this gentleman is the one the Chairman said to bring..."

"Yes, Hyunwoo-ssi."

"I see."

The driver looked at me, tense as hell, and smiled warmly.

"No need to be so nervous. He won't kill you, after all."

"......"

Was that meant to calm me? Or make me more nervous? Why does it feel like the latter, damn it.

I squeezed my eyes shut and got into the luxury sedan already parked.