Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Lamb to the Slaughter
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I felt like a cow being dragged off to the slaughterhouse. The only real difference was that actual cows get loaded onto transport trucks or freight haulers, while I was riding in a luxury sedan. But in another sense, it was even more uncomfortable than for those real cows.
The driver's eyes, constantly checking me through the rearview mirror while he drove, stung like lasers. Literally stung. It was scary enough to make me wonder if beams would shoot out of them for real. Would I end up dead at this guy's hands before even meeting the chairman?
'Why is he doing that?'
What had I done so wrong...? We'd only just met today.
"Hyunwoo, relax. Like I said earlier, Grandpa just wanted to see the person I've relied on the most. Besides, it probably irks him that his granddaughter—who's always lived off his prestige—is depending on someone else. He's a monster who's stayed sharp this long on Hanban Group pride and sheer ego alone. Even if I'm the runaway granddaughter, he can't stand the idea of me leaning on anybody."
Seeing me like this, Han Aebom soothed me in a gentle voice and gripped my hand tightly.
"Ah, okay."
I managed a reply, but honestly, hearing her call her own grandfather a "monster" killed any chance of relaxing. Did that mean he wasn't even human?
"Heh heh, miss. You can't go calling the chairman a monster."
"He is a monster, that man."
Han Aebom and the driver must have known each other for years, because their banter was so casual it made me question if this was the same poised Han Aebom I knew. The problem was...
"Well, I was so worried when you left that I slipped you 200,000 won on your way out."
"Oh, that. I was truly grateful. Thanks to you, I found a good place to live. Even made some decent connections."
"No, no. Now I wonder if I shouldn't have given it to you at all. Heh heh heh."
Muttering that, the driver glanced at me in the rearview again, his eyes flashing like a demon freshly crawled out of hell—just for a moment.
No way, was that it?
I subtly released Han Aebom's hand from mine. At the same moment, the driver's fierce glare softened back to normal. Confirming my suspicion, I had to keep my distance from Han Aebom, who was trying to cling closer. Sensing something off, she tilted her head.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, uh, just... looking around the car. First time riding in something this luxurious since I was born."
It was a flimsy excuse, but half-true. When in my life would I ever ride in a luxury sedan like this? Sure, I had some interest in cars, but I only knew famous brands—and this one happened to be among them.
The priciest model in Hanban Group's premium domestic lineup... I couldn't recall the exact price, but I remembered my jaw dropping when I first saw it.
"Even some domestic cars have fridges inside."
"Well, these days, domestic or foreign doesn't matter—tech's leveling up worldwide. If you set your mind to it, anything's possible. That's why Korea seems to be catching up, yet faces even tougher challenges. Lately, countries are even starting to surpass us."
"......"
I'd just tossed out a casual comment to keep the conversation light, but Han Aebom had a way of turning any topic heavy in seconds. That mindset must be what lets her shine as a chaebol heir—never brushing off even the trivial stuff. Maybe I should learn from her?
"The leather's incredibly soft..."
"Well, befitting the premium label..."
After that, I listened as Han Aebom expounded on developing the nation's automotive future, how Hanban Auto needed top-tier premium quality to survive the brutal global market while balancing cost-performance, securing talent to boost tech, and so on.
"......"
I'd once attended a job fair where the info was nowhere near as detailed, yet here I was getting a one-on-one lecture better than that. All I wanted was to say the leather felt nice or the ride was smooth... How did it turn into this?
"We've arrived, miss."
"Already? Hmm, I still had more to say. We'll continue next time."
"Yes... it was very informative."
In the end, the car pulled up before she finished. I stepped out in a daze. Echoes of Hanban Auto's business plans, current issues, and such still rang in my head.
Meanwhile, the driver gazed at Han Aebom with eyes full of utmost respect and affection.
'This isn't a place where I can judge by my own standards.'
That realization snapped me alert amid the dizziness. The driver nodded along to things in her talk I hadn't grasped. Judging half-baked by my own measure would've been embarrassing.
'Get it together.'
There's a proverb: Even if a tiger bites you, keep your wits and you'll live. Nothing fit this situation better. This was the tiger's maw.
"......"
Steeling myself, I looked around—and my resolve crumbled instantly. Was this really a house where people lived? Not some tourist spot?
It was overwhelming. Could something like this even exist in Korea? Straight out of a drama. "House" didn't cut it; mansion was more like it.
A beautifully manicured garden in the distance, fountain... even a tennis court and pool. Despite my determination, the sheer scale left me reeling.
"Let's go in, Hyunwoo. Secretary Jang is out front to greet us."
"Ah, yes......"
Han Aebom spoke casually, as if it were nothing, and I stared straight ahead. A sharply dressed man—more uncle than grandfather—bowed slightly. I awkwardly bowed back, but Han Aebom grabbed my hand and led me forward.
"Secretary Jang, long time no see."
"It's been a while, miss. Please, come in. I'll escort you to the study. The chairman's been waiting anxiously. Seems excited to see you after so long."
"Not excited—probably itching to chew me out."
All I could do was breathe awkwardly and follow. Trailing the secretary, we climbed stairs and walked corridors.
We stopped before a sunlit room.
"Chairman, Miss Han Aebom has arrived."
Knock knock. He spoke after two taps.
A voice replied shortly after.
"Send her in."
The voice was that of any ordinary old man. The issue was the aura and pride laced within—overwhelming presence.
I'd thought such things didn't exist.
...But today, that changed.
"I'm coming in, Grandpa. Come on, Hyunwoo."
"Ah, yes......"
Forcing my feet—which strangely stuck to the floor—I stepped in alongside Han Aebom.
The scent of old books hit immediately. The floor was covered in plush, luxury carpet I'd never felt before. Books filled the walls, along with various photos...
But no time to admire; my eyes were forcibly drawn forward.
His snow-white hair didn't just show age—it screamed of hardships endured. Flipping through documents with one hand through cheap, thin glasses looked so natural yet weighty.
Closing in on seventy, yet sitting there, he seemed fit for another twenty years. I nearly let out a gasp of admiration—then the atmosphere shifted sharply.
"That the bastard? Kim Hyunwoo punk?"
"Yes, Grandpa."
Before I could react to Han Aebom's reply, a golf ball whizzed past us, smacking the wall behind and dropping with a thud. It was a bit pathetic, but instead of anger, my heart just sank. It was aimed at her, yet relief washed over me—annoyingly so.
At the same time, I realized who taught her that precise apple-toss at Oh Hana. Her grandfather. Chairman Han Serong.
"You've finally lost your mind, you wench. I thought you were second-best after Aeshin! And now you pull this shit to screw over your old man?!"
"Screw you over? I never intended that. Was I ever the cunning type? That's why you killed off even my brother."
"So you're seriously saying that trash is a decent guy?! Unless your eyes rotted away out there, what the hell's good about this garbage who can't even meet my gaze?!"
Breath caught in my throat. No joke—the room wasn't hot, yet sweat poured down my body.
Flutter!
Suddenly, Han Serong hurled the stack of documents. Papers scattered across the floor. Reflexively glancing, I swear one had my ID photo. Was that...?
"Kim Hyunwoo, age 29! Forget his ordinary background—what can you see in this waste who's pissed away his life without achieving a damn thing?! I trusted you this much, wondered if there was more up close. Seeing you now? Even more disappointing!"
"He's just a bit nervous."
"Nervous? If I'd known you were dating an excuse-making punk like this, I'd have handed the business to your father ages ago!"
Caught between their exchange, I was mere scenery. A real screen might've been better—this just hurt.
"Get the hell out! I'll wipe you from the family register, so don't expect to see me again! As far as I'm concerned, I have no granddaughter like you!"
Good lord. That extreme?
Only then did I snap to my senses. Because Han Aebom was about to suffer unimaginable fallout because of me. People get sharper in others' crises, it seems.
"Ex-Grandpa, sir!"
Crack!
I shut my mouth, eyeing the golf ball now embedded in the wall behind me. That old man could pitch for a baseball team.
"Who your grandpa?! 'Chairman' is barely good enough for you!"
"Ch-Chairman."
Maybe thanks to Han Aebom cautiously taking my hand? I opened my mouth calmer than expected.
"I don't know the full story, but if you don't like me, say it to my face. Not to Aebom. A grandfather shouldn't talk to his granddaughter that way."
"Wh-what...?"
Not flustered—more incredulous—Han Serong stared at me. I held back a flinch; his gaze was terrifying, heavy beyond that. No room to flinch.
"Fine, I'll deal with you then. How many people do you think I've seen in my life?! Not one weak-eyed punk like you ever succeeded. Not a single one!"
"You mean my eyes?"
In that instant, a skill flashed in my mind.
"Yeah! A half-baked kid who can't even meet my eyes—what can you possibly—"
Han Serong's bellow cut off as he was about to yell "get out." His eyes turned deadly serious. And at the end of that gaze... was me.
Intimidation Skill
At the same time, Han Aebom's eyes widened round.