Flashback: Taming the Chairman
Past Recollection: Lee Heena (7) Yangho Group Chairman Lee Jintae. The giant who had transformed Yangho Group from a mere hole-in-the-wall shop into a mega-corporation wielding influence over politics and business. And now, that man's back was right in front of my eyes.
Even without seeing his face, the pressure was immense. His build was average, but there was something overwhelming about him. The term giant probably referred not to his physical size, but to that aura of dominance. The chairman smoked in silence. He inhaled deeply several times—sip, puff—then stubbed out the finished cigarette in the ashtray and turned around.
"Hm?"
He narrowed his eyes at me. Well, what did you expect? First time meeting your daughter's boyfriend. I bowed politely at the waist.
"Hello, Chairman. I'm Yun Geon-woo."
His gaze pierced right through me, like a spear that saw everything. But I didn't flinch under that stare. No reason to. I had a weapon more powerful than a nuke.
"...Just your name?"
His voice was rough and low, carrying the weight befitting a family head.
"Ah, I'm..."
"Never mind. I can tell just by looking. Boyfriend, huh?"
Heena flinched slightly. I squeezed her hand reassuringly and met his eyes head-on.
"Yes, that's right."
"Is that so?"
His brow twitched. He clearly found me suspicious. I got it. Even if Heena was treated like dirt, she was still chaebol royalty—like medieval nobility. The clothes I wore screamed average Joe; we weren't in the same league. But if that was the case, shouldn't he treat her accordingly?
"..."
The chairman stared at my face in silence for a while before chuckling softly.
"I can guess how you reeled her in."
Was that a compliment? Had to be.
"Ch-Chairman... um..."
She'd almost called him "Dad" but caught herself. From the trembling in her hand, she was on edge, nearly messing up. I couldn't understand it. Wasn't she his daughter? How does it make sense that she couldn't even call her own father "Dad," like some Hong Gil-dong orphan? A normal person wouldn't dare think that way, but as I said, I had the Hypnosis App—more potent than any nuke.
"What?"
"Wh-what did you call us here for?"
"Right. The boyfriend thing's no big deal. Clear your schedule after 2 p.m. tomorrow. As I mentioned before, there's a golf meeting with Taesan Group's executives."
Taesan Group? Golf meeting?
"Taesan Group's chairman specifically named you. He wants you to give him lessons, so go and teach him well."
Wait—Taesan Group's chairman... I racked my brain slowly.
Taesan was a rival chaebol on par with Yangho, so of course I knew it. And the chairman...
Oh, fuck.
It hit me. Taesan Group Chairman Min Tae-soo. The guy notorious for sexually harassing female employees whenever he got bored—nothing stuck anymore; even major scandals slid off him. Turning seventy in two days, he was infamous in his own way. The reason he'd zeroed in on Heena was obvious without seeing it.
Was he sane? How could a father do this?
"If you can secure a collaboration with Taesan through this, it's more than worth it."
What bullshit. I knew what kind of scum Taesan Group's chairman was; no way another chaebol head didn't. He knew and was still pimping out his daughter like a whore? If it were Lee Heeyeon, he'd never allow it.
"..."
I glanced at Heena. She had her head down. As fellow chaebol, she knew exactly what kind of man he was. But she was too scared of her father to refuse outright. Her hand gripping mine was shaking uncontrollably.
"No answer?"
This wouldn't do. Time for me to step in.
"Chairman."
"What?"
"Do you not know what kind of person Taesan Group's chairman is?"
I had to ask, just in case. Miracles happened. Maybe he was clueless and just giving orders blindly. I hoped so. Hoped it wasn't the worst-case scenario.
"Chairman Min of Taesan... yeah, he's got quite the reputation for scandals."
Ah, fuck.
"You know... and you're still making her go?"
"Heeyeon turned 10 billion into 120 billion, finished all her management training before even graduating high school, and jumped into the front lines to boost Yangho Electronics from outside the top ten to a close second. But Heena couldn't keep up with a single management class and lost every penny I gave her to play with. The world runs on results. You have to prove your worth. No proof, no value."
"Still... she's your daughter."
"You think daughters deserve every perk just for being born? I've done plenty. Sent her abroad to study on my dime, got her into golf, funded her clothes and food—everything."
"But you never gave her love? Not everyone can be like Heeyeon unnie. Even if it's not as much..."
"I've lived proving myself every step. Even love must be earned through value. I've supported her this far without her proving useful—that's enough."
"Proof? She has it. She won a world golf tournament. Didn't that promote Yangho Group? Her victory—luck or family support—is undeniable fact. Born from her blood, sweat, and tears..."
The chairman cut me off again.
"And now? Dropped out of regional qualifiers, right? That's fact too."
Wrong. No getting through.
"Her reputation still stands. Impressive as Heeyeon unnie is, world championships aren't for just anyone..."
"Exactly. That's why we'll leverage it for ties with Taesan. After burning family money without proof, she's finally useful. Collaborating with Taesan will launch us globally in no time."
Ah, this chairman keeps interrupting. Was he doing it on purpose to piss me off? But useful? Useful? Was that bastard even a parent? My deadbeat dad who didn't come home for months chasing women looked tame. At least he called me "son" when he did show up, fed me, took me out. Even though I was an accident because Mom skipped birth control.
Grind. My teeth ground together involuntarily. A storm of thoughts swirled in my head. Fuck, is he serious? How does a psycho like this become a chaebol? Or did he become one because he's a psycho? This can't be right. Even a sociopath wouldn't go this far.
Heena, raised kindly without a single rough edge under that father, seemed even more admirable. She was a simple girl, just craving her father's recognition and love. We'd only been together briefly, but I'd confirmed her sincerity. Even without the "golf goddess" title, there was no reason for her to endure such treatment from family—from the man who fathered her.
"W-wait, oppa..."
Heena tightened her grip on my hand. She forced a smile, but it was awkward, unable to hide the strain.
"I-it's fine. Just step out for a bit. I'll handle the talk."
I gently shook off her hand.
"No. You step out. I'll talk."
"G-Geon-woo oppa... I will."
"Lee Heena!"
Hypnotizing her to be my girlfriend was enough. I didn't want to snap my fingers to make her leave too. Plenty of people wouldn't get my mindset—why push back when you already hypnotized her into your girl? Tough. That's just me.
"Go on out. I need to talk with the chairman."
"Go on. I'm curious what you'll say."
The chairman jerked his chin toward the door. Heena glanced anxiously between us.
"Go on, Heena."
"Okay..."
She scurried out, the door clicking shut behind her. I took a deep breath.
"Are you really sane? What do you take your daughter for? That's worse than treating her like a tool. Can a father do that?"
His lips twisted into a smirk, eyes gleaming like he'd found an amusing toy. As Heena's boyfriend, I'd get the same treatment she did. That's why I spat out everything on my mind, no holds barred, despite it being our first meeting.
"You're young, so you don't get it. Society is ruthless. As I said, prove your usefulness..."
Ah. Same spiel again. I tuned out the rest. Done with this boring, preachy back-and-forth.
"I see. Got it."
"Got what?"
"What I need to do from now on."
I shoved the Hypnosis App in front of his eyes.
"Look at this."
"What the..."
His razor-sharp, tiger-like gaze clouded over in an instant. I stared into his eyes. No ferocity, no pressure—nothing. Just a hollow shell of a giant before me.
Should've done this sooner.
"From now on, Chairman, you won't doubt me. You see me, Yun Geon-woo, as Heena's boyfriend and the most trustworthy person in the world."
His head nodded slightly. No need for words—I knew it had worked perfectly.
"Lee Heena is your proud daughter. Admit that ignoring and scorning her until now was all a mistake."
"Mistake... admit..."
"From now on, support and love Heena unconditionally. Cancel the Taesan golf plans, prioritize her wishes above all, and resolve to shower her with the love you withheld."
The giant nodded slowly.
"You came to the mansion today to sincerely apologize for the past you couldn't give her."
"..."
"When I snap my fingers, you'll wake from hypnosis."
Snap!
His gaze sharpened again.
"What...?"
He looked bewildered.
"Chairman. You came to apologize to Heena."
"Hm? Ah... right. Yes...!"
"Heena's waiting outside. I'll bring her."
"No, no."
He rose slowly, eyes trembling as he stepped forward.
"I've... scorned you too much, Heena. I can't order you around from the apologizer's seat. I'll go to you."
"Yes."
I bowed and stepped aside. He passed by me.
"Ah, Father?"
Heena waited right by the door. He looked down at her silently, then approached slowly.
"Eek..."
She flinched, but he ignored it, spreading his arms to embrace her.
"My daughter, I'm truly sorry."
The giant offered a heartfelt apology to the daughter he'd treated so harshly.
"Ch-Chairman...?"
"Call me Dad. No—you must from now on."
"..."
Just moments ago he'd spewed venom, and now he'd flipped 180 degrees—anyone would be stunned. But Heena quietly buried her face in her father's chest.
"Daddy..."
"I'm sorry for treating you so cruelly. I promise it won't happen again."
"Sob..."
At her father's first warm words, Heena burst into tears once more. Though it was a false reconciliation forged by the Hypnosis App, I figured it was a million times better.