Chapter 3. In a Place Even I Didn’t Know
[After doing some investigation, we confirmed that Kang Hyejeong, Cha Junho, and Ra Cheolmin were university friends. There were rumors at the time that Mr. Ra Cheolmin and Ms. Kang Hyejeong were dating, but it was too long ago to verify whether it was true.]
At the voice coming through the phone, Ihun slightly furrowed his brow.
[However, after entering society, Mr. Ra Cheolmin entered into an arranged marriage, and seeing that Ms. Kang Hyejeong and Mr. Cha Junho married each other, we assume that their classmates mistook Mr. Cha Junho for the person Ms. Kang Hyejeong was dating. Mr. Ra Cheolmin divorced not long after getting married, while Ms. Kang Hyejeong and Mr. Cha Junho had a son named Cha Mojun, but the two of them died in a traffic accident 28 years ago, leaving only their son, Cha Mojun.]
Cha Mojun, it was a familiar name to him.
[ Mojun was four years old at the time, and after living with his grandparents, it was confirmed that Chairman Ra Cheolmin took him in when he was around seven, after his grandparents passed away as well.]
“…….”
[And Cha Mojun’s current name is Ra Ihun……. You are the president, sir.]
That day came back to him.
The day he entered the Lion Group family.
Cheolmin had told him that he was his father.
He said that after the divorce, his mother had taken him, and that he had only brought him back now after learning that he had been raised by people other than his mother.
Therefore, it had never once occurred to him to doubt that he might not be his biological son.
Ihun, who was holding the phone, remained silent for a moment.
“Are you, sure?”
At the belated question, the other party replied in a serious voice, as though understanding the situation as well.
[Yes. I’m certain. I, and also one more thing you asked me to look into, Kang…….]
As Ihun listened to the man’s story, he pressed his fingertips against his temple.
“I understand. I’ll transfer the remaining amount.”
After ending the call, Ihun narrowed his eyes.
Was it really true that he was not a member of this family?
Had he been raised simply to handle miscellaneous tasks for Ion?
Just as he was struggling to sort out this unbelievable reality.
There was a knock, and his secretary, Dohyun, entered.
“Have you finished speaking with the investigation agency?”
Ihun composed his expression and returned to his usual appearance before raising his head.
“I wonder what you wanted them to investigate…….”
“Who knows? Something that has nothing to do with Secretary Kang?”
“……I understand. Let’s go out now.”
“Where?”
“Have you forgotten? Today is the day we have a family gathering for lunch.”
“Ah.”
“You’ve never forgotten your schedule even once, so is something…… wrong?”
“No.”
Ihun gave Dohyun, who was looking at him as though examining him, a firm answer before standing up and putting on his outer coat.
“Let’s go.”
***
“Brother!”
As soon as he entered the restaurant room, Ion, who spotted Ihun, waved his hand.
Ion had been born in the year Ihun entered the Ra family.
Although they had different mothers, Ihun had been so happy at the time that he had gained a younger brother.
He was adorable no matter how many times Ihun saw him. Normally, he would have immediately welcomed him with a smile, but Ihun could not bring himself to do so now.
“Brother, how have you been? Why haven’t you contacted me at all? Didn’t you see that I called you yesterday?”
“Really? I didn’t know. I suppose I’ve been busy. With the ‘president’s position .”
As he said that, Ihun looked at Yeonsook.
The corners of Yeonsook’s lips seemed to twitch upward, and then she smiled.
“That’s right. Our Ion will find out someday, too. The ‘weight of the president’s position.’”
“What is there for me to find out? Brother is the president, and I’ll probably be the vice president.”
“Who says? Do you think Father will let that happen?”
“Why? Father says he won’t give me the position of vice president?”
“Who said that?”
Ihun felt that he understood what Yeonsook meant. She meant that they would not simply leave him in the position of president.
“The Chairman is coming in.”
Cheolmin leisurely entered the room.
Ion spoke with displeasure.
“Father, can’t you walk a little faster? You always tell us that we should go beyond keeping our promises and become people who take the initiative in making them.”
“Oh, Ion. Your way of speaking in front of your father…….”
“It’s fine. A man should have enough nerve to speak like that in front of his father.”
“That’s true, isn’t it?”
Yeonsook immediately smiled at Cheolmin’s words.
Soon after, the food arrived, and the meal began.
“I heard you’re getting married, Brother. Is it really okay to get married so suddenly?”
Ihun silently looked at Ion, who was stuffing his mouth with food.
“You must have a woman you like, too. Or at least a type you like. How can Father just tell you to do it and you simply do it?”
How do I do it?
Because it didn’t matter.
Until now, the only thing that had mattered to me was work.
Because that was my role.
“I was abroad, so I couldn’t attend your engagement ceremony, Brother. I should have been there. What kind of woman is she? Come to think of it, I don’t know at all what kind of woman you like. What kind of women have you dated all this time?”
Dated……? Putting that aside, had there ever even been anything I liked?
“Do you think someone in the position of president of Lion Group has something like a choice?”
At Cheolmin’s words, Ion furrowed his brow deeply.
“Father. What kind of world is this these days that you would arrange a marriage like that? You dated Mother, too.”
“Your father’s first marriage was an arranged marriage, you know. Even though he divorced.”
“Then what about Brother? Brother could get divorced after having an arranged marriage like that, too. Is that okay?”
“Ahem! Why has this gotten so cold? Manager Kim.”
At Cheolmin’s words, the manager who had been waiting behind them hurriedly approached.
“I’ll have it brought out again.”
Ihun looked at Cheolmin and Yeonsook.
During the twenty-five years they had spent together, had there ever truly been a day when they thought of him as their son?
“I’ll get up first. I’m a little busy.”
Ihun, who had not even touched his food, stood up.
“Even if you’re busy, meet Seorin often. Make sure she gets some exposure in the media, too.”
Ihun bowed politely to Cheolmin, who did not even try to stop him, and left.
Secretary Dohyun approached his side.
“Set up a meeting with Dongyeon.”
“You mean the future Madam? What time should I arrange it for?”
“Whenever there’s a suitable opening.”
Who meets his fiancée like that?
Dohyun swallowed the words he wanted to say and followed behind Ihun.
***
After arriving at the company, Ihun briefly looked up at the company lobby.
It really is big. Was it because of these things?
Did they deceive me, an orphan, and turn me into a machine just to protect something like this?
To protect your family?
He exhaled, feeling as though his chest had become tightly constricted, then tugged down his tie and undid a couple of buttons.
When the cold air brushed against his firm skin, he finally seemed able to breathe a little more freely.
He passed by the executive elevator and headed toward the emergency exit.
Dohyun asked in confusion,
“Where are you going?”
“Taking a walk?”
Excuse me. That’s the emergency exit, you know? You don’t exactly go for walks on the stairs.
“……You do know the president’s office is on the 20th floor, right?”
He might not know since I press the button for him every day.
Dohyun made a distressed expression and had no choice but to follow behind him.
No, is he crazy?
How can he walk up these stairs at such a steady pace and posture without becoming disheveled at all?
Dohyun barely followed behind him, panting heavily.
Should I take the resignation letter out of my inner pocket or not? Just as he was climbing the stairs that seemed as though they would never end.
“I’m going to confess to the president! He’s the person I like!”
What is that sound?
“Ra Ihun! I like President Ra! I’ve liked him so much ever since the first moment I saw him after joining the company!”
Ihun opened the door toward the source of the voice.
“……I felt like I’d go crazy if I didn’t tell someone. So that’s why I said I’d tell you two. If I really were to get married, I’d want to marry the president! I like him so much!”
Ihun stopped in his tracks.
