A Gentle Intruder (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
Lee Heon Tae, seated deeply in a study chair, set down the letter he had been reading and let out a sigh.
“Chief Choi, can I trust the contents of this?”
The man across from him, who appeared to be in his fifties, carefully placed the letter back into its envelope before replying,
“I can’t say for certain. But it might be worth looking into.”
The letter had been secretly left under the Chairman’s office door—naturally, there was no sender.
“Huh.”
Lee Heon Tae frowned, pressing his fingers to his forehead. His closed eyes revealed deep distress.
“If this is true, it means our second son murdered our first! That accident was settled thirty years ago—what kind of absurd claim is this!”
The accident that claimed Lee Jin Woo—the eldest son of Chairman Lee Heon Tae and heir to the Tae Myeong Group—was widely known at the time. Jin Woo had died in a traffic collision on a rainy road while traveling for a heavy industry business trip.
“It does sound absurd. If this tip in the letter is true, it implies Director Lee Jin Hyuk deliberately staged that accident. But it’s been so long—there’s no way any evidence remains.”
Tae Myeong Group
was one of the nation’s top five corporations, shouldering a significant portion of the country’s economy. A global conglomerate, it spanned food, construction, finance and insurance, and retail, with an immense scale. Recently, it had further expanded into entertainment and cultural ventures, steadily growing its reach.
Lee Heon Tae, at the helm of such an enterprise, was a respected businessman recognized not only in Korea but worldwide.
“Jin Hyuk killed Jin Woo? If that’s true, I can’t just let it go.”
“I’ll look into it myself first.”
Chief Choi tucked the letter back into his coat as he spoke. He had been Lee Heon Tae’s closest aide for over twenty years.
“What about Jae Ho?”
Lee Heon Tae’s first thought was of Jae Ho. Jae Ho was the precious bloodline and first grandson left behind by his late eldest son, Jin Woo—Lee Heon Tae cherished him as though he were his own flesh and blood. Having lived seventeen long years unaware of his grandson’s existence, his affection ran all the deeper.
“He’s said to be on a leisure trip after wrapping up a film shoot.”
“That blasted movie! That movie! Tell him to quit it immediately and take over one of our subsidiaries.”
“He seems to still find that more enjoyable for now, Chairman.”
“That won’t do anymore. We can’t keep hiding the group’s heir indefinitely. And if, by any chance, this letter’s contents are true…”
Lee Heon Tae exhaled slowly before continuing.
“If someone was capable of killing his own brother, what’s stopping him from harming a mere nephew? Jae Ho must secure his position before Jin Hyuk makes his move. While I still have strength, Jae Ho must build his own power base.”
Lee Heon Tae closed his eyes briefly, thinking of his three sons.
Jin Woo. Jin Hyuk. Jin Myeong.
His eldest, Jin Woo, had been a rare talent—blessed with both leadership and compassion. From early on, Lee Heon Tae had designated Jin Woo as his successor, placing the future of Tae Myeong in his hands. But Jin Woo had died young in that traffic accident—passing away before even turning thirty, the ill-fated crown prince. That was already thirty years ago, just a month before his arranged marriage.
After his death, Jin Hyuk—the ambitious second son—had begun openly scheming for power. Though always greedy by nature, he only revealed his true intentions fully after his older brother’s death.
Lee Heon Tae loved all his sons equally, but succession was another matter entirely. He had never once considered entrusting Tae Myeong to Jin Hyuk, whose character was too small for such responsibility.
His third son, Jin Myeong, was nearly as intelligent as Jin Woo, but his lack of ambition meant he had no interest in business.
Thus, Lee Heon Tae poured all his support into Jae Ho, grooming him along the perfect heir’s path. But his slippery grandson refused to listen.
“Chief Choi, go find Jae Ho and deliver my message. See for yourself what kind of trip he’s on. And check whether he’s really sleeping in that odd vehicle again—camping under the stars or whatever it is.”
The “odd vehicle” Lee Heon Tae referred to was a multimillion-won luxury camper van. Chief Choi chose not to argue that it was simply the romantic lifestyle of today’s youth—a journey more luxurious than any five-star hotel—because he understood the worry hidden beneath the words.
“Yes, I’ll go see him. This time, he hasn’t taken the camper van, so he should be staying comfortably at a lodging. What should I tell him?”
“Tell him to arrive earlier than Jin Hyuk’s family on my birthday and come straight to my study. I have something important to discuss.”
“Understood.”
After Jin Woo’s death, Lee Heon Tae had endured a long period of grief—until Jae Ho appeared like a gift from heaven. Seventeen years after Jin Woo’s passing, Kim Mi Jeong—Jin Woo’s former private secretary, with whom he’d had a secret relationship—showed up with the grandson Lee Heon Tae never even knew existed.
She had been the humble woman Lee Heon Tae had strongly opposed his son marrying. His grandson’s eyes mirrored Jin Woo’s heartbreaking gaze—the same look Jin Woo had worn while watching his father insist on that arranged marriage.
It felt as if his son had returned to life.
Lee Heon Tae once again placed the future of Tae Myeong on Jae Ho’s shoulders. Determined to make up not only for Jin Woo’s lost life but for the legacy left unfulfilled, he resolved to pave every path with flowers for his grandson.
The letter’s words echoed in his mind:
The case had long been closed as a simple rain-related traffic accident, and thirty years had already passed. How—and where—could he even begin uncovering the truth now…?
And if Jin Hyuk truly was the culprit, what must he prepare for Jae Ho’s sake…?
Night deepened.
**
Da Jung, seated in the car driven by Jae Ho, lowered her window halfway and breathed in the crisp autumn air. Jae Ho glanced at her clear face and smiled, the corners of his lips lifting.
“The weather’s lovely today.”
Da Jung nodded.
The rural highway on a weekday was so quiet that hardly any cars passed by. The leisurely drive lifted both their spirits, if only a little.
Da Jung rolled up the window and faced forward, prompting Jae Ho to start another conversation.
“But can you really finish everything cleanly in a month?”
The ancient, pine-lined road was perfect for a drive. Da Jung’s gaze drifted from the winding road and the trees to the man’s right hand gripping the steering wheel.
It was a strong, masculine hand—broad lines and defined tendons running from his fingers all the way up his forearm, impossibly sexy in a way words couldn’t explain. Suddenly, Da Jung found herself wondering how soft and warm that hand might feel. The memory of its faint, delicate tremor against her cheek resurfaced, sending her heart racing uncontrollably.
“You’re not listening to me.”
His low, chiding voice coincided with his shifting his grip on the wheel—his right hand now covering hers, his warm fingers slipping gently between hers.
“Were you staring because you wanted to hold my hand?”
It was just a hand—but it burned as though he were touching somewhere far more intimate.
“A—no. Not at all.”
But her hand was already hot. He gave a quiet chuckle.
“Your mouth and your body are saying completely different things. Normally, in situations like this, I trust the body.”
Unlike the man, whose smile radiated ease, Da Jung couldn’t even manage the slightest grin. Merely touching palms made her flush as though he’d caressed her entire body.
“It’s not like that.”
“Mm. I was staring because I wanted to hold your hand.”
For a moment, they sat in silence, sharing warmth. Then Da Jung gathered her courage and spoke.
“Your hand is so warm, Lee Jae Ho.”
“…”
“It feels like a heater.”
At that, Jae Ho burst into laughter—as if he’d just heard the most amusing thing. Da Jung offered an awkward smile in return.
“It’s even warmer if you hug me. What’s allowed between people on a ‘maybe-something’? If hugging’s okay, can we skip ahead a bit?”
Da Jung hesitated slightly before asking softly,
“Do I get to decide that?”
“Then should I decide?”
“…”
“What happens if I decide, Yoon Da Jung?”
He tapped the steering wheel lightly.
“You won’t be going home tonight.”
Understanding his meaning, Da Jung pulled her hand away in flustered panic. Jae Ho savored her embarrassment for a beat before speaking gently again.
“Let’s finish our conversation. What happens to us after a month?”
“Well…”
Da Jung held her breath briefly.
She’d stayed holed up in her room all day yesterday, thinking only of Lee Jae Ho. Wondering if she should accept his proposal to “maybe-something.” In her restless state, she’d even tried tarot cards—something she normally didn’t believe in—only to receive the vague answer: “Trust your own decision!”
A decision…
The more she tried to deny it, the clearer his smiling face became in her mind. She’d fallen under the spell of this strange new world.
Fine. To be honest—she wanted to try it. A “maybe-something.” Wasn’t it just like a dream? Falling for your ultimate crush. She convinced herself: Yoon Da Jung deserved this once-in-a-lifetime bit of luck.
‘Let’s give it a shot.’
But things changed once she returned to Seoul.
She knew better than anyone just how popular an actor Lee Jae Ho was—and how immense his wealth truly was. She was familiar with many of the luxury items in his personal collection (not just sponsored ones), and she knew each one cost an astronomical sum.
Moreover, his upscale villa in Hannam-dong was priced in another realm entirely—a world utterly unreachable, even if she were reborn.
Da Jung generally believed that people should date or marry those on similar footing. Even if one side leaned a bit more, there needed to be some reasonable balance. A gap as vast as heaven and earth would only bring unhappiness to both parties in the end.
Lee Jae Ho and Yoon Da Jung were worlds apart. Her father’s lingering debts, her mother’s mounting hospital bills—they weighed heavily on her. The tiny savings she’d scraped together would barely cover rent, let alone serve as emergency funds if her mother’s condition worsened.
One month of recklessness would be enough. She felt she could live happily for the rest of her life on that single memory. She never dared dream of anything more.
A man who thrived under dazzling spotlights simply didn’t belong with someone like her.
But she sensed that if she was honest, he’d only persist more stubbornly—so she held back her answer for now.
“Hmm? Tell me. What will you do if I refuse to let you go?”
“Well… let’s talk about that later.”
Jae Ho tilted his head slightly, frowning as if dissatisfied.
“You’re avoiding it.”
Yet he didn’t press further, replying gently instead.
“Fine. Let’s do it your way.”
“Okay.”
“Alright. We’ll talk again later.”
Arriving at the market parking lot, Jae Ho began to park, nodding as he smoothly reversed with expert handling.
“But how about a bet, Yoon Da Jung?”
“What kind of bet?”
He rested one arm on the seat, turned the wheel, and locked his gaze deeply onto hers.
“I have a feeling you won’t be able to walk away easily.”
It was a confident, playful attitude.
“It might not go the way you expect. How about betting your entire fortune?”
Did Lee Jae Ho even know the exact value of his entire fortune? He tossed out such jokes so casually. Da Jung gave an awkward laugh.
It was a promise they’d both forget in a month anyway. It didn’t really matter how she answered. She nodded, half-heartedly agreeing to an empty promise.
“Alright.”
A meaningless promise was thus made.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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