A Real Married Couple - Chapter 37

Jun Seo’s agency was NAV Entertainment, a leading entertainment company in South Korea.

Although he didn’t want to refuse since it was Kang Woo’s first request, he couldn’t attend the group charity event.

[If elder brother asks, I could even give my life, but I’m sorry, elder brother. I don’t think I can do that favor.]

He couldn’t understand why Kang Woo, who knew all the circumstances, made such a request. But no matter how much Kang Woo had saved his life, Jun Seo couldn’t grant that one favor.

[Elder brother, you know. I can’t see that woman.] [What? Why would I call you where that woman is? I’m not crazy.] [Then who’s doing it?] [My wife.] [Elder brother’s wife?] [Yes, my wife is hosting this event. So bring everyone you can.]

Only then did Jun Seo feel relieved.

[Ah, if that’s the case, of course it’s okay. I got it, elder brother. Just trust me. I’ll make sure to save face properly.]

NAV was largely divided into an actor agency and an idol agency, and he brought nearly 50 people, including executive-level officials from the agency.

“Actually, I was invited to the LS Group charity event last year, but I opposed it so we couldn’t go.”

“Opposed?”

“Yes. I’m only telling you this, elder sister-in-law, but I don’t like So Yi Kyung.”

“So… Yi Kyung? Who’s that?”

When Hee Won tilted her head, not knowing the name Jun Seo mentioned, he added an explanation.

“Elder sister-in-law’s mother-in-law.”

“Ah. My mother…”

Hee Won felt a bit strange hearing her mother-in-law’s name from Jun Seo’s mouth. Somehow his expression seemed to have sunk as well.

That was only for a moment, Jun Seo quickly composed his expression and said.

“The agency was rather happy to attend a charity event, so elder sister-in-law, please don’t worry too much.”

He continued as he stood up.

“Then I’ll go check the items we’re donating. See you in the hall later.”

“Yes. Thank you, Jun Seo.”

Jun Seo answered Hee Won’s words with a smile and went out.

“Director, let’s go now too.”

“Yes, madam.”

Although Kang Woo said there was no need to do well, it was the first official event where she was appearing as a person of LS Group, so she wanted to do well.

Hee Won headed to the first floor hall, praying earnestly in her heart.

* * *

The moment she entered, Hee Won’s eyes met with Madam So’s.

“What were you doing to come only now?”

Madam So approached Hee Won as if she had been waiting. Hee Won bowed to Madam So, who was spitting out sharp words.

“You’re here, mother.”

Madam So crossed her arms and looked at Hee Won askance as she spoke.

“You, isn’t it courtesy to come early and greet those who have come?”

“I was upstairs because there were things to prepare. You should have contacted me. If I had known you were here, I would have come down a little earlier.”

Madam So’s expression froze coldly, and Hee Won somehow felt conscious of her mother-in-law’s mood.

And her heart sank at the unpleasant emotion displayed on her mother-in-law’s face.

The reason her mother-in-law attended after throwing the event management at her like a bomb was only one.

From the start, it felt blatantly like she was trying to embarrass her by giving such a tight preparation period. Moreover, it wasn’t hard to figure out that Madam So was behind the sudden expressions of non-attendance from those who had consistently attended charity events until now.

Hee Won felt bad thinking that Madam So had come to see how embarrassed she would be. But she didn’t know how to find out whether Madam So was being vicious to her because of Kang Woo or because of dissatisfaction with herself.

However, she didn’t want to appear intimidated by Madam So.

Madam So, looking around the hall, said.

“Did you only invite celebrities?”

“Ah, yes. Jun Seo came.”

“…You.”

“Yes.”

“Did you deliberately invite Hyun Jun Seo? Did Cha Kang Woo tell you to?”

Hee Won was startled by Madam So’s sharp voice.

“What do you mean?”

Hee Won didn’t understand Madam So’s reaction. She really didn’t know why she was responding so harshly to inviting Hyun Jun Seo.

Madam So, glaring at Hee Won, gritted her teeth.

“Ha. Pretending not to know.”

At that moment.

“Madam, we’re about to start now.”

If it hadn’t been for the employee who came to announce the start of the event, she might have heard more insulting words from Madam So.

“I’ll excuse myself first, mother.”

“……”

Madam So glared at Hee Won without answering.

A sharp gaze pierced her back as she turned around, but Hee Won didn’t look back.

Hee Won stood on the prepared platform, guided by the employee. From the platform, she could see at a glance all the people gathered.

Having never stood in front of so many people before, her hands started trembling with nervousness.

‘It’s okay, you can do well.’

Hee Won tried clenching her shaking fists tightly, but her mind just wouldn’t calm down due to the numerous gazes fixed on her.

It was then.

[You don’t have to try too hard to do well. Don’t overdo it, doing as much as you want is enough.]

She remembered what Kang Woo had said. As if by magic, her mind became calm.

Hee Won composed her expression.

“Hello, I sincerely thank everyone for coming despite your busy schedules. This is the first event I’m in charge of since getting married, so I was very nervous. Even if there are some shortcomings because it’s my first time, please understand with a generous heart.”

Hee Won, after catching her breath for a moment, continued.

“The LS charity event has been an important event that we’ve been conducting, and the group has paid a lot of attention to it. The money raised through the charity event has been donated to places in need every year. However, we’ve never transparently disclosed the details of that content.”

As she said this, Madam So glared at Hee Won with a flushed face.

“Thankfully, mother entrusted this big event to inadequate me, so there’s a change starting this year that I’d like to mention.”

Hee Won looked precisely at where Madam So was standing. She wasn’t even trying to hide her displeasure, but rather openly showing her hostility.

[Isn’t all the money raised donated every year?] [No. There’s no way to verify exactly how much money was raised through donations, or if the donation amount stated by Madam So’s side is true. People just believe the amount they say was raised and donated.] [Really? What if 100 million won was raised but only 70 million won was donated?] [In fact, the use of donations should be accurately disclosed. But it’s not even a foundation yet, but anyway, since they’re holding charity events in the name of LS Group, the group, not Madam So, bears the responsibility. So that’s why.]

Kang Woo said he wanted to change the charity events hosted by Madam So for seven years.

While looking for an opportunity, Hee Won ended up in charge of the charity event, completely against her will.

[She probably didn’t assign it to Hee Won with good intentions. So, if Hee Won doesn’t want to do it, she doesn’t have to.] [It’s okay. I can do it. And as you said, if there were problems, now seems to be the opportunity. I think I can easily obtain the necessary information too.] [Hee Won.] [And you’re here too, Kang Woo. So it’s okay.]

Kang Woo was anxious that she might get hurt by the disregard and insults.

[I’m sorry. I’m worried you might get hurt because of me.]

In fact, she was quite used to getting hurt. It wasn’t that she wasn’t upset at all, but she didn’t get discouraged or greatly disappointed just because her mother-in-law said a few words.

[I’m thinking of establishing a foundation to run the charity events that Madam So has been conducting.]

She wanted to do it if there was something she could do.

[Yes, I’ll try hard too.]

She couldn’t just wait for the day the contract ends, doing nothing, being caught up in the fact that she was in a contractual relationship with him.

“I hereby announce that the LS Welfare Foundation has been established as of today.”

As Hee Won finished speaking, the murmuring of people began to grow louder.

“You, what nonsense are you talking about now? Foundation? Who dared to establish a foundation on their own?”

Madam So approached as if about to slap her and said through gritted teeth.

“Is this Cha Kang Woo’s doing? Did Cha Kang Woo tell you to make things difficult for me?”

Madam So, unable to contain her anger, panted.

“No, mother, you’re misunderstanding. The chairman agreed to this too.”

Because of the thought that Kang Woo was supporting her by her side, even though he wasn’t physically present, Hee Won was able to continue speaking calmly. On the other hand, Madam So was increasingly losing her composure.

“Everyone is paying attention right now. Shouldn’t you smile?”

Although she didn’t show it on the outside, she was trembling inside. But that wasn’t because she was afraid of Madam So. It was simply because she was afraid and nervous about being the focus of everyone’s attention.

She was afraid of the consequences that would follow, but right now, she wanted to confront it confidently and nonchalantly.

“Please give me a lot of guidance from now on, mother.”

At Hee Won’s words, Madam So’s face completely crumpled.