The meeting of politics and economy. It was only a matter of time before people heard whispers of some kind of relationship circulating. Myeongok was already looking forward to what expression he would wear.
She put on a neat beige suit and grabbed a pair of lightly colored sunglasses.
Expect what will come out of my mouth when I’m caught. My mind was busy thinking about what kind of threat would work best.
Myeongok chose low-heeled shoes and opened the door. In an instant, her face stiffened.
“How, how… How did you…?”
“Long time no see, Mother.”
Taesang was steadfastly blocking the approaching sunlight from behind. The way the black shadow cast over him resembled the grim reaper arriving from the underworld.
He scrutinized Myeongok’s attire with a gaze as if dissecting her. Neatly buttoned jacket and sunglasses in hand. Moving his gaze over her like sweeping away each detail, he casually spoke again.
“Where are you headed?”
“…….”
“Unless you’re busy, how about having a little chat with me before you go?”
“What, what do I have to say to you?”
She raised her head defiantly, but she couldn’t suppress the trembling in her voice. The mention of the arrest warrant and Taesang’s appearance—these two events seemed strangely related.
“You don’t have to say anything. Just listen.”
With those words, Taesang turned around, creating a gust of wind. As he pushed up the hem of his suit and put his hands in his pockets, his broad shoulders lifted slightly with a smirk.
It was an uneasy task to follow him, yet letting him go without doing so was not an option. Myeongok clenched her teeth and slowly followed him.
Across from the residence was the cafe ‘Cha-O.’
Myeongok stared blankly at the coffee brought up by Kim.
Thinking about how to handle it when he comes out like this, or when he comes out like that… Lost in various thoughts, she ended up ordering a hot drink in the scorching heat of Sambock Summer.
How did the renowned Yoon Myeongok end up like this? It’s amazing and unbelievable, but no matter how much I think about it, there was only one culprit for this unfortunate situation. It was always because of the influential Cha Taesang.
The eyes that shot towards him involuntarily contained a hint of venom.
“What do you want to say,
It was always like that. No matter how sincerely I tried, Chairman Cha never included me and Subin in their world.
If only I had known that it wasn’t about bloodline, I would have rejected it long ago. The hope torture, enduring without knowing anything, was too long and past.
Myeongok bit her trembling lips tightly. It was embarrassing and unbearable to say such things in front of Cha Taesang.
“Just because of such a reason?”
“What?”
“The reason for abandoning family, forsaking duty… Was it just for that?”
A cutting voice, as cold as frost, sliced through the air.
“Speak. I’m asking.”
Not only did Chairman Cha send away his son first, but now he had also lost his daughter-in-law and grandson. Thinking about him in such a state, Taesang literally wanted to tear her apart.
“…I think I should go now. There’s nothing more to say.”
“I came to suggest your resignation, and indeed, it was a foolish thought.”
“What…?”
For Grandfather’s sake, I thought all night about what would be the best. I didn’t seek a solution but just wanted to find a way that would leave less pain.
And the conclusion I reached was today’s meeting. I intended to persuade him to resign and ask for forgiveness for Grandfather. Although I knew it wouldn’t be a suitable ending for her, I couldn’t give up the small remaining hope.
“As expected, that doesn’t suit you.”
“W-What is that…?”
“You are someone who needs someone else to end things.”
Myeongok felt her blood turn cold. In truth, she still had a lingering belief deep in her heart that Kim Sangmu might not have done anything wrong.
Taesang’s fluctuating gaze turned towards her. As always, his calm face revealed no trace of falsehood.
“If I get arrested, Grandfather won’t stay quiet. No matter what, we’re part of the Hyosung family, sullying the family’s name like this…”
“Grandfather already knows.”
“…What?”
“He already knows.”
Finishing his words, Taesang took out his phone from the jacket pocket.
“Wait a moment, Taesang. Where are you calling? Is it… to Grandfather? Did I say I won’t resign?”
“I am.”
He made a call somewhere, starting the conversation promptly.
“No, wait. Give me some time to think too.”
“I couldn’t persuade.”
“Who are you calling, exactly?”
“Take her away.”
“…!”
That single sentence was enough. Taesang ended the call and pushed the phone back into his jacket. Without casting a glance beyond the table, he stood up from his seat.
“Taesang!”
If he leaves like this, it’s over. Myeongok forcefully slammed the chair and stood up, clutching Taesang’s wrist. Tears had unknowingly welled up in her eyes, and her limbs trembled.
“P-Please don’t go. I-I’m still your mother, right? Huh? After all these years of living as parent and child in the same house, how can you abandon me like this…?”
“Parents.”
You, who always followed me like a hunting dog, who grinned and laughed whenever the illness of my heart worsened, couldn’t possibly be a parent.
Taesang slowly turned his head. A grotesque face distorted by resentment and fear filled his eyes.
“You have never been parents to me.”
“…”
“Not even once.”
With a colder tone than a chill wind, the hand that had been holding onto the hem of the sleeve fell into the air. It was all over. After living in such turmoil, this was the ending. Thick tears streamed down.
Ding.
With a clear sound, Taesang left the cafe. Left alone, Myeongok blankly stared out the window.
Across the street, men dressed in black suits were approaching in a group.
“Ha… There really was a Grim Reaper after all.”
The miracle of a dirt spoon. Every time it was called that, she believed it herself. My life was truly a miracle.
However, on the brink of a fall, Myeongok could painfully realize that climbing higher only meant it would take longer to fall.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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