Covetous Sponsorship (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 6
“If Ga Eul wants to do that… shall we go ahead with it?”
My mother’s reply was surprisingly agreeable, making all my prior anxiety seem pointless.
On the day when a few of my paintings failed to meet the Chairman’s expectations,
I had insisted we couldn’t possibly betray his kindness by leaving the mansion—especially since I couldn’t bear watching him anymore—but now…
Hee Sun, who had been watching Ga Eul, spoke up hesitantly.
“Mother heard everything. An San said there’s been a big argument recently between the Chairman and his second grandson over gallery matters.”
“….”
“So… Mother’s changed her mind. Ga Eul’s just graduated—maybe it’s time you live independently? We can repay the Chairman’s kindness in other ways. It doesn’t have to mean staying in this mansion.”
Hearing her mother’s words, Ga Eul bowed her head deeply.
Seeing her daughter so clearly distressed, Hee Sun wiped away Ga Eul’s tears with her own scarred hands.
“What’s wrong, Ga Eul? Why are you crying?”
“…It’s nothing. Nothing happened.”
She’d only thought she was quietly suffering inside…
But now that her mother had, for the first time, sided with her by suggesting they leave the mansion, the tears kept welling up uncontrollably.
Truthfully, for the past week, she hadn’t even been able to pick up the paintbrush she loved so much.
It was clear just how much stress she’d been under.
“Look at your face. You say it’s nothing, then why are you crying? And suddenly suggesting independence like this…”
“…It’s just… I’m so happy to be with you, since you came home early for once.”
The fixed goal she’d set, the daily pressure of rising expectations she’d struggled to endure—had all become nothing but a nuisance to someone else.
It was exhausting to become the unwitting cause of conflict, frustrating to still have to walk on eggshells—and though she wanted so badly to act spoiled, Ga Eul merely shook her head.
Gi Tae was right. Maybe the Chairman’s kindness could be repaid more fairly, in another way.
Since it could all be resolved just by leaving, she didn’t want to burden her mother with her worries.
“Alright. If anything comes up, promise you’ll tell me right away. I’ll talk to the Chairman myself about this independence idea.”
Ga Eul nodded.
Just then, a text message arrived on her phone.
Still nestled in her mother’s arms, Ga Eul calmed herself slightly and checked her phone.
It was a message from Chairman Han—something she hadn’t received in a long while.
[Chairman Han: Come to the main house for dinner tomorrow evening.]What could this be about? He hadn’t summoned her since his argument with Han Gi Tae…
Though puzzled, Ga Eul quickly replied that she understood.
‘Wait—if I’m seeing him tomorrow…’
She turned to her mother, who was still looking at her with concern.
“Mom, I’ll speak to Chairman Han myself. He’s supported my art in every possible way all this time. It’s only right that I talk to him directly.”
* * *
—Attend dinner.
Gi Tae, who had dropped by the gallery and was skimming through the exhibition schedule in his office, raised his head. He needed to leave now if he wanted to make it to dinner.
‘He’s going to bring up Yoon Ga Eul again, isn’t he?’
Lately, aside from being busy, Gi Tae had deliberately stayed at a small officetel near his office to avoid his grandfather, knowing the old man would keep pressuring him if he stayed at the main house. He only used the officetel to sleep when it was too inconvenient to commute back and forth.
He’d planned to move out eventually anyway, so it hadn’t been much of a hardship.
But with the Chairman summoning him like this again, it was clear there’d be no end to it until the issue was resolved.
Determined to settle things properly today, Gi Tae packed up his things.
His resolve was firm—but then again, who else would he take after?
His grandfather was just as stubborn, always pushing his own stance to the very end. If Gi Tae kept ignoring him, the old man would surely storm into his workplace in a rage—that much was obvious.
As Gi Tae stood to put on his coat, his secretary entered the office with a respectful bow.
“Yes?”
“President, we just got a call from the Cultural Foundation about a proposed collaboration for their exhibition. How should I respond?”
“Tell them we’ll proceed. It might benefit our gallery as well.”
“Yes, I’ll relay that. Please take care on your way, President.”
Knowing his boss disliked drawn-out farewells, the secretary immediately turned to leave upon hearing the reply.
But Gi Tae called the secretary back just as they were about to step out.
“What else did we send to Yoon Ga Eul on her graduation day, besides the bouquet?”
He kept thinking about that “note.”
Had he written something and sent it? A child who normally found it hard to speak to him had suddenly stopped him and asked directly.
That had been the first time he truly looked the girl in the eyes.
When he’d asked her again, her face had instantly paled.
Disappointment.
That’s what her expression seemed to hold.
Why me?
“…Ah, well… you see…”
“What is it? I’m busy—just say it quickly.”
Sighing, Gi Tae prompted the secretary, who hesitated before finally speaking.
“You told me to send something appropriate, so…”
“And?”
“I thought a bouquet alone would seem too half-hearted, so I also wrote a short note and sent it.”
“What did it say?”
“I just wrote ‘Congratulations on your graduation.’”
Gi Tae let out a deflated sigh. Recognizing it as a sigh of frustration, the secretary fidgeted nervously and asked,
“Did I make a mistake, President?”
“No. You may go.”
“…Yes. Please take care on your way, President.”
Outside, Gi Tae got into the backseat of the waiting black sedan.
He had intended to review some documents about a department store brand partnership before reaching the main house, but soon set them aside and gazed out the window. The sky was gradually darkening, and the city streets shimmered with dazzling lights.
Idly scanning the passing scenery, he absentmindedly smoothed the edge of the document in his hand.
He kept recalling Yoon Ga Eul—her cheeks flushed pink as if she’d had a drink—as she anxiously asked him,
“Did you put that note in yourself?”
She’d asked that seemingly pointless question with such desperate urgency.
Should I have at least offered her proper congratulations…?
The way her expression had darkened.
What was so disappointing about a simple “congratulations” that she’d shown such obvious disappointment and gotten under his skin?
Just because she’s lived in my house for a while doesn’t mean we’re anything more than strangers.
Yet despite having no reason to expect anything, her crestfallen look kept playing over and over in his mind.
Those drooping, disappointed eyes just wouldn’t leave him alone.
* * *
Ga Eul entered the main house’s dining room right on time for dinner. The Han family was already seated. She bowed silently and took her place.
Moments later, Gi Tae entered the dining room.
‘So Han Gi Tae is joining dinner tonight too…?’
While Ga Eul remained puzzled, somewhat chilly greetings were exchanged in the dining room.
“Well, Gi Tae, you’re here.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Good. Then let’s start eating.”
“Yes.”
And so, an almost indigestible meal began.
The air around the table felt heavier than usual. Ga Eul ate just enough to avoid seeming rude, fearing she might choke on her food otherwise.
The meal ended in complete silence, and the Chairman’s eldest son and his wife left immediately afterward.
Meanwhile, Chairman Han had been watching his grandson silently refuse to back down throughout dinner, clicking his tongue inwardly in frustration.
‘That brat Gi Tae—still won’t admit he was wrong first, to the very end.’
Just as the Chairman was about to call Gi Tae into his study with a stern voice to discuss the matter,
“Han Gi—”
“Excuse me, Chairman.”
Ga Eul interrupted him first. Then, with surprising firmness, she said,
“I… have something I’d like to say to you.”
“Oh…?”
Surprised by Ga Eul’s sudden interjection, Chairman Han instructed Gi Tae,
“Go to the study. Wait there for a moment.”
“Yes. I was planning to anyway.”
Gi Tae had much to resolve with his grandfather today. Without another word, he nodded and headed into the study, then casually crossed his legs and slumped onto the sofa, waiting his turn with little concern.
Ga Eul watched Chairman Han sit down in a wooden chair, then carefully began,
“Chairman… I plan to move out and live independently with my mother.”
“…What? Independence?”
A vein suddenly bulged on Chairman Han’s forehead.
Startled by his abrupt, angry tone, Ga Eul wondered if she’d done something wrong and hesitated, biting her lip.
But the words were already out.
Since this was exactly what she’d wanted to say, Ga Eul gathered her courage and continued.
“I fully understand the kindness you’ve shown me. I’ll repay your generosity, no matter what. But… I think it’s time I live on my own…”
“You understand my kindness? If you truly understood, would you say something like that?”
The sudden chill in the air made Ga Eul flinch. She sensed things were going terribly wrong.
Sure enough, the Chairman raised his voice at her for the first time.
“Do you even know how much your father owed me?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I paid off all his debts and supported you wholeheartedly so you could keep painting—and this is how you show gratitude? For nine years, I fed and housed you with no strings attached, giving you only the finest things. And now you just want to leave after taking everything? I never asked you to repay me in kind! Is it really that hard to just enter the TS Gallery and paint for me?”
He shouted even louder than he had during his argument with Gi Tae a week ago.
Ga Eul’s hands began trembling violently.
The Chairman’s furious face overlapped in her mind with the terrifying men who’d barged into her childhood home, demanding her father repay his debts.
It was practically a trauma.
‘Just how much debt was there, really?’
Because her mother had never told her the details, Ga Eul didn’t know the full story. Still, she’d assumed it couldn’t be that much—after all, even her once-successful painter father’s artworks had been sold off entirely…
Ga Eul squeezed her eyes shut tightly.
Chairman Han, believing she’d selfishly stayed in his mansion all this time just to avoid responsibility, was angrier than she’d ever seen him.
Only now did Ga Eul realize—
She’d never crossed him before, so she’d never witnessed his true anger until today.
“All this time, I’ve treated you like my own! And now you talk about independence? How dare you repay my kindness like this? Shameless…!”
“Grandfather, that’s enough.”
Gi Tae, who’d been silent until now, suddenly stood up and stepped in front of Ga Eul. He glanced back and whispered softly to her, who was trembling behind him,
“You, go.”
“But… Chairman is angry…”
“It’s fine. Just go.”
“…Yes… I’m sorry.”
Ga Eul bowed deeply to him and fled from the study.
“Oh, Ga Eul! What’s wrong?”
She kept running, ignoring Mi Jeong’s startled voice calling after her from behind.
Dazed and breathless, she finally stopped—and found herself standing in front of the flowerbed outside the main house.
Just how much was the debt Chairman Han said he’d repaid on her father’s behalf…?
And how much had she received in support during her stay in this mansion?
Though not everything could be measured in money, as Ga Eul mentally tallied up everything she’d received, her face grew paler and paler.
Nine whole years.
A wave of fear washed over her, and she began trembling.
She must have been deluded by the visible kindness he’d shown her.
He clearly intended to claim back everything he’d invested in her—and possibly more.
And all this time, she’d firmly believed that as long as she kept painting diligently, everything would work out peacefully…
She’d even thought that even if she moved out or didn’t join TS Gallery, she could still repay his kindness by continuing to paint what he wanted.
What a naive thought.
From the moment she’d accepted Chairman Han’s offer at age fourteen, she’d lost all right to choose.
Ga Eul sank down heavily onto the flowerbed.
Then, burying her face in her hands, she burst into tears, finally releasing all the sorrow she’d held inside.
If she kept painting hard… could she really escape…?
She asked herself that question again, but even that felt uncertain now.
* * *
‘There was debt?’
After sending Ga Eul away, Gi Tae’s thoughts fixated entirely on that.
So that’s why she was living in our house…
As he silently absorbed his grandfather’s heated words—directed at him but clearly fueled by anger over Ga Eul—he sank into deep thought.
This kind of situation was nothing to him.
But for that woman—it was clearly different. He thought he’d glimpsed tear-filled eyes for a moment.
Was she still crying?
He’d assumed she was just another painter recruited to suit his grandfather’s tastes.
He’d thought the old man was simply bored and decided to cultivate an artist who matched his preferences in old age.
But instead, he’d burdened her with debt under the guise of sponsorship.
Gi Tae had never cared to ask, and his grandfather certainly wasn’t the type to volunteer such details—so he’d remained unaware.
Now that he understood, it made sense why that woman had stayed here, struggling desperately to paint in order to repay his kindness—and why her mother had done the same.
“…Hah.”
The realization brought an involuntary, bitter laugh to his lips.
Why did she have to catch his grandfather’s eye, of all people?
Did she even realize how precarious her situation truly was?
No matter how hard she struggled, the debt would only grow. Even as she repaid it, new debts would pile up daily—
Whether she wanted to or not, regardless of her own will.
And still…
She genuinely believed she could repay it all by selling her paintings someday.
Again, that woman’s clear, innocent face flashed before his eyes.
* * *
“Chairman, I’m sorry. I haven’t forgotten any of your kindness so far. I’ll gradually repay the debt myself.”
“…Tch.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…”
As Gi Tae and Chairman Han stepped outside, Hee Sun—who’d heard the news and rushed over—kept apologizing repeatedly while nervously watching the Chairman’s expression.
She’d assumed the debt could simply be repaid over time.
She never expected the Chairman would rage at her daughter for seeming ungrateful.
Convinced it was entirely her own fault, Hee Sun stood helplessly, offering nothing but repeated apologies.
“If you’re leaving, then leave. But can you repay it right away?”
“…I… well…”
Hee Sun, her face ashen, trembled as she bowed her head.
“…Go.”
Gi Tae, sighing, sent Hee Sun away just as he had Ga Eul. With the Chairman, that meek attitude wouldn’t get her anywhere.
Postponing his planned discussion for today, Gi Tae escorted the Chairman back to his room.
As Gi Tae walked toward the sedan, having decided to return to his officetel,
“…Hic… mmmph, ngh…”
“…”
A small, plaintive sob drifted faintly from afar.
“Sigh…”
Leaning against the car, Gi Tae squinted at the shadowy figure barely visible in the dim light, then sighed and walked over.
The little woman was so absorbed in her crying that she didn’t even notice him approaching—just covering her mouth, trying to muffle her sobs.
Did she really think that would stop her weeping from being heard?
Gi Tae called out to Ga Eul, who was crouched on the ground crying.
“Yoon Ga Eul.”
When yandere male lead believes she loves him — but she never did
“How dare you!”
“How dare you make me love you, only to cast me aside as nothing more than a friend?!?
“I will never accept that.”
“I will never let you return to him.”
“Even if I have to burn myself to ashes.”
“Even if I must shatter my purity, my dignity, my very soul.”
“I will never let you escape me!”
This was the first novel that introduced me to the matriarchal genre. I’ve read it three times already!
At first, the male lead despised the female lead. Later, he misunderstood that she liked him, so he condescendingly and reluctantly reciprocated her feelings.
Then, he suddenly discovered that she was kind to everyone in the same way, and there was already someone she cherished in her heart, and that person was not him.
The male lead couldn’t believe it, he became angry and crazy. He was determined to capture her body and heart by any means necessary.
Synopsis:
Want to see how a green tea bitch male lead falls in love with the female lead?
Want to see how he flirtatiously pursues the female lead?
Want to see how he gets slapped in the face repeatedly?
The male lead is a green tea bitch, a poisonous lotus, jealous, ruthless, unscrupulous, with a venomous heart, and he’s also a delusional maniac.
The female lead is righteous, positive energy-filled, kind, a holy mother.
Let’s see how two people with extreme personalities come together~
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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