“How did you…?”
Taken aback by the unexpected question, President Baek stuttered in response, but soon realized how foolish the question was.
The rumor had already spread throughout the company, so if one had been watching with interest, it was something that could not be missed.
“Well, it’s not a secret. But I didn’t know you still had such an interest in our company.”
[Ah, it’s not that. I… saw it myself.]“You saw it yourself?”
[Yes. I saw Seo Rin with some guy in front of a restaurant yesterday. It was dark so I couldn’t see the man’s face clearly, but they seemed to be having a serious conversation.]“That… so?”
They had a serious conversation?
ads
For a moment, he wondered if a gap had already opened between them, but he didn’t have high expectations.
He was determined not to gamble the rest of his life on such vague hopes anymore.
“Well, I don’t really know either. Seo Rin isn’t the type to gossip about her love life.”
[I see. Got it. Oh, by the way, why did you call?]“I have something to talk about, not over the phone, but in person.”
[I can make time. But before that, I must tell you this. My stance hasn’t changed, neither in the past nor now. I don’t want to get involved in Sungwon’s management dispute.]The low voice of the other party reiterated his stance once again.
Though he knew this, hearing it again twisted President Baek’s insides. How did he end up in a position where he had to hear such regretful words from this young man?
Especially when this guy’s company, both in terms of scale and recognition, couldn’t even catch up to Sungwon’s heels.
However, he was not an opponent to be easily dismissed. Apart from the unavoidable bad karma in the past, he held 3.5% of Sungwon’s shares.
ads
No matter what, he had to make this guy exercise his voting rights in his favor at the next regular shareholders’ meeting.
But that process was not going to be easy.
“Ha ha ha. Of course, I know. But don’t forget, I’m also a major shareholder in your company. So, can’t we have a conversation?”
[Of course, President Baek. If that’s your intention, I’ll make time whenever.]“Good. Then I’ll contact you soon.”
[Yes. I’ll wait for your call.]He hung up, but President Baek was not in a good mood.
How pitiful it was to be in a position where he had to borrow the hand of such a young man. Then his phone vibrated.
Seeing the caller, a smile spread across President Baek’s lips.
“Hello, Chairman Park! I was just about to call you!”
ads
It was a welcome call.
On her way home from work, Seo Rin called Tae Joon. It was he who had obtained Mrs. Park’s permission, but she felt she should let him know.
“It’s me, Tae Joon.”
[I was about to call you. I met my mother today and got her permission.]His voice on the other end of the phone sounded cheerful. It seemed to dissolve all the stress she had been feeling all day.
“I know. She called me directly.”
[Mom did?]“Yes.”
His joyful laughter could be heard. Then, she also found the corners of her lips lifting in a smile.
[Then, we can register our marriage now, right?]ads
“Yes, of course. Let’s do it tomorrow. I can make time.”
The two agreed to finalize their marriage registration the next day.
But suddenly, curiosity arose again. How on earth did Tae Joon persuade Mrs. Park? It was Mrs. Park’s stubbornness that even the late President Baek couldn’t easily break.
“But, how did you convince her?”
[What?]“I mean my stepmother. Even my late father couldn’t easily persuade her. She was stubborn, but she had her reasons.”
[Yes, she did have a reason. A very valid reason.]Tae Joon opened his mouth in a heavy voice, as if to agree with her words.
Then, with an even more serious tone, he persuaded her this time.
[I conveyed my sincerity.]ads
“……”
[You know, I’m kind of sincere about this marriage.]His calm voice magically penetrated her heart.
Did Mrs. Park feel the same way when she heard his voice?
Sincerity resonated.
And now she understood Mrs. Park’s mind, who changed her words in just one day.
“You, really……”
He was an unbeatable man.
The next afternoon, Seo Rin headed to the city hall to register their marriage. Director Park, who clearly knew why she was heading to the city hall, kept glancing at the rearview mirror as if he had a lot to say.
Eventually, Seo Rin opened her mouth first.
ads
“If you want to say something, say it, otherwise don’t even look at me. It’s annoying.”
Perhaps embarrassed, Director Park straightened his shoulders and gripped the steering wheel tighter.
“So, are you going to say it?”
“Can I?”
“That’s up to Director Park.”
“Really… are you getting married?”
“Why, do you think I’m putting on a show? I’m sorry, but Kang Tae Joon… that person… he’s not an easy person.”
“I know. Just by looking at the atmosphere, it seems that way. I felt it again after seeing him hit President Baek hard this time.”
“But?”
“Just, I was wondering if the executive director is okay.”
ads
“What’s not okay? I told you. If I have to get married anyway, Kang Tae Joon is the best partner.”
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
_____
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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