Love is Madness (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14

After hanging up the phone, Tae Joon sat still for a moment, surveying his surroundings.

The chic interior, slightly cold-looking just like Seo Rin, immediately caught his eye. The space had seemed somewhat lively when she was present, but now, devoid of its owner, it looked unbearably chilly.

As a sudden chill ran down his spine, he brushed his arms and turned his gaze—only to spot the dress shirt he’d tossed aside, unable to withstand the fever burning through his body all night.

She must have picked it up and placed it on the table, but by now the shirt was hopelessly wrinkled, unwearable.

“He died a heroic death.”

He couldn’t possibly wear that out. Besides, even his suit pants were in terrible shape.

In the end, he picked up his phone.

[Hello? I’m on my way right now—do you need me to do anything for you?]

“Yeah. I’ll send you the address; when you reach the hotel, pack some clothes and have them quick-delivered.”

[Huh? You’re not at the hotel right now? Then where are you?]

“You don’t need to know. Just get it here as fast as possible.”

[Should I come myself?]

“No. Your face is already known to President Baek. I’ve got people watching me, too—it won’t look good if we’re seen together before tomorrow’s shareholder meeting ends.”

[Oh, right. That’s true.]

“While you’re at it, throw in some workout clothes, too. I’ll stop by the gym on my way to loosen up a bit.”

[Understood. I’ll get it to you as quickly as I can.]

“Oh, and how’s President Baek doing? Any movement on his side?”

Even through his foggy morning, Tae Joon hadn’t forgotten to monitor President Baek’s activities.

People weren’t exclusively under President Baek’s command. From the moment President Baek had tailed him with that bothersome shadow, Tae Joon had also begun tracking every move the man made.

[Seems like he’s having lunch with all the directors today. Nothing else unusual.]

“Hah. So he’s enjoying his last supper, is he?”

Lucky you, President Baek. Meanwhile, our Seo Rin’s so on edge she can barely eat.

[I think he probably believes we’ll support him.]

Of course he does. That’s exactly what Tae Joon had intended.

At So Dam’s words, Tae Joon’s lips curled into a wicked smirk, as if thoroughly savoring this very moment.

“I think it’s safe to leak a little information now.”

[About you, sir? Why? They’ll all find out tomorrow anyway.]

“Not everything—just the name. It’ll be fun. Watching them get all excited, clueless that tomorrow might be the end of the world.”

Understanding his intent perfectly, So Dam let out a sigh of realization.

After all, the higher one climbs, the harder the fall.

Tae Joon intended to lift President Baek’s spirits high today.

Of course, knowing his name alone wouldn’t reveal much right now. But just slightly easing the tightly sealed flow of information—even the tiniest detail—would spark a flicker of hope in those who received it.

And by the time they finally pieced together who he really was from the crumbs he’d dropped, it would already be too late.

President Baek, you can never beat me.

If you threaten the throat of my woman, I’ll rip you apart in the cruelest way first.

“Enjoy your final supper, President Baek.”

A cruel toast slipped from his lips.

“Ahaaaha! As expected of you, President! Even after all that contact, The MG wouldn’t budge an inch—but you’ve actually forced them into surrender!”

“Not exactly. They only said they’d consider it positively.”

“That’s practically the same thing! Executive Managing Director Baek’s side tried reaching out too, but I doubt they even caught a glimpse of The MG’s shadow, did they?”

The day before the extraordinary shareholder meeting.

President Baek was having lunch with the directors who’d back him at the upcoming meeting, listening to their praises. Though drinking the proverbial kimchi soup beforehand wasn’t his style, he never tired of flattery like this.

His ears were pleased—and naturally, so was his heart.

President Baek didn’t usually drink during the day, but given the occasion, alcohol was indispensable at this lunch.

“Congratulations, Chairman.”

Director Hwang refilled his empty glass, chuckling heartily. The others hurriedly filled their own cups and raised them high.

“To the new master of Sungwon!”

“To Sungwon!”

President Baek finally raised his glass in return.

Truthfully, the death of his older brother, Chairman Baek Hyung Ki, had been a shock to him, too. Blood or not, his brother had been the only person who’d truly worked alongside him for the company—and the only one in the world who’d dared speak harsh truths to him.

But Chairman Baek Hyung Ki was already gone.

Holding onto the shadow of someone gone and obsessing over the past was pointless. Sungwon needed a future, not memories—and for that future, reform was essential. To achieve that reform, he had to excise Chairman Baek Hyung Ki’s shadow completely.

And that shadow was Seo Rin.

It pained him a little toward his niece Seo Rin, but the time had come for Sungwon to be swept by a storm of reform.

And for the sake of Sungwon—the company he’d built with blood and sweat—he was ready to do anything.

“To Sungwon!”

Only after his toast did everyone pour the liquor into their mouths.

Everyone present, including President Baek, was expected to empty their glasses—but Director Kim merely touched the rim to his lips and set it down again, carefully watching those around him.

Fortunately, all attention remained fixed on President Baek, so no one noticed Director Kim’s odd behavior.

Just then, the Chief Secretary entered and whispered something to President Baek, handing him a tablet to view.

“Here, Chairman. Take a look.”

It was the body of an email from the man who’d been tracking Seo Rin’s man.

It said they’d finally uncovered the man’s name—Kang Tae Joon.

However, because this man held U.S. citizenship, obtaining further details would take another day or two.

After days of torment by this man’s presence, finally learning his identity struck him with a strange, electrifying pleasure.

Kang Tae Joon.

A name as displeasing as the man’s presence.

But it didn’t matter. Tomorrow, he’d grasp all the power he desired.

Besides, for now he only knew the man’s name—but soon, everything about him would be revealed. He could devise a countermeasure then; it wouldn’t be too late.

Right now, he simply didn’t want this man to ruin the mood.

President Baek brought a fresh slice of raw fish to his mouth and refocused on the gathering.

“Haha! Chairman, shall we have another round?”

Unaware, of course, that this was precisely the final supper Tae Joon had intended.

7 p.m.

Before leaving work, Seo Rin called Tae Joon.

“It’s me, Tae Joon. Sorry, but can we push back our dinner tonight just a bit?”

[Why? Something come up?]

“Ah… nothing serious. Director Kim Se Jin suddenly asked me to have dinner.”

[Oh? Where are you eating?]

“At a Chinese restaurant called Beijing.”

[Hmm… Not sure when you’ll finish? I’d like to pick you up.]

“At most two hours? We’re not close, so there won’t be much to talk about. But with the shareholder meeting coming up, I couldn’t just refuse when he asked.”

[True. You should at least hear what he has to say.]

She felt the same.

Truthfully, Director Kim’s unexpected call that morning had been more than enough to unsettle her.

Director Kim had always clung to President Baek like glue, staunchly supporting him even while Chairman Baek was still alive—that made it especially uncomfortable.

But she couldn’t refuse, either. Just as Tae Joon said, she needed to hear what Director Kim had to say.

“I’ll text you when I’m done.”

[Got it.]

After hanging up, she left the office building and headed to the restaurant. She pondered all the way there, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t figure out why Director Kim would want to meet her.

Upon arrival, she sent Director Park back; she wouldn’t need her car since Tae Joon would pick her up.

She was led to a table inside the restaurant. Director Kim, already seated, slowly rose to greet her warmly.

“You’ve arrived.”

“I’m sorry I’m late.”

“Not at all. I just got here myself. Shall we start with dinner? I didn’t get a proper lunch, so I’m quite hungry.”

She sat down with a nod, but questions kept swirling in her mind.

She already knew President Baek had enjoyed a lavish lunch with the directors. Yet here was one of them claiming he hadn’t eaten properly—naturally, she was curious.

“Didn’t the lunch agree with you?”

“The lunch itself was a feast. But with my mind so uneasy, I couldn’t tell whether it was going into my mouth or up my nose.”

His mind was uneasy?

She didn’t know what he was trying to imply with such bait—but it certainly didn’t seem innocent.

They each ordered a bowl of jjajangmyeon. Director Kim finished his entire bowl, but Seo Rin barely managed half before setting her chopsticks down.

“Not to your taste?”

“No. My mind is uneasy too. So… let’s get straight to it. What did you want to tell me?”

Though her icy demeanor should have startled him, Director Kim simply grinned shamelessly—an utterly grating smile.

“Haha! Just as expected of our Executive Managing Director Baek—you’re the spitting image of the Chairman. Well then, best to cut to the chase, isn’t it?”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“Hmm-hmm…”

Director Kim took a sip of water, cleared his throat, then spoke slowly.

“At tomorrow’s shareholder meeting, I can support you, Executive Managing Director.”

Seo Rin’s eyebrows lifted slightly at the unexpected offer. She couldn’t understand why Director Kim would say such a thing to her.

Moreover, his stake wasn’t large enough to significantly help her. So what made him think he could offer this?

“You know, right? That The MG has decided to back President Baek.”

Her brow furrowed instinctively. When had this man, who’d clung to President Baek like a leech, suddenly decided to spill such information?

Seo Rin hated fickle, traitorous people like him even more than outright opponents—because someone who betrays once can do it twice, or three times.

But she decided to watch and see just how far this deceitful Director Kim would go.

“My stake isn’t large, but if I speak up, I can sway some shareholders away from President Baek. If I gather them, I might secure around 5%.”

Seo Rin regarded Director Kim calmly. She could partly guess why he wanted to turn against President Baek.

Lately, President Baek had clearly begun trusting Director Hwang more—likely the source of his resentment.

Yet, in a situation where everyone believed The MG had already sided with President Baek, his choice to back her—the apparent loser—made no sense.

“So, Director Kim… what do you want in return?”

She suspected he had ulterior motives.

At her blunt question, Director Kim gave an awkward smile. To Seo Rin, it was utterly revolting.

Just as she expected, his dark intentions slowly revealed themselves.

“Well, you see… I have a son. Not that I’m biased, but he’s tall, handsome, and of excellent character. He’s just been promoted to Team Leader of Jungdo Properties’ Planning Team—the youngest ever, in fact. Ahaaaha!”

As Director Kim’s grating laughter rang in her ears, Seo Rin reached for the warm teacup, trying to cool her rising temper—but her knuckles tightened until the cup nearly shattered.

“If I’m going to risk everything to support you, I must gain something in return, right? President Baek isn’t someone to take lightly. This looks like a long fight—if our families join hands, I’ll support you with everything I have!”

“…”

“Oh, and you’ll see for yourself—he takes after his maternal side, so his looks are truly outstanding! I’m sure you’ll like him!”

It grew more absurd by the second. She didn’t even know how to respond.

She even wondered if the man before her was in his right mind.

How dare he insult her like this? It was unimaginable unless he’d utterly lost his senses.

Seo Rin took a slow breath, spinning the innocent teacup in her hands—but she didn’t relax her grip, her knuckles turning white.

If she did, the cup might just fly straight into Director Kim’s forehead.

Oblivious to her fury, Director Kim kept chattering away with his loose tongue.

“If you give me your definite answer, I can call my son here right now. He’s probably off work by now…”

Watching Director Kim lift his phone was nearly a test of her utmost patience. Usually composed, she couldn’t remain calm this time—she closed her eyes briefly.

When she opened them again, ready to snap his wrist, she instead saw Director Kim frozen in place—his phone snatched away.

“W-wha—what is this…?”

His face twisted in obvious pain.

Seo Rin shifted her gaze to the person gripping Director Kim’s hand.

A refreshingly cool, dark shadow.

He flashed her a charming smirk and greeted her.

“Hi, baby?”