Hyukjoo glanced at the incoming call with indifferent eyes.
As the prolonged vibration ceased, he picked up the cellphone. Soon, the second call would come.
As expected, the cellphone rang again.
He didn’t answer the call immediately.
After a few more vibrations, he pressed the call button.
“Yes, this is Moon Hyukjoo.”
As he answered the call, he displayed data on the computer screen.
It was a file recording the financial flow during Oh Ju-hwan’s tenure at Mingjin Apparel. Hyukjoo’s face showed no expression, as he had anticipated that this day would come sooner or later.
He patiently waited for Ju-hwan to say what he wanted to say.
— Brother Moon.
Ju-hwan, as if reminding both of their relationship, spoke in a quite affectionate tone.
“What’s the matter?”
— Oh, it’s just… I was wondering how Eunsoo is doing these days.
“I’m doing well.”
— Really? Oh, that’s a relief. After my mother’s funeral, I haven’t seen you properly, so I was worried.
Ju-hwan spoke with a tension in his voice, swallowing dry saliva.
— Please take good care of our Eunsoo.
When Eunsoo’s name came out of his mouth, Hyukjoo raised an eyebrow. Just a few months ago, Ju-hwan had seemed quite confident, holding a significant advantage over Eunji regarding Yeonji’s pregnancy.
Knowing the reason behind Ju-hwan’s change in attitude, Hyukjoo found the situation amusing.
“Oh Ju-hwan has been accused.”
A few days ago, his father had contacted him.
Not knowing who the mastermind was, but confirming the name of the prosecutor in charge, his father suspected that Aunt had a hand in it. Although he hadn’t confirmed it yet, Hyukjoo thought his father’s speculation was likely correct.
Why would Aunt try to ruin Oh Ju-hwan at this point?
Not long ago, Oh Ju-hwan was about to retire from Mingjin Group. Moreover, the revelation of Oh Ju-hwan’s embezzlement and fraud didn’t help the owner’s family at all; it only left a mark.
‘What could Aunt’s motive be?’
While talking to Ju-hwan on the phone, Hyukjoo pondered deeply.
When Hyukjoo didn’t respond, Ju-hwan, perhaps feeling uneasy, asked loudly.
— Why did Eunsoo suddenly change her number?
“There were too many unnecessary calls, so I asked her to change it.”
— Unnecessary calls?
“You know.”
Seemingly realizing whose call they were talking about, Ju-hwan, with a forced cough, quickly changed the subject.
— Which temple did you decide for the 49th day ceremony?
“I’ll take care of it.”
— …What does ‘I’ll take care of it’ mean?
“Just what it means.”
With a sigh, Ju-hwan awkwardly laughed.
Not receiving any particular response to the inquiry about Eunsoo’s well-being, he brought up the topic of his late mother-in-law’s 49th-day ceremony. However, Hyukjoo drew a clear line.
Ju-hwan considered himself as a lifeline.
He had no other choice.
If the investigation were to proceed, there would be no way for him to escape. The fact remained that he had embezzled funds during his tenure at Mingjin Apparel.
“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll end the call.”
Hyukjoo cut in with a firm tone. He didn’t want to give Ju-hwan any room. Upon this, Ju-hwan let out consecutive frustrated sighs.
The sounds of fists pounding on the chest, thud, thud, were audible.
— Look at this.
“Speak.”
— Today, I suddenly received a summons. I can’t understand why the prosecutor is calling me.
“Why they are calling should be written there.”
— It’s for embezzlement and fraud. You know, when you’re in a position like the president of a company, you might make similar mistakes unintentionally.
Oh Ju-hwan made feeble excuses. Hyukjoo pressed his forehead with his hand, feeling a headache coming on.
When Hyukjoo didn’t say anything, Ju-hwan, perhaps thinking that Hyukjoo was on his side, started wrapping the situation with a plausible packaging, suggesting a conspiracy.
— Maybe this is the work of forces trying to undermine you. I think they are trying to tarnish the name Moon Hyukjoo by making trouble with me, your brother-in-law. Don’t you think so?
“I don’t know.”
— Well, it’s not something to deal with so lightly! If I make one mistake, I can leave at any time. Prison? I’m not afraid of that at all. But is this something that only concerns me? If I make a mistake, it could also affect Eunsoo, and if that happens, it won’t be good for you either.
With the phone against his cheek, Hyukjoo tapped the desk with his other hand.
Ju-hwan, holding a pen, made a sound like he was drawing something on paper. It might be useless scribbling. In the meantime, there was also the sound of the paper fluttering.
Hyukjoo raised his head. Before making the call, it seemed that he had written down a quite elaborate plan on the paper.
But it wouldn’t change anything.
Silently mumbling, Hyukjoo checked the time. He had to go to a meeting soon.
“Go get investigated.”
— What? What did you just say?
“President Oh Ju-hwan, I also have separately received information about your work at Mingjin Apparel.”
— What?
“If you’ve done something wrong, you should face the consequences.”
— Hey, you!
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
