The Grand Temptation (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 4

Kwon, Je, Ho.

She slowly murmured his name under her breath…

Thump, thump.

Just like a heart restarting after an electric shock,

her dried-up emotions twitched and convulsed under memories from the past.

Dizzy from the swirling storm of feelings, Yuli tightly shut her eyes.

It wasn’t a mistake.

There had clearly been a change in her expression. Je Ho lifted his glass to his lips again, studying Yuli’s face intently. But by the time she reopened her eyes, the flicker of confusion he’d just seen had vanished without a trace. Yuli gave Min Woo a bright smile and followed him as he walked away.

Je Ho leaned against the wall, silently watching her retreating back.

Huh. Things are getting interesting.

He let out a brief laugh, drained his glass in one gulp, and followed the two of them.

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“You should’ve told me ahead of time.”

Thinking it was just a simple dinner date, Yuli whispered her complaint to Min Woo when she discovered Chairman Kwon and Executive Director Kwon were also joining them. But Min Woo only responded with a faint smile.

If she’d known elders would be present, she would’ve refused outright. So uncomfortable she felt as if sitting on a bed of needles, she couldn’t even taste the food in her mouth. Mechanically chewing, Yuli stole a glance across the table at Je Ho.

Ever since sitting down, he hadn’t joined any conversation, keeping his gaze lowered the whole time. Even stranger was that no one had introduced Je Ho to her. Of course, they were once formally engaged—it wasn’t as if they were strangers.

She’d heard that Chairman Kwon himself had arranged their engagement, and had reportedly been quite disappointed when it fell through. Perhaps that was why, despite knowing Yuli had previously been engaged to Je Ho, he readily agreed when Min Woo expressed interest in marrying her.

Even so, seating two former fiancés together so casually was undeniably rude. Yet Je Ho seemed indifferent, maintaining an expressionless, mask-like demeanor as he focused quietly on his meal.

Feeling someone’s eyes on him, Je Ho looked up and met Yuli’s gaze. He sensed her flinch in surprise. She quickly looked down, avoiding his eyes.

Yuli was undoubtedly feeling very uncomfortable right now. After all, she and Je Ho had once been engaged.

As he silently brought a piece of grilled sirloin to his mouth, Je Ho recalled his meeting with Chairman Kwon an hour earlier.

“You said you were busy, but I guess you finally found the time.”

Chairman Kwon Gun Cheol had decided to call back his eldest grandson, Je Ho, at the start of last year. At the time, Je Ho had been staying in Dubai and kept putting off the chairman’s summons with excuses about work—until, after nearly a year of back-and-forth, he finally returned to Korea.

Without even asking how he’d been, the chairman cut straight to the point. His secretary placed a tablet PC in front of Je Ho.

“I’m planning to build a proper new headquarters—a landmark project that will leave a lasting mark in architectural history.”

KG Group had started as a construction company and grown into a major conglomerate. Though revenues from other sectors now surpassed construction, the chairman’s passion for building remained unchanged. Thus, his expectations for the new headquarters project were high.

“Je Ho, I want you to handle it.”

It was a wildly unconventional suggestion. In terms of scale and significance, it was a project any world-renowned architect would covet. Yet Je Ho merely glanced at the screen and didn’t touch the tablet.

“Why me, of all people?”

After a long silence, he finally asked flatly. The chairman frowned, as if unable to understand the question.

“Why you? Aren’t you of Kwon blood? You’re already an acclaimed architect— who else would I ask?”

At the mention of “Kwon blood,” Je Ho curled the corners of his eyes into a bright smile.

“Kwon blood? Do you really think a corporation is someone’s personal property? You’re merely the largest shareholder—you don’t own the entire group.”

“How dare you speak so insolently!”

Executive Director Kwon Woo Sik, seated beside the chairman, flushed with displeasure. He’d disliked this meeting from the start. His own son, Director Kwon Min Woo, was about to be officially named heir—yet here Je Ho was, suddenly returning after changing his mind. He couldn’t fathom what Je Ho was scheming.

Je Ho tapped the tablet screen lightly, then stood up, grabbing his jacket from the side.

“If you truly want me to design it, follow the proper procedure. Consider other architectural candidates besides me and make a fair selection.”

“So you would take the job—if you were chosen?”

At the chairman’s question, Je Ho smiled, showing his teeth.

“I suppose that depends on my schedule. I’m rather busy these days…”

“You dare speak to your grandfather like that!”

Unable to tolerate any more disrespect, Executive Director Kwon shot to his feet—but Chairman Kwon held up his hand to stop him.

“That’s enough. Sit down.”

His second son, Kwon Woo Sik, lacked not only competence but also emotional control—a disastrous trait for a business leader. Had it not been for certain unfortunate incidents, leadership would have gone to the eldest son.

The grandson before him now was nothing like his father, who’d stepped aside so meekly. Just from his eyes, it was clear: Je Ho was no pushover. And that made him all the more desirable.

“Since it’s been so long, let’s all have a meal together as family.”

The chairman stood up and said gruffly.

Hearing “as family,” Je Ho accepted the invitation without much thought—never expecting Yuli would be there.

Snapped out of his memories, Je Ho gave a bitter smile and picked up the water glass in front of him.

“So, how’s the incident today being handled?”

Just as dinner was wrapping up, Chairman Kwon asked Min Woo. Instantly, the previously warm atmosphere turned icy.

“Yes, Grandfather. I apologize for troubling you.”

Min Woo bowed deeply toward Chairman Kwon.

“Of all times, for such an accident to happen right before the wedding…”

“I’m truly sorry, Grandfather.”

Min Woo bowed again, his expression stiff. Seeing his son cornered, Executive Director Kwon quickly redirected his aggression toward Je Ho.

“Je Ho, you still haven’t kicked that left-handed habit of yours, I see.”

He glared disapprovingly at Je Ho’s left hand.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk… a left-hander in the Kwon family…”

Instantly, Yuli’s gaze drifted to Je Ho’s left hand as he handled his chopsticks. A left-hander? But his grip didn’t look entirely natural—more like he was forcing it.

Hadn’t his injured shoulder been on the right side earlier?

Maybe he was using his left hand because his right shoulder was hurt.

“…Excuse me.”

Just as Yuli began to speak, Je Ho lifted his lowered gaze and looked straight at her. The moment their eyes met, his glinted dangerously—

as if warning her to stay silent. Flustered, Yuli closed her mouth and quickly looked away.

“I believe we’re living in the 21st century.”

Je Ho set down his chopsticks slowly and leaned back against his chair.

“Yet you’re still stuck on outdated nonsense about left-handedness?”

“In my day, using your left hand at the dinner table got you smacked with a stick immediately.”

“Oh… latte. Well then—no wonder people call you old-fashioned.”

“What? Old-fashioned? How dare you speak to your elder like—”

“Hmm.”

As Executive Director Kwon erupted and stood up, Chairman Kwon let out a pointed cough to calm him. At that single sound, the executive director flushed and sat back down. No matter how angry he was, he couldn’t risk upsetting the chairman.

“I’ll be leaving now. Finish your meal.”

When Chairman Kwon stood, Executive Director Kwon hurried after him. An awkward silence fell once they left. Min Woo broke it first.

“Brother, could you go a little easier? Must you always act like this when we meet after so long?”

“Hmm, ‘act like this’—what exactly do you mean?”

At Je Ho’s question, Min Woo gave a cold smile.

“Don’t tell me you still think Uncle considers you the heir. If you’re hoping for even a crumb, watch your words—unless you want to leave empty-handed…”

Despite knowing Chairman Kwon had called Je Ho back only after repeated attempts, Min Woo deliberately rubbed salt in the wound. Yet Je Ho didn’t flush with anger—in fact, his lips curved gently.

“You sound as if you’re already the heir yourself.”

Je Ho never lost his composure, no matter the situation. Was it innate dignity? The effortless poise of a born crown prince? Having been compared to him since childhood, Min Woo had always resented Je Ho’s calm demeanor.

“It’s not ‘as if’—I already am the heir. Can’t you see?”

Irritated, Min Woo reached out and pulled Yuli’s shoulder toward him, as if to flaunt: Your former fiancé’s woman is now mine.

Suddenly caught in a rivalry between two men, Yuli frowned.

Was this why he’d invited me—to show off right in front of me?

Annoyed by Min Woo’s childish provocation, she gently shrugged off his hand from her shoulder and picked up a slice of ginseng candy from her plate, popping it into her mouth.

As she chewed slowly, savoring it, a bittersweet flavor filled her mouth.

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“Let’s talk.”

After dinner, Yuli grabbed Min Woo’s arm as he walked ahead. She needed to discuss being dragged into that uncomfortable dinner without so much as a heads-up.

“I’m sorry, but can we talk later? I have to head back to the office…”

Min Woo said, looking troubled.

“Alright, then. We’ll talk later.”

Letting Min Woo go with that promise, Yuli headed to the lobby to hail a taxi. As she took out her phone to call one, it rang.

[Are you okay? The accident happened while you were there, right?]

Hyun Kyung asked urgently. Of all people, it was Hyun Kyung—not her family—who checked on Yuli first. Surely her family had seen the news by now.

A shadow crossed Yuli’s face as she was reminded once again of the distance between her and her family.

“Yeah, I’m fine—aside from looking like a drowned rat.”

[They said people got hurt—I’ve been so worried…]

“Sorry for making you worry.”

Honestly, she nearly had been injured. If Je Ho hadn’t shown up in time, she’d have had a nasty bruise by now.

[I wish I could come see you right away, but the event’s not over yet.]

Hyun Kyung grumbled petulantly.

“We’ll see each other tomorrow. You know you’re all I’ve got, right?”

It wasn’t just words—Hyun Kyung, who always stood by her side, was Yuli’s most precious person in the world. More important than family or lovers, closer than anyone else.

[Then you’d better remember that. I love you, Chae Yul Ri.]

“I love you too. Wrap up the event well, and I’ll call you when I get home.”

Yuli ended the call with a bright smile. Just as she reopened the taxi app, she felt someone nearby. Turning her head, she found Je Ho standing beside her—when had he arrived?

She’d assumed he left right after dinner. Had he gone out and come back? A chill clung to him.

Never expecting to see him again, Yuli stared at him in surprise and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“You didn’t bring your car?”

Despite the awkwardness of their earlier meal, Je Ho spoke casually.

“Isn’t Min Woo driving you home?”

“He has to go back to the office because of today’s accident at the mall…”

Yuli suddenly realized she’d been so flustered she hadn’t even properly thanked him.

“I really owe you for earlier. How’s your shoulder? Did you get it treated?”

Given that he couldn’t use his right hand, the injury must be serious. Was that why he wore a black sweater—to hide bandages, perhaps?

Je Ho stayed silent, lost in thought. Only after a long pause did his tightly closed lips part.

“If anyone’s asking questions, it should be me first.”

Me? Asking him? About what?

Confused, she turned her head—and the hair she’d just tucked behind her ear slipped loose again. Without hesitation, Je Ho reached out before she could and tucked it back for her.

“…!”

Startled by the unexpected touch, Yuli stood frozen as his quiet voice slipped into her ear.

“Do you really have to go through with this marriage?”