Ha Eun, who came out of the police station, slapped both lawyers on the cheek.

She didn’t know how many hours she had been held in the shabby police station under the pretext of investigation.

Ha Eun was furious to the top of her head at the humiliation she was experiencing for the first time in her life.

“You couldn’t handle one measly X, so I have to sit here? You stupid bastards!”

She shouted while pointing her finger.

“Young lady, please calm down. People are watching.”

Team Leader Yang said quietly before expressing any pain.

Only then realizing that people were watching, Ha Eun lowered her voice slightly and said,

“Handle this properly. Make sure you crush that fat X properly.”

“Young lady, the evidence is very clear in this case. The best course of action is for you to sincerely apologize to Jung Yeo Reum and properly compensate her.”

“What the hell are you saying? Hey, why should I apologize to that fat X? Can’t you see my hair was pulled out? I’m definitely not letting that X off the hook. So find a way no matter what. Find a way to get rid of that X! If you don’t, I’ll have all your heads! Got it?”

As she was berating the two lawyers, Ha Eun’s phone rang.

The screen that came into view of the two lawyers showed ‘Mom’.

It was Lady Song Jeong Mi.

“What?”

―Come up to Seoul right now.

Their conversation was audible as if the volume was turned up.

“Mom, I’m traveling with friends right now. I told you it would take some time.”

―Stop talking back and come up when I tell you to. There’s good news.

“Good news? What is it?”

A snickering sound could be heard from the phone.

―Jung Hyun got into an accident. We’ll be holding a funeral soon.

“Jung Hyun? Who’s that?”

―Come on now. Who else? Your aunt’s son.

Ha Eun’s eyes widened for a moment, but soon a smile appeared on her lips.

“Really? How did it happen?”

―A traffic accident apparently. The hospital declared him beyond recovery. So hurry and come. The whole family is at the hospital. I just stepped out into the hallway to contact you.

“But Mom, even if Jung Jung Hyun dies, he still has a wife, right? And a daughter too. Isn’t this actually bad for us?”

―Your aunt has no daughter-in-law or granddaughter. Rather, they are enemies. Jung Hyun cut ties with his mother to protect them, remember?

“But still, won’t Aunt’s heart soften after losing her son?”

―Absolutely not. You don’t know how much your aunt hates Jung Hyun’s wife. More than an enemy. The granddaughter is the same. She’s not Jung Hyun’s daughter, but the enemy’s daughter. Why do you think they haven’t seen each other for 20 years? So hurry up and come. Oh, and remove all your makeup and wear plain clothes when you come. This is the time to properly make an impression on your aunt.

Ha Eun smiled and said,

“Okay. I’m in Busan now but I’ll leave right away.”

―Good.

A pleased smile filled Ha Eun’s face.

“You two, do your job properly.”

After lowering her phone, Ha Eun glared at the two lawyers once more before returning to her car.

The two lawyers simply bowed.

The red sports car soon left the police station.

Team Leader Yang turned his head to the side and asked,

“Jo, are you okay?”

“……Yes.”

It was Lawyer Jo Han, who was twenty-seven years old, the same age as Ha Eun.

His face was filled with a sense of humiliation that wasn’t there before.

“Forget about it.”

“But Team Leader. How is this our fault? The evidence is so clear.”

“I understand how you feel, Jo. But even if you resign out of hurt pride and go to another law firm, it’ll be the same. They’re all the same.”

Even as he said this, he too let out a sigh.

“This is really a big problem. Jung Yeo Reum has absolutely no intention of settling?”

“We still have to try to persuade her.”

But it would probably be impossible to get Jung Yeo Reum to agree to a settlement.

“But Team Leader, I’ve never seen someone like that before.”

“Like what?”

“Jung Yeo Reum. Wasn’t she really cool? She wasn’t intimidated at all in front of PR’s name, just confident. Honestly, seeing Kang Ha Eun get knocked down a peg was so satisfying. It felt like a 10-year constipation was being cleared.”

“That’s dangerous talk.”

“Why? Don’t you feel the same, Team Leader? Kang Ha Eun, who thinks she’s the best in the world, couldn’t even make a peep in front of Jung Yeo Reum. It was the most satisfying moment since I joined the company.”

Team Leader Yang chuckled.

“By the way, Team Leader. Is this Jung Jung Hyun person our Chairman’s son?”

“I’ve only heard rumors, never seen him myself.”

“I heard the Chairman told him to leave his wife, but instead he gave up his position as heir to the PR Group and left?”

“That’s right. They call him the romantic of the century. The crown prince of the Blue Group, who could have controlled the business world, gave it all up to become a mere teacher.”

“That person is really amazing. Giving up such immense wealth and power to live an ordinary life with the woman he loves. It’s not easy to cut ties with your mother for 20 years to protect your family. Especially as an only son.”

“Indeed.”

Suddenly, Jo let out a sigh.

“Why?”

“I was just thinking, if someone like that had become the representative of PR Group, we might be doing much more valuable work than we are now. Currently, Representative Kang Gi Taek’s family lives with the Chairman and wields real power. And now that Jung Jung Hyun is dying, doesn’t that mean Executive Director Kang In Pyo, the Chairman’s nephew, will be confirmed as PR’s successor?”

“Who knows. There’s still the granddaughter.”

“Even so, could an ordinary woman raised gently even open her eyes properly in front of our Chairman, who’s called the Iron Lady? Even I get weak in the knees. And could she survive even a day in that den of hyenas dominated by Lady Song Jeong Mi and Lady Sophia? Anyway, Kang Ha Eun is so lucky. Her life is set just because she has a good aunt.”

Lawyer Jo sighed even more deeply.

Seeing this, Team Leader Yang patted his shoulder as if to cheer him up.

“We don’t need to worry about those things. Let’s just do our best to prevent the video from spreading and try to persuade Jung Yeo Reum quickly.”

“……Yes.”

*

‘……Mother?’

Yeo Reum couldn’t understand the way her mom addressed Chairman Kang Ju Hwa.

Mother?

The clicking red high heels approached Jung Hyun lying on the bed.

She looked down at the pale face for a moment.

But her eyes seemed devoid of emotion, as if she felt nothing.

Somehow, everyone in the hospital room held their breath.

Though Yeo Reum couldn’t understand the situation at all, she was overwhelmed by Chairman Kang Ju Hwa’s aura and remained silent for a moment.

“Yeo Reum.”

It was Se Jin who broke the silence.

Yeo Reum turned when her mom called.

“Greet her. She’s your grandmother.”

“What?”

“Your paternal grandmother.”

It was still an unfamiliar term.

All this time she had thought her parents were orphans, but now a paternal grandmother?

And to think it’s PR Group’s Chairman Kang Ju Hwa!

Unable to believe it, Yeo Reum just stared at Chairman Kang.

The lips with well-applied red lipstick parted slightly as she spoke.

“So this is how you raised her. Vulgar, barbaric, and ill-mannered.”

Yeo Reum doubted her own ears.

Didn’t they just say she was her paternal grandmother?

Then what is this?

“Well, with your blood mixed in, that vulgarity wouldn’t go away, would it?”

Yeo Reum asked in bewilderment.

“What did you just say?”

“I said you’re vulgar. Satisfied?”

“Ha, I really can’t believe this. Listen, grandmother. We’re meeting for the first time, you know? It’s only been 1 minute since we met.”

“Yeo Reum, stop it.”

Se Jin grabbed Yeo Reum’s arm.

“What do you mean stop? That grandmother is insulting Mom right now!”

“I said stop it. Mother, I’m sorry.”

“You’ve really done a great job raising your child. And watch your words. Who’s your mother?”

“Hey, grandmother!”

“Stop it! Yeo Reum, enough.”

Se Jin quickly shook her head.

“She’s your grandmother. So don’t be disrespectful.”

Though frustrated, Yeo Reum kept her mouth shut at her mother’s desperate expression.

Se Jin said to Ju Hwa,

“I’m sorry, Mother. Please, have a seat.”

She pointed to the sofa in the middle of the hospital room.

Ju Hwa, who had been glaring coldly at Yeo Reum, approached the head of the sofa and sat down, crossing her long legs.

The people who came with her crowded around behind her, while Se Jin stood in front of Ju Hwa like a criminal.

“Well, let’s hear it. Why did you call me? After acting like you’d never see me again?”

“……Please help us. Mother.”

“I told you to use the proper title, didn’t I? Meeting after 20 years, you seem to have forgotten that too.”

At her pointed remark, Se Jin spoke again.

“Please help us, Chairman.”

Only then did she respond.

“With what?”

“Please save Jung Hyun.”

She looked at Se Jin and said,

“Why should I?”

“……Chairman.”

“He’s the one who cut ties with me and left 20 years ago saying he didn’t want me. So why should I do that?”

“But no matter what, Jung Hyun is your only son.”

“That’s right, he was. And that only son abandoned his mother and chose you. And for 20 years, there wasn’t a single contact. So why should I help you now?”

At that moment, Se Jin fell to her knees on the floor.

“I’ll divorce Jung Hyun. So please help us.”

“……Mom?”

Yeo Reum looked at Se Jin in disbelief.

She shook her head briefly as if to say don’t interfere.

“Divorce?”

“Yes. I’ll divorce Jung Hyun.”

Suddenly, Ju Hwa burst into laughter.

The people standing behind her tensed up instead, straightening their postures.

“You, your jokes have improved in the time we haven’t seen each other. Listen, Kim Se Jin. What does it matter to me whether you divorce or not?”

“It’s what you wanted most.”

“Of course I wanted it. But that was 20 years ago.”

“……Chairman.”

“To be blunt, you’ve lived happily with Jung Hyun for 20 years, so you probably have no regrets. You’ll probably live contentedly just on those memories. So now you want a divorce? Listen, Kim Se Jin. You don’t have to divorce. Just live as you have been. I’m not interested in such things anymore. And Director Ahn.”

A middle-aged man standing behind her quickly approached.

“This hospital room, did Director Ahn arrange it? It doesn’t make sense given their circumstances. Is that right?”

“Yes.”

“You did something unnecessary.”

“I apologize.”

“No need. I have no intention of spending even a single penny on these people. So resolve it with your own money since you made the mistake.”

“Understood.”

Her cold eyes turned back to Se Jin.

“The end of your great love turned out to be just this, how sad. But what can you do? It was your choice. Well, I’ve seen enough, so I’ll be going now.”

As if there was nothing more to say, Ju Hwa stood up.

Se Jin grabbed her legs as she was about to leave and clung on.

“Please save him!”

“What are you doing?”

“Chairman, please save our Jung Hyun!”

“Let go of this.”

“I was wrong! It was all my fault! So please save our Jung Hyun.”

Se Jin burst into tears and begged.

“That person can live if you help, Mother. Please!”

Se Jin cried so hard it seemed she might stop breathing.

But the words coming from Ju Hwa’s mouth were colder than ice.

“That’s why you should have let Jung Hyun go earlier. Didn’t I tell you? You’re unlucky. Jung Jung Hyun is dying because of you. You’ve eaten your husband.”

“I was wrong! It’s all my fault! So kill me and save Jung Hyun!”

“Who are you telling to kill someone? Why would I become a criminal by killing someone like you? I’m going to watch this spectacle with interest.”

“Please direct your anger only at me and save Jung Hyun. If you just do that, I’ll do anything you want! Please!”

Her cold eyes that had been ignoring her looked down at Se Jin and asked,

“Everything I want, you say?”

“Yes! I’ll do it! If it’s what you want, Chairman, I’ll even give you my life!”

“What value does your life have that you mention it? But come to think of it, there seems to be one thing you could bring me.”

“What is it? I’ll give it to you!”

Ju Hwa’s arm raised.

Her index finger pointed at Yeo Reum, who was standing with a bewildered expression.

“That.”

“……What?”

“Give me your daughter.”

“What do you mean……”

“Give me all rights related to that child for just 20 years. And you must cut all ties with that child. If you do that, I’ll save your husband.”

Looking at Se Jin turning pale, Ju Hwa smiled coldly.

“How about it, isn’t it a good condition?”