‘Yeoreum thinks Bo Mi and I are not living together because we fought, so wouldn’t it be good to show a friendly appearance?’

Bo Mi lowered her head and tightly closed her lips. What was making her hesitate like this again?

‘No. There’s no need for that.’

‘Bo Mi.’

Jae Kyung thought that if their hearts were in sync, he could enter Bo Mi’s life. Naturally, if things flowed like this, he would also become Yeoreum’s father. He couldn’t understand why she was preventing him from meeting Yeoreum.

‘Jae Kyung is not really Yeoreum’s father. I can’t let Yeoreum keep calling you father. Besides, I….’

Bo Mi bit her lip painfully.

‘I’m not shameless enough to ask you to keep playing Won Il’s role. You are not him.’

‘Yeoreum… will be hurt.’

‘You said you would heal the wounds if he gets hurt.’

It was what Jae Kyung had told Bo Mi when they went to Gagaton Land.

‘Thanks to that, I found courage. I want to properly tell Yeoreum the truth that his real father… that man has died.’

Jae Kyung was happy and grateful that Bo Mi was sincerely considering his existence.

‘So please don’t meet Yeoreum for a while until he can understand this situation.’

‘I hope Yeoreum won’t be confused.’

He was thinking of proudly introducing himself to Yeoreum not as Won Il’s shadow, but as her boyfriend. Thinking about fixing the misunderstandings one by one like wrongly buttoned buttons made him feel like he could endure the period of not meeting Yeoreum.

All of this was a process for us to become a family.

Slowly seeping into each other’s lives like this. Dating, getting engaged, getting married…

When we get married, we’ll have to move first.

Jae Kyung recalled the inconvenience of not being able to use the parking lot every time he dropped Bo Mi off at her apartment.

“Secretary Kim.”

“Yes, Director.”

“Look into Dowon Apartments.”

“Ah… are you going to live there? It’s old employee rental housing and not much investment value.”

It was a luxury apartment when it was built, but it was constructed at the time of the collapse of Dowon Mall in Garam City of Hwang Construction. As the value of the apartment fell due to the collapse accident, there were consecutive cases of people giving up on purchasing.

Dowon Group bought the Dowon Apartments, which had turned into ghost apartments, and used them for employee rentals.

Since there were also residents who lived in their own homes among those who initially purchased, not all units were for rent.

“There should be quite a few properties available.”

Is even the successful Director Do Jae Kyung clueless about real estate speculation…

Secretary Kim tilted his head, then recalled that Jae Kyung had participated in the event of Representative Han Bo Mi’s child yesterday. He thought he had invited everyone he was close with, including Director Yeon Ga Jin and Representative Ha Su Young…

He had to arrange a hospital appointment on Saturday afternoon when Representative Han Bo Mi’s child got hurt.

Plus, the errand to buy women’s clothes in the middle of the night…

Oh… Secretary Kim’s eyes widened as if he had an epiphany.

What are you going to do about Team Leader Yeon Ga Young for Representative Han Bo Mi?

Besides, if you’re going to buy something for Representative Han Bo Mi, you should buy Dowon Palace.

The rich are even worse. Secretary Kim inwardly clicked his tongue. Well, how would he know about women’s hearts when he hadn’t seen him dating in the 5 years he’d been serving him?

He completely ignored Yeon Ga Young’s advances as if he were oblivious.

“If there’s an empty house in Building 101, buy it. And let me know the parking space number.”

“No preference for floor or view?”

Building 101, that’s where Representative Han Bo Mi lives. He’s really smitten.

Secretary Kim had investigated Representative Han Bo Mi’s profile, so her home address was also entered.

“Anywhere.”

It didn’t matter where since he was buying it for the parking lot. As long as it was in the building where Han Bo Mi lived… If by luck it was next door, that would be fate too.

“Yes, I understand.”

Secretary Kim was itching to interfere in Jae Kyung’s love life, but he restrained himself, wanting to maintain his position as a secretary.

“What happened to that doctor from 5 years ago, when the Chairman collapsed?”

“Ah. Yes. He was in Singapore until last year, but it seems his whereabouts have become vague again this year. We’re narrowing down the investigation, so there should be good news soon.”

Jae Kyung sank deep into the seat, lost in thought.

There was a strong artificial feel to Chairman Do Jun Seok’s illness. There was no way his grandfather would have collapsed so suddenly. He was gathering evidence from that time one by one, taking time.

As the engagement with Yeon Ga Young progressed, Lee Hae Young was letting her guard down about Jae Kyung following her wishes. Though it seemed like a lull, Jae Kyung knew better than anyone that this was the eye of the storm.

Autumn flowers were in full bloom in the mansion’s garden. Yeon Hee was sitting at a table on the terrace of the east wing, drinking tea.

Jae Kyung would arrive soon.

She was concerned that Jae Kyung had left alone yesterday at the breakfast meeting, saying he had an appointment.

After her husband died, Yeon Hee’s life goal was to put Jae Kyung in the position Won Il had wanted.

Won Il’s death was dishonorable, but she didn’t resent him. What Yeon Hee couldn’t forgive was Han Ga Eul. She was the woman who had seduced her husband.

Even Yeon Hee found it hard to believe that Won Il and Ga Eul had been as close as people said.

She had seen a photo of Han Ga Eul in the early days of her marriage.

The photo of the beautiful woman smiling brightly between Do Won Il and Hwang Min Jun in front of Buckingham Palace in England was impressive. Looking at the gazes of the two men, one could guess what kind of presence she had been.

After finishing their studies abroad, the three worked at Hwang Construction. Both Do Won Il and Hwang Min Jun started as new employees. And when Chairman Do Jun Seok announced his hidden son, Won Il’s promotion and marriage to Yeon Hee took place.

Won Il was an affectionate husband to Yeon Hee. How happy Jun Seok and Won Il were when she gave birth to Jae Kyung… It was the happiest time for Sung Yeon Hee.

And then the ill-fated relationship with Han Ga Eul began.

After Won Il died, how had she raised Jae Kyung to this point.

Yeon Hee got a headache. The photo sent by the informant she had attached to Jae Kyung yesterday was truly difficult to understand. Was the kindergarten sports day so significant to Jae Kyung that he would reject Yeon Ga Young?

Perhaps because Jae Kyung’s bodyguards, who were sensitive to being photographed, thoroughly defended, no photos of Jae Kyung could be obtained.

He still disliked being photographed due to childhood trauma.

There was no choice but to ask directly why he had gone to such a place.

Yeon Hee’s heart swelled at the sight of her son walking along the garden path, looking so dignified. How grateful she had been when Jae Kyung, who she thought was dead, returned?

She had sincerely prayed that just being alive was enough, needing neither power nor money.

But after a few years passed, the desire to solidify Jae Kyung’s position crept up again.

Nothing was as certain as marriage to Yeon Ga Young for Jae Kyung to keep his place without getting hurt. It was truly bitter that she had to recommend it while knowing Jae Kyung didn’t like it.

All that was left for Yeon Hee, who had been in conflict with Lee Hae Young and Hwang Min Jun, was the fear that she might lose her son.

Yes. My choice is not wrong. Everything is for Jae Kyung’s sake.

“Mother. I’m here.”

“Welcome. I heard you went golfing this morning. I’m sorry for calling you when you must be tired.”

Unlike when they met at the breakfast meeting yesterday, her son’s expression looked much brighter.

Could something good have happened?

“I heard you had something urgent to say.”

“I heard you left like that yesterday, and your grandmother was very angry. Where on earth did you go?”

Hae Young had vented all her frustration about Jae Kyung, who had ignored her in front of Madam Hwang and Ga Young, to Sung Yeon Hee.

‘How on earth did you raise that child? Is his lack of manners from taking after his father? How is he going to protect the Dowon Group? He’s completely lacking in qualities.’

Yeon Hee had to listen to Hae Young’s lecture for over an hour. Hae Young had tried to control Jae Kyung but failed repeatedly. While pretending to listen well, he pushed forward with his own stubbornness, exactly like Chairman Do Jun Seok who was bedridden.

Knowing it was useless to talk to Jae Kyung, she had only grabbed onto the innocent Yeon Hee.

“Why are you pretending not to know when you’ve put someone on me?”

“So you knew?”

“They tried to take my picture.”

“Hmm… Hmm… Well. Why did you go to the kindergarten event?”

Jae Kyung pondered for a moment. This was actually good. It was an opportunity to tell Yeon Hee about Bo Mi.

It’s only been a day since they started dating, Bo Mi would be against telling the family.

Bo Mi said she accepted him, but she still looked scared.

The reality of losing a loved one had made her a coward in love.

Jae Kyung also understood the feeling of being tied to a dead person, having lost his beloved father.

It was a burden that those left behind had to carry forever.

And Jae Kyung was prepared to shoulder the burden left on Bo Mi together.

To gain Bo Mi’s trust, it was urgent for Jae Kyung to settle the matter with Yeon Ga Young and have his relationship with Bo Mi acknowledged.

“I believe you’re on my side, Mother.”

“Yes. In this world, it’s just you and me.”

Yeon Hee was a cold and frosty person. She had been strict about Jae Kyung’s education since he was young. But at crucial moments, she had protected Jae Kyung. When his father suddenly passed away and everyone around them became their enemies, the bond between the two became special.

Jae Kyung was certain that Yeon Hee would take his side.

“Yesterday, I went to meet the woman I love.”

“What? The woman you love?”

Yeon Hee doubted her ears. A woman for Jae Kyung… Until now, Jae Kyung hadn’t even had a scandal regarding women.

“Are you dating? What about Ga Young?”

Yeon Hee took a deep breath, pretending to be calm. Knowing her son’s nature well, she couldn’t just blindly oppose.

“I intend to marry the person I love.”

“Do Jae Kyung!”

Yeon Hee’s voice rose. What on earth am I hearing now?

“Wait… Jae Kyung. Having a woman or two before marriage isn’t a problem. But if you’re thinking of marrying that woman, I can’t approve.”

“My mind is made up.”

“Are you going to ruin everything with a momentary emotion? This marriage isn’t just your problem. It’s a peace treaty in the long power struggle with the Hwang family…”

And Yeon Hee firmly believed it was the way to protect Jae Kyung’s life.

“Grandmother won’t let this slide.”

Yeon Hee continued, rubbing her forehead as if she had a headache.

“I don’t want to lose you again. While you were lying injured in the hospital bed, it wasn’t life for me, it was death.”

“I thought you would understand me.”

Jae Kyung stood up with a hardened face.

“I’ll go talk to Grandmother directly.”

“Wait. Jae Kyung. I got too excited. You dating…”

Yeon Hee grabbed Jae Kyung’s arm. She couldn’t let things fall apart with her son like this. Calm down. This might be Jae Kyung’s first love. When one is consumed by love, they can’t hear what’s around them.

Yeon Hee calmly tried to persuade Jae Kyung.

“Give me a few days before telling Grandmother. But does that young lady know that you’re considering marriage?”

If she’s a kindergarten teacher, she must know the class difference between herself and Jae Kyung, the heir to the Dowon Group.

Any woman with common sense wouldn’t take seriously words said in the heat of the moment by her son.

“She’s thinking about marriage too.”

Jae Kyung believed that Bo Mi was also taking this relationship seriously. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so careful about the relationship with Yeoreum.

“I see. Alright. But what’s that young lady’s name? I’d like to meet her once.”

“Mother, you’ve seen her once before.”

Who could it be? When on earth did I meet a kindergarten teacher… If it’s a woman I’ve met before, that’s even better.

All Yeon Hee had to do was move directly to get rid of that impudent girl.