Thrilled by Madness - Chapter 86

With his head deeply bowed, Seo Jun buried his lips in So Yeon’s nape and mumbled.

“You need to stay right by my side, thought you ran away again…”

Startled as she was, So Yeon quickly turned towards Seo Jun and urgently asked.

“Did you know too? That your parents are in Vancouver.”

“Yeah. I knew.”

“Why are they at our house?”

“Why do you think?”

Asking back, Seo Jun moved to the front of the sofa and lowered his tall frame into the seat next to So Yeon. Watching his movements intently, So Yeon struggled to part her lips.

“Could it be… because of Hyun Woo…”

The time between dog and wolf.

It refers to when it’s hard to distinguish if an approaching figure is a docile dog or an attacking wolf. Like that, So Yeon felt uneasy.

Separate from trusting Tae Seo Jun, the thought that his parents may have come to take the child away shook So Yeon’s heart without fail. Her heart pumped fiercely until Seo Jun’s voice was heard again.

“Is Hyun Woo all my parents want? I think there’s more besides the child.”

At Seo Jun’s words, So Yeon’s throbbing heart froze cold. Have they come to blame me for my mistake? To demand why I hid the child from your parents? All sorts of thoughts flashed through So Yeon’s mind, sending chills down her spine.

“What else is there besides the child?”

“They probably hope for marriage too.”

“M-marriage?”

“Knowing everything and setting the stage from there, my father is more than capable of that.”

“And you…”

“I plan to agree.”

“!”

What is this man saying now? Unable to believe what she heard, So Yeon blinked her eyes that had grown as large as marbles.

However, Seo Jun’s expression as he grinned and even winked didn’t look serious at all. Rather, he seemed to be enjoying the situation.

“How can you laugh now? Is getting married such an easy thing!”

“It must be easier than having and raising a child alone.”

“That’s not what I mean! It’s suddenly turning your life upside down, are you okay with that kind of marriage?”

“What’s not to be okay with? You suddenly became a child’s mother. If Eom So Yeon could do it, why couldn’t I? My mother aside, once my father gets going, his drive is no joke. He’ll push through like a bulldozer.”

“…!”

Had she been shocked? So Yeon’s eyes that were fixed straight ahead trembled. Her mind had gone blank as a sheet of paper. Moreover, Seo Jun’s next words put the finishing touch on her dazed mind.

“And I’ve been willing to marry you. It’s not a new development, is what I’m saying.”

“S-so…”

When So Yeon, too surprised, mumbled her lips unable to continue speaking, Seo Jun cut in.

“You’ll need to steel yourself. Because I too am not different from my parents’ wishes.”

“Since when…”

Since when did you think about marriage?

Before she could even finish asking, Seo Jun answered.

“I vaguely thought about it since I asked you to go to Spain together. When I suggested living together, not knowing Hyun Woo was my child, I was already certain. How could those feelings of mine have changed? Now I’d do even more than marriage. Even if the sky falls, Eom So Yeon is my woman.”

“…!”

At Seo Jun’s unrestrained confession, So Yeon forgot what to say and felt her breath might stop from being too fluttered. She couldn’t tell if she should laugh or cry. She could only stare intently with glistening eyes.

At his lips that casually held the word marriage as if it were only natural.

At his confident smile so different from arrogance.

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It wasn’t yet time to prepare for despair.

“Why was I brought here?”

“By the warden’s discretion, I understand.”

“So I’ll be staying here from now on?”

“Unless there are other instructions, yes.”

The prison supervisor who answered curtly in a stiff tone soon locked the cell door with a clank and withdrew.

Jung Hwa rolled her eyes, carefully examining the small window letting in sunlight and the neat space, then suddenly clenched both fists tightly.

“…!”

Of course, there’s no way I, Yoo Jung Hwa, would be ruined like this!

The fact that the warden personally moved me from the gloomy and uncomfortable general cell to this pleasant solitary cell must mean someone powerful is trying to help me. Also, there was a lawyer visit before coming here.

I had no way of knowing who sent the lawyer to me. The lawyer kept silent on that part throughout.

But whoever it is, since they’ve extended a hand to me, I’ll find out soon enough. At this crucial time when the defendant’s right to defense is desperately needed, nothing could be more welcome than a lawyer coming to see me.

Some entertainment reporters knew that Yoo Jung Hwa had been detained. Yet strangely, all the media outlets were unanimously silent. The lawyer said it was thanks to the person who sent him looking after things.

For the past 10 years or so, I was proud to be the top actress. It was rightfully the place where I should be. But due to one mistake, I was about to become a criminal overnight.

Still, as long as there’s no definitive evidence or witness, this too will be quietly buried. Jung Hwa’s history has flowed safely to the present like this, alternating between misfortune and luck.

“Whoever it is, I’m grateful, huh… hmph.”

If someone was helping without even being asked, surely even God must still be on my side.

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“Director, it’s time to depart for the airport.”

“What about Manager Bong?”

“He seems to be moving something like a gift box from his car to this one. What is that?”

“It’s for my son.”

“For your son, Director?”

“Yes.”

Seo Jun only said he’d be going down to the parking lot soon, without further explanation about his son. Just as the call between Park Sung Ho and Seo Jun ended, Manager Bong closed the trunk door and hurriedly got into the passenger seat.

“Manager…”

Park Sung Ho, gripping the steering wheel tightly as if enduring a shocking event, looked at Manager Bong with a dazed expression.

“Uh, what?”

“The items you just loaded into the car. I think I just heard the Director say they’re for his son…”

“Did the Director say that?”

“He did, but he must have misspoken, right?”

When Park Sung Ho asked with a serious expression, Manager Bong lowered his voice and spoke secretly.

“Did you ask why we’re going to Canada?”

“Yes.”

“The Director’s son is there. He’s 4 years old, and the child’s mother is Eom So Yeon. We’re going to bring that child back.”

“What? R-really?”

“Yes.”

Park Sung Ho, whose eyes had grown as round as if they might pop out, asked again and Manager Bong answered briefly, then turned his gaze towards the elevator where Tae Seo Jun and Eom So Yeon would be coming down.

“Whoa…”

Even as he looked in the same direction as Manager Bong, exclamations mixed with empty breaths continued to escape from Park Sung Ho’s mouth.

As if someone had hit him hard, the back of his head felt numb.

The surprise just wouldn’t fade.

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2 PM flight boarding.

And at 7 AM Vancouver time, So Yeon and Seo Jun, who arrived in Vancouver, set out for Shaughnessy Heights right away, accompanied by Manager Bong and Park Sung Ho.

Upon receiving that news, Seok Ho and Yeo Jin couldn’t let go of the tension.

“So exactly when did they say they’d arrive?”

“According to Manager Bong’s message, they’ll arrive here in about an hour.”

“I see. You may go.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Not long after Secretary Kang left the study, Yeo Jin also rose from her chair.

“Where are you going?”

When Seok Ho gently grabbed his wife’s arm, Yeo Jin shook it off as if brushing it away and said,

“Are you planning to just sit here until the kids barge in?”

“It’s a matter that the troublemaker needs to resolve anyway. We don’t particularly have anything to say either, so I was thinking of doing just that, why?”

“But this isn’t right! The kids have their position, and we adults have our own stance too. Shouldn’t we at least start some dialogue between the adults?”

Aware of his wife’s sullen expression, Seok Ho spoke in a somewhat gentler tone.

“Ah, well, I’m telling you we can talk to Professor Eom and his wife as we assess the situation, it’s not too late. If we just get through today well…”

“Forget it, I’ll do it myself!”

Bang!

But before her husband could finish speaking, Yeo Jin swiftly left the study, slamming the door hard on her way out.

“Oh my, what shall we do about this…”

Tae Seok Ho repeated these words as he paced in front of the window for a while. His steps were quick.

Tae Seo Jun, proud to a fault.

Even though he was his own son, Seok Ho felt anxious about that personality that seemed unchanged wherever he went. Moreover, with his wife storming out in such an irritable state, Seok Ho’s anxiety reached its peak.

In fact, as Yeo Jin said, they should at least clarify their position to Professor Eom and his wife in advance, but not only was it difficult for the words to come out, it was also very awkward to know where and how to start the conversation.

But when did it start?

“Hee hee hee…”

“…?”

Seok Ho’s sharp gaze turned downward. He had discovered something small wriggling and following him closely.

Hyun Woo was mimicking him exactly, even copying his posture with hands clasped behind his back. The child was waddling like a baby duck taking small steps, struggling with Seok Ho’s large stride and hands clasped behind his back.

Seok Ho glanced down at that adorable sight with slightly narrowed eyes and suddenly burst out laughing. Even in the midst of such seriousness, he couldn’t help but feel pleased looking at the increasingly endearing child.

“Hyun Woo.”

Tae Seok Ho called the child in a voice full of affection. The gentle expression emanating from his dignified face was also incomparably benevolent.

“Yes, Grandpa!”

Hyun Woo, who had raised his face sharply upwards, responded firmly.

“Are you having fun?”

“Hee hee hee, it’s fun. Chairman Grandpa.”

What should he do with this lovable child smiling so adorably? Barely resisting the urge to pinch those deliciously plump cheeks, Seok Ho laughed heartily and asked again.

“Aren’t you going to kindergarten today?”

“I’m about to go, but I’m playing hide-and-seek for a moment.”

“With whom?”

“Jessica. If she catches me, she’ll be super mad, so I have to hide really well, Chairman Grandpa.”

“Then you should hide, why are you here?”

“I can hide over there.”

Hyun Woo pointed towards the desk with one small finger and tiptoed in that direction.

“Haha! This rascal…!”

He’s just like his father when it comes to mischief.

Being cute is one thing, but you’re melting my heart, Hyun Woo…

“Eek!”

Seok Ho scooped up Hyun Woo, who was trying to hide under the desk, with one arm and said as he left the study,

“Still, you shouldn’t tease Jessica from busy morning. This grandfather will play with you fun later, so hurry and go to kindergarten now.”

“Grandpa, traitor! Hee hee…”

Though the child giggled as if something was so funny, he kept wriggling trying to escape from his grandfather.

“Hyun Woo is here.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Soon after coming down to the first floor, Tae Seok Ho handed Hyun Woo over to Jessica, who had been desperately searching for the suddenly missing child, and went out to the terrace where everyone was gathered.

There, Yeo Jin was drinking tea, unable to even begin the conversation with Professor Eom and his wife who knew nothing. It was right after hearing Yeon Hee’s request to understand even if there was a commotion, saying that the rascal who was the child’s father and her daughter would soon be coming home.

But this couldn’t be delayed any longer, could it? After briefly gazing at Tae Seok Ho taking a seat beside her, Yeo Jin carefully opened her mouth in a calm before the storm.

“Um… Lady Cha. Our Seo Jun is on his way here now.”

“Seo Jun… do you mean Tae Seo Jun?”

Yeon Hee looked at Yeo Jin with a surprised expression. And soon, a welcoming smile replaced the sighs on her lips until just moments ago.

“Yes, Madam Jo.”

“Oh my, what to do! If you had told me earlier, I would have prepared something in the kitchen. Just give me a moment.”

“No need. There’s no need to go that far.”

“Well, I can’t just sit still. I should go and…”

“No, no. It’s really fine.”

Yeo Jin stopped Yeon Hee, who was about to rush to the kitchen, and continued speaking with difficulty while glancing at Professor Eom and Chairman Tae seated around.

“Madam Jo, the truth is. Our Seo Jun…”

Just as Yeo Jin was about to say the next words, moving her lips,

“Madam!”

A maid who rushed out to the terrace informed Yeon Hee that So Yeon had just arrived.

“The young lady has arrived with her companions. They are waiting in the reception room.”