Faced with a piercing question, Lajin couldn’t hide her expression.

Jun-gyu looked awkward. “I had a feeling, but to think it’s true….”

Watching Jun-gyu, who seemed to have a complex mind, rubbing his forehead with his hand, Lajin lowered her head.

“I’m really sorry for putting you in a difficult situation.”

“Honestly, I can’t say it’s not true. Geonyoung Group…”

Jun-gyu’s feelings were understandable. Jaehun was not just his grandson’s college friend; he was also part of the Geonyoung Group, a massive conglomerate.

Although Geonyoung Group and Jungseong Foundation were not currently directly related, being out of the eyes of a large corporation in South Korea was naturally good.

“I asked because I thought there might be some connection with Director Seo Ju-han, the executive director. He’s related to Director Seo Ju-han.”

It made sense. Jaehun not only had not a single scandal in the past but was currently in a situation where marriage talks with the Do Mun Group were ongoing.

It was not unreasonable to think that it might be related to Director Seo Ju-han, who had often caused problems with women in the past.

“Does Director Seo Jaehun know about this?”

“…No.”

Oh, dear. Jun-gyu wrapped his head with both hands and sighed deeply.

“What on earth…”

The darkness in front of my eyes was so deep that I sighed without realizing it.

Then, Lajin bowed deeply to Jun-gyu once again.

“I’m really sorry for putting you in a difficult situation. I urgently need Director’s help. Please let me stay here until I give birth. I promise not to cause any harm to the Director and the Foundation. Please.”

The woman whom her grandson had liked for a long time looked demure yet revealed a very stubborn corner.

In her bowed head, there was a politeness that did not seem groveling.

Above all, her pupils were clear, and her eyes were vivid. Having experienced various people in her life, Jun-gyu preferred people with a clean and strong gaze, and Lajin was exactly that kind of person.

It would have been nice if she had met him as Sunwoo’s partner.

But accepting someone with such influence in South Korea as a family member, especially someone with the child of a figure like Director Seo, was unrealistic.

“Do you plan to raise the child alone?”

“Yes, I do.”

From Lajin, who nodded firmly, a strong resolution could be felt.

“It won’t be easy.”

I know. If the child, who is increasingly resembling Jaehun, becomes curious about his father. And if Jaehun’s pursuit doesn’t stop until then…

Worries and concerns continued to accumulate, but each time, Lajin firmly collected her thoughts.

“I’m prepared. If the child becomes a little bigger, I’m thinking of going abroad.”

“Have you thought about telling Director Seo Jaehun?”

Lajin raised her head decisively.

“He is about to get married. He won’t like any disturbance.”

Although she didn’t want to express her precious child as ‘disturbance,’ Jaehun would see it that way.

“The phrase ‘he won’t like any disturbance’ means…”

“He won’t want the child.”

A heavy silence followed.

Understanding Lajin’s meaning, Jun-gyu felt like a hot lump pressing against his heart.

‘Why did she need an underground house like this? There must have been a reason.’

The other person was a member of a conglomerate, and on top of that, he didn’t want the child.

“I want to protect the child. He’s my only family.”

Lajin took a quiet breath and looked directly into Jun-gyu’s eyes.

“I was adopted.”

His eyes widened.

“I grew up in an orphanage from birth and am currently going through the process of adoption.”

“Ah… I had no idea. Sunwoo didn’t tell me…”

“Sunwoo oppa doesn’t know either. I haven’t told anyone. Not even Director.”

Unable to find the words, Jun-gyu pursed his lips and eventually closed his mouth. At the moment, it seemed best to just listen to Lajin’s story.
“I gained a family for the first time in my life. It’s my real family. They didn’t treat me like an orphan, commanding me like a doll to move, eat, and bring money. It’s a family where we sincerely love and rely on each other.”

It became clear to her how she had lived, tied to various people as a family.

“Every time I saw Sunwoo oppa, I envied him. When he talked about his family, his expression was so gentle. I could feel the strong love and deep bond. I always thought, ‘This is what family is like.’ I wanted to be that person for someone too.”

With each word she spoke, Jun-gyu’s heart tightened with the sincerity contained in them.

“And I know what Chairman is worried about. It’s not just because of Geonyoung Group’s influence; you’re worried about Sunwoo oppa’s feelings, right?”

Like being stabbed in the heart, Jun-gyu couldn’t help but flinch.

“Sunwoo oppa is a very good person. He’s affectionate, warm, and there’s a lot to learn from him. I respect and like him as a senior, but there are no romantic feelings.”

Looking at Lajin, who cut the conversation sharply as if saying not to worry, there was no face to see.