Whispers of Autumn Wind (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 16
“It wasn’t that severe a beating. I did hit him hard once, but…”
Another child tried to respond, but their words failed to reach the ears of any adult present. All the adults wore dismayed expressions, deliberately avoiding each other’s gazes—clearly fearful of making eye contact.
Ga Eul felt her body trembling uncontrollably. Shame and anger overwhelmed her completely. She thought she finally understood how people felt when drowning face-first in soup.
Fortunately, anger overcame shame. Rather than succumb, Ga Eul lifted her chin high. Though heat from her flushed face spread throughout her body, she refused to lower her head.
Hong Su Jin was the first to find words to speak.
“That’s exactly why you should’ve watched your behavior. I heard about it at your uncle’s restaurant. Would your uncle say such a thing without reason? Sung Mok, since it was your uncle who said it… Do you really think he’d fabricate lies just to harm his own nephew? They say you and your CEO were alone together in the office late at night.”
“You’d be better off choosing your words more carefully. Do you realize the statement you just made seriously damages Han Ga Eul’s reputation?”
At Jeong Se Hyun’s remark, Hong Su Jin’s mouth snapped shut.
“You’re the mother of student Yoo Sung Mok, correct? Our side intends to file a defamation lawsuit against both Yoo Sung Mok and Hong Su Jin for falsely accusing Han Ga Eul. Under Korean law, intentionally damaging someone’s reputation by stating false facts may result in up to five years’ imprisonment, up to ten years’ disqualification from public office, or a fine of up to ten million won.”
Listening to Jeong Se Hyun, Ga Eul thought once again: the CEO was right, as always. He’d emphasized how important it was to seize the initiative—and indeed, his single statement had shifted the entire mood in the principal’s office.
“Hold on. I need to call my husband right away. Since they’ve brought in a lawyer, we’ll need one too.”
Flustered by this unexpected turn, Hong Su Jin stepped out into the hallway with her phone. The principal told the students, “I’ve heard your statements clearly and will fully reflect your opinions,” before sending them back to class.
“Still, hitting someone was wrong.”
Just as the principal began reprimanding Gyeo Wool, a heavy knock sounded at the door. Upon receiving permission to enter, a group of people walked in.
Among them was Gi Dae Woong, accompanied by three unfamiliar individuals—each appearing around the age of Ga Eul’s grandfather. One of them began the introductions.
“I am Chairman Oh Gyu Baek of Pyeongan Group. This gentleman is Mr. Lee Si Baek, head of Pyeongan Group’s Legal Team, and I am Ahn Chang Beom, the Chairman’s Chief of Staff.”
The principal and Gyeo Wool’s homeroom teacher stood up unsteadily, bewildered. What on earth was happening? A chaebol chairman had appeared out of nowhere. They seemed utterly at a loss for how to process this surreal turn of events.
“Chairman Oh is Han Gyeo Wool’s maternal grandfather.”
Hearing Chief of Staff Ahn Chang Beom’s explanation, the principal and homeroom teacher could no longer conceal their astonishment. Their eyes shifted toward Ga Eul and Gyeo Wool, silently asking, *What’s going on here?*
Ga Eul had nothing particular to say to them. *Surprised?* she thought. *I was just as shocked to learn I had a chaebol maternal grandfather—and even more shocked to meet him for the first time in a place like this.*
The principal hurriedly offered seats to the newcomers. As they sat near him, those who had arrived earlier were inevitably pushed aside.
When Hong Su Jin returned from her call, she was introduced to the new arrivals—and immediately horrified. She assumed Ga Eul had mobilized all these people solely to resolve Gyeo Wool’s assault case.
Hong Su Jin couldn’t shake off the shock easily. Even when she and Oh Sung Yeon had been close friends, Sung Yeon had never once spoken about her family background.
Thus, Hong Su Jin had only vaguely guessed that Sung Yeon came from a well-off family—and that this was probably why she had strongly opposed Ga Eul’s father’s marriage proposal. But *Pyeongan Group* being Ga Eul’s maternal family? That was beyond imagination.
“I’ve been informed my grandson got entangled in an unfortunate incident.”
Oh Gyu Baek opened the discussion. Technically, his grandson had *caused* the incident—but shrewdly, he phrased it more delicately.
“Yes. Han Gyeo Wool assaulted Mr. Yoo Sung Mok, son of the PTA President present here. Sung Mok’s mother is demanding the convening of the Ministry of Education’s School Violence Countermeasures Deliberation Committee.”
“Oh dear, children grow by fighting with each other, don’t they? In our day, kids resolved such matters among themselves—no adults stepping in to escalate things unnecessarily.”
Oh Gyu Baek casually minimized it as mere childish squabbling, oblivious to the fury reddening Hong Su Jin’s eyes.
“I’ll go bring our lawyer. Otherwise, it seems no real discussion can take place.”
Eventually, Hong Su Jin stood up and left the principal’s office. Staying longer clearly offered no advantage: she was numerically overwhelmed, deeply intimidated by the mere presence of Pyeongan Group’s chairman, and urgently needed to inform her husband of this unforeseen development.
In the brief lull, Oh Gyu Baek carefully observed Ga Eul and Gyeo Wool—his gaze lingering longest on his grandson, Gyeo Wool. Neither child met his eyes, likely still affected by their recent meeting with their maternal grandmother.
Oh Gyu Baek had heard from his wife, Jang Ji Hong, about her encounter with the two. Her evaluation had been harsh: she’d complained they were reckless, neither affectionate nor naive.
He’d nearly given up on them—until his wife unexpectedly added: *They don’t even want to become Pyeongan Group’s heirs. If he wishes to see them again, he should come to them himself.* That piqued his curiosity.
Another point of interest: Gi Dae Woong, grandson of Shinhwa Group’s Chairman Ki Heung Sik—a legendary figure who built immense wealth on Wall Street independently of family support—was now Ga Eul’s CEO.
Thus, Oh Gyu Baek resolved to meet the children himself. When his secretary contacted Ga Eul’s grandmother, he received an unexpected reply: Gyeo Wool had triggered a school assault case. Ga Eul was currently at the school handling the matter.
Oh Gyu Baek immediately directed them to head to Gyeo Wool’s school, bringing along his legal team head and chief of staff. *Han Gyeo Wool struck someone?* That contradicted what he’d been told—Gyeo Wool had been described as an exemplary student with outstanding academic performance. Until he saw for himself, Oh Gyu Baek deferred judgment.
The moment he saw Gyeo Wool, he took an instant liking to him—not only his appearance and demeanor, but especially the vivid, lively spark in his eyes. After years of observing his grandson Oh Myung Se’s dull, lifeless gaze, Gyeo Wool’s vitality felt deeply gratifying.
Oh Gyu Baek resolved then and there to pull Gyeo Wool out of this predicament, no matter what.
While Hong Su Jin was absent, Jeong Se Hyun efficiently did his part—he distributed his business cards.
“Jeong Se Hyun, attorney-at-law. I represent Han Gyeo Wool.”
Oh Gyu Baek didn’t even glance at the card, but Chief of Staff Ahn Chang Beom and Legal Team Head Lee Si Baek simultaneously exclaimed:
“Oh! Attorney Jeong Se Hyun!”
“We thought you were still at the New York branch—so you’ve returned to Korea?”
Only then did Oh Gyu Baek show interest.
“Chairman, this is Attorney Jeong Se Hyun of APEC Law Firm—the one we considered assigning to handle Pyeongan Chemical’s U.S. stock listing…”
“Ah, *that* one.”
Following his exclamation, Oh Gyu Baek studied Jeong Se Hyun intently.
“I sincerely apologize for that time. I was handling another major case and couldn’t take on Pyeongan Chemical’s matter.”
Chairman Oh alternated his gaze between Jeong Se Hyun and Gi Dae Woong. Things were growing increasingly intriguing.
He now understood why Ga Eul and Gyeo Wool had acted so stiffly toward their maternal grandmother—they clearly had reliable backing. He’d even reprimanded his chief of staff for the inadequate investigation into the children and ordered a reassessment.
And now, not only the grandson of Shinhwa Group’s chairman, but also the son of APEC Law Firm’s founding partner had appeared around Ga Eul and Gyeo Wool. Clearly, the prior investigation *had* been insufficient.
Outside the principal’s office, Chairman Oh listened as Gi Dae Woong recounted the full details of the assault case.
Dae Woong had first discreetly interviewed students who witnessed the incident.
After hearing their accounts, he selected several to accompany Jeong Se Hyun into the office. Though technically unaffiliated, he himself couldn’t enter—so he slipped in quietly alongside Chairman Oh’s group.
As he listened, Chairman Oh became certain Gi Dae Woong and Ga Eul shared more than a simple CEO-employee relationship.
He glanced sidelong at Dae Woong, who sat unobtrusively at the far end of the room without even introducing himself—his eyes fixed solely on Ga Eul. Chairman Oh tightened his lips to suppress a smile. *Indeed,* he thought, *there are times when relying on one’s own eyes is far wiser than borrowing others’.*
While waiting for Hong Su Jin to return with her lawyer, Oh Gyu Baek asked the principal and Gyeo Wool’s homeroom teacher about Gyeo Wool’s school life.
Their responses were overwhelmingly positive. Even after exhausting all praise for Gyeo Wool—and with Hong Su Jin still absent—they pivoted to praising Ga Eul.
Just as they struggled to find further compliments for either child, Hong Su Jin thankfully returned. The principal and teacher exhaled in relief.
Hong Su Jin reappeared with her husband and lawyer in tow. Having presumably been briefed on their disadvantageous position, both she and her husband looked grim.
“Well then—it seems everyone who needs to be here has arrived. Let’s begin discussion.”
Chairman Oh took charge of the conversation.
“I still wonder if bringing lawyers is truly necessary here. Considering the children’s futures, couldn’t both sides reach mutual understanding and resolve this amicably? Gyeo Wool must be deeply remorseful by now.”
“As a result of Han Gyeo Wool’s assault, Yoo Sung Mok sustained injuries requiring three weeks’ recovery and was hospitalized. With the national college entrance exam approaching—and given that Sung Mok aspires to Korea University’s medical school—the harm extends far beyond the physical.”
Hong Su Jin’s lawyer immediately countered Chairman Oh’s conciliatory tone.
“With a three-week injury confirmed, this is no longer a matter the principal can resolve internally, is it? The School Violence Committee hearing at the Ministry of Education *must* be held.”
The opposing lawyer placed the medical certificate on the table as he spoke.
“This certificate was issued by the hospital where the victim’s father works—how can its objectivity possibly be guaranteed? I’ve heard CCTV footage exists at the school entrance. Let’s review the recording.”
Jeong Se Hyun hadn’t been idle either. After glancing at the document, Se Hyun slid it back toward the opposing lawyer.
“Are you aware of Article 233 of the Criminal Act? It stipulates that physicians, oriental medicine doctors, dentists, or midwives who issue false medical certificates, ophthalmologic reports, or certificates concerning life or death shall be punished by imprisonment or confinement for up to three years, disqualification for up to seven years, or a fine of up to 30 million won.”
“The certificate can easily be reissued by another hospital.”
As the opposing lawyer attempted to continue, Se Hyun raised a finger to silence him.
“Would convening the School Violence Committee truly serve your client’s best interests? You’re aware that Yoo Sung Mok gravely defamed Han Ga Eul in front of numerous students, aren’t you? We, too, intend to file a defamation lawsuit against him for false accusation. Even if the case proceeds—would Sung Mok’s admission to Korea University Medical School remain unaffected?”
Hearing this, the opposing lawyer exchanged glances with Sung Mok’s parents. Seizing the moment, Chairman Oh re-entered the discussion.
“Escalating this will benefit neither side. Both children are promising talents—their futures shouldn’t be ruined over such an unfortunate incident.”
Chairman Oh had noticed Sung Mok’s parents pale when Jeong Se Hyun threatened a defamation suit. They clearly realized they didn’t *have* to insist on the committee hearing—what they needed was a dignified way to back down.
“Given that Sung Mok was hospitalized due to this incident, I fully understand your distress as parents. I will personally take responsibility and ensure appropriate compensation. Therefore—how about we close the matter here?”
Sung Mok’s parents visibly relaxed upon hearing Chairman Oh’s offer. A defamation lawsuit would certainly jeopardize Sung Mok’s chances at Korea University Medical School.
“If Gyeo Wool offers a proper apology, we won’t insist on convening the School Violence Committee per se. However, since it’s undeniable that Gyeo Wool struck Sung Mok, he must still bear responsibility. At the very least, please ensure he does *not* receive the principal’s recommendation for university admission.”
Hong Su Jin had backed down—but still clung fiercely to blocking the principal’s recommendation.
Everyone nodded in tacit agreement: Gyeo Wool *should* bear that much consequence. A compromise had seemingly been reached; the crisis appeared past.
Just as all breathed sighs of relief, preparing to wrap things up, Ga Eul—who had remained silently listening until now—finally spoke.
“Gyeo Wool, when you hit Sung Mok—did you give up on medical school? You knew full well that instigating an assault case would jeopardize not just med school, but even admission to an ordinary university—yet you still swung your fist.”
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
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