Whispers of Autumn Wind (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 24

On the way back in the car, no one spoke a word. Se Hyun, whose home was near Chairman Oh Gyu Baek’s residence, said he’d walk, leaving only three people in the car.

Though they’d even received apologies from Oh Myung Se and his parents, their mood couldn’t help but feel gloomy. Their apologies had come solely under pressure from Chairman Oh Gyu Baek. Even if the apologies had been voluntary, the feeling would likely have been no different.

After all, they’d just been treated like beggars coming to scrounge meals at their maternal grandparents’ home—so feeling like beggars themselves was only natural. Chairman Oh’s protection might help once or twice, but no one could say how long that would last.

It was Gyeo Wool who finally broke the heavy, prolonged silence.

“Unnie, can’t we just live without seeing our maternal relatives? In a few months, I’ll be old enough to take a part-time job. If I earn money… it’ll still be tough, I guess, but at least not as humiliating as today.”

“I’m sorry. I’m the one who made you go through this. If you really can’t stand it anymore, let’s just live on our own. I don’t want to keep visiting them either—not if it means being treated like beggars.”

Gi Dae Woong, overhearing their conversation, jolted in alarm. *What on earth are these kids talking about? Do they have any idea how much I invested just to get them accepted into their maternal family? At this rate, every time I see the painting I donated to Shin Hwa Art Museum, I might burst into tears.*

“Let’s not rush into any decisions—let’s observe things a bit longer. Everything’s hardest at the beginning, after all. We need to give them time to adjust too. From their perspective, you two probably look like people coming to take what’s rightfully theirs.”

“I suppose even wealthy people see their own blood relatives that way.”

Ga Eul, who still saw Dae Woong as nothing more than an insect, replied sarcastically. But Gyeo Wool, who viewed Dae Woong as an impressive entrepreneur, nodded in agreement with his words.

“It’s true—I did suggest joining the maternal family for financial reasons. When there’s an obvious, easy path ahead, I saw no reason to stubbornly ignore it. It’s not like I’m living some noble, idealistic life. But money wasn’t the only reason I wanted us to join them.”

“I know. You want revenge. You want to prove to the people who drove Mom away that her choice was right. Look—we turned out just fine. We’re far better than the children they raised with money. You want to show them what Mom would’ve wanted them to see.”

“Yes, that’s right. Until just a moment ago, that was my goal: proving to those who refuse to acknowledge us that we are far superior to them. But after experiencing my maternal relatives today, my goal has changed.”

Ga Eul paused, letting the silence linger for a beat, then spoke resolutely, her eyes gleaming with determination.

“My new goal is to torment people like Oh Myung Se—people who look down on and bully those without money, who strut around acting important despite being utterly insignificant. I’m going to make them suffer properly. And if the maternal relatives fit that description, they’ll be first on my list.”

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