CLABC 25

Chapter 25

You don’t look like him at all… not even a little. Who is this guy? Hey, honestly, he looks more like Han Kang-mun than you do.”

“Han Kang-mun?”

“Well, it’s not like they look exactly alike… but something about the mouth is strangely similar. Don’t you think?”

After hearing Yerin say that, Kang-yoon looked at the photo again.
It seemed like she might be right—or maybe not.

“Anyway, I don’t know who he is, but his presence is no joke. Just looking at the photo gives me chills.”

“…I see.”

“So who is he, seriously? Are you just going to leave me hanging like this?”

“I don’t know either. I was just trying to find something out… I was told he’s one of the people connected to it, so I’m looking into him.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but fine. Good luck with that. Oh, and take these flowers to your wife. Tell her they’re a gift from your ex—ow!”

“Watch your mouth.”

“Hey, do you have no manners toward a lady?”

“I have plenty of manners toward ladies. You’re not a lady to me—you’re just a buddy.”

“I don’t even have balls, so how am I your ‘buddy,’ seriously… Ugh, forget it. Anyway, I stopped by to say hi since I’m in Korea. Let’s have a meal together next time, with your wife.”

“Fine. Now that you’re done talking, leave.”

“Ugh, I can’t believe I used to like someone like that. I really want to punch my past self.”

After downing her coffee in one shot, Yerin stood up and flicked her own forehead a few times.

“See you at the gathering next month.”

“Yeah. Take care.”

After Yerin left, Kang-yoon stared at Ahn Ji-hye’s photo a little longer before snapping back to reality at the sound of the meeting bell.

For now, work comes first.

Bora was gently massaging Chairman Han’s shoulders as they chatted quietly.

“Grandfather, I have something I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

Surprised by Bora’s unexpectedly strong grip, Chairman Han smiled in satisfaction as he spoke.

“Kang-yoon was handsome when he was young too, right?”

“Ha ha. When he was young, he was pretty.”

“Pretty?”

“He’s manly and handsome now, but back then he was delicate-looking, almost like a girl.”

“No way…”

“When Kang-yoon and Kang-mun were both in strollers and we took them out, people always asked if Kang-yoon was a little girl. His mother even tied his hair up sometimes. There should be photos somewhere. Ask her to show you the album later.”

“I will. By the way… your wife seems like such a wonderful person. Kang-yoon told me she raised both him and his brother like her own sons.”

“…Yes. She really is a good person. Whenever I look at her, my heart aches.”

Chairman Han’s face darkened instantly.
Noticing his expression, Bora put more strength into her massage.

“I’ve sinned greatly against her. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay it before I die… I’ve sinned against Kang-yoon too…”

“What kind of… sin?”

Bora swallowed dryly and asked carefully.

Since marrying Kang-yoon, she had done everything she could to be a good daughter-in-law to this family.
Would all her efforts—to win Chairman Han’s heart and to break through Jin Hyun-sook’s icy walls—finally be rewarded?

“…That’s not something you need to know yet. Later… later I’ll tell you everything. Someday… I suppose.”

His muttered words and sorrowful expression made Bora unable to ask any further.

That was when—

“Yoooon Bora! Come out here! You stuck-up Yoon Boraaa!”

“What the hell is that idiot doing now?”

The person who burst through the front door was Han Kang-mun, completely drunk.

“Yoon Boraaa! Yoon Boraaa!”

“Han Kang-mun! What do you think you’re doing? It’s not even eight yet, and you’re already wasted! Have you lost your mind?”

“Grandfather… I have something to say to Yoon Bora… so just… move aside… please…”

“What? What did you say?”

Chairman Han glared at the staggering Kang-mun in disbelief.

“She’s your sister-in-law. How dare you call her name so casually?”

“Oh, right. Sister-in-law… sister-in-law, huh… Fuck… bad luck…”

“What did you just say?! Where’s your mother?! Where is she?!”

Enraged by Kang-mun’s crude behavior, Chairman Han shouted for Jin Hyun-sook.

“Father, what’s going on…? Kang-mun, are you drunk again? I really can’t live like this….”

“Look at him, Hyun-sook. What’s wrong with him these days, huh? He’s acting like a madman!”

“I’m sorry, Father. Honestly… Kang-mun, you had a blind date today, didn’t you? Don’t tell me you came back like this from that meeting. Please tell me that’s not the case.”

Even Jin Hyun-sook, who rarely showed panic, had a flushed red neck.

She tried to pull Kang-mun up by the arm, but he resisted and collapsed onto the living room floor.

“A blind date! Fuck… yeah, I went. Hah… Every woman there was raised like royalty, noses in the air… Of course someone like me wouldn’t be good enough for them, right?”

“Kang-mun. Stop it. You’re too drunk. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“No! I’m not going on blind dates anymore. Mother, stop setting them up.”

“Han Kang-mun.”

Grinding her teeth, Jin Hyun-sook scolded him, but Kang-mun only sprawled out on the floor even more defiantly.

“That’s why I said I’d have a blind date with Yoon Bora! Why didn’t anyone listen to me?! Huh?! I picked her before Han Kang-yoon did! Before him!”

Watching Kang-mun’s tantrum, Bora’s face twisted.

Seeing him make a fool of himself in front of the elders made her truly grateful she had never married him.

“Hyun-sook… call Butler Kim and get that bastard out of here. Get him out of my sight!”

“Yes, Father… I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?! What exactly are you sorry about?!”

As Jin Hyun-sook bowed her head in apology, Kang-mun’s already bloodshot eyes grew even more frightening.

“Since we’re on the subject, let me ask you, Grandfather. Who’s the legitimate heir in this family, huh? Who’s the firstborn?”

“Kang-mun!”

“Mother, stay out of it! Grandfather, answer me. Why did Madam Jin Hyun-sook raise the child of some woman who came from who-knows-where as her own? Why did she have to?! And why—why did you put Han Kang-yoon on this family’s registry instead of me?! Tell me!”

Kang-mun flailed on the floor like a child throwing a tantrum after losing a toy.

Chairman Han’s face darkened completely, and Jin Hyun-sook closed her eyes as dizziness washed over her.

“Han Kang-mun.”

“Yes, Grandfather! I’m Kang-mun—Han Kang-mun! Your son’s son! Born from a proper marriage, blessed by everyone! Then why—why do you love Han Kang-yoon, the child born outside, more than me?!”

“Look at the way you’re acting right now. Why have you fallen this far? If you lack ability, at least cultivate virtue. How long are you going to rot your own life away by envying Kang-yoon, huh?”

“Rot my life away… I’m the one ruining my life…? Ah… I really am like a moth gnawing itself to death… yeah…”

Muttering like that, Kang-mun turned his head and locked eyes with Bora, who was staring at him in shock.

“It’s… it’s all because of Yoon Bora…! You! You trampled on a man’s pure feelings!”

“When did I ever do that…? I clearly told you I liked Kang-yoon…”

“Fuck… Han Kang-yoon always takes everything I want. Everything. I’m so pissed… I’m losing it… I’ll kill you, Han Kang-yoon….”

“Tsk! This brat really has no limit to what he’ll say! Get up right now and go to your room!”

Finally unable to contain himself, Chairman Han jumped up from his chair, grabbed a golf club, and rushed at Kang-mun.

“G-Grandfather! Please calm down!”

“Father! Please, calm down!”

“Let go of me! Today I’ll teach this bastard a lesson—! Hng… you…!”

“Haah… seriously… this old man is really pissing me off!”

Blind with rage, Kang-mun snatched the golf club from Chairman Han and shoved him hard.

Chairman Han instinctively tried to break his fall, but the impact was too strong, and he lost consciousness on the spot.

“F-Father!”

“Grandfather!”

Bora’s and Jin Hyun-sook’s sharp screams echoed throughout the house.