Chapter 34
After Kang Yoon left for Dubai, Kang Moon stayed shut inside for quite some time.
Bora had been too busy worrying about Kang Yoon and Chairman Han to pay attention to Kang Moon, so she had briefly forgotten about his existence.
Jin Hyun-sook urged Kang Moon to quietly focus only on company matters, and for a while, he seemed to comply.
However, the inferiority complex that had built up inside Kang Moon for years only burned more fiercely while he outwardly kept a low profile.
Then he heard that Chairman Han’s health had worsened and that he had called in a lawyer to draft a will. From that moment on, Kang Moon grew even more anxious.
“What if Grandfather hands the company over to Han Kang Yoon? He’s always favored that bastard anyway… And he’s married now, and he dotes on Yoon Bora too, doesn’t he? Damn old man… Ever since that incident, he must not think highly of me at all.”
Without reflecting on his own faults, Kang Moon, consumed by jealousy over Chairman Han’s affection for Kang Yoon, finally decided to cross a line he should never cross.
“Yeah. I carve out my own life. I won’t live being pushed around by that guy. If I keep living under the same sky as him, how many more humiliations will I have to endure? No way. I’m the legitimate son and eldest of Kangsan Group. I can’t be pushed around by some lowborn nobody.”
The only card Kang Moon held was that he was the son born between Han Woo-jin and Jin Hyun-sook.
No matter how capable Kang Yoon was or how much Chairman Han favored him, he couldn’t overturn the status determined at birth.
‘If one guy like that disappears, nothing will change. In fact, I should’ve gotten rid of him sooner.’
A beast blinded by envy and jealousy eventually bares its fangs.
Kang Moon took out an old, outdated phone he rarely used and made a call somewhere.
“I’d like to meet. It’s a big job. Three hundred million won upfront, and another seven hundred million if it succeeds.”
With a cigarette hanging loosely between his lips, Kang Moon’s voice sounded strangely excited as he spoke.
There could only be one protagonist of Kangsan.
At that same time, Jin Hyun-sook was carefully reviewing the profiles of the women she had narrowed down as blind date candidates for Kang Moon.
“While Kang Yoon is in Dubai… I have to make sure Kang Moon holds his wedding somehow. If Bora happens to get pregnant… I don’t know how Father might change his will in his weakened state…”
In a business family where an heir meant everything, giving birth to a son was of utmost importance.
Fortunately, Jin Hyun-sook’s husband had no brothers. But if she had given birth to a daughter instead, Chairman Han might have given an opportunity to his daughter Se-eun’s child.
Even after her husband’s death, the reason Jin Hyun-sook had been able to maintain influence in this household was because she had given birth to a son who could carry on the line and inherit the group.
So even though Kang Yoon had married first, if Kang Moon had a child first, the situation could be turned around. Jin Hyun-sook knew that well.
However, just because she was in a hurry didn’t mean she could pair Kang Moon with just any woman.
She had to find someone who could understand and embrace Kang Moon’s capricious temperament, fragile heart, and yet his personality full of bluster and bravado.
“It’s not easy. Really…”
Finding such a virtuous and wise wife among the daughters of prominent families was harder than plucking a star from the sky.
“If only I had a daughter-in-law like Bora… I wouldn’t ask for anything more…”
Considering that Bitchan, which had been on the verge of collapse, was still holding on, Kang Yoon must be providing financial support to Bora’s family.
“If it were me, I’d do everything for her too. Such a pretty and kind girl… Somehow, that Kang Yoon has a lot of luck.”
Perhaps the deep resentment he grew up with from not receiving his mother’s love was being soothed by his wife.
Thinking that way made her sigh even more deeply.
She had poured all her love into raising Kang Moon. What if he ended up lacking luck in marriage?
“What if that boy throws another tantrum about refusing blind dates… This time he really needs to come to his senses.”
With the determination to somehow persuade Kang Moon, Jin Hyun-sook’s steps were heavy as she climbed to the second floor.
Just as she was about to knock on Kang Moon’s door—
“I’d like to meet. It’s a big job. Three hundred million upfront, and another seven hundred million if it succeeds.”
Hearing his voice on the phone from inside, Jin Hyun-sook paused and her eyebrows twitched.
‘What is he planning? That amount of money… what is he going to use it for?’
Kang Moon, who enjoyed drinking and entertainment, spent a lot of money on expensive liquor and nightlife, but aside from that, he didn’t have many expenses.
Clothes, shoes, and other necessities were always provided by Jin Hyun-sook as needed. Sports like golf or horseback riding were paid annually in advance.
“It has to be done without anyone knowing. Not Chairman Han, not Madam Jin—no one.”
‘What on earth is he scheming? What is he trying to do… Sigh… It definitely doesn’t sound like anything good.’
Jin Hyun-sook hesitated before opening his door.
First, she thought it would be best to find out who he was speaking to.
‘Honestly, that boy will be the death of me…’
Carefully stepping back down the stairs without making a sound, faint wrinkles formed on Jin Hyun-sook’s neat forehead.
“This is Jin Hyun-sook. Come to my room right now.”
The person she called as soon as she entered her room was Secretary Kwak, Kang Moon’s personal aide.
Even when Kang Moon didn’t go to the office, Secretary Kwak was always on standby in the annex office.
He handled all of Kang Moon’s minor matters around the clock, almost like a butler. He was tight-lipped and loyal.
“You called for me, Madam.”
Jin Hyun-sook gestured for Secretary Kwak, who entered quietly and bowed politely, to sit down, then offered him freshly brewed tea.
“It’s a fine black tea. I hope it suits your taste. Shall I change it to coffee?”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll drink it gratefully.”
His tone suggested he would drink whatever she offered—tea, coffee, even poison. Jin Hyun-sook sat across from him and took a sip of her own tea.
“You’ve been working hard, taking care of our Kang Moon.”
“Not at all. It’s my duty.”
“It would’ve been better if you were working with Kang Yoon instead.”
“Please don’t say that. Why would you—”
Secretary Kwak scratched his temple awkwardly.
Jin Hyun-sook gently set down her teacup and beckoned him closer with a curl of her finger.
Leaning forward at her gesture, Secretary Kwak listened as she whispered:
“Find out what Kang Moon is up to and report it to me. What is this personal matter worth three hundred million upfront and seven hundred million upon success? Can you find out by today?”
“The CEO’s… personal matters aren’t something I can know in detail. It’s also stated in my contract…”
Jin Hyun-sook looked at him as if she had expected that answer. Then she took something out of the drawer of her side table.
“I heard you’re getting married soon.”
“Ah… yes. Early next year.”
“You should at least give your wife a ring like this. After all, she’ll be the wife of someone who handles major affairs at Kangsan Group. Don’t you think?”
Secretary Kwak’s eyes widened when he opened the box she handed him.
“I—I can’t accept something this expensive. How could I possibly…”
“Oh, I’m not just giving it to you. I’m proposing an exchange—for the information I want. I can’t sleep at night wondering what strange thing my son might do next. You know how Kang Moon is… Sometimes he does things he absolutely shouldn’t.”
Secretary Kwak hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Yes. I’ll look into it.”
“Good. I’m always grateful. Take the ring. It cost forty million won thirty years ago. It must be worth at least triple that now. A wedding gift.”
“Th-thank you. I’ll investigate right away.”
After bowing so deeply his head nearly touched the floor and hurriedly leaving, Jin Hyun-sook leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
‘Han Kang Moon… Don’t shorten your mother’s lifespan. Just live quietly. Please.’
