Chapter – 17
“Just because.”
“Just… because?”
Seeing Seokjin look for some grand reason, Gaeun gave him a look that seemed to say, What’s the problem with that?
“Oh, now I understand why you’re acting like this, President Joo. You’re trying to save the interest on installments, aren’t you? Well, then, think of this as the interest and take it.”
Gaeun handed Seokjin a squeaky chicken toy.
“This is the interest?”
“Yes. You know this is the best-selling toy there, right?”
Seokjin was momentarily confused, seeing Gaeun talk as if she were giving him an enormous benefit.
The audacity of giving him something he bought with his own card as if it were the installment interest he owed—though ridiculous—also made him feel a bit proud.
After all, this is the kind of person who could keep her sanity among his family.
The more he experienced her, the more intrigued Seokjin became by Oh Gaeun.
Being around her already made him curious about what might happen next.
“Here?”
Gaeun asked, pointing to a tall wall she had to tilt her head back to see.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“What is this? A castle? Why is the wall so high?”
“Right? Unnecessarily high. Let’s get out.”
Seokjin got out of the car first.
Gaeun slowly followed, imagining a mansion surrounded by walls so high she could hardly see over them.
She had decided not to be nervous, yet her lips kept drying.
Getting permission to marry might be easier than receiving opposition, but even that now felt too difficult.
“Let’s go in.”
“…Yes. Can I hold this?”
“It’s there to be held. Go ahead.”
Gaeun linked her arm with his as they entered the mansion.
Inside, the courtyard was like a botanical garden, filled with every kind of tree and flower. The well-kept green lawn added to the grandeur.
“What are you staring at?”
“The garden is so beautiful.”
“Do you like grass?”
“I don’t only like grass.”
Seokjin’s expression turned serious as he tried to interpret her words.
“I like land full of trees and flowers, like this one.”
As soon as she entered, Gaeun’s mind wandered.
She wondered how much per square foot this place would cost. She didn’t know the exact number, but from online information, she knew that the house of Joo Seho, the head of the Joo Group, ranked among the top ten most expensive residences in the country.
Reading the article didn’t make much impact, but seeing it in person, she understood why it was so costly.
Living in a house like this felt like scratching a lottery ticket would at least yield a second-place win—the energy was palpable.
“If you follow my instructions properly, you’ll be able to buy lots of land you like, Oh Gaeun.”
“Great. Then let’s do our best for Oh Gaeun’s land and a well-stocked bank account.”
Hiding her nervousness, Gaeun spoke lightly.
But the grip of her hand on Seokjin’s arm did not loosen.
“Ah, wait a moment.”
Just as they were about to enter, Seokjin stopped her.
Was he about to explain a few more important details about his family?
From his jacket pocket, Seokjin pulled out something. Opening his palm, it revealed a neat rose-gold chain with a diamond-studded smile pendant.
“Let’s change your necklace.”
“But the one I’m wearing suits me well. Why?”
Gaeun touched the pearl necklace that a personal shopper had picked out.
“I know it suits you. But I think this one will suit you even better.”
Before Gaeun could say anything, Seokjin leaned close to her cheek.
She wondered what kind of perfume he used—sweet yet refreshing scents emanated from him.
Wrapping his arm around her neck, Seokjin removed the pearl necklace and replaced it with the pendant from his pocket.
Without a mirror, Gaeun touched the necklace he had just placed around her neck.
“This is prettier. Now, let’s go in.”
Seokjin linked her arm with his again, leading her inside.
A housekeeper, waiting in advance, announced their arrival.
“The youngest master has arrived.”
Finally, it was starting.
Gaeun braced herself, determined to endure the overwhelming “in-law interview.”
“We’re here.”
“If you’re here, sit.”
Usually, one would stand to greet guests, but Seokjin’s family remained seated rigidly. Gaeun quickly scanned the room.
At the head sat Seokjin’s father, Chairman Joo Seho, and beside him, the fluttering figure of Lady Jeong Heekyung.
Seeing her future sisters-in-law seated, Gaeun almost lost her composure.
The eldest sister-in-law, Sung Sehwa, wore the same design and color as Gaeun, while the second sister-in-law wore a similar jacket in sky blue.
Even their pearl necklaces matched hers.
Only now did Gaeun understand why Seokjin had changed her necklace.
“I’ll introduce myself first. I’m Oh Gaeun, the woman who will marry Seokjin.”
Despite the dozens of eyes on her, Gaeun lifted her chin and spoke in a calm, dignified tone.
There was no welcoming smile, no “nice to meet you.”
Gaeun maintained a smile, gripping Seokjin’s arm again.
“Let’s sit, Gaeun.”
“Yes.”
Lady Jeong, unsatisfied with her brief reply, let out a short, knowing laugh.
“On an adult’s seat, it’s not proper to speak so curtly to your husband, don’t you think?”
“Right. We weren’t taught that way. But Gaeun seems to have grown differently,” remarked the eldest sister-in-law, Sehwa, with a mocking tone.
Gaeun was calculating how to fluster them to earn Seokjin’s praise but didn’t get the chance before Ju Taejin, seated beside Sehwa, spoke, looking at her with curiosity.
“I didn’t expect you’d even come to greet us despite the scandals… impressive.”
Feeling heat rise inside her, Gaeun responded sharply.
“I came because my father told me to. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have.”
“I told you to come. But I had to see your face at least.”
Chairman Joo’s words silenced everyone. Was he on Seokjin’s side?
“Even if you oppose, at least oppose with reason.”
As expected, there was no such thing.
Everyone chuckled quietly at the chairman’s decisive words.
At that moment, the only ones not laughing were Seokjin and Gaeun.
But inside, Gaeun smiled. She hoped the chairman would oppose her all the way—it would achieve her goal without effort.
“By the way, our clothes are all the same, huh? Guess we can’t wear these anymore. No need to wear clothes anyone can wear.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“Excuse me, young master?”
“I thought it wouldn’t suit the second sister-in-law. Of course, also the first sister-in-law.”
“Oh, young master, that’s a bit harsh. I’ve been wearing this jacket every season…”
Dr. Kang Yoonna adjusted her slipping glasses with a fingertip.
“Yes, indeed. I thought it didn’t suit the second sister-in-law from the start. Now that you won’t wear it anymore, it suits our Gaeun perfectly.”
Seokjin’s blunt comment, meant to demean, didn’t faze Yoonna. She blinked and straightened herself as if used to it.
“Background checks are standard. Our people already know everything…”
Chairman Joo’s remark made Gaeun frown. Were these people hobbyist investigators?
“Seokjin, I think I partly understand why you act this way, yet I also don’t,” said Lady Jeong.
“I thought you’d say you don’t understand. Glad you partly do, Lady Jeong.”
Her words came in a staccato rhythm. Their relationship was clearly not that of an ordinary mother and son. The way they exchanged glances was unusual.
“Normally, sons are attracted to women like their mothers.”
“Hmm-hmm.”
The chairman cleared his throat at her comment.
Gaeun instantly recognized the situation. It was a scene from countless morning dramas and daily soap operas she had seen.
Reality was even more extreme than drama, she realized.
Momentarily stunned, she looked at Lady Jeong, who wore an intrigued expression.
“Oh, Gaeun, didn’t you know? Seokjin isn’t my biological son.”
Even if he wasn’t, Gaeun couldn’t comprehend how Lady Jeong could say that so casually to a woman her son intended to marry.
So, raising one side of her mouth slightly, she replied:
“I knew.”
“You knew?”
Gaeun’s calm reply made Lady Jeong furrow her unlined forehead slightly.
“Honestly, I’m marrying Seokjin for him alone.”
Gaeun decided to put her plan to provoke the most opposition into motion.
“It may be rude, but if you consider Seokjin’s parents and family, there’s no woman who could marry him. Probably.”
“Why us?”
“Don’t you know about his family?”
At Yoonna’s question, Gaeun widened her eyes.
“They’re notorious for being domineering… well, except our Seokjin. A friend of mine was a nurse for the second sister-in-law, Kang Yoonna.”
“Oh, I remember that friend.”
Seokjin smoothly added to her explanation.
“You know, the dermatologist who didn’t allow a nurse prettier than herself to look up at her face, swore at her, and eventually made her quit? That friend now works in the U.S.”
Yoonna smiled, but her expression slowly crumbled.
Actually, there was no nurse. Gaeun had fabricated the story based on something she saw online. Yoonna turned out to be the person in question.
“That’s one-sided claims. The family has always been in medicine and is known for high social standing. Accustomed to respect, perhaps the nurse was overly sensitive.”
Stone-faced, Seokjin’s second brother, Ju Kyungjin, defended his wife. Gaeun maintained her smile, reacting as if shocked.
“Oh, how grand your family must be.”
Gaeun held Seokjin’s arm tightly.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“Seokjin, my heart is pounding. I’m so shocked right now.”
Gaeun’s playful words drew a caring smile from Seokjin.
“If your grandfather was the Chief of Police…”
Gaeun looked at Yoonna with pity.
“Deeply pro-Japanese, huh? My grandfather fought for independence and suffered lifelong torture sequelae. Meeting a descendant of a traitor directly like this… it’s unsettling.”
