Novel Toon
Chapter 39 - Husband
Chapter 39: Husband
TL: Aniea
“CEO-nim. You spent quite a bit of money this time. Even bought a new car. And a very stylish sports car at that.”
“If you prepare such a grand meal and only pick one dish, who would serve us side dishes next time? You already know all this, so why are you asking?”
“Originally, the CEO-nim I knew wouldn’t have made such unnecessary expenditures. I was wondering if there had been a change in your mindset.”
“If we want to maintain our VVIP status, we need to meet the quota, and that level of spending doesn’t even count. Secretary Yoon, are you doing this on purpose?”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t dare. How could I, to the CEO-nim.”
-Smirk
Secretary Yoon deliberately interrupted his speech here and there, showing a slight smile. Watching him, Kim Eun-ha clicked her tongue in disbelief.
“Seriously. The one who’s changed the most is you, Secretary Yoon. When did the once strictly business-like person become so cheeky?”
“Hmm, let me see. Perhaps since the CEO-nim started getting a good night’s sleep? You’ve become generous enough to tolerate my jokes.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
“CEO-nim, you like Woo-ju, don’t you?”
Cough-!
Kim Eun-ha, who was drinking coffee as usual, was startled and flinched. Not wanting to spit it out in embarrassment, she forced herself to swallow and choked.
Seeing Kim Eun-ha’s intense reaction, Secretary Yoon smiled knowingly, like a mother.
Then, Secretary Yoon handed a handkerchief to Kim Eun-ha and started speaking in a playful tone.
“So it was true.”
“It’s absolutely not like that.”
“Really?”
“I told you, it’s not.”
“Then why did you cancel all your appointments that day? You had many other commitments after visiting the exhibition, including dinner.”
“…It was the first time I saw that expression.”
“Huh?”
Watching her seriously caress the teacup, Secretary Yoon momentarily lost her words.
Kim Eun-ha, uncharacteristically, traced the rim of the teacup with her index finger and slowly continued.
“Whether it was a short or long time. But during that time, I thought I had seen almost all his expressions. But that was just arrogance.”
“…”
“In that brief moment, there was joy, sorrow, countless worries, and decisions. Literally, a face full of mixed emotions. I could feel how precious his parents were to him, conveyed through his whole body.”
“…”
Secretary Yoon kept silent.
It wasn’t the right atmosphere for jokes anyway, and talking about parents was a particularly sensitive topic in front of Kim Eun-ha.
As she listened quietly, Kim Eun-ha let out a bitter smile and spoke.
“Actually, both of my parents passed away when I was young, so I don’t know exactly what that feeling is. But seeing Woo-ju’s expression, I just couldn’t ignore it.”
“…So that’s what happened.”
“Yeah. Thanks to that, things got a bit complicated here, but if I hadn’t let Woo-ju go at that time, it would have kept bothering me. In the long run, it’s beneficial.”
“That’s true. Maybe it will even be the reason Woo-ju falls for you, CEO-nim.”
“…!?”
Kim Eun-ha’s eyes widened for a moment. Realizing her slip, she quickly composed herself, but Secretary Yoon didn’t miss that brief moment.
Seeing Kim Eun-ha slightly avert her gaze, Secretary Yoon gave a genuine smile.
“Hehe. Your expressions are easy to read today.”
“…Think whatever you want.”
“I will faithfully follow orders.”
Zap-!
Kim Eun-ha’s sharp gaze, aiming accurately towards her target. Secretary Yoon deflected it with a cheeky smile.
“By the way, looking at the current situation, it seems you haven’t told Woo-ju yet why you chose him.”
“There’s no need for me to say it myself. It’s not like our relationship will change because of it. Besides, he doesn’t seem to remember.”
“Are you upset because he didn’t recognize you?”
“Not at all. It just means he was that focused on his own work. In fact, that’s why I liked him and chose him. Anyway, let’s end this conversation here.”
“Yes, understood.”
Secretary Yoon didn’t press further on her firm statement. Immediately, Kim Eun-ha, who had returned to her usual serious expression, carefully began to speak.
“But CEO-nim, the movements of the Daehan Group recently are unusual. Park Ji-hoon hasn’t returned to Germany and is still staying here.”
“Ha, what’s he up to now?”
Kim Eun-ha held her forehead as if she had a headache at Secretary Yoon’s report. Just thinking about Park Ji-hoon’s face made her frown.
“Officially, he’s reorganizing the loosened internal structure while he was abroad. Although not as much as us, they too are in the middle of a successor competition.”
“That’s true.”
Chairman Kim Seok-ho of the Mirae Group and Chairman Park Min-chul of Daehan Group are of similar age, meaning they have both been in their positions for a long time.
As a result, not only their direct descendants but even their grandchildren are eagerly eyeing the chairman’s seat.
‘Though it’s somewhat sorted out…’
This was because Chairman Park Min-chul of Daehan Group had already designated his eldest son, Park Ki-tae, as his successor.
The problem arose from the fact that Park Ki-tae’s abilities were not as exceptional as expected.
Of course, he was undoubtedly more capable than ordinary people, but compared to his siblings, his abilities were relatively lacking.
‘Chairman Park delayed his retirement for too long.’
Despite being a giant who built a leading conglomerate, he couldn’t help but be weak in front of his children.
In his efforts to ensure his eldest son, Park Ki-tae, could manage the company properly, the atmosphere had become rather awkward.
‘That’s where Park Ji-hoon comes in.’
Park Ji-hoon, the grandson of Chairman Park Min-chul and the eldest son of Park Ki-tae, was more capable than his father.
Since he was young, he had a brilliant mind and never failed to be at the top in schools filled with gifted students.
With his exceptional intelligence, he had even helped his father avert a major crisis for the company while still in high school.
‘But being too exceptional also became a problem.’
As Park Ji-hoon stood out, Chairman Park Min-chul took a direct interest in him, leading to talks about considering a generational leap in succession.
Although he didn’t seem to dislike it, he dived into company work right after graduation, achieving significant results.
However, many didn’t view this favorably, including his father, Park Ki-tae.
Park Ji-hoon had made too many enemies before gaining enough strength to withstand the storms.
“To him, I must seem like a golden ticket straight to the chairman’s seat.”
Park Ji-hoon, cornered by his conflict with his father, took a high-risk gamble by venturing into the electric car business. This moment is the critical juncture to determine success or failure.
What if, at this moment, he were to marry Kim Eun-ha and gain the vast support of the Mirae Group?
Even just borrowing the name value of his in-laws would make things much easier, not to mention the substantial liquid assets Kim Eun-ha had built on the foundation of Mirae Department Store.
This would dramatically increase the stability of the electric car business, and as momentum builds, the neutral internal personnel would gradually shift their stance.
‘Conversely, if he fails, it’s straight to ruin.’
Park Ji-hoon had already taken the step of returning to Korea for the arranged meeting. If he were to go back without any results, it would deal a significant blow to his image.
In an already unstable situation, the moment bad news spreads, everyone will turn their backs coldly, seeking their own survival.
Therefore, for Park Ji-hoon, Kim Eun-ha is an absolutely indispensable, no, a crucial card he cannot afford to lose.
‘The problem is that even this side wants it.’
If Kim Eun-ha were to enter into a strategic marriage with him, it would be a welcome event for those competing for succession.
Since she has already given up her shares in Mirae Department Store, they might think it better to give up a big piece.
‘There’s a high possibility of an under-the-table deal as well.’
They might push for the marriage on the condition that Kim Eun-ha transfers her shares in Mirae Group later on.
Or they might help him strengthen his position by promoting a business connected to Daehan Group.
In any case, it is a structure where both sides inevitably benefit. Indeed, a few quick-witted individuals are already attempting to contact Park Ji-hoon.
‘Grandfather seems to be in a wait-and-see mode for now.’
Chairman Kim Seok-ho rarely directly involves himself in the succession competition.
His philosophy is ‘the one who survives is the strongest,’ and he believes it’s acceptable to use some means and methods to achieve that.
He only steps in when he deems it significantly harmful to the entire group. There’s no reason for him to oppose the marriage between Kim Eun-ha and Park Ji-hoon, which has more benefits.
“…I really have no allies.”
Sigh—
A sigh naturally escaped her. Feeling completely drained, Kim Eun-ha let herself sink into her chair. Afterward, she barely managed to move her lips to make a request to Secretary Yoon.
“Secretary Yoon, could you make me a cup of tea?”
“Sorry? Not coffee?”
Ah—
Secretary Yoon looked puzzled. She rarely made such personal requests, and whenever she did, it was invariably for a strong espresso.
‘…Well, at least there’s one person.’
When her thoughts reached that point, a face suddenly came to mind. The person who made her switch from coffee to tea.
“Not as ally, but as husband.”
“Sorry?”
“Nothing, never mind.”
-Hehe
Kim Eun-ha quietly suppressed a laugh. Seeing this, Secretary Yoon tilted his head in confusion for a moment, then quickly understood and silently left with the teacup.
*
“Did you manage to arrange the meeting?”
“I’m sorry. She outright refuse to even come into contact with us.”
“So Kim Eun-ha is really playing hard to get?”
Hearing his subordinate’s report, Park Ji-hoon frowned. They shared many memories from childhood as playmates.
While marriage would be the best outcome, even if not, she could at least take some actions to appease the shareholders.
‘…Is it because of that guy?’
Kang Woo-ju.
The arrogant face of the guy who ruined all his plans by showing up in her place at the meeting flashed before his eyes.
Moreover, he ordered the most expensive food and drinks and didn’t even pay the bill.
Of course, covering such an amount wasn’t difficult, but being left with the bill in a situation where the arranged meeting was rejected made him very unhappy.
“Isn’t there a way to handle this quietly?”
“It’s quite challenging. Secretary Baek is directly controlling the information, and the public interest is at its peak right now…”
“Think of a way! A way!”
As nothing went his way, Park Ji-hoon, frustrated to the brim, raised his voice. Then suddenly, his frown deepened.
‘Wait… I don’t have to struggle all by myself, do I?’
-Grin
A rather good idea came to Park Ji-hoon’s mind, and a sly smile appeared on his lips.
*****
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