Living with an Ex-Husband - Chapter 39. I Bought It Because It's Pretty

Chapter 39. I Bought It Because It’s Pretty

“Ch… Chairman!”

As his worries became a reality, Tae Sung-min immediately protested.

“This is unfair! Lee Joon is only thirty-four years old this year! My brother and I became heads of our subsidiaries only after we were over forty. So how can this be…!”

“That’s because your abilities only showed clear results at that age.”

Tae Moo-jin cut off his younger son’s words firmly.

“With the stock market boom in the first half of the year, Geumyoung Chemical has been hitting record highs. The results that Vice President Lee Joon achieved in the North American market just before his return are quite similar. With all these achievements as a stepping stone to promote him to the position of president, does age really matter?”

Tae Moo-jin questioned Tae Sung-min, locking eyes with him. His gaze, visible through his glasses, was as sharp as a needle.

“For me, as long as certain lines are respected, ability comes first. Not age or bloodline.”

Tae Moo-jin put his foot down, signaling that no more objections would be tolerated. Only then did Tae Sung-min reluctantly close his mouth.

Tae Sung-yeol took a step back and quietly observed. Although Lee Joon was his son, this was a public matter and a crucial decision about the next succession.

No matter how much he cared for his son if Lee Joon lacked the necessary abilities, he would have stepped in to oppose the decision himself, rather than leaving it to his younger brother, Sung-min.

However, Lee Joon had been demonstrating his abilities without reservation for a long time. He was deemed highly suitable as the next leader to guide Geumyoung.

“Vice President Lee Joon.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

When Lee Joon politely responded to the call, Tae Moo-jin, with a stern expression, gave him some advice.

“Many eyes are watching. You need to do well.”

“Yes, Chairman. I will do my best.”

Hearing Lee Joon’s reply as he bowed deeply, Tae Moo-jin decided to stand up. His secretary quickly assisted the old man, handing him his cane. Tae Moo-jin gestured for Lee Joon to come over.

“I have something to say, so come with me.”

“Yes.”

At Tae Moo-jin’s direction, Lee Joon moved to his side. Soon, the two of them walked out of the chaotic conference room together.

“Do you think Uncle and Young-jun will stop now?” Lee Joon asked as they headed toward the elevator.

“They’ll probably stir things up for a while. Being the head of a subsidiary is exactly where they belong, but they’re too blinded by greed to see that. The same goes for Young-jun.”

Tae Moo-jin clicked his tongue, disappointed and saddened by his younger son’s foolish ambition and greed. He hadn’t promoted Tae Sung-yeol to the position of chairman just because he was the eldest son, but because his abilities far surpassed those of his younger brother.

“I’ll keep the smaller branch in check, so you don’t need to worry about it. Do you think I would have put you in that position without proper preparation? The shareholders overwhelmingly supported you. So, just focus on the company,” Tae Moo-jin said.

“Yes. I will show you even greater progress,” Lee Joon replied.

Tae Moo-jin looked at Lee Joon with satisfaction, finally seeing him in his rightful place, and offered his encouragement and advice generously.

“This is the company you will lead. You’ll be responsible for the livelihoods and safety of tens of thousands of employees, their families, countless partners, and their families as well. So, stay sharp, keep your mind clear, and lead them with dedication.”

“Yes,” Lee Joon responded.

With determination in his voice, Lee Joon stepped into the elevator alongside Tae Moo-jin. The elevator ascended toward the chairman’s office, rising to a place not just anyone could reach—the very top.

***

Clank!

“What… what did you just say, Mother?”

So-hyun set her teacup down on the table with a loud clatter and looked at Mrs. Kang. Her face had turned pale from the shock of what she had just heard.

“Who did you say Lee Joon is with… and what is he doing?”

At So-hyun’s stumbling question, Mrs. Kang was at a loss, unsure how to respond.

The day Lee Joon announced his intention to reunite with Eunchae had been a shock. Mrs. Kang was so overwhelmed that she couldn’t bring herself to tell So-hyun the truth.

But now that Eunchae had moved back in, it was impossible to keep it a secret any longer.

Mrs. Kang squeezed her eyes shut and reluctantly admitted the truth. So-hyun’s reaction was just as expected—she looked as if her entire world had fallen apart.

“I’m sorry, So-hyun. There was nothing I could do. It all happened so quickly…”

“So… you’re saying that Lee Joon is getting back together with that woman? Is that right?”

So-hyun needed to confirm that she had heard correctly. It was so shocking that she almost wished there was something wrong with her hearing instead.

“Yes… that’s how it is,” Mrs. Kang replied.

“Father said he would only pass the company to Lee Joon if he got back together with Eunchae. There was nothing we could do.”

“How… how can this be…? How…”

Completely stunned, So-hyun’s vision went black. How many years had she devoted to Lee Joon? And now, it was that woman, Yoon Eunchae, again!

“This can’t be happening, Mother. What am I supposed to do…?”

Unable to accept it, So-hyun shook her head violently. Overcome by a feeling of helplessness, she began to cry bitterly. Mrs. Kang, also feeling helpless and guilty, didn’t know how to comfort her.

“I trusted you, Mother, all this time. Even when Lee Joon was seeing other women, you said marriage was out of the question, that I was the only real daughter-in-law, and that I just needed to wait a little longer,” So-hyun cried.

“I did say that,”

Mrs. Kang admitted, holding So-hyun’s trembling hand as she recalled the incident two years ago. Back then, she had dug deeper into Alice’s background and discovered a surprising truth.

Lee Joon hadn’t had an affair with Alice. They were just close friends, and Alice’s fiancé was receiving treatment in Korea, which explained her frequent visits.

Although she knew the truth, Mrs. Kang used the false information to upset Eunchae. She wanted to use Alice as a tool to force a divorce between her son and his wife.

Mrs. Kang told Seo-hyun her plan and gently persuaded her. She urged So-hyun not to give up on Lee Joon and to be patient. It was also Mrs. Kang who encouraged So-hyun to follow Lee Joon to the New York branch.

But now… things had turned out like this. She had no idea how to fix the situation.

“Mother, I love Lee Joon. I want to be by his side…” So-hyun cried.

“Don’t cry, So-hyun. I feel like I’m going crazy too. But what can we do? If not, he won’t inherit the company.”

Mrs. Kang, trying to comfort Se-hyun, felt like crying herself.

‘Did Father and I have a grudge in a past life? He’s not crazy! Yet he’s risking the company to bring back that worthless Yoon Eunchae. It’s unbelievable…!’

Mrs. Kang poured all her resentment onto Tae Moo-jin. Almost pleading, she tried to console So-hyun.

“I’m sorry, So-hyun. I have no excuse, even if I had ten mouths. This is… truly beyond my control…”

“… Mother…”

eo-hyun cried for a long time. Fearing she might collapse from dehydration, Mrs. Kang anxiously comforted and soothed her.

“So-hyun, I know it’s shameless of me to ask, and I’m truly sorry, but since you’ve waited this long, could you wait just one more year? Please?”

“Really… just one more year?”

At So-hyun’s anxious question, Mrs. Kang nodded firmly.

“Of course, trust me. Even if the sky falls, I will make sure you and Lee Joon end up together.”

Mrs. Kang desperately tried to hold on to So-hyun’s resolve. Fortunately, So-hyun accepted the current situation.

“Alright… Mother. I’ll do it. Since I’ve waited this long, I can wait just one more year.”

“Oh… thank you, So-hyun. Thank you so much.”

Mrs. Kang let out a sigh of relief and genuinely thanked So-hyun.

“It’s alright, Mother. This is about the company, after all. There’s nothing we can do.”

A faint smile spread across So-hyun’s sorrowful face.

“How can someone be so kind and wise…”

The more Mrs. Kang looked at So-hyun, the more admirable and grateful she felt. As a daughter-in-law, So-hyun was as perfect as one could be.

“I’ll be going now, Mother. I’m exhausted from all the shock and crying.”

“Alright, So-hyun. Take care on your way back.”

“Yes, Mother.”

So-hyun politely bowed to Mrs. Kang and left the office. The moment she stepped out of the museum building, her eyes were red and swollen from crying…

“Damn it.”

A harsh curse escaped from between So-hyun’s perfectly painted lips. The sorrowful expression on her face instantly turned sharp, and her eyes grew fierce.

“Wait another year? Ha…! Becoming the lady of Geumyoung Group is turning out to be a filthy struggle.”

So-hyun scowled in irritation, letting out a string of crude words. There was no trace of her usual elegant and composed demeanor.

“They say I have to wait, so I will, but something about this feels off.”

After getting into her car, So-hyun tapped the steering wheel lightly before making a call. Deciding that she couldn’t rely on Mrs. Kang alone, she swiftly moved into action.

***

Because of what had happened that morning, Eunchae was in a bad mood all day. It wasn’t so much Lee Joon’s arrogant and rude attitude that bothered her, but the fact that she kept thinking about it, letting it get under her skin, annoyed her even more.

“The person who did something wrong probably isn’t thinking about it at all.”

Feeling wronged, she continued to grumble to herself. Just as she finished changing clothes and stepped out of the bedroom, a call from Lee Joon came in.

She was dying to block his number, but in her situation, she couldn’t do that. In this arrangement, Tae Lee Joon was the absolute ‘boss.’

“Yes.”

Her short response was met with his smooth, deep voice.

“Have you finished work?”

“Yes.”

Once again, her answer was short and curt.

“I’m almost there,” he said.

“So?”

What does he want, exactly? Eunchae swallowed her annoyance, her eyes narrowing sharply.

“I thought you might be angry about this morning and might not come out to meet me.”

“I would like to do that, but since we have a contract, I should follow through diligently. Now that I know why you called, I’m hanging up.”

Eunchae replied indifferently and ended the call. Then, she slowly made her way downstairs to the first floor. A few moments later, Lee Joon walked through the front door and into the living room.

“Welcome back, Vice President.”

“Did you have a good day?”

Standing alongside the servants, Eunchae greeted Lee Joon. He responded with a slight nod of his head.

As Eunchae naturally extended her hand to take his briefcase, Lee Joon brought his right arm, which he had been hiding behind his back, forward. Suddenly, a large bouquet of marguerite flowers appeared in front of Eunchae’s eyes.

“What… is this?”

Eunchae wasn’t the only one surprised by the unexpected bouquet. The servants also widened their eyes at the unusual sight.

However, Lee Joon paid no attention to anyone else. With a faint smile, he looked only at Eunchae and said,

“I saw them on my way here. They were beautiful and made me think of you.”

Then, he wrapped Eunchae in his arms.