DH ✦ Ch 13

✦ Chapter 13 ✦

Byung-soo mouthed a curse like a ventriloquist, wearing an incredulous expression.

“Well, that’s just ridiculous.”

He was the only one who knew about the fake marriage, so the excuse of being newlyweds was meaningless. Not that he could admit it wasn’t just an excuse, but the truth.

Currently caught off guard, Hyunjae let out a helpless smile and opened the documents.

“All right. I’ll review the paperwork, so you can go.”

“Yes, my esteemed Executive Director.”

With an exaggerated bow, Byung-soo turned to leave but paused and raised his index finger.

“Oh, I almost forgot one thing to report.”

“What is it?”

“This morning, the Chairman graciously called me himself. He asked about the situation before and after the wedding, knowing I closely assisted you in New York.”

“I assume you answered appropriately.”

To Hyunjae, Byung-soo was a more trustworthy friend than family—competent, loyal, and steadfast in his devotion as a subordinate.

Speaking without looking up from the papers, Hyunjae remained nonchalant, and Byung-soo shrugged.

“Of course. I followed your script to the letter. Not a single detail was out of place. But there were a couple of questions I couldn’t answer.”

“Which ones?”

“Yoon Gayoung’s exact date and time of birth.”

Ah! Hyunjae chuckled, pressing his forehead.

The fortune-teller must be on his way.

It was the kind of afternoon scene one would imagine in Seongbuk-dong.

As Gayoung finished her meal and began clearing the dishes, the doorbell of the annex rang.

“Master Jung, I haven’t had a chance to inform the Madam yet.”

The voice of Madam Eom, who greeted the visitor at the door, carried into the house.

The man who soon appeared before Ga-young looked less like a young mystic and more like an elderly sage. His long hair was braided, and his lengthy beard covered his nose and chin. Wearing a silk robe, he resembled a Taoist hermit.

With a sense of unease, Gayoung bowed her head.

Jung returned the gesture with a respectful nod but then fixed his eyes on her face, scrutinizing her features with a persistent, borderline rude gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that…?”

“You have the face of a destined noblewoman.”

“Pardon?”

“What time were you born?”

Gayoung glanced at Madam Eom with a puzzled look.

“The Chairman sent him. You’d best answer.”

Since it was advice from someone who understood the household’s workings, Gayoung complied reluctantly and gave her birth time. Master Jung then clasped his hands in a respectful greeting.

“I have met the owner of the rose.”

Leaving behind his cryptic words, Master Jung vanished like smoke.

According to Madam Eom, Jung had been a trusted shaman in Chairman Kwon Sun-jin’s circle for 30 years.

It was said that no conglomerate head was without a secret, powerful spiritual advisor. Chairman Kwon was no exception and always sought Jung’s guidance before making major decisions.

“He’s never suffered a loss following Master Jung’s prophecies,” she added, as her own conclusion.

Since the mystic’s words weren’t negative, Gayoung tried to calm the anxiety creeping in.

By noon, word came from the main house.

Madam Eom looked distressed as she delivered the message that the Chairman wished to meet Gayoung alone.

Gayoung comforted her calmly.

It was a confrontation that had to happen eventually.

She knew she couldn’t hide away in the annex until Hyunjae returned from work. Whether the Chairman came himself or sent someone to drag her over, it was better to go willingly.

Upon arriving at the main house, Gayoung was guided to a room on the second floor.

Inside the door opened by a secretary was a study with a classic tone and solemn atmosphere.

Chairman Kwon sat not at the desk, but in the seat of honor on the sofa.

Unlike the casual attire from the previous day, he was dressed in a two-piece suit. It seemed the elderly chairman worked from this home office.

“Good afternoon, Chairman.”

With a polite bow, Gayoung faced the chairman’s cool stare.

“Come, have a seat.”

His tone was softer than the day before.

Gayoung took a diagonal seat, at eye level with him.

Remaining composed even in turbulent waters was her duty. So she began, carefully and respectfully, with an apology.

“I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.”

“At least you understand that.”

The room needed ventilation. The air was heavy and hot. His murky gray eyes weighed on her like stone.

Unable to speak carelessly, Gayoung simply sat still and upright.

After a brief silence, Chairman Kwon spoke plainly.

“For now, I’ll acknowledge your marriage.”

Gayoung’s eyes widened in surprise.

It wasn’t something that could flip so easily after yesterday’s scorn and hostility. It felt more like smoke before gunfire—a warning before an attack. She braced herself.

“That doesn’t mean I accept you as my grandson’s wife just yet.”

Gayoung nodded subtly, acknowledging the reasonableness of his position.

Letting out a sigh, Kwon Sun-jin ran a hand across his forehead.

“To be frank, I see your marriage as an impulsive mishap. I’d prefer you separate. But Hyunjae is stubborn, so forcing my will now won’t work.”

Half rejection, half resignation—that was the Chairman’s stance.

“Do your relatives, the caretakers of the villa, know about your marriage?”

“I haven’t told them yet.”

“That’s good. Don’t let anyone around you know for the time being.”

That was part of the marriage contract anyway, so Gayoung readily agreed.

The Chairman’s expression twitched as if battling with what he was about to say next.

Only after another deep sigh did he speak again.

“If you agree to my condition, I’ll accept you as a member of this family.”

“What is the condition?”

To her gentle inquiry, Kwon delivered his demand firmly.

“Have a child.”

It hit Gayoung like a bolt of lightning.

For a married couple, being asked to have a child wasn’t an outrageous request. But this wasn’t a real marriage.

It was something she could never comply with, but the Chairman continued with unwavering seriousness.

“If you become pregnant with Hyunjae’s child, I’ll allow an official marriage registration. That means you’ll gain some legal claim to the GB family’s massive fortune.”

Even if the couple were to divorce later, Gayoung would live comfortably for the rest of her life.

Of course, that scenario was purely hypothetical. Neither she nor Hyunjae wanted a real marriage, nor a child.

“Hyunjae is a busy executive who spends half the month abroad. He won’t have time to care for you. So I’ll take on that role instead. Let the newlyweds live here in the annex.”

“…”

“All you need to do is enjoy the comfort I provide and focus entirely on getting pregnant.”

“…”

“You’ll accept my condition, won’t you?”

It was more a declaration than a proposal.

Overwhelmed by his authority, Gayoung couldn’t answer right away.

She suspected the Chairman’s plan was to have a great-grandchild and then cast her aside.

For a man like Hyunjae, one divorce and a child wouldn’t be considered a flaw. Marrying a commoner might even earn him a temporary badge of virtue.

Ga-young understood her place and interpreted it as such.

As her silence dragged on, Kwon mixed persuasion with pressure.

“If you move out and live separately, I’ll cut ties with Hyunjae. But if you accept this offer, I’ll provide the best possible environment for your married life. And once you’re pregnant, I’ll officially recognize you as my daughter-in-law.”

Still getting no response, his tone softened.

“You’re married—having a child is only natural, isn’t it? I hope you can accept my goodwill with joy.”

There wasn’t much to ponder.

All Gayoung had to do was endure the suffocating atmosphere of this mansion. Hyunjae’s plan to separate after three months remained unchanged, and pretending to be a real couple was part of the deal anyway.

Three months shouldn’t be enough to sever the bond between grandmother and grandson.

Cautiously, Gayoung spoke the obvious conclusion.

“I will follow your wishes, Chairman.”

“Send in some headache medicine.”

After Gayoung left, Chairman Kwon called the secretary’s office.

Even after swallowing the pills they brought, the throbbing didn’t subside. Kwon rested his heavy head—burdened with a mountain of worries—in his hand.

What difference is this from surrendering and declaring, This is my granddaughter-in-law?

At least Yoon Gayoung’s looks and education were acceptable. But still… A villa caretaker’s niece and an orphan?

To attach such a humble background to his brilliant grandson, heir to all the glory of GB Group, was almost insulting.

And it was all because of that damn prophecy from Master Jung.