ITLW 03

Chapter 3

Somewhere I Didn’t Know

• After doing some digging, we confirmed that Kang Hye-jung, Cha Jun-ho, and Ra Cheol-min were university friends. There were rumors at the time that Ra Cheol-min and Kang Hye-jung were dating, but it was so long ago that we couldn’t verify whether the rumors were true.

At the voice coming through the phone, Leeheon slightly furrowed his brow.

• However, after entering society, Ra Cheol-min entered into an arranged marriage. Since Kang Hye-jung and Cha Jun-ho eventually got married, we believe their classmates may have mistaken Kang Hye-jung’s relationship with Cha Jun-ho for a relationship with Ra Cheol-min. Ra Cheol-min divorced not long after his marriage, while Kang Hye-jung and Cha Jun-ho had a son named Cha Mojun. Twenty-eight years ago, however, both of them died in a traffic accident, leaving only their son, Cha Mojun.

Cha Mojun.

The name was strangely familiar to him.

• Mojun was four years old at the time. He lived with his grandparents until they passed away as well. Then, when he was around seven, Chairman Ra Cheol-min took him in.
• And Cha Mojun’s current name is Leeheon………

That’s the CEO.

The memory of that day came rushing back.

The day he entered the Ra family.

Cheolmin had told him that he was his father.

He said that after the divorce, his mother had taken him away, and only now had he brought him back after learning that he had been raised by people other than his mother.

So Leeheon had never once suspected that he might not be his biological son.

Holding the phone, Leeheon remained silent for a moment.

“Are you… sure?”

It was a belated question, but the person on the other end seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation and answered in an equally grave voice.

• Yes. I’m certain. And there’s one more thing you asked me to look into, regarding Kang……

As the man continued speaking, Leeheon pressed his fingertips against his temple.

“All right. I’ll transfer the remaining payment.”

After ending the call, Leeheon narrowed his eyes.

Was it really true that he wasn’t a member of this family?

Had he been raised simply to take care of all the miscellaneous work for I-on?

He was still desperately trying to organize this unbelievable reality in his head when—

There was a knock, and his secretary, Dohyeon, entered.

“Have you finished your call with the investigation agency?”

Leeheon composed his expression and returned to his usual demeanor before looking up.

“I was wondering what you wanted them to investigate………………”

“I’m afraid that’s none of your concern, Secretary Kang.”

“………………Understood. Shall we go now?”

“Where?”

“Have you forgotten? We have a family luncheon scheduled today.”

“Ah.”

“You’ve never forgotten a schedule before. Is something……………… wrong?”

“No.”

Leeheon gave Dohyeon, who was studying him carefully, a firm answer before getting up and putting on his outer coat.

“Let’s go.”

“Hyung!”

The moment they entered the private room at the restaurant, I-on spotted Leeheon and waved.

I-on had been born the same year Leeheon entered the Ra family.

Even though they had different mothers, Leeheon had been incredibly happy at the time to have gained a younger brother.

He was still an adorable kid, no matter how many times Leeheon saw him.

Normally, Leeheon would have smiled and greeted him warmly without hesitation.

But now, he couldn’t bring himself to do so.

“Hyung, how have you been? Why haven’t you called me? Didn’t you see that I called you yesterday?”

“Really? I didn’t notice. I suppose I’ve been busy. With the ‘president’s position.’”

As he said that, Leeheon looked toward Yeonsook.

The corners of Yeonsook’s lips twitched upward before she soon smiled.

“That’s right. Our I-on will find out someday, too. Just how much weight the ‘president’s position’ carries.”

“What am I supposed to find out? Hyung is the president, and I’ll be the vice president, won’t I?”

“Who decided that? Do you think your father will let things go that way?”

“Why? Dad said he won’t give me the vice president position?”

“Who said that?”

Leeheon understood what Yeonsook meant.

She was saying that he wouldn’t simply leave Leeheon in the position of president.

“Chairman is coming in.”

Cheolmin leisurely entered the private room.

I-on spoke with an annoyed expression.

“Dad, couldn’t you walk a little faster? You always tell me that a person should go beyond simply keeping promises and become someone who takes the initiative in making them.”

“Hey, I-on. Watch your manners when you’re talking to your father………………”

“It’s fine. A man should have enough nerve to speak like that in front of his father.”

“Isn’t that right?”

Yeonsook immediately smiled at Cheolmin’s words.

Soon, the food arrived, and the meal began.

“I heard you’re getting married, Hyung. Is it really okay to get married so suddenly?”

Leeheon silently looked at I-on, who was stuffing his mouth full of food.

“You must have a woman you like, too. Or at least a type you like. How can Dad just tell you to marry someone and you go along with it?”

How could he?

It didn’t matter.

Until now, the only thing that had mattered to Leeheon was work.

Because that was his role.

“I was overseas, so I couldn’t attend your engagement ceremony. I should’ve been there. What kind of woman is she? Come to think of it, I don’t know what kind of woman you like at all. What kind of women have you dated?”

Dated………………?

More importantly, had there ever been anything he liked in the first place?

“Do you think someone in the position of president of Lion Group has the luxury of choosing?”

At Cheolmin’s words, I-on furrowed his brow deeply.

“Dad. What kind of world do you think we live in these days? Why would you arrange a marriage like that? You dated Mom, didn’t you?”

“Your father’s first marriage was an arranged marriage, you know. Even though it ended in divorce.”

“Then what about Hyung? He could get married in an arranged marriage like that and end up divorced, too. Are you okay with that?”

“Ahem! Why has this gotten so cold? Manager Kim.”

At Cheolmin’s words, the manager who had been waiting nearby hurried over.

“I’ll have them bring out a fresh one.”

Leeheon looked at Cheolmin and Yeonsook.

During the twenty-five years they had lived together, had there ever been even one day when they truly thought of him as their son?

“I’ll leave first. I’m a little busy.”

Leeheon stood up without having touched his food.

“Even if you’re busy, make sure you meet Seorin often. Let her be seen in the media, too.”

Leeheon gave Cheolmin a polite bow. Cheolmin didn’t try to stop him.

Leeheon left the room.

His secretary, Dohyeon, approached him.

“Set up a meeting with Dongyeon for me.”

“You mean with your future wife? What time should I arrange it?”

“Whenever there’s an appropriate opening.”

Who meets his fiancée like that?

Dohyeon swallowed the words he wanted to say and followed behind Leeheon.

After arriving at the company, Leeheon paused for a moment and looked up at the lobby.

It’s big.

Was it all because of these things?

Did they deceive me, an orphan, and turn me into a machine just to protect all this?

So that I could protect your family?

He exhaled slowly.

His chest felt so tight that breathing itself had become uncomfortable.

Leeheon tugged his tie downward and undid two buttons of his shirt.

When the cold air brushed against his firm skin, he finally felt as though he could breathe a little more freely.

Instead of taking the executive elevator, he walked toward the emergency exit.

Dohyeon asked in confusion,

“Where are you going?”

“For a walk?”

Excuse me? That’s the emergency exit. You’re not exactly supposed to go for a walk on the stairs.

“……You do know the president’s office is on the twentieth floor, right?”

Well, he might not know. I press the button for him every day.

Dohyeon looked like he was about to cry, but he had no choice except to follow behind him.

Is he insane?

How can he walk up these stairs at a perfectly steady pace without even losing his composure?

Dohyeon panted as he barely managed to keep up.

Should he take out the resignation letter from his inner pocket or not?

As they climbed what seemed like an endless staircase—

“The CEO! He’s the person I like!”

What was that?

“Raiheon! I like CEO Ra! I’ve liked him ever since the first moment I saw him after joining the company!”

Leeheon opened the door toward the source of the voice.

“………………I felt like I was going to go crazy if I didn’t tell someone.

That’s why I said I’d tell you two. If I ever really got married, I’d want to marry the CEO! Because I like him so much!”

Leeheon stopped dead in his tracks.