Bound by a Ruthless Contract - Chapter 51
He wanted to keep gazing at her sleeping face.
While looking at her face, something inside him began to unfurl, softening.
He wished this peaceful state could last forever.
Twenty years old.
Since that day, his body had never felt so light, so it was only natural that such useless, idle thoughts would surface.
Nevertheless, Si-heon wasn’t pleased with himself.
Before Ga-eun could notice, he wanted to sever the leash that bound him to her.
“I’ll kill you, no, I’ll die!”
“Save me, help me, brother!”
He had not the slightest intention of repeating such dog-like behavior ever again.
Taking a deep breath, Si-heon’s face hardened coldly.
As if it had never been relaxed in the first place.
His dark pupils gazed at the peacefully sleeping Ga-eun.
Though his hand gently stroked her hair, his eyes remained cool and distant.
He whispered quietly.
“Let’s cure this cursed condition quickly. Then go our separate ways.”
* * *
Jungshimwon.
It was a massive hanok building crowned with black roof tiles.
Large enough to be called a village, it was the main house of the Hwanhee Group, built to commemorate Kwon Soon-yeol’s successful transition from the leader of the Hwanhee faction to the chairman of the Hwanhee Group.
They say they gathered the most renowned master craftsmen from across the country to build it.
After construction was completed, it became quite a sensation when all the workers who participated in the construction emigrated overseas with their families.
Rumors spread wildly – that they were paid an unimaginable sum to keep silent about the house’s structure, that one member of each family was held hostage, or that they were all killed – but no one knew the truth.
Behind the towering walls, no outside words could penetrate within, and likewise, no words from inside could leak out.
The large, tightly sealed main gate slowly opened from both sides.
Three black sedans that had been waiting entered.
Men in black suits who were waiting inside approached the newly parked vehicles.
With a click, Noh Man-su opened the rear door after stepping out from the driver’s seat, and a long leg emerged first.
“We’ve arrived, Executive Director.”
As Si-heon fully emerged, the lined-up men bowed their heads in unison.
“Welcome, Executive Director.”
Hwang Tae-ju, the steward of Jungshimwon standing at the front, lowered his head.
“Welcome, Executive Director!”
The others echoed after him.
“Someone might mistake us for gangsters.”
Si-heon remarked indifferently, then extended his hand toward the flustered Hwang Tae-ju.
“It’s been a while, Director Hwang.”
“Have you been well, Executive Director? You look even more distinguished.”
Si-heon’s lips curved upward at Hwang Tae-ju’s words as they shook hands.
“Do I? Perhaps it’s because of the upcoming marriage.”
Hwang Tae-ju’s eyes widened at Si-heon’s muttered words.
“Pardon?”
Though Hwang Tae-ju knew well that Si-heon disliked repeating himself, he couldn’t help but ask reflexively.
However, Si-heon spoke without any trace of annoyance, as if such surprise was natural.
“A new person will be joining us soon. Please prepare well. Without any oversight or shortage.”
“By new person, do you mean…”
“Director Hwang knew before grandfather did. Don’t mention this to grandfather. He can be quite narrow-minded.”
Si-heon, who detested wasting time needlessly, wouldn’t joke about such a serious matter.
“You’d better prepare quickly. It’ll be within two months at most.”
Hwang Tae-ju, who had been managing Jungshimwon since before Si-heon’s birth, was one of the few people who knew about Si-heon’s condition.
Along with insomnia, the Hwanhee Group heir’s biggest problem was his aversion to women.
No woman could get close to him, not even receive a glance.
Yet, marriage?
‘Surely not… it couldn’t be… but… he’s not bringing a man, is he?’
Considering the comment about the chairman’s potential upset…
Hwang Tae-ju’s expression grew quite serious as he watched Si-heon’s retreating figure.
Im Hee-tae from the Landscaping Management Team, who stood behind him, carefully asked,
“Director, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“We need to prepare, it seems.”
At the word ‘prepare,’ Im Hee-tae’s eyes changed.
When the word ‘prepare’ came from Hwang Tae-ju’s mouth, it meant something was happening at Jungshimwon.
