Bound by a Ruthless Contract - Chapter 84
“No. The sooner the better.”
Because then…
“Because then you can get what you want and we can divorce quickly.”
At the word divorce, Si-heon’s eyes narrowed for a moment.
“You. You seem to know exactly how to make my blood boil.”
“What did I… Ah!”
Ga-eun’s head tilted back at the heavy sensation that suddenly invaded her.
Si-heon didn’t hesitate to sink his teeth into the exposed nape of her neck.
Her vision shook violently.
Ga-eun’s nails dug deep into Si-heon’s back.
He paid no mind and drove into her even harder.
It was a night with their wedding not far off.
* * *
The rumors that started in the financial district soon spread across the country through messenger apps.
The news was that Chairman Kwon Soon-yeol of Hwanhee Group’s beloved eldest grandson had returned home and was about to get married.
Though only initials were used, those in the know could tell the woman’s family was from Yuhan Trading Company.
That’s when Gye Young-cheol ‘s company began to revive.
It seemed like just yesterday he was desperately calling everywhere to borrow money, but now his phone wouldn’t stop ringing with incoming calls.
The same was true for Woo Ji-hyang and Gye So-yeon.
They received exceptional treatment wherever they went, now that they were becoming in-laws with the Hwanhee Group.
However, their faces weren’t particularly bright.
One month before the wedding.
Chairman Kwon Soon-yeol drove the final nail in at the long-awaited family meeting.
“I heard our daughter-in-law’s older sister is engaged to President Shim Young-beom?”
Gye So-yeon, who was about to drink water, choked and hurriedly covered her mouth with a napkin.
Gye Young-cheol and Woo Ji-hyang anxiously watched Chairman Kwon Soon-yeol and Si-heon’s reactions.
“We… we’re sorry, Chairman. The child seems startled.”
“Hey, So-yeon. What’s wrong, hm? You’re usually such a quiet and modest girl.”
“…I’m sorry.”
At her parents’ words, Gye So-yeon lowered her head and bit her lower lip.
“Ho ho. The connection between our families runs quite deep, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, y-you speak the truth.”
“I wonder what I should give as a gift.”
“A-a gift?! Just… just meeting such good people… is already a great blessing…”
“Thinking of our in-law’s daughter’s position, I’ll give President Shim more support, so don’t worry too much.”
“Th-thank you…”
Chairman Kwon Soon-yeol turned his gaze to Si-heon after watching the couple bow their heads.
When Si-heon lifted the corner of his mouth in response to his grandfather’s look asking if this was enough, Kwon Soon-yeol clicked his tongue.
What a ridiculous charade this was.
Grandfather had said he would arrange a marriage for Director Shim, whom he deeply cherished. But the person he brought turned out to be Ga-eun’s half-sister. Apparently, they made a perfect match.
Stating that this would prevent Director Shim from causing any trouble with women for a while, he asked to entrust Ga-eun with managing the nearly completed gallery under the Hwanhee Cultural Foundation. He insisted he couldn’t bear to see his cousin Kwon Si-jung’s wife take the position.
He was truly a willful grandson, but troublingly, his grandfather couldn’t bring himself to dislike him. Kwon Soon-yeol could only reply with an agreeable “Very well,” impressed by how shrewdly his grandson was utilizing a relationship that would end soon.
‘That rascal. Exceptionally skilled at looking after his own interests… quite an impressive fellow.’
Then Kwon Soon-yeol’s gaze shifted to Si-heon’s parents, Kwon Hee-sung and Han Yu-ae. Despite having rejected all previous invitations, claiming they wanted nothing to do with this world, it seems they were parents after all – evidenced by their presence at the Hotel Hwanhee for their son’s formal meeting.
While people said Si-heon took after his grandfather Kwon Soon-yeol, that was only because his father, Kwon Hee-sung, rarely showed himself. With his thick black hair and eyebrows, prominent nose bridge, and an imposing physique that commanded respect – if not for his silver-rimmed glasses, he would have looked less like a professor and more like a dangerous figure straddling both the corporate world and its shadows, much like Si-heon.
However, when he looked at his wife, his cold gaze would instantly soften.
‘That’s precisely the problem, tsk.’
These days, Kwon Soon-yeol is deeply troubled. He worried that Si-heon might inherit his father’s such weakness. That he might lose his senses and give his heart and soul to the woman he loved, falling to his knees for her.
“Though I hesitate to say this…” Kwon Soon-yeol spoke in a completely unhesitating, composed manner.
“There’s no shortage of young women who wish to become daughters-in-law of the Hwanhee Group. Many among them wouldn’t mind even if it’s after Si-heon’s divorce.”
Kwon Soon-yeol’s intended message was clear: The position of Si-heon’s wife was replaceable at any time.
