(Han Villa)
Jihyun was half-lying on the couch, tired eyes fixed on the ceiling. His shoulders slumped as if the long flight had drained everything out of him.
"Go upstairs and rest,"
Minjoon said firmly, pulling a blanket over the Jihyun's legs.
"The flight must've worn you out."
Before Jihyun could answer, Mr. Han's voice cut in, calm.
"Go get freshened up. Dinner will be ready soon. Come down when it's time to eat."
Jihyun groaned as he pushed himself up. "Dad, I'm telling you, I'll be leaving soon. Don't expect me to stay long."
"Jihyun." His father's tone was final.
"Okay, okay, I get it,"
Jihyun muttered, raising his hands in surrender before trudging upstairs.
The room grew quieter. Mr. Han turned to Minjoon.
"What about the company?
Everything's going smoothly?"
"Yes, Father," Minjoon replied.
"In the last meeting, I discussed the contract application with the directors.
They suggested proceeding with Kang Group immediately. I think it's better to finalize now."
Mr. Han nodded.
"Good. Then on Monday, I'll visit myself. If the Kang family accepts, it'll be settled.
If not, we'll push forward with Lite Up Company."
"That's the only option left," Minjoon agreed.
(Kang Villa)
The house was filled with warmth. Mrs. Kang sat with baby Dan in her arms, glowing with joy. Taewon, Taesung, and Jihan were gathered around, the atmosphere unusually light.
"Mom," Taesung spoke first, his voice carrying both hesitation and hope.
"Jihan and I… we've decided something."
Mrs. Kang's smile widened.
"About what?"
Jihan glanced at Taesung, then spoke softly. "If it's possible can we live here with you? Dan and I spend most of the day alone when Taesung goes to the hospital.
It would be better to be together."
Mrs. Kang's eyes lit up, her hands tightening around Taesung's.
"What did you just say?"
Taesung's voice grew steadier.
"It's been so long since I left. I always wanted to come back, but I couldn't. Now I think maybe it's the right time."
Her eyes welled up.
"Why not? I've always wanted you to come back. This is your house you're always welcome."
"Thank you, Mother,"
Jihan whispered.
"You're all my children,"
Mrs. Kang said warmly.
"It'll be a blessing for us to live together again."
Then she turned, her gaze softening on her youngest son.
"I told Taewon to stay here too, but he won't."
Taewon remained silent, his face unreadable, his gaze fixed on the table.
Just then, the cook entered.
"Dinner is ready."
(A Few Days Later Han Villa)
"Dad, I'm going with you to the office today," Jihyun said as he tugged on his jacket.
"There's no need," Mr. Han replied flatly.
Before he could continue, Jihyun stood straighter, his voice firm.
"I'm going. Jungwon and Wonyoung already started working there. They called me yesterday I promised them I'd visit. I only have two days left dad before I go back abroad. If I don't see them now, I won't get another chance."
He walked off to his room, leaving Mr. Han speechless.
Minjoon placed a hand on his father's shoulder.
"It's okay, Dad. Let him go. We can't keep hiding him, and he can't keep avoiding people forever. Besides, they're nothing to each other anymore."
(Han Group)
The lobby buzzed with activity. Jihyun headed straight for the departments, his steps quick with excitement to meet Wonyoung and Jungwon.
Meanwhile, Mr. Han and Minjoon entered the meeting room.
Soon, Taewon arrived with his team to finalize the contract. Once the documents were signed, he turned to Mr. Han.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to inspect the departments and see the ongoing experiments."
"Of course," Mr. Han said politely.
Their footsteps echoed through the hallways as they toured the departments. Conversation was brief, strictly business, no more than necessary.
Finally, they entered Department C3.
The moment Taewon stepped inside, his eyes landed on Jihyun. He stood beside Wonyoung, laughing over something trivial, his face bright with ease.
The air shifted.
The employees straightened, bowing quickly. Jihyun turned, his laughter dying in his throat. His breath caught, as his gaze fell on him.
Taewon looked different taller, sharper, his aura heavy and unshakable. Not the man Jihyun remembered, but someone colder, distant,
Minjoon moved first, breaking the silence. "Let's go."
Without sparing even a glance, Taewon passed right by Jihyun as though he didn't exist.
Jihyun stood frozen, stunned.
How can a man change this much in such a short time?
Taewon inspected the department in silence, his voice clipped, his review done in less than five minutes .
Then, without hesitation, he walked out.
The echo of his footsteps faded, leaving Jihyun shaken, confusion storming inside him.
After finishing the inspection, Taewon gave a polite bow to Mr. Han and Minjoon before leaving back.
Meanwhile,
Jihyun, still unsettled, stormed into Minjoon's office.
"What was he doing here?"
he asked, confusion heavy in his voice.
Minjoon calmly opened his laptop.
"The contract."
"Contract?" Jihyun frowned, stepping closer. "What contract?"
"The same one from before,"
Minjoon replied.
"When our company was drowning because of his Father and our ratings were falling, it was Kang Taewon who gave up his shares to help us rise again."
Jihyun's eyes widened.
"Then… why now?"
"Because we still need his help,"
Minjoon said without looking up.
"We reached out to him first."
"Then why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Jihyun demanded, his voice rising.
Only then did Minjoon raise his head, his gaze sharp.
"Do you ever listen to anyone before giving your orders?"
Jihyun blinked, lips pressing into a pout, and sank into the chair across from him.
Outwardly sulking, but inside his mind and heart were still tangled with Taewon's cold tone, that distant look in his eyes, and the unfamiliar aura that felt like a stranger.