The Regressed Chaebol Grandson Finds It Hard to Forgive - Chapter 45

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 45. Oyang Group Family (3)

Clink!

“Grandfather, nice shot!!”
“Chairman, that was beautiful.”
“Father, perfect!”
“Grandfather, you’re the best!”

The final eighteen holes.
On the Par 4 white tee course at 433 meters, Chairman Lee Do-joong had just attempted his final putt.

He’d made a birdie.

Today, his ball contact was exceptional.

He came out to the course regularly, but age was a factor one couldn’t ignore.
He typically shot in the mid-80s.

Today he’d recorded a 77.

‘That fellow has a curious way of bringing good energy to the game.’

Lee Do-joong glanced sideways at Ha Tae-woong, who was following a few steps behind.

The young man he’d been rounding with since the tenth hole.

Normally it would have been impossible.
But as the club owner, Chairman Lee Do-joong had arranged for six of them to play together.

Ha Tae-woong’s group had gone off in the slot just behind.

Because that group had moved through the course so quickly, there was more than enough time when they merged with Lee Do-joong’s group.

“Your putting accuracy is remarkable. I admire it!”

Ha Tae-woong had a talent for putting elder men in good spirits.

A hasty judge might have called it flattery, but Lee Do-joong didn’t see it that way.

Not the flimsy attitude of a petty man, but neither was it mere flattery.

Though he’d said it was his first outing with a handicap, Ha Tae-woong’s skill was considerable.

On nine holes, he was playing business golf at just one stroke below par.
The seasoned Chairman Lee Do-joong saw through Ha Tae-woong completely.

Even knowing the young man was holding back, it didn’t displease him.

His own sons, when rounding with him, typically showed the same tact.

Never did they reveal any competitive desire to outplay their father.

Their usual rounds were more social gatherings than tests of skill.
Today was no different.

With a professional female golfer in the group, the atmosphere livened considerably.

“Your name is An Hyeon-joo, if I recall?”

Chairman Lee Do-joong asked gently as he handed his putter to the caddy.

“Yes, Chairman.”
“Isn’t this tour season for you professionals?”

It was a critical time for golfers active on the professional circuit.

An Hyeon-joo was slightly flustered by his unintended question.
Lee Do-joong had asked out of genuine curiosity.

“Ah, yes. I’m taking a break for personal reasons. Instead, I’m coaching students at Cheonghwa High School.”
“Is that so? Your skill is considerable, though. Could it be you lack a sponsor?”

Doubt crept into Chairman Lee Do-joong’s mind.
It seemed An Hyeon-joo was also conducting the round at a business-golf level.

Her swing, approach, and putting stance all bore the unmistakable hallmark of a true professional.

So why was she teaching high school students?

“Father. About An Hyeon-joo here—”

Lee Seok-jong, his third son and well-versed in golf-world affairs, started to speak but fell silent.

Mentioning the incident with the Shinyang Financial Group chairman wasn’t appropriate for this setting.

Because of that matter, An Hyeon-joo couldn’t participate in the tour.

Bringing it up directly here would be tactless.

“Why? Do you know something? What is it?”

Lee Do-joong looked directly into Lee Seok-jong’s eyes and pressed him.
Lee Do-joong’s intention was straightforward.

If this was fate, then so be it.
If she lacked a sponsor, he was considering sponsorship at the group level.

“I’ll explain, sir. The chairman of Shinyang Financial Group made inappropriate demands of An Hyeon-joo. That’s what caused the friction.”

Ha Tae-woong, sensing Lee Seok-jong’s position, stepped forward.

“Inappropriate demands? Don’t tell me—”

Something seemed to dawn on Chairman Lee Do-joong; deep lines furrowed his brow.

“That’s correct.”
“Hmm…”

Chairman Lee Do-joong fell silent, lost in thought.
Shinyang Financial Group was a company even Oyang found awkward to deal with.

An undeniable heavyweight in the financial sector.

Though its chairman was elected, his influence carried considerable weight.

“Chairman, you needn’t worry about An Hyeon-joo’s sponsorship. It seems our family will be providing support soon.”

An unexpected answer came from Ha Tae-woong.

‘That’s it! He’s from the Ha family.’
‘From his family? What exactly does this boy do?’
‘Where is Tae-woong’s family from?’
‘Tae-woong, what on earth are you?’
‘He’s going to support me??’

Everyone present fell into their own thoughts, minds spinning.

Among them, Chairman Lee Do-joong’s face brightened most noticeably.

In that moment, a suspicion he’d harbored even in the lodge found its clear answer.
Lee Do-joong’s face opened into a smile.

“I see. How is your grandfather?”

Having found confirmation in Ha Tae-woong’s answer, Lee Do-joong immediately asked after his health.

“He’s been quite busy with recent developments…”
“Ah! Of course.”

‘Hyo-joo really does know how to read people.’

His granddaughter Lee Hyo-joo, who ordinarily kept people at arm’s length.
Lee Do-joong was inwardly satisfied with her eye for character.

Currently, Ha Ryun Group Chairman Ha Cheol-gon was under prosecution for embezzlement and breach of fiduciary duty.

But Ha Cheol-gon wouldn’t be going to prison.

He was deeply entangled with the new administration.
The heads of Top 10 conglomerates wielded power simply by virtue of their rank.

Though regimes changed, Korea’s aristocracy did not.

“Tae-woong.”

Lee Do-joong called Ha Tae-woong with a noticeably warmer tone.

“Yes, sir.”
“Come visit with Hyo-joo sometime. We’ll have a meal and share a drink.”
“Whenever you call, sir, I’ll be there.”

Lee Do-joong was satisfied with Ha Tae-woong’s cheerful response each time.
A straightforwardness hard to find in his own children.

Sharp-witted and self-assured, like befitted a major conglomerate heir.

‘Bastard!!’

Lee Jung-ho, listening to the exchange between the two men, felt his blood boil.
With each passing moment, his resentment deepened.

His grandfather’s attention to this stranger seemed excessive.

Ha Tae-woong—he didn’t even know what family the boy came from.

Yet his grandfather seemed to know something; he was decidedly favorable toward him.

Father and Uncle deferred, watching their father’s reaction.

But cunning Hyo-joo—unlike the other family members, she couldn’t hide the anxiety in her eyes.

His foolish older brother’s face had visibly stiffened.

He couldn’t hide his discomfort; it showed plainly on his expression.

“Pro, you were wonderful today.”
“Thank you. It was an enjoyable round.”
“Seok-jong.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Pro, see that she has some spending money.”
“Chairman, that’s not necessary.”

An Hyeon-joo flustered, waving her hands urgently.

“To refuse money from an elder is also impolite.”
“…Thank you.”

The round concluded more smoothly than expected.
Ha Tae-woong and An Hyeon-joo, who’d unexpectedly joined the family outing.

An unplanned but warm encounter with Chairman Lee Do-joong had come to pass.

“See you next time, Tae-woong.”
“Yes, sir. Safe travels.”

Ha Tae-woong’s manner remained courteous to the end.

Chairman Lee Do-joong was satisfied by the composure he maintained even at parting.

Next was a family dinner alone.

Though the two had met by chance, it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to join the meal.

“See you next time, Tae-woong.”
“Yes, ma’am.”

Hyo-joo’s mother, Han So-eun, wore a comfortable smile.

The other family members, meeting him for the first time and still somewhat awkward, simply exchanged nods before parting.

“Ha Tae-woong…”

Lee Hyo-joo, her mind turbulent, couldn’t hide the anxiety in her eyes.

Ha Tae-woong’s identity—once revealed, it was water spilled that could never be gathered again.

It was obvious her grandfather, and likely the other family members, would dig into his background relentlessly.

Within days, the true identity of fourth-generation heir Ha Tae-woong would come to light.
Just imagining it made her head feel as though it might burst.

“See you at school, Hyo-joo.”

Ha Tae-woong’s bright voice, as if the situation held no weight for him.

‘What on earth are you?’

The grandfather Ha Tae-woong—the one Lee Do-joong had asked about with such gravity.
Now that she thought about it, Lee Hyo-joo knew nothing about Ha Tae-woong.

“Sigh…”

A long exhale escaped Lee Hyo-joo’s lips unbidden.

“You damn bastard…”

Lee Jung-ho, who’d stepped closer, ground out the words like a low muttering, teeth clenched.
Fury burned behind his gaze fixed on Ha Tae-woong.

“Take care now, friend.”

Ha Tae-woong didn’t flinch at Lee Jung-ho’s stare; he simply grinned.

“Friend? Screw that. Knock off the bullshit, asshole!”

The Oyang Group family dispersed in small groups.

They split into separate golf carts and departed.

“Tae-woong…”

An Hyeon-joo regarded Ha Tae-woong with a complicated gaze.

Her eyes spoke what words could not.

He’d certainly told her he was a fourth-generation heir.

But facing a situation like this, she found herself unable to believe his words.

How could any fourth-generation heir befriend someone like the Oyang Group chairman?

Whoooosh.

Just then, a golf cart approached the spot where the two stood.
A man in a neat suit stepped out.

“Are you An Hyeon-joo?”
“Yes.”
“Chairman Lee asked me to deliver this money envelope.”

The man, who appeared to be Chairman Lee Do-joong’s secretary, held out a pristine white envelope.

“Please tell him thank you.”
“Of course.”

The man gave a neat bow and turned to leave.

“Open it.”

At Ha Tae-woong’s words, An Hyeon-joo pulled a piece of paper from the envelope.
It was a check.

“…!!”
“How much?”
“T-Tae-woong. Can I really accept this? It’s 10 million won.”

Honestly, the amount was substantial for nine holes of business-golf entertainment.
But—

“That’s appropriate.”
“What?”
“For a round with a future LPGA star… it’s fitting. Use it as spending money.”
“…”

Ha Tae-woong called a 10-million-won check mere pocket money.

An Hyeon-joo stared at him blankly.

His gaze was fixed on the vast empty expanse of the golf course.
The course, now bathed in afternoon sun, was dazzling.

“Next time, I’ll host you at my golf course.”
“…”

Ha Tae-woong delivered the words as though they were casual, yet in earnest.
But his eyes held a sincerity that made it difficult to dismiss as mere jest.

An Hyeon-joo suddenly recalled his earlier words.

The promise to send her to the LPGA tour.

‘Perhaps… it wasn’t a joke after all…’

A warm spark ignited in An Hyeon-joo’s chest, which had grown cold.

A single word from Ha Tae-woong rekindled the flame.

She found herself studying Ha Tae-woong beside her, her heart stirred by vague hope and excitement.
He seemed like a giant.

The man who’d remained composed before the Oyang Group chairman and his entire family.
Now he stood beside her.

His broad shoulders, gazing out at the empty green, felt reassuring.

Though young in years, there was a weight about him utterly beyond approach.

She wanted to lean against those solid shoulders.

Thump-thump.

Her heart, which had quickened unknowingly several times over, drummed on.

An Hyeon-joo quietly placed her hand over her heart.

“Sigh…”

A short breath escaped her lips.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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