To My Brother’s Friend - Chapter 19

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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 19
Han Young-sook laughed aloud, her voice warm and genuine.
“Well, you two are about to be married, after all.”
Just as Kwon Yeol had done for Hee-jo moments before, she carefully filleted the fish and placed the delicate meat atop his spoon as she continued speaking.
“I’ve only seen the two of you together a handful of times. I’ve mostly just caught glimpses of you exchanging greetings at events.”
“I apologize.”
“That’s not what I meant to hear, and besides, I was simply saying you look good together. To be honest, I’ve always secretly hoped Hee-jo would become my daughter-in-law.”
A pause.
Kwon Yeol’s hand, which had been lifting his spoon, froze mid-air.
Hee-jo, too, could not hide her shock, her eyes widening as she stared at Han Young-sook.
“Did that surprise you, Hee-jo?”
“Ah….”
“Hehe. Our Seung-won drove me here last week, you know. When he saw you then, he seemed quite taken with you.”
Ryu Seung-won was Han Young-sook’s youngest grandson, blessed with handsome features and a warm, affectionate nature.
Recently returned from his studies in Japan, he was preparing to pursue his doctorate in Korea.
When he had visited the Transmission Hall last week to pay his respects upon his return, he had apparently taken a favorable impression of Hee-jo.
“Seung-won has always been such a tender and thoughtful soul since childhood, just like you, Hee-jo. I thought the two of you would suit each other wonderfully.”
“….”
“I never imagined things would develop this way with Director Beom. But now, well, there’s nothing to be done about it.”
My throat tightened.
The meal that had tasted sweet moments ago suddenly turned bland, like chewing sand.
I had seen countless men covet Hee-jo before, so that alone was not what troubled me.
What gnawed at my mind was something else entirely.
One year from now.
After the contract ends and we part ways.
Around Han Young-sook, who will remain in Hee-jo’s life, that tender and thoughtful grandson will occasionally appear, just as he does now.
His visits may even become more frequent.
If he continues to favor Hee-jo, and Han Young-sook remains steadfast in wishing them well together.
If Hee-jo’s heart, which trusts and relies so completely on her mentor, should tilt toward that grandson instead….
The chain of possibilities scraped coldly across the depths of my chest.
I know it’s utterly pointless to think this way.
Once we divorce, whoever Hee-jo chooses will have nothing to do with me.
Nothing to do with me—so why does this feeling keep creeping in?
This dark, suffocating, wretched feeling.
“Please, eat up. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
“…Yes.”
The meal continued in that delicate, strained atmosphere.
As the bowls grew nearly empty.
“Hee-jo, dear. Would you go into the Inner Quarters and fetch that agarwood tea for me? It’s in the back of the second storage cabinet. I should give Director Beom proper hospitality.”
“Ah….”
Hee-jo’s feet wouldn’t move forward.
‘Would it be alright to leave them alone together?’
Ever since the conversation about the Master’s grandson had come up, Kwon Yeol remained courteous, yet his gaze had grown noticeably darker and more guarded.
“Is the car comfortable?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
As Hee-jo looked at Kwon Yeol with unease, he met her eyes and gave a light nod.
“Ah… yes, then. I’ll be going.”
After observing the two of them, Hee-jo slowly rose from her seat and made her way toward the Inner Quarters.
Han Young-sook, who had been watching her receding figure intently, finally spoke.
“Our Hee-jo is truly obedient and beautiful. At least in my eyes. I cherish her as I would my own daughter, my own granddaughter. That child and our Seung-won are no different to me.”
“I understand.”
“Since you do, I’ll speak bluntly then… I don’t want this marriage to happen.”
Clatter.
Han Young-sook set down her utensils and continued, her gaze fixed directly on Kwon Yeol’s eyes.
“Hee-jo stopped by the Foundation today to pick something up, and she came back looking like that. She said she bumped into something while moving boxes, but I don’t believe that’s the truth.”
Han Young-sook drew a deep breath, then carefully adjusted the ties of her hanbok as if to compose herself.
“It seems Madam Jung was quite angry.”
“…”
“I never expected she would raise her hand even before the wedding. If this is what happens where you can see, what else might occur in places beyond your sight…?”
In the heavy silence that settled between them, Kwon Yeol slowly placed both hands on his lap.
Then he bowed deeply toward Han Young-sook.
“First, I apologize on behalf of my mother’s actions. There is no excuse—my failure to stop her is entirely my fault.”
Han Young-sook swallowed dryly without realizing it.
She had never imagined that the arrogant man before her—the heir apparent to the Beom Ho Group, one who bowed to no one—would so readily admit his shortcomings and bend his pride like this.
Han Young-sook cleared her throat as if to hide her surprise, then continued with deliberate coldness.
“I didn’t bring this up to receive an apology from you. It won’t change Madam Jung’s heart anyway.”
It seemed Han Young-sook’s heart would not be easily appeased.
Of course, regardless of her consent, the marriage would proceed.
Yet Han Young-sook had been Hee-jo’s only family, the one who had genuinely cherished her throughout all this time.
Therefore, I too had to show him proper respect and sincerity.
“I cannot give you a guarantee that such an incident will never happen again. I cannot dare lie to you, Master.”
Kwon Yeol lifted his head and met Han Young-sook’s gaze directly.
“But this much I will promise you: I will protect Hee-jo with every means at my disposal.”
His low, resonant voice reverberated deeply through the space.
“Even where my eyes cannot reach, I will ensure no one can lay a hand on her without consequence. This I promise you.”
Han Young-sook held her breath.
Kwon Yeol’s unwavering composure and the piercing gaze that seemed to see through her were so resolute and formidable.
“You will be able to confirm my resolve soon enough.”
* * *
The two of them returned from the Transmission Hall to the house.
Hee-jo forced her heavy eyelids open with sheer willpower.
Throughout the drive back, she had asked what he and his master discussed, but Kwon Yeol merely smiled and refused to answer.
“You really won’t tell me?”
“Rest for now. You’re practically collapsing.”
“I’m not….”
The moment his large hand gently covered her eyes, her breathing soon became rhythmic and shallow—the deep sleep of someone overwhelmed by the weight of an exhausting day.
It was the kind of sleep that conquered all resistance.
Kwon Yeol sat at the bedside, silently gazing at the gauze adhered to her pale cheek.
“….”
With careful hands, he drew the blanket up to her chest, then slipped soundlessly from the room.
At the far end of the cold corridor, his eyes held a chilling glint as he held his phone.
* * *
The following morning.
Madam Jung had barely arrived at the Director’s Office when a single phone call drained the color from her face in an instant.
“A complete fire…? What do you mean, that place of all places!”
Her greenhouse in the Seoul Metropolitan Outskirts—where she had spent a lifetime meticulously collecting rare orchid varieties and bonsai—had been reduced to ash.
Her pride and sanctuary, the very proof of her authority and refinement, had vanished in a single night.
She could not fathom how a place equipped with every cutting-edge security system and fire suppression technology had burned helplessly to the ground.
Then came a heavy knock, and the Director’s Office door opened.
The unexpected visitor was Kwon Yeol.
A cold air, devoid of any trace of the fire’s heat, swept in with him.
“You look unwell, Mother.”
His low, measured voice broke the silence.
“Much like Hee-jo was yesterday in this very place.”
“What—what are you saying? Appearing out of nowhere like this, why are you even here at this hour….”
Madam Jung’s eyes trembled violently with dawning horror.
Surely not….
“I acted according to the family code.”
The family code?
“That the Beom Family is not so foolish as to leave untouched anyone who lays hands on what is mine.”
Kwon Yeol placed something small and folded on the table as he spoke.
“I exercised restraint. After all, you are still my mother. How could mere plants compare to a person?”
“Kwon Yeol, you—surely you didn’t….”
“Do not touch Hee-jo again. This is my final courtesy as your son, and my warning as her husband.”
Before Madam Jung’s eyes, a phantom flame rose behind her son’s back—a fire like divine retribution.
A blaze so scorching it burned with an icy chill.
Her gaze, gripped by terror, slowly descended to the desk.
There lay a white gauze, faintly stained with blood.
“Next time, it will not be the greenhouse that becomes ash.”

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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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