Unhealthy - Chapter 58

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 58. What Was Yours

On the evening when the trial results were reported, the entire world was buzzing with the name Gi Gyeong-un.

The media churned out sensational headlines daily about Jiwon Group’s downfall and Gi Chairman’s prison sentence, and portal sites were plastered with scandals of the Gi family.

Unlike that noisy reality, the space where Taejun and Hae-yeong stayed was filled with an eerily deep tranquility. In the suite room living room where external noise was perfectly blocked, only the dim lighting softly filled the air.

Taejun had placed several thick document folders and share return agreements handed over by the legal team on the table.

Hae-yeong stared blankly down at those bundles of papers.

The numbers printed in type felt unreal.

The hundreds of billions in assets and core shares of Jiwon Group that had been stained with her uncle’s and father’s names, and then again with Gi Gyeong-un’s name, were now entirely attributed to An Hae-yeong, her three-character name alone.

“All of this… is mine?”

Hae-yeong’s voice trembled slightly. It was power too heavy and massive for her to handle.

The fact that she had risen overnight to a position that some people could never reach even if they devoted their entire lives felt more like even stronger shackles than before rather than a blessing to Hae-yeong.

The documents Taejun was handing her were not simply a list of assets, but rather like the sum total of the tragedy that had been weighing her down all this time.

The past years flowed by like a glimpse through the dense numbers and legal terms.

“To be precise, these were originally yours. All I did was find the original owner and return them to their rightful place.”

Taejun replied calmly while leaning deeply into the sofa.

His eyes were directed toward Hae-yeong without a single inch of deviation. He examined in turn the eyes of his young lover who was frightened and trying to step back, and her finely trembling shoulders.

Rather than rejoicing before this enormous spoil of war, she looked so precarious as if she might burst into tears at any moment that a corner of Taejun’s heart ached sharply with pity.

Then Taejun grabbed her arm and slowly pulled her toward him.

Hae-yeong, who easily sat on Taejun’s thigh, seemed dazed as if lost in thought.

Taejun’s large hand covered Hae-yeong’s slender hand. His rough and firm warmth seeped in as if soothing Hae-yeong’s anxiety.

Taejun placed Hae-yeong’s hand against the dense letters on the paper. Soon, moving their overlapped hands so that her fingertips traced the black letters, Taejun said quietly.

“This isn’t for you to wield great power just because you have it.”

“…”

“It’s the minimum fence to support the ordinary life that those two wanted to leave you, and your honor that was trampled by Gi Gyeong-un. When you have this, no one can touch you carelessly. Not even me.”

“But you don’t touch me, oppa.”

Hae-yeong muttered as if feeling wronged, but Taejun smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“Powerless goodwill quickly becomes prey. I’ll protect you by your side for life, but you yourself must hold weapons to protect yourself. The world is much more ugly and persistent than you think.”

“…”

“When someone tries to take advantage of your kindness, you need to show that this enormous power is backing you up for you to be safe.”

Taejun’s voice was low and firm. He looked straight into Hae-yeong’s eyes and removed the anxiety that filled her inside, one by one.

The texture of paper felt from the bundle of documents touched Hae-yeong’s fingertips clearly.

“If you feel overwhelmed, don’t do anything. You can install professional managers, and I’ve suppressed the board of directors. You just go to school and study like you do now. Use money when you need it, and it doesn’t matter if you let it rot if you don’t like it. Just the fact that you’re the owner is enough.”

“…Is that really okay?”

“This is just you getting back what was taken from you, not homework you need to carry.”

At Taejun’s confident words, Hae-yeong finally let out a long breath she had been holding.

The fact that she just needed to breathe like before inside the enormous fortress he had created for her brought her relief. Hae-yeong leaned her forehead against Taejun’s chest and whispered.

“I don’t really know. Even though you say it was mine, I still don’t… I don’t know anything yet.”

Instead of answering, Taejun slowly stroked her hair.

The warmth touching his palm was so sweet that he momentarily wanted to forget even the fact that he was the very person who had led her to hell.

Taejun often asked himself whether all this compensation could truly become atonement. But at least for this moment, her peace was the top priority.

The peace didn’t last long.

A vibration rang from inside Taejun’s jacket. It was Secretary Lee.

Taejun glanced at Hae-yeong and distanced himself from her slightly before answering the phone.

The affectionate tone he had been using with Hae-yeong just moments ago instantly evaporated, and a cold voice rang out.

“Speak.”

[Director, we received contact from the Japanese embassy. The body identification is complete. It’s definitely Mr. Gi Jae-jun. And…]

Secretary Lee paused for a moment. At the same time, Taejun’s brow furrowed fiercely.

Gi Jae-jun. The name of that pitiful yet despicable younger brother who had inherited his father’s desires and tried to torment Hae-yeong to the end had returned with death.

[An Ji-min was spotted in his movements right before death. The circumstances are too suspicious to view as a simple accident. According to witness statements, the two had a violent physical fight. The discovery point was a dangerous cliff, so the possibility of accidental death is high, but local police are investigating with the possibility of murder also open.]

Taejun stared at the night view outside the tightly closed window.

The moment he thought he had brought down Gi Gyeong-un and pushed Hae-yeong into the light, pitch-black mud was grabbing his ankles again.

If An Ji-min was involved in Gi Jae-jun’s death, this would go beyond a simple criminal case and present another hell to Hae-yeong.

There was no way Hae-yeong could endure the fact that her aunt might have become a murderer or an accomplice equivalent to one.

Taejun felt Hae-yeong’s gaze watching him from behind.

She was still standing there knowing nothing, just worrying about Taejun’s darkened complexion.

Taejun gripped his phone tightly and commanded in a coldly sunken voice.

“Look into flights. The fastest one. Minimize the entourage, and keep it thoroughly secret from the media.”

[Yes, Director. I’ll prepare it.]

Taejun turned around after hanging up. Anxiety was already filling Hae-yeong’s eyes again.

Taejun tried to compose his expression to reassure her, but his heart was already in the calm before the storm.

The final piece of revenge was waiting for Taejun in the most tragic form. And the fear struck him that the moment he fit that piece, the peace Hae-yeong had gained might be shaken once again.

Taejun approached Hae-yeong while suppressing his trembling breath.

Unable to bring up Gi Jae-jun’s death and her aunt’s name, he carefully caressed her pale cheek.

“I think I need to go to Japan briefly. Something came up that needs to be sorted out. There are some documents from the local corporation that need to be confirmed after Gi Chairman’s verdict.”

“Suddenly? Is it very urgent? Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet…”

“It’s okay. I’m going with Secretary Lee, so don’t worry. It won’t take many days. You stay in this hotel and don’t come out, just study and wait. If you need anything, contact the secretary’s office right away.”

Taejun pulled Hae-yeong tightly into his arms while telling lies.

Her slender shoulders were trembling in his hands. To this child who became anxious just from him briefly leaving, he couldn’t bring himself to say that he was going to cross the threshold of another hell.

Taejun kissed her forehead and repeated to himself over and over. No matter what happened, no matter what ugly truth it was, he would end it in his own hands before it reached Hae-yeong.

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