Episode 8
“Yes.”
“What’s the reason?”
Did there need to be a grandiose reason? Seung-hyun pondered for a moment, looking at the pattern on the floor of the chairman’s office. However, soon thinking that there was no need to give a great reason, he raised his head and looked Chairman Han in the eye.
“I’ve gotten tired of everything.”
“…What?”
The old man asked back, doubting his ears at Seung-hyun’s words. But Seung-hyun answered again without any concern.
“I don’t think it’s a job that suits my aptitude, and I don’t feel the same enthusiasm as before, so I’m tired of everything. And.”
Seung-hyun closed his mouth. There was no need to inform him about the fact that he was sick. He might get entangled in annoying questions if he did.
“I just want to take a break and clear my head.”
“This is why passionates are no good. You begged and begged to be entrusted with the job, and now that you’ve come this far. Tsk. Tsk.”
After a moment of surprise, Chairman Han clicked his tongue and glared at Seung-hyun with a frown. From the beginning, Chairman Han did not want to entrust Seung-hyun with important responsibilities.
Not only because Seung-hyun was a passionate alpha, but also because he had another grandson who was a superior alpha and much more capable than Seung-hyun. Chairman Han had already been quite annoyed by Seung-hyun’s useless behavior.
“Are you saying you’re going to leave all the projects you were doing?”
“Yes. The important projects are almost finished anyway, and there are only tasks left that can be completed without me.”
When he thought he would be told to get lost, they’re at least pretending to hold on to him. Seung-hyun thought to himself as he gathered his gaze.
“And isn’t Managing Director Han Tae-sung better at work than me anyway? You trust Managing Director Han more too, Chairman.”
“That’s because Tae-sung is meticulous and handles work well. But how is that your fault? It’s the difference you were born with.”
The chairman clicked his tongue as he spoke. If he were really Han Seung-hyun, those words would have been infuriating and resentful, but from Seung-hyun’s current position, it didn’t matter what he said.
‘I just hope he finishes talking quickly and lets me go.’
His face naturally became apathetic, but Chairman Han continued speaking as usual without noticing Seung-hyun’s expression.
“It’s fortunate that you’ve come to your senses now. I guess you’re not going to quit work completely, so what’s your schedule for returning?”
“I’m going to quit completely.”
“What did you say?”
“I’m thinking of not doing any work for a few years at least. It’s not like there’s anything I have to do anyway.”
Seung-hyun, who had been muttering softly, came to his senses and said with a smile. The number of years he mentioned was in consideration of the possibility. If he said exactly one year and ended up living a little longer, troublesome things might happen again.
“A few years… Tsk. If you were at least an ordinary alpha, you would have received good marriage proposals.”
“I want to think about marriage slowly. Didn’t Managing Director Han also get married only this year? I don’t think there’s a need to rush.”
Seung-hyun and Tae-sung were two years apart in age. The moment “Han Seung-hyun” was diagnosed with a terminal illness, the current Seung-hyun entered this world, so Tae-sung must have had his wedding last month.
“That omega is just enjoying a luxurious life after being born into a good family. If that old man hadn’t given Tae-sung that much stock in Mojik, how could a mere passionate omega meet a spouse like Tae-sung? Well, I allowed it because he’s not without flaws either.”
Seung-hyun felt a little yawn coming on at Chairman Han’s way of speaking, always criticizing others whenever he opened his mouth. Marriage was too far from Seung-hyun’s reality.
‘Why would someone who’s going to die soon get married and ruin someone else’s life? Oh, no. In a way, it would be an arranged marriage, so if the husband dies quickly and inherits the estate… it might be more profitable than winning the lottery several times.’
“Alright. Well. Since you say you’ve realized reality on your own, what can I say? I’ll hand over the remaining work to Tae-sung’s side, so keep that in mind.”
Seung-hyun, who was about to go off on a tangent, returned to reality at Chairman Han’s words. He nodded his head as if he had been waiting for the answer he wanted.
“Yes.”
“But what a strange thing. I thought you were the kind of guy who would never let go of this path even if you died. It’s not like you suddenly became a different person, so is it time for you to die?”
At Chairman Han’s words that accurately described Seung-hyun’s situation, Seung-hyun barely swallowed the laughter that almost burst out and managed his expression. It was literally a case of stumbling upon a fortune while backing away.
“It’s also unexpected that you’re indifferent to the news that I’m handing your work over to Tae-sung. Have you grown up?”
“I just decided not to care about other people’s business. It’s something I’ve let go of now, so it doesn’t matter what happens to it.”
So stop with the boring talk and just let me go. Seung-hyun thought to himself as he bowed his head.
“I don’t have anything to sort out, do you have anything else to say?”
“No. I don’t, but…”
The chairman showed a little surprise at Seung-hyun’s words. The grandson who always stood before him with tense eyes full of fighting spirit.
But the current Seung-hyun didn’t have any fighting spirit, let alone any goal in his eyes, and was only expressing his will to be sent away with his whole body.
‘Do you have anything else to say, he says. I’ve never heard such words even from my own children.’
Faced with treatment he had never received in his life, Chairman Han spoke with slightly dazed eyes.
“Alright. Then you may go now.”
“Yes. Chairman.”
As soon as he was told he could leave, Seung-hyun bowed as if he had been waiting and turned around. Chairman Han muttered softly as he stared at Seung-hyun’s back that looked carefree.
“Is it time for me to die, or is it time for that guy to die…?”
But unlike the stunned Chairman Han, Seung-hyun’s mood was very light, as if he could fly away. Now he had completely let go of his position as well. He thought he only had to play now.
‘The hotel vacation was fun. Where should I go this time? Overseas? But I think I’ll hate it if I can’t communicate. Should I go somewhere close for now? I also wanted to try omakase once. And…’
“Director Han. Let’s talk for a moment.”
While he was thinking about his future plans with a bit of excitement, someone called out to Seung-hyun from behind. It was a voice he heard for the first time, but somehow Seung-hyun felt like he knew who the owner of that voice was.
“Managing Director Han. I have nothing to talk about.”
“What did you discuss with the chairman?”
“I’m sure you have many capable informants, hasn’t the rumor reached there yet?”
Seung-hyun said sarcastically as he looked at Tae-sung. He didn’t want to pick a fight, but he didn’t want to be friendly to someone who openly showed dislike.
“It has to be a rumor I can trust.”
Tae-sung said with a frown. Tae-sung, who had walked up to Seung-hyun, grabbed his wrist.
“I don’t think this is something to discuss in a crowded place. Let’s talk for a bit.”
“I don’t mind if it gets out. And I don’t have much to say to you, Managing Director. I just expressed my final intention to resign to the chairman. He gave me permission. As for work-related matters…”
“You’re telling me to believe that? Not someone else, but you, Han Seung-hyun?”
Tae-sung, who had come right up to Seung-hyun’s nose, growled softly. It wasn’t strange. Seung-hyun had disliked him from the moment Tae-sung entered Chairman Han’s residence.
It was three months after Seung-hyun had presented as a passionate alpha that Tae-sung was summoned by Chairman Han. Chairman Han, who was dissatisfied with his grandson who had a mind that worked hard but was ambiguous to be outstanding, began searching for his illegitimate grandson whom he had abandoned with his own hands as soon as he found out Seung-hyun was a passionate.
When he finally found Tae-sung after three months and brought him into the residence, it was natural for Seung-hyun’s eyes to roll back. The bullying that started then continued without a single moment’s pause until now, almost 15 years later.
From small bullying in childhood to obstruction after entering the company. Seung-hyun was hell-bent on bringing him down as if denying the very existence of a person named Han Tae-sung.
“I don’t know what you’re scheming again, but do it in moderation. No one will fall for your shallow tricks.”
“Then try watching carefully. Whether I cause trouble or not.”
But the current Seung-hyun was not that Han Seung-hyun. Seung-hyun, who pulled out his seized wrist, rubbed his slightly sore wrist and shook his hand.
‘Well, I have no intention of causing trouble anyway, so there won’t be anything to get involved with.’
“I hope we don’t get involved again. Managing Director Han.”
Seung-hyun said sincerely and turned around. He had thought he would clash with Tae-sung at least once anyway.
‘Now I really only have to play.’
Seung-hyun, who left the dumbfounded Tae-sung behind and left the company, stretched with a refreshed heart. The life of an unemployed chaebol was now officially beginning.