IWDAR Chapter 26

A grand mansion stood on a sprawling estate, backed by heavy mountain slopes on the outskirts of Seoul. The dark-colored roof tiles extended elegantly, harmonizing with the thick oak trees scattered throughout the property, creating a scene like a painting. 

 

This was the family home of a chairman known as a big spender in the construction industry. Usually, not even an ant would be seen around the mansion, built on land devoid of any housing developments or even a single building. But today, as the sun began to set, a jet-black sedan glided onto the property.

 

“It’s been a while, young master.”

 

Tae-uk, with an impassive face, stepped out of the car, acknowledging the greetings of the staff with a slight nod. 

 

The mansion’s general manager, upon hearing the news of the young master’s long-awaited visit, had personally come out barefoot to greet him.

 

“How have you been? Everyone in the family has been very worried because you’ve been so busy.”

 

“I’m always the same. You must have had a hard time trying to please the Chairman.”

 

“Not at all. There’s always a reason for what the chairman does.”

 

Tae-uk’s gaze fell on the manager. Even with the barbed greeting, the manager simply offered a gentle smile. The employees working under the chairman usually had a snake-like quality. Tae-uk often disliked that about them, so much so that he wanted to devour them alive.

 

“By the way, Young Master, you look as dashing as ever. It’s a shame the public can’t see this side of you through the media.”

 

Due to an important external meeting during the day, Tae-uk was dressed more sharply than usual. Suppressing a sarcastic laugh at the manager’s transparent compliment, Tae-uk suddenly recalled Wooyoung’s face that morning after seeing him ready for work. 

 

Wooyoung had widened his eyes as if startled, then his face flushed red.

 

‘Don’t I look alright?’

 

Knowing the answer, Tae-uk had teased him on purpose. 

 

The small head nodded vigorously in response. 

 

The image of Wooyoung’s flattened hair fluttering at the back of his head came to mind, and a faint smile brushed Tae-uk’s lips before disappearing. 

 

It was very similar to how Wooyoung couldn’t take his eyes off him when they first met at the ceremony.

 

It was child’s play to manipulate such a young kid.

 

‘Certainly, that’s true, but……’

 

“Spare me the flattery. Where’s the chairman?”

 

“He’s in the dining room. He’s been eagerly waiting for you since this morning.”

 

Following the manager’s words, Tae-uk walked into the mansion, consciously trying to erase the image of Wooyoung’s sticking-up hair fluttering from his mind.

 

As Tae-uk entered the dining room, the first thing he saw was a large man seated at the center of a table laden with a feast. 

 

Mo Nak-hyun, wearing reading glasses perched on the tip of his nose, was scanning the news on a tablet. He looked remarkably healthy for a man over eighty.

 

“You seem quite healthy considering you were driving your staff crazy claiming to be critically ill.”

 

At Tae-uk’s taunt, Mo Nak-hyeon’s sharp eyes, fixed on the tablet, twitched.

 

“What can I do when seeing my grandson’s face is as rare as seeing a star in the sky?”

 

Normally, he would have started by ranting about Tae-uk’s disrespectful tone, but today, Mo Nak-hyeon seemed to be in a remarkably good mood, saying something like, ‘Look at how this brat talks!’ but today he seemed to be in a remarkably good mood. 

 

Mo Tae-uk, fully aware of the reason, hardened his face.

 

As if confirming that Mo Nak-hyun had indeed been waiting for Tae-uk, shortly after he entered the dining room, the dining room manager arrived, pulling a tray. On it was a heavy pot containing a deliciously prepared beef and mushroom hot pot.

 

Once the meal was finally ready, Mo Nak-hyun spoke.

 

“What are you doing standing there like a statue in front of the dining table? Come sit down quickly.”

 

Judging by the excessively lavish table, which was too extravagant to be simply called a “dinner table,” he seemed to have planned this. Handing his jacket to the attendant, Tae-uk firmly said to Mo Nak-hyun,

 

“Please don’t joke about your life like that again.”

 

“Why, were you worried?”

 

“Don’t you think I’m displeased that my expectations were dashed?”

 

“You ungrateful brat.”

 

Indeed, Mo Nak-hyun was in the best of moods. He couldn’t hide the twitching corners of his mouth, even at Tae-uk’s disrespectful remarks. 

 

Not wanting to see that sight, Tae-uk silently picked up his spoon. A fragrant and savory aroma wafted from the beef and mushroom hot pot bubbling in the center of the table. 

 

Taking in the appetizing sight, Tae-uk remembered Wooyoung devouring two bowls of haesintang the day he first moved in.

 

Despite looking like someone who would only eat sweet and stimulating foods, the boy had a surprisingly traditional palate.

 

‘He also enjoyed the seasoned wild chives when I took him to the Korean restaurant.’

 

He was certain that Wooyoung would love the beef and mushroom hot pot in front of him. He was thinking about taking some of the stew home when…

 

“So, how’s it going?”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“Don’t beat around the bush.”

 

As if he’d been struggling to contain his curiosity, Mo Nak-hyun bombarded Tae-uk with questions as soon as he seemed to have eaten enough.

 

“I’m talking about the rabbit in your house.”

 

“…….”

 

Clatter―

 

Tae-uk put down his spoon. Mo Nak-hyun’s brow furrowed at the sight.

 

“How dare you put down your spoon in the middle of a meal? Your table manners have become terrible since I last saw you!”

 

“Weren’t you the one who ruined my appetite first?”

 

“What?! Did I say something I shouldn’t have?!”

 

Finally, Mo Nak-hyeon raised his voice. Considering his grandfather’s usual temperament, this meant he had been holding back for quite a while, so Tae-uk was unfazed.

 

The reason why Mo Nak-hyun had gone so far as to lie to summon Tae-uk to the mansion, the reason why he was in such a noticeably good mood… 

 

Tae-uk already knew that all of this was because of Han Wooyoung’s existence. Yet, the moment Wooyoung was mentioned from the old man’s mouth, Tae-uk felt his mood plummet.

 

“Don’t tell me you still haven’t slept with him? There’s no time to waste. You need to consummate the union before the end of this month. The shaman said the evil spirits are incredibly enraged right now. The situation is far more dangerous than you think.”

 

“You, a person who values etiquette so much, are uttering such vulgar words at the dining table?”

 

“Listen to your grandfather. I found out he works for your company, which should make things easier.”

 

Mo Nak-hyun ignored Tae-uk’s rebuke. His eyes and voice were filled with clear elation, as if Wooyoung’s existence, his very appearance, was some kind of miracle.

 

‘Make things easier…….’

 

Mo Nak-hyun had built Mo Group to its current position by maintaining relationships solely based on profit. The same applied to engagements and marriages. 

 

If Tae-uk hadn’t been in this absurd situation, he might have been engaged to a woman from a reputable company and married with children by now. The men of the Mo family usually married in their twenties.

 

“I’ll decide when to consummate the union. I came here today to tell you to be satisfied with your background check and refrain from further personal remarks.”

 

“Your ‘deciding’ is what caused all this trouble in the first place!”

 

Mo Nak-hyun slammed his hand on the table. Tae-uk’s brows furrowed deeply. There was a reason why Mo Nak-hyun was so obsessed with manners. His own behavior was so appalling that it made him even more compulsive about it.

 

“Have you already forgotten how many times you’ve faced near-death experiences? How long do you intend to keep stabbing your grandfather in the heart?!”

 

Mo Nak-hyun’s only son had died protecting his grandson. 

 

The shock led Tae-uk’s mother to hand over her cherished company to her still-young son and move abroad. It must have been difficult for her to accept the fact that she had lost her husband while he was trying to protect their son. Even after ten years.

 

Thus, Mo Nak-hyun had a mission to raise Tae-uk, whom his son had tried to protect, safely and well. Whether it was evil spirits or whatever, he would eradicate anything that threatened his precious grandson.