Chapter 9
Jamie waited impatiently, the tension in the room almost palpable. After what felt like an eternity, the butler finally arrived, accompanied by a man who bowed deeply in greeting. Jamie scrutinized the newcomer with a raised eyebrow, his distrust evident.
"Tell me your name," Jamie said, his voice a low murmur.
"Yoon, young master," the man replied, bowing again before meeting Jamie's gaze with surprising confidence. Jamie noted the boldness with a flicker of approval.
"Please, have a seat, Yoon-ssi," Jamie said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. His lips were tight, betraying his frustration despite the attempt at civility. He sighed as he motioned for Yoon to sit across from him.
"Please, bring drinks for our guest," Jamie instructed the butler, who promptly signaled for someone to handle the request. Jamie felt a small surge of satisfaction at the butler's efficiency.
"Can I see your designs, Yoon-ssi?" Jamie asked, trying to maintain a semblance of friendliness. Despite his effort, his imposing aura remained undiminished, casting a shadow over the interaction.
The designs appeared on the iPad, and Jamie scrolled through them in silence. As he reviewed the options, his initial frustration began to ebb away, replaced by a sense of satisfaction. The designs were impressive—exactly what he had hoped for.
"I like these," Jamie said, pointing out the selections with a nod. "But I want them darker. I need the remodel completed in a week. My study area should be brighter, but only with light colors. I prefer no art in my room; I'll handle that myself. And my wardrobe needs to be large—spacious enough for my needs. I expect a high level of work from you, Yoon-ssi. Let's keep distractions to a minimum. If you have any questions, you can contact me directly. I'll give you my personal number."
"I understand, sir," Yoon responded, nodding with clear comprehension.
Jamie turned his gaze to the butler. "Ensure that Yoon-ssi is not disturbed and that he's protected from any disruptions. See to it that no one interferes with his work."
The butler nodded sharply, a slight smirk almost escaping his otherwise composed demeanor. Jamie was satisfied; the butler knew his place and understood the seriousness of the order. Jamie was confident that his father would hear about the remodeling—he was prepared to handle any inquiries the old man might have. Jamie had always managed to navigate his way through such situations.
With the immediate concerns addressed, Jamie considered his next steps. He would either book a hotel or find a guest room in the mansion to stay in until his room was ready. Either way, he was determined to make the most of his new beginning.
Yoon jumped into action, diving into the remodeling project with impressive speed. Jamie, now free from his canceled classes due to his father's unexpected call, considered hitting the gym but quickly dismissed the idea. The gym was overcrowded with his insufferable siblings, and he preferred to set up his own personal gym or pay for access to a private one, just as he had done before.
With the gym off the table, Jamie turned his attention to his assignments. He immersed himself in sketching, driven by a burst of creative energy, while sipping on rich, sweet chocolate drinks. The combination of productivity and indulgence kept him focused. Once his sketches were complete, he snapped photos of his work and packed his sketchbook away.
Feeling a pang of hunger, Jamie decided to head to the dining hall. The journey was marked by a quiet solitude, and he took note of his siblings already seated, while his father and mother had yet to arrive. Jamie settled into his usual spot, directly across from his siblings. Out of his four siblings, one had an air of arrogance, while the other two were seen as the capable and intelligent successors to their father.
Jamie's presence went unnoticed as usual, with no one making an effort to greet him. He found the cold shoulder to be just fine. A few minutes later, his father and mother entered the dining hall. Jamie's mother's eyes widened in surprise as they fell on him, and Jamie responded with a knowing smile, savoring the reaction.
"Darling," his mother murmured as she leaned in to kiss the side of his head. It was the first time his siblings seemed to notice him.
"Hi, Mom," Jamie responded warmly, returning her smile. As he greeted her, he couldn't help but take a closer look at her. Yoon Lira, his mother, was the epitome of glamour and sophistication.
End of chapter 9.