It's none other than the old Master Kang.
As soon as his elder son rudely criticized the cooking of his daughter, Old Master Kang's face darkened with rage. He stood up abruptly from his seat, his presence commanding immediate silence. " If you want it to be less salty, can't you just add some water?" he snapped, his voice echoing through the tense dining room.
"Too much to ask for a silent meal," he muttered, his disappointment palpable as he turned and strode away from the table. "Ha-Na, meet me in the study room after you finish your meal. You too, Ji-Soo," he ordered sternly, not looking back.
Ha-Na's little uncle, Ji-Soo, who was sitting beside his brother, took a spoonful of the now diluted soup and tasted it. "Now it's bland. Enjoy, older brother," he quipped, a hint of amusement in his voice as he continued to eat.
The old master's departure left an oppressive silence hanging over the room, the atmosphere thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Ha-Na felt a mix of relief and dread, the impending meeting with her grandfather looming over her like a storm cloud. The weight of her family's judgment was heavy, but the worst was yet to come.
The meal continued in awkward silence, each family member lost in their own thoughts. She tried to savor her favorite dishes, but they felt tasteless in her mouth. Her mind was racing, filled with anxious thoughts about what her grandfather might say. Each bite was mechanical, her focus elsewhere.
After what felt like an eternity, Ha-Na finally excused herself from the table. Her mother gave her a reassuring nod, and Ji-Soo offered an encouraging smile. Drawing strength from their silent support, she stood and made her way to the study room, her footsteps echoing softly through the grand corridors of the mansion.
Standing before the study room door, she took a moment to steady her nerves, her heart pounding in her chest. She knocked lightly, the sound barely audible.
"Come in," her grandfather's voice called from inside, firm and authoritative.
Ha-Na entered the study, closing the door behind her. The familiar scent of aged books and polished wood filled her senses. To her surprise, her grandfather was seated at a small table with a newspaper in his hands. In the corner of the room, a chessboard was already set up between two chairs. The sight was unexpected, yet oddly familiar. It seemed her grandfather still preferred to illustrate life's lessons through the game.
"Sit down, Ha-Na," he said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
She strode towards her seat with resolve, leaving her hesitation behind. She knew that if her grandfather sensed weakness, he would pay no heed to her plans.
"I see you made quite an impressive feat at Wang's celebrations yesterday," he began, his tone calm but firm, placing the newspaper aside.
"Well, I couldn't think of a better stage to announce my return," she replied, her voice steady.
He moved a pawn forward, starting the game. Ha-Na mirrored his action, setting the pieces into motion.
"Looks like you picked up some bad habits after moving to the States... running around places where you weren't welcomed. I assumed I taught you better than this," he said, his eyes on the board.
"I didn't know I needed an invitation to return to my home unless this isn't my real home," she countered, her voice edged with defiance.
Her grandfather flinched, his hand hesitating before making a move. It was a slight mistake, but one that didn't go unnoticed.
"I see you've even learned to talk back now," he said, his tone mockingly disapproving, though his expression remained unreadable.
"I see you've even learned to talk back now," he said, his tone mockingly disapproving, though his expression remained unreadable.
Ha-Na moved her knight, feeling the tension in the air match the tension on the board. "Well, three years was a long time, so I don't plan to go back anytime soon. In fact, I don't plan to go back ever, Grandfather," she declared.
"Looks like you've already reached a conclusion. Don't worry, I don't plan on sending you back. However, I do hope you stay away from Wang's heir," he said, his tone carrying a warning.
Ha-Na was shocked. She thought he might demand she retract her statement about establishing a company and come back to work at Ilhwa, but it seemed he had different plans. "That can't be done. Like you always told me, either you need to be strong or find someone strong enough to take the bullet for you. He is my ride, so sorry to disappoint you, Grandfather," she said casually, moving her bishop to put pressure on his pieces.
"Seems you plan to continue disobeying me," he added, his eyes narrowing as he moved his rook.
"Of course not. Both of our goals are the same. You need someone with potential to become the chairman of Ilhwa Corporation and expand it, and I want to prove I am that candidate," she said, her voice firm as she countered his move.
"And by declaring you will create a new company competing against Ilhwa Entertainment, you think you're going to get the board of directors on your side?" he questioned, pointing out the obvious flaw.
He declared check, moving his queen aggressively.
She smiled, a glint of determination in her eyes. "Of course not, but Grandfather, it's your favor I need. As for the board of directors, I am sure they will support your decision once you decide who you want to be the next chairperson. So when that time comes, I hope you will be fair. After all, I already took a fall trying to save my dearest eldest uncle, proving my trust to you."
She moved her knight, blocking the check and subtly setting up a counterattack.
When the slush funds and stock manipulation scandal broke, she initially thought Joon-Jae had acted alone. But the evidence against her had seemed so overwhelming, and she couldn't fathom how he had managed to implicate her so thoroughly. Desperate for answers, she began her own private investigation
It was during those sleepless nights, poring over documents and tracking down leads, that she discovered the real truth. Her eldest uncle, Ji-Sung, had been working with Joon-Jae behind the scenes. They had orchestrated the entire scheme together, believing they could hide it indefinitely. When things began to unravel and they realized they couldn't keep their activities concealed, they needed a scapegoat to take the fall.
Ha-Na had been the perfect target. By blaming her, they hoped to protect themselves and the company, benefitting each other.
The betrayal was deep and painful, a calculated move to save their own skins. Ha-Na remembered the moment she uncovered their conspiracy, the shock and anger that had coursed through her. She had been accused of crimes she had no part in, her reputation shattered overnight. The public had believed their lies, and she had been left to bear the brunt of their deceit.
But she couldn't do the same to them. She might have done if it was only Joon-Jae, but by exposing her uncle, it would directly affect the business, and also her grandfather.
She had thought and cared deeply about her family, especially her grandfather. But her grandfather right now didn't even look surprised, which she kinda expected. However, his deliberate choice to keep her away from the family despite knowing everything baffled her. She wants to know the answers, but he isn't the type to say them directly. So she need to prove her worth instead.
With a final decisive move, Ha-Na captured his queen, setting up an inevitable checkmate.
Her grandfather studied the board intently, then met her gaze with a measured nod. "Checkmate," she declared, her voice steady but tinged with emotion.
He nodded slowly, acknowledging her victory. There was a weighty silence between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts and unresolved feelings.
"You may leave now," he said, his voice soft and enigmatic, a stark contrast to his earlier sternness.
Ha-Na quietly gathered her things and left the room, feeling the weight of his words lingering in the air.
As she exited, Kim Mu-Yeol, her grandfather's assistant, entered the room. His expression was inscrutable as he approached the old man.
"That brat knows already... I wonder what other cards she is holding," her grandfather murmured, his voice low.
"Have someone tail her and give me updates regularly, " the old man commanded, his tone firm and decisive.
Kim Mu-Yeol nodded silently, understanding the gravity of his instructions. He had been with the family for decades, trusted implicitly to carry out his duties without question.