Translator: Elisia
Editor/Proofreader: Wojo
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“I’m sorry. We don’t know either.”
Yoo Ha-neul answered like that.
In truth, if they wanted to search, they could have found her.
Though it would be rude for others to poke around this mansion carelessly, at least Sara would forgive the three friends staying with her.
Or rather, she might not even understand why that shouldn’t be done.
However, Ha-neul didn’t want Sara and this person to meet.
Sara was already running into all sorts of trouble as it was.
“Is that so?”
The old man responded to Ha-neul’s words and then looked at her quietly before speaking.
“I heard that you are very close to Sara.”
As he said this, he glanced at Yoon Da-ho, but Ha-neul didn’t think Da-ho would have shared such a story warmly with his grandfather.
In fact, Da-ho slightly avoided his gaze, showing the expression of someone telling a lie.
If Ha-neul’s instincts were correct, Yoon Da-ho was being abused by this former chairman.
Last time Ha-neul saw Da-ho, there was a faint bruise showing on his sleeve.
Ha-neul couldn’t help but feel pity.
Though she didn’t particularly like Yoon Da-ho… no, she disliked him.
That much was clear.
Regardless of his background or his past, it bothered her how he looked down on people and treated Sara, whom she liked, like some kind of plague.
That didn’t mean she thought he deserved to live being beaten like this… but at the same time, she didn’t feel the urge to step in and help.
Still, that didn’t mean she should withhold any help at all.
That help wouldn’t prevent Da-ho from being beaten, though.
“Yes, I am very close to Sara.”
That’s right, close.
And she wanted to get even closer.
If possible, she wanted them to be indispensable to each other.
And naturally, she didn’t want another man between them.
In this regard, Yoon Da-ho, Yoo Ha-neul, and Sara were in agreement.
Both Da-ho and Sara thought it would be best to break off the engagement.
Ha-neul actively supported the annulment.
So, while she had no intention of stepping in to resolve the family’s problems, she was willing to help where she could.
“Then could you find out where Sara is? I am her only fiancé.”
As if joking, he said this.
Well, of course, there could only be one fiancé.
But an engagement without mutual consent couldn’t really be called an engagement.
It wasn’t endorsed by anyone, nor was it registered in any system.
Most importantly, when Ha-neul handed Sara the ring, there was no ring on her finger.
This was proof that the engagement was just a word.
Considering how Choi Na-kyung clung to Sara, Ha-neul thought Da-ho was simply a shield to ensure no one else got close.
What should she say here?
Should she just directly state that Sara didn’t want this marriage and wanted to end the engagement?
She glanced at Yoon Da-ho, who subtly shook his head.
It seemed he at least wanted to handle his own affairs.
“If the person feels too tired and wants to rest… I think it’s better to let her.”
“Wouldn’t it be good for her fiancé to take care of her? They’ve been engaged for quite a while, so it’s time to move their relationship forward.”
Honestly, even if they did get married, Ha-neul didn’t think their relationship would ever turn into a real romantic one…
But perhaps this person was determined to tie the two together, even if by force.
“No matter the situation, I don’t think it’s appropriate for two minors to be in the same room.”
“What, even Chairwoman Choi Na-kyung would want that.”
“……”
Ha-neul glared slightly at him.
Even with such behavior, he didn’t blink.
He had probably done some research on Sara and the relationships around her.
“Chairwoman Choi Na-kyung isn’t present here.”
“Just because she’s absent doesn’t mean we can’t reach her.”
“…What?”
Ha-neul asked, confused.
Soo-ah, who stood beside her, covered her mouth with her hand.
Nam Da-un frowned slightly.
“Ah, don’t misunderstand. I don’t know where she is either. But just because we can’t contact her doesn’t mean she can’t find ways to reach us.”
“But… the chairwoman is currently wanted…”
“If she’s willing to contact us even with the risk of being caught, it must mean something urgent. Of course, the content of such a contact is personal information, so I can’t share it freely. Unless the police request our cooperation.”
“……”
The old man took a step closer to the now-silent Ha-neul and slightly bent forward.
“Hmm.”
Seeing Ha-neul’s stiff face, he smiled faintly.
“Well, if you truly don’t know, there’s nothing I can do. But I want you to understand that, legally, Chairwoman Choi Na-kyung is Sara’s sole guardian for now. And that woman has her own wishes. Since you’re close friends, I’m sure you’re aware.”
He whispered.
“I want my grandson to marry the heiress of the Eugene Group. That’s all I want. As for what you want, if it’s ‘Sara,’ you can take her anytime. There’s no need to fight when we can both win.”
“…Did the contact say that as well?”
“……”
At Ha-neul’s question, the old man fell silent.
Did Choi Na-kyung really write that Sara should be handed over to Ha-neul?
No, Ha-neul was sure that wasn’t the case.
If anything, she’d offer the wealth and take Sara herself.
“If we keep fighting, both sides will just end up hurt. Or… are you after the money?”
Absolutely not.
But the wealth was Sara’s.
Since it belonged to Sara, even if it were to be given up or disposed of, it should be done by her will alone.
It wasn’t something others could assume was theirs.
“So then…”
“Greetings.”
Before the old man could continue, someone interrupted their conversation.
Looking in the direction of the voice, Ha-neul saw Sara’s uncle, Ye In-hyuk, standing there.
“It’s been a while, Chairman. I trust your health has improved?”
“……”
The old man, who had been trying to persuade Ha-neul just moments ago, closed his mouth when an actual representative of the Eugene Group addressed him.
His eyes moved slowly, scanning Ye In-hyuk.
“Thanks to you, I’m doing well.”
He extended his hand.
The two shook hands, the atmosphere outwardly friendly.
“Well enough to attend my grandson and granddaughter-in-law’s birthday party.”
“Thank you for taking care of my niece. But as far as I know, they are not yet married.”
“They’re engaged, though.”
“But engagement isn’t marriage. Kids today change their minds so quickly. Who knows what they’ll think when they hit their twenties?”
“Which is why we, as adults, should help them find the best partner.”
“If that’s the case, sir.”
Ye In-hyuk slightly bent his waist.
Bringing his face closer to the old man’s, he spoke slowly and kindly, as if explaining.
“Then, isn’t Yoon Da-ho not the best match for our Sara? They don’t even seem to like each other.”
“……”
“This is the birthday party of the Eugene Group’s heiress. I did not send invitations to you, Chairman, nor to that boy who claims to be her fiancé.”
A silence had fallen over the area without anyone noticing during the exchange.
Particularly among the adults who weren’t dressed in red.
Those watching the exchange seemed to share a sense of unity, despite the differences in the colors and styles of their clothes.
“I don’t know what your opinion of Chairwoman Choi Na-kyung is, but if you think we are an easy target, that is a huge mistake. Do you really want the Homyeong Group and Eugene Group to clash head-on?”
“That would cause great damage to both sides.”
“‘Both sides’ you say? I disagree. The only ones suffering would be one side. The other side wouldn’t even have anyone left to tally the damages.”
“……”
The old man silently observed him for a moment before smiling faintly.
“Well, I seem to have overstepped. If my granddaughter-in-law is ill, of course, she should rest. Forgive my stubbornness. It’s an old man’s folly.”
“No need to apologize, Chairman. It happens.”
The two concluded their conversation with smiles.
But Ha-neul thought neither of them seemed to be smiling with their eyes at all.