“And pocket some money on the side while you’re at it?”
“……”
Rather than answering, Seo-in stayed silent. Someone like Kwon Gi-jeong didn’t need to be given an opening — he would interpret things on his own terms and take them as he saw fit. Sometimes a heavy silence could stand in place of an affirmation.
Besides, even if Seo-in tried to change the subject, there was a high probability Kwon Gi-jeong simply wouldn’t let him. Seo-in laid out only the bare facts as they were. The contents of the envelope, however, had nothing to do with that — but regardless, the Kwon Gi-jeong Seo-in knew was not the type to bother with unnecessary complications. He would lose interest in the envelope soon enough.
Rustle.
Seo-in picked up the folded envelope with his fingertips.
“Would you like to take a look, Gi-jeong? If it looks promising, I could use some investment advice too.”
While we’re at it, it would be nice if he could tell me himself how best to go about convincing Chairman Kwon.
And beyond that — what if Kwon Gi-jeong were the one to do the persuading? The thought carried him that far. Either way, it would be faster than Seo-in handling it himself.
That said, Seo-in had his own reasons for having gone directly to Chairman Kwon rather than going through Kwon Gi-jeong first.
In the past — when Seo-in had married Kwon Gi-jeong and moved into the estate — Chairman Kwon had been there.
In truth, there was no particular reason for any serious friction to arise between Seo-in and the Chairman. At most, they shared the occasional meal together. And even then, perhaps because the Chairman viewed Seo-in as simply too young, most communication came through Butler Yang.
On occasion, the Chairman would also discuss various outside matters with Kwon Gi-jeong at the dinner table — but unlike the way he looked at Gi-jeong, the gaze he turned on Seo-in was measured and composed. To Seo-in, Chairman Kwon was not simply the intimidating figure his appearance suggested.
……Kwon Gi-jeong, who had been watching Seo-in steadily, moved his fingertips — just barely — then extended his arm. He pressed the intercom button on the receiver beside the sofa.
“Secretary Lee, are you out front?”
Almost immediately, a knock came, and the closed door opened. The hand Seo-in had been slowly lifting came back down. Secretary Lee stepped through the open door.
“You called?”
“Where’s that thing I mentioned before? Bring it here. Since you’re here anyway, I’ll go over it now.”
Secretary Lee shifted his gaze downward to where Seo-in was seated. Seo-in was quietly watching Kwon Gi-jeong as he continued speaking.
“Secretary Lee. I’m talking to you — where are you looking?”
“S-Sorry. I’ll go get it right away.”
Secretary Lee moved toward the desk bearing the nameplate reading ‘Executive Director Kwon Gi-jeong.’ The sound of a safe’s keypad being pressed came from behind it. A moment later, Secretary Lee returned carrying a document envelope from inside.
Kwon Gi-jeong drew a clear line, his tone low and measured.
“I was going to reach out to you anyway — it works out that you came. This is a good opportunity to establish some things about our marriage.”
Seo-in glanced at Secretary Lee as he drew nearer. He withdrew the documents from inside the envelope and placed them before Seo-in. And as he did, he subtly avoided Seo-in’s eyes.
Seo-in turned through the pages at an unhurried pace.
『Marriage Contract Terms』
- Nothing that occurs within the estate is to be disclosed to any outside party.
- Unnecessary emotional expenditure between the two parties is prohibited; each party is to fulfill only the role assigned as a married couple. Any public activities must be coordinated and agreed upon in advance.
- The marriage shall be maintained for a duration of two years. Once the period has concluded, the two parties shall separate cleanly, leaving no trace behind.
The specific terms Kwon Gi-jeong required of their marriage were laid out clearly and concisely.
Secretary Lee, who stood between the two of them, had a stiffened expression. Kwon Gi-jeong kept his eyes fixed on Seo-in as he reached out his hand. Secretary Lee extended the second copy toward Kwon Gi-jeong as well.
Whatever the matter, he preferred to handle things definitively. Setting a time limit on the marriage was part of that same approach.
For a long moment, Seo-in studied the documents without any visible reaction. Perhaps he had been wounded by it.
“……Read it over carefully, and sign at the bottom.”
Watching Seo-in deliberate for longer than expected, Kwon Gi-jeong’s words came out a beat slower than usual. Secretary Lee retrieved a pen from his inner pocket and set it beside Seo-in. Even then, Seo-in remained perfectly still.
Kwon Gi-jeong lifted the second copy in his hand. It was identical to the one Seo-in was looking at.
Kwon Gi-jeong’s gaze moved down through the clauses at an unhurried pace. Nothing unusual. Secretary Lee had already prepared it in advance, incorporating his instructions.
Then, abruptly, Kwon Gi-jeong’s dark eyes fixed on one point.
※ The following clause has been added at the request of Park Seo-in.
- In the event that a child is born during the marriage period, Kwon Gi-jeong shall unconditionally transfer all parental custody and all associated rights and obligations to Park Seo-in in their entirety, and Kwon Gi-jeong shall not exercise any authority whatsoever in relation to the child.
Kwon Gi-jeong’s eyes went cold and sharp. He looked at Secretary Lee beside him. Secretary Lee abruptly averted his gaze.
— I had a feeling someone like Gi-jeong would have a contract drawn up, so — would it be possible to add something to it? If a child is born, I’d like all rights to belong to me.
Secretary Lee had tried to relay Seo-in’s request any number of times. And each time, Kwon Gi-jeong’s response had been unequivocal.
— Just do it.
As if in reply, Seo-in — who had been looking down at the documents — raised his head.
“Gi-jeong, read it over carefully and sign at the bottom.”
It was the exact same words Kwon Gi-jeong had just said to Seo-in. Returned to him with perfect clarity.
Kwon Gi-jeong’s cold voice came out low.
“You’re treating me like a stud horse.”
Secretary Lee squeezed his eyes shut before he could stop himself. There was no telling what kind of backlash was about to follow.
The thing Seo-in had said to Secretary Lee — after having his measurements taken for the tuxedo he would wear that day and listening to the explanation — as Secretary Lee led him to where the car was waiting, was exactly this. Secretary Lee had called Kwon Gi-jeong immediately, but he had agreed without even listening properly.
Afterward, Secretary Lee had done his utmost to try and set things right once more — but each time, Kwon Gi-jeong simply refused to hear him out.
“……”
Seo-in reached out his hand. He took hold of the fine pen Secretary Lee had set down.
And in fluid, elegant handwriting, he signed his name.
It wasn’t surprising, having been through it before. And because he already had at least a vague sense of Kwon Gi-jeong’s nature, he didn’t feel the confused turmoil of emotions he had in the past. Back then, a flustered Seo-in had reached for the pen again and again, only for it to slip from his trembling fingers and skitter away.
It had rolled all the way to Kwon Gi-jeong’s feet, putting Seo-in in a position where he’d had to lower his head even further.
They were to be joined as husband and wife — and yet it could not be called an equal relationship. It had been tilted from the very start.
— Your brother has to succeed.
His mother Min A-ran’s voice brushed past Seo-in’s ear.
— He’s your blood, of course that’s how it should be. You know that when Beom-yeong stands properly, the family stands properly.
— Just marry the Executive Director. If you do that much, I’ll handle everything else myself. Surely you can do at least that much? Do you have any idea how much money I spent to set that position up for you? Are you going to keep making your mother cry?
Unlike that past — where he’d had to bow his head low just to sign his name — Seo-in accepted the terms Kwon Gi-jeong laid out with far more composure.
This marriage is something Seo-in needs too.
Through this marriage, Seo-in would get out of that house. He had no intention of sacrificing himself for Park Beom-yeong under the guise of family any longer.
Seo-in turned the pen around and held it out with the other end facing forward. The pen came to rest in front of Kwon Gi-jeong.
“I’ll accept all of your terms, Gi-jeong.”
Now it was Kwon Gi-jeong’s turn to choose.
“……”
