When I was told I had to get married, only two things ca to mind. One was, I figured as much. The other was that this really was the end. Whether it was my life, my responsibility as a son, or the bare minimum of compensation they expected from .
It wasn’t so cliché like “marriage is the grave of life.” It was sothing I’d always have to do anyway, and if anything, it was happening later than expected. I just felt hollow at the fact that even the mont I was finally stepping out of this long cage, I still didn’t get a say in it.
“It worked out well. A place like that is willing to take in a half-baked oga like you.”
My father, throughout the conversation, barely bothered to hide his rare unease. He would raise his voice now and then, and his eyes sparkled like soone who’d finally struck gold. Of course, behind those rare glances of excitent, his eyes were full of loathing for the half-assed oga in front of him.
“Don’t take it too personally. That’s just how business works. You’re old enough now—I trust you’ll understand your father’s position.”
If he was going to sound that benevolent, he could’ve at least masked the look on his face. His greed-glazed eyes looked like he was putting a valuable item up for sale. What kind of understanding was I supposed to offer when there was only ambition left in a place where trust should’ve been?
“Sejin, we’ve got high hopes for you. If you play your part, you’ll be the hero who saves this company. You know this is our last chance, right?”
“...Yes, Father.”
This ti, I had no choice but to answer. It was a half-hearted reply, but my father was too giddy to notice. He let out a self-important cough and forcefully lowered the corners of his mouth.
“The engagent ceremony’s next Saturday, so clear your schedule and go get so grooming done or whatever. You know—the place Minjae goes to.”
Next week. That ant this arrangent had been in the works for quite so ti. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to refuse, they went ahead and left entirely out of the discussion. No—more likely, they never even thought to include , knowing I had no say in the matter.
“If you’ve understood, go on now.”
In truth, there were a lot of things I wanted to ask. Why the other company agreed to take . Why they chose a male oga instead of a competent female one. And what my father—or rather, Haesin Group—was getting in exchange for handing over.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and get ready.”
But even if I asked, nothing would change. At most, I’d get a clearer sense of how much—or how little—I was worth. In tis like this, a bit of avoidance was better for self-preservation.
“Then I’ll be off.”
I bowed slightly and slowly turned away. Normally, I would’ve asked after his health out of politeness, but today I just couldn’t muster the energy. I hadn’t slept a wink, and it felt like I had a boulder sitting on my shoulders.
“Ah, right. Wait.”
Just as I grabbed the doorknob, my father let out a pleased noise. Then he told to hold on for a second as he dug through his desk drawer. As I turned my head, a small object flew through the air.
“I told Professor Choi and got it for you. Don’t show up looking like a corpse and disgrace the family. Just take it this week and get so proper sleep.”
The pill bottle rolled across the floor until it stopped right in front of my shoe. He’d clearly thrown it where I couldn’t catch it, and now he was busy clicking his tongue at for failing to do so. As I bent to pick it up, I heard his muttered grumbling.
“Only thing you’ve got going for you is your face...”
Should I be grateful, I wonder. That the only thing I had to boast about was at least sothing. That must be why my father proposed a political marriage—clinging to the one decent thing about .
“So you knew I couldn’t sleep.”
“Of course. You’re my son.”
I gripped the round bottle tightly in my hand. Through the gaps in my fingers, I could just make out the na of the drug printed on the label. It was ridiculous how comforting such an insincere remark could be.
“Thank you for your concern.”
As I forced a warm smile, my father’s expression blood with satisfaction. The crow’s feet around his eyes crinkled with pride—for himself, no doubt. He nodded and waved away.
“Good. Go on.”
“Yes. You take care of your health too, Father.”
I offered a polite bow and finally left the chairman’s office for real. Mr. Kim, who had been waiting quietly outside, fell into step behind . I quickened my pace, turning the pill bottle over with my thumbnail.
Zolpidem tartrate. I didn’t need to say it aloud for anyone to know I’d long since developed a tolerance.
***
Last year, an application released by Haesin Bank was hit with a malicious virus. Ninety percent of users had their personal information leaked, and over a hundred digital certificates were misused. They rushed to improve security, but the trust they lost never returned.
And that wasn’t the end of it. Not long after, a hiring corruption scandal broke at Haesin Financial Group’s headquarters. My father imdiately fired the involved employees, but when an applicant attempted suicide around the sa ti, the scandal blew up even more. Naturally, Haesin was bombarded by the press and began to crumble under scrutiny.
The stock price plumted and hadn’t recovered, even a year later. No matter how much they tried to rebrand the company, Haesin would never regain its forr glory. The only difference now was whether the collapse happened quickly or slowly. The decline was already irreversible.
And during all this, I—son of the chairman—received a marriage proposal.
A company willing to tie the knot with a sinking ship like Haesin Financial Group. I didn’t even have to see it to know what kind of business that must’ve been.
“...What did you just say?”
Yes. That’s what it should’ve been.
“I said the engagent with Seonho Group is scheduled for next Saturday.”
All my cynical thoughts evaporated in an instant. In their place was only the image of my father’s thrilled expression. Mr. Kim looked at with his usual blank face as he continued the report.
“It will take place at Myeongseong Hotel at 5:30 p.m. You’re expected to begin preparations from the morning...”
“Wait, wait. One second, Mr. Kim.”
I pushed aside the employee adjusting my tie and bit down on my lip. Sensing my hesitation, Mr. Kim dismissed the staff from the fitting room. Click. The door closed, and only then did the question burst from my chest.
“My fiancé is from Seonho Group?”
Next Saturday was the sa day my father had ntioned for the engagent. Mr. Kim had called it an “appointnt,” but there’s no way anyone would double-book sothing like that with a group like Seonho. And the venue? Myeongseong Hotel—one of Seonho’s affiliate businesses.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
His answer was neat and without hesitation. The tone of soone wondering why I’d even ask sothing so obvious. But the problem was, I really hadn’t had the slightest clue. I tugged at my ssed-up tie again and asked once more.
“My marriage partner is from Seonho Group?”
“Yes, but...”
Mr. Kim’s expression twisted ever so slightly. He stared at as if trying to read my mind.
“You really didn’t know?”
“...”
No, I didn’t. I hadn’t even tried to find out. I didn’t know if the person was male or female, how old they were, what they looked like. I just assud they were an alpha—what else?
“...So you were picking out your engagent outfit without even knowing who your partner was?”
Given that, it wasn’t surprising he looked so dumbfounded. My father, who’d failed to ntion the most crucial point, and , who hadn’t bothered to ask—no wonder we both seed absurd.
“Well, it’s not like I’ll be eting them naked...”
I hung the silk tie on the rack and turned away, hoping to escape Mr. Kim’s gaze—but the mirror on the opposite wall betrayed . Mr. Kim sighed softly and locked eyes with my reflection.
“You don’t want to ask anything else?”
“About what?”
What should I ask? Why Seonho chose Haesin was strange, sure, but that was my father’s business, not mine. I just had to put on the suit, smile politely, and go through with the wedding.
“I believe Seonho Group has two unmarried children.”
“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard as well.”
I answered calmly, but Mr. Kim still looked unsatisfied. He even let out a sigh this ti, and behind his glasses, his eyes were a storm of emotion.
“You’re not going to ask which one?”
“Ah.”
A dumb sound slipped out. Not because I hadn’t thought of it, but because I hadn’t expected him to bring it up.
“Why bother asking?”
Vice President Kwon Sang-mi of Seonho Group had three children. One was already married and serving as a VP. The other two were alphas, slightly past the standard marrying age. Both of them were far too high up the ladder for soone like .
“As long as it’s soone from Seonho, it doesn’t matter.”
“That’s not what I ant—”
Mr. Kim began to object but stopped himself abruptly. Probably because I’d turned my head and was now eting his gaze directly, not through a mirror. Looking away slightly, he spoke with a newly leveled voice.
“Director Jung, your engagent is with the second son of Seonho Group.”
The words stripped bare the reality I’d been avoiding. As if telling there was no point pretending anymore. He added firmly:
“The partner is Executive Director Kwon Yido.”
“...”
Kwon Yido.
I’d heard that na more tis than I could count. One of TI’s 100 most influential people of the year, and a rising star in the corporate world. At thirty-two, he’d already earned the title of Executive Director and taken over as head of Seonho Electronics.
“That’s... unexpected.”
Honestly, I thought I’d be marrying his older brother. There’s only a three-year age gap between them, but while Kwon Yido was sharp and capable, Kwon Yijeong was a leech with no real foothold. If Seonho wanted to balance things out with Haesin, it made more sense to send out their defective piece.
“Guess I really should hit the aesthetic clinic...”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
I waved it off casually. Mr. Kim narrowed his eyes at , clearly expecting so kind of reaction. But instead of giving him that, I just smiled pleasantly.
“Please call the staff. If my partner’s Kwon Yido, I should probably stop by the sa shop Minjae uses.”
“...”
His lips parted and closed again. ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ I could practically see the words on the tip of his tongue. Is that all? or Don’t you want to know anything else? In the end, he chose the second.
“There’s nothing else you’re curious about?”
His eyes were full of sothing—not expectation, but lingering hope. He’d known for years. What on earth was he hoping to see from now? Surely he knew I never had a choice to begin with.
“There is. One thing I’m curious about.”
I threw it out casually. Mr. Kim’s eyes lit up in surprise. I shrugged and pointed to the necktie hanging on the rack.
“A necktie’s better than a bowtie, right?”
Throughout the fitting, Mr. Kim had kept his mouth shut like a clam. His mood must’ve been really sour—he didn’t even stop the staff when he should’ve. As a result, I had to sit through endless complints as payback for my petty stubbornness.
“People who look this good in this color are so rare. Your proportions are practically mannequin-perfect. Every ti I tailor a suit for you, I feel like I chose the right profession.”
The already chatty staff turned even more talkative with no one to stop them. One-button jackets were out—two-button was better. The vest needed to hug the waist more. Sothing about leg length, sothing about skin tone. They dressed in nearly everything in the shop. Only when they finished tying the unique knot on my tie did they nod with satisfaction.
“You really suit bright colors, thanks to your pale skin.”
“Haha... Is that so?”
“Absolutely. This fabric just ca in, but pearl shades don’t usually suit n. But you, Director Jung...”
Is there really a need to pick an engagent suit this thoroughly? I heard the ceremony was supposed to be private, no dia involved. Still, I guess it made sense to prepare carefully to avoid gossip down the line.
It was probably ti to wrap this up... or so I thought, right before sending a pleading look to Mr. Kim—
“Jung Sejin!”
Bang! The door to the fitting room slamd open. I turned my head on reflex—and saw a familiar face barging in, dragging two employees along. The staff behind him pleaded for him to stop, but the man didn’t seem to hear a thing.
“Fuck, Jung Sejin, you—!”
He marched in with purpose. The employee helping quickly stepped between us.
“Sir, I’m sorry, but you can’t enter this area.”
It was a professional response—but the intruder was far from cooperative. He halted, glared at the staff with a furious face, and growled:
“Move. You deaf?”
There was a faint whiff of aroma on him. He was dressed head to toe in luxury brands, his hair perfectly bleached and styled. Must’ve just co from so kind of treatnt. That was the impression I got—until he sneered and said:
“Hey, do you guys not know who I am? You all wanna get fired or what?”
“...”
The staff’s expressions turned stiff. Custors who say things like that rarely leave quietly. Either he was the real deal, or just a high-maintenance brat. But they couldn’t back down easily—not when I was also a big deal.
“Sir, please, if you would step outside for now—”
Finally, the employee who had blocked him spoke with resolution. Despite the polite preface, the man’s face only grew darker. Just as he opened his mouth, I cut him off:
“He’s my brother.”
“...”
Like cold water had been splashed across the room, silence fell. The staff, the man restraining him, and even Mr. Kim all turned to look at .
Jung Minjae, second son of Haesin Financial Group.
The one na they must’ve all imdiately thought of, now smirking proudly.
“Fuck, that’s what I said.”
“Everyone, please step out.”
I kept my voice intentionally light, but the staff still hesitated. Their eyes were trembling with visible unease. I offered a soft smile to reassure them.
“It’s fine. Go ahead. I’ll call if I need anything.”
Minjae frowned, clearly displeased, but he didn’t object to the staff leaving. After a long mont of awkward hesitation, they bowed stiffly and exited the room.
“Apologies, sir.”
Though it wasn’t their fault—it was Minjae’s—it always seed to play out like this. What made it worse was the one last thing Minjae muttered as they were leaving:
“Buncha nobodies getting cocky...”
“...”
Maybe I should just buy every suit I tried on. They all looked about the sa anyway. I’d just have Mr. Kim pick one.
“Mr. Kim!”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Minjae plopped down onto the central sofa like he owned the place, crossing his legs like a king. He raked a hand through his hair and jerked his chin toward the door.
“Fire all the ones who laid hands on .”
Like it was no big deal. Even the way he scanned with that disgusted look.
“And the one who was helping him too.”
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