"Why?"
Hey. What kind of phone call is that?
Kim Tae-yeol grumbled in response.
"Why did you call?"
Sunwoo asked in a tone that clearly showed he was annoyed. Honestly, it was annoying. Kim Tae-yeol had been sending him ssages all day, saying he was on a trip with his colleagues.
Where did he get the energy for that while traveling? He kept sending pictures of nice places, what to eat, where the atmosphere was good, even sending photo after photo. Because of that, Sunwoo had to charge his phone twice today already.
I’ll be back tomorrow.
"Oh, it’s already that ti? Too bad."
Sunwoo responded disinterestedly and told the taxi driver to stop. He was about to hang up, but Kim Tae-yeol quickly sensed it and hurriedly said:
So you should co too.
What on earth was this about?
"Where?"
Sunwoo asked in an annoyed tone, not hiding his irritation as he stepped out of the taxi and walked past the Jeongnang gate in the yard.
I’m spending the last night with my colleagues. So co and hang out with us.
"Why would I go to where your colleagues are? Forget it."
With his morning sickness, he couldn’t even eat, and he was sure they’d be drinking, and he really didn’t feel like going to a place like that while pregnant.
What really bothered him was Kang Jinwook, who might show up at any mont. But that wasn’t sothing to ntion to Kim Tae-yeol.
Ah, co on! I asked, and everyone said they’d like it if you ca. Huh? Co on and help
save face. You’re staying in Jeju for a while, right? Who knows when we’ll see each other again?
What nonsense was this? Why did he need Sunwoo to save his face? If Kim Tae-yeol was that eager, he could have just said so, but Sunwoo firmly said no and hung up the phone.
He entered the house and began putting away the things he had bought, but Kim Tae-yeol kept calling relentlessly. Sunwoo ignored the calls as he went into the bathroom to take a quick shower.
When he ca out, he saw his phone screen still glowing on the table, and he frowned.
"Wow, what a persistent guy."
As he grumbled, Sunwoo’s eyes caught the popup on his phone. It wasn’t a call this ti but a ssage. And it wasn’t from Kim Tae-yeol but from Kang Jinwook.
It seed like it had been sent just now, after having no contact since lunch. Was he saying he was coming? When Sunwoo checked the ti, it was 6 PM.
"If it's too late, he should just not co."
He muttered and read the ssage.
[Sunwoo, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can make it today. The eting isn’t ending. I just wanted to let you know in case you were waiting. I’ll co for lunch tomorrow.]
Such kindness. Sending a ssage saying he couldn’t co at dinner ti.
"Well, I guess it’s okay. He might not be able to co."
Sunwoo strangely felt a little disappointed.
"But still, he bought beef, huh?"
Even though he couldn’t eat it because of his morning sickness, Sunwoo had thought about buying it for Kang Jinwook.
Just then, his phone rang again. Hearing the default ringtone made him recall Kang Jinwook’s unusual ringtone from before.
"Seriously, that guy’s ringtone doesn't even match his personality. What’s that about? Wasn’t that a mistake from the original author?"
Grumbling, Sunwoo smiled, though he didn’t realize it. Unfortunately, this ti the caller wasn’t Kang Jinwook but Kim Tae-yeol.
After being ignored in ssages, Kim Tae-yeol must have decided to walk over. Sunwoo, annoyed, pressed the call button.
Hey, co on! Everyone’s waiting!
As soon as the call connected, Kim Tae-yeol imdiately shouted. He had clearly forgotten that Sunwoo had already said he wouldn’t go.
Sunwoo scowled and was about to refuse again but paused. Kang Jinwook wasn’t coming anyway...
Well, if he showed his face, it should be fine. Otherwise, it seed like Kim Tae-yeol would keep bothering him with phone calls until late at night, so maybe it was better to just go.
"Fine. Where should I go?"
Oh! You’re coming? I’ll send you the address!
Kim Tae-yeol, who had been nagging, now sounded surprised as he whistled. The call ended, and a ssage soon followed. Sunwoo quickly changed his clothes and left the house.
It was already evening, and there were no taxis in the residential area. Sunwoo hesitated for a mont before deciding to walk to the hotel.
Since he had already agreed to go, he figured Kim Tae-yeol wouldn’t pester him any more. So, Sunwoo walked for about 30 minutes to the hotel Kim Tae-yeol had ntioned and looked up briefly.
The sky above had already turned dark. As he entered the hotel, Sunwoo called Kim Tae-yeol.
Oh, Sunwoo. Did you arrive?
"Yeah. I’m in the lobby. Where should I go?"
Then co to the lounge. We’re all there.
"Got it."
Sunwoo hung up and headed straight for the elevator. It was waiting, so he got on imdiately.
As Sunwoo was heading up to the lounge, Kang Jinwook was staring at the docunts that Secretary Gwak had handed him with a displeased expression.
The docunts contained a detailed summary of Vice President Kang Jin-tae’s recent activities. Taesung Group had many subsidiaries, but the most prominent was Taesung Construction, followed by energy and elevators. The entertainnt and advertising sectors, though not as strong, were still key areas.
Unlike Kang Jinwook, who was the Executive Director of Taesung Construction, Kang Jin-tae was the Vice President of Taesung Elevator, which was a less influential part of the group.
The report noted that Kang Jin-tae was trying to expand into energy, one of Taesung's core businesses, possibly using the upcoming shareholders' eting to do so.
"Unbelievable."
Kang Jinwook sumd up the situation after reading the report.
"Vice President Kang Jin-tae probably doesn’t think he can take over Taesung Energy right now, but he seems to want to leave the door open through the shareholder eting."
Taesung Energy was crucial for the construction of the new port in Turknistan. Through this project, Turknistan planned to increase its exports of natural gas and oil to Europe, making Taesung Energy’s assistance absolutely necessary.
Since the port construction was closely tied to this project, if Kang Jin-tae was targeting Taesung Energy, it would an he was directly aiming to challenge Kang Jinwook.
"What does Chairman Kang think?"
Kang Jinwook referred to his father as "Chairman Kang." Secretary Gwak, unfazed, answered right away.
"He’s aware. As always, he plans to just observe."
"Of course."
That was Chairman Kang’s usual stance. He was efficient as a businessman but cold and ruthless as a father.
Even though his two sons were competing for the heir position, Chairman Kang was rely a bystander.
Though Kang Jinwook had an overwhelming advantage in the competition, Chairman Kang continued to maintain neutrality, hoping that Kang Jin-tae would act as a check on Kang Jinwook.
In fact, he sotis provoked Kang Jin-tae, encouraging him to stir things up, even though he had no intention of passing the chairman position to him.
"That guy is so cruel, don’t you think?"
Secretary Gwak just lowered his head. Kang Jinwook slamd the docunts down and turned his head.
Outside the window, the sky had completely darkened. At this ti, he should have already arrived in Jeju.
But he hadn’t been able to leave because of the call from Kang Jin-tae.
Kang Jin-tae had asked how Sunwoo ended up in Jeju and why he was there.
The aning behind Kang Jin-tae’s casual questions wasn’t lost on Kang Jinwook. He couldn’t go to et Sunwoo today, so he sent the ssage saying he couldn’t co.
Kang Jin-tae had always despised Kang Jinwook, but oddly enough, he also guarded him closely. That’s why Chairman Kang had summoned Kang Jinwook to Korea from the U.S. in the first place.
Kang Jinwook hadn’t been Chairman Kang’s favorite from the start. His mother wasn’t the first wife.
When Chairman Kang first heard about his son, he didn’t show much interest. He simply watched over him, making sure he didn’t get into trouble.
But when Kang Jinwook was revealed as an Alpha at the age of 11, Chairman Kang made a new plan.
He would use Kang Jinwook to challenge his reckless first son, Kang Jin-tae.
Kang Jinwook had to be separated from his mother to grow as a competitor for Kang Jin-tae. Even at the age of 16, when he was forced into studying abroad, it wasn’t his own will.
"Still, it’s not ti yet."
Soday, Kang Jinwook would have to deal with both his father and Kang Jin-tae. Until then, he didn’t need to let them know just how important Sunwoo was to him. He turned his gaze from the window and looked at Secretary Gwak.
"For now, let’s stir up sothing that will surprise Kang Jin-tae."
"Understood."
"Give soone from energy the right to appoint a director."
"I’ll take care of it."
Secretary Gwak nodded without hesitation and turned around. Kang Jinwook watched him leave the office and then glanced at his phone screen.
He had just received a ssage from his guard.
[Sunwoo has left the house.]
It was already evening—where was he going? Given the ti, Sunwoo probably hadn’t eaten yet. He had only just sent a ssage saying he had gone to the market.
Kang Jinwook furrowed his brows and waited for the next update. It didn’t take long for another ssage to arrive.
[It seems like he’s going for a walk.]
Not eating and just going for a walk? Kang Jinwook scowled as he was about to press the call button. But then, Sunwoo’s words from earlier flashed in his mind.
If he called now, Sunwoo might realize he was being monitored. It would be better to wait a bit before contacting him.
Not long after, another ssage ca from the guard.
[Sunwoo has entered a hotel.]
There was no more waiting. Kang Jinwook’s face stiffened imdiately.
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