Episode 16

Hyun appeared as usual to others, with his neat suit and slicked hair. However, Mi-ae felt her heart tremble as she watched the two approach.

"We're here. Mother."

"You, you..."

So-jung greeted them calmly, but Mi-ae's lips quivered in anger. Meanwhile, Hyun and Hoon faced each other.

"Long time no see."

"... "

"I heard you were in an accident, but you seem fine."

Despite Hoon initiating conversation, Hyun remained silent. Sensing his open hostility towards Hoon, So-jung quickly intervened.

"He's still not fully recovered. He's especially tired today."

"Yes, well... That seems to be the case."

Hoon acknowledged So-jung's words without further comment, then turned away.

"Then I'll see you later."

After exchanging brief greetings with Mi-ae, Hoon turned and left, leaving only the three in the same space. Only then did Mi-ae lash out.

"What exactly are you trying to do? Do you even realize where you've brought him!?"

She lowered her voice conscious of the people nearby, but her fierce gaze towards So-jung didn't waver. That's when Hyun stepped forward.

"She only brought me because I insisted. It's not this woman's fault."

"What?"

"I didn't really want to be here anyway. Once the business is done, I'll leave on my own. So, just ignore us."

"How could I ignore you? If people find out you've lost your memory, the damage..."

"Are you trying to prevent damage for my sake or the company's?"

Mi-ae was momentarily speechless at his words. Hyun turned away without hesitation.

"Try to force me out if you can. I won't sit still either."

"..."

"What are you doing? Standing there."

As Hyun gestured to So-jung, she moved closer to him. Though Mi-ae remained vigilant behind them, Hyun's interest had long waned. So-jung, however, cast a fleeting stare his way.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"...It's somewhat unexpected. Frankly, I anticipated you would act however you'd like upon arriving at the company."

It seemed he truly kept his side of the promise, as Hyun never left So-jung's side. This action genuinely surprised her.

"Am I akin to a preschooler? I do understand the basic decorum of not freely roaming within the company."

"Yes, indeed. It was prudent of you to refrain from launching at your cousin immediately. However, that doesn't warrant behaving oddly in front of others."

"I am aware. It's better to handle things discreetly to avoid detection."

"...Is that a jest?"

Despite not resembling a preschooler in any way, Hyun's demeanor didn't appear markedly different. Meanwhile, it seemed others recognized Hyun's face as they converged around him like drifting clouds.

"Good day, CEO. We heard about the incident. It's truly heartening to see you've made such remarkable progress."

"Do you recall me? We met previously at the hotel..."

Due to Hyun's unexpected appearance, which everyone had presumed wouldn't occur, people quickly sought him. It was ultimately So-jung's responsibility to manage such interactions.

"Yes, Director Choi. It has indeed been quite some time."

"My apologies. My husband's health is still not quite stable..."

So-jung handled the approaching individuals with composure. Kang-chan whispered as Hyun quietly observed So-jung from behind.

"Please refrain from remaining silent. Perhaps feigning discomfort would be appropriate? Can't you see the Madam is diligently engaged?"

"Very well then, should I clutch at my chest and feign a collapse?"

"Whatever you choose, I will lend my support, even if it means assisting you with every three steps you take in your current condition."

Around the time the two were busy formulating a plan, two individuals approached Hyun.

"What's this? I thought you wouldn't attend today's ceremony?"

As Hyun raised his head in a somewhat relaxed manner, Woon and Byeol stood before him. As Hyun regarded the two, Kang-chan whispered.

"They are your cousins. Choi Byeol and Choi Woon."

"Ah, I see. The one over there does seem to have undergone quite a transformation."

"The younger sister performed double eyelid surgery."

"That explains it."

Although their murmurs were inaudible, Byeol instinctively raised an eyebrow. Only then did Hyun nonchalantly pose a question.

"What brings you two here?"

Despite their prolonged separation, they were cousins who had shared a childhood. The subtly altered tone in Hyun's voice did not go unnoticed by either of them.

"I heard you had an accident, but you seem somewhat different, brother."

"Indeed. Your demeanor is quite unusual... Ah, I understand now."

As Byeol made her remark, Woo, momentarily lost in thought, suddenly smiled in realization.

"Hah, really. The reason for your edginess is our presence, isn't it?"

"..."

"Well, I suppose it's understandable to feel uneasy about my return, but I didn't expect you to be this wary. Nevertheless, it doesn't matter. I intend to compete fairly."

Hyun's brow furrowed deeply at Woon's confident declaration.

"How is it that he's still insufferable after more than ten years?"

"He's remarkably consistent. Even now that you lost your memory, he is still the same."

Kang-chan whispered in agreement. Meanwhile, Woon continued his self-praise. Unable to endure it any longer, Hyun placed a hand on his forehead, and only when Kang-chan forcibly supported him did the encounter finally conclude.

---

Thus commenced the ceremony that was eagerly anticipated by some and dreaded by others. In truth, for some, attending the ceremony was merely a pretext. Such was the case with Hoon.

"What did you observe?"

"Just as you mentioned. Indeed, as people approached, his wife managed all the interactions. Young Master Hyun quickly excused himself, citing his poor health, and went to the lounge."

Like Byeol and Woon, Hoon was also acutely aware of the subtle changes in Hyun's demeanor.

That wasn't all. Hoon recalled the overt hostility Hyun had exhibited towards him. Though the cause of this sudden animosity was unclear, Hoon found it profoundly unsettling.

Even in such circumstances, Hyun had remained reticent. If that was the case...

"Where are you headed?"

"To the parking lot. I left something there."

"If that's the case, allow me to retrieve it for you."

"No need. I'll be quicker if I go myself."

The ceremony was nearing its conclusion, and everything was proceeding according to Hoon's expectations. Potential competitors remained blissfully unaware, and Mi-ae's extreme wariness towards him persisted. Only Hyun appeared different.

"Hey."

Just before entering the parking lot, in the middle of a hallway, Hoon heard a familiar voice from behind. It was Hyun.

“You still don’t call me brother.”

“Why would I? Since when did I ever call you that?”

Even before he lost his memory, Hyun never once called Hoon 'Brother.' Of course, they maintained mutual respect, but that was only until Hyun lost his memory.

“So why did you follow me all the way here?”

Since Hoon had no particular reason to visit his car, he casually threw the key back into his pocket. With that, Hyun got straight to the point.

“Why did you do it?”

“What.”

“Why did you marry Soo-ah?”

Today, Hyun exceeded all of Hoon's expectations. Hoon attempted to conceal his surprise with silence.

“Did you think I wouldn't know about your family's situation? You didn’t have to go through with an arranged marriage with Soo-ah. In fact, it would’ve been a loss on your side.”

“...”

“What’s the reason you went through with a marriage that brought you such loss?”

No matter how many people asked around, no one was aware of the reason behind Hoon and Soo-ah's marriage. While it might make sense for Soo-ah, Hyun couldn’t believe that Hoon, who always weighted his gains and losses, would enter such a disadvantageous marriage.

“You followed me all the way here just to ask that?”

“Stop dodging and just answer. Why did you do it?”

After that, silence filled the hallway. Then, a chuckle erupted. It was Hoon.

“You’ve pretended to be okay since the marriage, but in the end, you’ve been holding all this in your heart?”

“…”

“Well, you were crazy about her back then, so it’s understandable.”

“Stop laughing and just answer the question.”

“Why do you think? It’s because of you.”

Hoon's lips curled into a mocking smile.

“I wanted you to lose the woman you loved and go completely insane, but it's a pity you held up better than I thought.”

“…You married Soo-ah for such a trivial reason?”

“What other reason would there be? If you had kept drifting overseas in despair, it would’ve been much easier to bring you down than now…”

Hoon couldn't finish his sentence as Hyun grabbed him by the collar. However, Hoon wasn’t bothered.

“What, you're going to hit me?”

“…”

“Looks like you’ve changed a lot since the accident. Oh, or did your wife say she felt guilty and couldn’t live with you?”

“What are you talking about now?”

At the unexpected mention of So-jung, Hyun’s brow furrowed. Hoon smirked at his reaction.

“I mean, the reason you were seriously injured was because you tried to save your wife. I thought that might have brought you two closer, but it seems I was wrong."

“…What?”

Hyun’s eyes shook violently.

---

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