Pay With Your Heart

Chapter 375: “Archenemies.”

Dan-Han knew his visit to his fathers was unnecessary yet he made the trip anyway. The old man could be many things, but one thing he was not, was stupid. This case somewhat involved his mother, so he believed it was of some importance to his father.

Dan-Han didn’t miss the black Maybach taking the left turn as he drove in the already open gates. He met his father’s gaze who didn’t look surprised to see him as he alighted, rather he looked like he had expected him to come despite the call he had received telling him otherwise.

“You must be missing me a lot, son.” Father Lee said with an amused smile which Dan-Han didn’t see the humour to return it.

“Don’t be flattered, father. I didn’t come to continue fighting or beg you to leave my company or relationship alone.” Dan-Han stoically replied making his father chuckle. It was an expected response.

“I never would have thought otherwise.” He scoffed. “Anyway, you just missed them.” He said on a dismissive note as he turned towards the pavilion.

“I guess you entertained him well?” Dan-Han asked as he followed behind him, making his father scoff again.

The old man briefly paused and looked over his shoulder. “If you mean if I was a good actor, then yes, by all means, I was.” He continued his stride towards the pavilion and took his seat but Dan-Han remained standing.

.....

He raised his head and cocked a brow at his son. “What? You’re not going to sit? We’re now enemies?”

“Archenemies, you mean?” Dan-Han corrected. He could see his father was enjoying whatever he was doing, or whatever he had in mind to do. “A few hours ago you started a war. I don’t have to remind you of that.”

“So why are you here? To see if I gave her away?”

“No, to ask you why you brought Kwon-Nara back in the first place. It seems I never really got to ask.” He said, keeping whatever other reason had brought him to his father’s compound to himself, least he fed the man’s ego. He wasn’t expecting Mr Kim to do anything stupid, but the man also seemed like someone who’d do anything to protect whatever he was hiding. So even though this wasn’t the Kim’s territory, an open confrontation wasn’t impossible.

Father Lee amusingly chuckled for reasons Dan-Han didn’t know or found funny. He briefly glanced at his son before picking up the magazine his butler has placed on the table.

“Isn’t that obvious? She’s a better option for you.” He replied as he flipped open the book.

Dan-Han slightly frowned at his response and the non-chalancy with which he replied. “A better option? I think you might have to re-examine the criteria for picking these your ‘options’ because they all seem to be murderers.”

Father Lee’s hand flipping the book suddenly halt as he raised his head to Dan-Han. “Don’t tell me you’re blaming her for the incident are you?” He tilted his brows at his son.

“No, I’m not. I’m blaming you. You seem to think you know what’s and not best for me, but all you do is cause trouble for me.”

“Trouble’s that’ll save your life, you mean?” He asked. “And yes, I know what’s best for you. I’m your father, and I can’t let you make such a costly mistake. And don’t blame her incident on anybody, that girl attracts trouble and she’s too weak to protect herself. How’s she going to protect you and the family name?”

“I never told you I needed protecting, but if you think I can’t do my job very well, then it’ll be your fault that I wasn’t groomed well. And father, I didn’t come to talk about my woman with you. Kindly answer my question. How did Ji-Tae convince you to bring Kwon-Nara back?” Dan-Han sternly asked.

Father Lee furrowed his brows as he was slightly surprised by his question, but he quickly concealed the surprise reaction in his eyes. He maintained a stoic countenance as he returned his attention to the magazine in his hand. “And who said Ji-Tae influenced me?”

Dan-Han took his seat opposite him. “Let’s not waste each other’s time. Tell me what deal he made with you.”

Father Lee raised his eyelids and glanced at Dan-Han without lifting his head. He was utterly surprised by Dan-Han’s question. He had not expected Dan-Han to find out about his little deal with Ji-Tae.

“What deal?” He asked feigning ignorance.

“Father, don’t call me a fool. What deal do you have?” Dan-Han coldly asked.

Father Lee lolled back on the chair and replied. “He’ll help bring Kwon-Nara back into your life while you let go of that girl, and I’ll give him a permanent position.” He truthfully said, while Dan-Han silently stared at him.

“And this position happens to be my position?” Dan-Han was sure that was the case, and indeed the old man confirmed it.

“Yes.”

Dan-Han chuckled as he amusedly stared at his father. He couldn’t believe the man. “You sure dream big.” He unbuttoned his suit and lolled back on the chair.

He tilted his head to the side as he continuously gazed at his father. “And I can guess you’re never going to give the position?” He raised his brow at his father, who gave a non-committal shrug.

“Who knows.” The old man replied.

Dan-Han couldn’t help the chortle that escaped his lips. He turned his face away as he pitiably shook his head. The man was always trying to be sly.

He was never going to give him the presidency because all this was a facade to make him send Eun-sun away from the company and break up with her. His father knew he would never give up his seat, so he was certain he would have his way because that was who he was. He wanted things to always go the way he desired them to. The worst was, that he would make Ji-Tae a director.

Dan-Han was certain Ji-Tae already knew this absurd outcome. If Ji-Tae approached his father with this plan, then he already knew this from the beginning and his father was probably playing by his rules while the old man thought differently.

He glanced back at him. “Father, do you know your problem?” He asked, making his father drop the book in his hand and pay his full attention to him.

“I believe you’re going to tell me anyway.”

“You underestimate people too much,” Dan-Han told him. “You think everyone still plays by the old rules, but you’ve yet to realize not just the rules have changed, the game has also changed and you have no idea what’s going on.”

“What are you trying to say?” Father Lee stoically asked.

Dan-Han sighed. “What I’m saying is, whatever game you think you’re playing with Ji-Tae, have a rethink. Don’t mistake his smiles for stupidity.” Dan-Han advised. He wasn’t about to tell his father what he had just discovered, as that would result in Ji-Tae’s parents finding out that their son hasn’t changed, which would break his aunt’s heart. She was as fragile as his mother. He would find a way to handle all this madness. He really wanted all these issues resolved as soon as possible so he could finally get to be with Eun-sun and just enjoy some baby boy treatment with no drama.

Father Lee scoffed dismissively. “You think too much, boy.” He hissed as he picked up the magazine and continued reading.

The man was stubborn and Dan-Han knew there was nothing left to say to him. He rose to his feet. “Whatever you do, make sure Eun-sun doesn’t get caught in it.”

“That’s your problem, not mine.” The man indifferently replied as he continued reading.

“Indeed it’s mine.” Dan-Han nodded as he turned to leave.

“Remember you have till the next meeting to determine whether you want to keep your seat.” Father Lee said from behind him while Dan-Han stopped.

He gazed at his father. “You have until then to remain as the chairman of the company. Because the next seat I’m occupying it’s yours.” He turned towards the building before glancing at his father who was weirdly staring at him.

Dan-Han revealed a small smile. “I think it’s time we made your retirement more permanent, what do you say, sir?”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Light flickered through Father Lee’s eyes while Dan-Han’s lips tilted upwards in a daring manner.

“Oh, I dare, Mr Lee.” He shook his head and smiled at his father. “And good luck with you and your underdog. I hope you hold his leash well before he turns into a wolf.” Dan-Han said before walking into the building to check on Soo-min, leaving his father who kept staring at him.

He really hoped his father doesn’t give Ji-Tae room to cause some damages that he’d forever regret, this wasn’t for his sake but the entire family.