Actually, It’s a Messy Melodrama Chapter 107

A moment of silence fell between the two. It was because Taejun hadn’t immediately understood the meaning of Haeshin’s words.

“They’re probably already wondering how I even got in here…”

Haeshin remembered the looks of the people he had encountered when he came here, escorted by Secretary Choi. Every person he passed by had eyes full of the question, ‘Who is that person, to be coming with Secretary Choi?’

They were probably still wondering about the identity of Cha Haeshin, who hadn’t come out of the president’s office yet. But to show them he was leaving with Taejun? If even one person saw, rumors could spread like wildfire.

Only then did Taejun, who realized why Haeshin was hesitating, let out a hollow laugh and opened his mouth.

“Good grief. I thought it was something serious.”

His voice was light, as if he thought it was a needless worry.

“Didn’t I tell you? I have no intention of hiding you, so you have to handle that much.”

“No, it’s just that.”

“So what if people gossip? I have plenty of rumors even without you.”

“Really? You, Mr. President?”

At Taejun’s unexpected words, Haeshin asked back, his eyes full of interest. Taejun nodded nonchalantly.

“Fame always comes with ridiculous rumors. That I’m actually my grandfather’s late-born son. That I look fine on the outside, but I’m impotent. That the reason I’m not married yet is because of my perverted sexual tastes. There are all sorts of stories.”

“Wow…”

Haeshin’s mouth fell open at the list of rumors, which were beyond his imagination. Come to think of it, he seemed to have vaguely heard a rumor at the bar that the Myungjin heir was impotent.

“So you don’t need to worry about our relationship becoming a rumor. No, what I mean is…”

“…”

“I’m worried about you hearing things you don’t need to hear because of me, which means you don’t need to worry about me. The nasty rumors you might hear because of me… I’m sorry about that too.”

Taejun’s voice instantly became downcast. Haeshin bit his lip to keep from bursting out laughing, which felt inappropriate for the situation.

To think that the man who spoke so casually about rumors of his own impotence would be so concerned about the gossip Haeshin might hear.

“Okay. Since Mr. President says so, I’ll try to endure it well.”

So, instead of belittling himself by saying things like, don’t worry about me, I have no honor or pride to lose anyway, Haeshin answered confidently. He knew that if he belittled himself, Taejun would be hurt even more.

“Yeah. Endure it for my sake.”

And just as they were about to leave the president’s office together, Haeshin stopped again and looked at Taejun with a meaningful expression before opening his mouth.

“But Mr. President, by any chance…”

“…?”

“It’s not really because you’re impotent or a pervert that you can’t get married, right?”

“Hey!”

It was only natural that a red-faced Taejun would shout.

☂️

“He came to the company with him?”

“Yes, Chairman. He stayed in President Han’s room for about an hour and then they left together.”

“So now he’s going to parade him around openly.”

Chairman Han Sangwoo, who had been briefed on the small commotion Taejun had caused today, leaned back deeply into the sofa.

Chairman Han, who had received a notification-that-wasn’t-a-notification about the existence of a ‘benefactor’ he never knew Taejun had, had since become intensely interested in that direction.

Finding out about the man who was Han Taejun’s benefactor was not a difficult task. It seemed Taejun hadn’t made any particular effort to hide him in the first place.

“Yes. Secretary Choi brought the man up to the president’s office, and he didn’t seem to be particularly cautious.”

“Didn’t you say he took him to a department store and bought him clothes a while ago?”

“That is correct.”

“For someone who’s a president, for goodness’ sake, to be chasing after a man’s tail, calling him a benefactor. What kind of fool talks about love without considering one’s station in this day and age.”

Even as he said this, Chairman Han’s expression did not look particularly displeased. The secretary, who had served Chairman Han for a long time, could easily understand the true meaning behind his words.

“Still, how many people in this day and age treat others with sincerity without looking down on them for their money? Especially someone in a high position like President Han. Isn’t it all thanks to you, Chairman, for raising him with a good sense of human decency?”

The corners of Chairman Han’s mouth, who was sitting with a feigned solemn expression, began to twitch slightly.

“Did I raise that boy? His mother and father did.”

“Still, it’s a well-known fact that President Han has respected you, Chairman, and looked up to you as a role model.”

“Ahem. Well, it’s true that from a young age, that boy followed me more than his own father.”

“That’s why I’m saying this.”

The secretary, looking at Chairman Han’s face, which was in a state of ‘not wanting to show he’s pleased, but so pleased that he can’t stop the corners of his mouth from rising,’ smiled warmly without hiding it.

Chairman Han, who was known to others as charismatic and cold, was famous for being exceptionally doting when it came to his eldest grandson.

“Shall I look into it further?”

However, his love for his grandson was one thing, and apart from that, Chairman Han was taking this situation quite seriously.

It was only natural. Taejun had already reached the age of marriage. It was a situation where he would inevitably start thinking about marriage with whomever he was dating from now on.

The whole family’s attention was already bound to be focused on whom he was dating, so if he were to seriously date a man with whom he couldn’t even have an heir, it was naturally a matter of concern.

Even if public perception had changed a lot, the issue of ‘bloodline’ was often still a conservative matter in well-to-do families. Although he was acting like a doting fool, Chairman Han had already completed a background check on the person named ‘Haeshin’ whom his grandson was dating.

Chairman Han, who had been lost in thought for a moment at the secretary’s question, soon answered in a calm voice.

“Let it be for now. We might get burned if we cross the line unnecessarily… Is that boy’s personality an ordinary one?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Considering they’re going in and out of the company together, he’ll probably bring him before me soon.”

Chairman Han smacked his lips as if he was disappointed about something. If he had his way, he would have ordered the boy to be brought before him right away, but Chairman Han, who knew his grandson’s personality better than anyone, knew that it was not a good choice.

“The insolent boy. If he has someone, he should bring them to me for introductions first. I’ve raised my grandson all wrong.”

“Perhaps he is preparing to visit you more formally. Still, President Han’s consideration for you, Chairman, is well-known.”

Watching Chairman Han ramble on disingenuously about how he seemed to have spoiled his grandson too much, the secretary habitually sided with President Han.

More than a few people had suffered after being baited into agreeing with Chairman Han’s insincere complaints about his grandson, but the secretary had known Chairman Han long enough not to fall into such traps.

“Ahem, anyway… Please make sure no unnecessary words leak out, whether inside or outside the company. I’ll be the one to scold him if need be; I can’t stand other people bad-mouthing my grandson.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The secretary bowed his head in response. Although he grumbled about why his grandson had to meet such an unremarkable man, the secretary was certain. This time too, Chairman Han would not be able to win against his eldest grandson.

☂️

“Hmm…”

“He said he judged it to be a situation that could be sufficiently contained, so he prioritized leaving evidence.”

Taejun was receiving a report from Secretary Choi in his study while watching the video he had received from Ingyu. Haeshin was sleeping in the room. It was only natural, but it seemed he had been very frightened.

Haeshin, who had insisted he was fine when Taejun told him to rest a bit since his body must have been shocked, had fallen asleep, breathing evenly, not long after lying down on the bed.

Thinking about the immense fear Haeshin must have felt at that moment, he felt like going to find Jin Youngmin and punching him right away.

Why on earth couldn’t he just take him to a place no one knew and bury him in the ground? Taejun suppressed his boiling anger and, after panting for a long while, finally regained his composure and was able to listen to Secretary Choi’s report.

“The materials I mentioned last time are all ready, right?”

“Yes, Mr. President. The testimonies of those around him have also been compiled.”

“Good.”

Taejun nodded and turned off the video that had been playing on a loop.

Thanks to Jin Youngmin running around and poking his nose everywhere, it had been much easier to gather materials. Perhaps because he felt like he had missed a target that was almost in his grasp, Jin Youngmin was collapsing more quickly than expected.

Feeling a tingling sensation at his fingertips for no reason, he repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists. The mixture of anticipation and anxiety about what was to come created a strange feeling.

It was then. A knock on the study door distracted Taejun’s attention. Taejun’s expression instantly softened. He seemed to know without being told who was outside the study.

“Come in.”

At the suddenly lightened voice, Secretary Choi shook his head. Just moments ago, he had been so menacing he looked like he could kill someone, and now a single knock could make him relax like this.