* * *
“That’s not something we should be interfering with.”
Just as Wookyung was wondering how to respond, a savior appeared—Chairwoman Choi.
“It’s their newlywed home. Let them decide for themselves.”
Her firm tone carried a clear message: This isn’t your business.
But CEO Choi wasn’t about to back down so easily.
“Mother, it’s not that simple. Not long ago, there was a vacancy in Gil Wookyung’s team, and it caused quite a stir. If someone else leaves, that team’s going to be in real trouble again.”
Wookyung sighed inwardly as CEO Choi spoke as if his resignation were already a done deal.
He had hoped it wasn’t the case, but it was becoming clear—they were planning to push him out.
The fact that they filled Manager Shin’s vacant spot with someone from Planning Team 3 was already a big red flag.
So he wasn’t that shocked.
But that was his issue.
The real problem was how his parents were reacting to the sudden implication that he might be quitting.
Wookyung quickly shook his head toward Han Seokyung and Gil Taejin, who looked bewildered by what they were hearing.
Glancing at Gil Woohyun, he saw him casually shrug as if to say ‘It’s fine.’
“It’s simple. He just won’t quit.”
Chairwoman Choi turned to Wookyung, as if expecting him to confirm that.
But before he could say a word, CEO Choi spoke again.
“Saheon is going to America. It doesn’t make sense for Gil Wookyung to stay here alone, does it?”
Her persistence sparked genuine curiosity in Wookyung.
As far as he knew, Saheon hadn’t told his family about his privately owned company yet.
Yet here she was, speaking as if his return to the U.S. was a foregone conclusion.
Could it be that she’d promised something beyond his shares—maybe even that—to get Director Min to go abroad?
“I don’t mind,”
came Saheon’s voice, as if he’d sensed the doubt in the air.
He sounded indifferent, which clearly irritated CEO Choi.
“A newlywed couple living apart? Seriously?”
She clicked her tongue like she was scolding a reckless nephew.
Her gaze flicked to her mother, clearly hoping she’d back her up.
But Chairwoman Choi stayed silent.
Wookyung could tell she was watching to see just how far CEO Choi would go.
“Of course not,”
Saheon replied nonchalantly, shaking his head.
“Then what?”
“I’m planning to stay in Korea.”
“What are you talking about? You said you were quitting!”
That had been the condition he set to get her to demote her own son.
He would hand over his shares immediately and promise his support for the marriage during the family meeting before the wedding.
And he said he’d stay at the company only until the Chicago Expo, so she naturally assumed he’d go back to the U.S. afterward.
That, in her eyes, was the cleanest resolution. But now?
“Yes. I’ll leave HK Furniture, but after the wedding, I’m planning to focus on supporting my spouse.”
At the word supporting, Wookyung blinked in disbelief.
Gil Woohyun had to cover his mouth to hide a smile, and Wookyung’s parents quietly watched the scene unfold.
Even Chairwoman Choi seemed to step back, leaving the matter to resolve itself.
Still, CEO Choi pressed on.
“Saheon, are you saying you’re going to be unemployed? What do you think that makes me look like? People will think I took your shares and just abandoned you!”
“You don’t need to worry about that. I have my own company.”
“Your own company?”
Her face twisted in disbelief, as if she were looking at some unreliable child.
But Saheon just shrugged like it was no big deal.
“It’s a company you probably know—C&B.”
“You mean C&B Inc.?!”
Her expression changed completely.
Of course it did.
C&B was a fast-rising furniture and interior design company that had burst onto the scene five years ago.
It had expanded not only across the U.S. but into Europe as well, now contending for a spot among the world’s top companies.
“That’s right. Saheon is one of the co-CEOs there.”
“You—what? How could you not say anything? Even when you were working in the overseas branch!”
When Wookyung’s mother confirmed it, CEO Choi’s face contorted in shock.
She’d never heard this even when he was working at HK’s New York branch.
That meant her nephew had completely fooled her.
Suddenly, a question hit her—’Did Secretary Ahn know about this?’
“I told Secretary Ahn not to say anything.”
“What…!”
Her eyes widened as Saheon spoke, reading her thoughts exactly.
“I only went to that company—just like you wanted—so I could meet Wookyung.”
His voice was final, shutting the topic down.
He had no intention of discussing it further.
“So please, Aunt, don’t make Wookyung anxious over something that doesn’t concern him.”
At that, CEO Choi bit her lip hard.
Just then, Han Seokyung, who had been quietly watching, finally spoke.
“Saheon is really impressive. From what I’ve heard, he’s been running a remarkable company. I imagine your mother must be incredibly proud of him.”
Wookyung noticed that his omega father had deliberately referred to Chairwoman Choi in a familiar, affectionate way.
And Chairwoman Choi seemed to catch the nuance, responding with a gentle smile.
“Of course. I always worried about him, living alone abroad when he was young, but he’s grown up so well on his own. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Her fond, proud gaze landed on her grandson.
Seeing the exchange, Han Seokyung turned to CEO Choi.
“That’s what I’m saying. I feel at ease knowing Wookyung has met someone so dependable. Whatever they decide to do, I trust them completely.”
It was a clear message: Stop interfering.
Wookyung recognized that his father had delivered that message on his behalf.
“Exactly. I feel the same way. They’ll handle things just fine on their own, so all we need to do is quietly watch over them.”
“Absolutely.”
With the conversation now steered by the two parents, the mood warmed considerably, and the talk continued cheerfully until the meal ended.
After the family meeting, Wookyung dropped his parents off at their home.
Just like last time, it was Han Seokyung who stopped Gil Woohyun from insisting they come in for tea and gently pushed them on their way.
“That’s enough. Wookyung, you should head home too.”
He seemed to have known.
Known that someone had been following behind them all the way.
Wookyung smiled, both grateful and embarrassed, and bowed.
“Yes, I’ll be going. Please rest well.”
“You too. You did great today. Enjoy the weekend—and make time for dates, no matter how busy you are.”
He waved with a meaningful look.
Wookyung bowed again to both Han Seokyung and Gil Taejin, who simply watched in silence, then turned away.
Just thirty meters down the street was a familiar car.
As he got closer, the driver’s door opened—of course, it was Saheon.
“Wookyung.”
“Wanna go for a drive?”
As he approached, he asked the question casually.
Saheon nodded without hesitation.
“Sure. Let’s get dinner while we’re at it. Maybe a drink.”
“How about the beach?”
“That sounds perfect.”
It was a spontaneous idea, but Saheon agreed instantly.
It was an impromptu trip, but neither of them minded.
The most important hurdle had been cleared, and tomorrow was a holiday.
So the car sped onto the highway, and two hours later, they arrived in a city overlooking the East Sea.
Driving while looking out at the sea was nice enough, but as the sun began to set, a practical issue surfaced: they hadn’t brought anything with them.
“Uh… should we stop by a nearby department store?”
The hotel would have toiletries, but the real problem was they had no change of clothes.
Saheon, realizing why Wookyung was saying that, fiddled with the navigation and found a department store nearby.
They parked in the department store’s garage and headed straight to the men’s clothing floor.
Up to that point, everything was smooth.
But the problem came next.
“Come on, we’re on a trip. This much is fine, right?”
“Still… don’t you think this is a bit cringey?”
Wookyung looked at the clothes in Saheon’s hand with a reluctant expression.
Saheon just looked back as if to say, ‘What’s wrong with it?’
But Wookyung felt too embarrassed to even take what was being offered.
Because what Saheon was holding were matching sweatshirts and jeans with the same color and lettering.
In other words—couple outfits.
* * *
