Chapter 155 – Higher, Even Higher – Part 8

Chapter 155 – Higher, Even Higher – Part 8

“Help?”

Aunt asked again and silence fell.

That was only for a moment, Aunt Lee Jeongmi slapped her thigh and laughed so hard the living room echoed.

“Hahahahaha! You? Help? You, of all people, want to help? Hahahahaha!”

Lee Jeongmi looked up at the ceiling and wiped the corners of her eyes.

“You want to be helpful to me?”

Lee Hyerim, who had been waiting calmly, nodded her head.

“Yes. What I said so boldly in front of Grandfather… I’m sorry.”

Lee Jeongmi’s brow furrowed again.

The words about just taking the dividends came back to her.

“I had no choice but to say that to win Grandfather’s favor. Aunt, you know well.

He likes people who charge forward like Red Hare, without looking back.”

Lee Jeongmi crossed her arms as if to say, “Let’s hear it.”

“Go on.”

“Even if I hold shares in SH Construction, I know it will disappear like a mirage.

Would my Uncle or my cousins, the older sister and older brothers, stand by and do nothing? What power do I have?”

Lee Hyerim turned her head to Lee Jeonghoon and continued with a smile.

“SH Construction is your share, older brother.”

Lee Hyerim looked at her Aunt again.

“Aunt, you’ll make it happen for me, won’t you? I’ll hold onto the shares for a while.

I’ll hold onto them so I can be a strength for Jeonghoon-oppa later.”

Uncle’s laughter echoed through the living room.

“My niece knows how to get in line! She knows how to get in line! Hahaha!”

Lee Jeongmi glared at her husband.

“I told you to be quiet, didn’t I?”

He rubbed his forehead and shut his mouth.

“You’ll take care of it?”

“Yes. All I want is one business card. The position of Managing Director at SH Construction.

I just want to keep the seat I’m currently in.

If Aunt helps me that much, when the time comes, I’ll hand over half of the shares to Jeonghoon-oppa.

Until then, I’ll endure the glares and criticisms. I’m used to that kind of thing.”

Lee Jeonghoon, who had been silently watching Lee Hyerim, smiled faintly and said,

“Hyerim, do you remember that? When our family went to the resort.

You fell into the water back then. I pulled you out, didn’t I?”

Lee Hyerim smiled and nodded her head.

She probably doesn’t remember if he pushed her.

Lee Jeonghoon continued, a deep smile on his face.

“Alright, I’ll guarantee you the Managing Director position. I promise.

I’m glad you have this kind of thinking.

I didn’t want my youngest cousin to get hurt.”

Lee Jeongmi, who had approached at some point, took Lee Hyerim’s hand and stroked it.

And she looked at Hyerim with regretful eyes.

“You’re working hard. Working hard… Aunt never knew you had such a thoughtful idea until now.

During that time… you must have had a very hard time alone, didn’t you?

Aunt always thought about you, but you know, I was so busy taking care of your Uncle.”

“Aunt, please just promise me the Managing Director position.”

Aunt slowly nodded her head and said with emphasis.

“Yes, the Managing Director position, that’s yours.

Jeonghoon will lead it well.”

It wouldn’t look good to directly receive shares from Hyerim, who currently had Dad’s trust.

The same went for her other siblings.

There would undoubtedly be unspoken jealousy and scrutiny.

It was right for Hyerim, who had Dad’s trust, to hold onto it.

Lee Jeongmi’s smile deepened as she fiddled with Hyerim’s hand.

She looked like nothing more than a child.

A child shivering and huddling against the cold at that.

In her eyes, Lee Hyerim seemed to be desperately trying to survive.

Lee Hyerim’s position was exactly that.

After all, she had grown up being scorned and ignored since childhood.

With enemies in the private room, she must be utterly exhausted and craving something to lean on.

Lee Jeongmi gently embraced Lee Hyerim.

“If you have any difficulties in the future, tell your Aunt everything. Okay?”

Lee Hyerim also raised her hand and hugged her Aunt’s shoulder.

“Yes, Aunt.”

But her eyes were utterly dry.

Just then, Lee Jeongmi received a call.

It was her younger sister.

“Oh, Jeonghye.”

– Sister, are you just going to let it be? Shouldn’t you go see Dad separately?

That Hyerim…

“Hey! There’s nothing you can’t say to your niece! When are you going to grow up?

How hard must Hyerim have had it all this time? She deserves it.

It was Dad’s decision. You should also embrace her like an aunt from now on.

Don’t act like someone desperate to devour their niece.”

– Sister…

“I’m hanging up.”

Lee Jeongmi, who had finished the call, lowered her eyes again and smiled.

“Hyerim, your aunts are so pathetic. So pathetic.”

“No, it’s okay. There’s a difference in perspective. I understand.”

“Our Hyerim has grown up. Would you like a cup of tea? Sit down.”

“No, I have to go to the company.”

“Oh, really? Jeonghoon, please take Hyerim. Even though you’ll be driving, it’s nighttime.”

“Alright.”

“It’s fine…”

Aunt shook her head.

“Do that. When you have a bit of free time like this, talk to each other.”

“Alright.”

Lee Hyerim no longer refused and got into the car with Lee Jeonghoon.

“To the company, right?”

“Yes.”

Lee Jeonghoon immediately drove the car, and Lee Hyerim gazed out the window.

“Hyerim. Work is good, but take it easy. You’ll hurt yourself if you don’t.

Oh, do you have a boyfriend? You should try dating.”

Lee Hyerim could feel Lee Jeonghoon’s gaze.

From her legs to her waist, chest, and shoulders.

As his gaze moved, it felt as if bugs were crawling on her body.

But Lee Hyerim’s expression remained calm.

There’s still a lot to learn, and oh. Why don’t you go see Yohwan sometime and get some fresh air?

You like snorkeling and scuba diving, don’t you?

Lee Hyerim, who had been speaking while looking straight ahead, turned her head to look at Lee Jeonghoon.

Then she smiled faintly.

“Should I book the tickets?”

For Lee Hyerim, it was a rather meaningful statement.

“Well, I should go sometime when I have time. I’ve been so busy lately.”

Lee Hyerim nodded slowly.

“Tell me whenever you want to go. I’ll get the tickets for you. First class.”

Of course, it was a one-way trip.

She wasn’t going to give him a return ticket.

Soon, Lee Hyerim, who arrived at SH Construction, gave a light greeting.

“Thanks for dropping me off.”

“Aren’t you going to offer me a cup of tea?”

Lee Hyerim responded with a smile to Lee Jeonghoon’s smiling words.

“I have a lot to do. Let’s have it later. Drive the car away. I’ll come pick it up later.”

“Okay. Keep up the good work.”

After parting with Lee Jeonghoon, Lee Hyerim watched the car drive away.

“There are too many bugs.”

It felt like the tension was finally easing and fatigue was creeping in.

Lee Hyerim swept her hair back as if to air it out.

“Are they pests?”

At the sudden voice, Lee Hyerim was startled and turned her body.

It was Woojin, dressed in a red tracksuit.

“Woojin?”

“Pests must be exterminated.”

Her white teeth were revealed at Woojin’s appearance.

It was a truly refreshing smile.

Her fatigue seemed to melt away like snow.

“How did you get here? Weren’t you going home? Were you waiting for me?”

At her continuous questions, Woojin spoke.

“You’ve worked hard today.”

Thump.

Woojin’s right hand rested on her head.

Lee Hyerim’s eyes widened instantly, and her pupils slowly dilated like a video.

“You did well.”

She had nowhere to rest psychologically.

So he came to create one for her.

Did she realize Woojin’s thoughts?

Lee Hyerim’s lips pulled back.

When she felt her face getting hot, she felt moisture around her eyes.

“Why am I being so emotional?”

Lee Hyerim, who was wiping her eyes, was surprised once again.

Her thoughts stopped as if her brain had frozen, wondering what was happening.

It was because Woojin was holding her.

As Lee Hyerim, held in Woojin’s arms, blinked, Woojin’s voice was heard again.

“Hyerim is warm.”

Woojin slowly patted Hyerim’s shoulder.

“Woojin.”

“Yes?”

“Thanks.”

The two of them stood still for a moment without a word.

Soon, Woojin gently held her shoulder and asked,

“Are you crying?”

“No.”

“You look like you are.”

Woojin bent down and looked up at her.

“Are you crying?”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“You look like you’re crying though?”

Lee Hyerim hit Woojin’s back.

Smack!

“Stop it. It’s not funny.”

Woojin rubbed his shoulder and changed the subject.

“Hyerim, should we go out and play after a long time?”

She chuckled.

No, she smiled sweetly.

“Shall we?”

Woojin and Hyerim walked towards Downtown without hesitation.

The sight of them looking around and having fun seemed to be captured like photographs.

Woojin punching, Hyerim catching moles.

And Woojin’s reaction, with his pupils shaking while playing the claw machine.

“This isn’t working?”

The two of them walked down the street, holding hotteok in their hands.

There were many people, and they were among them.

He didn’t have to think about anything, and he didn’t have to care about anything.

They even went to a karaoke room, and as Woojin sang, Lee Hyerim blinked and played the tambourine for him.

Jingle, jingle.

“Comrade~ Do you see~ the resentful eyes~”

–

A few days later.

Lee Hyerim came to own a total of 14% of SH Construction’s shares, and although her cousins gave her sharp looks, she paid them no mind.

And Aunt Lee Jeongmi stepped in and tried to quell the atmosphere.

‘They’re so eager to tear down my youngest niece! Aren’t you ashamed?’

She was shielding Lee Hyerim as if to become her room protector.

Meanwhile, Woojin was flipping through case documents at Deputy Division Chief Prosecutor Kim Cheolung’s Office.

Just then, Prosecutor Kim Cheolung entered the office.

“I feel like a guest.”

“Can I have one candy?”

“Isn’t it about time you just took one without asking?”

“Thank you.”

Woojin put the candy in his mouth, then flipped through the documents as before and spoke.

“Hyerim now has 14% of SH Construction’s shares.”

“Wow… I should call her to congratulate her. Should I tell her for you?”

“Yes. Prosecutor, this.”

Woojin smoothly handed the document envelope he was holding to Kim Cheolung.

It wasn’t a case document.

“What is this?”

Prosecutor Kim Cheolung’s eyes widened as he quickly flipped through the documents.

“This…”

Names of people and numbers were mixed chaotically.

It was Woojin’s compilation of the documents he received from SH Strategy.

“These are lists of Shinhwa Electric’s nominee accounts and evidence of accounting fraud.”

Kim Cheolung adjusted his glasses and asked,

“Is this true?”

“Yes.”

Kim Cheolung ran his hand through his hair.

Woojin bringing this meant only one thing.

“If this gets investigated, I don’t think I’ll get promoted.”

“You’re not interested in promotions anyway.”

He was a prosecutor interested in politics.

And his backer would be Hyerim.

For that to happen, Hyerim had to do well.

“Oh my…”

Kim Cheolung, who had been pressing his brow, grinned.

“Well, let’s give it a try.”

Woojin slowly nodded his head.

This time, it’s about shaking things up.