IRLPLBIO Chapter 29 Part 1

Han Yun-cheol straightened his posture immediately after finishing his call with Han Seong-cheol. Previously, he would have first contacted the secretary’s office for Han Seong-cheol, who would smash his phone and fume, but this time, he let go. If one smashed things because they couldn’t control their temper, they had to bear the inconvenience themselves.

Instead, Han Yun-cheol looked at the two people seated at the head of the table. There was his grandfather, Han Chang-hun, who had stepped down from the Chairman’s position but still commanded a presence like a mountain, and his eldest paternal uncle, Han Gyeong-jin, who was always at the forefront of keeping his father in check.

“Are you finished talking? Even if I said it was okay to talk on the phone here, it was a bit unpleasant to listen to.”

“…It’s time for Han Seong-cheol to learn how to be patient now.”

“Yes, that child is quite self-willed, after all. Perhaps his elder brother spoiled him too much because he’s an Alpha. You must have a hard time.”

“Not at all.”

Han Gyeong-jin, feigning concern for Han Yun-cheol, indirectly criticized Han Seong-cheol and Han Moo-jin. Telling Han Yun-cheol there was no need to go outside to talk to his younger brother was intended to let Han Chang-hun know about Han Seong-cheol’s state. As a bonus, it was a calculation that it would be even better if he could provoke Han Moo-jin once.

Han Yun-cheol played along with Han Gyeong-jin, even though he knew his intentions. This was because the direction Han Gyeong-jin desired aligned with his own. Han Gyeong-jin seemed to think he was very good at discerning others’ true intentions, but in reality, his own true intentions were also very clearly discernible.

“Anyway, that child will soon grasp the situation. If he received benefits for being an Alpha, he’ll be ready to grovel before a Dominant Alpha.”

There was no way that would happen. Han Seong-cheol was not the type of person to acknowledge someone he looked down upon rising above him.

Han Gyeong-jin had thrown out the remark knowing full well what he was doing. It meant he was ready to exploit it twice over if Han Seong-cheol stumbled again later.

Soon, Han Gyeong-jin, having changed his expression, spoke sweetly to Han Chang-hun.

“Father, aren’t you happy that Han Ga-yeon is returning? I was so surprised myself when the child, who hasn’t been in contact until now, suddenly said she’s coming back…”

“What is there to be agitated about? The fellow who left on his own whim is returning on his own whim. There’s no need to make a fuss. Honestly, tsk!”

“Ah, Father?”

Han Gyeong-jin’s voice trembled, flustered by the unexpected reply. His eyes darted quickly, trying to figure out the intention behind Han Chang-hun’s loud click of the tongue.

Han Yun-cheol quietly lowered his gaze. He shouldn’t reveal his emotions and thoughts so openly. Han Gyeong-jin was completely acting contrary to the image of a businessman that Han Chang-hun envisioned.

This was precisely his chance to stand out. Han Yun-cheol put force into his voice.

“Grandfather, you always said it, didn’t you? That the Dae-yeong Group should be led by capable people.”

“…That’s right.”

“Grandfather, our aunt did not lose her touch even while she was away.”

Even at a time when he might have asked how Han Yun-cheol knew that, Han Chang-hun did not speak. It meant he trusted Han Yun-cheol’s words, and at the same time, it also meant he supported Han Ga-yeon.

Han Yun-cheol was certain that Han Chang-hun had not yet given up on Han Ga-yeon. Furthermore, he also read it to mean that he would support Han Ga-yeon and her son to a certain extent so that they wouldn’t be at a disadvantage even if they entered the late competition.

Han Gyeong-jin, who had been looking back and forth between Han Yun-cheol and Han Chang-hun, sighed.

“Han Ga-yeon might still seem to be doing well, but Han Yun-cheol, you know that the economy changes day by day, and even hour by hour.”

“But Uncle.”

“Listen to me first. Han Ga-yeon has been away for what’s ten years, almost twenty years. Meaning she can’t be as sharp as before. Even if she seems fine now, somewhere, she must have grown dull.”

“Uncle, this is a judgment I made after seeing it myself.”

“Yes, you can say that. But it looks different through the eyes of an experienced person, my nephew. Hmm?”

Speaking to the not-so-young Han Yun-cheol as if placating a child was close to mockery. Han Chang-hun’s wrinkled face twitched subtly.

Instead of being agitated, Han Yun-cheol placed his mobile phone on the table. It was a different kind from the one he had used earlier to talk to Han Seong-cheol.

The phone screen showed that the call had been connected for 30 minutes. Soon, a cheerful voice flowed out.

“My second older brother is still the same. Always later than my eldest older brother.”

“…Han, Han Ga-yeon?”

“Of course. It’s me. The Han Ga-yeon you said had grown dull.”

A flustered Han Gyeong-jin reached for the phone. It was embarrassing and absurd that Han Ga-yeon had heard everything he said, and he was also worried about what Han Ga-yeon might say to Han Chang-hun.

However, before Han Gyeong-jin’s hand could reach it, Han Chang-hun and Han Yun-cheol simultaneously held Han Gyeong-jin back.

“Let her speak,” Han Chang-hun ordered quietly. Unable to read what he was thinking at all, Han Gyeong-jin unconsciously trembled.

“Brother, my eldest older brother returned what was mine, but what about you? You also took a share of what was mine.”

“What do you mean…!”

“You heard the news that I’m returning, didn’t you? My eldest older brother immediately handed over the shares. That’s why I thought of you, Brother? You always hated losing to our eldest brother.”

Han Ga-yeon’s voice was as cheerful as someone not talking about a difficult matter. At first glance, it almost sounded like she was joking. However, Han Gyeong-jin knew that Han Ga-yeon was not someone who would say such things as a joke.

Instead of Han Gyeong-jin, who was just rolling his eyes, Han Chang-hun spoke up.

“Useless fellow. You left on your own two feet, and now you come back demanding it. Do you think your brothers are a storage facility to keep your things and then return them?”

“Father.”

Even to the point where Han Gyeong-jin flinched, Han Ga-yeon was not at all intimidated.

“I should have visited you first to greet you, but I’m talking to you over the phone like this first. You heard the news, didn’t you? My brothers would have told you.”

Han Chang-hun unconsciously closed his eyes slightly. Listening to the clear and refreshing resonance of her voice reminded him of Han Ga-yeon from their days living together in the past.

Back then, Han Ga-yeon was just as bold and spirited. She also argued, unable to accept being pushed to the back line behind her brothers simply because she was a woman.