CH193

Hannam-dong, Seoul

Madam Jo Deok-rye sat gracefully on the living room sofa, basking in the warm afternoon sunlight as she sipped her tea.

In her other hand was a novel by a Japanese author who had won the Nobel Prize in Literature the previous year.

"Madam,"

At that moment, Gusan-daek emerged from the kitchen, wiping her damp hands on her apron as she approached.

"What should I prepare for dinner tonight?"

"Let's see… Oh, didn't you say fresh blue crabs arrived yesterday?"

"Yes! They're female crabs, full of roe, caught off Baengnyeong Island. The supplier was raving about how exceptionally fresh they are—it's rare to find them in such good condition."

Madam Jo nodded in approval.

"Since the chairman loves crab stew, let's make that."

"What about steaming them instead? The meat is so plump—it'd be delicious that way too."

"You know he always complains that it's too much trouble to pick out the meat. Just make the stew."

"Understood, ma'am."

Just then, the doorbell rang with a soft ding-dong.

Gusan-daek quickly picked up the intercom receiver mounted on the wall.

"Who is it? Ah, I see. One moment, please."

After a brief exchange, she pressed the button to unlock the gate.

"Is it Seok-won? He shouldn't be off work yet."

"No, ma'am. It's the young madam."

"Oh? What brings her here?"

Madam Jo tilted her head slightly. There had been no prior notice of a visit today.

A few moments later, the inner door opened, and in stepped Choi Bo-kyung, carrying a Chanel handbag.

"Welcome, young madam."

"It's been a while!"

She greeted them lightly, slipping off her high heels.

The moment she spotted Madam Jo in the living room, her face lit up with a bright smile.

"Mother! I'm here!"

Madam Jo closed the book in her hands and placed it on the table, turning to greet her daughter-in-law.

"What brings you by unannounced?"

"Oh, come on. Do I really need to call ahead when visiting my in-laws? We're family!"

She sidled up to Madam Jo playfully, her voice laced with affection.

Though she feigned mild annoyance, a faint smile appeared on Madam Jo's face.

Having a lively and affectionate daughter-in-law was a welcome change in a household otherwise filled with men.

"What would you like to drink?"

"Just an iced coffee, please."

At that, Madam Jo Deok-rae turned to Gusan-daek and said,

"Could you bring us a cup of iced coffee?"

"Yes, ma'am," Gusan-daek replied and headed to the kitchen.

"So, what brings you here?"

"I have something to show you, Mother. By the way, isn't Seok-won home?"

"At this hour, he's probably at the company. Why would he be home?"

"Ah, that makes sense. I wanted to ask him directly, but that's a shame."

"Ask him about what?"

"Look at this, Mother."

Choi Bo-kyung picked up the Chanel bag resting on her lap and pulled out a Vogue magazine she had borrowed from the hair salon.

"Why did you suddenly bring a magazine?"

"Look here! This male model for Gucci—doesn't he look exactly like Seok-won?"

"Hmm?"

Madam Jo Deok-rae raised an eyebrow at her daughter-in-law's excited tone.

"Seok-won isn't a celebrity. Why would he be in a fashion magazine? It's probably just someone who looks like him... Hmm?"

She chuckled as she flipped through the pages, but her eyes gradually widened.

Next to a stunning blonde female model, a strikingly familiar Asian male model was posing.

"Wait…"

It's my son... Isn't it?

Even with the different hairstyle and makeup for the photoshoot, there was no way she wouldn't recognize her own child.

"Why on earth is he in this magazine?!"

"Right? It really is him, isn't it? I was shocked when I saw it too!"

At that moment, Gusan-daek returned, placing the iced coffee on the table.

Having overheard the commotion, she glanced at the magazine in Madam Jo's hands—her eyes widening in silent shock.

"What is going on?"

Still trying to calm her racing heart, Madam Jo firmly grabbed Choi Bo-kyung's hand and asked,

"How did you find this?"

"I just happened to see it when I went to my regular hair salon today. Since it's an American magazine, not many people have probably seen it yet… Maybe that's why there haven't been any rumors?"

"Goodness. What kind of nonsense is this out of nowhere?"

Madam Jo rubbed her forehead before looking back at the magazine.

No matter how many times she looked, the man in the photo was undoubtedly her son.

"This won't do. I need to find out what's going on."

"Are you going to call him?"

"Yes. Gusan-daek, bring me the phone."

"Yes, ma'am."

Madam Jo Deok-rae took the cordless phone from Gusan-daek and quickly dialed Seok-won's number.

Beside her, Choi Bo-kyung sipped her coffee eagerly, listening in with great interest.

[Yes, this is Park Seok-won.]

"It's me."

[Oh? Mother, what's the occasion?]

"Are you busy right now?"

[No, go ahead.]

Madam Jo Deok-rae glanced at the magazine spread open on the table and took a deep breath.

"Did you, by any chance, model for Gucci?"

She didn't beat around the bush—she asked him directly. A brief silence followed, and she could sense his hesitation over the phone.

[How… how did you find out?]

"Good heavens…"

She had hoped it wasn't true, but now that it was confirmed, she closed her eyes tightly.

Next to her, Choi Bo-kyung, who had been eavesdropping intently, covered her mouth in astonishment.

"What on earth were you thinking, posing for something like this?!"

[Ah… well… it just kind of happened.]

"And what exactly do you mean by that?"

She frowned, demanding an explanation.

[It's a long story. I'll explain everything when I get home after work.]

"You…"

She had a million questions, but she decided to hold back.

"Fine. Just come home as soon as you can."

[I will.]

Without pressing further, she put down the cordless phone.

"So, it really is Seok-won?"

"Yes."

Madam Jo Deok-rae responded with a complicated expression—she never imagined her son would end up in a fashion magazine like a celebrity.

"Oh my! He never seemed interested in this kind of thing, yet he somehow became a Gucci model?"

Madam Jo Deok-rae resisted the urge to say "That's what I'd like to know!" Instead, she sighed and rubbed her forehead.

As she struggled to process everything, the bedroom door suddenly swung open, and Chairman Park Tae-hong stepped out.

"What's going on? Why is the house so noisy?"

"Oh! Father, you were home?"

Choi Bo-kyung quickly stood up and greeted him.

"Ah, our daughter-in-law is here. But why do you look so troubled?"

"It's nothing important."

Madam Jo Deok-rae deliberately feigned ignorance. If her husband found out, he might blow up in anger.

He already disapproved of Seok-won's frequent business trips to the U.S., thinking it was neglecting his corporate duties. If he saw him all dressed up in a high-fashion editorial, who knew what he would say?

"It doesn't seem like 'nothing.'"

Chairman Park narrowed his eyes at his wife before walking over to take his seat at the head of the table.

"Well…"

Madam Jo Deok-rae hesitated but then sighed deeply.

There was no point in hiding it. Sooner or later, his secretary's office would uncover the news anyway. It was better if he heard it from her first.

Making up her mind, she picked up the Vogue magazine from the table and handed it to him.

"Take a look at this."

"What is it?"

Chairman Park glanced at the magazine—then his expression instantly hardened.

"What? This… isn't this Seok-won?"

"Yes, it is."

Madam Jo Deok-rae answered cautiously, tense with worry that her husband might explode in anger.

Choi Bo-kyung, who knew all too well how terrifying her father-in-law's temper could be, swallowed nervously and kept glancing at him for any signs of rage.

As the tense silence stretched on, Chairman Park Tae-hong picked up the magazine and examined it carefully—then suddenly let out a chuckle.

"That rascal. He takes after me—his features are sharp and masculine. He could easily pass for a movie star."

"Maybe he just tried it out as a one-time experience, so you shouldn't be too upset—wait… What did you just say?"

Madam Jo Deok-rae, who had been quick to defend Seok-won, blinked in confusion and stared at her husband.

Choi Bo-kyung, too, had been bracing for an explosion, but the unexpected response made her wonder if she had misheard.

"Honestly, he looks even better in person. The camera doesn't quite do him justice."

Completely unbothered, Chairman Park set the Vogue magazine down on the table.

Madam Jo Deok-rae gawked at her husband in disbelief.

"What… what did you just say?"

"What?"

Leaning back in his chair, Park Tae-hong looked at her as if she were the one acting strange.

"You're seriously not angry about this?"

"Do you think I go around blowing up over every little thing like some short-tempered old miser?"

Madam Jo Deok-rae barely managed to hold back the words "Aren't you?" from slipping out.

"Did you already know about this?"

"No. I only found out when you showed me the magazine."

Her frown deepened.

"And yet you're fine with it?"

Choi Bo-kyung, who had been quietly observing, instinctively nodded in agreement—then quickly stopped herself. Thankfully, it seemed Chairman Park hadn't noticed, as he showed no reaction.

"That boy has always been unpredictable. This time, he probably just stumbled into it. He's tall and good-looking, so it's not surprising someone suggested he model."

"Unbelievable. Since when were you this… understanding?"

Madam Jo Deok-rae crossed her arms and eyed her husband suspiciously.

"I've always been like this."

"Oh, please. At least try to make your lies sound believable."

She let out a dry chuckle, then narrowed her eyes.

"Tell me the truth. You're hiding something, aren't you?"

Choi Bo-kyung also couldn't shake the strange feeling. Her father-in-law's reaction was too different from his usual self.

"Tsk. There's nothing to hide."

Chairman Park averted his gaze, but Madam Jo leaned in closer, pressing him for answers.

"Seok-won will be home soon anyway. We'll find out then, so just come clean now."

Choi Bo-kyung didn't dare speak, but her curious eyes remained fixed on her father-in-law.

"Good grief."

Under the intense gaze of both women, Chairman Park Tae-hong smacked his lips, looking visibly uncomfortable.

"Well… The thing is… that company actually belongs to Seok-won."

"...?"

Madam Jo Deok-rae furrowed her brows, not immediately grasping what he meant.

"What kind of nonsense is that? Stop beating around the bush and explain properly!"

She raised an eyebrow, pressing him further. Park Tae-hong, looking exasperated, repeated himself.

"I'm telling you, it really belongs to Seok-won!"

"What does?"

"Gucci, I mean Gucci!"

At that, Choi Bo-kyung couldn't help but interrupt.

"Father, please stop joking. Gucci is a European luxury brand. How could it possibly be Seok-won's company?"

"That rascal bought Gucci!"

"What?"

"Excuse me?"

Madam Jo Deok-rae and Choi Bo-kyung both froze in shock.

"I know, I know. It sounds unbelievable. I felt the same way at first. But it's the truth."

Seeing her husband's serious expression, Madam Jo Deok-rae realized he wasn't joking.

"But… how is that even possible? Even if its reputation has declined somewhat over the years, it's still Gucci."

"Exactly, Mother."

Choi Bo-kyung, equally stunned, nodded in agreement.

"I told you before, didn't I? That boy has an uncanny talent for making money. Turns out, when he went to Europe last time, it wasn't just for business meetings—he was finalizing the acquisition deal for Gucci."

"Oh my goodness!"

Madam Jo Deok-rae gasped, unable to close her gaping mouth.

Beside her, Choi Bo-kyung's eyes sparkled as she listened intently to Chairman Park.

"But do you know what's even more impressive?"

"There's more to be shocked about?"

"He bought Gucci without taking a single cent from me. He did it entirely with money he earned on his own."

"What did you just say?"

Madam Jo Deok-rae stared at her husband in disbelief.

Acquiring a brand as prestigious as Gucci wasn't something that could be done with pocket change. She had naturally assumed her husband had provided the necessary funds.

"Have you ever seen me joke about money? I'm serious. That kid took the seed money he made in the U.S. and multiplied it like crazy."

Chairman Park Tae-hong let out a chuckle, his face beaming with pride.

Madam Jo Deok-rae and Choi Bo-kyung knew he wasn't one to say such things lightly, yet the revelation was so shocking that they struggled to react.

At that moment, Choi Bo-kyung quickly scooted closer to Madam Jo and whispered,

"Mother… do you think what Father just said is really true?"

"I have no idea what to believe anymore."

Madam Jo Deok-rae shook her head, as if trying to clear her thoughts.

"If it's true that Seok-won acquired Gucci, that's an incredible achievement!"

"That may be, but… haah… it's just hard to believe he bought such a massive company with his money."

"That's true. We're not talking about some obscure brand—this is Gucci."

Madam Jo Deok-rae pressed a hand to her forehead, stealing a glance at Park Tae-hong.

He was still casually admiring the suit Seok-won had worn in the photoshoot, making idle comments about how well it suited him.

The more she watched him, the more she felt the news had to be true.

"Seok-won should be home from work soon. Once he gets here, we'll hear the full story."