Chapter 14

"Did you like So-Min?" Sung-Hoon asked, his voice laced with curiosity about the new part-time worker Yeon-Jun had encountered earlier that day. Yeon-Jun paused for a moment, reflecting on his brief interaction with So-Min. He hadn't observed anything that would impede her performance, particularly considering his own disability. To his surprise, he learned that So-Min had some knowledge of sign language and was actively working to improve her skills, making her an even more fitting candidate for the role they needed to fill.

"I think she would be perfect for the job," Sung-Hoon remarked enthusiastically as he began emptying the dishwasher, meticulously sorting and organizing the dishes by type. Yeon-Jun assisted him, but it was evident that his mind was elsewhere. "That doesn't go there," Sung-Hoon chuckled when he noticed Yeon-Jun had absentmindedly placed a cup among the glassware. The focused yet bewildered expression on Yeon-Jun's face hinted at the nerves bubbling beneath the surface.

"She desperately needs this job, and we could really benefit from someone like her," Sung-Hoon said gently, leading Yeon-Jun away from the counter and guiding him to sit down at a nearby table. "I know opening up to someone new can be intimidating, but it won't be as daunting as you might think. Look at how well Yeon-Su has adapted to working with you! If you try to view it positively, we have the opportunity to hire someone experienced like So-Min." Sung-Hoon's words resonated with Yeon-Jun. They were indeed at a crossroads: choosing between an inexperienced worker who had to be trained and a well-qualified candidate like So-Min was a clear decision.

"Ask her to join as soon as possible. I heard she really needs the job," Yeon-Jun signed, his hands moving fluidly, conveying his eagerness. Sung-Hoon smiled back at him, a warm gesture of reassurance, and playfully patted Yeon-Jun's head before returning to the task of sorting the remaining dishes.

"Hey!" Woo-San shouted, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere as Hee-Jun, driven by a whirlwind of emotions, lifted an ornate vase from his polished office table and smashed it onto the polished floor. The shattering sound echoed like a gunshot. "That was a gift!" Woo-San exclaimed, shocked by the reckless act.

But Hee-Jun seemed unfazed, emanating a dark energy as he wrestled with the crushing realization that despite his relentless efforts to extricate himself from the suffocating grasp of the Kim family—through diligently gathering incriminating evidence and slowly cultivating his independence—he was once again ensnared in their treacherous web. Yixan's selfish ploys and Yui-Hyuk's devious machinations had rekindled a fire he thought he had escaped.

"You know you can always say no," Woo-San tried to inject some levity into the situation as he sank into his chair. He gestured towards the secretary's office, instructing her to keep anyone from entering. "What do you think he'll do? Fire you? As if you actually work for him."

But his light-hearted jokes fell flat; Hee-Jun was not in the mood for humor. "Just say no," Woo-San urged, his tone shifting to one of genuine concern. "Send him a message, or write him a letter. Surely, you can do that, right?"

"Can I?" Hee-Jun's voice trembled as he finally broke the suffocating silence, his eyes impossibly wide, filled with a mixture of despair and fury. He stepped closer to Woo-San, his intense gaze sending an uncomfortable chill racing down Woo-San's spine. "Do you honestly believe I could just say no? That man would shred me to pieces if I dared to resist his manipulation." The bitterness in Hee-Jun's voice was palpable as he clenched his fists. "I learned from the best how to play this stupid manipulation game. He kept me here for a reason: turning his own blood against each other in a ruthless battle for inheritance while having me gain their trust and have them fight. It wasn't sympathy that made him adopt a child, it was greed. So, no, Sir. I can't simply decline."

He paused, struggling to keep his emotions in check, acutely aware that he did not want to lash out at the wrong person. Yet, the relentless churn of thoughts in his mind brought him back to a central truth: Woo-San was also one of the Kims. "I can't just say no," he spoke again, his tone measured but heavy with an underlying tension. "Because if I do, that man will dig up every remnant of my past and dismantle it piece by piece right before my eyes. I would rather endure this fate—living under the cloud of inevitability—than be responsible for ruining someone else's life. After all, it's not as though he hasn't already destroyed mine."

Woo-San observed Hee-Jun, realizing that no words of comfort could reach him at that moment. For a fleeting second, he grappled with the idea of offering some form of solace—any word, action, or thought that might redirect Hee-Jun's attention and quell his turmoil. But nothing surfaced in his mind. Hee-Jun seemed devoid of passions, displaying no interest in cultivating any pursuits, a state born from the knowledge that Yui-Hyuk would dismantle his life if he dared to step outside the narrow confines dictated by the Kim family and its members.

It was as if a smile could effortlessly erase any lingering doubts about Yui-Hyuk's true intentions, yet Hee-Jun had inherited a keen acumen for manipulation, mastering the art of navigating Yui-Hyuk's influence pertaining to Woo-San. This clever maneuvering had secured Woo-San's freedom, but the same privileges were denied to Yui-Hyuk, leaving Hee-Jun trapped in a bitter paradox. He wrestled with a singular desire: to escape, or to sever his ties with Yui-Hyuk in a desperate bid for freedom, but in this struggle, he had lost sight of his own identity.

"I realize that I might not fully comprehend what you're feeling right now," Woo-San spoke, rising from his chair as Hee-Jun finally broke his intense gaze, trying to walk off the storm of anger swelling within him. "But we're headed for a place of mutual misery if we keep clinging to this resentment." Woo-San flashed a cunning smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. Hee-Jun's immediate reaction was one of revulsion, evident on his face. With no interests to occupy his thoughts outside of Yui-Hyuk, Woo-San understood he would have to manipulate what little leverage he had left, and had to exploit his single interest.

"Meow!" The sound echoed through the shelter, sharp and demanding, as Yeon-Jun suddenly realized he had neglected to refill the bowl of the youngest kitten. While the other cats indulged in their meals, he found himself momentarily lost in the heartwarming sight of so many rescued felines eagerly devouring their regular food, after barely scraping by in the unforgiving world outside. In the midst of this joyful chaos, he had overlooked one little soul—though, to his surprise, she had an unexpected demeanor. While her voice was assertive, voicing her discontent, she wasn't aggressive in her actions. Instead, the chatty little kitten seemed to have a way with her words, using them to draw attention rather than her tiny, gentle paws. As Yeon-Jun gently petted her soft fur, he poured fresh kibble into her bowl.

After discovering this spirited kitten at the cafe, Yeon-Jun eventually brought her to the shelter—an establishment supported by a close friend. Their friendship had spanned years, and although the shelter was technically under his friend's ownership, Yeon-Jun found himself taking on the role of trainer and financial manager during his friend's absences. Initially reluctant to bear such responsibilities, he couldn't resist the pull of the cats, who needed his nurturing touch. It only took a few moments of contemplating those vulnerable lives for him to agree wholeheartedly, but only when his schedule allowed for it.

"You know, every kitten seems to gravitate towards you," remarked the front desk worker, a warm smile on her face as she assisted Yeon-Jun in reviewing the health checkups and the vet's notes. "Whenever I have to take them to the vet, they scurry away and hide. But with you here, it's like they'd follow you anywhere." Flattered, Yeon-Jun felt a blush creep up his cheeks as he returned a shy yet genuine smile in response to her compliment.

"Is the cat scheduled for surgery still hiding?" Yeon-Jun signed, his fingers deftly moving through the familiar gestures. Thankfully, his friend had made an effort to hire staff who understood sign language, fostering a comfortable environment for him. The worker nodded sympathetically. "Yes, her name is Belle. She used to love her vet visits because they spoiled her with treats. But the last time was a different story—it traumatized her. She was very ill and is terrified of going back." Yeon-Jun felt a pang of concern at the news. Belle had been diagnosed with kidney stones, a painful affliction that had caused her to stop eating and drinking. During that last visit to the vet, she had endured a traumatic experience; her urine sample was filled with blood, leaving her shaken and fearful of the vet's office.

"I don't think we should leave her here any longer," Yeon-Jun signed in a mix of concern and determination for the small cat nestled in the worker's arms as she brought her to him. Her timid green eyes gave him an impression of vulnerability. "How about I take her home? I have plenty of paid leave left, and this way, she'll have a chance to experience a calming environment before her surgery. I'll care for her afterwards too." As he spoke, the worker's face illuminated with relief and gratitude, as if witnessing the arrival of a long-awaited savior.

"That would be absolutely wonderful, Mr. Shin," she exclaimed, her voice filled with hope. "I'll prepare her for you right away." A fleeting instinct washed over Yeon-Jun, making him feel slightly exploited, but he dismissed the thought quickly, allowing his compassionate instincts to win as he cradled little Belle, the vulnerable creature, in his arms and headed home.

"Achoo!" Hee-Jun sneezed, abruptly covering his mouth as the pervasive scent of cat fur wafted through the air at their table in the cafe. "I didn't realize Strawberry Hanok was a cat cafe," he remarked, irritation seeping through his tone as he reached for some tissues and excused himself to the restroom. "I don't think it is," Woo-San added, shaking his head. He raised his hand, signaling the waiter, Yeon-Su, to address the issue directly.

"I sincerely apologize for this inconvenience," Yeon-Su bowed slightly in a gesture of respect as he presented a complimentary slice of cake in an attempt to make amends. "The owner recently adopted a cat from the shelter, as she was unwell. Today, she was supposed to have surgery, and her distress caused quite a scene when she refused to leave. I made sure to sanitize everything, but it looks like I wasn't good enough. I truly apologize once again."

"You don't need to apologize," Woo-San replied with a light-hearted chuckle. "It was an unintentional slip-up. Plus, it's definitely not your fault that this sensitive guy here is allergic to the world." With a playful smirk, he tossed the tissue box at Hee-Jun's face, catching him off-guard. Yeon-Su couldn't help but laugh nervously, bowing once more and offering another embarrassed apology.

"I've heard nothing but positive comments about that man each time his name comes up," Hee-Jun said, shaking his head as he walked to the car with Woo-San, a look of disbelief lingering on his face. "It's hard to reconcile with the fact that he's related to that man."

"The world is filled with different shades of malice," Woo-San replied, adopting a more serious tone. "Some of it is cleverly masked by smiles that can seem incredibly genuine. Even those who sing praises for him can be unaware of his true intentions. That man was also held in high regard by others, but look at the damage he caused without remorse. It would have been somewhat understandable had he shown even a hint of guilt, but instead, he basked in the suffering he instigated. Given your experiences, it's time to take this to heart: never judge a book by its cover."