Chick 322
by Cristae322
Negotiations with the government regarding the ‘On Ijo disclosure’ were progressing sluggishly.
“As you know, there are many factors to consider. There are just so many departments involved.”
Choi Chunho, the Director of National Security, smiled thinly without giving a precise reason.
In the spacious VIP hospital room, On Ijo sat on the bed, with On Suhyeong seated in the chair beside her, both watching him.
“Please be patient a little longer, even if you’re feeling frustrated.”
Though Choi Chunho spoke arrogantly, he kept a close eye on On Suhyeong’s mood.
With the Doan Group’s stock price swinging wildly on rumors about his health, it would’ve been natural for him to be agitated, yet On Suhyeong remained remarkably composed.
As if he understood that Choi Chunho was watching him closely, On Suhyeong turned the pages of his newspaper and answered,
“Well, running the country is never easy, is it?”
Splashed across the front page was the headline: ‘On Suhyeong of Doan Empties all VIP Hospital Wards for Tests,’ with ‘Chairman On Suhyeong’s Health Scare’ written in bold letters.
“We’re more than willing to make concessions, as long as things aren’t delayed beyond what’s reasonable.”
So, for now, it’s still tolerable—was that the implication?
Choi Chunho twisted his lips in displeasure.
The reason for stalling On Ijo’s public appearance was solely due to orders from the VIP.
After all, On Ijo was a major card to play.
The plan was likely to announce that On Ijo was on their side, should it become necessary before the election.
Affecting a hearty laugh, he spoke in an overly grand manner.
“As expected, you are truly magnanimous, Chairman On.”
Then Choi Chunho glanced at On Ijo.
Though it was directly about her, On Ijo didn’t seem to care much.
‘Does her silence mean she tacitly agrees?’
He gazed in wonder at On Ijo.
Doan was generally favorable toward the government, and even On Joorim, who was his main concern, hadn’t raised any opposition.
If even the person in question had no qualms, On Joorim wouldn’t easily object.
And On Joorim was furiously busy with dungeon-related business at the moment.
So, as long as these two remained in the palm of his hand, his mission was complete.
It should all wrap up smoothly—so thought Choi Chunho with confidence.
Abruptly, there came the sound of hurried footsteps outside.
The sound of a child running.
It must have been On Joorim’s adopted daughter.
He recalled the little girl, dressed adorably in a uniform that reached her thighs, about to head off to the ballpark with her brothers—it brought a natural smile to his lips.
They had sent her out while the adults talked.
Bang!
The door swung open with a bang.
Of course, it was the child.
But this time, she was clutching a newspaper, her big eyes brimming with tears.
“Groo?”
“What’s the matter, dear?”
As Choi Chunho started in surprise, both On Suhyeong and On Ijo stood up in unison at the sight of Groo.
“G—Grandpa…”
Ready to burst into sobs at any moment, Groo pouted and ran straight into On Suhyeong’s arms.
Scooping her up, On Suhyeong tried to calm the girl.
“What’s wrong, my little one?”
Burying her face in his chest, Groo sniffled and spoke.
“Grandpa… don’t be sick.”
“Ah…”
She must have read the article. On Suhyeong did his best to keep his discomfort hidden.
With all the talk about Doan lately, he’d tried to keep her from watching the news.
Where did she manage to find a newspaper?
His tone was gentle, though his voice was tight with suppressed anger.
“Who showed you this?”
“Outside… sniff! The older girls and boys were reading it…”
On Suhyeong’s face darkened.
Choi Chunho, realizing that the people Groo pointed to were his aides, frowned as well.
Groo burrowed even deeper into On Suhyeong’s arms, her short arms circling his neck.
“My sweet girl, you were crying because you were worried about your grandpa, weren’t you? These are nothing but baseless articles. The only reason grandpa comes to the hospital is to see you, not because I’m sick.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Would grandpa ever lie to you, Groo?”
Groo shook her head.
“Then what about this?”
Groo pointed directly at the article.
On Suhyeong stroked her head.
“There are people who might be fooled, just like you, if they hear that grandpa’s sick.”
“Yes.”
“That’s exactly what they want. They want people to think the company is unstable because I’m unwell.”
“Gasp!”
Groo inhaled sharply.
“That’s how adults make money.”
Groo’s face grew sullen.
“That’s mean.”
“So there’s no need to react to every little thing.”
Still soothing Groo, On Suhyeong folded the newspaper, his face a giant presence on the page.
A short article caught his eye—the name ‘Groo’ included in the headline.
[Doan’s On Groo: From Orphan to Chaebol Heir]
Beneath that, in crass print: “How Much Will On Suhyeong Give His Adopted Grandchild?”
His hand tensed, veins rising beneath his grip.
While comforting Groo, On Suhyeong swiftly scanned the article.
Its contents matched the trashy headline and subheading.
It reported, “Since Groo was adopted by Doan, she’s landed in a world of luck. But most of the inheritance will go to the family Joorim eventually builds, and little will be left for Groo”—a notion so laughable it was almost absurd.
“There must still be people who don’t know how much grandpa loves you, Groo.”
His voice to Groo was gentle as ever, but out of her sight, his face had turned ice cold.
He immediately instructed his secretary to cancel that paper’s advertising.
Meanwhile, On Ijo took the newspaper, quickly scanning the article about Groo.
As On Ijo’s expression gradually hardened as well, Choi Chunho sensed the change in atmosphere and spoke up.
“My apologies, Chairman. I should have supervised my people more closely—”
Just then, On Ijo offered a gentle smile.
“Director, I think it would be best for you to take your leave for today. As you can see, the child is quite upset.”
Choi Chunho was well aware of the rumors—that the On family had adopted a child and doted on her as the apple of their eye.
Still, he’d never imagined that, all because of one little girl, they’d display such unguarded displeasure right in front of the Director of National Security.
From the moment the crying child stormed in, the atmosphere had turned frosty—far more than he’d anticipated.
Internally cursing the aides who had circulated the newspaper to the child, he tried to speak.
“Well, about today’s mishap, I’d feel better making amends—”
But On Suhyeong, still holding the tearful Groo, fixed him with a frightening stare.
“I said, we’re finished here for today.”
His tone was entirely different now.
In the end, Choi Chunho could do nothing but slink out of the hospital room, as if he’d been run off.
This is bad. Everything’s changed because of that one little girl.
To have come this far, only to upset them now!
“Are you all out of your minds? Huh?!”
He berated his aides on the way out of the hospital.
Realizing what had happened, his team bowed deeply.
“What should we do now?”
“Just go along with them for a while—time will smooth things out. Tsk!”
Choi Chunho still hadn’t fathomed just how far On Suhyeong was willing to go for his granddaughter.