Chapter Twelve: The Clash

The current situation was indeed quite awkward. Rachel Liu had actually decided to back out, but if she left like this, it would feel like she was conceding defeat to Cha Eun-sang—something she simply couldn’t tolerate.

Kim Tan was about the same height as Kim Won, but their appearances differed greatly. Compared to Kim Won, Kim Tan was still the fresh-faced youth; whatever he was thinking, it was transparently clear.

After so many years apart, even the fleeting encounters in California couldn’t diminish Rachel Liu’s longing for him. She couldn’t quite say what was so special about this young man, but he had somehow made his way into her heart.

Kim Tan spoke pleadingly, “Brother, come back.”

Kim Won’s expression remained unchanged, but his gaze settled on Cha Eun-sang. When he entered, he’d seen Kim Tan and Cha Eun-sang chatting, playfully sparring in a way that seemed rather intimate.

He sneered, “Are you two dating?”

Cha Eun-sang hurriedly denied it, “No, we’re not.”

Kim Tan had expressed his feelings, but Cha Eun-sang hadn’t accepted him. Even though she hadn’t accepted him, she hadn’t exactly rejected his advances either.

With her denial, Rachel Liu also snorted coldly. Hearing her disdain, Cha Eun-sang felt uncomfortable.

“Let’s go somewhere else,” Kim Won said, almost without looking at Kim Tan, turning and leaving. Rachel Liu shot Cha Eun-sang a frosty glance and followed Kim Won out the door.

They picked a sushi restaurant at random and sat down. Rachel Liu was sullen for a while, her mood clearly low. Once she’d managed to compose herself, she said to Kim Won, “Brother, did you see that girl?”

She didn’t feel the need to talk about it endlessly, but she wanted to discuss her engagement to Kim Tan with Kim Won. Though her mother had warned her not to act impulsively, she craved her brother’s opinion more.

“Mhm, what about her?” Kim Won leaned back in his chair. Even though it was a simple wooden seat, he sat as if he were in his own comfortable office, upright and commanding.

“When I was in California, she stayed at Kim Tan’s house.” She hadn’t yet realized that the T-shirt she’d worn for days had actually been bought by Kim Tan for Cha Eun-sang; otherwise, she’d have been mortified. “So, I was kicked out.”

The word “kicked out” was a bit of an exaggeration, but not far from the truth. Rachel’s tone carried a shade of self-mockery. “It’s obvious that Tan likes her, so I came to China.”

Hearing this, Kim Won understood at last. No wonder Rachel had looked so disheveled when he saw her at the hotel.

His heart was gently stirred, though he couldn’t tell if it was because both of them had just suffered heartbreak.

“If he really is dating that girl, what do you plan to do?” Kim Won asked coolly. He wasn’t concerned about Kim Tan’s identity being exposed; the problem was, if it happened now, it would damage his own shaky foundations. He’d been concealing the truth from the rest of the family to secure more rights for himself and Kim Tan. But now, Rachel’s situation forced him to reconsider.

Previously, he hadn’t cared much about Rachel and Kim Tan’s engagement, but now...

“I don’t know, Brother.” Rachel never needed to pretend to be strong or harsh in front of Kim Won. She spoke with a hint of dejection, “I really, truly like Tan.”

Kim Won sighed softly, suddenly feeling the responsibility of a confidant elder brother.

Before he could reply, Rachel suddenly asked, “Brother, why did you and that lady break up?”

Kim Won pressed his lips together, his smile barely visible. “We weren’t right for each other. We were both exhausted.”

He said only six words and nothing more. Kim Won was a man who struggled to express emotion. In the end, the relationship had become painful; his career and love were irreconcilable. Before he could take control of Empire Group, he couldn’t promise anything to Jeon Hyun-joo, and she couldn’t wait any longer. Both had been bound tightly by the ropes of interest.

Seeing his silence, Rachel didn’t press further. For a while, neither spoke. Kim Won sipped his water slowly before saying, “But I suggest you address your engagement soon.”

His words dropped like a bomb.

“Why?”

If Kim Won could say this, he must have his reasons. Rachel felt tension creeping through her whole body. In truth, she’d brought up the matter hoping Kim Won would console her, give her hope. Most people seek comfort and encouragement when sharing their pain, but Kim Won had extinguished her last flicker of hope.

Kim Won said, “I can’t tell you much more, but I think your mother is a smart woman.” He looked out the window, where Kim Tan was watching them.

“You two should talk.”

Rachel saw Kim Tan as well, but quickly turned her gaze away.

Still, she couldn’t sit still. Within five minutes, she found an excuse to head to the restroom. Kim Won smiled, not exposing her pretense.

Rachel did go to the restroom first. She was thinking about what to say to Kim Tan. When she left California for Korea, it was Kim Tan who had seen her off. She’d cried then, and Kim Tan had hugged her. She knew he was wavering at the time, and she nearly softened herself to stay and fight for him once more. But in the end, she left. Now, she was grateful she’d taken the first step, even if it had almost torn her apart.

She washed her hands and was about to leave when she ran into Cha Eun-sang.

Cha Eun-sang was actually quite nervous about being alone with someone like Rachel Liu, who seemed to radiate superiority and speak with an affected tone.

But there was nothing to be done; environment breeds character, and everyone in Rachel’s circle was like this. It was understandable that others found her hard to like, because no one can please everyone.

Rachel launched into her signature cold smile and mocking mode. “What exactly do you want? Still clinging to Tan, even knowing he’s my fiancé?”

She was full of energy from the very first word. Cha Eun-sang was at fault, but she could empathize with Kim Tan’s situation.

“With no real feelings between you, you want to use this alliance to trap Kim Tan? I honestly pity you,” Cha Eun-sang retorted, refusing to back down.

Rachel was livid. “Pity me? You’d better pity yourself.”

She shoved past Cha Eun-sang and strode out, running into Kim Tan halfway.

Kim Won still sat at the original table. His tall frame looked almost comical in the cramped space, yet he sat motionless, steady as his character.

Perhaps sensing their gaze, Kim Won turned and looked at them, his smile faint.

Rachel turned to look at Kim Tan.

Kim Tan didn’t know what expression to wear for Rachel. Apologizing now would be pointless.

She was the first to speak: “Do you really want to be with her?”

Rachel saw Cha Eun-sang come out, but since she and Kim Tan were in conversation, she didn’t approach.

Kim Tan replied, “I like her very much. She fascinates me.”

He finally admitted it. Rachel was so angry her chest hurt. “And what about me? Where do you put me? We’ve been engaged for a long time. After the engagement, you go and like someone else—do you really feel no guilt? Don’t you think I’d be hurt?”

It was the first time Rachel Liu had spoken so candidly. Kim Tan’s expression shifted. He felt uncomfortable. He truly didn’t like Rachel, but it wasn’t as if he wanted to hurt her this way. It’s just...

“Enough. You don’t need to say anything else,” Rachel said, holding back tears as she turned away. “I’ll watch you two and see how far you get.”

As if using the clumsiest method, hurting herself and others alike.

When she returned to Kim Won’s side, her tears had been discreetly wiped away, but Kim Won had already noticed.

“Did you call Han Ji-eun?” Kim Won suddenly asked. Rachel remembered the matter with Han Ji-eun and quickly dialed, but there was no answer.

“Let’s go check on her.”

Kim Won and Rachel Liu left the building side by side, with Kim Tan watching them all the while.

Cha Eun-sang watched Kim Won; she’d caught his gaze earlier and felt intimidated. “Is that the brother you mentioned?”

She hadn’t yet learned Kim Tan’s identity, nor Kim Won’s, but she’d heard a lot about Kim Won from Kim Tan. She knew Kim Tan deeply respected and admired his brother, though his brother always treated him coldly, even with apparent disdain.

She couldn’t quite understand it.

But now, all of Kim Tan’s attention was focused on Kim Won and Rachel Liu.

He recalled Rachel’s words just moments ago. He’d fallen for Cha Eun-sang, but couldn’t treat Rachel this way. Perhaps he should break off the engagement, but whenever he thought of his stern father and his mother’s hope for him to make something of himself, he hesitated.

Kim Won drove Rachel Liu to the spot where Han Ji-eun had gotten out earlier. Sure enough, they found Han Ji-eun crouched on the ground, looking miserable, her hair a mess.

Well, it was obvious what had happened.

Han Ji-eun saw Rachel Liu and felt embarrassed, thinking how pathetic it was that she needed comfort from a girl much younger than herself.

“What happened?” Rachel had just vented her anger and had no energy left to speak loudly. Her tone was exceptionally gentle, startling Han Ji-eun into thinking something was wrong. On closer inspection, her eyes were indeed a bit swollen.

She wanted to ask what was wrong, but seeing Rachel’s appearance, she thought better of it. She knew Rachel was different; she had lost her parents early and lived alone for years, without such a strong sense of pride.

So she didn’t ask Rachel what had happened, just said, feeling a bit down, “Just now, I almost got into a fight with them.”

“...” With her petite frame? More likely she got beaten up.

How could there be people who brazenly occupy others’ property and don’t know when to stop? Such people truly need to be taught a lesson.

“That’s why I said, you should have called the police earlier.”

Rachel crouched down to comfort Han Ji-eun, while Kim Won, still in the car, noticed a man peering suspiciously from behind a wall.

He wondered for a moment, then got out and grabbed the man hiding behind the wall. “What are you doing!”

Han Ji-eun turned around. “Dong-wook!”

The man was Han Ji-eun’s friend who’d cheated her out of money. Seeing someone come to help her, he’d been lurking to observe. When Han Ji-eun called out, the man tried to run away in panic, but Kim Won held him by the collar, preventing escape. Just as Kim Won was about to take him straight to the police, a woman suddenly lunged and scratched Kim Won’s face.

“...Ouch.”

Even as composed as he was, Kim Won had to let go. No one knew where she got the strength, but as soon as she released him, Rachel Liu abruptly shoved her hard. Yang Xi-jin stumbled and fell to the ground together with Shin Dong-wook.

A crowd quickly formed around them. Although Han Ji-eun didn’t want to see her friend end up like this, they had struck Kim Won.

Rachel Liu called the police right away. Blood was already trickling down Kim Won’s face.