The top floor of the SH Group headquarters overlooking the heart of Seoul.
Beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass, a forest of gray buildings stretched endlessly, but Park Seong-ho's gaze lingered on the documents on his desk rather than the scenery.
"Representative, you need to start your morning schedule."
Seongho did not answer even at the secretary's cautious voice.
After signing the final document, he closed the fountain pen cap and leaned back in his chair.
Twenty-eight.
Representative Director of the Strategic Planning Office at SH Group.
And the next successor acknowledged by everyone.
The employees said he was a perfect person.
Meticulous work performance, cool-headed judgment, and a personality not swayed by emotions.
However, even for him, there was one thing that was most annoying.
'marriage.'
widely.
The cell phone on the desk vibrated.
[grandfather]
Even the mere mention of a short name made Seongho let out a sigh.
After hesitating for a moment, I answered the phone.
Chairman ParkCome home right now.
Seongho"...I have a meeting."
Chairman ParkCancel it.
SeonghoThis is an important matter.
Chairman ParkMy words are more important.
Drip.
The phone call was cut off unilaterally.
Seongho pressed his fingertips against his forehead.
"...Here we go again."
One hour later.
Park family mansion.
A heavy atmosphere hung over the spacious drawing room.
Chairman Park, leaning on his cane, looked out the window, then slowly turned around as Seongho entered.
Chairman ParkDid you come?
SeonghoWhat is the matter?
The greeting was also brief.
The two were originally like this.
There was no expression of affection, nor any greetings.
Only the necessary words.
Chairman Park took an envelope from his desk drawer and pushed it toward Seongho.
Chairman ParkRead it.
Seongho opened the envelope.
Inside was a document in the name of a lawyer.
His expression stiffened slightly for the first time as he read a few lines.
"...a will?"
Chairman ParkTo be precise, it is a revised will.
There was only one line written in the document.
If Park Sung-ho does not marry within one year, he will transfer all succession rights of SH Group to Kim Woon-hak.
Silence fell.
Seongho read the sentence once again.
It wasn't even a typo.
It wasn't even a joke.
He asked in a calm voice.
Seongho"...Are you serious?"
Chairman Park "okay."
SeonghoDo you intend to use the company like a human plaything?
Chairman ParkThis is no joke.
Chairman Park looked straight at Seongho.
Chairman ParkYou're good at your job.
"..."
But they don't know how to trust people.
"..."
If a guy like that leads the group, the company might grow, but the family is doomed.
Seongho didn't say anything.
I wanted to refute it, but Grandfather wasn't entirely wrong either.
He did not trust people.
I had never even leaned on anyone.
I thought that the emotion of love was also an inefficient emotion.
So I didn't date, and I certainly didn't even think about marriage.
Chairman Park spoke again.
Chairman ParkI'm not saying you should get married just because you love me.
"..."
Just get married.
"..."
It's been a year.
Leaving only those words behind, Chairman Park left the reception room first.
Left alone, Seongho stared at the will in his hand for a long time.
Just then, the door opened again and cousin Kim Un-hak walked in with a leisurely pace.
A sneer hung on the corners of his mouth.
Unhak"Brother, did you hear that?"
Seongho did not answer.
Unhak"I heard the company is mine if I don't get married."
Unhak chuckled and patted Seongho on the shoulder.
UnhakYou've never even dated, hyung.
"..."
"Marriage within a year?"
He let out a small laugh.
UnhakThat would be impossible.
Even after Unhak disappeared, those words lingered in the reception room like an echo.
Seongho slowly looked out the window.
A position I have guarded my whole life.
A company that must be inherited.
There is only one thing needed to protect all of that.
'marriage.'
For the first time, an unexpected variable began to interfere in his perfectly planned life.
