That evening, Suho arrived alone at the Kim mansion.
Haraboji had called him for dinner, saying he wanted to discuss Mirae's expansion plans. Suho came willingly, almost lightly. For the first time in months, his heart felt unburdened. Hauen had finally received her clean chit. The truth had stood tall. That joy bubbled inside him, restless, warm, impossible to hide.
As he stepped out of the car and walked through the familiar gates, his lips curved into a quiet smile. Somewhere deep down, he hoped that today would be different. That today, someone would ask about Hauen. Mention her. Acknowledge her. Maybe even regret yesterday.
The mansion doors opened. And to his surprise, everyone was already there.
The living room was full. Every elder seated, faces turned toward him, smiles waiting. It was a completely different picture from yesterday's cold silence.
Suho slowed his steps, eyes moving over each face. "Seems like everyone was waiting for me," he said, suspicion threading his tone.
Haraboji laughed heartily. "You're right. We were waiting only for you. Yesterday you left in a hurry, and we felt bad. So we thought we'd talk properly today, my son."
Suho looked at him for a long moment, then smiled politely. "Yes… Actually, I didn't like how you all ignored Hauen yesterday."
The smiles around the room flickered. Not gone. Just… thinner.
He continued, calm but firm, like a man defending something precious. "And today, as I already told you, the court gave its final verdict. Hauen is innocent. Every allegation against her was false. Yerin admitted to defaming her."
His gaze moved from one face to another, unflinching.
"So at least now," he said, voice steady but unmistakably protective, "you should apologize to her. And talk to her properly."
A pause. "She was really hurt yesterday."
It didn't sound like an accusation. It sounded like a husband explaining, very clearly, where the line had been crossed. And where it would never be crossed again.
The room fell quieter. Haraboji smiled warmly. "We will, Suho. That's exactly why we called you. Come, let's have dinner first."
He reached out and lightly pulled Suho along, as if steering the moment away from sharp edges.
Suho frowned, stopping mid-step. "You told me it was business," he said honestly. "If this were about Hauen, you should've informed me first. I would've brought her along. She would've been happier being here."
His voice softened without effort. "She missed all of you."
Haraboji's smile faltered for just a fraction of a second.
Suho's father stepped in smoothly. "You're getting a little too excited about your wife, my son," he said with a light chuckle. "Come first. Let's discuss business."
Suho smiled, slightly flustered. He knew it too well. Whenever it came to Hauen, his restraint slipped. And he didn't bother hiding it anymore.
He followed them toward the dining area. As they walked, his mother reached out and gently ruffled his hair, the way she used to when he was much younger.
"How are you doing these days?" she asked softly.
Suho blinked, surprised. This kind of affection… it was rare. Almost unfamiliar. Ever since he had grown up, his mother had always been composed, elegant, distant. Legacy before emotion. Image before warmth.
He smiled instinctively, wide and boyish. "I'm doing well, Omma," he replied.
Yet somewhere deep inside, a quiet signal flickered. Why now?
Everyone settled around the dining table, porcelain clinking softly, servants moving in practiced silence. The atmosphere looked perfect on the surface.
But Suho's instincts didn't relax. Something felt… carefully arranged.
All the elders were seated. Suho was the only one from the younger generation, sitting among them like a lone chess piece on an old board.
He glanced around once more before speaking. "Haraboji… is this just a family dinner?" he asked casually. "I thought there would be some close partners here, too."
Haraboji's smile widened, unhurried. "Let's spend some family time first. We'll talk about business later."
Suho smiled back, but the feeling didn't leave. Something was off.
The last time all the elders had sat across from him like this… It had been about Yerin. The day he told them he loved her. The day he said he wanted to marry her. The day they had refused him, sitting exactly like this.
The memory stirred quietly in his chest. What are they planning to talk about now?
Servants moved in, placing dishes carefully on the table. The soft clink of porcelain filled the silence. Everyone began eating.
"I'm proud of you, my son," Haraboji said at last. "You really took Mirae to the international market."
Suho smiled, a little shy, lowering his gaze. "Thank you, Haraboji. It was my dream too. So… yes. I gave it my best."
His father nodded approvingly. "We know how capable you are," Mr. Kim said. "You're handling the responsibility of the Kim family very well, especially when it comes to business."
Suho smiled again. Polite. Grateful. Perfect. Yet inside, his thoughts were restless. This praise… this warmth… It feels too carefully timed.
He kept eating, listening, smiling. Waiting. Because somewhere in his gut, he knew, this dinner wasn't just about pride.
Mrs. Kim smiled, pride softening her features as she looked at her son. Yuna, meanwhile, ate in silence, listening more than participating.
Suho glanced around once again. "Why isn't Samchon here?" he asked suddenly. "Isn't he done with the Japan setup?"
Yuna lifted her eyes to him, answering flatly, "Aboji assigned him there for another project. He'll have to stay another year."
Haraboji chuckled, amused. "Yuna, are you upset with me?"
She looked at him calmly. "If I say yes, will you call my husband back?"
"No," Haraboji replied without missing a beat.
Everyone laughed. Everyone except Yuna. She lowered her gaze and continued eating, her expression unreadable.
Haraboji cleared his throat, his voice taking on that familiar weight of authority. "I'm the head of this family," he said. "You are all my children. Children obey their elders. Elders always show the right path. And that path always leads to happiness for the younger ones."
Suho looked at him, a slow smile forming. He didn't take the words seriously… or so he told himself. Still, he listened.
Haraboji continued, eyes settling on him. "For example, our Suho. He has always obeyed my instructions. In business, in personal matters. Yes, some decisions hurt him at certain points in his life…"
Suho froze.
His chopsticks paused mid-air. Slowly, he lowered his gaze, appetite fading as the words sank in.
"But those decisions always guided him onto the right path," Haraboji went on calmly.
Suho swallowed, saying nothing, his head slightly bowed.
"That's why," Haraboji added, his tone firm and proud, "I see the qualities of the next Kim heir in him. He is perfect to take over this empire after me."
The table felt suddenly quieter. Suho's smile didn't reach his eyes this time. Because somewhere deep inside, He wasn't sure anymore which "right path" they were talking about.
Yuna glanced at Haraboji and spoke, her voice calm but unfiltered.
"In that case… why did you make a will stating that the next Kim heir will be the first child born in this generation?"
The table stilled. Everyone turned toward Yuna, not really surprised by her directness.
Haraboji raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "That only means Suho's child will inherit the empire," he said smoothly. "I'm confident his child will carry the best of his qualities. And on top of that, Suho is the eldest."
Daehyun glanced at Haraboji, her lips parting slightly as if to say something. But Haraboji didn't look at her. She closed her mouth and quietly returned to her food.
Yuna shook her head faintly, a breath of disbelief slipping past her lips.
Haraboji chuckled, as if to soften the atmosphere. "Don't worry, Yuna. I'm not abandoning Minho. He is our precious boy. He'll receive equal opportunity, responsibility, and respect."
He paused, then continued with measured authority. "But the Kim family has always followed one principle. We do not divide power. One heir stands at the top, managing everything, preserving the legacy. Just as my father handed it to me."
His gaze settled on Suho. "And after me… I believe Suho is the right one to stand there."
Suho shifted slightly in his seat. It was subtle, but noticeable. The air felt heavier. The food tasted bland.
Haraboji turned to him fully now. "So, Suho, my son… I'm getting too old now. I can't handle everything the way I used to. I want to discuss this matter now."
Suho looked at Haraboji. Then at his parents, both smiling at him with unmistakable pride. Then, at Daehyun, who offered a small, quiet smile before lowering her gaze to her plate. And finally, at Yuna. The only one whose expression didn't pretend this was normal.
Suho inhaled slowly. Something about this conversation felt far too familiar… and far too final.