Chapter 172: Showdown At The Kim Household
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Without even stopping to ask for Seo-Jun's opinion, President Kim continued to speak loudly.
"Your aunt found a suitable girl for you. She looks nice enough and her background is very good. Her family owns a chain of luxury department stores in the city. Her father is a former business partner of mine."
His voice was holding onto that authoritative tone he was used to when talking to his subordinates. Both his posture and gaze held a sense of stubbornness and unyielding power. It was something that surely intimidated most of those who'd seen it. However, it had absolutely no effect on Seo-Jun.
Hearing his uncle's words, Seo-Jun merely looked at him with a blank stare. Since his heart had already become jaded due to his family's repeated selfishness, there was nothing much showing on his face in terms of emotions. Still, if he wanted this conversation to end without much argument he had to answer. And answer he did.
"I'm afraid that is not possible. You see, I have already swore off romance. So, I'm afraid you'll have to find someone else instead."
Seo-Jun drawled, casually waving a hand in the air. Either intentionally or not, just now he used the same gesture his uncle used barely moments ago, when dismissing the butler.
After setting the tone of the conversation, Seo-Jun seemed satisfied. He continued to speak leisurely, leaning back against the closed door.
"I didn't know you were the kind of person to still follow tradition. Going around, setting arranged marriages… that's so last century, uncle."
Picking up on the strong note of ridicule in Seo-Jun's tone, President Kim instantly became furious. He raised a hand, letting it fall heavily against the desk. The sound of his palm slamming onto the wooden surface reverbated inside the study for several seconds.
Slowly, President Kim leaned forward against the desk, looking like a bull getting ready to strike.
"That's not a request. You'll do as I say…"
"Or else what, uncle?" Seo-Jun cut him off tersely, then added with a sneer. "You'll shove me onto a plane and send me back to America? Must I remind you that I am no longer a minor? Right now I am on my own two feet and I may do as I please. There is also nothing tying me to this family."
"You're still a member of this family and you will do as you are told!" President Kim roared.
The man's eyes narrowed dangerously and, as he continued to speak, his voice transformed into a low growl and his tone dripped with mockery and loathing.
"Kim Seo-Jun, you should feel lucky that your aunt and I are still willing to think of your future. Considering your identity, it would be lucky enough if you were offered a marriage with a low class nouveau riche, let alone a proper lady from a good family. Yet, you still dare to act all high and mighty, declaring that you're independent. This only goes to show that, once they are given more than they deserve, poor people will always end up getting haughty, forgetting where they came from."
At this, Seo-Jun unexpectedly burst into laughter. The sound was mirthless and cold. He glared openly at his uncle, despising the cunningness the man was capable of. He would be willing to sell even his own child, if it ensured a prosperous business deal.
Indeed, Seo-Jun understood very well why his uncle was willing to have him marry that person.
He may not have been an official child of the Kim family but, once his father recognized him, that gave Seo-Jun certain privileges. Among these was also the certainty that he could marry well. As long as he didn't set his sights too high, he could still aim for a little daughter of a food franchise or a sole heiress of a department store chain.
As long as his marriage would bring an addition to his family's profit, President Kim was willing to approve of the union.
The girl Seo-Jun's aunt had picked for him was an only child. She had been born when her parents were already middle-aged, so her father was quite old now. Her parents were without siblings as well, and there weren't any male cousins in the main family either. Therefore, it was only natural that, after she got married, everything she owned would eventually go to the husband.
The girl's family's business was currently doing well. Furthermore, with the help of the new ongoing developmental projects the government was implementing in certain neighborhoods, they were expected to grow even further.
If Seo-Jun's family managed to acquire the luxury department store chain as a partner, that business might end up being a worthy addition to their financial group.
In turn, though, this whole affair might represent a way out for Seo-Jun. Maybe, if he grasped the opportunity, he could finally set himself free from his uncle's clutches. With his financial knowledge and current abilities, he might as well take over the business from his wife's family. Then, he could simply give his uncle the boot and be done with him.
But was Seo-Jun really the kind of person to do that? Would he really be able to use someone else, someone who, just like him, was forced into a loveless marriage, just so he could get revenge on his family?
Indeed, he could not.
Taking in a deep breath, Seo-Jun calmed his rapidly beating heart. When he finally opened his mouth to speak, his tone was dripping with sarcasm.
"Why not choose someone else, someone whom you can control? One of my cousins, perhaps. I'm sure they will be more than happy to be sold off and used as a stud for breeding." Seo-Jun finished with a sneer.
The next second a loud boom exploded inside the study. Several objects clattered then rolled down the desk. The documents flew into the air along with President Kang's hand. After sweeping across the surface of the desk, the man's arm finally stopped over the edge. His chest was heaving up and down violently, his breaths coming out in harsh pants.
"You… you bastard…" President Kim shouted, pointing a trembling finger at Seo-Jun's face.
The young man tilted his head to one side, while his handsome face slowly broke into a derisive sneer. His eyes, however, had a cold glint inside, like he wanted nothing more than to stab his uncle with his glares.
"Tsk tsk, there's no need to use such foul language, uncle.. We both know who's the real bastard between us."
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Without even stopping to ask for Seo-Jun's opinion, President Kim continued to speak loudly.
"Your aunt found a suitable girl for you. She looks nice enough and her background is very good. Her family owns a chain of luxury department stores in the city. Her father is a former business partner of mine."
His voice was holding onto that authoritative tone he was used to when talking to his subordinates. Both his posture and gaze held a sense of stubbornness and unyielding power. It was something that surely intimidated most of those who'd seen it. However, it had absolutely no effect on Seo-Jun.
Hearing his uncle's words, Seo-Jun merely looked at him with a blank stare. Since his heart had already become jaded due to his family's repeated selfishness, there was nothing much showing on his face in terms of emotions. Still, if he wanted this conversation to end without much argument he had to answer. And answer he did.
"I'm afraid that is not possible. You see, I have already swore off romance. So, I'm afraid you'll have to find someone else instead."
Seo-Jun drawled, casually waving a hand in the air. Either intentionally or not, just now he used the same gesture his uncle used barely moments ago, when dismissing the butler.
After setting the tone of the conversation, Seo-Jun seemed satisfied. He continued to speak leisurely, leaning back against the closed door.
"I didn't know you were the kind of person to still follow tradition. Going around, setting arranged marriages… that's so last century, uncle."
Picking up on the strong note of ridicule in Seo-Jun's tone, President Kim instantly became furious. He raised a hand, letting it fall heavily against the desk. The sound of his palm slamming onto the wooden surface reverbated inside the study for several seconds.
Slowly, President Kim leaned forward against the desk, looking like a bull getting ready to strike.
"That's not a request. You'll do as I say…"
"Or else what, uncle?" Seo-Jun cut him off tersely, then added with a sneer. "You'll shove me onto a plane and send me back to America? Must I remind you that I am no longer a minor? Right now I am on my own two feet and I may do as I please. There is also nothing tying me to this family."
"You're still a member of this family and you will do as you are told!" President Kim roared.
The man's eyes narrowed dangerously and, as he continued to speak, his voice transformed into a low growl and his tone dripped with mockery and loathing.
"Kim Seo-Jun, you should feel lucky that your aunt and I are still willing to think of your future. Considering your identity, it would be lucky enough if you were offered a marriage with a low class nouveau riche, let alone a proper lady from a good family. Yet, you still dare to act all high and mighty, declaring that you're independent. This only goes to show that, once they are given more than they deserve, poor people will always end up getting haughty, forgetting where they came from."
At this, Seo-Jun unexpectedly burst into laughter. The sound was mirthless and cold. He glared openly at his uncle, despising the cunningness the man was capable of. He would be willing to sell even his own child, if it ensured a prosperous business deal.
Indeed, Seo-Jun understood very well why his uncle was willing to have him marry that person.
He may not have been an official child of the Kim family but, once his father recognized him, that gave Seo-Jun certain privileges. Among these was also the certainty that he could marry well. As long as he didn't set his sights too high, he could still aim for a little daughter of a food franchise or a sole heiress of a department store chain.
As long as his marriage would bring an addition to his family's profit, President Kim was willing to approve of the union.
The girl Seo-Jun's aunt had picked for him was an only child. She had been born when her parents were already middle-aged, so her father was quite old now. Her parents were without siblings as well, and there weren't any male cousins in the main family either. Therefore, it was only natural that, after she got married, everything she owned would eventually go to the husband.
The girl's family's business was currently doing well. Furthermore, with the help of the new ongoing developmental projects the government was implementing in certain neighborhoods, they were expected to grow even further.
If Seo-Jun's family managed to acquire the luxury department store chain as a partner, that business might end up being a worthy addition to their financial group.
In turn, though, this whole affair might represent a way out for Seo-Jun. Maybe, if he grasped the opportunity, he could finally set himself free from his uncle's clutches. With his financial knowledge and current abilities, he might as well take over the business from his wife's family. Then, he could simply give his uncle the boot and be done with him.
But was Seo-Jun really the kind of person to do that? Would he really be able to use someone else, someone who, just like him, was forced into a loveless marriage, just so he could get revenge on his family?
Indeed, he could not.
Taking in a deep breath, Seo-Jun calmed his rapidly beating heart. When he finally opened his mouth to speak, his tone was dripping with sarcasm.
"Why not choose someone else, someone whom you can control? One of my cousins, perhaps. I'm sure they will be more than happy to be sold off and used as a stud for breeding." Seo-Jun finished with a sneer.
The next second a loud boom exploded inside the study. Several objects clattered then rolled down the desk. The documents flew into the air along with President Kang's hand. After sweeping across the surface of the desk, the man's arm finally stopped over the edge. His chest was heaving up and down violently, his breaths coming out in harsh pants.
"You… you bastard…" President Kim shouted, pointing a trembling finger at Seo-Jun's face.
The young man tilted his head to one side, while his handsome face slowly broke into a derisive sneer. His eyes, however, had a cold glint inside, like he wanted nothing more than to stab his uncle with his glares.
"Tsk tsk, there's no need to use such foul language, uncle.. We both know who's the real bastard between us."
Without even stopping to ask for Seo-Jun's opinion, President Kim continued to speak loudly. "Your aunt found a suitable girl for you. She looks nice enough and her background is very good. Her family owns a chain of luxury department stores in the city. Her father is a former business partner of mine." His voice was holding onto that authoritative tone he was used to when talking to his subordinates. Both his posture and gaze held a sense of stubbornness and unyielding power. It was something that surely intimidated most of those who'd seen it. However, it had absolutely no effect on Seo-Jun.Hearing his uncle's words, Seo-Jun merely looked at him with a blank stare. Since his heart had already become jaded due to his family's repeated selfishness, there was nothing much showing on his face in terms of emotions. Still, if he wanted this conversation to end without much argument he had to answer. And answer he did."I'm afraid that is not possible. You see, I have already swore off romance. So, I'm afraid you'll have to find someone else instead." Seo-Jun drawled, casually waving a hand in the air. Either intentionally or not, just now he used the same gesture his uncle used barely moments ago, when dismissing the butler. After setting the tone of the conversation, Seo-Jun seemed satisfied. He continued to speak leisurely, leaning back against the closed door."I didn't know you were the kind of person to still follow tradition. Going around, setting arranged marriages that's so last century, uncle."Picking up on the strong note of ridicule in Seo-Jun's tone, President Kim instantly became furious. He raised a hand, letting it fall heavily against the desk. The sound of his palm slamming onto the wooden surface reverbated inside the study for several seconds. Slowly, President Kim leaned forward against the desk, looking like a bull getting ready to strike."That's not a request. You'll do as I say""Or else what, uncle?" Seo-Jun cut him off tersely, then added with a sneer. "You'll shove me onto a plane and send me back to America? Must I remind you that I am no longer a minor? Right now I am on my own two feet and I may do as I please. There is also nothing tying me to this family.""You're still a member of this family and you will do as you are told!" President Kim roared.The man's eyes narrowed dangerously and, as he continued to speak, his voice transformed into a low growl and his tone dripped with mockery and loathing."Kim Seo-Jun, you should feel lucky that your aunt and I are still willing to think of your future. Considering your identity, it would be lucky enough if you were offered a marriage with a low class nouveau riche, let alone a proper lady from a good family. Yet, you still dare to act all high and mighty, declaring that you're independent. This only goes to show that, once they are given more than they deserve, poor people will always end up getting haughty, forgetting where they came from." At this, Seo-Jun unexpectedly burst into laughter. The sound was mirthless and cold. He glared openly at his uncle, despising the cunningness the man was capable of. He would be willing to sell even his own child, if it ensured a prosperous business deal. Indeed, Seo-Jun understood very well why his uncle was willing to have him marry that person. He may not have been an official child of the Kim family but, once his father recognized him, that gave Seo-Jun certain privileges. Among these was also the certainty that he could marry well. As long as he didn't set his sights too high, he could still aim for a little daughter of a food franchise or a sole heiress of a department store chain. As long as his marriage would bring an addition to his family's profit, President Kim was willing to approve of the union.The girl Seo-Jun's aunt had picked for him was an only child. She had been born when her parents were already middle-aged, so her father was quite old now. Her parents were without siblings as well, and there weren't any male cousins in the main family either. Therefore, it was only natural that, after she got married, everything she owned would eventually go to the husband. The girl's family's business was currently doing well. Furthermore, with the help of the new ongoing developmental projects the government was implementing in certain neighborhoods, they were expected to grow even further. If Seo-Jun's family managed to acquire the luxury department store chain as a partner, that business might end up being a worthy addition to their financial group.In turn, though, this whole affair might represent a way out for Seo-Jun. Maybe, if he grasped the opportunity, he could finally set himself free from his uncle's clutches. With his financial knowledge and current abilities, he might as well take over the business from his wife's family. Then, he could simply give his uncle the boot and be done with him. But was Seo-Jun really the kind of person to do that? Would he really be able to use someone else, someone who, just like him, was forced into a loveless marriage, just so he could get revenge on his family?Indeed, he could not. Taking in a deep breath, Seo-Jun calmed his rapidly beating heart. When he finally opened his mouth to speak, his tone was dripping with sarcasm."Why not choose someone else, someone whom you can control? One of my cousins, perhaps. I'm sure they will be more than happy to be sold off and used as a stud for breeding." Seo-Jun finished with a sneer.The next second a loud boom exploded inside the study. Several objects clattered then rolled down the desk. The documents flew into the air along with President Kang's hand. After sweeping across the surface of the desk, the man's arm finally stopped over the edge. His chest was heaving up and down violently, his breaths coming out in harsh pants."You you bastard" President Kim shouted, pointing a trembling finger at Seo-Jun's face.The young man tilted his head to one side, while his handsome face slowly broke into a derisive sneer. His eyes, however, had a cold glint inside, like he wanted nothing more than to stab his uncle with his glares."Tsk tsk, there's no need to use such foul language, uncle.. We both know who's the real bastard between us."
