Corporate Villain
Copyright© 2025 by K.W
Chapter 35
In the vice president’s office of Daeyoung Chemicals.
Madam Koo Young-sook sat on the main sofa with a cold expression.
Vice President Kang Young-jin couldn’t raise his head in front of his mother.
“What are you going to do?”
“What do you mean what am I going to do? I was planning to go and fetch her myself today.”
After enduring humiliating words from his grandfather, his wife had packed her bags and left for her parents’ home, even bringing up divorce.
Of course, the divorce his wife mentioned could never become a reality.
It was just her way of expressing the humiliation and insult she felt, a protest to him.
“No, what ... Did you think I knew grandfather would speak so harshly?”
Kang Young-jin knew all too well the life his mother had led since entering the Daeyoung family.
Even the insults and the looks she had endured long ago, before his memory, when she first entered the Daeyoung family with him.
That’s why his mother was always a difficult, regretful, and dear person to Kang Young-jin.
But at this moment, he felt unjustly treated.
He was anxious, feeling his position was being threatened.
“So how can you still not know even that?”
“How noisy has the world been these past few days with Moon Jung and Yoon’s husband’s story?”
“It’s noisy in your world, but how many people do you think are deeply interested in that?”
Mother is a cold person.
Only in front of one person, Moon Jung, does she act warm, but even in front of Grandfather and Father, she does not hide her cold demeanor—a strong person.
In front of such a mother, Kang Young-jin could only ever feel small.
“People of the world. They’re not as idle as you think. To them, it’s just a fleeting interest that rises and quickly fades. Nothing more, nothing less, so why do you react to it?”
“So I should just watch and do nothing?”
“Of course!”
Though it wasn’t the thunderous scolding of Grandfather, one could quickly catch the disappointment and frustration in Mother’s short and firm voice.
“You should have just watched and done nothing.”
“...”
“How many times have I told you? You just need to watch quietly.”
Unable to bear the moment, as if trying to swallow the anger he had burst out with, he continued speaking calmly, but Koo Young-sook’s chin was trembling slightly.
“You’re enough just doing that. Rather, when Moon Jung stands out, just acknowledge and praise her from the side. And when Moon Jung desperately proves her abilities, you should only draw people who can prove their abilities as much as Moon Jung around you. How many times have I told you that I will take care of the rest?”
But Kang Young-jin also had intuition.
“That was before Yoon’s husband came in. What Yoon’s husband is doing at Mulsan now? He’s doing more than Moon Jung.”
“So what changes? What can a nobody like Yoon’s husband change?”
“Mom. Times have changed from the old days. I’ve been trusting only what you said, watching as Moon Jung tries hard, believing nothing would change, but look at Hwayoung Group. There, the eldest daughter received the succession. Do you think there are only one or two places like that these days?”
Koo Young-sook barely held back her rising anger at the sight of her son, lighter than a feather, biting her lower lip tightly.
“Is Hwayoung Group a house like ours where the second son receives the succession?”
“...”
“Is Hwayoung Group a house that had complications in family affairs like ours?”
“Then how should I understand what Grandfather did to that man that day? If he really intended to give me the succession, he shouldn’t have insulted him so much that day.”
“Your grandfather might choose Moon Jung over you. Why? Because he’s always valued Daeyoung more than his children.”
As if she had known all along that Chairman Kang Ki-young might lean towards Moon Jung instead of his own son, Madam Koo Young-sook said.
“But if Grandfather makes that choice, do you think your uncles and aunts will just sit by?”
“What if they don’t sit by?”
“Your eldest uncle will be the first to come foaming at the mouth to argue. ‘Is this why we entrusted Daeyoung of the Kang family to your father?’”
“...”
“Your great uncle. It’s inevitable that he would favor Moon-jung over you. But the matter of succession is different. Dae-young, who had graciously yielded to his brother, would not stand by if the family name passed on to another household in the next generation, would he?”
“...”
“Don’t you see? If your grandfather makes such a decision, it would actually be to your advantage. You don’t have to do anything; supporters will naturally rally to your side. Go to your in-laws today and bring Yeon-hee back.”
Licking his lips, Kang Young-jin reluctantly replied.
“I was planning to, anyway.”
“And start a family right away.”
“It’s not something that happens just by wishing for it, is it?”
“If you can’t even do that when you set your mind to it, then just live comfortably with your mother. Tell Yeon-hee to stay put there.”
“...”
“Otherwise, find a lady who truly matches your heart and remarry. Your father will surely take care of the finances. If you want to live that way, say it now. It’ll be easier for your mother too.”
In the face of his mother’s icy demeanor, Kang Young-jin swallowed hard.
“It’s a shame, considering I’ve endured being treated like a nobody since moving to Pyeongchang-dong, all for the sake of making you the head of this household. But if that’s what you want, I’m prepared to live the rest of my life in peace.”
“...”
“Shall we do that? Live like that? Like your great uncle and aunts?”
Chairman’s office at the group’s headquarters.
Kang Moon-jung, dressed in a bright beige skirt suit for a change, visited the group’s headquarters.
Today, she wanted to be seen not as Kang Moon-jung, the Chief Operating Officer of Dae-young Distribution, but as a daughter to her father.
“What brings you here? You didn’t call, yet you want to have lunch together.”
“That’s right. I realized I’ve never asked you to have lunch together before.”
Chairman Kang Man-ho smiled outwardly while inwardly pondering his daughter’s uncharacteristic behavior.
“It makes me feel quite inadequate.”
“What does?”
“Why have I been seeking approval for company matters only from my difficult grandfather, instead of from you, who’s right here in this comfortable place?”
Chairman Kang Man-ho felt he knew the reason behind his daughter’s actions.
She needs something.