Chapter 13: Grasping a Clue

After an unspoken battle of nerves with Seo-Rin, I wrapped up the radio news broadcast, and before I knew it, it was already time to go home.

I was just about to grab my things and head straight to the lobby.

“Announcer Yoon, are you heading out?”

I turned around at the voice coming from behind.

A staff member from News 9—someone I was familiar with—greeted me warmly.

“Yes. It’s my first day, and I don’t have any more broadcasts, so I’m heading out early. See you tomorrow.”

“Get home safe.”

I had to hurry if I wanted to make it in time for hospital visiting hours, so I rushed down the stairs.

Just as I passed the lobby, my eyes met Jae-Ha’s, who was seated outside a café at a distance.

Of all the people in the crowd, why was he the first one I noticed?

It seemed he recognized me just as quickly—he rose from his seat where he’d been leaning back.

“What brings you here?”

“I was in the area for something, and then I happened to see you walking down the stairs.”

As I approached him and asked, he pointed to the central staircase in the lobby.

I tilted my head, puzzled that he had any business at the station at this hour.

Perhaps sensing my confusion, he added, “I figured you were done for the day, so we could have dinner together. That’s why I waited.”

I noticed people passing by during rush hour casting fleeting glances his way.

He did have a striking presence.

In his sharp suit, Jae-Ha stood out easily among the broadcasting station employees.

“Ah… I’m sorry. I actually have somewhere to be.”

“Oh? You’ve got plans? That’s too bad.”

If he had waited for me, it probably meant there was something he wanted to talk about.

Feeling a bit awkward, I looked up at him. But Jae-Ha simply smiled, waving it off.

“It’s fine. If you already have plans, there’s nothing to be done.”

“It’s not exactly an appointment. I was going to visit my parents at the hospital.”

At the mention of my unexpected destination, the playful glint in Jae-Ha’s eyes quickly shifted into something more serious.

The atmosphere around him changed in an instant.

“Are they in bad condition?”

“A little. I got a call from Dr. Kim this afternoon—he said their condition has worsened.”

“Let me take you. I’ll drive.”

Before I could finish my sentence, he checked his watch and gently grabbed my wrist.

Next thing I knew, I was walking beside him toward the parking lot.

As I watched his back ahead of me, I spoke quietly.

“I’ll be fine on my own.”

“Well, I won’t be fine. Get in.”

I told him he didn’t need to see me off, but Jae-Ha firmly refused to back down.

In the end, I got into his car.

“Daejin Hospital, right?”

“Yes.”

I nodded as he set the navigation, and he started the engine right away.

The drive to the hospital passed in near silence. Though I’d been flustered by his kindness, I quickly came to think it might be for the best.

It had been a long day—starting a new job and dealing with the unexpected tension with Seo-Rin had left me drained.

‘I’m relieved.’ I wasn’t in the state to drive anyway. I was grateful he was there with me.

Lost in thought, I suddenly heard his low voice beside me.

“If you’re cold, feel free to turn up the heat.”

“Oh, I’m okay.”

I had been feeling a little chilly, but since we were almost at the hospital, I shook my head.

Still, he glanced at my shivering shoulders and turned up the heat anyway.

“You always say you’re fine when you’re not. That’s a bad habit, you know.”

How did he know it was a habit…?

Saying I’m fine even when I’m not—it really was a habitual response of mine.

So much so that I didn’t even notice when I did it.

“Here, cover up with this.”

He reached into the backseat, pulled out a jacket, and handed it to me.

As I draped it over myself, the warmth it held seeped in.

I don’t know what it was… Even at the funeral, and now again, the jackets he offered seemed to carry a strange kind of comfort.

“You’re auditioning soon, aren’t you?”

I was watching his side profile as he focused on driving when his voice gently cut in again.

“How did you know about that?”

The audition hadn’t even been officially posted yet. Surprised, I widened my eyes. And he even knew that I was planning to apply?

“There are ways to find out.”

The answer was absurd, but his confident tone made me chuckle.

He caught my smile from the corner of his eye and responded with a faint grin of his own.

“You’re finally smiling. But are you sure you’re ready? You’ve been out for a year.”

“It’s what I’ve always done. I’ll manage.”

****

I thought he would just drop me off at the hospital and head back—but as if it were natural, he came with me all the way to the VIP ward where my parents were.

There, Dr. Kim was waiting for us outside their room.

“You’re here. I see CEO Seo came with you.”

“Doctor. I haven’t seen you since my checkup before I left for the U.S. It’s been a while.”

The doctor smiled warmly at Jae-Ha, then turned toward me.

My chest tightened at the sight of my parents, now receiving even more medication than before.

“Doctor, how are my parents doing?”

“As I mentioned earlier today, there’s been no improvement. They haven’t regained consciousness either.”

“There’s really nothing that can be done…?”

If only they were alive—if only they could come back.

Then everything would fall into place—Ji-Han, and even Vice President Kim Young-Min, who had spearheaded the merger with W Group in the past.

More than anything, I didn’t want to be left alone in the world.

As I stroked the back of my mother’s hand, warmth still radiated from her skin.

‘She’s still alive…’

Jae-Ha stood quietly nearby, as if observing the scene, then turned to the doctor and asked, “We at Hojin Group will spare no expense or resources. If treatment here is difficult, is there really no way overseas?”

The doctor slowly shook his head.

“I’m afraid your parents likely wouldn’t survive a long flight. This is the best we can do right now.”

“Haa…”

My legs gave out, and I nearly collapsed, barely managing to steady myself on the bedside.

Even in my past life, I had searched high and low for a solution, but in the end… they passed away.

As I gripped the hand Jae-Ha extended and stood up again, Dr. Kim spoke once more.

“Miss Yoon. I’m truly sorry to say this, but…”

I shut my eyes tightly, already guessing what he was about to say.

“You should start preparing yourself.”

The same prognosis as before had been delivered once again.

****

The drive home from my parents’ hospital room was even quieter than before. Jae-Ha, sensing the devastation I felt, said nothing the entire way.

“We’re here.”

With my eyes closed, I heard Jae-Ha’s gentle voice and slowly lifted my eyelids.

Familiar sights of my apartment complex came into view through the window. I handed him the jacket he had draped over my knees.

“Thank you for today.”

“Will you be okay?”

Was I… being comforted by Jae-Ha?

The way he asked if I’d be okay tugged at something deep inside. Even though I had known him for quite a while in my previous life, since returning, he’d felt like a stranger.

“I’ll be fine.”

I gave him a faint smile and nodded. I was about to grab my bag and step out of the car but paused, turning back toward him.

“Right. Why did you come to see me today?”

“Later.”

He gazed at me for a moment, then shook his head, perhaps thinking now wasn’t the right time.

“If it’s important enough for you to come looking for me, it must be urgent.”

“……”

“It’s okay. You can tell me. What is it?” Under my gentle prodding, Jae-Ha sighed deeply.

“I said I’d tell you later. But you’re stubborn, you know that?”

Seeing me staring at him intently, he finally spoke.

“Do you know a company called Intech?”

Intech? That name sounded oddly familiar…

A strange sense of unease swept over me, and I furrowed my brows. Jae-Ha seemed to notice my subtle change in expression and began to elaborate.

“Within Hojin Group, we’re currently discussing a new business expansion. It’s a major project being led directly by Seo Ji-Han.”

‘A major project led by Seo Ji-Han… Major…’

Hearing Jae-Ha say that, I suddenly felt like I was overlooking something incredibly important.

‘Wait—Intech…?’

And then, all at once, a memory I had buried came rushing back.

“Do you mean the Intech that deals with construction machinery?”

My voice trembled without me realizing it. What had once been hazy now returned with sharp clarity—waves of memories from the past washing over me.

‘That’s right. It was around this time…’

Back then, Ji-Han had made a reckless investment to solidify his position as heir.

It involved a colossal investment—on the scale of trillions of won—into Intech, a foreign construction machinery company, to expand the business.

At first, Hojin skyrocketed to the top of the industry, using Intech’s number-one market share as leverage.

But repeated failures and worsening finances eventually brought the entire group to the brink.

“It’s a win-win for both W Group and Hojin.”

“If the two groups merge, Hojin Group will gain massive capital and rise to global status.”

“If everything goes well, it’ll all be thanks to you.”

I could still hear Ji-Han’s sweet promises.

But in the end, without the merger with W Group, Ji-Han would have lost his heir position altogether due to the failure.

“You! As the heir to Hojin Group, what the hell have you done right?”

I could still vividly hear the chairman shouting at him.

Could I really be right about this?

I asked, voice trembling, and Jae-Ha’s eyes widened in surprise.

“…Yes, Intech. How did you know about that?”

Meeting Jae-Ha’s unwavering gaze, a chill ran down my spine.

How could I have forgotten this? My heart, which had momentarily dropped, now began pounding violently again.

“You’re saying that project is happening now…? Is that true?”

That same project that later played a major role in Hojin Group’s downfall…?

Suddenly, my mind snapped into focus.

“Yes. I’ve heard Seo Ji-Han is already in contact with Intech. Why? Do you know something?”

“Just a second. Wait…”

The unexpected news tangled my thoughts in confusion. But one thing surfaced—I needed to confirm something first.

“Jae-Ha, let’s talk again tomorrow. I’ll contact you.”

Leaving those words to the still-staring Jae-Ha, I quickly got out of the car.