"Why? Are you sad to hear that he's leaving?" Jungkook gently asked held her in his arms and asked.
"No, it's his decision, and I don't want to interfere. Where is he going, and when?"
"New Zealand... there's a good university in Wellington, and he'll be studying a major that's similar to his current one. The visa's ready too, so he'll be leaving in three days."
"That soon?" Lisa froze.
"I called him today, it was his decision."
"Okay, I understand."
"Let's go back to your mother's for dinner, you should spend as much time as you can with him before he leaves."
"Okay." Lisa nodded.
Ten minutes later, after Jungkook finished signing the rest of the documents, they got ready to leave his office...
"Kook... aren't you going to eat the Osmanthus cake your mother made you?" She looked at the delicate bento box on his desk.
"If you like them, you can eat them."
"I don't want any," Lisa immediately declined.
"I don't like them either, she... keeps pushing her ideas onto me. I've never liked this stuff, I don't know why she would make me these all of a sudden."
Then, Jungkook picked up the bento box and the two headed out.
"Boss, are you going home?"
"Yeah, you can have this, it's a midnight snack."
"Thank you, Boss." Lee was more energetic than ever since he came back from vacation.
He was more eager to work, and Jungkook was willing to teach him things because Lee had shown that he was smart and reliable.
After leaving JC, they drove to Sky Blessing Court, to Lisa's mother' house.
Haruto had already dropped out from school and was packing at home.
Lisa's mother didn't want her son to leave, but she didn't stop him, since she thought traveling was a good way for him to get some distraction.
Plus, he would only be studying abroad for a year or two, so he wouldn't be gone for too long.
"Why didn't you tell me you guys were coming back? Let me go and make some more dishes."
"Mom... it's okay, we'll just have a bite of whatever's ready. I'm not that hungry."
"Okay, I'll make a soup." Then, Lisa's mother turned to go into the kitchen.
Just then, Haruto came downstairs. "Noona, hyung."
"How's packing?" Lisa asked.
"I'm almost done. I brought back my stuff from school too." Then, Haruto took out a set of car keys and handed them to Jungkook.
"Hyung, you should take these. Thank you for giving me a car, but since I won't be in the country, I don't need these anymore."
"Keep it, you can keeping driving it after you come back," Jungkook said gently.
"Um... that's not a good idea."
"It's okay, don't be so polite to your Hyung. Take the keys. It's not like you're not coming back anymore," Lisa said as her heart ached.
"Okay then." Haruto nodded.
"Once you get there, remember to call us. Call Mom as much as you can; we have to keep in touch."
"I know."
"Don't walk alone in the dark, and don't make friends with sketchy people. After all, you'll be in a foreign country," Lisa tirelessly reminded her brother.
"Call me if you need money, don't cut corners and not feed yourself properly."
"Noona... I know."
"Oh, and... you have a weak stomach, so don't eat too much seafood... Although seafood is cheap in New Zealand... if you eat too much, you might suffer from chronic diseases. Remember to drink lots of warm water."
"Noona... I'm a grown-ass man, not a kid anymore." Haruto smiled.
Lisa covered her mouth and began sobbing; she really didn't want Haruto to leave.
"Doll... what are you doing?" Heartbroken, Jungkook put his arm around Lisa.
"Noona... don't be sad. I'm going to school, not to be tortured... I'll miss you and Mom, and I'll take good care of myself. Don't worry about me." Haruto's eyes turned red upon seeing his sister cry...
Lisa's mother walked out of the kitchen to see them like that, and she began crying as well.
"Don't be like that, you two, I'm really sad too... It's a good thing that he's going to school. Don't overseas students come back to be successful? Why are you crying? If Uncle Watanabe knew that Haruto was going abroad to study, he would be happy for him..." Lisa's mother said as she wailed.
In the end, the three of them cried as they hugged each other...
Jungkook didn't know what to say; he felt bad seeing them like this.
He was especially heartbroken seeing Lisa cry like that...
– The Oh Mansion –
It was late, but all the lights in the mansion were still on.
"Tell me, how do you plan to gather 400 million in 3 days? Where can you get that kind of money...?"
Mr. Oh was sitting on the couch, holding a teacup in his hand. He interrogated Sooyoung with a stern expression on his face.
"Honey... I don't have that much, but I couldn't stand seeing our son go to prison...he's your son as well."
"Don't change the subject. Tell me, how much have you saved up over all these years?"
"Honey..." Sooyoung wanted to coyishly brush past the subject.
"Answer me."
"I didn't do it on purpose, I just wanted to leave ourselves with a Plan B... If something were to happen down the road, at least we won't end up on the streets..." Sooyoung explained quietly.
"So? How much did you save up?"
Hyunjae and Nancy sat beside their mother, not daring to make a sound.
Mrs. Oh went to stay at her mother's, so it was just the four of them at home, making the conversation easier.
"Not that much, just a little over 200 million..."
Sooyoung said quietly...
"Hahaha... just a little over 200 million... Sooyoung, I've really underestimated you, you've sure got your ways..." Mr. Oh sneered.
"Honey... the 200 million isn't all in cash, I made some money financing and investing in the stock market as well as real estate. It's not just the Oh Family's money."
"So... you have more than 200 million. What about the rest of the 100 or so million?" Mr. Oh asked, word for word.
"Honey... Siyi is your son too, you have to help him. Can you help us with the rest?"
Sooyoung reached out to grab Mr. Oh's hand, but he slapped it away.
"Don't even think about it, do you really think I'd wipe his butt after this. Why didn't he think of his old man before doing what he did, huh? How old is he? Where is his brain? Why would he do something like this? Do you know how embarrassed I was in front of the board of directors today?"
Mr. Oh was absolutely furious...
"Dad... I didn't do it on purpose, I just..."
"Shut up... I'll deal with you later."
After pointing and cursing at Hyunjae, Mr. Oh looked at Sooyoung icily. "I'm not giving you any money. He should just go to jail."
"How can you... do that?"
"He brought this onto himself... All these years, we spoiled him to no end. Look what came of him... he's in his twenties, yet BigHit's Jimin is in his twenties and JC's Jungkook is in his twenties as well... Why is he so different from them?"
"Right... I almost forgot... Honey... can you ask Lisa to ask Jungkook to lend us 100 million?"
"Are you crazy? Are you asking me to borrow money from them?"
"Isn't she your daughter?"
"Oh, now you recognize her as my daughter? Weren't you the one who said... she was the offspring of a bitch, and that she might not even be my child?"
The truth was, Mr. Oh's refusal to acknowledge Lisa and her mother had everything to do with Sooyoung.
She brainwashed him in bed and placed obstacles in the way...
She was scared that another person would appear to share Mr. Oh's inheritance money.
Now that something bad happened, she remembered Lisa.
"I... back then I was angry at Lisa's mother. Honey... you can't stand there and do nothing, you know how ambitious that animal Sehun is. You're not even his birth father, do you think he'll put in all his effort to manage the Oh Corporation? Are you willing to hand everything over to him?"
Tears swam in Sooyoung's eyes as she begged him... She was very emotional, trying to get Mr. Oh's sympathy.
"So what if I'm not his birth father? He's still better than this money-squandering good-for-nothing." Mr. Oh really was angry.
"Honey... if you don't help us, the three of us won't be able to survive this..."
"Daddy... please... Help my brother, you can't just watch. I will definitely marry a rich man and put our family before anything. I will listen to you in the future and marry whoever you want me to."
Nancy kneeled down onto the ground and begged her father; she may be brainless, but she still loved her little brother and didn't want to see him go to jail.
"Now you think of me? What were you doing before?"
"Dad... I've really learned my lesson this time. Sehun framed me, I really don't know where the 300 million went..."
As soon as Hyunjae finished his sentence, Mr. Oh smashed an ashtray on his head.
"Let me tell you, that's why you're an idiot. You were framed, but you kept denying it, rather than avoid it... With your brain, of course, you couldn't take 400 million, but you deserved to be accused and framed."
"Dad..." Hyunjae cried and wailed, not sure what he was supposed to do.
"Honey... do you think Lisa and Sehun paired up to frame Hyunjae this time?" Sooyoung suddenly thought of this.
Mr. Oh's expression dimmed upon hearing this. "This isn't the time to discuss this, you still need to think of a way to produce 400 million yuan..."
"Honey... don't tell me you're actually refusing to help us. You won't be that cruel, right?" Sooyoung asked as tears fell from her eyes.
Throughout these years, Sooyoung's gentleness had been like an opioid that Mr. Oh was addicted to.
This time was no exception...
Even if Mr. Oh was furious, Hyunjae was still his son, his only biological son.
After a long silence, Mr. Oh finally said, "I can provide you with the rest of the money... but... Hyunjae has to resign and leave the Oh Corporation."
"Why?" Sooyoung was flustered.
"Isn't it obvious? Sehun's targeted him, and he'll be forced to take more blame in the future... If he continues working at the Oh Corporation, I can't guarantee that he won't make any more mistakes. I was wondering why Sehun would be so generous, making Hyunjae vice-president... He planned it all along," Mr. Oh said slowly...
Sooyoung seemed to be suddenly enlightened, "I didn't pay much attention to it back then, but he was plotting against us even back then? So is he working with Lisa?"
"I don't know about Lisa, but nonetheless, as the chairman of the board, I have to provide an explanation to the board members. Once we pay the money back and Hyunjae resigns from the Oh Corporation, we'll be safe again."
"Dad... I'll do what you say." Hyunjae obediently nodded his head.
"Now you know to listen to me? What were you doing earlier?" Mr. Oh spat, still angry.
Hyunjae looked down, afraid to say anything else...
Upon seeing that his father had agreed to help, Nancy immediately crawled up from the floor. She massaged his shoulders, "Dad, I knew you would help us, you love us, right?"
"Don't go around causing trouble anymore... Hurry up and go on some set-up dates... and get married... Sehun is full-fledged... Soon, we won't be able to compete against him anymore. I don't want to drag this out any longer, we need to quickly end this war."
"Honey , you want to...?" Before Sooyoung finished her question, Mr. Oh nodded, "yeah."
He didn't use his words, but his intention was obvious – he wanted to declare war against Sehun and kick him out of the board of directors...
"I'll find a time to convince Lisa. As long as we go from her mother's angle, she'll easily agree. With Jungkook's help, it'll be easier for us to win."
Even now, Mr. Oh still wanted to take advantage of Lisa...
The four of them began plotting at home...
Sehun, on the other hand, sat in the study of his private mansion, monitoring everything from his screen.
He smiled as he sipped on red wine...
"That old man... old age has made him stupid... I can't believe he's still trying to get rid of me... I guess he hasn't learned his lesson yet," Sehun mumbled to himself.
"You want Lisa to help you as well? Are you dreaming...?" He laughed satisfyingly.
Sehun placed bugs all over the Oh Family mansion, including Hyunjae and Nancy's cellphones.
Lisa was right – it was a cakewalk for Sehun to deal with people like them.
It only depended on whether he wanted to...
Just then, Irene came out from behind, wearing a bathrobe...
Sehun didn't try to hide anything and kept watching the surveillance footage...
"Haha... are they still plotting against you?"
"Yeah... it's been their biggest dream, all these years," Sehun smiled.
"I'm curious, doesn't the old man feel anything towards you over all these years? After all, you were brought into the Oh Family at a very young age," Irene asked as she embraced Sehun's neck from behind.
Every time she spent the night at his mansion, she always had the illusion that he loved her.
At least he loved her while they were in bed...
However, after the sex, that feeling would slowly disappear, leaving her hot and bothered.
To her, Sehun was a forever mystery...
She couldn't understand him, nor could she let him go...
She was even going to go further her career in the U.S. and never come back, but as soon as he called her, she went to sign with JC.
All to satisfy Lisa's wishes...
She threw away her future and career, just to make Sehun happy.
"He's a very selfish man. Even though I've been by his side for twenty-something years, I'm not related to him, so he'll still toss me aside like garbage. But that's a good thing, at least I won't feel bad when I take them on. They won't be able to play the family card on me."
Then, Sehun tilted his glass and drank all the red wine...
Irene's face was glued to Sehun's chin, intimately nuzzling his well-formed jaw.
"What do you plan to do after getting rid of them? What will you do to Lisa? Kick her out of the board of directors and the Oh Corporation?" Irene quietly asked.
Sehun reached out to throw Irene's hands off his neck...
Then, he turned around to look at her, with a spurious smile on his face...
"Irene, you seemed to be very interested in Lisa."
"Yes... very interested." Irene smiled sweetly.
"Irene, you're a smart woman. We've been together for a long time, so you know what to do and what not to do... Don't touch my bottom line and don't probe me... Oh, and... don't go harassing Lisa again, nothing good will come of it for you."
Then, Sehun got up to leave...
"Sehun... I didn't do it on purpose... I just think you..."
"How I treat her has nothing to do with you, it's not like you're my wife... Don't poke your nose in my business... Don't try to guess what I'm thinking... and don't do things that will embarrass everyone, including yourself... If you like being with me, then we'll keep having fun. If you don't like being with me, then you can find yourself a boyfriend. I'd be okay with that."
Then, Sehun placed his wine glass onto the wine rank, making a loud 'clang'.
It was obvious that he was unhappy with Irene...
Irene was a little scared when Sehun acted that way; the entire world saw Sehun as a gentle, humorous man who treated his employees well and rarely showed his temper.
However, only Irene knew who he really was – he was the most ill-tempered person that ever existed.
However, he was good at faking... That's why most people didn't know this side of him.
*
Knowing that Haruto was leaving soon, Lisa was in a bad mood and seemed distracted at work.
"Lisq, are you okay?" Department Director Li asked.
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine... have you not had enough rest recently?" Director Li asked, worried about her.
Ever since Lisa was transferred to the Neurology Department, a huge weight had been lifted off of Director Li's shoulders.
She would delegate most things to Lisa during meetings, and the latter seemed capable of handling everything.
Director Li liked Lisa and was impressed by her talent and hard work.
She seemed to see the younger version of herself in Lisa...
"Mhm, something's been going on at home, and I haven't been in a good mood."
"Do you want a few days off?"
"No, it's okay. The department's busy, and I don't need time off." Ever since she took a week off to go to the Maldives, Lisa really didn't have the heart to ask Department Director Li or Hospital Director Jung for more days off.
Since the hospital was busy, it wasn't good for her to run off to have fun all the time.
She wasn't who she used to be either; she used to be a nurse, so her job wasn't as demanding.
Now, she had to be responsible for her patients and her colleagues, and couldn't only think about what made herself happy.
Most of South Side's employees knew that although Lisa married rich, she still lived like an ordinary person.
She was neither flashy nor boastful and contributed greatly to South Side. Most people liked her very much.
"Okay then, let me know if you need some personal time, I'll ask others to take your place for a couple of days."
"I will, thank you, Director Li."
After a morning of consults, Lisa went to the cafeteria for lunch with low spirits.
She bumped into Soobin's mother outside the cafeteria.
"Dr. Lisa."
Lisa greeted her with a bow.
"I haven't eaten yet, let's talk while having lunch."
"Okay." Lisa nodded.
After taking some food, they sat down in a corner of the cafeteria.
"How's your younger son doing?"
"Pretty good; Doctor said that he's recovering well and has high spirits. He'll be discharged in three or four days."
"Mhm, I found a new place for you guys to live at, you shouldn't go back to where you used to live, it's not safe for you. Plus, your son is still recovering, and your old place is dark and dingy. I rented a 60-square-meter apartment unit in the Northern New District, it's really close to 14th High School. I also went through connections and talked to the principal there, so your younger son can go to school there."
"Dr. Lisa, I have nothing to say towards your kindness. I will never be able to pay you back for it... I will remember everything you've done for us. I came here today to tell you that I've made up my mind and want to donate my liver to Soobin."
Lisa looked at her in pleasant surprise. "You've made your decision?"
"Yes... but I have a request."
"Tell me."
Lisa thought that she would ask for money; after all, they were poor, and their livelihoods could not be guaranteed.
"Don't tell Soobin that I'm donating my liver to him."
"What? Why not?" After Soobin recovered, Lisa wanted to tell Soobun that his mother donated her liver to him. Perhaps it would touch him, and they might be able to work things out.
However, Lisa didn't understand why she asked her not to tell Soobin about this.
"Because I owe him too much... I don't want him to forgive me because I donated an organ to him... As a mother, I haven't done enough for him... You're right, I was too selfish. They're both my sons, so why did I only love just one of them? That's unfair to Soobin... I used to be ignorant and was willing to hurt him and ask him for money... I am partially responsible for his depression."
"Don't blame me for what I said that day... At the time I was really angry... both of your kids are good kids... I really hope that you guys can live happily ever after and works things out as a family."
"I know what you mean. You're not related to us, but not only did you pay for my son's surgery, moreover, you're also trying to help reunite our family, asking for nothing in return. After careful consideration... I've decided to donate my liver to him first, cure his illness, and then slowly make things up for him."
"Okay, I understand and will respect your wishes."
Lisa was elated that Soobin's mother was willing to help Soobin...
The truth was, she wasn't confident that Soobin's mother would agree to it.
After all, people were all selfish, and it was truly a lot to ask her to donate an organ to her estranged son.
Thankfully, she agreed...
"When you have time this afternoon, you can get a pre-op checkup. Soobin's been hospitalized already, he's staying in the VIP room on the top floor."
"Okay." Soobin's mother nodded...
– Jeon Manor –
Upon hearing that Mrs. Jeon injured her ankle, Mr. Jeon was worried and therefore flew back from Hawaii.
When he arrived home that night, he saw Tzuyu, who he hadn't seen in years.
"Uncle..." She smiled.
"Tzuyu?" Mr. Jeon asked uncertainly.
"Yup, uncle... why didn't you call beforehand that you were coming home?"
Tzuyu was making dumplings with the maid, her hands covered in flour.
Ever since she came back to the country, she barely went home; most of the time, she spent her days playing golf, shopping, playing cards, drinking tea, and arranging flowers with Mrs. Jeon.
The good thing was Tzuyu had a good temper, so she wasn't annoyed by Mrs. Jeon's constant nagging.
"Ah... it's okay, the company sent a driver to pick me up. Where is she?"
"She's applying a facemask upstairs, and she will be down in a second."
"When did you come back? I think... I saw you last time when I went to Italy with your dad, It's been 5 or 6 years, hasn't it?" Mr. Jeon exclaimed.
"Yeah... I was only in my early-20s back then, I was still young and innocent... Time sure passes by fast, but uncle, you're still young and handsome like you used to be." Tzuyu smiled cutely.
"You sure know how to flatter me..." Mr. Jeon laughed.
"Auntie's been talking about you, she's going to be exhilarated that you're back..." Tzuyu said with a smile on her face.
As soon as she finished her sentence, Mrs. Jeon came downstairs in a nightgown...
"Hey, look who's here? Sir, are you lost? Is this your home, huh?" Mrs. Jeon said sourly.
"How old are you? Is it fun to bicker all the time?" Mr. Jeon asked helplessly.