THE CEO'S HIDDEN HEIR: A Tale Of Deception And Destiny

CHAPTER 2: The Separation

As Jihyun and Minjun walked home, their minds were filled with the strange encounter with the man while returning from the discount store. Jihyun couldn't shake the feeling that she had met him before, but she couldn't remember where or when.

When they arrived home, they found Soojin and Tae-oh packing their belongings. It seemed as if someone had visited them while they were out.

"Who was that?" Jihyun asked, her curiosity piqued.

Tae-oh, eager to share the news, blurted out, "It was Daddy!"

Soojin's face turned pale. She had forgotten that Tae-oh was still unaware of her husband's betrayal.

"Tae-oh, don't talk nonsense," Soojin scolded, trying to silence him.

Jihyun's heart sank. She knew Soojin's husband was a dangerous man, and she couldn't believe that Soojin would return to him.

"Soojin, you can't go back to him," Jihyun pleaded. "He's going to hurt you again."

Soojin scoffed. "Don't worry about me, Jihyun. I know what I'm doing."

Jihyun tried to reason with her friend, reminding her of the countless times Soojin's husband had stolen from her and left her destitute. But Soojin was determined to leave.

"You're just jealous," Soojin spat. "You're always jealous of everything I have."

Jihyun was taken aback. She had never felt jealous of Soojin, only concerned for her well-being.

"I wish you the best, Soojin," Jihyun said quietly. "But I hope you're making the right decision."

As Soojin and Tae-oh prepared to leave, Minjun stepped forward. "Mom, Soojin owes you money," he said, his voice firm.

Soojin's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about, Minjun?"

Minjun went to the cupboard and pulled out a small notebook. He had been keeping track of all the money Soojin had borrowed from Jihyun over the years.

"You owe Mommy 23,080 dollars," Minjun announced.

Soojin was furious. She had never intended to repay Jihyun, but she knew she couldn't argue with Minjun.

"Fine," she said, pulling out her phone. "I'll transfer the money to you right now."

Soojin quickly transferred the money to Jihyun's account. As she and Tae-oh left the apartment, she couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt. She knew she had betrayed her best friend, but she was convinced that she was doing what was best for herself and her son.

As Jihyun watched Soojin and Tae-oh leave, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. She had a sense that her friend was up to something, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Minjun turned to Jihyun, his face filled with concern. "Mommy, are we going to be okay?"

Jihyun smiled, trying to reassure her son. "We'll be fine, Minjun. We always are."

But as she watched her friend walk away, Jihyun knew that their lives were about to change forever. And she wasn't sure if it would be for the better.

At the opulent offices of Gu Group, Geon presented Jong Gu with a list of applicants for the position of his new secretary. As Jong Gu scanned the list, one name caught his attention: Jihyun Shin.

He remembered the woman he had met around the streets of the discount store, her gentle demeanour and the familiar scent that had lingered in his mind. Could this be the same Jihyun Shin?

With a growing sense of curiosity, Jong Gu requested to see Jihyun's resume. As he read through her qualifications, he was impressed by her intelligence and work ethic. But it was her personal statement that truly captivated him.

"I believe that every challenge is an opportunity for growth," Jihyun had written. "I am a dedicated and hardworking individual who is passionate about my work."

Jong Gu smiled. He had a feeling that Jihyun was the right person for the job.

Later that day, Jihyun's phone buzzed. It was a call from Gu Group, informing her that she had been selected for the CEO's secretary position.

Jihyun's heart raced with excitement. This was a dream come true. She had worked so hard to get to this point, and now her efforts were finally paying off.

She couldn't wait to share the news with Minjun. She got up to go to Minjun’s room and found her son playing with his toys.

"Mommy, I'm hungry," Minjun said, looking up at her.

"I know, sweetie," Jihyun replied, her voice filled with excitement. "But first, I have some great news."

She told Minjun about the job offer, and his eyes lit up with pride.

"Wow, Mommy!" he exclaimed. "You're going to be a big shot!"

Jihyun laughed. "Maybe not a big shot, but I'm definitely excited about this new opportunity."

"Can we celebrate with a double cheeseburger?" Minjun asked hopefully.

Jihyun smiled. "Of course we can."

As she hung up the phone, Jihyun couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Her life was about to change, and she was ready for the adventure that lay ahead.

Later that evening, Jong Gu's driver arrived at Soojin's apartment. Soojin and Tae-oh were already packed and ready to leave.

As they pulled up to the grand villa, Soojin's heart pounded with excitement. She had never seen such a luxurious home before.

The servants lined up to greet them, their faces filled with anticipation. Soojin, however, was more interested in the opulent surroundings. She wandered through the mansion, taking in the lavish decor and admiring the expensive artwork.

Tae-oh was in awe. He had never seen such a big, beautiful house before. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he explored the different rooms.

Wren, the Gu family's oldest nanny and head of servants, approached Soojin and Tae-oh. "Welcome home," she said warmly. "My name is Wren, and I'll be your personal assistant."

Wren introduced Soojin and Tae-oh to the rest of the staff, including the butler, the family doctor, and the chef.

"You're welcome to call any of us if you need anything," Wren said. "We're here to serve you."

Soojin, however, was more interested in asserting her authority. She tossed her luggage to Wren and demanded that they be taken to her room.

"Do it now," she said, her voice dripping with arrogance.

Wren was taken aback by Soojin's rude behaviour. She had never encountered such a demanding guest before.

Despite Soojin's attitude, Wren continued to serve her with the utmost respect. She knew that her job was to make the guests feel comfortable, no matter how difficult they might be.

As Soojin and Tae-oh settled into their new home, a sense of unease began to creep into Soojin's mi

nd. She had finally achieved her goal, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.