Chapter 160 - Permitted

Documents lied on the table in front of him, and a nonchalant expression sat on Han Taeho's face as he looked through them. The room he was currently at was quite organized.

Taking a sip out of the coffee, he continued to go through the files when his phone suddenly rang. Looking at his phone, which was placed on the table, he noticed that the call was from Lee Jinkyung.

Letting out a sigh, Han Taeho picked up his phone and received the call. The nonchalance in his eyes was replaced with a darker expression, and the sir around him grew colder.

"Taeho-ah, how are you doing? It's been a long time since we last talked or met up," Jinkyung spoke out in a sweet tone.

Hearing her voice made him feel a stab at his heart, and self-condemnation filled him. How could he, Han Taeho, fall for such a girl in his last life? For him, to be reduced to an extremely lowly state by her in his last life was truly a humiliating matter. 

"Hmm," Taeho answered, "Fine."

In a soft tone— which made Lee Jinkyung seem like a delicate girl— Jinkyung questioned, "Is there something wrong, Taeho-ah? From your voice, you don't—"

'Taeho, you can't let your emotions seep out that easily. Hold them back if you want to succeed.'

"Just the stress from work. I'll be alright with some sleep," Taeho said.

"Then, you should be resting, Taeho-ah. Beside the business, make sure to take care of your health. At times, you make me worry about you," Jinkyung voiced out.

'Of course, you worry. You worry about losing the benefits that you won't have after something happens to me.'

"Hmm. Was there anything you needed?" Han Taeho questioned.

'After all, you won't be calling me without a motive.'

"A-About t-that, uhm, I-I don't actually know how to say— Nevermind, it isn't proper to bother you about it. Just wanted to check up on you," Jinkyung spoke out shyly. Hesitation could noticeable in her tone.

Han Taeho had no mood to entertain her at this moment and wanted to hang up the call. However, he resisted and tried his best to act out a friendly and worried voice. After all, he won't let himself lose to Jinkyung when it came to acting skills.

"Jinkyung, you don't need to hesitate with your requests when it comes to me. After all, as I promised to you before, I'll do everything in my power to make you happy," Taeho spoke out.

°°°

Hearing Han Taeho's words, Jinkyung's lips curved up to a smirk. As always, Han Taeho was a fool falling for her lies and tricks. Judging by how easily he got fooled, at times, Lee Jinkyung doubted about his position as the CEO to South Korea's leading group.

Nonetheless, this just showed her how great her abilities were and made her be proud of herself. After all, not everyone can control Han Taeho in a way she could with simply some words and tears.

"Taeho-ah, it's Jinhee again."

Lee Jinkyung stared at the light above her and let the tears fall down her eyes. She began to sob and made sure that it was loud enough for Han Taeho to clear hear.

"What did she do?" Han Taeho questioned. 

Lee Jinkyung could sense the concern in his tone. This made Lee Jinkyung smile and feel relief. At first, when she had called him, he felt distant, and that made her feel scared. However, now he sounded normal.

"I told you about how she is turning rebellious recently. It makes me absolutely to see her turn this way, and when I called her yesterday, she hung up on me after saying a few rude words to me."

Lee Jinkyung sobbed once again.

"Taeho-ah, at this point, I really don't know what to do. Dad and mom are worried sick about her, and last night, I wasn't able to get a wink of sleep because of this," Jinkyung voiced out.

"Lee Jinhee wasn't at her dorms neither did she return home so I called her to ask where she was yesterday. She informed me that she was the Han Mansion," Jinkyung continued.

"Is that so? But how is it possible? Strangers aren't usually allowed at the Han Mansion," Taeho pointed out.

"Jinhee is a really close friend of Taehee, and I think that's how she went to the Han Mansion. Taeho-ah, it would be a great favour to me if I could go to the Han Mansion and have a talk with her.

I know that it won't be appropriate for me to go to the Han Mansion, but Jinhee doesn't want to meet up with me despite my countless requests. So, this was the only way left to me. I hope you can help me out, Taeho-ah. But of course, I would understand if you don't want me to go. After all, how can someone like me—"

"It's just entering into the Han Mansion," Taeho spoke out, "There is no big deal about. Currently, I am out of Seoul and won't be able to receive you. Just come in front of the Han Mansion by one, and I'll order one of the servants to show you the way."

Joy was present in Lee Jinkyung's voice whilst she said, "Really? Taeho-ah, thank you very much. I won't ever be able to repay back this. You don't know how much this means to me. I just hope I can convince Jinhee-ah to go back home with me and calm Mom and Dad down."

"This is a small matter in front of your happiness, Jinkyungie," Taeho commented, "Alright. I'll talk to you later on. I have an important meeting to attend now."

"Thank you once again, and bye. Make sure to get some sleep and take care of yourself," Lee Jinkyung voiced out before Han Taeho hung up the call.

As Jinkyung sat on the bed, she placed her new phone down on it, and her lips curved to a vicious curve. Her eyes clearly showed how much joy she felt at this moment.

"Lee Jinhee, my dear sister, you're nothing compared to me. You are allowed to stay at the Han Mansion. So, what's the big deal about it? Even I'm permitted to go there."