THE FORGOTTEN DAD

Chapter 31: Bound by Duty, Torn by Love

Dae Ho sat in his father's grand office, the air thick with tension. Across the desk, his father, Chairman Kim Hyun-soo, glared at him with barely concealed fury. Dae Ho had just rejected yet another proposal for an arranged marriage, this time with the daughter of a powerful business tycoon, Han Ji-eun, whose family owned J&H Enterprises, one of the largest conglomerates in South Korea.

"Do you have any idea what you've just turned down?" Chairman Kim's voice was cold, a sharp contrast to the warmth usually reserved for business associates. "Marrying Ji-eun would have solidified our alliance with J&H Enterprises. It would have ensured our company's dominance for generations. And you throw it all away, why? Because of some childish infatuation with a woman who's already married?"

Dae Ho's jaw clenched, his gaze unwavering as he stared back at his father. "It's not a childish infatuation, Father. I've built this company alongside you, brought in more profit than any of your other ventures. I've given everything to this business. But I won't be manipulated into a loveless marriage just to line your pockets."

Chairman Kim slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing in the large room. "You think this is just about money? This is about legacy! About securing our future! And if you're not willing to do what's necessary, you're throwing away everything I've built!"

"I don't care about your legacy!" Dae Ho's voice rose, his frustration boiling over. "All my life, I've followed your orders, done what was expected of me, but not this time. I will not marry someone I don't love, someone I've never even met. And I will not forget Jasmine."

His father's expression darkened. "Jasmine? You're still hung up on that woman? She's someone else's wife now. She belongs to Emil Langston."

"She belongs to no one!" Dae Ho shot back. "Least of all Emil. He doesn't deserve her. You know nothing of what he's done, how he's hurt her. Jasmine deserves better, and I intend to be that for her."

Chairman Kim leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as he regarded his son with a mix of disappointment and anger. "And what will you do, Dae Ho? You think you can just waltz in and take another man's wife? Do you even hear yourself? This isn't just about you or Jasmine. This is about our family, our business. You're willing to destroy everything for some foolish notion of love?"

Dae Ho's hands balled into fists at his sides. "If you touch her, if you try to use her to manipulate me, I will destroy everything you've worked for. I'll burn it all to the ground and walk away without a second thought. Jasmine will be mine, and nothing you or anyone else says will change that."

For a moment, there was silence between them, the weight of Dae Ho's words hanging in the air like a storm about to break. Chairman Kim studied his son, the cold calculation in his eyes giving way to something darker.

"You're willing to risk everything for her?" his father asked, his tone dangerously soft.

"Everything," Dae Ho replied without hesitation. "I've never cared about the wealth or the power. All I care about is her."

Chairman Kim shook his head slowly, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "You're a fool, Dae Ho. A fool to think you can defy me and come out unscathed. But if this is the path you've chosen, then so be it. Just remember, in this world, love doesn't conquer all. And when you fall, don't expect me to be there to catch you."

Dae Ho stood, the confrontation leaving him drained yet resolute. "I don't need you to catch me, Father. I've always stood on my own."

As he turned to leave, his father's voice stopped him in his tracks. "If you pursue this, you'll lose more than just the company, Dae Ho. You'll lose everything."

Dae Ho didn't look back. "Then so be it."