The Wife Is A Superstar 3

Chapter 409 - Man Up

The next day, Donghwi was discharged from the hospital. His injuries looked nasty, but they weren't life-threatening.

What relieved him the most was when the doctor told him that his peroneal nerve was only hurt but not permanently damaged. The doctor warned him that if just a bit more force than what he was hit with was used, he would've ended up with chronic leg pain or numbness. Worst case scenario would be leg paralysis.

Both he and Hoyeon paled when they heard what the doctor said. Now Donghwi had developed a deep trauma for oranges. He would never eat oranges for the rest of his life ever again. It also deepened his resentment towards his younger sister, Jennie, and to her fiancé, Lisa.

Mixed with the resentment and other negative emotions like envy and insecurity was the feeling of guilt. After getting some sleep, albeit a restless one, he realized just how crazy he acted last night. He totally lost control of himself.

He was ashamed of his uncharacteristic behaviour. He felt sorry for all the insults he threw at his own sister, but the pride of being the firstborn prevented him from apologizing first. It also didn't help that he was still feeling threatened by Jennie's growing prominence and support within the clan.

Nevertheless, he didn't want to become enemies with her. After thinking about things more clearly, he concluded that it would be extremely difficult for him to win against her if she seriously began competing in the Kim clan's battle for succession.

All of these conflicting emotions were stressing him out. It was causing him great confusion. He needed some time to carefully analyze everything before choosing the best course of action.

That was why he didn't return to Gold Heights with Hoyeon. The condo unit was given by Jennie to his son. Staying there would make him constantly think of her and would only worsen his already troubled state of mind.

As a result, he returned to his primary residence at the Kim ancestral compound instead. He tried persuading Hoyeon to come and live with him and their son, but she refused. He wasn't surprised, but he couldn't help but be disappointed.

He didn't force her, however. The last thing he wanted was to worsen the invisible wall between them. Perhaps this temporary living separation would help cool off the tension between them. He hoped that they could restore their previous happy relationship when they decided to live together again.

When he left Hoyeon and his son at Gold Heights, he didn't bring any of his clothes or things with him. This was a clear indication that he still planned on returning to them.

The question was...when?

He didn't know.

###

Kim Ancestral Residence, Eastern Wing.

The eastern wing was Donghwi's personal residence. Like the rest of the compound, the undeniable ancient aura could also be felt here. However, it had more modern elements compared to the main wing where Jihoon and his wife lived.

Hwi opted to use modern furniture, appliances and decorations instead of using the original antique ones that his ancestors used for centuries. As a result, only the building itself retained the ancientness in this wing. Everything else inside was modern.

His father and some of the relatives, especially the elders, disapproved of his interior design choices. However, they couldn't really do anything to stop him because it was his space. Although Jihoon didn't like the overly modernized place, he allowed Hwi the freedom to decorate it as he pleased.

The day he returned to the eastern wing, it seemed that the servants reported his pitiful appearance to his father because Jihoon and Jia immediately visited him.

"Who did that to you?" Jihoon asked as soon as he saw his son. His eyes darkened with cold fury.

Which stupid person dared to beat up the son of him, Jihoon?

"Little Sister Ruby and her fiancé, that wild man, did this to me," Donghwi replied in a sullen tone.

Jihoon was caught off-guard that he didn't know how to react for a few moments.

It was his wife, Jia, who reacted first.

"What?! Ruby and Lisa beat you up?! Why?"

She looked shocked, then skeptical. It was hard for her to imagine that Jennie and Lisa could beat up a family member so badly like this.

"Hmph! He deserves it!" Alice's voice sounded from the doorway.

The young woman looked pale and exhausted. Her eyes were red, decorated by dark circles and heavy eyebags. She had been working on her webtoon in her room for hours before taking a much-needed break. The servants informed her that Jihoon and Jia left to visit Hwi who just returned to the eastern wing.

Alice already learned what happened from Jae, Clover, and even some tidbits from Hoyeon herself. Needless to say, it angered her as Jennie's friend.

She immediately followed her aunt and uncle to the eastern wing.

"Big Brother Hwi insulted Ruby, so of course Lisa beat him up! If I was there, I would also beat you up, Big Brother Hwi! Hmph! I can't believe you would do that to Ruby! She and Lisa have been so nice to you and your little family, but this is how you repay them?! Gah! I'm so mad!"

"Alice, calm down," Jia told her niece.

"You insulted your sister? What did you say to her?" Jihoon asked his son in a cold and strict voice.

Hwi didn't answer.

Jihoon turned to Alice, silently asking her instead.

"I don't know exactly what Big Brother Hwi said. All I know is that he insulted Ruby, that's why Lisa beat him up," she answered. Then she turned to Hwi and challenged him. "Man up, Big Brother Hwi! Tell us exactly what you said to Ruby! Don't be such a coward!"

"Alice, that's enough," Jia warned her.

"Hmph!" She crossed her arms over her chest.

Alice had no idea that her "man up" challenge worked on Donghwi. It effectively pricked his machismo.

"I'm not a coward!" he hissed at Alice. "Fine, I'll tell you what I said to her!"

He told them how he used Chaerin's reputation as a social climbing, gold digging slut to insult Jennie. All three were horrified after he finished speaking.

Jia: "Oh no...."

Alice: "What the hell?! Did you really—"

"HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO YOUR OWN SISTER?!!!" Jihoon roared.

His voice was so loud and fearsome that everyone, including Donghwi, Jia, Alice and the nearby servants, all flinched and were frightened.

Jihoon rarely raised his voice in fury like this. So when it happened, everyone shut up and froze. They were afraid to say or do anything that would anger him even further.

Donghwi just sat there and accepted his father's harsh scolding. He didn't defend himself.

"Go apologize to your sister and make up with her! Then return to your son and fiancé! Stop hiding here!" Jihoon punctuated his scolding.

Then he marched out of the eastern wing with his wife and Alice, leaving Hwi alone with his extremely chaotic thoughts and emotions.