Chapter 140: White Knight (4)

Arjun clenched his fist tight as his gaze changed.

“I shall engrave the words you said deep into my bones. Thank you.”

He gave a short greeting then left the room just like that.

The moment the door closed, I, Lim Hyunjun, put down the water cup I held in my hand.

The ripples that were shaking at the bottom of the glass became still.

As it became late afternoon, my group was invited to the Rajan residence.

It was because Ravindra Rajan invited them to have dinner together.

My group, who got into the car sent by Chairman Ravindra, did not say anything on the way.

Everyone was preoccupied with admiring the scenery outside.

The residence where Chairman Rajan lived was located on the outskirts of the city.

As the vehicle stopped in front of the front gate, the large iron door opened slowly.

It was so wide that we had to move by car even to get inside.

When I finally got out of the car, the first thing I felt was the density of the air.

A silence as if time had stopped and the strangely echoing sound of wind chimes.

With that alone, the pressure felt here was considerable.

Though that might just be my mood.

Even when I raised my head, the palace-like residence did not come into view all at once.

The golden waves falling from the direction where the sun was setting spread along the exterior walls of the building, to the point of giving the illusion of having come to a palace where a king lived.

On both sides, statues embodying traditional Indian guardian deities stood symmetrically, and decorative patterns were elaborately engraved on the long-stretching marble floor.

The scent of old juniper trees wafted subtly throughout the place, and the whole area was filled with the history under the name of the Rajan family.

Choi Seo-jun muttered lowly.

“This place is no different from a palace instead of a house.”

Hong Jang-gun also spoke while showing admiration.

“It is truly wonderful.”

Park Seong-hun merely looked around with his mouth open.

I alone quietly admired the surroundings, looking at things like paintings of ancient warriors hung on the walls.

The patterns on the ceiling decorated in gold and the candlelight arranged along the hallway far away gave the illusion of having come to a sanctuary.

After a while, the door opened and Ravindra Rajan appeared.

Beside him stood the eldest son, Arav, and the second child, Ishani.

The appearance of the three was like a painting thanks to the golden lighting.

Ravindra welcomed me with open arms.

“Welcome, Representative Lim.”

The two of us greeted each other gladly and shook hands like old friends.

I said to him politely.

“It is an honor to be invited, Chairman.”

Ravindra said while guiding us.

“You must have been tired from coming a long way, so let us eat comfortably today.”

After passing through the grand hall, a large dining table revealed itself.

On the long-stretching table, it was filled with golden candlesticks and luxurious food.

As expected of a country of spices, it was filled with a unique fragrance.

After taking our seats, silence flowed for a moment, but Ravindra lifted his glass first.

“Welcome once again. Thank you for coming such a long way from Korea.”

Everyone, including me, lifted our glasses and wore smiles.

The glasses clinked against each other and a clear sound echoed.

Everyone was enjoying and tasting the food, and even things we hadn't tried before were delicious to the point of being burdenless.

Various stories were exchanged for a long time, and it was around the time the meal was coming to an end.

Ravindra's expression gradually became serious.

He quietly put down his fork, wiped his mouth, and brought up the story.

“Representative Lim, I know you have come here due to the Tara Steel problem.”

I also put down the fork I held and answered calmly.

“Yes, that's right. That is the reason we came here.”

Chairman Ravindra nodded his head.

“However, as you know, the work of rebuilding that company is a task that carries a much larger burden than thought.”

“Even if it is an in-law relationship, I cannot reach out with just that.”

He was speaking politely, but he was very firm.

“I respect your passion. However, I cannot help with this matter. I am sorry that I am only able to treat you to a meal.”

Instantly, the atmosphere on the dining table froze to the point that a cold air flowed.

Choi Seo-jun's expression darkened, and Hong Jang-gun let out a quiet sigh.

Park Seong-hun was also flustered and did not know what to do.

However, I was not flustered at all and quietly opened my mouth.

“I respect your judgment, Chairman. Since it means you have thought about it that deeply.”

Ravindra looked at me for a moment, then lifted his glass and took a sip.

As he did not say anything, I continued speaking slowly.

“However, if the day comes when your mind happens to change, please make sure to contact me then.”

Ravindra smiled while wondering about me, who gave up unexpectedly easily.

“Well. I never have the habit of reversing a decision. There probably will not be such a case.”

This time, I lifted the glass placed in front of me and took a sip.

I spoke calmly.

“As one lives, the moment when one's mind changes comes to anyone. And that time is precisely the moment when the world moves.”

As I, who had been speaking in English until now, spoke in Korean, Park Seong-hun quickly interpreted for Ravindra.

Then, Ravindra's eyebrows twitched minutely.

After looking at me for a moment, he put down the glass and laughed lowly.

“Representative Lim, it seems you do not know me well.”

His voice was still soft, but it was somewhat sharp.

“I have never had my mind changed even once while living. Pushing through a decided matter until the end is the way of my life.”

He continued speaking while lightly tapping on the dining table with his finger.

“That is why people say I am stubborn. But I think so. Thanks to that, the Rajan family did not collapse. So I am sorry, but do not expect that my mind might change.”

At those words, Choi Seo-jun gulped and watched the mood.

However, I was not intimidated at all.

While maintaining a calm expression as before, a smile spread across my mouth.

“I understand, Chairman.”

Whether he thought I had accepted upon seeing my reaction, Ravindra lifted his glass.

“Indeed, you are reasonable. In business, a connection might be right or sometimes not. There will be a time for us to work together again.”

It was just empty talk, but the glasses of the two clinked again and a subtle sound echoed.

However, the lingering aftertaste of the toast did not remain long this time.

The shadow of the candlelight falling below the glass wavered and stretched long over the table.

From outside, the wind blew and brushed the edge of the window.

Along with the smell of spices, the scent of old juniper trees mixed and spread into the air.

Ravindra spoke as if emphasizing once again.

“I say again, Representative Lim, I am not a person who changes my mind easily. Do not expect any more regarding this matter.”

I only wore a smile and did not say anything.

My eyes headed toward the window.

There, the moon emitting light even in the darkness was floating silently.

After the meal ended, my group left the spot after leaving a polite greeting.

That night, we returned straight to the lodging and packed our bags.

The reason to stay in India any longer had disappeared.

We had to move to the airport to start the journey home on a night flight before dawn by moving up the flight schedule.

The air inside the car was exceptionally quiet.

Just as when we came out of Ravindra's residence, our words decreased.

Only the city lights brushing past outside the window were faintly reflecting on our faces.

Especially the expressions of Choi Seo-jun and Park Seong-hun were hardened.

Both were faces showing lingering regret.

Park Seong-hun said as if talking to himself.

“It is so regrettable. The atmosphere was good too… To be honest, I was internally expecting much because we were even invited to a meal. Yet to think the result would be like this.”

Hong Jang-gun said while intentionally showing a loud laugh.

“There are such days when working. It is also quite something that we got to be treated to a meal after coming all the way to India. Still, as we properly made an impression this time, who knows. Whether we might meet through another opportunity later.”

He tried to lighten the atmosphere on purpose, but the bitterness in the expressions of Choi Seo-jun and Park Seong-hun was still not erased.

At that time, I spoke quietly while looking out the window from the back seat.

“If we only had some time, we could have gone after seeing our fill. It is regrettable that we only ate food this time. Being busy is not good at times like this.”

At those words, Choi Seo-jun looked at me and said.

“Representative, there is no need for you to do that. You paid the most attention to this matter, didn't you.”

Choi Seo-jun tried to comfort me.

However, in vain, I was fine.

“Director Choi, do you want to make a bet with me?”

Choi Seo-jun wore a puzzled expression.

“A bet?”

I laughed wickedly, but it was fortunate that it was not well seen because it was dark.

“Yes, if a contact from Chairman Ravindra does not come even after a week passes, I will grant each of you one thing you want. Anything is fine. Travel is good, a vacation is good. Ah, will this make me too troubled?”

Only then did Park Seong-hun's lingering regret soften a little.

Hong Jang-gun chimed in while welcoming the relaxed atmosphere.

“Wow, then wouldn't you be at too much of a loss, Representative?”

However, only Choi Seo-jun shook his head.

“Representative, there is no need to do that. I know that you are saying those words on purpose because we might be disappointed.”

“I'm not… I am serious. At any rate, if I win, you must buy me one box of coffee mix each.”

Choi Seo-jun let out a deep sigh and said.

“I will just buy it for you. Is a coffee mix such a big deal.”

I got to obtain coffee mixes for free like that.

As the vehicle we rode in arrived at the airport, the boarding process was carried out quickly.

As it was a late hour, the airport was very quiet.

Even after boarding the airplane, everyone was silent as they were tired from the late hour.

Immediately after takeoff, everyone fell asleep without a word.

Due to the frantic schedule, even the noise inside the cabin sounded like a lullaby.

When I opened my eyes without even knowing when I fell asleep, clear sunlight was already shining outside the window.

Park Seong-hun muttered while yawning.

“We have arrived already.”

After getting off the airplane and leaving the airport, the cold air wrapped around our fatigue like a brush.

Everyone walked while pulling their suitcases without a word.

I spoke before getting into the car.

“Everyone went through a lot of trouble. You must be tired, so let's rest today. Let's gather again tomorrow after organizing.”

At those words, Hong Jang-gun asked.

“Will you also rest, Representative?”

“I should stop by the company before going.”

Choi Seo-jun hurriedly shook his head.

“What are you talking about? You must be tired too, Representative.”

Hong Jang-gun also chipped in.

“That's right. Can't you go to the office tomorrow?”

However, I shook my head.

“There is much to do because I've been busy lately. I should do it intensely at a time like this.”

At those words, Choi Seo-jun blocked the way by spreading both arms.

“You cannot. Going to work is prohibited.”

Hong Jang-gun also said while crossing his arms.

“At times like this, one must listen to older people. When one is tired, one should rest. Health is also important.”

I laughed as if it were absurd.

In fact, considering it, I was the oldest here.

“No, I am the representative, so why are you making me unable to go to work?”

In the meantime, Park Seong-hun quietly intervened.

“If you go to the office, Representative, I will also g... go.”

I spoke firmly.

“No! Senior Associate Park, go home unconditionally today. You look extremely tired.”

Park Seong-hun laughed sheepishly.

He stealthily and gently moved his steps to where the taxi stand was and said.

“Since you also say so, Representative, I shall be going in now.”

At times like this, he was as quick-witted as a ghost.