Flames of Desire (Flames of Ambition / Yokmangeui Bulkkot / 욕망의 불꽃)

Flames Of Ambition

Episode 41

I promised him.

That I wouldn't take this ring off until the day I die.

To Minjae?

Yes, Chairman.

- I apologize. - Why would you?

If you like each other so much...

Listen.

I fell in love just like you, when I was about your age.

She still comes to mind from time to time, even after all these years.

Now that I think about it, she resembled you quite a lot?!

But what's really ironic is that I didn't even know that I loved her.

I only realized it once she got married with someone else.

Sometimes I ask myself what would have happened to me if we got married instead.

I'm sure things would be much different.

Don't you think?

Since I would have lived a completely different life.

But, tell me... Wouldn't you sell that ring to me, by any chance?

How much would it take to buy it?

Give me a price.

What would be the point of putting a price on something that's not for sale, Chairman?

But It's not going to be worth much as time goes on?

Look...

I plan to leave my entire inheritance to Minjae.

You really think this ring is worth that much?

That...

is for Minjae to decide, I suppose.

Then, I'll have to ask him.

Whether he'll choose your ring over my fortune.

I've heard of people who gave up on the crown for their beloved.

The way I see it, Minjae is more than capable of that.

How about you?

You think you're worth that much?

- Listen, Minjae can't marry you. - Chairman...

You don't understand what this ring means to us.

Minjae is well aware of my past.

But he has never brought it up even once.

He just loved me for what I am.

Whenever I'm with him, it feels as if I was reborn.

As if my past vanished, and a stranger was standing before him.

Even if I can't meet him again, it's all right.

I'll start anew for sure, but I need this ring to make that happen.

Then all the money in the world would never be enough to buy this?!

Right, Chairman.

But you don't need to worry,

as I have no intention of ruining Minjae's life.

I don't want him to regret it his entire life, just because of me.

- Who did you have lunch with? - Ohh?! Baek Ingi.

Who?!

- That actress who's dating Minjae. - Chairman!

Now that's a mature kid. I like her.

What are you saying...

Now you're going to let some actress become in-laws with us?

- What's wrong with that? - A horrible reputation, maybe?!

I'm too embarrassed to even mention it.

Don't even joke about that, you'll become a laughingstock.

Why, you hold it in afraid of pissing outside the pot?

- Is senility finally knocking at the door? - I've made up my mind, so no more arguing.

Chairman! How can you say that?!

Are you just going to let Minjae ruin his future like that?

Make some sense, will you?

What's with all the frantic yapping? Speak slowly so that I can understand.

Minjae and Baek Ingi are getting married.

What's that supposed to mean?

You really... Grandpa met Baek Ingi, and gave them permission to get married!

- What the hell is that all about... - Mom!

All right, bye.

- Who called? - Heejeong...

- The hell was she talking about... - What did she say?

She said that your father is letting Minjae and Baek Ingi get married, or something.

Does that make any sense?

It means Dad's gloves are finally off!

What are you talking about?

If Dad is giving Baek Ingi permission to marry Minjae,

isn't that just a thinly-veiled declaration of war against Nayoung?

Aigoo... I'm sure he's just itching to become in-laws with someone like her.

So isn't that the reason he's trying to bring Youngmin's wife down?!

Whatever, stop talking nonsense.

Aww... You just don't get it.

Here... I'll explain it to you again, so listen well.

If he gives them permission to marry,

what would that make of Youngmin's wife?

He's pretty much telling her that he's forsaking Minjae.

How can it mean that?

He could just be fulfilling Minjae's wishes because he adores him.

Then, give Nayoung a call and see how she reacts.

What's the point? She'll be ecstatic. Now that Father is all right with it.

You really can't figure out my father, can you...

Be quiet for a moment.

Ohh... Nayoung. It's me. Heard the news?

What news?

Father gave Minjae permission to marry Baek Ingi.

You didn't know?

He did?

- How do you feel? - I'm... really happy to hear that.

- Aren't you?! - Of course!

I was struggling over it myself.

All right, then. I knew you'd be happy about it.

Thank you for telling me.

Congrats.

See? She's happy, too.

Really?!

Minjae fell head over heels for her, what else can she do?

Was I mistaken, then?

Congratulations, Eonni. So Minjae and Baek Ingi are getting married?

Rumors travel fast. You've already heard the news?

But what now? I'm so sorry for you...

Everyone is happy that they're getting married except you.

Maybe the chairman knows already?!

That Minjae is Baek Ingi's brother.

Don't start.

I'm just worried about you.

Since if they kick you out, I can kiss my department store goodbye.

So if you keep your mouth shut, nobody will find out.

I am!

You're the only one who can give me that department store...

Take care, Eonni.

Nayoung.

How do I look? Does it suit me?

You know how she gets all up in arms at the mere mention of Baek Ingi?

- Your guess must be right. - But don't tell anyone else about it.

Are you crazy?

If Yoon Nayoung goes down, she'll take me along with her.

But how did you find out?

You really think you can keep something secret forever?

Seek and you'll find even more than what you're looking for.

You've really got no shame.

Wasn't she kind to you, after all?

Youngdae and Youngjun already lost Dad's favors.

And Youngmin Hyung will soon face the same destiny.

So all that's left is Minjae.

But soon enough, he'll join their ranks,

and then my turn will come.

Got a fervid imagination... You really think your turn will ever come?

I'll have to make sure it does.

Still, the department store is mine.

As long as you do what I say...

What did you talk about?

What could you possibly have said to convince him?

I guess he just liked me.

Did he just cave in after you told him that you couldn't break up?

I guess that's what you're curious about.

What?

I can't break up with him.

So you messed with him even though you knew he's your brother?

Is that all you think of me?

You're more than capable of that!

What are you, laughing now?

Think about what you just did.

If you keep your mouth shut, I see no reason why we shouldn't get married?!

I'm dead to you, anyway.

And that's what you thought all these years,

so why act as if you care, all of a sudden?

You can just believe you never had a daughter!

Just feel bad for Minjae. Having to live with someone like you.

Keep your mouth shut and he'll never learn a thing.

I thought you wanted me to tell everyone the truth?!

But you can't.

You have neither the guts nor the mercy to do so.

Or maybe I could tell Minjae instead?

- What? - That he's my brother.

Wouldn't he resign himself, then? If he finds out I'm his mother's daughter.

You've got nowhere to run.

- Yeah... I'm starting to get that feeling. - Again playing the victim...

I wonder why I keep trying to reason with you.

Ajumma.

What?

You love money that much?

Try to live without, see how miserable it'll feel.

I make good money.

So, what, you're going to provide for me now?

You're still my mother, after all.

I'd rather die.

You know why your grandfather died so miserably?

Because he chose love over money.

While those who abandoned their love and chose money instead are happily basking in luxury.

Don't try to ruin everything just because you can't stand me.

Since we'll be the only ones who lose out in the end.

You could have come to the office.

It wasn't something I could tell you there.

Is it about Minjae?

Have you heard?

My brother called me, acting as if something big happened.

You can say that again!

It's not like he told them to get married right away, what's the big deal?!

You really don't know why your father brought that up?

He told me to leave, for your sake and Minjae's.

He just told you to move there for a while, not to leave for good.

How can you act just like him?

Leaving Minjae to my father's care was your idea.

And yours as well.

Fine... After all, you don't really care about Minjae, right?

What would you care anyway, even if marrying Baek Ingi completely ruins him?!

- Since he's not your son. - Honey.

Deep down, doesn't the fact your father is treating Minjae like that make you nervous?

Yeah... You're probably jealous of him.

Watch it. How dare you talk to me that way?

So why are you acting so indifferent, even when presented with the facts?

Minjae is not competing against me. He's my son.