Chapter 77: Chloe Morgan

June 19, 1920, Saturday Afternoon

Lee Jun-hyuk stood in front of the mirror.

Dressed in a perfectly fitted black tuxedo, he adjusted his bow tie over and over again. Somehow, the knot kept coming undone. Perhaps it was nerves—his fingertips trembled ever so slightly.

Chloe Morgan.

She was not simply Catherine’s aunt.

She was the invisible queen of New York’s high society, and the true guardian and mother figure to Catherine, who had lost her parents at an early age. Without her approval, any future with Catherine would clearly not be easy.

He checked his watch.

5:15 p.m.

There was still some time before the appointed hour.

First, he needed to stop by a florist.

As Catherine had advised, he was to buy white roses—her favorite.

He left the Plaza Hotel.

On Saturday afternoons, New York exuded a leisurely ease, in stark contrast to the weekday business bustle.

The weather was perfect.

Beneath the cloudless blue sky, a gentle breeze blew, refreshing and pleasant.

He entered a small flower shop on the corner of Fifth Avenue.

“Welcome. How can I help you?”

Surrounded by the fragrance of flowers, the middle-aged proprietress, her apron dusted with pollen, greeted him kindly.

“I’m looking for the most beautiful white roses you have.”

“Excellent choice. Must be a special day?”

“Yes, I’m about to meet someone very important in my life.”

Understanding, the clerk smiled and showed him a selection of top-grade white roses that had just arrived. The petals, as if still holding the morning dew, were fresh and flawless.

“Twelve, please.”

With skilled hands, the clerk trimmed and wrapped the bouquet, tying it with a white silk ribbon for an added touch of care.

“I’m sure things will go well. Good luck.”

“Thank you.”

He left the shop with the bouquet in hand.

The unique, sweet yet pure scent of fresh roses lingered softly in the air.

He hailed a taxi.

“North on Fifth, to Seventy-Second Street, please.”

“Sure thing!”

The driver nodded and started off.

Being Saturday afternoon, the roads—usually packed—were remarkably clear.

As the taxi passed by Central Park, Lee Jun-hyuk gazed out at the peaceful scenery.

Families enjoying picnics on the grass, children flying kites high in the sky, couples whispering words of love on benches. It all looked like the future he dreamed of with Catherine.

Fifteen minutes later, he arrived at his destination.

Chloe Morgan’s house.

The five-story townhouse was far grander and more luxurious than Catherine’s home. Each antique gray stone window bloomed with red geraniums, and an ornate wrought-iron gate added to its stately presence.

He pressed the doorbell.

After a moment, the heavy door opened silently.

An elderly butler, dressed impeccably in a crisply pressed English suit, appeared.

“I am Lee Jun-hyuk. I have an appointment with Mrs. Chloe Morgan.”

“She’s been expecting you. Please, come in.”

The butler’s low but dignified voice led him inside.

The entrance hall was decorated with gleaming marble floors, a high ceiling, and a sparkling crystal chandelier.

On the walls hung Impressionist paintings—Monet’s Water Lilies among them—whose value was incalculable.

He followed the butler down a long hallway.

The Persian Carpet underfoot muffled every sound.

Portraits illustrating the history of the Morgan Family lined the walls, while the gentle scent of lavender candles filled the space.

At last, he was shown into the living room.

It was spacious and elegant to an overwhelming degree.

Through the huge picture windows, Central Park unfolded like a painting, and the westering sunlight bathed the room in a golden glow.

All the furnishings were Louis XVI-style antiques, and above the marble fireplace hung an enormous mirror.

“If you’ll wait just a moment, madam will be out shortly.”

The butler departed, leaving Lee Jun-hyuk alone.

He took in the room, gauging Chloe Morgan’s taste and authority.

The shelves were filled with leather-bound old books, and the grand piano was a Steinway Grand Piano.

Everything was of the highest quality.

“Mister Lee.”

At that moment, a calm yet commanding voice came from behind. Turning, he saw Chloe Morgan standing there.

In person, she was far more imposing than in any photograph.

Despite being in her late forties, her poised bearing and keen gaze radiated the beauty and intelligence of her youth.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Mrs. Morgan.”

Lee Jun-hyuk greeted her politely, offering the bouquet of roses he had prepared.

“As I’ve heard, you are quite courteous.”

Chloe accepted the roses expressionlessly.

Yet, for an instant, her eyes softened almost imperceptibly as she looked at the bouquet.

“White roses… I suppose Catherine told you.”

“Yes. I heard you like them.”

“Please, have a seat.”

Lee Jun-hyuk sat on the sofa.

Chloe sat directly across from him in a high-backed chair, assuming the air of a judge. The real interview was about to begin.

With the faint ring of a silver bell, a maid brought out an impeccable afternoon tea set. The aroma of Earl Grey drifted through the room.

“I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Catherine.”

Chloe spoke as she lifted her teacup.

“She says you achieved great success in Cuba all on your own.”

“I was just fortunate.”

“Fortunate? Defeating the Sugar King Escobar of Cuba was mere luck?”

Chloe’s eyes sharpened.

She clearly knew the details of what had happened in Cuba.

“To be frank, I’ve done some background research on you.”

Lee Jun-hyuk was not surprised.

He thought it only natural.

“Top graduate in economics at Columbia University, amassed a fortune in the Cuban sugar business, and recently even turned the tables on railroad tycoon William Bancroft using the Ponzi Scheme scandal…”

Chloe listed off his achievements one by one.

Her information network was beyond imagination.

“An impressive résumé. Except for one thing—you are Asian.”

Her last words carried emphasis.

In the end, that was the core of the problem.

“Mister Lee, let’s speak plainly. I raised Catherine as if she were my own daughter.”

Sincere affection for her niece colored her voice.

“When Catherine told me she wished to marry an Asian man, I was honestly shocked.”

She was direct.

“I understand, madam.”

“You understand? Truly?”

Chloe seemed a bit taken aback by Lee Jun-hyuk’s calm response.

“I am well aware of the reality faced by an Asian man and a white woman in American society in 1920. Social prejudice, legal barriers, and above all, the opposition of those dearest to us.”

Lee Jun-hyuk spoke evenly.

“Knowing all that, why do you still continue to see Catherine?”

“Because I love her.”

Simple, yet more powerful than any elaborate phrase. Chloe looked at Lee Jun-hyuk in silence for a moment.

As if searching his eyes for unwavering sincerity.

“Love…”

She murmured quietly.

“I once believed in that word too.”

A moment of silence passed.

“Mister Lee, what are your concrete plans for the future?”

Chloe changed the subject.

“I intend to continue expanding my business. La Choy has already entered the Chicago market, and the Radio Station is operating stably. My next goal is steel and the automobile industry.”

“And your future with Catherine?”

A direct question. Once more, Chloe’s eyes fixed on him intently.

“No matter how long it takes, I want to formally propose and marry her.”

“Marriage…”

Chloe let out a deep sigh.

“Are you aware that marriage between Asians and whites is illegal in the state of New York?”

“I am aware. But not every state in America is like that. And the law, as the times change, will inevitably change as well.”

“You’re quite the optimist.”

“If you lose hope, nothing can begin.”

Just then, the sound of the front door opening reached them.

“Aunt! I’m home!”

It was Catherine’s bright voice.

She soon entered the living room in a light pink dress. Seeing Lee Jun-hyuk, she beamed, her smile instantly brightening the heavy atmosphere.

“Jun-hyuk, you’re already here.”

“Catherine.”

At Chloe’s call, Catherine naturally sat beside her aunt. Chloe’s stern expression noticeably softened.

“Aunt, please don’t interrogate Jun-hyuk so harshly.”

Catherine said playfully.

“Interrogate? We were merely having a gentlemanly conversation.”

“No one knows better than me how scary your ‘gentlemanly conversations’ can be, Aunt.”

When Catherine took Lee Jun-hyuk’s side, Chloe gave a small smile. The way she looked at her niece was much gentler now.

“Dinner must be ready. Let’s move to the dining room.”

At the long table, however, four places were set.

“Is someone else joining us?”

As Lee Jun-hyuk asked, the front door opened again.

“Sorry I’m late, Mrs. Morgan!”

A young man with slicked-back blond hair entered. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, dressed in an expensive suit.

“Jonathan!”

Catherine was visibly startled by the unexpected guest.

“Catherine, it’s been a while. You’re even more beautiful.”

He approached Catherine to kiss her hand, but she quickly drew it away.

“Aunt, you didn’t mention this.”

“Jonathan happened to be in New York, so I thought we might have dinner together,”

Chloe replied smoothly. Clearly, this meeting was arranged on purpose.

“Let me introduce you. This is Mister Lee, Catherine’s… good friend.”

Emphasizing the word “friend,” Chloe introduced Lee Jun-hyuk.

Jonathan looked Lee Jun-hyuk up and down with an air of arrogance.

“Jonathan Vanderbilt. Twenty-nine years old.”

“I’m Lee Jun-hyuk.”

He extended his hand.

Jonathan deliberately squeezed hard, but Lee Jun-hyuk matched—and even surpassed—his grip. Jonathan’s expression changed for a split second.

Dinner was a tense, suffocating contest.

“Mister Lee, what line of business did you say you’re in?”

“Food and broadcasting.”

“Ah, you mean those canned foods? Asian cuisine… How novel.”

Jonathan sneered sarcastically.

“Our monthly sales recently exceeded two hundred thousand dollars. We’re also planning to list on the New York Stock Exchange soon.”

Lee Jun-hyuk replied calmly.

Jonathan’s face stiffened.

“Catherine, the opera season opens next week. Would you like to go together? I have a Box Seat at the Metropolitan Opera House under my name.”

Jonathan openly tried to engage Catherine.

“Sorry, I already have plans, Jonathan.”

“With whom?”

“With Jun-hyuk.”

Catherine replied firmly.

“Aunt, I have something to say. I am officially dating Jun-hyuk. We are not just friends.”

“Catherine!”

“What? With that yellow Oriental?”

Jonathan’s voice dripped with contempt.

“What does race have to do with love, Jonathan? Even in the twentieth century, you still think in such outdated ways? You’re the one who should be ashamed.”

Catherine shot back coldly.

The main course arrived—roast lamb.

“Mister Lee,”

Chloe, who had remained silent, finally spoke.

“Can you guarantee Catherine a stable future? A future worthy of the Morgan Family and the Vanderbilt Family?”

“My total personal assets currently exceed seven million dollars, not counting the value of my businesses. And my enterprises have only just begun to grow.”

Lee Jun-hyuk replied calmly, giving exact figures.

Clatter. Jonathan, shocked, dropped his fork onto his plate. Seven million dollars was beyond his imagination. Chloe, too, could not hide her surprise.

“Is… is all that true?”

“You can confirm it with Thomas Wilson, the branch manager of The National City Bank of New York, my main bank.”

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Such was the power of money.

“Still, if you have children, there will be the issue of mixed blood…”

Jonathan tried to say more, but Chloe raised her hand to silence him.

“That’s enough, Jonathan. You’ve been rude enough.”

Chloe looked at Lee Jun-hyuk again.

Her gaze was completely different from before.

“Mister Lee, it seems I may have underestimated you.”

Jonathan’s face flushed and pale, he stood up.

“I’m not feeling well, so I’ll take my leave.”

He left the dining room without so much as a proper goodbye.

“I’m sorry, Jun-hyuk. I should have warned you.”

Catherine apologized.

“It’s fine. In fact, it worked out better this way.”

Chloe gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

“You’re bolder and stronger than I thought. If you ever make my niece even a little unhappy…”

“I swear on my life—that will never happen.”

Lee Jun-hyuk met her eyes without flinching, speaking with all his heart.

As dessert was served, the atmosphere softened considerably.

Chloe no longer interrogated him. Instead, she asked about his business in Cuba, the situation in Chicago, and repeatedly expressed her admiration for Lee Jun-hyuk’s insights.

At nine o’clock, Lee Jun-hyuk rose to take his leave.

“Thank you very much for inviting me today, Mrs. Morgan.”

“I’m glad you came, Mister Lee.”

Chloe accompanied him to the door.

“Catherine… I leave her in your hands.”

For the first time, her voice was truly gentle.

He left the mansion with Catherine by his side.

The cool night air embraced the two of them.

“Whew, I think we finally have Aunt’s blessing,”

Catherine sighed in relief, clutching Lee Jun-hyuk’s arm.

“I’m glad.”

“I’m really sorry about Jonathan. I never imagined Aunt would invite him.”

“It’s alright. If anything, thanks to him, everything became even clearer.”