episode_0104

“I’ve been hearing all the news, even if briefly.”

It’s a cafe.

Inside a small cafe within the building, they briefly exchanged words, each with their bodyguards and secretaries standing beside them.

In the simple and cutely decorated cafe, the presence of bodyguards, clustered together with stern expressions, instantly created a stifling and intimidating atmosphere.

“You sweet-talked Hwaryeon, didn’t you? And… that Soeun also joined you.”

Cha Seonmi ran her index finger over the cup as if caressing it.

Rich black coffee, served in a mug, not a disposable plastic cup, steamed gently.

As if even a hasty drink needed to be done properly, she lifted the beautiful mug and sipped, her lips leaving a mark on the rim.

“Hwaryeon… yes, she was always easily swayed and loved anyone who flattered her. She was just unnecessarily jealous and greedy.”

Then, she slightly raised her characteristically hollow eyes,

“But what about Soeun?

She suddenly announced she’d merge her company with yours… practically sacrificed her company. What kind of deal did you make with that psycho bitch for her to go that far?”

She seemed genuinely curious.

It appeared she couldn’t understand it, as if she had judged Soeun wouldn’t be easily swayed, and the outcome was beyond her calculations.

“What, that’s what it was?”

I scoffed at that.

Without needing a boring or pedantic long explanation, I led the conversation.

“That’s not exactly an important topic, is it?”

“…Then what’s important?”

I stretched my arms out slightly, as if exaggerating,

“Naturally, it’s your standing, noona.

Aren’t you complaining because your naive younger sisters, who supported your reputation, are leaving?”

“…….”

“Why, are you getting nervous? It seems you’re realizing it now that the sisters who used to be your sidekicks are bringing their shares and siding with me?”

A provocative tone, openly needling her.

I dangled the bait, wondering how the famous Cha Seonmi would react at this point.

‘If my prediction is correct, she’ll probably scoff at how pathetic it is?’

But in reality, Cha Seonmi’s position wouldn’t be unstable enough for her to worry.

Cha Seonmi was someone who had been pushed, both internally and externally, to appear as the rightful successor.

The ability to run a company coolly like Cha Seongtaek did not exist in anyone other than the eldest, Cha Seonmi. This could be seen from the distribution of assets in Cha Seongtaek’s will, which was hastily written after his death.

However, what needs to be clearly pointed out is that even Cha Seonmi wasn’t perfectly trusted and utilized.

Cha Seongtaek, who would abandon even affection if it harmed his company, ultimately left her an ambiguous share.

She certainly inherited the semiconductor and battery companies, which generate the most money.

However, Cha Seongtaek didn’t fully support Cha Seonmi to the extent of completely cutting off the siblings who were siphoning off Hwaryeong.

Furthermore, Hwaryeong’s actual full authority had been passed to Jung Sooran, who didn’t even know the ‘m’ in ‘management.’

He left powerful full authority, capable of halting all Hwaryeong’s movements if she decided to act, not to his eldest successor, but to his wife.

Creating such a strong braking mechanism implies that even Cha Seonmi, who appears perfect on the surface, has flaws.

Or perhaps Cha Seongtaek judged her to be a fruit not yet fully ripe.

Anyway, I waited patiently for a word from this seemingly near-perfect person of the Hwaryeong family.

“It was unexpected, I admit.”

“…….”

Unexpectedly, Cha Seonmi admitted it directly.

As if she hadn’t anticipated the current situation at all, she glared at me with eyes framed by deep dark circles.

“I just thought you were a lucky guy who kept getting heads when flipping a coin for fun… or a neighborhood thug who got lucky and hit the jackpot at a pachinko parlor, but after taking the time to watch you, you seem different.”

‘Is that a compliment or an insult…?’

“You make profits from absurd investments and swiftly use leverage with short-term stock trading and shorts.

And 80% of those crazy ventures succeed. It’s as if everything you do is based on knowing the future right before it happens.”

Her eyes weren’t just staring into mine.

She scrutinized me with a pressure, as if she wanted to see right through me.

She was like an anaconda trying to pinpoint its opponent’s weakness and constrict their breath, yet also like a child driven by curiosity, wanting to thoroughly analyze and understand.

“And even this acquisition contract based on shareholder exchange.

It’s even more surprising because I think I know what you’re aiming for by signing such a large contract.”

“…Are you complimenting me this whole time?”

“Of course, it’s a compliment. You’ve become a person compared to before.

You even willingly took in those unruly siblings who were tarnishing Hwaryeong’s name, so I’m thankful enough to bow down to you.”

Cha Seonmi was unexpectedly favorable towards me.

She genuinely flattered me, building me up, then,

*Thud!*

“But that’s where it ends.”

She set down the mug she had taken a sip from.

The dark, black liquid sloshed and swirled on the table, not overflowing but dancing.

“What you’re doing now, it’s subtly deviating.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’re thoroughly avoiding a head-on confrontation and cunningly choosing only the advantageous paths.”

“……Doesn’t that just mean I’m playing the game well?”

“Completely wrong.”

Cha Seonmi haughtily crossed her legs, then,

“You’re not doing anything proper right now.

You’re clumsily just latching onto every appetizing side dish. You’re only relying on easy shortcuts and avoiding a proper showdown. You’re not presenting a new vision for the company’s future.”

‘Of course not… if I seriously started, I’d become a workaholic like you.’

I muttered in disbelief to myself.

I wondered if she was serious, but then I realized Cha Seonmi was truly obsessed with work.

From my perspective, that’s a punishment.

Even if I handle a few big tasks myself, my dream is a company that runs automatically with just a ‘click,’ without me.

Because I just want to play.

Being Hwaryeong’s successor is not my dream.

“So, I won’t mince words. Take your hands off this.”

“…Take my hands off?”

“It means stop eyeing this and go our separate ways.

We’ve already neatly separated in a mutually beneficial way, haven’t we? Is there really a need to fight more vexatiously?”

At that, I curved my lips into a smile.

Leaning forward, I replied to her self-serving calculation:

“Absolutely not.”

“…….”

“I haven’t even touched the delicious portion remaining over there, have I? Why should I be satisfied here, leaving the final reward untouched?”

Frankly, the shares of Hwaryeon noona and Soeun, which I’ve taken in, aren’t that ‘delicious.’

The most delicious honey-producing share, of course, belongs to Cha Seonmi, who possesses the massive battery factory and the national semiconductor business.

I can’t miss out on the most important strawberries on a strawberry cake.

‘More than anything, the most tempting side dish is right in front of me.’

Honestly, it would be a shame if this noona were missing from my family collection.

Therefore, no matter how much we respected each other, a confrontation with Cha Seonmi was inevitable.

Because only by subduing this haughty eldest noona, more so than anyone else, could I acquire the delicious share and *her*.

*Grin.*

At this, Cha Seonmi smiled.

Perhaps she took it as a cute challenge from her younger brother, or perhaps she just thought it was a good development for her boredom, as she stood up.

“Alright. If you’re going to say that much, I am curious to see what you’ll do. And honestly, I’m curious how you sweet-talked those unruly siblings.”

After giving a signal to her bodyguards with a nod of her chin,

“My and the you broke off to start. Let’s see how well each of us can protect them.”

She left as if implying a good match was to be played.

Though her hidden intentions might not truly mean a ‘fair fight,’ Cha Seonmi nevertheless turned her back immediately after that declaration and walked away.

She quickly headed further into the building, as if she had another schedule to attend to.

“Ha… I’m exhausted.”

Only after her figure completely disappeared did I breathe freely.

I showed my relaxed self in front of Woo Miae.

‘Just as the rumors said, she’s completely obsessed with the company….’

She was the worst among all the people I had dealt with so far.

In terms of compatibility with me, someone who just wants to relax, she was a complete antithesis.

As expected, she was a person obsessed with management.

It seemed she truly considered herself Hwaryeong itself, so I also had to show my sincerity.

If she’s a person obsessed with her company and its management, then I’ll probably have to “eat” that company to make her submit.

This time, I’ll have to use every method available to swallow it.

To acquire that challenging masterpiece among the Hwaryeong sisters, it won’t be an ordinary gamble.

“Young Master, what will you do now?”

“…Hm?”

“You look tired, should I cancel your next schedule?”

Perceptively, Woo Miae offered to adjust my schedule.

A consideration for me, who had been completely drained by work lately.

‘Indeed, there’s no need to exert myself from now on for a problem that will take time.’

There’s no need to pour all my energy into it immediately.

Because eroding Cha Seonmi’s territory will be a time-consuming affair—

*Buzz!*

Just then, my smartphone vibrated.

Checking it, the lump in my heart seemed to dissipate, and I felt healed.

“Alright, I should change my next destination.”

“Understood. I will make the arrangements.”

It was perfect.

At a very opportune moment, an interesting invitation arrived that would surely relieve this stress.

* * *

“Is someone like that really coming?”

A home party and reception at a small house.

While moving food in preparation for the guest’s arrival, I simply replied.

“Considering how much money I gained from this, I should at least express my gratitude.

And since I was heavily indebted for a while, I intend to treat them to this much.”

“Ha… still, it’s amazing that someone like that is our backer.

I didn’t even know you, Sua, had the flexibility to get close to someone like that.”

“…….”

I didn’t answer that.

I pretended not to hear, quickly carrying beer glasses to the table, and subtly brushed it off, when,

*Ding-dong!*

“Ah! It seems he really came.”

At the sign of his arrival, our family gathered at the front door.

I stood at the front door with a nervous heart, not daring to believe he’d accept the invitation, when,

“I’m here~”

This man truly appeared.

I was the one who invited him just in case, but he really brazenly came all the way to our house.

“Here, this. I brought it in case you might need it.”

The gift he brought in one hand was even toilet paper.

His friendly voice and the exceedingly ordinary housewarming gift instantly shattered his chaebol image.

“Ah… Hello, ahjussi…”

At that, my three-year-old daughter greeted him first.

As guests didn’t often visit our home, she greeted him with curiosity and a touch of shyness, whereupon Doyeon-ssi lifted her up.

“That’s right, you’re Seongha!”

Unexpectedly, Doyeon-ssi was familiar with children.

After lifting my daughter to play with her and lower her guard, he stepped into the house, holding her in his arms.

“Then, I’ll make myself at home. That’s… alright, isn’t it?”

“Of course!

Oh, please come in. Chairman Cha… Doyeon. You’re exactly as you appear on TV.”

“If it’s on TV, it’s usually not a good image, is it?”

He casually tossed out a light joke and laughed, then,

“And please just speak informally. Today, I’m here as Sua’s acquaintance.”

“Ah, ahahaha… If that’s more comfortable for you.”

Even my husband fell for it.

He had been imprinted with the image of a chaebol, but seeing his unexpectedly informal demeanor, my husband immediately let down his guard.

“…….”

On the other hand, I was frozen.

As my shoulders, the host of the invitation, were stiff with tension, Doyeon-ssi subtly approached and whispered while we moved towards the living room together.

‘A home party at Sua’s house, I’m really looking forward to it?’

‘!’

*Squeeze!*

As expected, what he showed earlier was merely a wolf’s mask.

Right beside me, the sinister true intention behind accepting the invitation was revealed.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve visited, so please treat me well.’

‘……♥’

*Pinch-pinch!*

He touched me as if he had missed it.

Even in this home with my husband and child, he reached out and touched my butt, pinching it as if, through my long skirt.