Chapter 21
Episode 21
8 PM.
The lights of Cheongdam shone as brilliantly as ever.
The glass exterior of Lumiere Le Blanc reflected neon signs, glowing like the entrance to another world.
But just a few steps away from that dazzling spectacle, the scenery changed abruptly.
At the end of a narrow path winding through the landscaped foliage behind the main building stood an annex rarely visited by people.
The lighting was minimal, and there was no sign to speak of.
Gray walls, modest eaves, and windows obscured by curtains—nothing inside was visible.
The noise from the main street faded away here, leaving only the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.
A place slightly removed from the glamorous center, yet all the more hidden in secrecy.
This was the Lumiere Le Blanc annex—accessible only to those invited.
Beyond the deserted alley behind the building, a dark figure crouched among the dense foliage.
The leaves rustled in the wind, and from within the sound, a woman's low voice emerged.
Beep—
"Target confirmed. Park Yeong-jin has arrived."
Black turned on her recorder and began documenting.
A small LED light blinked briefly.
"The Purple Cartel's inaugural gathering... As of today, he joins as the treasurer."
Unconsciously, she bit her lip.
Yeong-jin's figure was reflected in the glass doors of the annex as he approached the entrance.
Click.
After verifying his identity with the security personnel stationed on either side, he finally stepped inside.
Snap.
The camera zoomed in at 24x magnification, capturing his retreating back.
"Field photos secured. Proceeding to next phase."
Beep—
The recorder turned off.
"Haa..."
Black let out a short sigh.
Moments later, she lowered her stance and swiftly made her way toward the annex.
***
Click.
The entrance door opened, and I stepped inside.
Well-dressed security personnel guided me in.
"Please come this way."
"Thank you."
The building was a spacious two-story structure.
Directly ahead, a staircase led upward.
It seemed designed for banquets.
From the high ceiling spanning both floors hung a massive crystal chandelier.
"Please proceed to the second floor.
The door on the right—just open it and enter."
A man with thick eyebrows gestured toward a large, ornately decorated wooden door.
"Understood. Then..."
I gave a slight bow and ascended the stairs.
Thump, thump—
My heart pounded.
It still didn't feel real—that I was about to meet the members of the Purple Cartel, the outlet for their desires.
It was more structured and disciplined than I'd imagined, like a high-class secret society.
Swoosh.
I pushed open one side of the double doors and entered.
The violet chandelier overhead shone dazzlingly bright.
Beneath it stretched a massive rectangular banquet table draped in purple tablecloth.
The walls were finished in ivory, with deep wine-colored decorative furniture arranged tastefully around.
The décor clearly reflected the owner's refined tastes.
At the head of the table sat a woman in a white evening dress, her chest as large as watermelons.
Chairs were set along both sides, enough to seat six people each.
All were occupied.
Directly to the left, my mother-in-law was seated.
One spot beside her remained empty—likely mine.
After a brief moment of hesitation, I bowed slightly in greeting.
"Good evening.
I'm Park Yeong-jin, newly appointed as treasurer of the Purple Cartel.
I look forward to working with you all."
My mother-in-law gave me an approving look, silently encouraging me.
Clap, clap, clap, clap—
The seated members cheered and applauded.
"Hohohoho! Welcome, Park Yeong-jin. We're the ones who should be saying that.
I'm Wang Mi-yu, chairwoman of the Purple Cartel.
Now, don't just stand there—take the seat next to Jo A-young."
"Thank you."
I moved to the spot beside my mother-in-law and sat down.
Swoosh.
She grasped my hand tightly.
Her form-fitting red velvet dress accentuated her sultry allure.
Seeing her dressed like this—so different from how she looked at home—made her seem like an entirely different person.
I picked up the glass on the table and took a sip.
"Phew..."
Only now did my mind settle enough to take in my surroundings.
The Myeongdong 12 Princesses—once a famous social circle in Seoul, or so I'd heard.
But even at a glance, it was clear these twelve women were far from ordinary.
Each radiated their own charm like gemstones, as if they possessed the bewitching power of succubi.
Among them, one face stood out as strikingly familiar.
"Wait—isn't that actress Oh Min-hee?"
Across the table, a woman who looked unmistakably like Oh Min-hee caught my eye.
Startled, I blurted out the question without thinking.
"Hohoho! I'm flattered you recognized me so quickly!
I haven't been in any recent projects—you've got a sharp eye!"
There was no mistaking her.
Though not known for her acting, her striking beauty and model-like figure were rare even among actresses.
Any man of my generation would've spent at least one sleepless night haunted by her on-screen presence.
"It's an honor to meet you."
I bowed my head respectfully.
Then, my gaze fixed on the woman seated beside Oh Min-hee, clad in a black dress.
Even at a glance, her chest looked like a solid J-cup—rivaling the chairwoman, Wang Mi-yu, in size.
This whole situation felt like a dream.
My cheeks burned, and a smile crept onto my face.
"Hahaha! Our treasurer is just adorable.
Can I just kidnap him right now?"
From directly across the table, a woman who towered over the others laughed heartily.
No way.
It was Kim Kang-mi—former national volleyball player and beauty.
Another celebrity.
"Whoa—aren't you Kim Kang-mi?"
"Hahaha! Not anymore—just call me Coach Kim now.
Nice to meet you, Park Yeong-jin!"
An aura of healthy, pheromone-laden vitality radiated from her.
For the first time in my life, I felt the urge to be embraced by a woman.
"This is all so overwhelming. Hey, Wang Mi-yu!
If we've got a guest, shouldn't we do introductions first?
What's the hold-up? Chairwoman duties too much for you?"
The buxom woman in the black dress chided the chairwoman.
"Hohoho! Han Ji-yu, I'll handle things my way.
Just sit quietly and eat, you ill-mannered brat!"
She pressed a call button attached to the side of the table.
Click.
"Manager Jung, set up the table, please!"
Moments later, the thick-browed man and his team wheeled in catering carts.
Clink, clink.
They placed plates at each seat.
On thick, high-quality china of varying sizes, an array of dishes was arranged.
Caviar and smoked salmon carpaccio.
Truffle canapés, corn cream soup.
A Chateaubriand steak, still radiating warmth—something I'd only seen on TV.
Gulp.
I swallowed hard at the sight of such extravagant cuisine.
Glug, glug—
A man standing nearby carefully tilted a champagne bottle.
Pink champagne fizzed into crystal flutes.
"Ahem. This really isn't my style.
Mi-yu! Surely this isn't all we're having, right?"
A voluptuous woman with snow-white skin spoke up.
Her cheeks were flushed, and a seductive aura seeped from her drooping eyes.
"Hohoho! Did you really think we'd stop here?
It's been ages since we've seen our big eater Bo-young.
Hey, Manager Jung! Bring out the rest!"
"Understood."
Manager Jung left briefly, then returned with his team pushing more carts.
Clink, clink.
Additional dishes were added to the table.
This time, the pungent aroma of mala tang and mala xiang guo.
Tteokbokki drenched in capsaicin, glistening black under a mountain of mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Soft tofu and pork belly stewed with aged kimchi.
And more—spicy stir-fried chicken, fried and sauced wings, braised pork trotters, and wraps.
Familiar, appetite-whetting dishes now joined the spread.
"Heheh. Now this is more like it."
The voluptuous snow-white beauty grinned in satisfaction.
"Hey, where's the sashimi? No sashimi?"
Han Ji-yu, the busty woman, grumbled.
"Ugh, so picky. Fine, I'll have it brought out later.
Manager Jung, pour the drinks and prepare the assorted sashimi too!"
"Understood."
Clunk, clunk.
An assortment of whiskey, soju, and global beers was set on the table.
Even yuzu makgeolli made an appearance.
"Aside from the champagne, all the alcohol tonight is sponsored by our very own Sung Sook-hee.
So drink up, everyone! Hohoho!"
*Gulp. Mmm. It's been so long since we've all gathered.
And we've got a new treasurer too.
Let's tear the night apart!"
From the seat beside me, a woman named Sung Sook-hee—already slightly tipsy—spoke up.
She seemed like a dangerous drunk, but her face was that of a beauty specialized in seduction.
"Hohohoho! Then let's toast first before introductions.
Everyone, raise your glasses!
Here we go—
To the Purple Cartel's treasurer!
To our cocks!"
Wang Mi-yu, fully energized, lifted her glass high.
"To our cocks!"
Clink—
We lightly tapped our glasses together.
The sound of clinking crystal set the mood ablaze.
Gulp...
The 20.1%-proof soju slid down my throat, sweet and warm.
And just like that, I stepped into the embrace of the Purple Cartel.
