Chapter 280: Honest Opinion
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 280: Honest Opinion
— Oh Yun-ji -
"Should I just not pick up?"
While I was seriously debating it, the call cut off again. It was because I’d let it ring for too long.
Vrrr! Vrrr! Vrrr!
— Oh Yun-ji -
She was calling back. At this point, it felt less like a phone call and more like a threat.
"Aren't you going to answer?"
Choi Jin-ah asked, glancing my way. Look at her, asking on purpose when she knows exactly what’s going on.
"Ahem, I should, right?"
"Of course."
Look at how cold she is when it’s not her problem. I took a long breath and finally swiped the answer button.
"H-hello?"
— Woo-jin, thank you.
"Huh?"
It was an unexpectedly warm voice. I had fully expected Yun-ji to curse me out for revealing our private lives and letters without permission. Was she actually moved by the fact that I was trying this hard?
— I mean it. Thank you.
"Oh, no, it was nothing."
— Thanks to you, I’m checking out of the hospital right now. I’m too embarrassed to stay here.
"..."
— You said you were at the main house, right? Yeah, just wait. I’m coming over to rip you apart right now!
"W-wait! Yun-ji, listen to me! It’s a mis... well, it’s not a misunderstanding, but there was a reason for this!"
— I don't care if there was a reason or not! I’ve become the woman who leaked her love letters to the entire nation!
"No, but it worked out in our favor. You’ve literally become a tragic heroine now! Even your father won't be able to cast you aside so easily!"
— I’m going to kill you! Kim Woo-jin! I’ll kill you!
Yun-ji’s explosive rage showed no signs of stopping. In the end, I hung up as if I were running away.
"Phew."
Thank goodness. I really thought she was coming.
"Is she not coming?"
Choi Jin-ah asked with a sidelong glance, sounding almost disappointed. It seemed she was hoping for a dramatic reunion scene like something out of a drama.
"Of course she isn't! Besides, Father should be back any minute."
Speak of the devil. No sooner had I finished my sentence than I saw Father’s car outside the window. Shortly after, he entered the house accompanied by my Big Hyung.
"You're home?"
I didn't usually go out to greet him, but I wanted to see him today. Seeing as Big Hyung, who usually lives on his own, was with him, there must be something to discuss.
"Come to the study."
Father told me to follow him immediately. Mom tried to step in to lighten the mood, but unfortunately, the atmosphere wasn't right for that.
I caught Big Hyung’s eye for a moment, and he gave me a small nod. It meant the biggest crisis had passed.
Thinking to myself that I’d been spending a lot of time in Father’s study lately, I stepped inside. Big Hyung waited outside, so it was a private meeting with Father.
"I saw the broadcast."
"How did you see it? It just ended."
"Jae-un showed it to me on the way here."
"Well? What do you think? Don't you think public opinion is starting to shift toward Yun-ji?"
If that were the case, our image—having remained silent while suing those who attacked Yun-ji—would also look quite good. Provided, of course, that we didn't cast Yun-ji aside.
"It is still insufficient."
However, Father assessed the situation coldly.
"..."
"Nothing has been definitively proven yet. Everyone is just saying plausible things, but there is no hard evidence."
Father pointed out that it was still ambiguous whether the Fact Killer was telling the truth or if we were.
"It’s possible," I countered with a smile. "It’s absolutely possible. That’s why I intentionally dragged things out with cases like the old investment fraud that won't even make it to trial."
"You have something."
"In exchange, there might be some backlash later. Please just take care of that part."
"Hmm."
Father lowered his voice as if in deep thought. Since opportunities like this were rare, I pressed on.
"Yun-ji will now be seen as a victim by the public. Specifically, a proactive and charming tragic heroine who is overcoming her life's obstacles through love."
"..."
"The public will start weighing the options. There are probably articles out already. Is she a wicked woman living off the inheritance left by a murderer father, or is she a pure-hearted woman who couldn't overcome the walls of reality?"
The reporters were probably having a field day thanks to us.
"Are you saying you have the evidence to pull public opinion to our side?"
"Yes. I’m releasing it tomorrow."
"Hmm."
"Are you still going to cast Yun-ji aside? You know better than anyone what benefits us, Father."
We hadn't revealed to the public that the bet was already over because Father had cheated. We only let it be known that they had broken up due to unfortunate circumstances.
"If you're going to protect her, do it properly."
Public opinion was going to swing our way anyway. Wouldn't it be better to inflate it beforehand and establish an image of us protecting Yun-ji?
Father was now staring at me intently. If he had the eyes of a businessman just a moment ago, he seemed a bit softer now.
"Do you intend to marry Yun-ji?"
"Th-that..."
My answer was bound to be hesitant. Honestly, I hadn't thought that marriage with Yun-ji was actually possible at this point. And I had three other women to consider.
"Sigh. If your complicated dating life becomes public, there could be another backlash."
"I know... That’s why I’ll be careful."
"Woo-jin."
Father slowly stood up and walked toward me with long strides. I flinched at the unusual atmosphere, but the words he spoke next were...
"You are the one suited to be my successor."
He was as relentless as ever.
"That again. I told you, I don't know anything about the company as a whole, and I have zero knowledge of management."
"How many times must I tell you? Knowledge can be learned."
It wasn't hard to realize that Father had been disappointed in Big Hyung during this incident. And I wasn't stupid enough to miss that it had happened because Big Hyung had taken my side.
"I don't want to. I’m absolutely not doing it."
"There is no such thing as 'absolutely.'"
"..."
"There is plenty of time until you graduate from university. Think about it slowly."
Had he ever spoken to me in such a gentle tone? I wondered if he was switching from the whip to the carrot. For a split second, my heart softened, but...
"It will be the same then."
I walked out firmly.
*
"Ha, fuck."
Fact Killer, a Neutuber whose stock had been soaring recently, spat out a curse as he looked at his stagnating subscriber count. Ever since the broadcast with the investigation team leader, people had been debating whether the things he’d "proven" were actually lies.
The only saving grace was that Oh Yun-ji’s innocence hadn't been perfectly established yet.
"What is this? This is bullshit!"
Star Studio, where Oh Yun-ji was the CEO. MCNs have many fans, but they also have many anti-fans, so he thought attacking them would be enough to boost his recognition. Moreover, she was the daughter of the murderer Oh Cheong-min, and Fact Killer had even personally contacted the victims of Oh Cheong-min to hear their stories.
He’d added some exaggerated "sauce," but it was true that the man had committed fraud, wasn't it?
"Seeing as Uju Group hasn't moved yet, doesn't that mean Oh Yun-ji did take some money?"
The communities were still buzzing, and the comment section of Fact Killer’s videos was being updated in real-time. The debate was this:
Did Oh Yun-ji really not receive a single cent from her father, Oh Cheong-min?
If she received or used that money, he would win. Fact Killer believed that.
"Trying to cover up a heinous crime with some childish melodrama."
Gritting his teeth, Fact Killer checked to see if his video was uploading. It covered Oh Yun-ji’s college tuition, living expenses, and so on—claiming she couldn't possibly have lived without receiving money from Oh Cheong-min.
"Fuuuuu."
Fact Killer closed his eyes for a moment and checked the comments a few minutes later.
↳ Doesn't seem like he's wrong?
↳ This is a total 'Downfall Show.' Fact Killer is really twisting his whole body for this.
↳ But it does seem likely she took the money.
↳ Agreed. Jin Mi-ae was the mistress, but Oh Yun-ji was the daughter on the family register.
"Ha, hahahaha!"
Yes, this was it. This was the reaction. The likes were good, and his video was spreading through the communities in an instant. He lit a cigarette as he watched the revenue climb.
'Even if it's Uju Group, they shouldn't be defending a murderer's daughter.'
Ever since he started sniping Oh Yun-ji, other cyber wreckers had begun to rise up one by one. Now, they were quiet again. They were probably laying low because of the divided public opinion, but Fact Killer saw this as an opportunity.
'Stupid bastards. They’re just getting cursed at for tucking their tails between their legs in the face of a big corporation’s tyranny.'
He was different. He was standing up against a socially twisted perspective—!
↳ Fact Killer, did you see this video?
A new comment had a URL attached. And more comments were appearing rapidly.
↳ LOL, he’s screwed.
↳ Holy shit, hahahaha!
↳ Hey, wasn't they just waiting for Fact Killer to move?
↳ Rest in peace.
↳ Unsubscribing.
↳ Downfall downfall downfall downfall downfall.
"Huh?"
He felt the hair on his neck stand up. His hand was already clicking the link. A video he’d never seen before had been uploaded.
The setting was a prison visitation room. The time was shortly before he’d posted his sniping video.
— Fa...ther.
Oh Yun-ji called out to Oh Cheong-min through the partition.
— You... you’re my daughter?
Oh Cheong-min, looking surprised, greeted her with a bright smile. The video continued with a chilling atmosphere starting from the greeting.
— Right, right! I knew something was weird! I was wondering why you suddenly stopped contacting me! There was a reason!
— ...Pardon?
— No, no! It’s nothing! My goodness, my daughter! Who knew you’d grow up to be this pretty!
Tap, tap, tap.
An urgent sound echoed from somewhere. It was the sound of Fact Killer unconsciously biting his nails.
— I came because there’s something I want to ask.
— Hmm? Something to ask? Sure, sure! Ask anything!
Even after that, Oh Yun-ji couldn't bring herself to ask. Instead, Oh Cheong-min only asked about her age, college, and job.
— Wait. A long time ago... I mean, when you first came here.
But Oh Yun-ji, having steeled herself, cut him off and started her question again.
— You... murdered many people.
Her trembling form looked pitiful to an extreme degree.
— You... regret it, right? You know it was wrong?
At Oh Yun-ji’s plea for him to ask for forgiveness, Oh Cheong-min’s gaze changed.
— Are you kidding me? My fault? What do you know that you’re talking about regret? If you knew what those bastards did back then, you would have stabbed them to death too!
Vicious words followed. Fact Killer felt a chill watching it, but he still thought there was no evidence that Oh Yun-ji hadn't taken the money.
But then.
— Wait! Not yet! There’s something I haven't said! The money! Did you find the money?! You came to give it to me, right? That’s why you’re here! You came to tell me you found it!
— Your mother! Jin Mi-ae told you! That’s why you’re here! You found the money, right? Right? Isn't that right?!
At Oh Cheong-min’s shouting, which was practically a confession of his fraudulent activities, Oh Yun-ji burst into the tears she’d been holding back and replied.
— M-my... mother is Shin Yoon-ah.
— What? You were Yoon-ah’s daughter?
Then, Oh Cheong-min was dragged away without hesitation. That was the end. The content wasn't that long, but the impact was, of course, massive.
↳ Holy shit, that guy is a total psycho.
↳ Oh Cheong-min didn't even know she was his daughter.
↳ He thought she was Jin Mi-ae’s daughter the whole time, lol. This is ridiculous.
↳ Wow, a person’s life can really be like this.
↳ Look at how shameless he is after ruining a kid’s life.
↳ It looks like Oh Yun-ji didn't know anything about the money at all.
↳ She was an abandoned child. Tsk, what’s Fact Killer going to do now?
↳ Fact Killer is probably going to meet Oh Cheong-min soon.
"Ah..."
What on earth... Where did this video come from? Was it even legal to release internal prison visitation footage like this?
While his head was spinning with various thoughts...
Vrrr!
— Oh Yun-ji’s Ex-boyfriend -
A call came in for Fact Killer. He didn't know if this was a lifeline or a rotten rope, but he answered urgently.
"H-h-hello!"
— Did you see the video? I was bored to death waiting for you to post your next sniping video before I uploaded it.
"You! How did you get this! Just because you’re from a chaebol family, you think you can just leak prison footage however you want?!"
— Oh, sorry, but that video was obtained through a legitimate request.
"What?"
— We recently indicted Oh Cheong-min and Ms. Jin Mi-ae. We requested the visitation video as evidence of a confession. Anyone involved can view it through a request for access to investigation records.
"Even so! Even so, you spread it on the internet?! Are you crazy! I’m going to sue you for this!"
— I don't know what you’ll sue for, but go ahead. Try your best while seeking legal advice. Do you think I would have leaked this without checking with our people first?
"You son of a bitch! You’re going to act like this?! You act all righteous, but in the end, you screw me over by leaking trial evidence?!"
— Hmm? I thought you liked this kind of thing.
— A statement of conviction.
The voice, laced with ridicule, threw back the exact line Fact Killer had used before.
'I usually don't mention real names, but today I’m making a statement of conviction. Oh Yun-ji! Are you really that confident?!'
"Y-you...!"
— That video is our side’s statement of conviction. Even if there are some legal flaws, I felt like I had to say what needed to be said.
"Haaa! Huuuuuu!"
His head felt like it was on fire. But Fact Killer wasn't a complete idiot. Public opinion had already shifted. It had been revealed to the world that that stupid murderer had abandoned his own daughter and wife because he was obsessed with a mistress.
In that case, what he had to do was...
"I-I-I’m sorry."
He knelt and tucked his tail. Just like the other cyber wreckers he had ridiculed. But his opponent was more ruthless than he imagined.
— The opportunity passed a long time ago. I have no intention of forgiving you.
"P-please!"
— Sorry, our Chairman is quite angry. The stock price dropped, the shareholders are in an uproar, the employees are anxious, and a girl he cares about was torn apart by public opinion. The company’s losses are no joke.
"Wait! Please! Just listen to me once! Actually, I’m unemployed, so I just wanted some attention—!"
Click.
The call was cut off. Fact Killer stared blankly at his phone before slowly looking at his computer screen. His subscriber count, which had been soaring toward the sky, was now plummeting.
↳ Of all the people to bully, you bully someone like her.
↳ If you wanted to make money that badly, go do manual labor.
↳ I could tell he was a loser just by looking at his face.
↳ Tsk tsk. If you tried to make money by selling out the victims' families, how are you any different from Oh Cheong-min?
↳ Dumbass.
The people who had taken his side were nowhere to be found; instead, everyone was pointing spears and swords of words at him.
— Everyone, did you see the content uploaded today? The visitation recording. It’s unbelievable.
— Hello! This is Truth Punch! Something very hot happened recently!
— Hi, unnies and oppas! This is Byeol-cheong! Right now, in real-time!
And...
The other cyber wreckers in the same industry were already swarming in.
"Ha, haha."
A hollow laugh escaped him. He saw the deep, dark river called the internet before his eyes. It was the same river he had pushed Oh Yun-ji into.
"Hahahahahaha."
The piranhas of the internet, with their various names, were now glaring at him. It seemed that this time...
It was his turn to jump into that river.