Chapter 143: Approach (10)
Melissa and Bianca. Both of them were incredibly burdensome people.
I didn't know the exact details of just how formidable they were. But a wave of crisis washed over me—if I got dragged in without any countermeasures, I could end up seriously screwed.
While being forcibly invited and transported, I frantically scoured the shop. I figured the only way to escape this mess unscathed was with items. Since I made a habit of browsing the shop regularly, pinpointing something useful in this pinch wasn't too tough.
"Everyone, out."
"Pardon? But—"
"I'm so embarrassed right now I can't even show my face. I don't want to see your ugly mugs either, so get lost."
She didn't raise her voice, but her tone was vicious enough to cut. Finally, the female bodyguards slunk away in a herd.
Perfect for me. They'd been getting on my nerves, preventing me from using an item, but now that she was clearing the room on her own, I might just pull it off if I played it right.
"I sent them away since you seemed uncomfortable from the start."
"Of course I was uncomfortable. Who wouldn't be scared with those goons looming nearby?"
"They're just props, no different from folding screens. They won't breathe a word of our talk anywhere, and I have no intention of harming you, Haesol-ssi, so no need to fear."
"Only someone like you could see them as mere props."
Pretending to consider my convenience after the fact and sending them out wouldn't win her any brownie points with me. She was playing innocent, but I'd already clocked it. Leaving her guards close by was to pressure my psyche, and now "considering my comfort" by dismissing them was just a ploy to buy my goodwill.
Calculating bitch. She must've gotten annoyed when the pressure tactic didn't faze me and told them to scram.
If it had worked, she wouldn't have dismissed the guards. But I had my pink bear doll. Recalling its specs in my jacket pocket, there was zero reason to flinch. Cute as hell on the outside, but its power was downright monstrous.
◈ You've been crushing hard for ages? Tried ten times and the tree won't budge, but you still can't let go? Give this a shot! Turns that ungrateful lover who rejects your affection into a doll that adores only you. Even if the feelings aren't genuine!
◈ (Powerful brainwashing effect. Extreme caution advised. No liability for legal issues.)
Inflicts a brainwashing curse on the target. They become a puppet doll, trusting and loving the user more deeply than themselves. All negative emotions toward the user are absorbed by the bear doll. Obeys any command without refusal—even death.
*Effect may halve based on target's mental strength—keep doll close continuously.
*Damage to doll may lift curse.
*Cherish and store safely.
*If curse lifts, absorbed emotions double back to target.
1. Gift the "Cursed Doll" to the target.
2. Lock eyes with the doll's pupils and the target.
3. Once curse activates, keep doll and target close for 60 minutes.
I didn't like forcing people through coercive means, and I'd never used items like this before. But I wasn't about to sit pretty without precautions, assuming it'd all work out.
Strike first before she pulls any shit.
The conditions were tricky, but the payoff was worth enduring them.
In other words, I'd gift the doll and then keep chatting with her for a full hour. Suddenly gifting a doll to someone I'd just met after being dragged here? No conversation fodder for 60 minutes, and she sure as hell wouldn't accept it gladly—or treasure it afterward.
Still, succeed with this, and I can puppet that woman however I want. Worth a shot.
This was my first brush with a chaebol family approach, but as my career ramped up, crap like this would pop up more. So I planned to use her as a shield. No guilt since she'd already screwed me over—perfect fit.
"Did I offend you?"
Being dragged here forcibly made my prickly attitude natural, but Bianca looked baffled by it.
"What's there to offend? I'm not the folding screen here. Just get to the point so I can stick to my schedule. You did drag me here against my will—can't exactly be polite in this setup."
"Ah... right. Usually, folks swallow their gripes once they hear the family name, so my bad. I called you here because of Melissa."
"Drama incoming? Envelope of cash to stay away from my little sister?"
"Totally different. Honestly, I'm a bit embarrassed. Meddling in my little sister's love life feels ridiculous, even if she's family."
You hate embarrassment so much, why keep at it? I swallowed my snark, and Bianca continued.
"Melissa's got a huge thing for you, Haesol-ssi. Problem is, my sister's got rotten habits. She won't rest until she claims any guy she sets her sights on."
"No holds barred, huh."
"Exactly. Especially splashing insane cash to snag him. Normally, you'd think it'd end well if she went that far, but nope. The moment she conquers a guy who wasn't into her, her 'love' fizzles out."
"Love dies the instant she wins him over..."
What kind of woman is like that?
"Her love's totally warped. The crush is her romance. Seducing the guy is the relationship to her. Once he falls? Melissa's done. She neglects him. Pours her heart in, then ghosts the second they're official—how do you think that leaves the guy?"
"......"
What was there to say? He'd feel filthy. And if it ended there, lucky him—might even self-blame for nothing.
"Her views on love are... unique."
"I thought age would fix her bad habits. Scolded her plenty, but no dice. Now she's marriage age, and if she doesn't straighten up, her married life'll be hell."
World's full of weirdos, but this selfish brand of love? First time seeing it. Lure someone in, then bail—no accountability. Toying with emotions like that? Straight-up scum.
"I'd love for you to fix her habits, Haesol-ssi. Want money? Here. Connections? I got you. Even if she knows the full situation, I'll shield you from any backlash."
So that's why she dug for my weaknesses—to rope me into this. If she'd found any, we wouldn't be chatting civilly now.
"Why should I?"
"Time to think rationally—for your future. Reasons? Plenty! Consider the rewards. Imagine what I can do for you."
"Anything goes?"
"Accept this today, and it'll be the smartest move of your life."
Her confident vibe screamed legit chaebol, not some fly-by-night clan. I pretended to mull it over, stalling. I'd decided ages ago, post-situation assessment.
"Not an easy call."
"Take all the time you need."
"You're tasking me with something doable? Fixing habits ain't simple."
"If you actively help, we'll nail it. Fail or not, rewards stay, no backlash for you."
High return, zero risk. Only a fool says no—if you buy her word.
Lies or not, doesn't matter. Like her, I'd hit my goal and bounce.
"...Fine. I'm in."
"Smart choice!!"
Cooperating? Piece of cake. Rotten sister habits? Item fixes that easy. Extreme fix? Fuck Melissa, addict her to my cum—done. No other guy'd register.
She thinks it's just her sister with issues, but from where I'm sitting, this one's a psycho too.
Bianca needed fixing too. Melissa toyed with "love" like a game; Bianca dug weaknesses to puppeteer people—vile habit. She'd done this song and dance plenty, it showed.
For their sake—and max humanity—I'd cure 'em root and stem.
Jeki deserves better than these wrecks. Post-fix, hook him up proper. Gotta be sane women in chaebol families, right?
"How do I cooperate?"
"Melissa'll support you across the board. Accept freely—she loves making guys squirm. 'Why's she doing this to me? It's burdensome!' That vibe. Get it?"
"Yeah."
"Act the sly fox to hook her deeper. Probe, tease on the edge of falling—but don't. Longest she's lasted is five months; aim for a year."
Tease till her patience snaps, fake-fall, then date someone else.
"She'll freak. Thinks you're hers, then boom—another girl? Why? Don't you love me? Total confusion."
Bianca saw her sister's core flaw: no jealousy over stolen men. Pride should've stung, but to her, interest was already gone—future irrelevant.
"Snatch a guy whose heart's still hers? Lightning bolt to the brain. Shock like that'll kill the habit, right?"
Fix via heartbreak theft? Sketchy plan, tons of variables.
"Doesn't seem like it'll go smooth. Too many wild cards."
"Making it go my way? That's on me. You just follow orders—no downsides. I'll rig it airtight."