Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Am I Some Hidden Illegitimate Son of the JC Group?
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JC Group's hidden illegitimate child or something?
'...They're probably thinking the same thing.'
It was obvious without even looking. Plus, the way his face paled as he stared at me blankly made it seem like my guess had hit the mark.
'Dealing with Hwang Tae-in is this easy and straightforward.'
Hwang Tae-in chased after money and power. Labels like or whatever didn't mean much to him.
That's probably why he blindly followed Chairman Hyun Jeong-hu and his son Hyun Tae-seong.
'In short, he's someone with a clear class hierarchy in his head.'
All it took was one shake. If I could just place myself pretty high up on that mental hierarchy of his, Hwang Tae-in would wag his tail at me according to the survival strategy that's kept him alive this far.
'I've been to this private club a few times before. Back when we were pretty chummy collaborating with Hyunmu.'
I'd shared in the VIP privileges of the club owned by the Hyunmu chaebol family. Thanks to that, I could at least pretend to be familiar with the place.
But to Hwang Tae-in, who knew none of that backstory, it must have looked like a completely different kind of signal.
'Even Hyun Tae-seong was originally an illegitimate child. Go up one generation, and illegitimate kids aren't exactly rare in chaebol families.'
A young CEO of a mid-sized company who's shot up like a comet, fresh-faced and inexperienced, origins unclear.
Add in elements like being at home in a private club, and it's complete.
Hwang Tae-in swallowed hard nervously and asked,
"Do you have some special connection with the JC Group?"
Special connection, huh.
Before my regression, we'd had quite a few dealings. But now? We were nothing to each other.
'Ah, the JC Group's joint investment proposal?'
Of course it was a lie.
The JC Group was going all-in on conquering the global market right now, somewhat neglecting the domestic one. They wouldn't have time to pay special attention to a small fry like [The Song].
But that's from my perspective, someone who knew their internal situation to some extent.
'If I claim an offer came under the table, Director Hwang Tae-in has no way to refute it.'
If questioned later, I could just say the proposal did come but talks fell through midway.
But just the story that the JC Group had their eye on us—or even the possibility that I might be their illegitimate child—was enough.
would hesitate to push aggressively anymore. 'The classic shrimp keeping its back safe in a whale fight. Something like that.' Using the power struggle between two giants to balance things out instead.
"Something like that."
I flashed a grin in response, and Hwang Tae-in's face said, [As expected. Of course.] He was probably retracing [The Song]'s bizarrely successful path in his mind. People always want to rationalize overly unrealistic things with their own logic. He'd likely convinced himself that [The Song]'s success had the JC Group backing it. 'Well, if I were a seasoned middle-aged guy, he might've considered the chance this was a bluff.' Director Hwang Tae-in wasn't new to these negotiations either. Plenty of companies must have tried tactics like this. And yet, he'd fallen hook, line, and sinker for my scheme... 'There are times when a youthful face and tender age come in handy.' The power of appearances was huge. I didn't love how it made my words seem less credible. But it had its uses.
"I see. Understood. I failed to recognize you."
"Of course. It's confidential."
Meaning the joint investment proposal between JC Group and [The Song] was hush-hush. It could be interpreted with a slightly different nuance depending on how you heard it. Either way, I'd never explicitly said with my own mouth that I was JC Group's illegitimate child. Even if there was a recorder hidden somewhere in the room, my crime would be name-dropping the JC Group, not impersonating their bastard son. That's a pretty big difference.
"Ahem. If the JC Group made an offer like that, I can understand our <hyunmu> proposal seeming lackluster. We'll review it again on our end."
"Yes. I'd appreciate that."
A revised offer probably wouldn't come. Who'd want to overpay to acquire [The Song], practically a hidden subsidiary of JC? But I pretended not to know a thing and smiled brightly. Playing oblivious was one of my specialties.
"Alright, enough boring business talk. Shall we enjoy some wine? This stuff's a work of art."
"Hahaha. Yes, let's."
Hwang Tae-in glanced at me cautiously as he raised his wine glass.
Clink.
The light chime of glasses touching rang out, and as I swallowed the rich, aromatic wine, I had a gut feeling.
The acquisition issue would never come up again.
Bang!
Hyun Ye-won slammed the table so hard it made a harsh noise. A silly thought crossed my mind: [I hope her palm doesn't hurt.]
"What the hell did you do?!"
Right. That's what she was dying to know, so she'd come straight to me.
Finding her reaction amusing, I deliberately kept my eyes on the documents and asked flatly,
"What?"
"I'm talking about the acquisition merger!"
"That? We talked details, the terms were crap, so I turned it down."
"'Just turned it down'?!"
Hyun Ye-won looked like she might faint.
"You didn't 'just turn it down'! Otherwise, how could that persistent bastard Hyun Tae-seong back off so quick? I know him better than anyone—he's not the type."
Who knows.
Even the mighty Hyun Tae-seong had to drop it this time. One wrong move, and it could've sparked all-out war with the JC Group.
Of course, since I wasn't actually their illegitimate child, that wouldn't happen. But at least they had to consider the possibility.
"...What on earth did you do that Hyunmu's still quiet even after the rejection?"
"Hmm."
"Normally they'd pull some media play. Or mess with our supply chain. But neither? This... this makes no sense...!"
"Plenty of things make no sense. And it's happening right now."
I shrugged.
"Owner!"
Hyun Ye-won wailed my title, drawing it out. Her tone said she knew exactly what she wanted to hear, so why make her ask?
No helping it.
I set down the document file and looked her straight in the eye.
"Once you know the trick behind a magic trick, it's no longer magic. I want to preserve your innocence, so just know it somehow got resolved."
"...!"
"And from now on, no resignation letters without at least a week's serious thought first."
"Ugh."
Hyun Ye-won mumbled, her face crestfallen.
"Back then... I'm sorry. I just felt like I was causing trouble..."
"Once you're part of this company, Hyun Ye-won, protecting our employees from unfair outside attacks is the owner's duty."
I continued calmly.
"So next time, don't worry—just be honest. This wasn't your fault at all."
If anyone's to blame, it's that Hyun Tae-seong punk.
'[How much longer till his drug scandal blows up? If I could speed that up...]'
Lost in that thought, I suddenly realized Hyun Ye-won had gone awfully quiet. I glanced over to see her head bowed low.
No way, is she crying?
My heart dropped—then she snapped her head up.
No tear tracks this time. Her eyes were a bit red, sure. But more striking was the resolute expression, like she'd made up her mind.
"Owner. I don't like my dad much, but there's one thing he taught me that I always stick to."
"?"
"Repay favors tenfold, and grudges tenfold."
Her eyes were so earnest as she said it, I couldn't even joke.
"Someday, I'll definitely repay this favor."
"...To do that, you'll have to deal with Team Leader Cho behind you first, right?"
I pointed behind her, and she whipped around with a "Huh?" There stood Jo Yi-ruk, glaring at Hyun Ye-won through the window with a demon-like scowl.
"Eek! Oh right, the documents you wanted by morning...! Ack!"
Hyun Ye-won jumped in place and bolted out of the office. Not forgetting a polite bow before closing the door.
Click.
After the door shut, I could see Jo Yi-ruk chewing her out through the glass.
"Pfft."
Looks like she'd forgotten about it, too busy stressing over this.
I smiled pleasantly, tapping the desk with my fingertips.
'[I'll be waiting, Hyun Ye-won.]'
Someday, this chaotic Hyunmu heiress would become my goddess of victory.
A brutally cold day that stung my fingertips.
I opened the fridge and immediately wrinkled my nose at the piercing stench. I pulled out one of the neatly stacked ingredients prepped inside.
The moment I sniffed it, nausea surged.
"Urk!"
I nearly hurled up what I'd just eaten. Glaring fiercely into the fridge, I fumed.
"Owner. You served this to customers as-is? All this time?"
I couldn't hold back the rising anger.
"This is rotten! It reeks this bad, and you just left it in the fridge?!"
It was the recording day for the episode that would later be hailed as a legend in [Alleyway Secret Recipes].