Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Genre: NTL (1)
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👤 CHARACTER PROFILE 👤
📛 Name: Elizabeth Gwen (Female/20 years old)
❤️ Relationship: Curiosity
📜 Profile: The only granddaughter of Chairman Gwen. Fiancée of Duran Francesco, son of Chairman Francesco. Gwen Corporation ranks 3rd among Dark City's conglomerates. To surpass Sanctuary Corp, the Francesco and Gwen families formed a marriage alliance. She met the player 'Bal Jeong-nam' for the first time today; shows no particular interest in him.
⚡ Supernatural Ability: None
'Eh, no superpowers after all.'
Lately I've run into so many superpowered folks—maybe that's why? Confirming Elizabeth had none left me disappointed right off the bat.
'Well, who cares about superpowers. Her face and figure are level 10 superpowers!'
And those tits! Those were the real superpowers. By eye, at least E-cups. Elizabeth was packing S-rank superpowers—no, tits.
"Hey! You deaf or what?!"
An irritated voice pulled my gaze from Elizabeth to Duran. His upturned eyes screamed fury.
'Ugh, an assault to my eyes.'
Duran wasn't ugly. He's handsome enough for showbiz, tall too. But male? Plenty to torment my eyes.
Anyway, right now I wasn't the Villain Steel Armor. I was chaebol heir Bal Jeong-nam, so time to play the part.
"Ah, sorry. Been ages since a shindig like this. What'd you say?"
"What?! You little...!"
"Duran, chill."
"Yeah, why even talk to trash like him?"
"Sigh... fine, I'll be the bigger man."
Well aren't they adorable, high-fiving each other's egos. You two rim each other too?
But Duran... seeing him flare up so easy stirred the prankster inside me. Why not mess with him a bit?
"What was that? Oh right! 'What's your deal showing up?' What kinda question is that? You invited me, duh."
"Never dreamed you'd actually show up after that invite..."
"Sorry, but who're you again? Ring any bells?"
"...?"
I cut him off. He blinked, lost at what to say. Man... Duran, buddy, not the sharpest tool in the shed huh? Kinda sad.
"Y-you...!"
He finally clocked me pretending not to know him—his eyes shot up higher.
"How dare you...!"
"Oh yeah! Duran, right? Sorry, sorry. Been scattered brain lately."
"What? You...!"
"But when are you gonna grow tall, huh? Always had to crane my neck looking down. Should ahve worn insoles or something? Talking at eye level's better—no neck strain that way. You shorty Duran."
"..."
I've interrupted him again, teasing him. He gawked up, stupefied.
Past Bal Jeong-nam would have just gone 'hahaha~' and chuckled, no bite.
Now? I'm rudely cutting in, nonstop jabs. To Duran, who'd filed me away as that guy, this was all baffling to him.
Tough luck.
My hardware's intact, but the software? Total overhaul.
'He's not pissed yet? Does he need more? Let's poke the hive.'
"Oh! I heard the news. Congrats, Duran."
"Huh?"
"Your corp snagged 2nd place again? Nice eternal silver medal. When's our turn gonna come up? Wanna taste 2nd place sometime."
"..."
Didn't take long for his rage to fire up, those stunned eyes are starting to be glaring up.
If glares coul kill someone, I'd be toast. Wait, but since I'm level 10—then maybe not?
"You fucking mutt!"
"Du-Duran!"
"Hold him!"
The raging Duran lunged, grabbing my collar. His pals yanked him off. Host this pissed? The party is tanked.
"You mutt! Done flapping your mouth?! Let go! I'm killing this prick today!"
"Duran! Calm down!"
'Kekekeke~ Fun times.'
I made an inward cackle as his friends dragged him off. Duran being teased was gold.
"Duran! Why! 2nd's solid! Cool it!"
"That prick! Hey! Let go! I'll shoot him! Uwaaaah!"
"Quick, haul Duran out! Trouble's brewing!"
"No clue why he's losing it."
I cocked my head, pure innocence on my face.
'Kekekeke~'
Frivolous laughs inside.
The host bounced, but the party's on. Came this far—gotta nosh. Gotta eat to live.
"Man, I'm starving. Gotta grab something... Huh?"
"..."
Duran's fiancée Elizabeth lingered, not chasing him. Just staring me up.
"Something to say?"
"You're nothing like the rumors."
"Me? What'd Duran spew?"
"Brash, rude. Mistreats women."
"Nah~ Don't rough up ladies. Handle 'em like treasures."
Shook my head denying. A flash of Yuna popped up.
'Cry! Sow bitch!'
'Oink! Oink~!'
...Since I'm her owner though, those are my perks? So that's fine, probably. I think?
She said different from rumors.
"So, how'm I different?"
"Cowardly."
"Pardon? Cowardly?"
"Yes. You baited Duran on purpose."
"..."
Sharp one. Actually duh—even thickos caught me roasting him.
Don't want her pegging me as a bad guy—got to switch topics.
"Anyway, miss? How about some proper intros? Howard Brakshinov Bal. You?"
"Howard Brakshinov Bal? Bal Jeong-nam, right?"
"...Spot on. You know me."
Cool fake name bombed instantly. Bal Jeong-nam—it's embarrassing everywhere. Crap!
She's an expressionless queen. Wonder if she'd hold it... under me?
"Elizabeth Gwen."
"Gwen? Then..."
"Yes. Grandfather's Hound Gwen."
"Chairman Gwen! So you're his only granddaughter?"
"Correct."
I faked my fresh discovery—the system already spoiled it. My tutorial system's toast past midnight. Can I get a replacement for it?
"Beauty lives up to the hype."
Mwah!
I went for a natural hand-back peck. Then she just drops this curveball.
"Gonna rile me up too?"
"Huh? Why?"
What? Pissed at a kiss?! Fucking hell?!
"Francesco's perennial 2nd—just like how Gwen Group's an eternal 3rd place."
Ah, the wheels have been turning wrong.
She figured my Duran jabs as #1 dunking the eternal #2. So #1 mocks #3 next, naturally.
"Whoa~ No way. That was just me messing with Duran."
"Messing with him?"
"Totally. We've been buddies since forever ago. Plus, I don't work for Sanctuary Corp. No title and no buisness cards. I have no intention for inheriting the company."
"You're not taking the company?"
Did that shocked her? It cracked her poker face—now she's eyes wide.
"Yep. It's the company my parents nurtured—they run it their way."
"Then the rumors are true."
"Rumors? Some dirt on me?"
She drops a bomb.
"No. Your sibling would inherit the company. I thought it was BS..."
What?
"...Come again?"
"I thought it was BS..."
"No, prior to that. Who inherits the company?"
Puzzled look.
"Your sibling. Bal Jeong-nam's sister, Bal Ji-na."
"..."
I'm legit shocked—nearly somersaulted.
Sister?!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
That instant Bal Jeong-nam learned of a sister at Duran's bash, Bal mansion welcomed back the family's eldest daughter—Bal Jeong-nam's sister Bal Ji-na—from [Red Town] studies.
"We've awaited you, miss. Long time no see."
"Yes, Uncle Chris."
Ji-na smiled, then nodded. She scanned her surroundings, then asked the butler.
"Where's Father and Mother?"
"Ah... the Chairman and Madam..."
"Ah... yeah, I figured."
Chris hemmed; so she nodded knowingly, cutting him. They were Honeymooners for forever—no secrets between each other.
Even when she checks in, they were always a duo.They might even be always together, even in a bathroom.
"How about brother?"
"Young master's at Duran-ssi's birthday party."
"Duran? That scum?"
Ji-na scowled. That socialite slime always smearing her bro? She's known about it.
"Inside, please. The room's prepped."
"Thanks, Uncle Chris. But why's bro at that trash fest? He hates that scene."
Chris beamed fondly.
"Who knows... maybe he's a true man now?"
"Huh?"
"N-never mind. Enter.I'll whipped up a pineapple pizza and mint choco pie—for you."
"Whoa! For real? Uncle's the best!"
She blissed at her faves.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Memory dive confirmed it: My sister is real. We even have a tight bond. Like no others.
'But... so?'
Shock factor is still high to me. End of story.
Not boning sis—no sweat on that. My priority is Elizabeth who's ahead of me.
I ditched Yuna to make time for this—gotta score her.
"How about another drink?"
"Please."
"Bartender."
Gave her a quick cocktail. She slurped like pro.
"Elizabeth, you're 20?"
"Slurp... yep."
"Yet your engaged to that geezer Duran, why?"
"Kek... geezer... pfft!"
Booze loosened her. Prim poise held, but smiles bloomed. Cheeks flushed—buzzed hard.
Three cocktails in... she seems like a lightweight.
"Bal Jeong-nam's a geezer too then?"
"Guilty as charged. I'm an old fart here."
"Pfft! Kekeke... old fart... hehe."
"..."
Was it that hilarious? That was dry as dust for a joke. Does this girl giggle at tumbleweeds?
"Sigh..."
Sudden she pouts.
"At home... they told me to get engaged. So I did."
"No sisters?"
"Nah...I've got tons. Though they insisted on me... or bust."
The status window nailed it: number #2+#3 wedded to each other would keep the top #1 company in check. A strong synergy tactic.
The price for that would be a fresh 20yo girl.
Aw... I pitied Elizabeth. Hang tight! Bro's got you!
"Whew. Family duty or not, that's pretty harsh. Baby sis taking the hit..."
"I've enjoyed some perks since forever... gotta repay them now..."
It seems she hated the marriage with Duran. Getting teary eyed she made a soft whisper.
"Elizabeth do you hate your engagement?"
"I-it's..."
"Spill it honestly. I'll keep it a secret. Hate's hate! Love's love! Out with it."
"Truthly... yes. I hate marrying. My dreams would be undone... I'm still just 20... it's still too soon."
"Right?"
I put my hand to her lips. While hiding my grin.
I side-eyed the crowd and softly whisper.
"Want me to help?"
"Huh?"
"I can help ditch Duran. I got a way."
Her eyes popped.
"For real?"
"Yup. Though its crowded here... how about we move to a quieter spot?"
"Ah, how about my room."
"Perfect. Shall we?"
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