Wise Living (2)
After the IMF regime, many conglomerates crumbled, but a few stubbornly held onto their size through the brutal storms. And some even used it as a springboard to leap forward... The prime examples were Daeha Group and Mirae Group.
"Who cares about the others—Mirae Group feels a bit dangerous." Unlike other conglomerates that could be bulldozed with money, Mirae had one crucial difference. A president had come from their family. Cha Sang-hyeon, the half-brother of the current Mirae Group Chairman Cha Sang-hee... would later climb to the pinnacle of political power.
The 16th President of Korea, Cha Sang-hyeon. After the foreign exchange crisis had mostly wrapped up, he seized the reins—but back then, the business world didn't think much of him. He'd been a student activist in the old days. His relationship with the Mirae chairman was strained due to their age gap and various incidents.
...Honestly, it didn't mean much. For people at that level, blood ties easily bridged even frosty relations with synergy. Yeah, a president, after all. In this country with its imperial presidency—sometimes called the emperor system—that was no laughing matter.
I'd heard Daeha Group took a hit back then too... and probably me as well. What if, when I tried to swallow Mirae Group whole, the government openly took their side? What if they mobilized the National Intelligence Service to dig into some shady foreign company?
I wasn't even American-born; raised on this Korean soil, I couldn't win. Well, if we clashed head-on, I might not lose, but the unnecessary losses would be massive.
Cha Sang-hyeon becomes the 16th president, so his term originally starts in 2003... but who knows. I've messed with history plenty of times. Butterfly effects could pop up anywhere.
That's why I needed to lay groundwork with Mirae Group now. That was the reason I'd carved out time from my busy schedule to attend this social gathering hosted by Mirae.
Mirae Group's family tree is pretty complicated. The founder, Cha Sin-young, had six kids... The eldest was ousted, and with multiple wives, there were fierce fights from the maternal sides too. Even the founder's siblings' kids and grandkids held key positions as notable families.
Naturally, they split into factions and bickered constantly. Cha Sang-hyeon's sudden dive into politics probably had roots in that mess. Anyway... if a few Mirae sidelines in the judiciary subtly delivered "fair judgments," it could derail my plans.
Most judges and prosecutors could be bought with bribes, but blood ties made it tough.
"Um... what if I say something dumb? Like leaking secrets, or coming off uncultured and getting teased..."
Seo Ji-yeon seemed worried about something weird. You know, like in dramas where rich kids gather and snipe at each other.
"It's fine. They don't know much anyway."
Art events, charity galas... those were excuses; it was just a plain social mixer. I'd wondered why they bothered at first, but nothing beat it for casually meeting kids from other families. I didn't need connections much myself... but today was special. My target had shown up.
After a quick explanation, I patted my subordinate's shoulder lightly.
"Got it, Ji-yeon? The most important friend you'll meet today is the granddaughter of Chairman Cha Sin-young's younger brother. Nothing big, but be careful, okay?"
-Nod nod.
Seo Ji-yeon, in the blue dress I'd bought her, nodded with a determined look.
"Yes, got it! I won't let you down, miss."
I chuckled softly. It was kids' squabbles on a grand scale, but peanuts compared to the real games.
They'd rented out an entire Seoul hotel for the party, but to me, it was laughable. The current Mirae chairman probably didn't even know her name. That's why I was targeting her.
"I'm just bringing you to gain experience, so don't overdo it..."
-Creak.
I pushed open the ornately decorated door. I'd arrived latest, so the place was already packed. How tacky.
"Ahaha, hi? Long time no see?"
I smiled brightly, scanning the room. It was filled with cold and hot stares aimed at me.
"M-Miss, why's the vibe like this?"
Seo Ji-yeon whispered anxiously. I flashed a light smile and murmured back,
"No biggie. Just jealousy."
Chaebol chairmen's chats weren't much different. They bragged about kids and grandkids. And my grandfather, who adored the genius Yoo Ha-yeon, had boasted a ton. Other kids of my age trembled at the name Yoo Ha-yeon.
Ah, that's why I hated coming. 'But maybe better this time.' I knew the host, at least.
But then...
"Ha! You actually came?"
A familiar snide voice hit, and I reflexively squeezed my eyes shut.
-Splash.
Water flew at me.
"Ugh."
Droplets ran down my face. The mineral water soaked my chest, pooling suggestively in my cleavage.
Tittering laughs echoed from corners of the hall.
"Nngh... First time in a dress in ages."
Hmm. Brutal.
The one who'd doused me with mineral water was an extra.
"Heard the rumors are wild lately? About our little miss."
"M-Miss, here's a towel..."
Seo Ji-yeon's arms shook as she wiped the water from my face. When my reaction stayed cool, the extra got antsy and kept yapping.
"Ha, dressed like a whore, they said. Spot on now. Why bother wiping? Just go cuddle some guy and beg him to suck your tits like usual."
Listen to her. Good thing the water pooled, or I'd have been disappointed.
She talked big, but inside, she was tense. Sprinkling clean mineral water? Sticky drinks would've been a hassle to clean.
Yeah, that's it.
"Sigh... Seon-ah, that's too much. Apologize. No matter the grudge, this isn't the way."
Finally, a character stepped up to scold her. The room subtly agreed. Funny as my humiliation was, rudeness was rudeness.
"Huh?"
"Apologize. Didn't you hear?"
What a shameless bitch—she'd ordered it herself. Still repulsive.
"...Okay."
Finally bowing like she was sorry, the extra scurried over.
"Fine, I went too far this time. Call it payback for last time. Got it, Yoo Ha-yeon?"
Out of sight behind her, as she pretended to stroke my cheek, she mouthed,
-'Sorry. P-Please spare me.'
Fun. Yeah.
"We're good. Scram."
She retreated with a natural contemptuous look, anxious about my meaning. Whatever... I had no real grudge against extras.
Truth was, back in elementary school, I'd pulled something similar on her—with coffee. Poor thing couldn't even revenge properly.
Why? 'Cause someone called her an orphan without parents.
'...Sigh.' Thinking back, it pissed me off. You're my stress doll.
Anyway, today I had to hold back, so I laughed it off like always.
"Ahaha, some welcome. Don't trust me that much?"
A mild-mannered man stepped forward with a smile.
"Cut us some slack. You're too perfect, Ha-yeon. Kids just being bratty."
His eyes leered during the handshake... sleazy, but whatever. It was intentional, no issue. The kind of scene I'd normally love.
After the commotion, as I greeted the others, a stir erupted at the next table. The star of the party I'd come for had arrived.
Me? Technically a gatecrasher or final boss. She was the real protagonist here.
"Oh. Mirae Group's Cha Ba-da showed up too. Thought jealousy would keep you away."
How'd she get a name like Boston Harbor?
"Hmph. Says the one who fled to another school. What's there to be jealous of? I'm just here to meet friends."
Grumbling but eyes glued to me, Ba-da sidled closer.
"Nngh, I was being considerate. If I went to your school... you'd never be top of the class."
The tsundere flinched and muttered,
"Considerate my ass. She just wanted to stand out."
Ahaha. Bingo.
Said it a million times, but chaebol kids aren't superhumans. Their issue? Ordinary humans wielding extraordinary power. Especially unstable teens—twisted personalities were inevitable.
"—So I get it. They're idiots. It happens."
Ba-da, my age-mate, twirled her hair and sighed faintly.
"Don't wanna hear that from you."
"Still jealous of my genius, huh?"
Hmph. I checked my spare white party dress in the mirror and applied light makeup.
I'd changed ignoring the stares, so the main hall had just us three. Ba-da had shooed others away, envious of my beauty.
"...Still marching to your own beat."
Huddled Seo Ji-yeon perked up at Ba-da's chatter.
"...M-Miss, i-is she someone you met before?"
Ba-da frowned slightly.
"Talk casual. We're same age."
"I-I couldn't..."
Seo Ji-yeon glanced at me nervously; Ba-da nodded.
"Sigh, fine. Yeah, we met. Before elementary school, briefly."
"Oh, and I won, FYI."
"Ha, won what?"
Playing dumb? Or too old to remember. I kindly recounted.
"There was this girl riding high, who met the sky above the sky. Tsk tsk, skies over the sea and all."
"...Knew I didn't like you. Dragging up ancient history."
"Too bad. I like you."
Uncle President's favorite niece, right? Pretty face, good personality—chaebol girl charm. Popular, inevitably. Not quite my level, but structured just like me.
"So, why're you here? Miss Genius from mighty Daeha."
Curiosity flickered in her eyes. Why would the acclaimed Daeha prodigy show here? But no spoilers. She's pissed now.