The Mission Rewards That Rewrote Fate
By the time the fragrant sweetness of the ginseng chicken soup had faded into something lukewarm, Hong Yu-na was still gazing at it with a quiet, satisfied smile.
“Kang Min-hyuk… well, well. Your instincts are quite sharp after all.”
When she had first introduced ginseng chicken soup onto the hotel menu, the executives had raised a storm of opposition.
Was it even fitting for a hotel of this caliber to serve an outdated, old-fashioned traditional dish?
At most a few servings a year, they argued, pounding their chests and demanding she drop the ridiculous idea before she could even waste their time.
But Hong Yu-na had seen it as the Noble Hotel’s very signature. Despite the executives’ resistance, she had bulldozed her vision through.
The result? Ginseng chicken soup had become one of the highest-selling items in the lounge bar—more than 200,000 won per bowl—proving that a single bold choice could turn the entire menu around.
Armed with that confidence, she decided to conquer the global market with a line of health-drink packaging products.
She approached a world-renowned branding firm specializing in international health beverages and poured out her plan.
Three months of intensive research followed, and only yesterday she had received the final report.
Yet…
“Kang Min-hyuk delivered an idea that matches mine down to the last detail in just three minutes.”
Of course, it could be pure coincidence.
But success, her father had always taught her, was built on countless layers of coincidence.
Individual effort alone could never create a great current, he had said, so people should value even the smallest threads of connection.
Still, among those rare souls who deliberately shattered the old order with truly innovative ideas and bold actions, there were only a handful—much like the founders of Microsoft, Apple, or Tesla.
Just for a moment, the thought had crossed her mind: perhaps Kang Min-hyuk was one of those chosen few.
Even if it wasn’t strictly about business, it might be fun to watch from the sidelines in every way.
Knock, knock.
She turned at the sound of someone rapping on the door.
“Representative, security called in a hurry.”
“Put it through.”
Hong Yu-na was already expecting the call—her carefully managed client’s vehicle had just entered the parking garage.
“Track the CCTV route for me.”
While the security team sent over the footage, Hong Yu-na caught something genuinely entertaining on screen.
Kang Min-hyuk and his ex-wife Han Se-ah facing off on the forty-sixth floor.
Jeong Ji-hyun clung to his arm as if they were lovers, playing the role perfectly for Se-ah’s benefit.
Knowing full well he’s divorced, he never said a word to me… she must be telling the truth.
While digging into Kang Min-hyuk’s past, she had discovered he had once been married to Yang Mi-jeong.
She had deliberately kept quiet to spare Jeong Ji-hyun’s feelings.
Huh. The information power of Lim & Jeong Law Firm really is something to be respected.
Still…
Why had Se-ah suddenly appeared at the hotel?
Finding out took less time than expected.
Se-ah’s route never left the elevator hall.
Plus, a company employee who had just come down the corridor confirmed her suspicion.
What, she’s been tailing Kang Min-hyuk? How interesting.
Hong Yu-na had known every scandal of Se-ah’s since the days she went by Yang Mi-jeong—both before and after the marriage.
She had quietly managed the mess after Se-ah carelessly chased rich men and left no one else behind.
That was probably why Se-ah was still on the blacklist for constant surveillance.
After the chaebol world had gone quiet, this…
“How one keeps surprising.”
Hong Yu-na leaned back with her arms crossed and clicked her tongue.
Kang Min-hyuk, you truly are blessed. How on earth did you end up loving a woman like that?
Some people were incredibly sharp but strangely naive.
That explained everything.
Yesterday’s version of him had been exactly as she had expected.
Hong Yu-na herself had been the first to see such pure, innocent eyes from a drunk man.
In that regard, she could even see Jeong Ji-hyun fitting right in.
Even after becoming a chaebol, she remains just as messy as ever.
The confrontation had dragged on long enough that Hong Yu-na immediately contacted her secretary.
“Send the four o’clock car to the forty-sixth floor.”
Emotional battles were never worth the effort; they only benefited the other side.
Moreover, this was her own territory.
She would never allow chaos on her sacred ground.
The elevator doors opened and Kang Min-hyuk stepped in, as if he had been waiting.
Through the elevator CCTV, Hong Yu-na watched Jeong Ji-hyun in her arms—clueless and utterly adorable.
Adorable. I can’t even describe how much.
***
They had moved to the café Jeong Ji-hyun had recommended.
It wasn’t just any café—it felt like stepping inside a massive aquarium.
“Such an unusual café.”
“Isn’t it? It’s the place where my Wstagram received the most hearts.”
“No wonder.”
“The design is breathtaking, but the coffee is delicious too. Just a moment—I'll go place our order right away.”
“No, I’ll pay. I came for a consultation.”
“That’s fine. I need the premium service here anyway—I’m a regular. Hoho.”
“I see.”
Jeong Ji-hyun headed for the counter.
She pulled out her phone to check the message from earlier.
Yet the lock screen displayed something entirely unexpected.
[Mission Overachievement]
[4/3]
[Additional Reward Available]
[Confirm?]
Of course she had to check!
She tapped the confirmation button.
The reward screen that appeared was strangely intriguing.
Two options available.
1. Your Own Luck Viewing Right
2. Another Person’s Misfortune Viewing Right
She set the decision aside for a moment.
Jeong Ji-hyun had just returned with their drinks, and the chance to see the future would come only once, so she needed to focus.
She sipped the coffee and explained the situation regarding Team Leader Kim Jun-seok to the lawyer.
“So… the colleague’s divorced wife was having an affair with a workplace colleague, and they used her to set a trap to demand child support?”
“That’s correct.”
“Hmmm… Do you have any evidence to prove it?”
“No. Only circumstantial evidence so far.”
Jeong Ji-hyun answered with visible reluctance.
“In that case, the lawsuit will be difficult. Since you already lost the divorce, without solid proof it may be nearly impossible to reverse.”
“I see.”
Her disappointed expression made Jeong Ji-hyun speak again.
“But if the parent frequently leaves the home, obtaining custody is possible. The ideal solution would be an agreement between the parents, but… since the other side is already receiving child support, it won’t be easy.”
Jeong Ji-hyun shared several legal precedents where custody had been granted.
Yet the path to the outcome she wanted still seemed distant.
Time was also a factor.
If only I had evidence…
The only witness she could currently secure was one of the new business development team members who had observed Team Leader Lee Jung-wan’s affair.
But Lee Jung-wan was still healthy, so he would never testify.
Is there another way?
After deep thought, a clever idea finally surfaced.
Kim Jun-seok’s wife had not been the only one cheating.
Lee Jung-wan had been involved too.
If gathering proof from Kim Jun-seok’s wife was difficult, she could simply approach Lee Jung-wan’s wife instead.
Tell Lee Jung-wan’s wife about the affair, then thoroughly investigate Lee Jung-wan—after all, Lee Jung-wan’s fall was already planned, so a little more careful preparation would be needed.
With her plan solid, she immediately contacted a detective agency to request evidence collection on Lee Jung-wan’s affair.
One week of surveillance for three million won was the deal.
Huh. The urgent matter is settled. Now, shall I confirm the reward?
She gathered her notebook and pen, settled in front of the television, and took a steadying breath.
“I will now confirm the mission reward.”
She had worried there would be no reaction and felt embarrassed, but the television responded instantly.
A black-and-white whirlwind spun across the screen, and the message appeared.
A truly remarkable television.
She began with the most certain one.
“Let me check the New York building auction price first.”
Auction Date: November 1, 2024, 5:00 PM
Winning Bid: $8,590,000
“Eight-point-five-nine million dollars? The price has dropped that much?”
Short sale failed. Value dropped significantly.
From what she had learned, the United States auction process differed from Korea’s.
In Korea, court auctions involved written bids that could not be changed, and the highest bidder won.
In the U.S., banks and lenders ran the auctions like art auctions—lowest price set, then open bidding where higher offers could still win.
“What was the starting price you expected?”
$7,280,000
The seven-point-two-eight million dollars was the amount the building owner and bank had agreed upon.
The television had told her the winning bid was 8.59 million, so the difference was over 1.31 million.
A competitor who had not participated in the short sale was clearly entering the fray.
I should bid the exact amount at the start and end the auction in one breath.
When you win an auction, you must pay 20 percent of the winning bid in cash or a check on the spot.
There was only a one-month grace period for the balance.
Every bidder considered the highest ceiling before participating.
Obviously, those with more cash had the advantage.
“Hmm… I’d like more concrete details about the situation.”
Alex Kim was probably already aware of this auction; he had even suggested purchasing the building to her.
Current time was 7 PM here, which meant 6 AM in New York.
“I wonder if Alex is taking the call.”
She dialed without hesitation.
She hated anything that could wait—big money or not.
Click.
The signal cut off, and a crisp voice answered.
New Yorkers never slept, it seemed.
“Alex Kim speaking.”
“Hello, this is Kang Min-hyuk.”
“Hello, Mr. Kang. Long time no see. What can I do for you?”
Politeness skipped, she went straight to the point.
“The stalled construction building you mentioned—has it gone to auction?”
Alex sounded genuinely surprised.
“How did you know? Short sale failed yesterday, auction scheduled in two weeks. I was about to call you today anyway.”
“What was the failed transaction amount?”
“Six-point-nine million dollars. The owner refused, saying it was too low. After paying off the loan, there was nothing left.”
Did he mean even thirty thousand dollars remained?
Huh. So petty.
But the television had given her 8.59 million.
Winning at that level would still be worth it.
Perhaps someone had used the creditor’s desperation to buy low, only to hand it over at auction for the lowest price.
The lower the short-sale negotiation price, the lower the final auction bid would be.
Well, details were details.
As long as someone won the auction, she was satisfied.
She had no intention of letting Alex artificially adjust the negotiation.
She planned to bid the exact amount from the start and let the auction end in seconds.
She should at least confirm the future value first.
“I’d like to participate in the auction as well. Could you check a reasonable winning bid range for me? Including the amount needed for completion approval, property taxes, landlord fees, and any future increases in property value once occupancy is complete.”
“Of course. I’ll have the materials reviewed and sent by the end of this week.”
“Excellent.”
She wished him a good day and ended the call.
Her brother had called right away to confirm the auction schedule, and she received an immediate affirmative reply.
“Hmm. The New York real estate matter is handled. Now, what about the additional reward?”
The reward from overachieving the surprise mission.
She had set the choice aside because she had to pick between two options.
Her own luck versus another person’s misfortune.
Only one opportunity to choose.
She braced herself and focused on the television.
“Confirm additional reward.”