Chapter 139
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Intimidation's Triumph
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I couldn't even properly recall what the Intimidation Skill was, or exactly what 'intimidation' meant. I just thought it seemed like a perfect skill for looking strong and went ahead and used it. Looks like I picked the right answer.
It's like that saying where you see something and the cow backs away, letting you catch the rat.
...
"Ha, this bastard. Even as a man... you can pull off that kind of glare? Damn, were my eyes rotten from being holed up in my room all the time? Not my granddaughter?"
Having relied on the Intimidation Skill, I swallowed hard at Han Se-ryong's intrigued voice. Even that demeanor oozed overwhelming pressure. In truth, I was the fake here, and he was the real deal.
"Not exactly, Grandfather. It took me a long time to realize Hyunwoo is a real man too. Plus, living under the same roof gave me some hints. Otherwise, I might've reacted the same way as you. He shows some airheaded sides usually. But when it counts, he gets it done like a man."
At Han Aebom's oddly excited voice, Han Se-ryong stroked his goatee with a completely different vibe from before, flashing a sly grin. He looked genuinely pleased.
"Right, exactly. No way my eyes, Han Se-ryong's eyes, have gone that bad already. So, you're no ordinary punk—you can fool even me and my granddaughter."
With a mutter, Han Se-ryong scanned me from head to toe. Until moments ago, he'd treated me like I was invisible, but now it felt like he was finally seeing me. Just that made my legs shake; I forced more strength into my eyes to hide it.
"Heh, look at this guy. At least he has the bare minimum backbone since our Aebom said that about him."
Such words?
As the question popped into my head, a voice chimed in from beside me.
"You mean I'm worth relying on?"
"Yeah. When it's you saying you're indebted to some outsider, I have to believe it."
Their grandfather-granddaughter exchange flowed so smoothly that I nodded along. I'd worried Han Aebom might've said something weird, but apparently not.
'Phew.'
A fierce storm seemed to have passed, and I let out a sigh of relief. Both Han Se-ryong and Han Aebom—this whole family gave off that vibe?
People flipping 180 degrees the moment they confirm ability. I couldn't tell Han Aebom, but it made me understand why her late brother had taken such an extreme path. Living in a house like this must've been suffocating.
'Spot-on talent for hiring and placing people based on ability might be top-tier professionally, but if your family judges you that way, it'd be truly stifling.'
Comparing to my own family, the pitying looks and concern during holiday visits back home felt tame. I'd avoided them by not booking train tickets because I hated it so much—now that seemed pathetic. Well, everything's relative. Can't help what I truly disliked.
"Sit down there."
"Yes. Hyunwoo, have a seat over there."
As Han Aebom smiled brightly, took my hand, and led me toward what was obviously an expensive sofa—
"Ahem!"
That was the most forced, awkward cough I'd ever heard in my life. Han Aebom didn't bat an eye, but I whipped my head around, feeling like a hole had been drilled through my face. Han Se-ryong was glaring at me with eyes blazing like fire.
'Damn, why does this feel familiar?'
It hadn't even been that long ago. I'd felt it from the driver on the way here.
"This sofa is... really nice."
I babbled something random and pulled my hand free from Han Aebom's. Only then did the piercing gaze soften. That guy—was he a tsundere or what?
"You haven't even sat down, and you can tell just by looking?"
"Yeah, well... it's so luxurious. Sitting confirms it even more."
Confirms my ass. I was still so tense, even the sweetest chocolate in the world would taste like nothing.
"Secretary Jang, if it's not too much trouble, could we get some light snacks and drinks?"
"Of course, Miss. I'll bring them right away."
I wasn't sure if she found me pulling away odd or disappointing... or if she'd noticed Han Se-ryong's intense reaction. Whatever. It had been close. Really damn close.
On a sofa that could seat four, she stuck right to my side—fine—but her upper body was leaning so far toward me that her breath would hit my neck if she exhaled.
BAM!
I nearly jumped.
"You're too close. ...People might think you're married."
He was trying for a dignified tone, but his quivering lips and the hand slamming the desk screamed otherwise. If he grabbed a golf club right now, it'd smash straight into my head—I was certain. No doubt about it.
"Must be a habit from living four to a cramped studio apartment."
"If that's the case, I'll buy the whole building. You adults living separately wouldn't be bad. At your age..."
"No, it's fine. I don't want Grandfather meddling in my personal life. I like things as they are."
"What did you say...?"
Watching Han Se-ryong with veins bulging on his forehead, I prayed any golf ball aimed at my face wouldn't hurt too bad. I'd be okay, right? My nose wouldn't break, right? Stamina was +8, after all.
"I've brought some tea and cookies."
Perfect timing!
I reached out eagerly like I'd met an angel in hell and took the beautifully plated cookie dish.
"Thank you!"
"No problem. Enjoy, and chat at ease. The Chairman seems more upbeat than usual today—it's nice to see."
My hand paused mid-lift with a chocolate-chip-packed cookie. Damn it. Would these drag out the talk? If so, I didn't need them...
Crunch, crackle.
What? I'd thought I'd just put it in my mouth, but it vanished. Crispy yet moist, sweet without being cloying... So this was rich people's cookies?
"Looking at that kid stuff, I still feel like he's hiding something."
"He's just nervous. Who in Korea wouldn't be tense in front of Hanban Group's Chairman—your grandfather?"
"Hm."
Han Se-ryong stroked his goatee with a faint grunt. I saw it—the subtle upturn of his lips behind that hand.
This guy was thrilled at the praise from his granddaughter?
"When it's just us two, he's even more impressive. What you saw earlier is nothing compared."
Crack!
His lips dropped instantly, veins popping on the back of his hand. I wanted to cry. Stuck between these two, I was ping-ponging between heaven and hell.
'Please stop, Aebom.'
She was being unusually oblivious today, grating on nerves.
...Or so I'd say, but her fingers teasing mine—hidden from Han Se-ryong's view—were seductively pleasant. Her smile felt fresher than usual, her face radiating stress relief...
'Th-this woman... she's doing this on purpose!'
I desperately tamped down my agitation. At least not in front of Han Se-ryong and Han Aebom. Any slip, and they'd pounce on it to tear me apart. Where the hell had I ended up?
'Right in the tiger's jaws. Already was.'
As I reminded myself yet again to snap out of it, Han Se-ryong's voice pierced my ears.
"Quit stuffing your face like a pig and get to the point."
"Gasp!"
When did I eat this many? In my daze, I'd polished off half. Han Aebom chuckled softly, wiping cookie crumbs from my mouth with a wet wipe.
My throat felt clogged, but I didn't dare lift the teacup. Lifting it now would show my shaking 100%, and dropping it'd be a disaster.
"You there, tell me what help you need. I'll hear it and decide."
"Yes, understood."
My heart felt like bursting. Never dreamed I'd pitch personally to Hanban Group's Chairman. On the flip side, how huge would this be for my life?
"...That's the situation. Can you help?"
Unlike feared, my voice didn't shake; I thought I'd laid it out clearly and orderly. But Han Se-ryong's face was bored stiff.
"Even 7-year-old Aebom could speak better than you."
"That's unfair, Grandfather. He was a bit lacking, but considering Hyunwoo's experience and training, it was excellent."
"Ha! Who's being unfair?"
Han Se-ryong shot me an exasperated look and spoke.
"That sob story? Helping's no big deal. Call that Ilha Group punk and chat a bit."
"...!"
Even after Hana and I racked our brains with no clue, it was this simple? As awe rose—worlds apart—he added,
"But I, Han Se-ryong, have never helped anyone without strings my whole life. Know what that means?"
"H-helping with no...
I reflexively started to blurt, but a beat late, recalled getting thoroughly owned in our pre-visit negotiation with Han Aebom. Even as the total underdog, don't just nod submissively.
"...Name your terms."
"Huh?"
Had I been too bold?
...I'd worried,
"Hahaha! Ha ha! Perfect! I love it—not cocky, boldly unexpected. That's a man!"
His booming laugh eased my needless fears. Glancing aside, Han Aebom smiled—surprised yet pleased.
I did it! Pride swelled, different this time. Recognition from such titans? My heart thumped audibly with joy.
Thud!
"That's your task."
A stack of papers slid onto the table. I picked it up gingerly and tilted my head.
"Title: Confessing My Sins to the Star that Fell from the Sky? Please Forgive Me?"
What was this cringefest? Like a newbie writer padding to sound profound...
"Kyaaah!"
Han Aebom's scream erupted, and the paper in my hand shredded simultaneously. Wait, no way?
"This... did Aebom write it? Guhk!"
Before I could react, Han Aebom's fist slammed into my face.