Chapter 52
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: In Front of Me, You Should Have No Secrets
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'Seo Ah-rin? He invited Seo Ah-rin, too?'
The reason for Ryu Min's surprise was simple.
In his past lives, even when there had been a party, Seo Ah-rin had never been there.
'Did the future change because he found out we live in the same apartment building?'
Well, fine.
Having Seo Ah-rin here wouldn't change things much.
"Ah, there you are, Ms. Seo."
As Ma Kyung-rok acknowledged her, Seo Ah-rin bowed her head.
"I'm sorry, I was a little late attending a colleague's wake."
"Not at all. An occasion like that is certainly a reason to be late. But please, say hello. This is the major shareholder of our company I mentioned before."
"Hello. I'm the actress Seo Ah-rin..."
As she bowed, Seo Ah-rin finally saw his face and was startled.
It was a face she recognized.
"Didn't you two come by with rice cakes, saying you'd just moved in?"
"Yes, that's right."
"To think our major shareholder was our neighbor. It's nice to meet you."
Seo Ah-rin smiled with her eyes, but inwardly, she was filled with doubt.
-He looks younger than me, but he's a major shareholder... Surely the CEO isn't playing a prank on me, is he?
Ryu Min had unintentionally made her suspicious of Ma Kyung-rok.
"Uh, hey, bro."
"Hm?"
"The person in front of me, that's really S-Seo Ah-rin, right?"
As his brother whispered in his ear, Ryu Min's mouth fell open with an "Ah."
'Right, I never told him, did I?'
He leaned in and quickly explained to his brother.
The fact that Ma Kyung-rok was Seo Ah-rin's sponsor and that Ahn Sang-chul was the manager he had assigned to her.
"Whoa..."
Watching his brother's mouth open and close like a goldfish, Ryu Min was lost in thought.
Should he also be gazing at Seo Ah-rin in awe, just like his brother?
'Giving someone that beautiful a second glance would be a normal reaction, right?'
Ryu Min compromised by not showing admiration, but simply glancing at Seo Ah-rin from time to time.
As if he were interested in her pretty face.
Not missing the sight, Ma Kyung-rok twisted his lips into a smirk.
'So young. The Prophet is a man, after all, is that it? I was right to call Seo Ah-rin.'
Feeling pleased, Ma Kyung-rok spoke to the four of them.
"You must be hungry. Please, don't feel pressured and go ahead and eat."
Ryu Min, Ryu Won, Ma Kyung-rok, Ahn Sang-chul, and Seo Ah-rin.
The five of them filled their plates with food from the buffet and brought it back to the table to eat.
It was a small group for the size of the banquet hall, but Ma Kyung-rok didn't mind.
In fact, he preferred the smaller number of people.
'The Prophet will feel like he's being treated to an almost burdensome extent.'
Contrary to his words about not feeling pressured, Ma Kyung-rok wanted him to feel exactly that.
"How is the food, Major Shareholder? I made sure to tell the chefs to pay special attention."
"Ah, it's delicious."
"And your brother next to you? Is it to your liking?"
"Huh? Ah, yes! I've never eaten anything this delicious in my life."
"I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it."
'Worth chewing out the chefs for.'
Ma Kyung-rok smiled and took a bite of his steak.
After chewing and swallowing the meat, he asked the question that had been on his mind.
"By the way, why did only your younger brother come? What about your parents?"
"My brother is the only family I have. My parents have passed away..."
"Ah. I see... I'm very sorry to hear that."
Ma Kyung-rok was sorry for himself, too.
'Damn it, why did I ask such a stupid question? I just ruined the whole mood!'
He felt like the steak he'd just eaten was about to come back up.
Ma Kyung-rok glanced at Ryu Min.
"..."
Seeing his sullen expression, Ma Kyung-rok's own mood plummeted.
'Damn it, hell! I should just shut up until the mood lightens.'
As someone who needed to win the Prophet's favor, Ma Kyung-rok had no choice but to be this cautious.
Clink- Clink-
The meal continued in a quiet atmosphere.
With no one talking, only the clatter of silverware could be heard.
'Someone needs to liven up the atmosphere...'
Ma Kyung-rok's eyes flickered toward Seo Ah-rin.
If anyone was to liven things up, it had to be her.
'Ms. Seo, look over here, Ms. Seo!'
Ma Kyung-rok tried to get her attention with his eyes, but Seo Ah-rin didn't notice, engrossed in her food.
It was only natural that a frown formed on Ma Kyung-rok's brow.
'This damned woman...'
The silence was excruciating.
But the meal, which felt like it would last forever, was gradually coming to an end after a few trips back to the buffet.
As the five of them gathered for tea time, Ma Kyung-rok finally broke the silence he had been holding back.
"Could I see you for a moment, Ms. Seo?"
"Pardon? Oh, yes."
Seo Ah-rin followed Ma Kyung-rok, a puzzled look on her face.
Stopping at a suitable spot, Ma Kyung-rok lowered his voice.
"Listen, Ms. Seo."
"Yes, CEO."
"Did you enjoy your meal?"
"Oh, it was absolutely delicious."
"Do you think I called you here just to stuff your face with food?"
"Pardon?"
"If you're a female celebrity, shouldn't you act like one and entertain? Entertain!"
"..."
Her face hardened at his blunt remark.
"If the mood sours, isn't it your job to fix it? Did you think I invited you here just to waste my food?"
"I-I'm sorry... I just thought I was invited to a party..."
"How can you survive as a celebrity if you're so clueless? No, being a celebrity isn't what's important anymore. Your career means nothing if you don't survive the next round."
Seo Ah-rin bowed her head like a new employee being scolded by her manager.
"I'm sorry..."
"Didn't Manager Ahn tell you who that man is?"
"The major shareholder... isn't he?"
"He's not just the major shareholder; he's a Prophet."
"A P-Prophet?"
Seo Ah-rin blinked her rabbit-like eyes.
"That's right, a Prophet. A unique class that can literally see the future."
"Ah..."
"Do you understand now? The reason you need to entertain him? Think how much of an advantage it would be to know information about the next round in advance."
Ma Kyung-rok suddenly reached out and touched Seo Ah-rin's cheek.
She flinched at the cold touch.
"You have such a beautiful face that can bewitch men, so why are you just sitting there? Whether it's by playing along, smiling with your eyes, or whatever else, aren't you going to even try to seduce him?"
Ma Kyung-rok's hand tapped her face.
For Seo Ah-rin, his actions were humiliating.
"If you're a celebrity who makes a living off her face, then you should actively use your talents like one."
"With all due respect... I'm an actress. Not just a pretty face..."
"An actress? Heh."
Ma Kyung-rok let out an involuntary sneer.
"Yes, I admit you're a good actress, Ms. Seo. But do you really think you became famous just by being good at acting?"
"..."
"People care about first impressions. And naturally, looks are the biggest part of that. You, Ms. Seo, are able to maintain your current popularity thanks to that face. If you weren't so attractive, do you think I would have even given you a second glance?"
Her expression turned to stone at his cutting words.
Her eyes glistened, as if she were about to burst into tears at any moment.
"Don't cry. I haven't said anything untrue. It's disgusting to see you cry like you're the victim."
"..."
Shocked by the word "disgusting," Seo Ah-rin was speechless.
The tears that were about to fall retreated.
"Shall I guess what you're thinking right now? You must feel resentful and wronged. You've probably never heard such harsh words before, so you're likely baffled as well."
"..."
"But endure it. As your CEO, I gave you the opportunity to succeed as an actress, so shouldn't you repay that debt? No matter how messed up the world is, debts must be settled cleanly."
"..."
"So let's end this conversation here. If we take too long, the others will think something's strange."
Ma Kyung-rok tapped her cheek once more.
"Get your act together. Whether you seduce him with that pretty face of yours or lift your skirt and seduce him with your body, I'm telling you to win over Major Shareholder Ryu Min by any means necessary."
"..."
"Why aren't you answering?"
"Y-Yes... I understand."
"Good. We're going back to have a drinking party now. Sit next to Major Shareholder Ryu Min, serve him drinks, and try to seduce him. I'll be watching to see if you do it properly. If you really don't want to, just think of it as acting."
"Yes..."
"Then let's go."
Ma Kyung-rok and Seo Ah-rin returned to their seats.
Ahn Sang-chul and the Ryu brothers were sitting awkwardly, staring at their empty teacups.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. We had a lot to talk about."
"About what?"
Ma Kyung-rok answered Ryu Min's question without missing a beat.
"We were just discussing some business. As you know, Ms. Seo is an actress I'm developing, isn't she?"
The expression "developing" bothered him, but Ryu Min remained silent.
He could find out what they had really talked about by delving into their minds anyway.
"Well, since we've finished eating, shall we move to another spot? Time for round two. Haha."
Ma Kyung-rok laughed and gave Seo Ah-rin a meaningful look.
As they moved to another location, Seo Ah-rin subtly approached Ryu Min's side.
But she only hesitated, unable to strike up a conversation.
'I told her to make a move, so what is she hesitating for?'
Just as dissatisfaction began to show on Ma Kyung-rok's face,
Ryu Won, standing beside them, mustered his courage first.
"Um, excuse me, you're the actress Seo Ah-rin, right?"
"Pardon? Yes."
"I'm a fan. Y-You're even more beautiful in person than in pictures."
"Oh, thank you."
"I-If it's okay, could I get a picture with you later when you have time...?"
"Oh, of course."
Seo Ah-rin smiled brightly.
For a moment, Ryu Won wore an ecstatic expression, as if he'd just been struck by Cupid's arrow.
'The younger brother is more smitten than the older one, isn't he?'
Watching the scene, Ma Kyung-rok changed his strategy.
Tap-tap-tap.
He quickly sent a text to Seo Ah-rin while they were walking.
Startled by the unexpected message tone, Seo Ah-rin took out her phone.
[Ma Kyung-rok: Change of plans. Get close to the younger brother first.]
To think she had to make a move on a fan who had approached her with pure intentions.
A shadow quickly fell over Seo Ah-rin's face.
'If she wins over the younger brother first, the older one will naturally follow. And it'll be easier to get information about the next round.'
One corner of Ma Kyung-rok's mouth crept up into a smirk.
Since he'd said he was a fan, he would be easier to handle than the older brother.
A short while later, the five of them arrived in a dimly lit room.
"This is a private room prepared for our VVIP guests. You can order unlimited songs, as well as drinks and snacks."
It was clearly no different from a karaoke bar.
"Um... alcohol? I'm still in middle school..."
Ryu Won said hesitantly, but Ma Kyung-rok waved his hand as if it were no concern.
"It's fine, it's fine. The young man can have a cider. Manager Ahn."
"Yes."
"Order the VVIP special course. Add brandy and whiskey. Oh, and a cider."
"Understood."
While Manager Ahn went to place the order, Ryu Won looked restless and uneasy.
He had never expected to experience the adult world of drinking so suddenly.
Unable to watch any longer, Ryu Min sighed and spoke.
"CEO Ma Kyung-rok."
"Yes, Major Shareholder."
"I can't drink. And it goes without saying for my brother."
"Ah... is that so? You must have had a very wholesome school life. Haha, but you're old enough to drink now, so this could be a good chance to experience it..."
"Excuse me, Ms. Seo."
"Yes?"
Ryu Min cut him off and pushed his brother's back.
"Could you take a picture with my brother outside?"
"Oh, yes."
Once the two of them left, only Ryu Min and Ma Kyung-rok remained in the room.
"CEO."
"Yes?"
"Do you think I'm a pushover?"
"What are you suddenly...?"
"Have you forgotten my class is Prophet? Did you think someone who can see the future wouldn't know about your conversation with Ms. Seo?"
"..."
"How can we do business together like this?"
Ryu Min said, his expression one of displeasure.
"CEO. In front of me, you should have no secrets."