Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Traitors and Threats
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Chapter 38
"Noona...."
Park Joo-seung caressed his stinging cheek.
Getting slapped at over fifty years old.
Humiliating.
But he kept his mouth firmly shut.
He couldn't dare raise his voice at Park Ji-sook.
In fact, he'd only confessed to the affair—he hadn't mustered the courage to admit he'd sold information for pocket money.
If she found out he was an industrial spy too, she'd probably snap his ribs.
All he could do now was bow his head and wait for his sister's anger to subside.
Park Ji-sook clicked her tongue at her terrified, incompetent brother and spat out her true feelings.
"You pathetic bastard. You're not worthy of stepping into this study. You're an embarrassment to my bloodline."
But could a few words mend his shattered pride?
Hoo—
Still, Park Ji-sook took a deep breath and forced herself to regain her composure.
Right now, scolding her idiot brother took a backseat to probing Lee Myung-guk's 'true intentions.'
'So that's how it is, huh?'
Even if Lee Myung-guk's study and master bedroom were far apart, her shouts would have carried.
She needed to swallow her anger and think rationally.
The couple had separate studies in their home.
Those spaces were their personal 'territories.'
Even as husband and wife, they never entered each other's studies or encroached in any way.
They respected each other's domains.
In those studies, they'd waged power struggles to get what they wanted from one another.
They'd also devised strategies for Daehan Group, their shared asset.
Park Ji-sook didn't love him passionately, but she felt a camaraderie toward Lee Myung-guk.
For him to scheme behind her back using Lee Dae-hyuk?
'There must be a reason he brought him in as a regular employee.'
Maybe he planned to hand over one of the affiliates.
'An affiliate? Absolutely not. I won't give that bastard a corner store, let alone that.'
No matter how insignificant Daehan Construction was among the affiliates, she couldn't let Lee Dae-hyuk take it.
Handing over some pocket change was one thing—ceding an affiliate was entirely different.
It would be tantamount to acknowledging Lee Dae-hyuk as Daehan Group's bloodline.
'I won't allow it. Not until dirt's in my eyes.'
Madness flickered in Park Ji-sook's gaze.
If Lee Myung-guk pushed that far, she'd have to 'remove' Lee Dae-hyuk by any means.
First, though, she needed to cut ties with this useless brother.
"Joo-seung, noona has more important things—and people—than you."
"I know. But this..."
"You're over fifty. Handle your own messes from now on. And don't ever come into this study again. Got it?"
Park Ji-sook smiled brightly.
She'd sorted her feelings toward her brother.
Stinking trash needed to be tossed as far away as possible.
"I have dinner with your brother-in-law. You should head home now."
At Park Ji-sook's icy tone, Park Joo-seung realized she'd abandoned him.
She wasn't just his sister—she was the lifeline letting him live like nobility.
If she cut him loose, he'd be ordinary.
He had to win her back first.
"I'll fix this and come back. Then we can talk properly."
"If you clean it up neatly, I'll give you one chance."
He was still her brother, after all.
Park Ji-sook patted Park Joo-seung's shoulder.
Knowing that gentle touch was a honey trap, Park Joo-seung quietly left his sister's study.
.
.
.
One hour later.
It was Sunday evening, but only Park Ji-sook and Lee Myung-guk sat at the dinner table.
Lee Myung-guk scooped a spoonful of stew and let out an admiring sigh toward his wife.
"Your cooking skills are as good as ever."
"The housekeeper has the day off today, and the kids aren't here, so I showed off a bit. Does it suit your taste?"
"Anything you make suits my taste."
Park Ji-sook's lips curved into a smile at Lee Myung-guk's praise.
The two led Daehan Group as comrades—and sometimes as rivals.
She hadn't gotten angry even when he fathered a child out of wedlock.
For Daehan Group's sake.
Park Ji-sook respected Lee Myung-guk's abilities.
Their relationship had always been business.
As long as it didn't harm the company, she could overlook a fleeting dalliance.
That's why she hadn't reacted much when he brought Lee Dae-hyuk home.
Her own kids often dragged in stray dogs or cats from the street.
And she'd always cleaned up after them.
She thought it was a wife's—and mother's—role to forgive minor indiscretions and handle the aftermath.
That's why she always sat at the table with a smile.
But she was human too.
At some point, the smile vanished from Park Ji-sook's lips, and she spoke in a cold tone.
"I heard Dae-hyuk got a job."
Freeze—!
Lee Myung-guk's eye twitched at her question.
He'd known Park Ji-sook would find out eventually.
She had eyes and ears everywhere in the company.
'The time has come.'
Putting conversation before the meal, Lee Myung-guk set down his spoon.
"That kid's an adult now. He needs to earn his keep."
"You're not planning to leave it at just earning his keep, are you?"
Park Ji-sook struck at the heart of it.
Lee Myung-guk watched her silently instead of answering.
Her frigid gaze stabbed like a dagger.
Lee Myung-guk finally spoke.
"Poor kid."
"You're the one who made him pitiful. And because of him, you've made our children even more so."
"I know my sins. That's why I'll repay you and the kids someday."
"Does repaying include Dae-hyuk too?"
Park Ji-sook pressed, and Lee Myung-guk nodded heavily.
"Yes."
"I see."
Hearing his answer, Park Ji-sook asked no more.
She knew his heart now—no need to drag out the talk or waste emotions.
For the children and Daehan Group, Lee Dae-hyuk had to go.
'As quickly as possible.'
Decision made, the rival's conversation ended here.
Now she had to play the wife.
"The kimchi stew's a bit salty today. How's the braised beef? Should I heat it up more?"
"It's fine. Delicious and just right as is."
"Good to hear."
Park Ji-sook picked up her spoon.
Lee Myung-guk resumed eating in silence.
***
The next morning.
Kim Joo-ran left home for her regular checkup.
After learning of her pregnancy, she'd submitted her resignation.
An unmarried pregnant woman giving birth would surely become office gossip.
'I can live off savings for a few years.'
She'd saved enough for emergencies, so she could hold out awhile.
For now, focus on delivering a healthy baby.
As if responding to her thoughts, she felt a kick.
"Yeah. Is our baby cheering Mommy on right now?"
Kim Joo-ran smiled and stroked her belly.
That moment.
Tadadadot—!
A thug in a sports cap and mask charged straight at her.
'What? A pickpocket in broad daylight?'
Absurd.
On a main street, no less.
Tadadadot—!
As the man closed in, Kim Joo-ran's body froze.
No thought of running or screaming.
She might endanger not just herself, but the baby too.
Kim Joo-ran thrust her handbag toward the approaching man.
"Just... just take it."
Thwack—!
But he didn't take the bag—he slapped her hand away with a 'thwack!'
'What? Not a pickpocket?'
Her eyes widened in shock at the unexpected response.
If not money, then what did he want...?
'My baby?'
Instinctively, Kim Joo-ran hugged her belly.
Just as the thug shoved at her—
Another set of footsteps rang out.
Tadadadot—!
"!!"
The thug reaching for Kim Joo-ran whipped his head around in surprise.
What he saw was the sole of a dress shoe.
'......?!'
Bam—!
Crash—!
The thug took a solid hit to the face and tumbled backward spectacularly.
And then.
Tap—!
The man who landed—Kim Min-gyu—looked down at the thug sprawled on the street and muttered.
"Touching a pregnant woman. You're no human. No human at all."
Thud—!
Kim Min-gyu kicked the thug's gut as he tried to rise.
"Groan."
Thump—!
The thug groaned and went limp from the blow.
"Weak chin and boring."
Kim Min-gyu, who'd geared up for a real fight, clicked his tongue in disappointment.
But Kim Joo-ran's safety came first.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine. But... this guy's no ordinary pickpocket, right?"
Kim Min-gyu nodded at her question.
"No pickpocket moves in the morning. And look at him—just a punk."
Kim Min-gyu peeled off the thug's mask.
Clearly a greenhorn barely past twenty.
'As expected, Boss was right. Their moves are so predictable.'
Lee Dae-hyuk had tasked Kim Min-gyu with protecting Kim Joo-ran and given one piece of advice.
Keep a certain distance while guarding her.
If he stuck too close, the enemy wouldn't make a move—so give them an opening.
And this punk had taken the bait.
"Kids."
His subordinates had already gathered around Kim Min-gyu.
They'd been waiting in cars nearby to protect Kim Joo-ran.
"Clean this up nicely and contact the boss."
"Yes, sir!"
At Kim Min-gyu's order, his men hoisted the punk and vanished.
On the now spotless(?) street, as if nothing happened, Kim Joo-ran sighed in relief and spoke cautiously.
"Um, could you escort me to the hospital? My, my legs are shaking so bad, I, I can't go alone."
Kim Joo-ran wobbled like she might collapse any second.
Kim Min-gyu, looking at her pitifully, carefully supported her.
"...Yes. I'll escort you."
***
Daehan Construction headquarters, president's office.
Past quitting time, but Nam Sung-il faced a 'special' guest.
New hire Lee Dae-hyuk.
To Nam Sung-il, Lee Dae-hyuk wasn't just a rookie—he was the chairman's son.
And now, a colleague in investigating the same incident.
"Park Joo-seung and Cha Woo-jin—those two were the spies."
Lee Dae-hyuk gave a concise report on his investigation.
"So it was them after all? I suspected, but it's still shocking."
Anger flushed Nam Sung-il's face.
He was loyal to Daehan Construction and Daehan Group.
With hope that someday they'd properly beat Seojin Construction and claim the top spot.
"No, shocking? More like revolting."
His insides twisted with rage.
But Nam Sung-il rubbed his eyelids and suppressed his emotions.
The young Lee Dae-hyuk stayed calm—how could he lose it?
Now they needed solutions.
"Just throw those two in jail?"
Lee Dae-hyuk shook his head at Nam Sung-il's question.
"They've sold off key info—construction methods, designs, budgets, promo concepts—for nearly three years, pocketing billions. Jail time enough to satisfy you?"
Nam Sung-il had to agree with Lee Dae-hyuk's calm tone.
"I want to rip them apart right now. But no easy way, right?"
Can't resort to violence or torture just because you're mad.
The only revenge was prison.
But Lee Dae-hyuk thought differently.
"Useful tools have fallen into our hands. Can't toss them away so easily."
"Useful tools?"
Nam Sung-il's eyes sparkled at the intriguing term.
Reading the curiosity in his gaze, Lee Dae-hyuk smiled meaningfully.
"To crush Seojin Construction, we need spies of our own."
Boss, Become a Chaebol