Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: The Year-End Party Trap
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After a brief silence.
Jeong Su-chang scratched the back of his head, hesitating, before speaking.
“Any special reason? Nah, he just invited me to the year-end party with the friends.”
“With friends?”
Lee Dae-hyuk found it a bit odd.
Sure, anyone could use the word “friends.”
But no matter how much he racked his brain, they weren’t close enough for a year-end party invite.
There had to be some ulterior motive.
‘Should I check it out?’
Lee Dae-hyuk decided quickly.
No need to overthink it—Psychometry would make it simple.
“Ah, let’s talk inside first. You came all this way; at least have a cup of tea before you go.”
Lee Dae-hyuk smiled and grabbed Jeong Su-chang’s arm.
In that instant.
Flash—!!!
The reason Jeong Su-chang had come started to reveal itself.
“Hyung Dae-hwan, so...”
In Lee Dae-hwan’s office.
Seated across the table from him, Jeong Su-chang trailed off.
“Why not?”
“It’s been a while since I last talked to Dae-hyuk.”
“Just get in touch now. That’s how you patch things up with old friends who drifted apart.”
“But this is...”
Jeong Su-chang hesitated.
If he invited Lee Dae-hyuk to ‘that’ party, Lee Dae-hwan would bring along the cops and reporters he knew.
What if he didn’t invite Lee Dae-hyuk?
‘The target for those reporters and cops would be you,’ Lee Dae-hwan had said.
“You’ll have to take a president spot someday too.”
“Pardon?”
“After our dads, it’s our turn on stage, right? Just like how President Jeong is your dad’s loyal right-hand man, you need to be mine. Starting now.”
Jeong Su-chang immediately caught Lee Dae-hwan’s intent.
This was a threat, plain and simple.
If he didn’t bring Lee Dae-hyuk to the ‘club,’ even his father wouldn’t be spared.
‘No choice.’
Family and self came before an old friend.
“Yes. We should start patching things up now. You’re right, hyung.”
‘Pathetic. Daehan Group would’ve crumbled anyway if left alone.’
Having uncovered Jeong Su-chang and Lee Dae-hwan’s secret meeting, Lee Dae-hyuk felt not rage, but sorrow.
Not because of Lee Dae-hwan, of course.
He’d known the guy was human trash for a while.
It was for Lee Myung-guk, who would ache knowing his eldest son was up to this.
‘Emotions stop here.’
Time to think rationally now.
He knew it was a trap.
But falling into it was the only way to set one for Lee Dae-hwan.
“I’ll shower quick. Hang on a bit.”
“Sure thing.”
***
An hour later.
Dressed in a suit, Lee Dae-hyuk rode in the car Jeong Su-chang was driving.
In the passenger seat, he wore a slightly awkward expression.
He knew he had to pretend to be oblivious and act chummy with Jeong Su-chang, but...
‘This feels so awkward. Acting’s not for me.’
Was this how Choo Dong-hyun felt shooting that CF with Jin Soo-young?
Lee Dae-hyuk gained a bit of insight into Choo Dong-hyun’s mindset back then.
Meanwhile, Jeong Su-chang, stealing glances at him while driving, spoke cautiously.
“It’ll be fun. Lots of good people there. Time you started dating next year anyway.”
“Dating... sounds good.”
Not particularly interested in romance, Lee Dae-hyuk played along.
“Yeah. It’ll be a blast. You’ve been hitting the gym hard, so let’s go wild tonight. I even told Hyun-seung about you.”
Listening to Jeong Su-chang, Lee Dae-hyuk tilted his head.
‘Hyun-seung? Oh.’
His mouth parted slightly as realization hit.
No way.
“You mean that Hyun-seung? Kim Hyun-seung?”
“Yeah. You know him, right? Kim Hyun-seung from idol group Super Nova.”
“Yeah. Of course I... know him.”
Kim Hyun-seung of Super Nova.
Lee Dae-hyuk knew him well.
An ex-idol running a club, pimping out girls to chaebol heirs for sponsorships.
The scum even supplied drugs to clients, and a few years from now...
‘He’d lose everything and end up in prison.’
Memory fuzzy on details, but this was peak Kim Hyun-seung.
‘Perfect then.’
If played right, he could snag dirt on all of Kim Hyun-seung’s clients.
Most were trash anyway.
Use them till they’re spent, then discard.
Heh!
Lee Dae-hyuk’s grin lit up Jeong Su-chang’s face.
“That’s the spirit! Be grateful to your hyung. Who else would take you around?”
“Thanks. Yeah.”
Lee Dae-hyuk smiled back at Jeong Su-chang.
Seeing it, Jeong Su-chang sighed inwardly in relief.
‘Whew. This guy’s been naive since the old days.’
Any normal person would suspect a long-lost friend popping up for a party after ten years.
But no suspicion—just smiling and tagging along.
Gripping the wheel, Jeong Su-chang chuckled nonstop.
He had no idea.
The massive misfortune heading his way because of Lee Dae-hyuk.
***
Kim Hyun-seung was a natural-born businessman.
He became an idol to make money.
Once his idol days exposed his connections, he launched a business.
Turning a whole four-story building into a club.
Club name: Gold Moon.
No special meaning.
If any, just a club that’d shine like the moon at night—lights never out.
Regular customers didn’t cut it, so Kim Hyun-seung specialized.
Using his network for chaebol heirs’ private parties.
He supplied everything they craved.
Booze, opposite sex, drugs, gambling.
Basement 2: unlimited gambling.
Floors 1 and 2: dance and music.
Floor 3 party room: relaxation.
Fully soundproofed Floor 4 rooms: steamy nights.
To keep this perfect operation, only vetted VIP members.
But today.
‘This is Lee Dae-hyuk? Doesn’t match the rumors. Something’s off... No way?’
Entering with member Jeong Su-chang, Lee Dae-hyuk felt different.
Awkward-looking on surface, but sharp eyes scanning around.
Instinct told Kim Hyun-seung: this guy’s no ordinary.
Two rumors on Lee Dae-hyuk.
Officially: depressed, incompetent bastard son of Daehan Group chairman.
Night world: rising monster who dismantled gang outfits in Seoul and Busan.
Could be a namesake or bullshit.
But one thing clear.
‘I get why Dae-hwan’s targeting him.’
Give it time, he’d be Dae-hwan’s rival.
So Kim Hyun-seung worried a bit.
Dae-hwan had already ordered him too.
He, Jeong Su-chang, Reporter Bae, and others colluding on a scenario to trap Lee Dae-hyuk.
But if Lee Dae-hyuk was the growth monster as rumored, or worse, if true?
Shrimp backs could burst in whale fights.
‘What to do?’
As Kim Hyun-seung pondered, Jeong Su-chang prodded.
“What’re you doing? First time seeing a handsome guy?”
“I see ‘em plenty... Haha. Nice to meet you, Lee Dae-hyuk.”
Kim Hyun-seung switched gears, extending a hand.
“Gold Moon owner, Kim Hyun-seung. You know me?”
“Yes. I do.”
Lee Dae-hyuk eyed him after replying.
Handsome enough to charm guys—striking looks.
Lean, tall build without an ounce of fat.
‘Still trash.’
Lee Dae-hyuk wondered.
Meticulous Dae-hwan wouldn’t task only Jeong Su-chang.
Must’ve given Kim Hyun-seung a mission too.
Grab!
The moment hands clasped.
Lee Dae-hyuk’s face twisted.
As expected.
Dae-hwan gave Kim Hyun-seung two orders, not just Jeong.
First: Bring an aspiring actress seeking sponsors to the party.
Second:
Have that actress spike Lee Dae-hyuk’s drink—booze or whatever—with drugs.
Knowing Dae-hwan’s power, Kim Hyun-seung planned to obey without question.
But now he hesitated.
Right after seeing Lee Dae-hyuk.
‘Sharp instincts for trash.’
Lee Dae-hyuk was mildly impressed by Kim Hyun-seung’s gut.
Along with that.
‘...Acting classes maybe?’
His own acting sucked too.
Tap!
Jeong Su-chang patted the awkward Lee Dae-hyuk’s back.
“This guy’s the Daehan Group chairman’s youngest son. We can head right in, yeah?”
“Of course. I’ll guide you.”
Kim Hyun-seung flashed a sales smile and led down the hall.
.
.
.
Pulsing dance music blared.
Amid flashing lights, men and women writhed together.
Most guys: chaebol kids or sons of mid-sized firm presidents.
Plus pols’ and big law firm bosses’ heirs.
Women: all stunning faces and figures.
Aspiring celebs hunting sponsors, or has-been stars.
Jeong Su-chang cackled at the mingling crowds.
“Fierce. So fierce.”
“Huh?”
“Look. One side’s desperate to be picked. Other side’s choosing. Fierce to scorching, right?”
Jeong Su-chang’s voice dripped superiority.
He—and at least the guys here—were different.
Lee Dae-hyuk barely stifled a laugh.
‘Such delusions.’
Jeong Su-chang, most heirs here: nothing self-made.
Just lucky to be born to talented parents.
Mistaking that luck for their own achievement—pathetic.
Misreading Lee Dae-hyuk’s smile, Jeong Su-chang slung an arm around his neck.
“Alright, let’s have fun.”
“Y-yeah.”
Suppressing urge to shove the arm off, Lee Dae-hyuk shuffled awkwardly.
.
.
.
‘This... supposed to be fun?’
In the party hall, Lee Dae-hyuk battled boredom.
Daehan Construction after-work drinks were better.
‘Just noisy.’
Plus perfume stench worse than blood hit his nose.
Without the goal of nabbing Lee Dae-hwan’s ‘weaknesses’ via these scum, he’d bolt.
“...Beer’s decent though.”
Lee Dae-hyuk set down his bottle after a sip.
Jeong Su-chang vanished to scout targets(?).
He nursed a beer quietly at the bar.
‘Someone should approach soon...’
A woman to seduce him, per Kim Hyun-seung’s orders.
Then no more leisure.
As he lifted the bottle again.
“Came alone?”
A woman’s voice.
Clink!
Lee Dae-hyuk set it down and turned.
Before him stood a woman of gasp-worthy beauty.
Long hair. Oval face. Slender lines, pale skin.
Curvy figure, long limbs.
Toned from proper workouts, contours clear under her dress.
Any regular guy’s jaw would drop.
But Lee Dae-hyuk wasn’t regular, and knew her approach’s purpose.
“Came with a friend, but he ditched to that side.”
Lee Dae-hyuk pointed to the stage with a wry smile.
Jeong Su-chang shook it with women, glancing over.
Even ditching was planned.
“Felt snubbed earlier, but now I’m grateful. Lee Dae-hyuk.”
He offered his name and right hand.
She eyed it, smiled brightly, and revealed herself.
“Handsome guys even have pretty hands. I’m Seo Ga-ram. Model.”
Grab!
Seo Ga-ram clasped Lee Dae-hyuk’s hand.
‘Ugh.’
Psychometry hit; his eyes narrowed.
Third use already straining—head throbbed.
Vision blurred faintly, but he gritted through, no sign.
He’d died once.
This pain? Bearable.
Instead.
Smirk!
Pain passed; Lee Dae-hyuk wry-smiled.
Psychometry confirmed it.
Her real name and job.