The Deal
There was no better place than Soseonjae for the power elite, who could never escape the prying eyes of others. Surrounded by mountains, security was airtight. Even with money to burn, not just anyone could get in. To some, it was no different from an amusement park. They'd swap stories over drinks, spilling secrets without a care once they were good and drunk. Information had always been money—and power.
Gu Eun-chae, the president who knew this all too well, flicked her fox-like tail to tickle the egos of the elite. But that wasn't enough; she'd gone further, installing listening devices to gather intel.
Kang Min-ho knew the secret no one else did about Soseonjae. The word "wiretapping" slipped from his lips.
The battle-hardened Eun-chae clenched her teeth and fought to keep her composure, but her pupils trembled like aspen leaves. Her mind went blank. Her mouth stayed shut like a sealed cave.
Her body had already betrayed her with a nod of affirmation. Quick to realize her mistake, she masked her shock with an exaggerated laugh, more theatrical than usual.
"Oh, Min-ho! I always thought you were so serious, but you tell jokes pretty well!"
"No need to dodge. Just answer the question."
"Wiretapping? Anyone hearing that would get the wrong idea."
"Who else knows besides you, President Gu Eun-chae?"
"Eh, must be the side dishes tonight. Not up to par."
"I'm not joking."
"Come on in. I'll pour your favorite whiskey and make you some green onion pancakes myself."
He grabbed her wrist as she tried to brush it off and turn away.
"You seem pretty flustered."
"Flustered? What are you talking about?"
"Don't you know I don't drink? And green onion pancakes aren't my thing."
Min-ho never touched alcohol unless it came from his grandfather. It was a glaring slip-up from the rattled Eun-chae.
He pressed on toward the awkward Eun-chae.
"Back at that snack bar, you asked to join my game, right?"
"What's your point?"
"I'll give you what you want. Of course, there are conditions. A bit tricky ones."
Eun-chae yanked her arm away irritably, crossed hers, and fixed him with a sparrow-like glare.
"What do you take me for, saying crap like that? You want to see this place go under?"
"How do you know what guests say when you pop into a room for a bit and come back out?"
"............."
"Last week, right? When the tables were set in the main building, you moved them to the annex and looked pretty thrown off. I had my suspicions at first, but after checking a few times, I was sure."
"You really figured it out just from that?"
"I can tell what someone's thinking from their breathing alone. No point wasting energy on the small stuff—let's get to the point."
Knowing Soseonjae's truth, Min-ho drove into Eun-chae's wounds with a heavy, low voice and a sharp tongue.
"What you want is the truth about Yoon Gwi-young's murder, isn't it?"
It was the sorrow Eun-chae had never shared with anyone. Caught off guard, her whole body froze as she stared blankly.
"H-how... how did you know?"
*Yoon Gwi-young. Gu Eun-chae's birth mother and the second-generation president of Soseonjae. With her stunning beauty, she'd captivated the power elite, laying the foundation for what Soseonjae was today.
At Soseonjae, no misdeeds ever leaked out. No matter the scandal or outburst, it all stayed contained. Word spread like wildfire. Yeouido's political and financial heavyweights treated it like their own home, raking in massive profits.
Plenty of money, solid social status, connections to the elite—everything seemed perfect.
But the moment she thought she'd achieved it all, Yoon Gwi-young crossed a line she shouldn't have. She dove into a dangerous game: meddling in politics with her information.
Rumors swirled that Yeouido deals were made at Soseonjae. Things went smoothly at first. A real power player in Yeouido? A National Assembly seat? No one knew exactly what she wanted. But it was clear she was reaching for something beyond her grasp.
She thought it was within arm's reach—until it all crumbled overnight. Plans derailed, the situation flipped.
"What the hell? You said you'd have my back! Congressman Kim! Congressman!"
Those who'd promised protection scattered to save themselves. The burden fell solely on a powerless woman.
Yoon Gwi-young, the pioneer of Yeouido's "skirt winds," earned her enemies' hatred. In the end, she met a gruesome death one drizzly autumn day.
The incomprehensible began then. Not a single news article mentioned it. Police investigations were perfunctory. Her body was even cremated without Eun-chae's—the sole blood relative—consent, reduced to ashes.
It was blatant evidence destruction, but child Eun-chae was powerless. Appeals to police, prosecutors, and media fell on deaf ears.
Eun-chae had vowed never to live like her mother—but she wanted to know about the death. She craved revenge on the killer. No choice. To hunt a tiger, enter its den.
At twenty-five, the blooming Eun-chae stepped into the Soseonjae she despised, rising to third-generation president.*
Min-ho couldn't have missed the scandal that rocked the world. He'd just played dumb.
He delved deeper into Eun-chae's pain.
"You're running this place for the money, right?"
"What do you think it is, then?"
"Using the power and status of the people who come here to find your mother's killer."
Eun-chae didn't deny it anymore. She wiped her tears with her sleeve and murmured softly.
"No one knows... How did you find out?"
"Chaebol families know a lot. No reason to bring it up, so I didn't."
Eun-chae felt utterly exposed. Nothing left to hide. She nodded, admitting it all.
"You're right. Honestly... money... means nothing to me."
"You asked for help everywhere, but no one lent a hand?"
"I smiled sweetly at top dogs like chief prosecutors or party leaders, slipped them envelopes, begged for help... They all turned away."
"Not even a mention?"
"Yeah. Like they were deliberately looking the other way. Do you know something?"
"Nothing at all. If I did, I'd have proposed a deal with that info already."
Eun-chae nodded faintly in agreement. Worry filled the space where her bright smile had been.
"You were about to give up when I caught your eye. Figured I might be the one who could pull it off."
"Sounds brazen, but I won't deny it. Though that's not the whole story."
"What's the rest?"
After a hesitation, Eun-chae spoke heavily.
"Embarrassing to say it myself, but I take after Mom—a little... no, a lot pretty. Guys won't say no to gifts just for a cup of tea with me."
"Didn't think of using those guys?"
"Why wouldn't I? But after digging a bit, they all cut contact. Means something's up, right? When I was half-resigned, you started catching my eye."
"Since we're on the topic, keep going."
She let out a long sigh like a confession and continued.
"Guys will hand over their livers for a smile. But you never even glanced my way."
"I wasn't coming here for you."
"That sparked curiosity—and a challenge. 'If I really try, maybe I can get him?' That kind of thing."
"Sounds like you planned to rope me in and use me."
"Spot on. No enterprise has that kind of money and power except JK Group."
After pondering, she uncrossed her arms and asked.
"But seriously, how did you know? No one does."
"Can't tell you that. But I'm the only one who knows, so don't worry."
"You asked if my offer still stands?"
"Yeah. Might need a little help from you going forward."
Hearing unknown info through Soseonjae was a sweet deal for Min-ho. Helping him meant Eun-chae could leverage JK Group later for a reinvestigation of her mother's murder.
"How much help do I need to give to get yours?"
"You know my goal?"
"You said it before. World conquest."
"That was a joke."
"My dream changed today. Snagging the guy who conquers the world."
With some worry lifted, she smiled brightly like a girl again.
"I just help you become chairman?"
"Don't need that much. Just accurate info. Keeps me quiet and gets you what you want."
"Deal. Let's do it."
No losers here. Eun-chae thrust out her right hand energetically.
"I'll share everything I know. Promise."
Min-ho stared at her hand, then spoke gravely.
"Not joking. Helping me is dangerous. Worst case, you could die."
"I told you. No family, nothing to lose. Once I find Mom's killer, I'll wrap it up and retreat to the mountains."
"Then give me one piece to prove I can trust you."
Smiling slyly, she replied.
"You know the war in JK Group has started, right?"
"Something I don't know?"
"Just me. I'll tell you once we shake on the contract."
Without hesitation, Min-ho took her hand, shook it, sealing the deal.
"This enough?"
"Sure. Last time, the big boss—Vice Chairman Kang Du-seong—came here."
"Who'd he meet? That's the key."
An unbelievable name came from Eun-chae's lips.
"Secretary General Jeong Dong-gyun. You know him?"
If Jeong had joined hands with Du-seong, all the secretary office's intel was compromised. Unexpected, but Min-ho stayed calm, sorting his thoughts.
"Huh? Thought you'd be shocked. Sometimes you seem like a stone Buddha..."
"What exactly did they say?"
"In short, Jeong hates Butler Moon."
"Dad probably stroked his ambitions. Deal: Dad becomes chairman, Jeong sheds the puppet label."
"Knew you were sharp, but one word and you get a hundred... Spot on. Exactly."
With confirmation, he'd decide: silence Jeong forever or flip him.
"Not bad for a first trade."
"Not bad? Where else do you hear this? Premium intel!"
"Cooperate like this, and I'll deliver."
"You really mean that... I can trust it?"
"If not, nothing I can do."
His casual toss stung; she pinched his arm hard.
"Why the pinch?"
"Thought you wouldn't bleed if stabbed, but you say it hurts? Now you seem human—trustworthy."
"Good, then."
"Getting late. Head home safe; I'll call next time."
Eun-chae yelled toward Choi Jong-hoon.
"Lawyer Choi! Time to take the young master home! We're done!"
She flashed a smile, winked, and headed to her office.
Choi came running, curiosity all over his face.
"Young master. What took so long?"
"Nothing. Tired—let's go."
"Understood."
The real war had begun.
To verify, Min-ho headed to group HQ where Butler Moon was.