9. The Ultra-Rich Seo Mina Who Made the Bitch Trying to Humiliate Her Man Know Her Place.
9. The Ultra-Rich Seo Mina Who Made the Bitch Trying to Humiliate Her Man Know Her Place.
'I'm sorry... no matter what, I have no choice but to discriminate...'
The day after the money-flaunting incident, I carefully examined the results of that money-flaunting.
My usual clothes maintenance consists of nothing more than washing well, drying well, and folding well.
However, I couldn't do that with the 16 million won items that Mi-na had picked out for me.
So, I bought and brought in moisture absorbers, mothballs, cedar hangers, and shoe trees for my shoes.
"You usually arrive at the meeting place 30 minutes early, right?"
"Yeah. Time is all I have."
"Today, aim for exactly on time. I need to stop by my house."
"Ah! Mi-na, you need to stop by your house to get dressed up too, right?"
Mi-na, who was watching me handle the clothes she bought for me with such care while wearing no bra and dolphin shorts, hinted that she would be stopping by her house.
"Wait, your hair..."
Seo Mi-na, who was about to leave the semi-basement entrance to stop by her house, lightly grabbed my head while I was seeing her off in my sweatpants.
"Never mind. You're handsome enough. No need to dress it up."
Then, she turned around with a mysterious smile.
'What was that smile just now...'
Thump...!Thump...!Thump...!
I was going to make a lame joke about bringing a Melona on her way back, but for a moment, I turned into a statue.
It seems the aftermath of the incredible charisma Seo Mi-na showed yesterday and today is still lingering.
'Min Seon-a, you cunning thing. Just like Mi-na said, she really intended to humiliate me at a high-class place and force me to submit with money.'
I finished my full set, including the watch, worth 50 million won, and then went outside to wait for Mi-na to return from her house.
In the meantime, texts occasionally came from Min Seon-a.
Saying I should look sharp since it's been a while.
Saying I shouldn't feel burdened, though.
Mi-na had said it.
That Min Seon-a's intention was to make humiliation the baseline, and while pretending to care for me in my difficult situation, she was trying to invest a certain amount of money to gain the upper hand through gaslighting.
As the meeting time approached, that nuance was strongly felt in the texts from Min Seon-a, who kept trying to check this and that.
'But Seon-a. Today, I am a man draped in 50 million won. I want to see that face of yours turn beet red in embarrassment.'
In my 23 not-so-long years of life, I had always thought that if your heart is clear, you should be confident, and if you're confident, that's enough.
But I guess I can't deny the "high" and confidence that comes from being loaded with money.
Armed with a hidden card to shatter Min Seon-a's schemes, I couldn't contain my triumph and waited only for the time of the decisive battle.
However,
It seems the hidden card of the day wasn't me.
'What the hell is that??????'
30 minutes before the meeting time, Mi-na returned from her house.
She is certainly amazing on a normal day, but a fully set-up Mi-na was on a different level.
Beyond pretty and beautiful, she had a bewitching and overwhelming aura.
She looked like she had just stepped out of a pictorial.
Perhaps that's why the Porsche Panamera might have been a little underwhelming.
"What are you doing. Get in."
'Roma??? It looks like a Ferrari Roma????'
How could Mi-na not know that?
Seo Mi-na, who had been to her main house, had replaced her car with a 500 million won Ferrari Roma.
'Why is Geum Tae-yang coming out of there!! And who on earth is that woman!!!'
Seo Mi-na's hidden card, which was not a hidden card, whose effect had been clearly proven through Geum Tae-yang, made the face of Min Seon-a, who had set up today's stage, turn deathly pale.
In her head, Geum Tae-yang should have arrived by taxi or come walking along from far away.
Saying he was sorry for being late.
But, completely shattering her expectations, he got out of a 500 million won supercar belonging to a young lady who was expected to be the daughter of a top-tier mid-sized company owner.
Min Seon-a, who had tried to gain the upper hand in the relationship with money, could not accept the situation in front of her, nor could she understand it.
"You're Mina-ssi, right? I'm Yu Myeong-ho! Tae-yang's senior! We met at the cafe a month ago!"
On the other hand, Yu Myeong-ho was a pro when it came to changing his stance.
Even though he was the one who had blabbered to Min Seon-a that Geum Tae-yang's female friend was nothing special,
He greeted her more happily than anyone else,
And effectively acknowledged his own hierarchy by lowering himself.
'That woman is that female friend???'
The result created by Yu Myeong-ho's jumping to conclusions,
Min Seon-a's gaze, her face pale, shifted from Geum Tae-yang, who had gotten out on the opposite side of the driver's seat, to Seo Mi-na, whom Yu Myeong-ho was approaching.
"Of course I remember. Tae-yang said he was going to meet Myeong-ho-ssi, so I thought I should take care of him and came along."
Usually, when talking to Geum Tae-yang, Seo Mi-na hated it when people called Yu Myeong-ho "Myeong-ho-ssi."
But in an official setting, her attitude was that of a professional, ultra-wealthy young lady.
Seo Mi-na accepted the hand Yu Myeong-ho had extended for a handshake with a relaxed yet calm smile,
Without a moment's hesitation.
"This person is that friend of Tae-yang's I mentioned."
"Ah, hello, I'm Min Seon-a..."
"I'm Seo Mi-na. Nice to meet you."
Even though he lowered his rank, Yu Myeong-ho is someone who can never let go of controlling the situation.
He introduced Min Seon-a, who had a complicated head and a troubled mood, to Seo Mi-na as if he were possessed by an MC,
And Seo Mi-na responded with a relaxed expression that was almost a poker face.
'Ah... what is this pressure...!'
Seo Mi-na and Min Seon-a stood facing each other about two steps apart,
Min Seon-a was crushed by an indescribable pressure.
'I... feel like I've become a runt...'
Min Seon-a had always taken pride in her 167cm height.
She used to act like sour grapes, saying anything taller was too big for a woman.
But now, with 175cm Seo Mi-na looking down at her,
Min Seon-a felt greatly diminished.
She was being crushed by an aura, the aura of existence.
"Oh, oh, oh, oh! Geum Tae-yang!!"
At that moment, Yu Myeong-ho's exclamation drew attention once again.
"What! You came dressed up properly? I was worried for nothing!"
As Geum Tae-yang returned from the opposite side of the driver's seat, he had finally discovered the fully set-up Geum Tae-yang, adorned with items totaling 50 million won.
"Ah, is it okay, Hyung? I feel a bit awkward."
"When you come to places like this, you have to dress like this. You'll get used to it as you wear it."
It's a reaction Geum Tae-yang has never received from Yu Myeong-ho in his life.
Seeing him instinctively put his hand on his head as if embarrassed,
He had been confident that he would show the attitude of a man fully equipped with 50 million won before coming, but it wasn't easy.
'Wow, this is!!!! How much is this??'
Yu Myeong-ho had shown his senior's easygoing nature, but inside, it wasn't like that.
Yu Myeong-ho, who had scanned the things draped over Geum Tae-yang's body in an instant, was going crazy at the fact that so-called high-class items were fully decorating Geum Tae-yang, whom he usually looked down on.
'It's a full Brunello Cucinelli set... Even at a glance, it's 16 million won in total...'
How could Seo Myeong-ho not know Brunello Cucinelli?
Actually, Seo Myeong-ho also likes the brand.
It's just that he's a timid Seo Myeong-ho who likes to show off but hates spending a lot of money, so he doesn't dare to try.
'I guess this girl set him up...'
Min Seon-a wasn't at the level of identifying brand names.
But even at a glance, she could tell it was luxury.
Moreover, her intuition as a woman immediately realized that this luxury setup was the work of Seo Mi-na, who was looking down at her from just two steps away.
'She's trying to screw me over...'
A sensible person would think a very close friend had put in the effort,
But since Min Seon-a was the one who started this with a twisted heart, she figured out the situation brilliantly.
Seo Mi-na's intention in coming with Geum Tae-yang.
So, the venom in Min Seon-a's heart, which had been greatly shriveled until just before, came back to life.
However,
"Hey, hey, you, Geum Tae-yang, this!!!"
A situation was created where that venom would also be crushed like a dog.
"This watch! This is a Reverso Duoface!"
"Mi-na bought it for me, shameless as it is. These clothes are the same."
Seo Myeong-ho had discovered Geum Tae-yang's watch.
As expected, he knew the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface.
"This is worth over 30 million won!"
"Ah, Hyung! If you say it like that."
He would have usually controlled his reaction because of his own pride,
But since a 32 million won item was decorating Geum Tae-yang's wrist, Seo Myeong-ho ended up blurting out the raw comment.
'Th-thirty-two million????'
Thirty-two million,
It's ten times the money Min Seon-a had steeled herself to invest in Geum Tae-yang.
'Cr-crazy....'
As for the clothes, she didn't know the brand, so she used it as a catalyst for her competitive spirit,
But the moment the price of the Reverso Duoface was revealed, Min Seon-a's head went white as if an explosion had occurred.
"Tae-yang is a very precious friend to me. Almost like a savior. Since we met again after such a long time, I wanted to give him as many gifts as I could."
And Seo Mi-na, standing in front of her, turned her head toward Geum Tae-yang and whispered honey-like words with the sweetest smile in the world.
'At first glance, it sounds like she's aiming it at Min Seon-a.'
Seo Mi-na only looked at Geum Tae-yang.
Also, that gaze made Geum Tae-yang feel a different sensation from her words just a moment ago.
'It feels like she's whispering into my ear...'
It was Seo Mi-na's sincerity disguised as teaching Min Seon-a a lesson.
"That's some truly big-hearted friendship!"
"......"
Yu Myeong-ho, who was just hooked on the fact that someone spent a lot of money for someone else, admired it as if he were about to clap,
And Min Seon-a, though resentment was still boiling up, couldn't do anything in front of the overwhelming power, so she lowered her eyes slightly and fell silent.
"Then I'll take my leave, have a good time, you three."
Seo Mi-na, who had perfectly suppressed both Seo Myeong-ho and Min Seon-a in advance, respected the original appointment as if to show the pinnacle of manners.
"No, no, Mina-ssi! Why don't you join us, Mina-ssi!"
"Hmm... would that be okay?"
"Of course!"
But Seo Mi-na knows well. That Yu Myeong-ho, who would be very curious about her wealth, would never just let her go.
Just as she thought, Yu Myeong-ho tried to make Seo Mi-na join them.
"Is that okay, Seon-a-ssi?"
If Yu Myeong-ho makes her join, then the joining happens.
In the current situation, the host, Min Seon-a, is just a sidekick.
Seo Mi-na asked for permission from even that Min Seon-a.
It must be a finishing blow disguised as asking for permission.
"Yes... of course..."
Min Seon-a, who was barely managing her expression, slowly nodded as if surrendering to the overwhelming power.
'So this is how the joining happens. I was curious about how she would pull it off... Seo Mi-na... you're scary...'
From Geum Tae-yang's perspective, it didn't seem like Seo Mi-na was going to just drop him off at the meeting place and leave.
So when he probed her, Seo Mi-na said she would naturally join them,
Not for nothing is she a cold city woman; she didn't explain the trivial methods.
And then, she realized it through action, based on very perfect situation control.
"Ah! Did you have a reservation, Seo Mi-na-nim?"
Afterward, as Geum Tae-yang's group entered the restaurant La Serene, a person presumed to be the head manager approached with a quite surprised look.
As expected, Seo Mi-na is a VVIP customer here at La Serene as well.
In other words, the head manager thought there might have been a mistake in the reservation system when Seo Mi-na, a customer he manages directly, entered suddenly without an appointment.
"It's not my reservation, it's my acquaintances' reservation here. The situation worked out, so I was considerate enough to join them."
"Ah~ is that so! Then I will guide you."
The moment they entered the stage called La Serene, even the situational dominance that Yu Myeong-ho had tried so hard to seize passed to Seo Mi-na.
Seo Myeong-ho and Min Seon-a, who were quietly watching the conversation between Seo Mi-na and the head manager, couldn't find a way to intervene with bravado when it was clear to anyone who wasn't blind that the system revolved around her.
'If the head manager is like that, what kind of position is she in? At that point, it's not just about money, but she must even consider her reputation?'
There are plenty of rich people in high society.
That's why even among the upper class, ranks are divided by image, reputation, and furthermore, connections.
The fact that the head manager of La Serene rushed over to take care of Seo Mi-na meant that she wasn't just a customer who spent money.
Min Seon-a was overwhelmed by money and aura, and Seo Myeong-ho was overwhelmed by the quality of the upper class that Seo Mi-na stepped into.
"I'm going to the bathroom, Mina. I think I need to tidy up my clothes."
"Okay, go ahead, Tae-yang."
By the authority of the head manager, Geum Tae-yang's group was moved to a wider and better-located table instead of the original reservation table.
Seo Mi-na sat down naturally as if she had always sat there, and Geum Tae-yang approached behind her and whispered in a low voice.
"......"
Geum Tae-yang, heading to the bathroom,
Yu Myeong-ho, the man who had even lost the initiative, watched him meaningfully.
"Oh, Myeong-ho Hyung? What are you doing in front of the sink???"
Geum Tae-yang had finished his business in the bathroom stall and tidied up his clothes.
And then, he came out of the stall while checking his phone slightly,
And what awaited him was Yu Myeong-ho, who had his arms crossed and eyes closed, leaning against the sink like a statue, as if in agony.
Yu Myeong-ho had meticulously watched Geum Tae-yang enter the bathroom and then followed him after a short delay.
"Tae-yang..."
From Geum Tae-yang's perspective, Yu Myeong-ho didn't look like he came to wash his face or do his business at all.
So he showed a puzzled reaction,
And the man of agony, Yu Myeong-ho, opened his eyes slowly and opened his mouth.
"Are we actually close?"
Then, he started checking their friendship out of the blue.
"Yes?"
It was an abruptness that made him doubt his ears.
"I'm asking if we're army buddies who went through extreme situations together. Helping and comforting each other when things were tough."
Yu Myeong-ho's tone of voice and expression looked full of resentment.
"Of course, Hyung. That's why I'm fine even when you joke about poverty."
Swoosh...!
"This bastard..."
Geum Tae-yang washed his hands at the sink next to Yu Myeong-ho.
"But you deceive me? You betray me?"
"Yes? How did I betray you, Hyung?"
Yu Myeong-ho, who started pouring out what was inside like the water in the sink, accused him of being a false person.
"If you look like that today, how much have you been in contact with Mina-ssi all this time! Very closely and intimately! But you acted in front of me as if there was nothing like that? For at least a few weeks?"
Hadn't Yu Myeong-ho thought until recently that there was no difference from the month before Geum Tae-yang reunited with Seo Mi-na?
However, judging by the situation that took place for about an hour today, there was a massive, earth-shattering change.
They had been in close contact, and it seemed they had met several times.
Yu Myeong-ho, who has a fundamental jealousy that Seo Mi-na, who is of a much higher class than him, has a connection with Geum Tae-yang, feels like he has been played by the junior he used to look down on.
"Ah, there's really nothing. Like you said, Hyung, we just kept in touch."
Actually, it's a familiar situation for Geum Tae-yang.
Yu Myeong-ho is someone who likes to be treated well.
So he gets sulky easily even over trivial things.
The advantage is that he gets over it quickly. That's why Geum Tae-yang responded smoothly instead of being flustered.
"Tell me. Seo Mi-na-ssi is the daughter of an owner of a mid-sized company or higher, right?"
You said you kept in touch? Then, didn't a lot of conversations go back and forth anyway?
The simple-minded Yu Myeong-ho, having blown away the resentment he was appealing just a moment ago,
Struggled to dig up Seo Mi-na's personal information with sparkling eyes.
'Wow...!'
Geum Tae-yang, who was wiping his hands while watching Yu Myeong-ho's appearance, couldn't help but admire.
'Mina, you cunning thing, you're really scary...'
However, it was an admiration not for Yu Myeong-ho, but for the cunning female friend, Seo Mi-na.