Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Even if You're Handsome, You Still Have to Put in the Effort
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Seeing Yoon Ha-rin rush out of the house, I immediately used my search ability.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Park Jun-woo's father visited Yoon Ha-rin's mother, Hong Yu-ha's salon, bringing up Yoon So-yoon's responsibility for his son's death and pressuring her. He went on about moral responsibility and demanded condolence money. But when Hong Yu-ha refused, he threw a tantrum. Terrified, she called Yoon Ha-rin. "Park Jun-woo?"
The guy who cheated with Yoon So-yoon.
I knew this one too.
He was a pretty diligent employee at the company.
Worked in the private equity division and had solid achievements, from what I recalled.
So everyone was shocked when he died while fooling around with Yoon So-yoon.
Never saw it coming from him.
That was part of why Yoon So-yoon had such a bad reputation.
Most people figured she must've come onto him first.
"Demanded condolence money?"
Ridiculous.
Both Park Jun-woo and Yoon So-yoon were dead—no legal recourse whatsoever.
But with Hong Yu-ha alone, she must've looked like an easy mark, so he was pressuring her with talk of moral responsibility.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Park Jun-woo's father is demanding condolence money from Yoon So-yoon's side, citing moral responsibility because his son was a passenger in the car she was driving when the accident killed him. He vented intense emotions, saying his only son got swept up in her seduction and lost his life. The amount he's demanding is around 100 million won. If refused, he's threatening to spread rumors on mom cafes and various online communities to ruin the salon's reputation. "Something feels off."
No one at the company didn't know Yoon So-yoon was dating CEO Jang Min-hoo.
So Park Jun-woo knew too when he met her—his responsibility as well.
Even if Yoon So-yoon was driving, the insurance company would handle it.
No legal obligation whatsoever for condolence money.
"Hong Yu-ha must really look like a pushover."
Looking at Yoon Ha-rin, I figured her mom was the soft, kind type too.
"The father's suspicious too?"
The 100 million won figure stuck out.
For a salon in the location I searched, revenue wouldn't be that high.
Tough amount for a place like that to swallow.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Park Jun-woo's father's real goal is Hong Yu-ha. Her alluring looks and figure stirred his lust. He fell for her usual kindness and is using his son's death as an opportunity to make her his. "Fuck?"
What a bastard.
Using his son's death was absurd enough.
But his real aim was Hong Yu-ha?
Looks like he was a regular at the salon.
"Pressuring her with condolence money to get at her."
I threw on some clothes and headed out.
This needed handling in person.
On the way, I used the search ability more.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ * Park Yu-seong, Park Jun-woo's father, saw Yoon So-yoon's KakaoTalk family photo and took an interest in Hong Yu-ha. From then on, he gathered info on the salon and started visiting frequently. * He kept showing off his wealth to express interest in Hong Yu-ha, but she turned him down. This was info on the guy named Park Yu-seong up to here.
"Park Jun-woo's suspicious too?"
Past searches only covered why Yoon So-yoon cheated.
Something felt off about Park Jun-woo himself, so I searched.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ * Park Jun-woo used the company's internal network to pass unpublished and high-level info to his father, Park Yu-seong. * He approached Yoon So-yoon precisely to gain access to that high-level information. "Hah?"
Way more calculating than I thought.
Landed Yoon So-yoon, scored the unpublished and high-level info.
Passed it to his dad, Park Yu-seong, and raked in massive profits.
A quick search showed the profits topped over 1 billion won.
"So that's how he flashed his wealth at Hong Yu-ha."
Such a perfect weakness—gotta exploit it.
Who the hell approaches my future woman?
Park Jun-woo was dead, but Park Yu-seong could get nailed for capital markets law violations.
Criminal penalties, disgorgement of illicit gains, fines—the works.
I called Kim Gi-woo right away.
"Gi-woo."
-Yes, CEO.
"Get the legal team head and come to the address I'm sending. Right now."
-Yes, understood.
"As fast as possible. Bring the materials I text too."
-Yes!
I searched Hong Yu-ha's personality too.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Hong Yu-ha is a woman with strong maternal instincts. She's always warm to those around her and pours her heart into every single customer. Deeply considerate, always putting others first. She has a strong sense of family responsibility, quietly enduring her daughter's absence more than anyone. She seems tough on the outside, but inside, she's softer and more vulnerable than most. Hong Yu-ha was just as kind and warm as Yoon Ha-rin.
Raising twins single-handedly without a husband— one hell of a woman.
"She's gonna be my woman from now on."
Daring to mess with a woman like that.
Park Yu-seong, you need a serious lesson.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "CEO Jang Min-hoo turned out to be more of a pushover than I thought."
He had no clue about Park Jun-woo's true colors.
If he'd just searched ahead of time, he wouldn't have lost Yoon So-yoon or gotten played.
"Too buried in work. What an idiot."
Not that it's bad.
Company supports livelihoods of nearly a thousand employees.
I won't live like that.
Already did the pushover life once—won't get fooled again.
Arrived at the salon and went right in.
Park Yu-seong was facing off with Yoon Ha-rin.
Hong Yu-ha was huddled behind her, sitting.
"I'm curious about that story too."
Yoon Ha-rin's eyes welled up at my words.
Hong Yu-ha's eyes widened in surprise, fist-sized.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Neo Class CEO Jang Min-hoo."
"What? Oh, right. That company's CEO. Looks like the photo."
I walked over and greeted Hong Yu-ha.
"Long time no see."
"Min-hoo..."
I even knew she usually called me by name.
Over the five years dating Yoon So-yoon, I'd come here plenty, even grabbed meals together sometimes.
"We'll talk later, Mother-in-law. Sister-in-law."
"Yes! Brother-in-law."
"Take Mother to the room."
There was a small rest room in the back for Hong Yu-ha.
"Go where? You talk to me!"
"Shut it, Mr. Park Yu-seong."
"...What?"
"I know why you're here, so shut up."
"Hah? What happened? You two chat while I stepped out?"
"None of your business."
"Hah? Hilarious. Hey, didn't Yoon So-yoon betray you? Here to cover for her family?"
"So-yoon messed up, but these two didn't."
"Aw, look at Mr. Sweetheart."
Park Yu-seong sneered mockingly.
"So, you're paying the condolence money? Works for me. Rich CEO footing the bill—I'll gladly take it."
"Why the hell would I pay condolence money?"
"What, didn't hear on the way?"
"So-yoon killed him driving? Son got used by her? Some moral responsibility crap?"
"Knew it, huh. Yeah, gotta own up morally. My only son got used and killed by that fox of a daughter!"
He raised his voice deliberately, but I wasn't scared at all.
The old me would've flinched.
CEO title? Knowing all his weak spots?
A scornful laugh escaped instead.
"What, laughing?"
"CEO!"
Right on cue, Kim Gi-woo arrived with the in-house legal team head.
"Took you long enough?"
"Sorry."
"CEO, got all the materials you mentioned."
I took the materials.
Inside: internal messengers between Yoon So-yoon and Park Jun-woo.
Logs from confidential file accesses.
Even CCTV shots of them heading to the secure archives together.
Not airtight proof on its own, but it'd be huge for Financial Supervisory Service or prosecutors.
'Could dig up evidence on Park Yu-seong anytime via search.'
Hadn't found it yet in the rush.
But I had the power to provide it later.
For now, enough to file suit.
I showed the materials to Park Yu-seong.
"No interest in dragging this out with trash like you. Straight to the point."
"What're you saying? Can a CEO just trash people like that?"
"Violated the Capital Markets Act. Took unpublished and high-level info through Park Jun-woo, scored illegal stock profits."
"Wh-what're you talking about?"
Park Yu-seong's face stiffened.
"Think I, the CEO, wouldn't know what's going on in my own company?"
He frantically scanned the materials.
"Amount looks pretty hefty."
Park Yu-seong's face slowly drained of color.
"Company's filing suit right away. Criminal penalties, fines incoming. Gi-woo, what's the disgorgement multiple?"
"Up to triple."
"You pulled about 1 billion won, right? Get ready to cough up 3 billion, Mr. Park."
It wouldn't actually hit triple—the law's too lenient.
But plenty to pressure him.
"Wh-what the..."
Shocked even more at the exact 1 billion figure.
"Don't bother denying. We can check texts and calls on So-yoon's phone too. That'll link you and Park Jun-woo."
"N-no..."
One more.
Via search, I'd gotten info on Park Yu-seong's current business.
"And you started that chicken feet franchise with your illegal gains?"
"H-how...?"
"You're the CEO."
"...So what."
"Heard you're doing something hilarious there. Selling Chinese product as domestic. Chili powder and seasonings—all Chinese."
"Wh-what? No way."
"Gonna play innocent? Well, if some articles or broadcasts hit on it, you probably won't sweat it."
In this era of outrage bait, shows and YouTube programs snapping up illegal or immoral tips are everywhere.
Naturally, hyena reporters hunting those stories too.
I'd already searched up contacts for those reporters and program staff.
One tip, and they'd swarm.
He'd sunk a fortune into the franchise—broadcast exposure would wreck him.
As expected, Park Yu-seong's face crumpled hard.
"Wh-what, gonna report me somewhere?"
"No need to freak. You deny it, right? Ah, imagine articles on the franchise CEO with Capital Markets Act violations. Would be fun."
Any company losing trust goes under.
Finally grasping the situation, Park Yu-seong switched to a humble tone.
"W-wait. Just a sec. Can we talk this out?"
"Talk what?"
"I-I think I got carried away. My son died, lost my head for a bit. You get it, right? A parent's grief."
"Shut up and apologize properly if you're gonna."
"......"
"Don't wanna?"
His instincts must've screamed danger.
He knew resisting was pointless.
Yoon Ha-rin and Hong Yu-ha, who hadn't gone to the room yet, blinked in surprise.
Looking at them, Park Yu-seong bowed his head.
"Sorry. I'm sorry."
"Do it right. See how scared our mother-in-law and sister-in-law were."
"Ugh. I'm sorry."
He even dropped to his knees—must be seriously spooked inside.
Hong Yu-ha said coldly,
"Don't ever come back to my salon."
"Yes. I won't. Sorry."
"Shouldn't you slap him at least, Mother-in-law?"
"...It's fine, Min-hoo."
"Alright. We'll call it here for now."
"Th-then the lawsuit?"
Then another customer walked in.
"This the place from the report? Who reported? The complainant?"
"Yes. Me."
Police.
Can't just let him barge in and cause chaos.
Suit's still on, obviously.
No thought of letting it slide just because he apologized.
One last word as police dragged Park Yu-seong away.
"Mr. Park Yu-seong. One bit of free advice."
"......"
"Your wife's cheating with some young guy right now. Probably showering him with cash. Might wanna check."
"Wh-what!?"
"Gym trainer gig, I think."
All from search, naturally.
Park Yu-seong's face flushed red at the info.
"Fuck!"
His reaction felt oddly satisfying.
After Park Yu-seong was hauled off,
I reassured Hong Yu-ha and Yoon Ha-rin.
"No more worries, Mother-in-law. Sister-in-law."
"Min-hoo..."
"Brother-in-law..."
They finally relaxed, small smiles forming.
'No joke.'
One stunning mother-daughter duo.
Seeing them like this, all the hard work felt worth it.
To claim women like this, even I gotta put in the effort.
No matter how handsome I am.