Fierce Battle at Hwaryeong Group
I head to the meeting spot at Hwaryeong Group with U Mi-ae in tow. It's an unexpected variable showing up out of the blue, but family dinners always happen at the same hotel, so the location is obvious. That place is the hotel owned by my mother, Jeong Su-ran. Mom has zero interest in management, but Cha Seong-taek left her one of Korea's undisputed top luxury hotels as an inheritance. The reason he picked a hotel? Probably because just holding onto it makes money roll in without effort.
Clunk! Anyway, we arrive at the private entrance inside the hotel. Not for VIPs or even VVIPs—this door opens only to family. I fling it wide, and greetings hit me from all sides.
"You're late."
"Finally here?"
"Yah-hoo, oppa, it's been ages♡"
Each one distinct, matching their personalities. My sisters—rivals, really.
Of all people, even she showed up...
The eldest, Cha Seon-mi, catches my eye first, seated at the head of the table. Nearing her late twenties, but she looks far more mature. A hint of weariness in her fatigued gaze, those eyes holding a cold blue ruthlessness. Unyielding, sparing no means for her goals—a harsh figure. Hwaryeong's unofficial heir, the firstborn daughter, Cha Seon-mi. Her face is rarely seen outside endless rumors in company circles and her business exploits. She's never once joined these family meetings, as expected.
Next, the second sister, Cha Hwa-ryeon. No need for more explanation—we met just this morning. Now, entering the evening, she's fixed her makeup and hair, glaring at me with crimson revenge burning in her eyes.
"Oppa, you feel different from before? A tiny bit cooler, maybe?"
Finally, the youngest, Cha So-eun. Pink as strawberry milk, questioning if this screams chaebol. Striking features that must echo Mom in her youth, with flashy blonde wavy perms. She must've come straight from a workout—yoga pants hugging her lower half for a family gathering. Keywords for Cha So-eun: 'irresponsible freedom,' 'debauchery,' 'willful.' But she holds more affiliate stakes than even Hwa-ryeon right now, and her circle makes her no one to underestimate.
Something's up...
That's it. Three sisters who never showed their faces at these harmony-focused family gatherings, all together now. Since my possession, they've never gotten along—not for a single moment. The atmosphere feels alien, profoundly uncomfortable.
"……."
Even Mom, who dreamed of this gathering, looks unhappy. The family harmony she sang about? Now she's sitting primly with everyone assembled. Spotting U Mi-ae beside me, she hesitates, then mutters weakly.
"This is family-only..."
U Mi-ae, here to assist me—just in case.
"That's—"
"Doesn't matter. We'll wrap this up quick and scatter."
Before I can explain, eldest sister Cha Seon-mi cuts in. Taking charge like the firstborn, she stands.
Hating wasted time, she dives straight into the meeting's purpose.
"Fine. Everyone from the family is here except 'one person.' Let's begin."
She clears her throat lightly.
"Using this gathering, I propose the agenda to expel Hwaryeong Card Chairman Cha Do-yeon from the group."
"………………What?"
Out of nowhere. My ears ring like a tunnel stretches between eardrum and canal. This random 'group expulsion.'
"……."
"……."
"……."
But excluding me, silence from everyone. Like discussions happened without me—they raise no objections.
"Eldest miss, what do you mean! Expel from the group out of the blue?!"
Shocked more than me, U Mi-ae jumps in, furious on my behalf. But,
"Only shareholders have speaking rights. Mind your overstep."
Cha Seon-mi silences her with a glance. Eyes half-lidded like always, fatigued—but her innate charisma pins her down.
"……."
That's enough. Like a fox facing a tiger, no defiance possible. She's a real beast who warns without biting—you thank her for that mercy.
"Eldest sis is too serious~"
The only one who can follow up is the third, Cha So-eun, in this room. The baby sis is a rhino charging headfirst in safari terms.
"Cut the chit-chat! This'll pass anyway—let's speed through and go home."
Cha Hwa-ryeon claps like she's cracking down on local TV. Impatience to rush it, or hatred to repay her humiliation.
Her smirking lips mock me subtly—now my head clears.
"……This your doing, second sis?"
"Who knows?"
Hwa-ryeon smirks smugly. As much as I mocked her at the company, she looked down from her chair.
"Warned you this morning. Thought you'd get away after scratching my temper raw?"
"Even so, dragging family together for revenge is low, right? And 'expulsion' out of nowhere... Even if urgent, getting eldest and youngest to go along—"
"No. Hwa-ryeon didn't pull some genius idea to gather us."
"Yeah. We've been circling this topic among ourselves for ages."
"………Voluntary?"
Seon-mi and So-eun draw the line. No hiding they'd plotted my ousting long ago.
"What's the reason and basis for expelling me from the group?"
"Reason and basis?"
Here, Seon-mi straightens stiffly, a bit pissed. Looks like she's reaching for a smoke, but she chews cheap bubblegum irritably instead. Jaw twitching under tired eyes,
"Think of the corporate image you alone trashed. Expulsion's a bargain."
"……."
"Cha Do-yeon, after Dad died, you whored around daily, blew money till it ran dry—then dipped into company funds? Dropped stock prices with dumb public rants, ignored work, stirred scandals with your ex-wife at home. We've given you plenty of grace."
Grasping my ankles to the end—reckless playboy past without accountability. Unlike Hwa-ryeon's hot temper, Seon-mi's words hit hard, each one factual and chilling, throttling me coldly.
To resist the pressure, I shrug my shoulders, bluffing.
"Why now?"
"Hm?"
"Sounds like you wanted me gone ages ago. With your personality, sis, why not sooner?"
"Yeah. Planned to."
Casual agreement. She pops a small gum bubble,
"Mom held us back till now."
"…Mom?"
"Yeah. Hated family rifts."
"……."
I turn—Mom averts sad eyes. Wet with the intuition she can't stop this anymore. Recalls her scolding visit home before. First realization post-possession.
Chewing it over, Seon-mi—who prioritizes her gain—would've ditched this ticking bomb brother ASAP. Or maybe devoured my company like Hwa-ryeon. But low value, so she egged Hwa-ryeon on.
The blocker behind the scenes? Mom. Cherished her one aching finger son, shielding quietly.
And today, Mom's amulet expires.
Butterfly from provoking Hwa-ryeon, but hearing it—this was inevitable.
Fuck... this bastard really lived dropping everyone's jaws.
Situation grasped. Resolve forms too.
Impulsive from their sudden ambush? Maybe. But no hiding behind Mom's skirts shamefaced.
"Fine. If expelling me from the group, how do you plan to handle it?"
"Young master!"
Mi-ae tries to stop me urgently, but I halt her. Surprised by my compliance, Seon-mi blinks, spits her flavorless gum onto foil.
"Simple. If it passes, you're no longer Hwaryeong Group. Adjust shares, drop the 'Hwaryeong' name, go independent clean."
"That's it?"
"Well, can't steal 'Hwaryeong Card' outright, so use it freely. Not official group anymore, but take that much."
I ponder briefly. No need to drag—but answer's set.
"Don't expel. I'll leave independently—no need to waste energy."
Seon-mi sighs, expecting begging.
"Even so, share-wise—"
"No, I'll split off myself. Let's not fight."
"Young master!"
Mi-ae begs no, but dice rolled. Better clean exit than expulsion mud.
I know why she stops me. 'Hwaryeong' brand value is immense. Fallen, but etched deep in Koreans' minds. Known brand power.
Not ready to face all three yet...
Emotional or rational—clean exit now's right. Clinging to the signboard? Makes me target, gives them reason to unite. No need feeding enemies' justification via my existence.
Know future—can rake money anytime. Need forces before proper clash. Not time yet.
"……."
Especially escape eldest's domain. If obstacle to her hegemony, she'll bulldoze with politics, banks, overwhelming cash—no holds barred. Leagues beyond solo Hwa-ryeon.
"Cha Do-yeon, you seem different lately."
"Yeah? Don't wanna forget cute siblings' faces—I'll visit often."
"Doubt I was ever the 'nice sis' type."
"…Well, not the 'nice bro' either. Since sis won't welcome, leaving first ain't rude."
"Do-yeon!"
Mom stops me, but I turn away. Before clean exit from Hwaryeong stage, one line to the three sisters.
"Oh! Before I go, one favor for sis and dongsaengs."
"…What?"
"Thought you were leaving on your own—why drag it out?"
"Still words left, oppa?"
Sisters retort. I grin loosely to ease tension,
"The 'Hwaryeong' name taken today—I'll come reclaim it later. Guard it well."
Last plea as Hwaryeong Group's eldest grandson.
They exchange looks like I did hearing expulsion—bewildered smirks.
"…Kkhut!"
"Puhahaha!"
"Oppa, for real?!"
They mock hard. Beyond sneers, clutching bellies, rolling in laughter.
Proof they still see old 'playboy Cha Do-yeon.'
"Let's go."
"…Yes!"
But my turned face holds no smile. Dead serious.
Hope they don't crumble before I, departing independent, crush them utterly.
I exit the long corridor. Inside, laughter lingers—but fades from ears heading outward.