If You Want to Shoot the General, Shoot the Horse First
"So, you're saying there was nothing you could do about it back then."
The woman eyes me cautiously, like a criminal awaiting judgment. I take a sip of the steaming coffee she's set on the table before repeating myself to confirm.
"In other words, you called me here to defend yourself, saying you had nothing to do with my sisters ganging up to kick me out of the group?"
"……."
I bring it up bluntly, and she turns her head away guiltily once more. That pitiful gaze makes her look like an innocent girl who's been utterly wronged. I meant it lightly, but she's dead serious throughout. Even so, in my eyes, she's still the most beautiful woman in her forties in the world.
After that surprise ousting, Hwaryeong Card has been going through the process of splitting off from the group. And during this time, the only family member to contact me separately was Mom.
Ironically, Mom—who had actually stepped up to block it—is the one feeling the most sorry toward me.
"Even if I tried to keep it quiet by force, Seon-mi pushed so hard…."
"Ah, big sis."
"You know her personality. No matter how much I tried to stop them, the three of them were ready to shove me aside. And Hwa-ryeon was furious at you for some reason back then too."
"……."
From what I've heard, as expected, Cha Seon-mi was the ringleader. She saw her scandal-plagued little brother as the biggest threat to the group's image. She must've seized the chance while Cha Hwa-ryeon was raging and turned it into an opportunity to uproot me completely. They aimed to cleanly purge the wastrel brother from the group—and it worked beautifully. No messy fights; I left on my own two feet, making it the perfect outcome.
If things had gone according to plan, they would've fed Hwaryeong Construction to Hwa-ryeon on a silver platter.
The eldest and second sisters don't get along particularly well, but they know how to use each other. Cha Seon-mi used Cha Hwa-ryeon to eliminate the problem, while Hwa-ryeon planned to swallow my company to bulk up and challenge Seon-mi. Seon-mi pretended not to know Hwa-ryeon's intentions and even helped her out. After all, even if Hwa-ryeon grew by gobbling up this little company, her skills wouldn't even come close to Seon-mi's.
Big sis really knows how to use her head….
Indeed, there's something to learn from how they make use of each other. Anyway, I already know Mom's innocent, so I shrug it off with a chuckle and change the subject.
"What's done is done. The company's situation isn't dire, and changing the name is no big deal."
"Yeah, I heard from the news… that you succeeded with that massive coin investment this time."
"Yes. I told you I'd show you a changed man. Didn't you believe in your son's resolve to get his act together and climb to the top of the business world?"
"……."
Her face is a complicated mess. To her, a wastrel's bold claims probably sound less credible than the ravings of a paranoid schizophrenic under surveillance. Wrinkles crease her brow deeply. Jeong Su-ran, who endured Cha Do-yeon's endless fuck-ups, must see this as about as likely as a discarded lottery ticket being a winner.
"Well, you do seem a bit different now. But… are you really okay?"
"Huh?"
"I'm worried this might spark a huge fight among you siblings."
For family-oriented Jeong Su-ran, who values familial bonds above all, the worst scenario is her children battling over the business. It's the Pandora's box she's desperately tried to keep sealed. But with Dad Cha Seong-taek's decision to distribute inheritance unequally based on ability, conflict was inevitable. Su-ran must've thrown herself into covering up the ousting plan and scandals to protect 'Cha Do-yeon,' but even the strongest mother can't beat her own kids.
The siblings are already competing in the shadows as scripted, waiting for the moment to stab each other in the back over shares. She must know it, even if secretly.
Click.
"No problem."
I consider her fragile heart. Because I do, I pull back my chair, stand, and take her warm hand in mine.
Just as I promised to claim the top spot in the business world, we share our warmth in secret and make this vow too.
"I'll do my best. I'll lead the way to prevent family division, so don't worry too much."
"Do-yeon-ah…."
The only son who's attended every family meeting without fail. Moved by my sincerity, even Jeong Su-ran's affectionate gaze softens.
‘Mom Jeong Su-ran’s’ trust in you has increased: 11% → 23%
Stage risen: ‘Even So, My Child’ → ‘Sore Finger’
Unlike her previous zero-expectation attitude, her trust is slowly recovering. The nuance of finally growing up.
Well, the picture I'm painting is one of total family unity through incestuous fucking.
Heh. But not asking how I'll prevent the division is Jeong Su-ran's big mistake.
From my possessed perspective, my sisters and mom are already prime fuckmeat. The old wastrel might've at least distinguished family, but the new owner in me can't hold back—the mere thought makes me itch. I can't wait for the day I claim these massive milf tits and that thick ass.
Squish♥ So, like sampling ahead of time, I grope her plump ass from behind.
To gauge her reaction, I stroke that huge cheek, and—
"!? Wait! What the hell—where's your hand…?"
"Ah, sorry. My hand slipped."
Her ringed hand quickly covers her sensitive ass. It was just a graze, no grab, but she jumps up from the chair defensively.
‘Mom Jeong Su-ran’s’ trust in you has decreased: 23% → 19%
Stage fallen: ‘Sore Finger’ → ‘Even So, My Child’
She freaks out and pulls away, but the trust has already dropped. Even excusing it as an accident, her gaze fills with confusion and displeasure.
Damn, does she still see me as a worthless kid?
One little slip undoes all the hard-earned trust gain.
Long road ahead… I hate taking the slow scenic route.
She's not someone I'll never see again, but shattering the 'incest' taboo and building up gradually—the peak is too far. I need a shocking blow to advance our relationship.
* * *
Ding-dong! After passing the first gate at the main entrance, I ring the intercom at the front door.
They sure live flashily.
In Korea, plastered with apartments, a lavish garden like this is rare. I take in the small pond, lotus flowers waiting to bloom wildly in summer, a lucky dog lazing under the green pine even with guests—waiting for the door to open. Clunk!
"? What are you doing here?"
A heavily made-up woman emerges. Even at home, that makeup is on point—what gives? She vaguely resembles someone. Sharp upward-tilting eyes, sharper jawline aside, she oddly looks like someone I met just yesterday.
Jeong Chae-won, Mom Jeong Su-ran's much younger sister. My aunt.
Someone with no ties to me—or so it seems.
I haven't met her since possessing this body, but the rumors were rampant. Mostly bad ones.
"Aunt, long time no see."
"Long time…?"
She tilts her head cynically, then—
"I don't think I've seen you since you started middle school. Hell, our relationship is more 'nice to meet you' than 'long time no see,' isn't it?"
My guess hits home; she's kept her distance. She glares with outright hostility, questioning if we're even blood. Still, I approach warmly again.
"Haha, that's how glad I am to see you. Shall we catch up inside since it's been so long?"
Thud! As I try to step in, Jeong Chae-won blocks me with her foot. She's in loose homewear—a dress with overlapping bra and shoulder straps—sticking out her leg. Taller than Mom, she has a sleek, slender vibe; her legs are definitely long.
"Don't just barge in. Say it here."
The prickly aunt. Her eyes brim with venom toward our Hwaryeong clan.
"Well… it might take a while, so I suggested coming in."
"Say it here. What's this shit about bringing someone along and pissing me off?"
Jeong Chae-won nods toward my companion—my secretary, U Mi-ae. I brought her just in case. The woman's on high alert, fearing what we might do if let inside. Beyond caution—pure paranoia.
"Then, can I leave the secretary here and come in alone?"
"No. I'm in a shit mood today, so fuck off."
…Just straight-up refusing out of spite, huh.
Like a sulky kid, Jeong Chae-won won't budge. Her excessive hostility stalls any progress, so—
"Ah, and come to think of it, it's your birthday today, right Aunt?"
"…Birthday?"
I glance at Mi-ae waiting nearby, and she pulls a gift box from her shoulder eco-bag. I hand over the beautifully wrapped luxury box—women spot the brand logo instantly.
"Brought this to celebrate Aunt Jeong Chae-won's birthday."
"……."
A 'bribe' wrapped as a birthday gift. The nephew's thoughtful present, brought just in case—she stares down at it before snatching it like a hawk.
Well-versed in luxury, she inspects it this way and that before tossing out casually.
"Come in. But just you, Do-yeon."
"Yes, of course."
Stubborn as a crab, she'll cave with conditions. I leave Mi-ae in the garden, follow behind with a beaming smile masking a sinister grin.
The rumors were spot on, huh.
Grinning. That luxury bag bribe? Her eager grab unravels everything—her wallet woes, the Hwaryeong scandals, her personality. All laid bare.