Aunt and Mom's Explosive Chemistry
"So that's the goal Aunt had in mind when she stepped out into the world."
In the silent women's restroom, alone with just the two of us. Perched on the edge of the sink, stroking my chin with a sly grin, I added, "Not that I'm against striking first."
"...What."
"Someone with your long bag strap would know full well that Hwaryeong Hotel alone is worth plenty within the group, right?"
"......"
The Hwaryeong Hotel owned by my mother, Jeong Su-ran. Its stock price and market cap easily surpass trillions. Pure numbers put it at around 3.5 trillion won. But from my position, kicked out of the group, it's an absolute non-sale item—no amount of money could buy it. Not just me; no one could pry it loose. That massive stake value is baked in.
Market cap is just surface numbers. The real intrinsic value lies in Hwaryeong Hotel's internal control structure.
"As you know, it's not just the value of a concrete slab. Covet it, and you'll catch hell from above and below."
The reason Cha Seong-taek specifically left Hwaryeong Hotel to his wife, Jeong Su-ran. It's because that single name alone lets her pressure the entire affiliates. A problem born from Korea's freakish conglomerate structure.
The 'illegal inheritance' and 'gifts' that plague Korean chaebols—a way to defend control. Cha Seong-taek figured his death might spark sibling fights and splinter the group. So he schemed, exploiting Su-ran's tight family bonds to birth Hwaryeong's unique setup.
In short, the eldest, Cha Seon-mi, has the strongest voice in Hwaryeong Group right now. But if someone really committed to running the whole thing, Jeong Su-ran holds the advantageous spot. Complicated to explain, but insurance and liquid funds are deeply tangled with Hwaryeong Hotel.
With money and privileges, you can manipulate affiliates way bigger than yourself. So snagging Hwaryeong Hotel among them carries special weight.
"Of course, Mom doesn't seem interested in those privileges."
But Jeong Su-ran didn't play that way. Mom just sat on her seat, not acting as the suppressor Cha Seong-taek expected, nor diving into management. Like when my Hwaryeong Card got booted by my sisters' attacks—she stayed neutral, neither protecting nor intervening.
Whether she's truly uninterested in business or just lacks the resolve to control her kids, only she knows. Anyway, that's Hwaryeong's current structure. Su-ran sits on the throne, but real control is wielded by Cha Seon-mi, or the second daughter Cha Hwa-ryeon, and the youngest Cha So-eun.
"At least three people will be breathing fire. You ready for that?"
"......"
Ptoo! Aunt spat into the sink. She shut off the running water she'd left on, tossed her long straight hair back, and straightened up.
"Say what you want—it's my share to claim. That bastard Cha Seong-taek promised it."
"...Dad did?"
This is news to me.
"You wouldn't know, but every time we met, he promised a hotel if I kept our relationship quiet. Even before nosy reporters latched on—and after, if I stayed quiet, he'd hand it over later. ...Well, you see how that turned out."
"Bouncing blank checks to win her favor while alive..."
I shrugged helplessly. "Dunno how much use a dead man's word from years ago holds."
"Yeah, the chaebol boss yapping like a con artist— no real proof."
Even if there was proof, it'd be a joke. Verbal promises like that are worthless. Or, if some smoking-gun evidence of the gift survived by miracle, it'd turn into a thriller flick. Mom might not care, but Cha Seon-mi... no, the youngest would make it a bloodbath if she sniffed a spoon.
Clack! After emptying her guts, Aunt grabbed her handbag from the sink and gargled with mouthwash. Pale from puking, but her expression sharpened toward me clearer than ever.
"That's why I'm telling only you."
"......"
"You sought me out, egged me on, even set up a meet with my sister—must be 'cause you want something from me, right?"
Quick thinker. No more hiding—time to lay it all bare.
'Straight into the game, huh...'
She showed willingness to advance the talk, so I crunched the numbers. Staring at her face—so like Mom's if not for the frown—I hit a decent outcome and grinned wide.
"I'm gonna fuck Mom."
"......???"
She blinked rapidly. "Wha... what the fuck?!"
"Mom's so damn hot, I wanna bang her."
"Wha... what the hell!?"
Her composed resolve crumbled in shock at my crude words. Eyes wide—she never expected this trash talk. Whatever. I spilled my real goal loud and clear. Like with Hwa-ryeon, I'd be transparent with allies.
"Not just Mom—Hwaryeong entire. They're all family, so I'll tend to them up close and personal."
"What the— what kind of insane shit is that?!"
"Oh, and I've already done Hwa-ryeon sis. She's on our side now."
"!!! Cha Hwa-ryeon... that loudmouth bitch— no no no, that's not the point, what the...!"
Cool-headed Aunt was babbling incoherently. She pressed her temples to sort her scrambled brain. I summed it up tight for her.
"Think simple. I dragged you out of hiding to topple Mom—reason and goal? Family."
"......"
"And you're family too, broadly speaking."
At a glance, like Mom Jeong Su-ran. Taller, sharper upturned eyes, but Aunt had her own allure. Unlike her old slob days buried in mess, her dolled-up female form excited me. I approached; she flinched, shoulders hunching.
Worried I'd trigger a panic if too rough, I held back. Trembling, she looked up at me.
"I thought it weird you showed at my house outta nowhere... you're a total psycho, huh?"
"Eh... dildos are old news now. Curse me all you want—it's daily routine."
"You've been eyeing Mom—my sister and the family like that all this time?"
"Mom and you too. Since that first visit♪"
"......"
I bared my filthy desires without shame. Like her spilling her hotel ambitions, I exposed my dark heart. Fine by me. Family or not, to me they're bitches in heat. In a world where no one else remains, she needs my power— no issue.
"...I see. Fucked-up reason that explains hunting me down."
Plus, after Cha Seong-taek screwed her hard, distrust defines her. This hits harder. Her flower-like youth devoured, she'd shudder at more betrayal.
"Then what was that about teaming up to crush Sis...?"
"Dead serious. Mom's gotta fall hard for me to grab her fully."
"............Yeah, for crazy shit like that, makes sense."
She nodded, logic checking out, then, "So approaching me... you want this body too?"
"Won't deny it. But," I stepped closer, touching her slender shoulder. "Eek!" She jolted.
'Traumatized deep...'
Her body, weathered alone, recoiled at touch—PTSD from Cha Seong-taek, rejecting men. I gazed down bittersweet, soothing her.
"I'm greedy. I want your true heart too, Aunt."
"......"
"Better we click than force it, right?"
Pure truth, no bullshit. Tormenting a panic-attack girl is torture for both.
"Truth? I could hand you a hotel now. Hwaryeong Hotel's tough, but Korea's got plenty—buy one, install you."
"......"
"I get the deep distrust of men from that massive trauma, plus craving tangible payback. Claiming your share? Fair."
That's why she snatched the luxury bag gift fast. The designer bag always on her, perched on the sink lest stolen, reveals her dark psyche. Wounded woman all around.
No matter my lust, I won't pounce on panic-plagued Jeong Chae-won. Show true intentions to avoid backstab vibes, close distance slow—hearts open naturally. Rape her forcefully? Same as Cha Seong-taek. Act with care? Done.
"Talk's dragged. We've bared souls—wrap it here today?"
"......"
Time to head out. Left Mom alone too long, I turned for the door— yank! Pulled back. Suit tugged weakly but stubbornly.
"...Aunt?"
Arm stretched shaky, bracing with the other like hives might erupt, yet she clung. Droplets of clear spit hit the floor. Grimacing hard, she slowly lifted her head.
"You're... leaving now?"
"Huh?"
She tossed all her hair back. Face braced with courage unlike her mumbling lips. "Talk's out... come to my place now."