Chapter 149: I Came to Warn You
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 149: I Came to Warn You
When I stepped out after tidying up the massage room, I found two women radiating a murderous aura.
Yeong-eun and Olivia.
They were locked in a battle of wills, glaring intensely at each other.
Man, they’re both such beauties, but their personalities are the problem.
They say the more beautiful the rose, the sharper the thorns.
It was like a clash between a dragon and a tiger.
Yikes, if I step in there, one of us is going to end up dead.
"Whoa, isn't the atmosphere a bit too vicious?"
At my words, the two of them finally turned their gaze toward me.
"Are you finished?" Yeong-eun asked first.
"I'm done with everything for today. But what brings you here, Noona? You didn't even call."
"Well, I heard a certain stray cat was trying to sneak into our shop."
"A stray cat? I'm a legitimate investor, you know."
Sparks flew.
Ouch, hot. I’m going to get burned at this rate.
"Now, now, everyone calm down. What are you doing in front of the members?"
I stepped in to stop them.
They were all people of high social standing, so it wouldn't escalate into a physical fight, but there were too many eyes watching.
"……Sigh, fine. I’ll let it slide."
"So, the stubborn Yeong-eun actually backed down. You’ve changed, Yeong-eun. You weren't like this before."
"It's because JH Health is growing like this thanks to Jae-ho."
At Yeong-eun's words, I looked around.
Customers invited and recommended by Na Ye-jin were working out all over the place.
Some were even receiving personal training from Miju.
And all of them were exercising in clothes that barely covered their nipples and private parts.
Yet, not a single person thought this situation was strange.
That’s right.
The gym's hypnosis was in effect.
The hypnosis that suggested exercising while exposed in this gym would yield better results.
Perhaps it was because they were all celebrities.
Their toned bodies, slender waistlines, and the curves of their breasts were impressive.
Not that I plan on sleeping with all of them, though.
But there was no harm in doing some groundwork.
Wouldn't they be like desserts I’d get to taste eventually?
Celebrities that others would be honored just to look at would keep filling this place.
As I kept seeing such celebrities, the desire would naturally follow—I might end up doing it at least once.
Though that’s a story for the distant future.
I thought I had successfully changed the subject, but then...
"You like Jae-ho, don't you?"
"Wh-what? What are you talking about? N-no, I don't!"
At Olivia's remark, Yeong-eun waved her hands in flustered denial.
Denying it? That’s a bit hurtful.
"Why are you denying it? Do you dislike me, Noona?"
"Wh-huh? No, it's not that……."
Yeong-eun waved her hands frantically.
"Then why did you say you don't?"
As I stepped closer, Yeong-eun turned her head away.
Was she trying to avoid eye contact with me at all costs?
Her shy appearance was quite cute.
"I don't know……."
Watching this scene, Olivia’s eyes narrowed.
"How annoying."
The words slipped out of her mouth before she realized it.
Startled by her own words, she quickly covered her mouth.
What did I just say?
Annoying?
Me?
And not just anyone?
Why would it be annoying to see Yeong-eun flirting with a man?
No. It can't be.
It has nothing to do with me, right?
I just need to ignore it.
I just have to keep telling myself that men are annoying creatures, as I always have, and forget about it.
I closed my eyes and counted. Three, two, one.
Take a deep breath in and let it out.
My heart calmed down.
"Ssshh, hooo."
When I opened my eyes again, my calm self would be back.
Olivia opened her eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Eek!!!"
She was so startled by Jae-ho, who had thrust his face right in front of hers, that she fell backward.
"Whoops!"
Jae-ho caught Olivia by the waist as she was about to fall, preventing her from hitting the floor.
"Are you okay? Why were you so surprised?"
And then, an unintended contact occurred.
Jae-ho's hand pressed firmly against Olivia's lower abdomen.
"Hnggh...!"
Olivia tightly covered her mouth, stifling a moan.
She writhed as a primal pleasure surged up from her womb.
I can't climax in a place with so many people.
I am a civilized person.
I absolutely…… cannot.
Fortunately, it seemed no one had noticed except for Jae-ho, whose body was in contact with hers.
"How can you finish just from a light touch? Was it that good?"
Olivia trembled at Jae-ho's whisper.
"D-don't touch me there."
She seemed to want to sound cold, but...
"It's not very convincing when you say it with such a sweet voice, you know?"
"Haa, haa."
Olivia, struggling to regain her composure, sat back down.
"Anyway, keep the public displays of affection to a minimum."
Olivia spoke as she wiped away her sweat.
She was weaker to pleasure than I thought.
Even though she looked like a queen who ruled over other women.
I looked at them with a smile.
"I'm not going to listen to someone who just threw money at me and then vanished."
"Ah, didn't Mr. Choi tell you? Starting today, I'll be helping out here as an economic expert."
"You, Ollie?"
"Of course. Who else would help if not me?"
Yeong-eun also looked like she couldn't understand.
"Since Mr. Choi's personal schedule and care time are already being handled by a skilled secretary, I should focus on sales, profits, and bringing in international clients from now on."
"If it's Ollie, I can trust her."
Even Yeong-eun acknowledged it.
Then again, who could refuse?
"Actually, I've already brought a guest from overseas."
"You too, Olivia?"
"It seems Yeong-eun introduced someone as well."
"Yes, that's right."
"Exactly. I've also invited someone who can really help spread the word."
Who could it be?
"They’ll arrive tomorrow, so I'll let you know then."
Who on earth is it?
I was dying of curiosity.
*
"If Ollie is helping, we won't have to worry about the operations."
Once Olivia returned to her hotel, Yeong-eun spoke. Olivia was one of the few women she truly acknowledged.
"By the way, I heard you were with those girls on the day of the first snow?"
She was talking about Miju and Ye-seul.
"Ah, we just happened to leave together after work. Were you sad we didn't get to see it together?"
"It's not like that."
"Ayy, I think it is."
"I told you, it's not……."
"Then what is it?"
I asked, leaning in close to Yeong-eun.
"Why are you so pouting?"
I poked Yeong-eun's protruding lips with my finger.
"I wouldn't have been able to see it anyway because my schedule was so busy. And it really doesn't matter."
"Why?"
"Because the first snow we see together will be the real first snow for us."
After she finished speaking, Yeong-eun grabbed my neck and pulled me in.
Naturally, our lips met.
Mwah.
"I don't get jealous over things like that anymore. I'm an adult."
"Is that so? For someone who says that, your lips are still sticking out."
"That's because they're out to devour your lips."
We kissed once more.
Yeong-eun's lips were incredibly soft.
*
"It's been a while."
Olivia, who was heading back to her hotel, changed direction and arrived at an elegant traditional Korean restaurant in Seoul.
It was a Hanok-style restaurant with suit-clad bodyguards stationed everywhere.
"The Chairman is waiting for you."
Guided by a staff member in a hanbok, Olivia entered the Hanok.
"The facilities are nice, aren't they?"
"Indeed."
After sharing some small talk with Clarice, Olivia entered the room the staff member opened for her.
"It's been a long time, Chairman."
"You're a bit late."
Chairman Yoo Taek-soo was already there, having started his meal.
With his chopsticks, he broke off a piece of beautifully grilled sea bream and lightly dipped it in soy sauce. After putting the fish in his mouth, he took a spoonful of multi-grain rice steamed in a stone pot.
Chairman Yoo closed his eyes, savoring and enjoying the food.
The sight was almost solemn.
"It's unlike you, who usually keeps strictly to appointment times."
"I'm sorry. I was delayed while spending time at Mr. Choi's gym."
"Hmm, did you receive his massage?"
"Yes."
"Then it's understandable. That young man's massages are exceptional."
"They are."
Gently stroking her lower abdomen, Olivia sat across from Chairman Yoo.
"The little girl I once knew has grown up to become the head of a leading American investment firm. Ho ho, I never would have guessed back then."
"I was lucky."
"How is the family business progressing?"
"The stagnant sectors were liquidated and absorbed into Rhino."
"Haha, a daughter who swallowed her father's business. Quite a fearsome thing."
"Thanks to that, Rhino has grown even larger."
"Did you come here to swallow Jeil as well? It might be difficult, as its size is quite substantial for you to handle."
Chairman Yoo put down his chopsticks, his eyes gleaming like a predator's.
Olivia did not back down.
She wore the expression of a corporate leader, one she hadn't shown during her war of nerves with Yeong-eun.
"I didn't come here to talk about Jeil."
"Then?"
"It's about Mr. Choi."
"Ho ho, is it alright to talk about him when he's not here?"
"I noticed Yeong-eun invested 30 million dollars in Mr. Choi."
If she responded to that, she would be swept into his pace.
Olivia ignored Chairman Yoo's remark and continued her own point.
"And she did it under the name of Jeil Group."
"Is there a problem? A member of the Jeil Group family investing money under the group's name?"
"No matter how much Yeong-eun plans to invest in various businesses as a famous celebrity, she wouldn't have been able to produce 30 million dollars on the spot."
"So you think I helped her?"
"Didn't you?"
A cold smile.
It was the gaze of Olivia the businesswoman and investor, a side she never showed Jae-ho or Yeong-eun.
"You think I had a hand in it."
"I'm 120 percent sure."
"Did you travel all this way just to ask something so obvious?"
The warm gaze he had for his young granddaughter's friend had long since vanished.
The tiger at the head of Jeil bared its teeth.
"What did you promise to receive in exchange for giving Yeong-eun that 30 million dollars?"
"……."
"Would a man who calculates profits and losses even with his own son not make a deal with his granddaughter?"
"That's an impertinent question."
"Since Jeil is our co-investor, I can't help but be concerned."
"I'm sorry, but I cannot disclose that to an outsider."
"Is that so?"
Olivia crossed her legs.
His refusal to answer was an answer in itself.
"I know you have your eye on Yeong-eun. You wanted to groom her to be the Chairman of Jeil."
"What is your intention in saying that?"
"Is Mr. Choi, Choi Jae-ho, just a tool to make Yeong-eun the Chairman? Or do you genuinely like him?"
"So you came here to ask that……."
Olivia looked at Chairman Yoo Taek-soo.
An old man like a raccoon who had swallowed dozens of snakes.
An innovator who had built the nearly collapsed Jeil Group into South Korea's top corporation.
He was a man who did not easily show his true feelings and could deceive even his own heart for maximum profit at any time.
Even while pretending to be a good person, he was capable of stabbing someone in the back at any moment.
"If it's the former, I came here to warn you not to break him because of your greed."
"Not to break him?"
"Yes. I don't care about you making Yeong-eun the Chairman of Jeil. However."
"However?"
"Choi Jae-ho is a talent I have recognized. He is the person who will make Rhino Company the best in the future, so don't touch him."
"Ho ho, how interesting. To think someone would actually come to me and issue a warning. It seems you've taken a liking to that man as well?"
Chairman Yoo's mouth was smiling, but his wrinkled eyes were wide as he stared at Olivia.
Olivia did not answer.
She simply met his gaze.
"Very well. I shall keep that in mind."
Hearing those words, Olivia stood up without hesitation.
"Won't you stay for the meal?"
"I'm not particularly fond of Korean food."
"I see. Get back safely."
Chairman Yoo picked up his chopsticks again.
Leaving behind his sacred and solemn chopstick movements, Olivia returned to her hotel.
"Clarice, I should buy some kimchi fried rice on the way back. I'm craving Korean food."
"Understood, Miss."
She was very hungry.
*
"Is it alright to let her go like that?"
At Secretary Choi's question, Chairman Yoo Taek-soo simply focused on his meal in silence.
A silent declaration that he did not want to be disturbed during his meal.
After a long time, the Chairman wiped his mouth with a tissue and spoke.
"Yeong-eun will need a rival too."
Contrary to his soft tone, his face was full of annoyance.
Choi Jae-ho.
The man his granddaughter liked.
He had decent abilities and wasn't bad-looking.
Personality? It was good.
He thought Jae-ho would be someone he could easily control even if he entered the family as a grandson-in-law.
That was why he liked him even more.
Since he was the man his granddaughter liked, there was no reason to oppose him.
He was a man whose conditions perfectly fit the role of Jeil's son-in-law.
"An unexpected interloper has appeared."
Olivia Lawrence.
A troublesome girl had entered the fray.
That, too, would be a trial Yeong-eun must overcome.
As a child of Jeil, she had to overcome even more difficult opponents than this.
"By the way, 'break him,' she said."
Chairman Yoo Taek-soo repeated Olivia's words once more.
Did she mean he would be broken if he were embraced by Jeil?
Or did she really think he would destroy him?
"What an interesting thing to say."
Whatever it was, it was interesting.