Sungjun's overprotectiveness

A few minutes earlier, before overhearing Jiyeon's conversation, Sungjun had approached Soojin at the door.

"Where's Jiyeon?" he asked.

Soojin hesitated for a moment, glancing back into the room. "She's taking a nap," she said.

Sungjun tilted his head slightly, his sharp eyes catching a small gap in the doorway. Through the narrow space, he could see Jiyeon's legs—her posture indicated she was sitting rather than lying down.

Right then, Sungjun understood something was going on, cuz his daughter would never lie to him that way.

He smiled slightly. "Alright," he said casually, stepping away.

However, as he walked down the hallway, he cast a glance over his shoulder. Sure enough, Soojin was peeking out of the door, watching him to make sure he was gone. Only when he reached the stairs did she finally close the door.

Sungjun's smile faded as he pressed a button on his wristwatch. "Neo, activate Jiyeon's microphone." He decided to spy on his daughter again.

Instantly, the smart watch Jiyeon wore responded to the command, activating its built-in microphone.

As he climbed the stairs, he listened to their conversation. Jiyeon's voice was clear, recounting the events with her ex-boyfriend and the unspoken agreement between father and daughter. Sungjun's expression remained neutral, but as she described the incident and Soojin called him "bipolar," his eyes darkened slightly.

Once he had heard everything he needed, he deactivated the microphone.

He exhaled slowly, muttering to himself. "That boy needs a thorough lesson." Without hesitation, he pulled out his smartphone and started dialing.

Meanwhile, far from the estate, in the northern part of Seoul, Sae-ri and road manager Yuna sat inside the modest home of Sangwoo.

Sangwoo, normally composed and professional, looked completely miserable. His shoulders slumped, dark circles evident under his tired eyes.

"It started last year," he said, voice strained. "My younger brother… he started a business with someone. He took out loans—many loans—in my name. At first, things seemed fine, but then… he was cheated. His business partner fled, leaving him with all the debt."

Sae-ri and Yuna listened in silence.

"The investors went after him immediately. He was arrested and put in jail. The only way to get him out was bail… and even now, we still owe 600 million won."

Sangwoo let out a bitter chuckle. "I have no choice but to sell my house to repay it."

Yuna sighed, offering her condolences. "That's… really tough, Sangwoo-Oppa."

Sae-ri, however, remained quiet for a moment, considering his words. Then, she spoke.

"I'll cover it."

Both Sangwoo and Yuna looked at her in shock.

"I'll lend you the money to pay off those debts," Sae-ri said, crossing her legs. "You can pay me back once you recover the money from that scammer."

Sangwoo's eyes widened. He was so overwhelmed with emotion that, before he could stop himself, he dropped to his knees, bowing deeply.

"Sae-ri-nim… thank you. I don't even know how to express my gratitude."

Sae-ri waved her hand dismissively, smiling. "Don't mention it. You've helped me secure so many projects over the years. The least I can do is help you when you need it."

Sangwoo clenched his fists, his body shaking slightly from the weight of his emotions. "I won't forget this. I'll make sure to pay you back, no matter what."

Sae-ri simply sipped her tea, her expression unreadable.

"Good," she said softly. "Then let's start figuring out how to get your brother out of this mess."

A couple of hours later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Sae-ri stepped into the grand estate. The comforting scent of home filled the air, but the place felt noticeably quieter than usual.

The house steward approached her with a polite bow. "Welcome home, Madam."

Sae-ri nodded. "Where is everyone?"

"Madam Seol-ah is in her room," the steward began. "Mingsu-ssi took all four kids with him about forty minutes ago. Master Sungjun left just ten minutes ago, saying he had an urgent situation to attend to."

Sae-ri paused mid-step, a frown forming on her lips. "Urgent situation?" she repeated.

Sungjun didn't have any friends in the city—at least, none that she knew of. And for him to leave in a hurry? That was unusual.

She pulled out her phone and called him.

After a few rings, Sungjun picked up.

"Noona?" he greeted casually.

"Where are you going?" she asked without preamble.

"Meeting a friend," he replied smoothly.

Sae-ri narrowed her eyes. "What friend?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Then Sungjun's voice came back, just as even. "It was a last-minute invitation."

"The steward said you told him it was an urgent matter."

Another pause. Then, "It's nothing serious, noona. I'll call you when I'm back."

Before she could press him further, he hung up. Sae-ri lowered her phone slowly, her mind whirring. What is he up to?

Then, suddenly, a mischievous thought struck her. She turned to the steward. "How did Sungjun look when he left? What was he wearing?"

The steward tilted his head, recalling the details. "Black turtleneck, slim-fit trousers, sneakers, blazer, and a long coat over it. He also looked fresh, as if he had just showered."

Sae-ri's eyes lit up.

A turtleneck? A blazer? A fresh look?

That wasn't an "urgent matter" outfit.

That was a date outfit.

A slow grin spread across her face. "Oh, it's definitely a date," she murmured to herself.

Then a thought struck her.

Is it… Im Sujin?

The possibility sent a flicker of excitement through her. After all, she was the one who tried to pay cupid, making him travel in her vehicle. The distance from the Four Seasons Hotel to Sujin's home would roughly take an hour, enough time for them to talk things.

Sae-ri chuckled, crossing her arms. "Jun-ah, my dear younger brother, you better not make me wait too long to find out."

Contrary to Sae-ri's expectations, Sungjun's destination was nowhere near a romantic dinner or a quiet café. Instead, he was walking through a dimly lit alley in Deungchon-dong, Gangseo District in Seoul. The cold night air did nothing to temper the icy look in his eyes as he approached an old, independent house.

Inside, the air was thick with tension. Four men in suits—stern-faced, all Korean—stood in the living room. Their rigid postures suggested that they knew exactly who had just entered.

In the center of the room, a young teenager sat tied to a chair, his hands bound behind him, his mouth gagged, and his eyes blinded by a cloth. Sweat dripped down his face as he struggled weakly in fear

The men greeted Sungjun with a deep bow.

Sungjun barely acknowledged them with a nod before his sharp gaze fell on the trembling boy.

"Is it him?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable weight.

One of the suited men stepped forward and bowed slightly before answering. "Yes, sir. He is the one who dared to bully the young miss."

He handed Sungjun a tablet, displaying detailed information.

Sungjun took a step closer, reading aloud as his cold voice filled the room.

"Yang Joonwoo. Age, eighteen. Sophomore at Seoul Jungang High School. Father—a customs officer. Mother—a doctor, a resident at Asan Medical Center. You come from a well-off working-class family, Joonwoo-ssi."

He paused, his gaze flickering from the tablet to the trembling boy.

"Officially, you've dated three girls: Seo Yuna, Moon Areun, and Kang Dahye. Two of them filed complaints against you with the school principal for harassment before breaking up. You've been suspended six times in the past two years, yet you remain enrolled because your parents made significant donations to the institution."

Sungjun lowered the tablet and looked straight into the boy's terrified eyes.

"This is your history, Yang Joonwoo. Is that all correct?"

The boy's muffled protests behind the gag turned into panicked whimpers as he squirmed, shaking his head desperately. His entire body trembled, his breath quick and uneven.

Sungjun didn't need a verbal confirmation. He had already confirmed everything he needed.

His lips curled into an icy smirk as he leaned down slightly.

"Good. Then let's talk about your future."

Sungjun reached forward and yanked the cloth from the teenager's mouth.

"P-please! Please let me go! I swear I won't—" Joonwoo's panicked voice barely escaped his lips before a sharp slap landed across his cheek.

The room fell into silence.

Joonwoo's head snapped to the side, his skin burning from the impact. His breath hitched as he turned back, eyes wide with terror behind the blindfold.

Sungjun slowly lowered his hand and coldly spoke. "I asked you a question, brat. Answer it properly. Are the details correct or not?"

Joonwoo frantically nodded, his neck jerking like a terrified chicken. "Y-yes! They're correct! Everything is correct!"

Sungjun hummed as he straightened. "I see. There wasn't enough time to dig into everything, so I don't know what other nasty things you've done." His voice was eerily calm. "But I'll show you mercy today."

Joonwoo's lips trembled with hope—until Sungjun crouched beside him, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper.

"However, if my men ever spot you troubling a girl, bullying someone, or engaging in any kind of dirty behavior again…" He leaned in, his breath brushing against the boy's ear. "I will chop your thing off, batter it, fry it like chicken, and feed it to your damn mouth. Understood?"

Joonwoo's entire body shook violently. His soul felt like it had left his body. "Y-yes! Yes! I swear, I won't—I'll never—"

Sungjun pulled back and gave a slow nod. Then, without another word, he flicked his fingers.

One of the suited men stepped forward, holding a small syringe. Joonwoo's eyes darted to the needle, and he barely had time to whimper before the man injected him. Within seconds, his body slumped, unconscious.

Sungjun watched him for a moment before turning to his men. "Give him some alcohol. Drop him near a bar, make it look like he drank too much. Then send an anonymous message to his parents about his location."

The subordinates nodded in unison.

Satisfied, Sungjun adjusted his coat and strode out of the house.

The cold night air greeted him as he stepped into the alley, his breath visible in the dim light. Soon, he disappeared from the alley, going to the road and hailing a cab like an ordinary person to return home.