Chapter 29: Background

It didn't take long.

By early afternoon, Baek returned, carrying a crisp folder and a darker expression. He handed it over without a word.

Kang Daeho flipped it open.

Son of Lee Min seok and Kim sohee.

Lee group which is also affiliated with the jin Group.

A single brow rose.

"jin Group," he muttered, almost to himself. "Ranked second to us in holdings and political reach."

Baek nodded. "Yes. His family has kept a relatively low profile publicly, but they hold immense influence. A quiet power."

The chairman closed the folder slowly.

"So he's not just some idol. He's one of them."

He leaned back, the lines around his eyes deepening. "This... Where things get complicated."

"There's more," Mr. Baek continued. "Minji is the youngest of five children. Two older brothers: Lee Minsu, a prosecutor, and Lee Jinwoo, who manages a branch of the family business overseas. Two sisters: Lee Eunha, a professor, and Lee Areum, married into another chaebol family, and then we have Lee Min Joon, stage name minji and his decision to become an idol caused a massive falling out with his family, especially with his father. He's rarely returned home ever since."

A long silence followed.

"So he is not just some ordinary singer… he's from a well influential family," Daeho murmured. "Which means this is not just a scandal. It's a potential obstacle to my daughter's future plans."

He closed the folder with a snap. "Watch the Lee family. And keep an eye on Minji. I want to know if that rift with his father can be used to our advantage."

Mr. Baek bowed. "Yes, Chairman."

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It was a quiet afternoon in the towering Lee Group headquarters when Minseok's assistant stepped into his office, carrying a neatly organized folder.

The chairman of Korea's second most powerful family was reviewing investment reports, but he looked up when the assistant hesitated at the door.

"What is it?" Minseok asked, his voice calm but firm.

"There's been... a request," the assistant began cautiously. "Someone's been digging into our family registry. Very specific inquiries about you, your wife, your children... even Minjoon."

Minseok's pen paused mid-stroke. "Who?"

The assistant hesitated. "Kang Daeho's right-hand man, sir. Mr. Baek."

For a second, silence filled the room. Then Minseok leaned back slowly in his chair, his fingers steepling together. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp and calculating.

"Why would Daeho suddenly be interested in us?" he muttered. "Especially Minjoon…"

His voice trailed off.

Minseok's hand stilled mid-turn of the page. His sharp gaze lifted.

"Kang Daeho?" he echoed with a raised brow. "And what reason did they give?"

The assistant hesitated. "They're investigating your youngest son… Minjoon."

Minseok's expression shifted not into panic, but into something darker. Calculated. "Why would that man's people be looking into Joon now of all times?"

The assistant bowed again. "Word is… Daeho's daughter has taken an interest in your son. It seems she's asking her father for help."

Minseok leaned back slowly in his chair, lips pressed into a thin line. "So, his daughter wants my son, does she?" he muttered under his breath. His thoughts turned toward Minjoon how long had it been since they'd spoken properly? Since that argument?

"How is Minjoon lately?" Minseok asked coolly.

The assistant shifted uncomfortably.

"There's more, sir."

Minseok's brow arched.

The assistant continued, "A few nights ago, Minjoon made a public confession… during a concert. He revealed that he's in a relationship. The girl's identity wasn't disclosed, but the clip's been circulating. It caused quite a stir online."

There was a long pause.

Chairman Lee's jaw tightened. "He went public?"

"Yes, sir."

"With everything going on in the family, he still dares…" Minseok murmured, almost to himself. Then his gaze sharpened again. "And this is what Daeho's people picked up on?"

"Exactly. They're trying to identify the girl."

Minseok's fingers tapped the desk lightly. "Find out how far they've gotten.

Minseok's gaze drifted toward the window. "Watch Daeho carefully. And don't let Joon get tangled in anything without me knowing first."

"Yes, sir."

He hadn't spoken of his youngest son ever not since their last argument. Not since Minjoon had walked out with nothing but a bag and a dream to become an idol but have been asking about his welfare once in a while. Min seok hadn't approved. Neither had sohee his wife. The boy had always been different gentle, artistic, too much like his wife's side of the family, perhaps.

"Find out why, and discreetly," Minseok said finally, breaking the silence. "If Kang Daeho is plotting something, I want to know before he takes another step."

"Yes, Chairman," the assistant replied, bowing before leaving swiftly.

Alone in his office, Minseok turned his chair toward the large window.

The skyline of Seoul shimmered in the distance, but all he could think about was that son he barely spoke to and the hidden war that might now be creeping into their lives.