Young, beautiful women held all the world's charms.
But that didn't mean perfection.
Mature women could offer everything a man desired.
Life was only complete by savoring different views.
Like Lee Joo-bin and Yoon Hye-na, each brought him unique experiences.
If Yoon Hye-na was a peony, the woman before him was a blooming crabapple.
"Sorry~ Are you okay?"
Ha Joo-hee bit her lip, her index fingers timidly touching before her.
Her frail, pitiful act sparked a man's innate urge to conquer and protect.
Her V-neck's deep cleavage and devilish figure stirred primal desires.
Lee Jin-woo glanced at his car's rear. A finger-long scratch on the bumper.
Nothing else.
"Minor scratch. Let's go through insurance." He moved to leave, but Ha Joo-hee stopped him.
In a pitiful, coquettish tone, she said, "Please leave your contact info. I'll cover all repair costs."
"No need." He refused again.
"Please, I insist…"
Rounding the car to face him, her smile froze.
She spotted the tattoo on his neck, hidden by the angle.
So scary!
"Number." He pulled out his phone.
"What?" Ha Joo-hee replied blankly, her excitement to hook a rich guy gone.
"Your number. You said you'd pay, right?" He frowned, looking up impatiently.
Intimidated, she gave her number.
He dialed, confirmed her phone rang, then hung up and got back in the car.
"Ye~ Drive safe."
She bowed, staying put until the Land Rover was gone, then cautiously looked up.
Sure it was far, she couldn't hold back her fear.
"Ah~ So scary, what do I do?"
She thought he was a rich mark, not a tattooed gangster.
If she'd known, she'd have picked another target.
Now what? She was doomed.
Gyeonggi-do, Goyang City, CJ E&M Headquarters.
Lee Jin-woo sat in a café, enjoying the view outside.
He was waiting for CJ's Second-in-command, Son Kyung-sik.
Big shots always arrived a bit late.
How else to flaunt their status?
With nothing to do, he recalled the rear-end incident.
The system nailed his thoughts!
[Ding!]
[Being seen as prey by a cunning fox is an insult to the boss.]
[Make her realize who's the master, who's the prey.]
[PS: Mold the cunning fox into any shape as punishment for her foolish, unforgivable mistake!]
Wow, a taming task. So…
Nice!
"Sir, your coffee." Nodding politely, he looked outside again.
He saw Son Kyung-sik crossing the plaza toward him.
As he entered, Lee Jin-woo stood, smiling. "Chairman Son, long time no see."
"Hahaha, Jin-woo, why so formal?"
Son Kyung-sik quickened his pace, patted his shoulder heartily, and sat across.
"Sit, let's talk." He waved, acting like the host.
He'd arrived first, yet Son owned the room.
That poise wasn't ordinary.
"Yes, Chairman Son." Lee Jin-woo sat, smiling.
"Hey, 'Chairman Son'? Do we need to be so distant?"
Lee Jin-woo just smiled, not taking the bait.
Climbing too eagerly, gushing about their "close ties," would make him look cheap.
"But, Jin-woo!" Tilting his head, Son Kyung-sik frowned at his neck.
"What's this? Why'd you do this? Really not going home? Your father has high hopes for you!"
Sipping coffee, Lee Jin-woo said, "A man needs some dignity."
"Hahaha, true. That lady's temper makes living with her tough."
"On that, we agree."
Pointing between them, he grinned. "Being treated like a despised pup—I can't stay and play the pup, right?"
Lowering his crossed leg, Son Kyung-sik gave him a surprised look, lifting his coffee. "Well said. You've grown a lot."
"Still much to learn from seniors like you." Lee Jin-woo lowered his stance, giving full respect.
Asking for favors required humility.
Given Son's status, even at the Jeonju Lee ancestral home, he'd owe junior courtesy.
Arrogance without power or backing was just a joke.
"Jin-woo, what brought you here?"
"Missed you, of course."
"Hahaha…" Son Kyung-sik laughed heartily.
To men like them, truth and lies blurred.
What mattered was what was said now.
Born with masks, who'd show their true heart?
That was asking for trouble!
"Alright, what is it?" Son leaned forward, hands clasped, listening.
No more flattery, Lee Jin-woo said he'd taken over an entertainment company and needed help.
"TV shopping host, that's it?" Son was stunned.
He came all the way from Seoul for this?
"I said, I missed you… the host thing was an afterthought."
"Jin-woo, thank you." Son said, touched.
"We're family. What's more important than that?"
Patting each other's shoulders, their gazes brimmed with sincerity.
Leaving the café, their faces showed deep reluctance.
"Jin-woo, visit often."
"Definitely. When you're in Seoul, tell me—I'll treat you to the best wine."
"Haha…" Waving goodbye, Son stood domineeringly, watching him go.
As the car turned out of sight, his warmth vanished.
"This kid's changed a lot." Son mused.
Beckoning his nearby aide, he asked, "The info's confirmed?"
"Yes, double-checked."
"Hm…"
Seeing his pensive look, the aide said, "Vice Chairman, he's just a bastard son. Aren't we being too cautious?"
Dropping his hands from his waist, Son glared coldly.
"You telling me how to do my job?"
"No, Vice Chairman, sorry, sorry."
"Tae-ji, never underestimate anyone. He's a bastard, but the great lady has no kids.
And his father's the emperor controlling Korea's national pension, Lee Kyu!"
"But even if you help him, will Chairman Lee approve?"
Son gave a comical look, laughing as he headed to the office.
Approval didn't always need initiative.
Passive approval worked just as well.
(End of Chapter)