TL: Aniea
"You haven’t bought that bag yet, have you?"
Before Secretary Yoon delivered the news.
At Park Hye-jeong’s blatant remark, the expressions of Kang Byul and her mother turned cold.
Something felt off from the moment they entered the store. Sure enough, her attitude changed in an instant, like flipping a hand.
‘...I shouldn’t cause any trouble here.’
But still, Kim Ji-hye held back.
She wasn't sure exactly who the other person was, but she was clearly a well-to-do madam. Moreover, she was also Kim Eun-ha's guest.
VVIPs, at that.
It was better to hold back and let this slide than to cause a scene and bring trouble to Kim Eun-ha and Kang Woo-ju.
"Yes, I haven’t bought it yet."
"That’s a relief. I’ve been working really hard to get that bag. In fact, the only reason I came here today was because of the Artycapucines."
"Ah, I see."
So what?
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she didn’t let them slip out. At that, Park Hye-jeong and her daughter casually approached and began to touch the bag.
"Hoho. The craftsmanship of artist Seo I-ryeong is truly amazing, isn’t it? Every year, six contemporary artists collaborate to make a limited edition. I heard this time a Korean artist was included."
"Indeed. The painting techniques of painter Seo I-ryeong that we saw at the last exhibition are perfectly captured here. It’s subtly unique and truly beautiful."
"......"
Park Hye-jeong and her daughter started making detailed remarks that Kim Ji-hye might not know about, subtly undermining her.
It wasn’t the first time they’d done this.
The mother and daughter duo were perfectly in sync.
"While Seo I-ryeong's work itself is attractive, the reinterpretation by Louis Vuitton is also quite appealing. I’m glad I came to see it in person."
"Exactly. The texture can’t be conveyed through a tablet at all, and sometimes I wonder if they’re being too bold with their sales tactics."
"But it's Louis Vuitton, after all. As kind-hearted people, we should be understanding, right? Oh, by the way, there’s something I wanted to ask you, Mrs. Kim Hye-ji."
"......"
Grit-
A grinding sound was heard from somewhere. Kang Byul, unable to bear it any longer, was about to step in and lash out, but Kim Ji-hye quietly extended a hand to stop her.
"It’s Kim Ji-hye. The name uses 智 (Ji, wisdom) and 慧 (Hye, intelligence). This much, I’m sure even you can remember, right?"
"......"
Flinch-
At Kim Ji-hye’s unexpectedly calm response, Park Hye-jeong’s eyebrows twitched. But only for a brief moment. Her eyes soon narrowed, like a snake that had found its prey.
"I just wanted to ask why you came to the department store today. This isn’t a place where just anyone can walk in."
"That's right. It's not a place where just anyone can come."
"...What did you say?"
"Today’s a VVIP event. Like you said, it’s not a place where just anyone can enter, right?"
"......"
Smirk-
Kim Ji-hye smiled calmly. At this, the wrinkles on Park Hye-jeong’s face became more pronounced.
The expression of disdain she had maintained all along gradually crumbled, and in its place, anger began to surface.
Kim Ji-hye, fully aware of this, continued to speak with a relaxed smile.
"You asked why I came to the department store earlier, right? I was invited by someone I know."
"Someone you know..."
"I don’t think it’s very polite to mention names when the person isn’t present. So, it’s a bit difficult for me to explain in detail."
Smack-
Kim Ji-hye grabbed her wrist. Park Hye-jeong frowned and immediately tried to pull her hand away, but her opponent's grip was so strong that she let out an involuntary scream.
"Aaaah-! Let go of me!"
"If I let go, will you stop?"
"You crazy bitch, know your place! Kyaaah-!"
As Park Hye-jeong roughly yanked her hand free and attempted to slap her again, Kim Ji-hye casually stepped back to avoid it and then grabbed a fistful of her hair.
Not used to pain, Park Hye-jeong couldn’t even put up a proper struggle, only screaming in agony.
"Mom!"
"Where do you think you're going?"
As her daughter tried to intervene, Kang Byul naturally stepped in to block her path.
She, too, was a veteran at dealing with troublesome customers after working countless part-time jobs. Already seething with anger, she felt this situation was oddly satisfying.
"There's a limit to looking down on people. Real wealthy folks are usually more laid-back and kind, but it's always those who are just in the middle who cause problems."
"You little...!!"
"What? You want to take me on too?"
"......"
Under Kang Byul’s fierce glare, Park Hye-jeong’s daughter unconsciously averted her eyes. Seeing this, Kang Byul clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Aaaaah-! Are you really not going to let go!?"
"I asked if you'll behave if I let go."
"Just let go already!!"
"Guess that’s a no."
As Park Hye-jeong twisted her entire body in a fit of rage, Kim Ji-hye skillfully maneuvered her around the store as if she were bullfighting, keeping her from damaging any of the merchandise.
The way she controlled Park Hye-jeong while avoiding any harm to the store's goods was nothing short of an art form.
"...My mom is still the same."
Kang Byul shuddered.
Since childhood, Kang Woo-ju and Kang Byul had literally fought until they were bruised and bloody. And it was always Kim Ji-hye who had to mediate.
But you couldn’t stop the fierce fights of young, hot-blooded people with just words. It was Kim Ji-hye who had physically managed to do just that.
"Daughter."
"Yes, Mom!?"
"Hold Mom's bag for a moment."
Even while subduing Park Hye-jeong, Kim Ji-hye carefully handed over the Artycapucines bag with her free hand.
Watching the almost circus-like performance, the store employees couldn’t help but gasp in awe.
Siiik- Siiik-
After a few rounds around the store, Park Hye-jeong finally exhausted herself, her strength completely drained. Panting heavily, she spat out her words.
"Do you think you’ll get away with this? My husband is the CEO of Daema Construction!"
"And my daughter-in-law is the granddaughter of the Chairman of Mirae Group."
"Kek! You crazy bitch. You’re calling her your daughter-in-law."
Pfft-!
Even with her hair still being pulled and her appearance disheveled, Park Hye-jeong couldn’t stop laughing. She spoke as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
"Just because she donated some pocket change, you think you’re something special. You’re deluding yourself into thinking you’re actually family. But you were born different from us! Like water and oil, we can never mix!"
"Even water and oil can mix under the right circumstances."
"......!?"
Surprisingly, the response didn’t come from Kim Ji-hye but from another direction. The weighty voice that naturally commanded attention made everyone turn their heads in shock.
There stood Kang Woo-ju.
His eyes colder than ever before.