FAMILY FEUD

THANK goodness this is a private room.

That was Wonhee's first thought while watching Lee Sook-ja hit Lee Seojin's back again and again out of anger.

Mrs. Lee probably booked a private room in that restaurant because both of them could be easily recognized by the public. Wonhee as a celebrity-slash-model, and Mrs. Lee as Seodam's mother.

But since they were in a private room, it was unlikely that a rumor about this incident would leak out.

Ahyeonnie is outside to make sure no reporters are around.

"Lee Seojin! How dare you call your older brother by his name casually?" Mrs. Lee scolded Jin while hitting the poor boy's back. "And why are you calling our family trash?! If it weren't for us, you'd be dead by now!"

Wonhee wanted to tell Mrs. Lee to use her words, but she didn't get the chance to do so when Jin spoke.

"Eomma1 and Lee Seorin just want to make Park Ruda a part of our family legally after you heard the rumor that he's a chaebol," Jin said bitterly. "Eomma, you just want a chaebol for a son-in-law."

Hmm?

Park Ruda was a chaebol?

Wonhee was surprised.

Why haven't I heard about that before?

Jin turned to Wonhee with a bitter smirk on his face. "Do you see it now, Noona? My mother and sister are bullying you into breaking up with my brother because they found a new prey to suck dry. After all, even though you're well-off as a celebrity, it's still nothing compared to being a chaebol."

A chaebol, huh?

The 1% of the 1%, the wealthiest of the wealthiest who didn't suffer during the Outbreak.

"Noona, you dodged a bullet," Jin said to Wonhee. Although his tone was rude, the sincerity in his eyes was clear. "You're a good person, so don't marry into a family as bad as ours. Find a better man with a better family who will treat you well."

THUMP.

That was the sharp sound of Mrs. Lee's palm hitting Jin across the cheek.

Yes, the madam just slapped her youngest son.

"You've crossed the line, Lee Seojin," Mrs. Lee said coldly to her son, then she stood up and gave Wonhee a warning look. "For a child like you who grew up in a comfortable life, you wouldn't understand me, Chu Wonhee. But I'm just doing what I ought to do as a mother who only wants the best for my children. I have nothing against you– I simply believe that Park Ruda could give Seodam a better future than you could."

"Mrs. Lee, I understand where you're coming from, but let me just say one thing," Wonhee said politely as she stood up. It just felt wrong to stay seated when an elder was standing up while talking to her. "Seodam Oppa is an amazing person. He's strong, talented, and hard-working. He doesn't need me or Park Ruda to succeed further in life."

The madam just scoffed before walking out on them.

Wonhee sighed, giving up on her dream of getting along well with her boyfriend's mother.

Mrs. Lee probably hates me even more now.

"I'm sorry, Noona."

Wonhee returned to her seat and faced Jin.

He looked guilty while looking down at the table, as if he was too afraid to meet her gaze.

"They serve good parfait here. Would you like one, Jin-ah?"

Jin looked up at her, his face beaming. "You're not upset with me, Noona?"

Wonhee smiled and shook her head. "I know you're only concerned for me. But, Jin-ah, don't talk to your mother and siblings like that, hmm? They sacrificed a lot to keep you well-fed during the Outbreak."

He fell silent for a moment, then he nodded like a dejected puppy. "You're right, Noona. I'll apologize to Eomma and my siblings later. But Noona…"

"Yes?"

"This is embarrassing for me to say about my family, but both my mother and Lee Seorin suddenly developed this strange obsession with becoming a part of high society," Jin said in a frustrated voice. "That's the only part I hate about my family, Noona. They've changed when our lives became a little comfortable."

"Your family deserves to experience all the good things in life, Jin-ah. After all, your brother is a Hunter. He risks his life every day to keep our country safe."

He clicked his tongue. "You're too kind, Noona."

Pfft.

"Despite my warning, I'm sure you still don't want to break up with my brother, Noona," Jin said, observing Wonhee carefully. "So, why don't you just reveal it?"

"Reveal what?"

"That you're a chaebol– a real chaebol."

"I'm a chaebol?" Wonhee asked Jin, smiling. She was surprised by what he said. Fortunately, her experience as an actress allowed her to keep her composure. "What made you say so?"

Jin shrugged. "I'm the smartest person in my family, Noona."

Wonhee just smiled and shook her head, neither denying nor confirming Jin's statement.

***

I THINK I'm coming down with a fever.

Wonhee left her house feeling unwell because of her hangover, and then she came back home with a heavy body.

She wanted to sleep right away, but she made a phone call first.

"Hi, Miss Jang. This is Wonhee," Wonhee said while lying down on the soft and spacious sofa, her eyes already half-closed. But she forced herself to stay awake since she was talking to the CEO of her agency. "I'm done with my hiatus. Please find a good role for me to mark my comeback as an actress."

She heard the CEO talk excitedly on the other line, but her drowsiness made it hard for her to focus.

Plus, a strange thought crossed her mind.

Having a high fever and then falling into a comatose state could be signs of a person entering their Awakened state.

This was the first time Wonhee got a fever after the Outbreak, so she felt a little hopeful.

Wouldn't it be funny if I woke up as an Awakened Person later?

***

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