Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Jamie was led out of the restaurant by the guards, an experience so foreign to him that it felt almost surreal. In his past life as Gongyun, he had always been self-sufficient, a master of his own fate. Yet, his downfall had come from a moment of misplaced trust—a fatal error of letting the delivery man inside his sanctuary.

He had believed he knew the man well—a seemingly naive individual who frequented his favorite spots: hotels, restaurants, and more. Jamie had mistaken him for an ordinary worker, someone to befriend. Little did he realize that the man harbored a hidden agenda, veiling his true identity beneath a façade of normalcy.

How had he been so blind? The man had become an unwitting jester in the tragicomic play of Jamie's life. The reality that he had been under surveillance, stalked by someone he thought was just another face in the crowd, was a bitter pill to swallow. Gongyun had been too absorbed in his own success, too wrapped in his arrogance, to see the danger creeping closer.

Now, Jamie found himself adrift in a world that seemed both alien and hostile. The life he had loved was lost to him, replaced by a reality that was as unforgiving as it was enigmatic. To navigate this new existence, he needed to reclaim the essence of Gongyun—a persona of strength and strategy, someone who could turn adversity into advantage.

Jamie's path to redemption was shrouded in uncertainty. The challenges ahead were not merely obstacles but intricate puzzles, each piece a test of his resolve and ingenuity. Becoming a legend had been straightforward before, but here, in this new realm, the stakes were far higher, and the road far darker.

Jamie knew it was time to recalibrate his life and strategy. His next moves would be crucial, setting him apart from the hapless Kim Min Jamie who had once accepted scraps. His pride and cunning would fuel his rise, marking him as someone of significant stature. The real test would begin soon, as he faced the person who had summoned the guards to bring him here.

Inwardly, Jamie cursed the need for so many guards. Their presence felt like a reminder of his past inadequacies, a far cry from the man he was determined to become.

The car glided to a stop before an imposing mansion—no mere house, but a grand estate of monumental scale. The estate's centerpiece was a massive dragon fountain, the crest of the Kim Empire, its majestic figure spouting water with an air of regal authority.

Jamie stepped out, his disdain evident as he noted the lack of a formal guard reception—an insult to one of the Kim masters. Ignoring the guard who opened the door for him, Jamie moved with deliberate grace, his head held high. His arrogance was palpable; he had no intention of acknowledging the guard's gesture.

Inside, he met the leader with a cold, composed demeanor. The leader directed him with a nod, and Jamie followed, making no move to touch the doors himself. He let the staff cater to him as if he were royalty, savoring the attention. His smirk widened as he observed the servants' reactions—wide-eyed and awestruck by his transformed presence.

Jamie relished the moment. This was his opportunity to reshape his destiny, and he was ready to embrace it with the confidence and authority befitting his newfound status.

The old Jamie would have trembled at this moment, but the new Jamie felt a steely resolve. He knew he was being escorted to the office of the mafia boss—his stepfather.

The guards stopped before imposing double doors adorned with intricate carvings of a massive dragon, crafted from Nara hardwood. The guard knocked three times before pushing the doors open.

As Jamie stepped inside, he was struck by the stark, monochromatic decor of the vast room. The space was dominated by a central throne and an equally grand table, both adorned with dragon motifs. The cold temperature and harsh, bright lighting created a clinical, almost sterile atmosphere.

A raven-colored sofa and a glass table sat centrally, designed for visitors to sit and face the throne, which loomed above them like a judge's bench. The setup gave the distinct impression of being evaluated by a king. Despite the imposing grandeur, Jamie felt neither fear nor intimidation. Instead, he was filled with a confident irritation that he was not the one sitting at the top. Tch. Calm down, self.

As Jamie prepared to take a seat, the leader guard, unable to enter without permission, stepped aside. Jamie moved to the center of the room, his gaze fixed on the hidden door that was slowly opening, waiting for the man inside to make his entrance.

The room's color seemed to shift, intensifying the contrast between black and white, heightening the sense of drama and anticipation.

End of chapter 7.