Chapter 3

Kim Min Jamie, 21 years old, is the stepson of Kim Gohyuk and the most despised member of the family. An introvert with little presence, he is often viewed as an idiot. His mother, Yoon Lira, is a famous socialite who divorced her businessman husband to marry Kim Gohyuk, the head of a powerful mafia organization.

Yoon Lira, with her own mafia background, merged with Kim's organization, creating the Kim Empire. Gongyun is certain that this empire is close to Seoul, where he lives, but distinctly different. According to his memory, the city has a similar layout to Seoul, but it is controlled by Kim and has extensive connections even abroad.

Kim Min Jamie is an isolated child, starved of affection from his family and devoid of friends. Despite his feelings of superiority, he remains perpetually silent. He opts to eat alone in his room, driven by fear that his stepfather might inflict harm on him. The atmosphere around him is steeped in violence.

The man Gongyun encountered at the university is Jamie's half-brother, Kim Joon, a 25-year-old whose mood swings are as unpredictable as they are severe. Though Joon never physically assaults Jamie, his harsh words instill deep fear and self-loathing in him. Gongyun feels a profound resentment towards Joon and is resolved to confront him one day.

Jamie resides in the main house, yet his situation there is the most deplorable. Not only is he ignored, but he is also despised and bullied by his siblings. On one occasion, he suffered a broken rib because they blamed him for being in their way, as if his mere presence was a fault. The flood of such memories enrages Gongyun. How could they inflict such cruelty on an innocent soul?

Jamie is a gentle child, unnervingly naive in his kindness. He wrongly believes that the mistreatment he receives is his fault. Lacking self-confidence and easily influenced by those of little consequence, Jamie never sought to be a true part of the family. He yearns for a simple, peaceful existence, isolating himself because he feels he causes harm. His selflessness borders on self-neglect, and he perceives himself as a burden.

"What the hell, kid?" Gongyun curses, incredulous. He can't comprehend how someone could believe they deserved to die or that their own misfortune was their fault. Jamie forgives people far too easily. How many have exploited his naivety or, indeed, his ignorance?

The anger within Gongyun is so intense that he has to take deep breaths to calm himself. This kid is both pitiable and excessively kind, especially within a mafia family. Why has no one taught him to be tough? And now he's died—most likely in a tragic manner, just as Gongyun himself did. The thought leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, making him want to lash out.

Jamie isn't entirely useless—he possesses an exceptional photographic memory. Unfortunately, this skill hasn't been leveraged to his advantage. He considered it normal to recall things vividly, yet Gongyun understands the burden it places on him. Jamie's mind replays the dark and horrifying events of his past like a relentless film, consuming him.

Gongyun bit his lip in frustration as he examined Jamie's bag. Inside, he found only a few books and notebooks, a pen, a charger, and a cellphone that seemed outdated. There were also some snacks—a chocolate bar and a water tumbler. An old iPad and some shirts rounded out the contents, which Gongyun found repulsive. The garish colors of the clothing were almost offensive, making him grit his teeth. Jamie's fashion sense was nothing short of a disaster.

His wallet contains various IDs, numerous debit and credit cards, and some cash, but no personal photos. It also holds a few receipts from coffee purchases. Gongyun grimaced; he disliked bitter coffee.

Jamie also wears eyeglasses, but Gongyun can tell they're fake—Jamie has perfect 20/20 vision. His hair is brown, but Gongyun knows Jamie dyes it, a fact he gleaned from a recent movie. Gongyun rolled his eyes, finding it all too easy to influence Jamie.

Jamie's physique is too slim for Gongyun's liking—lacking both muscle and fat. His skin is pale, unlike Gongyun's honey-colored complexion. Jamie's hair is long, extending past his nape, while Gongyun keeps his hair short and blonde.

A sudden ring from his phone startled him. The caller ID displayed only a number. Gongyun recalled that Jamie rarely received calls. He clicked his tongue in irritation before answering.

"Hello."