Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Jamie took his seat at the dining table, his mother's attention a surprising change from the usual indifference he received from his siblings.

His oldest brother, Kim Hak Kun, 27, was the successor to the Dragon Mafia. Their relationship had always been distant, marked by mutual disregard and avoidance. Jamie had few memories of him, as their paths rarely crossed.

His second brother, Kim Joon, was the ultimate perfectionist. At 25, Joon idolized their father, viewing him as a godlike figure. His frustration with anything less than perfection often led to outbursts when things didn't go his way.

Kim Yejin, 23, was the most brilliant of them all. A genius and one of the next in line to inherit the Kim Empire, she commanded Jamie's respect for her intelligence and leadership.

The youngest of them, Kim Bon Hwa, was 17 and still in high school. Quiet and observant, Hwa was the only sibling with whom Jamie had a genuine connection. They shared a love for reading, and Hwa's admiration for Jamie was a rare source of solace for him. Despite his aloof exterior, Hwa cared for Jamie in his own reserved way.

"Darling, you should let me know when you're going to disappear like that," Yoon Lira said softly, slicing her steak with the grace of a practiced socialite. "I was worried and asked your father to find you."

"I'm sorry, Mom," Jamie replied with a low, sincere voice, casting a glance toward his second brother, Joon, who glared at him with barely concealed disdain. Jamie chose to ignore the irritation brewing in Joon's eyes, focusing instead on the unexpected warmth from his mother.

Jamie took a measured bite of his steak, savoring the flavor as he continued his conversation. "I already informed Dad about everything that happened. He assured me he'll handle it, so you don't need to worry, Mom."

He noted the varied reactions from his siblings. Kun's expression remained inscrutable, his eyes a blank slate. Yejin's lips curled into a subtle, amused smile, as if she found Jamie's new demeanor intriguing. Joon's face contorted into a scowl, clearly irritated by Jamie's presence and words. Hwa's gaze was tinged with concern, though he kept his thoughts to himself.

"That's good to hear," Yoon Lira said, her tone warm but unaware of the underlying shift in the room's atmosphere. "Your father is very capable. You can always rely on him."

Jamie's smile widened slightly, though it held an edge of sarcasm. "I'm well aware of that, Mother. I'm grateful for his support. It's just troubling that someone would go so far as to target even the fourth child of the Kim family. They must think we're easy prey, believing that there's a weakness in our esteemed family. It's an insult to Father's reputation."

His words were laced with a subtle mockery, a pointed reminder that the Kims were not to be trifled with. He made it clear that he wasn't just any vulnerable member of the family, but someone who would make any attacker's life difficult. The tension in the room was palpable, a shift that Jamie could almost feel as a tangible presence.

Kun's expression remained unchanged, but Jamie sensed a flicker of interest behind his brother's impassive facade. Yejin's amusement turned into a more contemplative look, as if she was reevaluating Jamie's role in the family dynamics. Joon's irritation deepened, while Hwa's quiet concern remained unspoken, an undercurrent of unease that Jamie found oddly comforting.

Jamie's gaze shifted to Joon, who was glaring at him with a mix of disdain and concern. "You should also focus on your own safety, brother," Joon said, his tone clipped.

Jamie leaned back in his chair, his smile unwavering. "Joon hyung, why would I be afraid? The Kim Empire controls everything here. Father is the King. Who would dare challenge him? I'm confident in our family's power. We shouldn't be intimidated by minor threats. Father's tolerance is admirable, but crossing the line against our family is unacceptable. The Kim family stands strong together."

His words were more assertive than ever, a stark contrast to the passive attitude of the old Jamie. He could feel his father's presence in the room, a silent acknowledgment of his bold declarations. The old Jamie never fully embraced his role within the Kim family, always keeping a distance, ridiculed and overlooked. Now, Jamie was openly claiming his place.

Yejin's smirk widened as she tilted her head, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "It's the first time I've heard you speak so confidently about being a Kim. Not shy anymore, little brother?"

Jamie met her gaze with a playful smile. "Of course, Yejin noona. Mother always said that family is everything. It's finally sinking in." He shrugged nonchalantly, while Yejin merely shrugged back, her expression unreadable.

The conversation carried an edge, a dynamic shift from the old Jamie's previous reluctance. The family's reactions varied, but one thing was clear: Jamie was asserting his place in the Kim family with newfound boldness.

"Just don't cause more trouble," Kun said, his voice as impassive as ever, his eyes locked on Jamie with a steady gaze.

"Of course, Hyung," Jamie replied, his smile steady but his thoughts elsewhere. He was weary of constantly putting on a façade, but he knew it was essential to assert his presence and leverage his family's resources. The old Jamie had been a passive observer, and now, Jamie needed to establish himself firmly to gain their support in his quest to find his would-be assassin.

The conversation shifted seamlessly to business, with Kun asking, "Kun, how's the trade with Chong?"

Jamie observed with satisfaction as the discussion veered away from him. His father had chosen to remain silent about Jamie's earlier statements, and Jamie took that as a victory. He was aware of the risk and fear lurking beneath his confident exterior. There was a part of him that wanted to escape and never look back, but he knew he needed to navigate this family dynamic carefully.

Jamie's plan was to exploit the Kim family's power and resources to find and deal with his assassin. His goal was not only to protect himself but to use their influence as a means to secure his position and eventually, when the time was right, to forge his own path.

He needed to build his reputation just as he had in his previous life, but this time with the added advantage of being within the family's sphere of influence. Jamie knew that to make this work, he had to be strategic, leveraging their pride and resources to achieve his own objectives.

End of chapter 10.