IBS - Chapter 8

He finally pointed out my behavior.

"You were talking back to me just a moment ago, and now it’s this? Are you going to take that route now?”

"Huh?”

“Just now, I mean. Ah, is it a trick you often showed to other bastards, not me? Is that why it was so natural?”

Probably not. I don't think Han Sol would have done that. This is my special move, after all.

Han Sol acting cute for other guys? If that had happened in the story, he probably would have been massively criticized by readers for 'doing all sorts of things.'

And in the first place, Han Sol wouldn't have asked Han Jinheon for permission to go out like this. With his personality, he would have just stormed out.

Wait, should I do that too? Living like Han Sol might be difficult, but it's not impossible, right?

Even if I don't do villainous things like tormenting, insulting, and alienating others, shouldn't I try living selfishly and egocentrically like Han Sol? Since I've possessed this character anyway.

“Are you even thinking about what I said?”

"What you said, Hyung? What was that… Ah.”

I was about to ask what it was but figured it out on my own. What he mentioned was manifestation as an omega.

It had been a week since that day, and since he hadn't mentioned it, I thought it might be forgotten, but no. Han Jinheon hadn't forgotten the topic, he just hadn't bothered to bring it up to give me time to think.

“Isn't it not a bad condition for you? Just becoming an omega would change the direction of your life.”

"If my trait changes, of course the direction will change….”

“You'd be able to go out right away too.”

“Does that mean if I become an omega, I can leave your house, Hyung?”

I barely heard the first statement, but my ears perked up at the second. Saving face was secondary. Being able to leave the mansion was the priority.

"Are you deliberately misinterpreting me? Or are you just interpreting it however you want? I said ‘go out,’ not that you could leave the mansion.”

Isn't that the same thing? I pouted, feeling sullen. Han Jinheon seemed annoyed that I was picking at my food. He gestured with his chin towards the sushi, telling me to just keep eating.

“Completely leaving the mansion is impossible, but outings like walks or shopping that you mentioned are possible. As long as you go with a secretary or bodyguard, or with me. Not alone.”

“Why is it impossible? Hyung, weren't we only supposed to live together for a while?”

Why did hearing that make "a little while" feel like an eternity? Especially since it sounded like there was no possibility of leaving at all if I didn't become an Omega, which was terrifying.

"For a while. But we didn't decide from when to when that would be, did we.”

"That’s sophistry… For how long is ‘a little while’ for you, Hyung? Be specific.”

“Until you become a new person and live a new life.”

I asked him to be specific, and he’s saying strange things. I just told him he was handsome, which was obviously true, but this man is confusing me with words whose meaning is hard to grasp. 

A piece of sushi was delivered to my mouth as I frowned. I naturally accepted it, thinking it would be rude not to, and spoke.

"When you said 'for a while,' I thought it meant a week at shortest, or a month at longest….”

“It's a pity you thought that. Have another one.”

He picks up another piece of sushi and feeds it to me. It's like an attitude of, "If you don't eat diligently, I'll feed you." It's also a problem that I eat what he gives me. I'm breaking the serious mood where we need to redefine 'for a while.'

"But I don't understand. Even if I become an omega, I can't leave the mansion, right?”

“You want to leave the mansion? If you find your Alpha, wouldn't I naturally let you go?”

So, it's not that the condition is met by manifesting as an omega and becoming a new person, but I can only leave if I become an omega and find a mate. Is this some kind of dating simulation game, that he has to set such conditions?

I didn't hide my displeasure. I grumbled, furrowing my brow.

"Even as a Beta, I could find an Alpha. Or I could accept another Beta as a partner.”

"Do you hate living with Hyung that much?"

How could he take it that way? This man is awful. He must have asked that question so calmly just to put me in a difficult spot.

“I love living with you, of course! Don’t misunderstand! I, I mean, it’s just that Hyung is suffering because of me….”

The other person was completely unfazed, but I was flustered all by myself. I clutched my pounding heart and took a breath, then heard a snicker. As expected, he must have reacted that way on purpose. He has a bad temper.

As I glared at him in silence, I suddenly remembered something he said before. From the start, Chairman Han didn't like me, so he told me to live quietly.

"What if Father forgives me? Then?”

“Well. It would be better not to have such vain hopes.”

“Vain hopes? Won't a day come when Father forgives me?”

“I sincerely hope you'll be forgiven. But I'm coldly telling you that such a day won't come.”

“……Did I do something that wrong?”

Even if he hates me, I'm still his child. Even if I made mistakes, I'm still his son. Han Jinheon made an expression as if to say, is that even possible? I mumbled dejectedly.

“You don’t have to answer… I already know anyway….”

Though I asked out of frustration, I already knew that Han-sol’s mistakes were significant. When I read it in the novel, I skipped over the villainous parts and didn’t realize, but after searching for Han-sol once here, information flooded out.

When I read this novel, all I knew about Han Sol was blackmailing and coercing people, but beyond that, Han Sol’s track record was spectacular. 

Two-timing scandals across all industries, and promiscuous scandals. On top of that, he even stalked Kim Gyu-yeong, who had published an official article about dating Cha Seonmin.

If it were only this much, I might have felt a little unfairly treated by Chairman Han’s hatred. However, Han Sol had a decisive rampage. It was the situation that unfolded right before he was sent to America.

There was a violent organization that handled matters for Han Sol in his harassment and blackmail of many people, including Cha Seonmin. While committing various crimes, they were caught by the police and brought to light.

Further investigation into the criminal history of this violent organization revealed Han Sol’s involvement, and because he had made enemies in so many places, his name was reported without any redaction. 

Starting with the first exclusive report, all of Han Sol’s misdeeds burst out one after another.

Coincidentally, at that time, major projects promoted by HANQ Construction, an affiliate of the HANQ Group, such as a new city development project and factory site relocation, were all fell apart because of Han Sol.

To make matters worse, Kim Gyu-yeong, wanting to teach Han Sol a lesson, even acquired the business rights for a development project from overseas through road construction via his own family, Suseong, making HANQ Construction like a dog that chased a chicken and lost it.

Han Sol’s apology interview was not enough to restore public sentiment. When a video of him acting arrogantly towards ordinary citizens spread, the group’s stock price fell, and its image hit rock bottom. 

When public opinion for a boycott even formed, Chairman Han, the head of the group, had to step forward himself and make a national apology to barely calm things down. 

The problem was that he made a man who had never once bowed in his life make such an apology, damaging his pride.

I can't talk about this anymore. It's too tedious, I can't stand it.

Han Jinheon, who was looking at me intently, shrugged. He gave an unexpected answer. “Well.”

“I can't say you're not at fault, but I don't think it's solely your fault. The people around you who stood by while you acted selfishly are also at fault.”

“……”

"We don't even need to go as far as Chairman Han or your mother. There's no point blaming the guys you hung out with either. I, for one, failed to persuade you and only fought with you. I couldn't lead you properly.”

“……”

“There was an easier way for you to get what you want, but I couldn't even tell you about it. So, I'm thinking of telling you now, as your older brother.”

“That path… don't tell me, it's manifestation?”

Feeling an inexplicable chill, I asked, and Han Jinheon gave a short nod. Unlike my agitated state, his face was indifferent.

Becoming an omega is the way to get what I want. If I were an omega, the chances of capturing Kim Gyu young would have been higher than as a Beta. 

Even if not his heart, I could have captured him with my body. Then I wouldn't have been blinded by jealousy towards Cha Seonmin and wouldn't have caused this much trouble.

It's easy to imagine that it would have been that way, but would reality have been that easy too? I let out a deep, short breath and leaned back against the sofa. 

Even if it wasn't as comfortable as the sofa at home, I considered it comfortable and observed Han Jinheon's face. It was to read emotions that were usually unreadable.

"After I came from Jeju Island, there was no talk of omegas or manifestation.”

“Because you hate such talk. And Father has been quiet during that time too.”

I noticed this when we talked before, but Han-sol must have disliked becoming an Omega. Han Jinheon's underlying premise showed it. Because you dislike it. 

Knowing that I disliked it means we had already talked about manifesting as an Omega or not, right? Damn it, I should have paid more attention to their conversations.

“There’s a time for everything, you know. I think the time has come to push you a little.”

I was about to nod reflexively, thinking I should stop acting foolish for Kim Gyu-young’s sake, but stopped myself. 

The man in front of me was the Sub Gong of this world. Kim Gyu-yeong is the main main gong. And I’m out of the story now, but I was kind of the sub su.

“Hyung, are you perhaps upset that I couldn’t get together with Kim Gyu-yeong?”

“What does that mean?”

Han Jinheon twisted his right eyebrow. I mumbled, avoiding his slightly sharper gaze.

"You also like actor Cha Seonmin… And you seem to think that if I were an Omega, I could have won over Kim Gyu-yeong… If that were the case, Hyung would also be with actor Cha Seonmin…”

Wouldn't he have thought things would have worked out for him too? Of course, since it’s a novel with a set ending, such a route wouldn’t have been possible.