Chapter 5 – That Bastard (Part 1)

“It’s amazing. It’s just awesome.”

Choi Seonwook gestured for him to come quickly. Under the crimson lights, Choi Seonwook’s wide, stretched smile resembled that of a clown. Throughout the journey to their destination, Seonwook kept repeating phrases like “It’s amazing, awesome.”

Following behind Seonwook, Dowook glanced around the “amazing place.” The corridor painted with black wallpaper was long and narrow. The deeper they went, the more a fishy smell of decadence filled the air. Faint, muffled noises could be heard through the thick walls.

While leading Dowook, Seonwook kept glancing back to gauge his reaction.

Dowook, leisurely looking around, wore an indifferent expression. He seemed not just indifferent but bored, prompting Seonwook to add nervously.

“I heard you broke up with her, so you must be curious about new experiences? You even contacted me first. Well, it’s been eight years, no, ten years? Anyway, it’s about time you got tired of it. Take this opportunity to enjoy some variety. You must be stressed with your upcoming job, and there’s no place like this to forget your troubles and have fun.”

At the end of the corridor, a part of the wall, which turned out to be a door, suddenly opened.

A woman stumbled out of the door. She wore a very short, tight-fitting dress. Her hair was disheveled, obscuring her vision, and she staggered as if intoxicated. Giggling, she almost crawled until she bumped her face into Dowook’s chest.

“Oh, sorry.”

A strong odor emanated from the woman. She looked up and met Dowook’s eyes. Her blurry eyes gradually became clearer.

It was annoying and repulsive, but that was all. Dowook didn’t find it worth paying attention to, so he just smirked. The woman momentarily looked dazed, then smiled bashfully.

He grabbed her shoulder and pushed her away. The woman, whose strength had left her, staggered, but that was none of his concern. He walked forward without a care. A staff member of the place approached belatedly with a look of distress.

Apologizing uselessly, Dowook acknowledged the apology with a slight nod.

Standing in front of the door at the end of the hallway, Choi Seonwook beckoned again.

With a face still like a clown, he gestured for Dowook to come in, saying this was the place.

The interior, the smell, the service, and the people here were far from amazing. It would be a disgusting and useless time, but thinking of his half-brother who had gone to great lengths to bring him here, Dowook smiled faintly.

***

The men and women Choi Dowook chose were all top-notch. After watching the stage performance in the main hall, Choi Dowook personally selected them. Without any hints, he picked only the best.

Now, in the VIP room prepared for Choi Dowook, they were watching a nearly n*de strip show performed by mixed men and women. As time passed, Choi Dowook would choose the woman he liked the most and take her to a room in this hotel. Well, he might choose a man. Threesomes and foursomes were also amazing.

The call from Choi Dowook a few days ago was unexpected. He said he was bored. Time wasn’t passing. It was his first time being dumped by a woman, and he didn’t know what to do.

He had heard rumors that Dowook broke up with the girl who had been by his side for a long time. He didn’t expect Dowook to contact him.

Seonwook was, so to speak, a discarded card. He had lost thoroughly in the competition between his father’s favored older brother, Hyeonwook, and his grandfather’s favored half-brother, Dowook, and had been eliminated.

Though he had no interest in studying from a young age, he excelled in playing. He wanted to start his own business freely, without being tied to his grandfather and father, rather than inheriting the complicated Taesan affiliates.

The first business he started was in the entertainment industry. He hired long-experienced directors and seasoned managers to set up a company. He poured in capital and heavily invested in promotion and hospitality. It was impossible to fail. Within five years, it quickly rose to become one of the top five agencies in the country. Whenever he turned on the TV, his company’s entertainers were everywhere.

He thought his success would continue. But a scandal broke out involving one of the biggest politicians on his hospitality list. It escalated into a gate scandal named after the politician, revealing a series of related corruptions. Among them, Seonwook’s agency, with its many famous entertainers and the sensational topics of s*x and drugs, became the perfect prey for the public.

Seonwook, who was responsible for the drug-related s*xual entertainment, was torn apart by the media under names like the “tyranny of a chaebol family,” “evil deeds,” and “disgrace.” An anonymous tip led to a tax investigation, and his dirty laundry was aired. The company he had painstakingly built collapsed overnight.

He appealed for help from his father and grandfather, claiming there was a hidden force behind the organized movements, but his grandfather was furious, and his father despised him.

Eventually, he was abandoned like a severed tail and spent two years in prison. After his release, he quietly expanded his business in the underground world.

He later discovered that the decisive anonymous tip that ruined him came from his own older brother, Hyeonwook. It was said that Hyeonwook was worried that his business might hinder his succession.

The tip contained information that only Hyeonwook could have known. Though they were not particularly close, he had trusted his older brother and had been open with him. After that, Seonwook cut ties with Hyeonwook and distanced himself from his father and grandfather.

In the midst of this, it was Choi Dowook who helped him make a comeback. He introduced various experts necessary for his comeback and connected him with investors. He extended a hand, saying they were still brothers, even if they had different mothers. Seonwook wasn’t foolish enough to fully trust Choi Dowook, but…

They were close enough for Dowook to seek comfort from him after a breakup.

Their eyes met through the thinly spreading smoke. Dowook smiled with his eyes while holding a cigarette.

Even as a man, Seonwook was taken aback when Dowook smiled with his eyes like that, despite his cold impression. Seonwook took a drink of whiskey for no reason.

Choi Dowook blended perfectly into the environment. He skillfully poured drinks, smoked, and joked with the women beside him.

Watching him, Seonwook thought it would be wise to deepen his relationship with Dowook. After all, Dowook was a strong contender for Taesan’s succession. Having Choi Dowook on his side was akin to having a stake in Taesan’s future.

Even if Choi Dowook didn’t indulge in women or drugs here and only enjoyed the drinks, the information he let slip would be invaluable for future investments and networking.

Finally, Dowook chose a woman. The woman, with her voluptuous chest and soft curves, was the most popular top ace in the club. He had quite an eye for quality.

As Dowook stood up with the woman, Seonwook got up and opened the door for him. As he grasped the doorknob, Woo Junhee came to mind.

Though she had a different vibe from the ace, that girl had a delicate charm that could drive a man crazy. From a young age, Dowook had fiercely guarded her, glaring at anyone who so much as looked at her and attacking anyone who tried to touch her, so he couldn’t lay a finger on her.

If they had broken up, weren’t Dowook and that girl strangers now? If not now, can’t I secretly have her later? With that face, that body, and that atmosphere, she’s too good to pass up….

As he pondered, Dowook’s eyes met his. A chilling gaze from above.

He snapped back to reality. He knew how fiercely Dowook had guarded that woman. Even if they had broken up, there was no way Dowook had no lingering feelings. He couldn’t afford to make an enemy of Choi Dowook, so he swallowed his thoughts.

Seonwook plastered a friendly smile on his face. He extended his arm toward the door.

“Have a good time, little brother.”

He pretended to be a generous older brother to Dowook,

“Treat him well; he’s a precious guest.”

And didn’t forget to remind the woman.