Chapter 185: Malady for a Malady (2)

Kang Ra-Eun had entered Choi Sang-Woon’s campus grounds and was driving around to search for a good place to park. As she was doing that, she saw Sang-Woon from afar.

‘I guess his lecture ended early.’

Ra-Eun had been thinking about parking her car nearby and spending her remaining time in a nearby cafe, but decided to go pick him up directly since he was right there.

Honk, honk—!

Ra-Eun had honked her car horn to let Sang-Woon know that she was here, not because of the car in front of her. She turned on the hazard lights and got out of the car. The first thing that she saw was a man and a woman in the convertible right in front of her, mouths wide open in shock.

Ra-Eun quietly asked Sang-Woon, “Do you know them?”

“Just the guy. We take the same classes.”

“Oh, really?”

Ra-Eun took off her sunglasses and smiled at the man. She then greeted, “Hello. My name is Kang Ra-Eun.”

There was no one in their teens and twenties that didn’t know Ra-Eun. The man who had been busy picking a fight with Sang-Woon couldn’t believe his eyes. He had never expected Kang Ra-Eun to come to his school. It was not like they had some kind of event going on. He was surprised that she had come all the way here just to meet a friend, especially when that friend was...

“D-Do you know Sang-Woon hyung?” the man asked in disbelief.

He had always believed that Sang-Woon was below him.

“Yes. We went to the same high school. We were even in the same class,” Ra-Eun answered.

The man happened to see Sang-Woon with a grin on his face behind Ra-Eun.

***

Ra-Eun mentioned the man that they had come across after coming to a cafe with Sang-Woon.

“You didn’t seem all that close with him.”

“Was it that obvious?”

He had tried not to make it obvious, but he hadn’t been able to force the corners of his mouth down.

“He’s just a guy that likes to brag about being rich,” Sang-Woon replied.

“Oh, he’s one of those people.”

It was one of the types of people Ra-Eun hated the most.

“But you helped me get him real good. Thanks,” Sang-Woon expressed.

“No problem. But the car he was driving wasn’t even that expensive despite being rich.”

A car worth two to three hundred million won wasn’t even expensive to Ra-Eun, which was obvious considering the amount of wealth that she had amassed.

“His father is apparently the chairman of a subcontractor under Do-Dam Group.”

“Really? What’s the name of the company? I happen to be close to the chairman of Do-Dam Group. Do you want me to help you take revenge?”

Sang-Woon smiled bitterly at Ra-Eun, a lover as well as an expert of revenge.

“No, it’s okay. I don’t really feel like going that far.”

He was already satisfied that he had been able to get a good one in on his peer, who loved to flaunt his wealth. However, Ra-Eun did not let it go that easily.

“I can make sure he gets what’s coming to him, as long as you want it.”

“We’re gonna be seeing each other all the time on campus, so there’s nothing in it for me to make enemies with him.”

“Well... I guess that’s true.”

Ra-Eun loved to take revenge, but she also loved to help others take it. However, she decided to let it go since the person in question did not want to. Besides, she had come to see him for a different reason.

“How are things?” Ra-Eun asked.

.

Sang-Woon scratched his head. “My school life?”

“No, you already told me about that on our way here.”

Ra-Eun was curious about something else.

“Have you heard anything from your father?”

“My father...? Regarding what, exactly?”

“For example, suspicious rumors regarding Congressman Kim Han-Gyo.”

It had been far too specific for an example. It was just like Ra-Eun to ask such a straightforward question. Sang-Woon was also aware of Ra-Eun’s keen interest in the political and financial world, possibly because of her involvement in the entertainment industry and her business, as well as her connections with politicians. Hence, he didn’t find it suspicious at all that she had asked a question like that.

Sang-Woon’s father, Choi Cheol-Min, was a member of the team investigating political crimes. He had also been the one who had driven Kim Chi-Yeol into a corner using the evidence that Ra-Eun had sent him, leading to Chi-Yeol’s arrest. Ra-Eun had asked Sang-Woon with hopes that his father, a team leader of the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau, had heard something regarding Kim Han-Gyo and Kim Chi-Yeol.

“I’m not sure. I haven’t even been able to see him much lately because he’s been coming home so late from work,” Sang-Woon answered.

It was understandable since it was a busy time of the year.

‘Should I try giving Congresswoman Hong a call?’

Ra-Eun was curious about what Han-Gyo was planning to the point that he had temporarily stepped down from the front lines. As she was about to text Congresswoman Hong...

“Oh, come to think of it, there was that.”

“What?”

Ra-Eun had thought it wouldn’t be very important, but what came out of Sang-Woon’s mouth had been more than enough for her ears to perk up.

“I heard Congressman Kim Han-Gyo had once gathered the acquaintances that had been indebted to him and former Minister Kim Chi-Yeol in the past.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know why, but he announced that he would take a break to recuperate right after the gathering.”

It was fairly suspicious considering the time frame. Considering Han-Gyo’s personality, he would never do anything meaningless. Ra-Eun had no idea what dangers that his plan would bring.

‘I’ll have to shut it down before it bears fruit.’

Ra-Eun sent Congresswoman Hong a text right after.

***

Ra-Eun stopped by Levanche before going back home. Park Seol-Hun was happy that she had come just when he needed her.

“What did you do with the paperwork that I asked you to look over? I’d like to get them by today.”

“Let’s just say that I checked them. You can proceed with them on your own.”

“What? Are you sure?”

“It’s not like you made the project with the intention of ruining the company, right? I trust your skills, so do your best.”

Ra-Eun had been the one to provide the funds and spread the Levanche name to the public, but Levanche would not have been able to grow this much without Seol-Hun. Not just that, she had already confirmed Seol-Hun’s skills in business from the future. He would do well as long as she told him to.

“If you’re not here for that, then why are you here?” Seol-Hun asked. He still had a dumbfounded look on his face.

Ra-Eun pointed at Ma Yeong-Jun, who was sitting down while going through his smartphone like he had absolutely nothing to do.

“I’m here to see Misma.”

“Misma?”

“It’s short for Mister Ma. I came up with it myself.”

Yeong-Jun was left confused by the acquisition of a new nickname.

“Misma. Stop watching idol clips and come to my office,” Ra-Eun remarked.

“I’m not watching—”

“I can see your screen from here.”

“...”

Ra-Eun saw through his lie. She explained why she had called him.

“Take this to Reporter Ahn.”

“Another errand? What is it this time?”

“Among the tasks that Kim Chi-Yeol used to have, there was one related to the supply of goods to the Winter Olympics. This is all the evidence that proves he had gotten bribes from the businesses that had been selected to provide the supplies, so I’m sure Reporter Ahn will do the rest once you get her these. Oh, and Kim Han-Gyo is also partly involved, so he’ll get some backlash once it’s revealed.”

Ra-Eun’s attack resumed. Yeong-Jun couldn’t fully understand her actions.

“Can’t you just expose this when he comes back?”

“He’s trying to hide behind his puppets right now.”

Ra-Eun had gotten intel from Congresswoman Hong regarding Han-Gyo before coming here. Han-Gyo was planning on continuing his political duties while staying out of the light as much as possible, through puppets that would act as his limbs.

The reason for his change of plan was simple; it was to stay hidden until he figured out a countermeasure against the masked woman, who knew his most confidential secrets.

“I’m sending him a message that I’m going to give him an even stronger beating if he keeps hiding like this,” Ra-Eun stated.

She was telling him that hiding was not wise.

“But would he understand your message?”

“He will. After all, he’s hundreds of times as cunning as the average person.”

Yeong-Jun was already planning on doing as Ra-Eun said.

“Okay. I’ll do as you say.”

“Thanks, Misma.”

There was just one thing that bothered him.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t use that nickname.”

“Why? It’s overflowing with individuality and coolness.”

Yeong-Jun couldn’t figure out what Ra-Eun’s standard of coolness was.

***

Ra-Eun decided to park her car in the company parking lot and get a ride back home in Lim Seok-Jun’s car, because she had a lot on her mind. It would be dangerous if she got into a car accident from being distracted by her thoughts, so she decided to let Seok-Jun take the wheel instead.

“It’s Tae-Seon’s turn tomorrow, right?” Ra-Eun asked.

“Yes, Chairwoman.”

She had recently increased the number of her chauffeurs to two. Seok-Jun was a very good driver; although he was quick-witted, he was slightly lacking compared to Kim Tae-Seon.

“From what I saw last time, it didn’t look like she was a very good driver. Teach her how whenever you have time.”

“I understand, Chairwoman.”

One could only improve after being told of their deficiencies. After Ra-Eun had safely arrived home in Seok-Jun’s car, she dragged her body into her apartment’s elevator. She looked around before entering the password to her front door. She had developed the habit after her guard had tightened due to the recent stalker incident.

Beep.

She was met with her older brother wearing an apron as soon as she opened the door.

“Welcome back, little sis.”

“What are you doing?”

“Cooking.”

The only thing that Kang Ra-Hyuk had known how to cook back when he had lived with Ra-Eun was instant ramen. However, after special training from Ra-Eun and his experience living alone, he had risen to a point that he could handle making basic dishes.

“...”

Ra-Eun’s gaze turned sharper as she watched Ra-Hyuk walking back into the kitchen.

“Kang Ra-Hyuk.”

She pointed at Ra-Hyuk’s lower body and made a shocking statement.

“Take off your pants.”