Chapter 115: Beneath the Orphanage

Beside the orphanage building, near the playground.

While the other children were busy playing happily on the swings and slides, laughter echoing across the area, Jinhoo stood nearby with Ji-eun, engaged in a calm conversation.

Jinhoo watched Mira as she ran around with her friends, her face filled with pure joy.

“They all look very happy,” he said quietly.

Ji-eun smiled warmly as she followed his gaze.

“Of course they are. Their savior came to visit them.”

Jinhoo let out a small sigh before speaking again.

“Are you the only one working here, Ms. Ji-eun? What happened to the other staff members?”

Ji-eun hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Ah… well… some time ago, they suddenly awakened their powers and chose to change their careers… they all became Heroes. So now… I’m the only one left taking care of the children.”

She smiled faintly.

“Fortunately, they’re not too troublesome.”

Jinhoo fell silent for a moment, thinking.

“I see… then I’ll ask a friend of mine to work here. No salary needed.”

Ji-eun was startled.

“Eh? That’s not necessary! Really!”

“It’s fine. She’s a very diligent person.”

“Uhm… if you insist, Mr. Jinhoo… then alright.”

“It’s not good to work alone… especially when you’re taking care of this many children.”

Jinhoo said with a faint smile.

Ji-eun let out a small laugh.

Meanwhile, Jinhoo’s gaze returned to the children playing.

’In the original story… beneath this orphanage… more precisely, underground… there’s a green gemstone with immense magical power. I originally planned to destroy it or take it… but unfortunately… that gemstone is what supports this entire building from collapsing into the ground.’

His eyes narrowed slightly.

’If I take it… the entire orphanage will sink… and that would put all these children in danger…’

He exhaled slowly.

’Instead of taking it… I’ll protect it. But I can’t stay here forever… that’s why I’ll have Zofia work here.’

Jinhoo turned to Ji-eun again.

“By the way… have there been any suspicious people coming here recently?”

Ji-eun tilted her head slightly.

“Uhm… I didn’t pay too much attention… but a few days ago, there were some people standing outside the gate. They didn’t come in. They were all wearing black hoodies, so I couldn’t see their faces.”

She paused.

“They looked suspicious… they kept watching this place… but after a while, they left.”

“I see…”

Jinhoo’s expression turned slightly serious.

’Just as I thought… in the original story, this building was destroyed by an attack. Fortunately, no one was here at that time, and Ms. Ji-eun happened to be on leave… the green gemstone was taken… and the orphanage collapsed into the ground…’

His eyes darkened.

’I won’t let that happen.’

At that moment—

Jinhoo’s phone rang.

He took it out of his pocket and checked the message.

[We’ve successfully sold the two subsidiaries. Now it’s your turn.]

It was from Eun-bi.

Jinhoo stared at the message for a moment.

’That was fast… I thought it would take three or four days…’

He typed a reply.

[I’ll be there soon.]

The message was sent.

He turned off his phone and slipped it back into his pocket.

Then he walked toward Mira.

“Mira, it’s time for us to head back.”

Mira turned toward him, clearly dissatisfied.

“Eh!? Already!? I still want to play here!”

Jinhoo smiled gently and patted her head.

“You can come back here anytime. But we shouldn’t stay too long today.”

“Huh… alright…”

“Where’s Donghyun?”

Jinhoo looked around.

“Hm… maybe inside?” Mira answered.

A few moments later.

Jinhoo walked toward the children’s room.

The door was open.

He stood at the entrance.

Inside, he saw Donghyun talking happily with a girl.

Jinhoo smiled faintly.

’This kid… he’s already good at winning a girl’s heart…’

He crossed his arms and spoke.

“Donghyun, it’s time to go.”

Donghyun turned immediately.

“Hyung! Alright…”

He looked back at the girl.

“Myuri… I’ll come back again.”

He held her hands firmly.

His expression was filled with determination.

Myuri looked surprised at first, then smiled brightly.

“Okay! I’ll be waiting!”

Donghyun smiled back.

He let go of her hands and walked toward Jinhoo.

A short while later.

Inside Jinhoo’s car.

Jinhoo drove calmly.

Donghyun sat beside him.

In the back seat, Mira sat with her arms crossed, clearly unhappy.

“Oppa! Why are you always in such a hurry!? We didn’t even spend half an hour there!”

Jinhoo looked slightly awkward.

“Uhm… you know I’m a busy person… I have a lot of work to do. You can go back tomorrow with Zofia. She’ll start working there tomorrow.”

Mira’s expression instantly changed.

Her eyes sparkled.

“Eh!? Really!? Then okay! I’m looking forward to it!”

Jinhoo smiled faintly, relieved to see her happy again.

He then glanced at Donghyun.

Donghyun looked a bit gloomy.

“What’s wrong, Donghyun? Are you starting to miss that girl already?”

Jinhoo said teasingly.

Donghyun’s face immediately turned red.

“H-huh!? O-of course not!”

Jinhoo chuckled.

“Come on, tell me. Who’s that beautiful girl of yours?”

“U-uhm… her name is Myuri… she’s my childhood friend…”

Jinhoo was slightly surprised.

’Oh? A childhood friend… in the original story, this wasn’t mentioned… maybe it wasn’t considered important…’

He smiled.

“If you want to impress her… then make yourself look cool.”

“What kind of stupid advice is that?”

Jinhoo laughed.

“Well… you know… I’m pretty bad at romance myself.”

“Hyung is bad at it… but somehow you still attract a lot of women.”

“What are you even talking about?”

Donghyun laughed.

Mira, who didn’t fully understand, laughed along with them.

The atmosphere inside the car was warm.

Peaceful.

Happy.

At the same time.

Eul-wong Office Building.

Inside Julian’s office.

Julian sat at his desk, his expression filled with anger.

He slammed his fist onto the table.

“Damn it!”

In front of him stood a female assistant with brown hair and glasses.

“Mr. Julian, if this continues, Mr. Picky’s plan will fall apart… and he definitely won’t be pleased.”

“I know that!!”

Julian shouted, his face flushed with rage.

“Urgh… this is all because of that man… Yoo Jinhoo… if only he didn’t exist…”

The assistant spoke again.

“Mr. Julian, you should find a way to get rid of him as soon as possible. He will become a major obstacle to Mr. Picky’s plans.”

Julian went silent for a moment.

“…get rid of him… you might be right…”

A slow smile formed on his face.

Then—

He began to laugh.

Quiet at first.

Then louder.

A sinister laugh filled the room.

“Alright… we’ll eliminate him…”

His eyes gleamed with malice.

“Prepare yourself, Jinhoo…”

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