24. The Real Fire Starter

"Then how about last night. You haven't answered where you were last night?"

Josh again swallowed his saliva with difficulty.

“At home,” he replied softly. “Of course I was home with Ashley.”

His mother glanced at him without interest. Even though she didn't actually know whether her son was lying or not—she herself had asked this one question only because Min Jinah was babbling incoherently about how she wasn't sure if she'd seen Josh or someone who looked like Josh going out late at night from his apartment on the wedding night.

"I hope you're not lying. I heard something uncomfortable, but I don't know if it's true or not... But leaving a woman alone on the wedding night—that would hurt her a lot. You have to understand that."

Josh's jaw hardened.

Remembering that he not only left Ashley last night, but also fought and was rude to her, made his guilt tingle again.

"I also want you to keep your other promises. We can't wait too long,“ her mother thought again, ”should I legalize our agreement? I was lenient yesterday because I thought you were a dear child. But it seems that this time I can't think of you that way anymore."

Josh remained silent. He couldn't argue anymore.

"I'll send you the agreement letter along with your ticket. Go away in a few days. Spend a week or two with Ashley. And give me good news when you get back. You know what I mean."

“A week?” Josh stammered.

“Want me to make it a month?”

Josh shook his head. "I have to take care of my company anyway, Mom. I can't just let go of my responsibilities for too long."

"I told you, I'll ask your grandfather for help. Everything will be fine. Take care of the most important matters first."

He could no longer argue any further.

At this point, he really did not have the privilege to negotiate any further. His movements were locked down. After this, who knew what would happen to him, to Sharon.

×××

MOON SUN RESTAURANT

Jason bowed ninety degrees to an old man with white hair. The man walked past him while patting him lightly on the back. His expression seemed overjoyed. There was a sense of satisfaction and triumph that was very clearly depicted on his wrinkled face.

While Jason, who still maintained his respectful demeanor, stared at the restaurant floor with a faint smile.

If the man was happy because their talks that day had gone smoothly and could potentially bring him a huge profit, Jason was no less happy.

With this deal involving symbiotic mutualism, without the old man realizing it, it was actually Jason who benefited the most. It's just that Jason is good at positioning himself to make it look like he's the one serving and working for the man.

He's not being deceitful or sneaky, no. He just has his own strategy to take advantage. He just had his own strategy to make a little more profit.

As soon as the old man—who was known as a figure of great influence in the government—had disappeared behind the door, Jason lifted his head and straightened up.

A long exhalation of breath escaped his nose along with a sensation of relief and spaciousness in his chest.

One important job was halfway done. It was like he had already bagged half of the success. All that was left was to execute it in one go.

He sat back in the chair and reached for his cell phone. His finger typed in a name and pressed the call button.

No need to wait long, he heard a voice on the other side answering him.

Jason smiled.

“Good afternoon, Miss Min Jinah,” he laughed, filling the private dining room for four.

The woman he addressed laughed with him and asked what had happened for Jason to call her after such a long time.

Jason stopped his laughter and his voice became smoother.

"Here's the thing. I'd really like to meet you. But since I have an urgent matter... Can I ask you a favor first?"

“Ah—you just showed up because you wanted to use me.”

Jason laughed again, "How could I take advantage of a great person like you. It's just a little game. And I'm sure for once you'll like it."

“Hm... what is it... I wonder,” Jinah responded with a voice that sounded excited and a touch flirtatious.

"Are you in Korea right now? Because I might have to ask you to go through the hassle of traveling around and finding someone first. But I'm sure you can manage it very easily. You have a lot of great strategies," Jason praised.

Meanwhile, Jinah laughed crisply. She was getting curious about what the eldest son of the Lim family wanted.

"Just tell me the bottom line, Mr. Lim. Then I'll decide whether or not your request is intriguing enough for me."

“Alright,” Jason quickly replied, “It's about my brother.”

Jason stretched for a short pause. Jinah didn't make a sound either, waiting with a suddenly pounding chest.

“Josh,” he said.

Min Jinah smiled widely.

Her ears instantly became alertly open. The moment Jason mentioned the word ‘brother’, she confidently guessed that the man he was referring to was definitely Josh.

The handsome boy who made her suddenly wealthy. The source of her money flow that never dried up. So, how could she refrain from showing interest and eagerness?

“Okay... then?” Jinah pricked up her ears carefully. Ready to listen carefully.

"You must also remember the girls he was involved with back then. I saw them at Moon Sun this afternoon. They left probably about almost an hour ago. That's as far as I know about their last whereabouts. Try following them today. Or tomorrow. Or until you get a good picture of the two of them."

Min Jinah gasped, “So they're still in contact?”

"I think so-I'm not sure. Either they met for something else, or they're still in a relationship. I'm curious too. That's why I'm asking you a favor. Look for evidence. Then sell it to my mom. How's my idea?"

"Crazy! Hahahaa!"

Min Jinah burst out laughing after hearing the man's request.

"You'll make a lot of profit if you can get a good picture. The sooner, the better, I think. While that man’s situation is currently in a risky position. Pressuring him will make the game more interesting."

“I see,” Jinah was quick to respond. Yesterday, there were several news channels covering the man's marriage to one of the children of the Song family-the rulers of the steel business and construction sector. This would certainly be very interesting since the wedding really only happened yesterday.

“Then, hm,” the woman thought for a moment, “So, he went straight to see the girl the day after the wedding?”