⚠️ Content Warning
This chapter contains heavy and sensitive themes, including references to serious crimes (such as child sexual abuse and related topics).
It also includes brief mentions and inspirations drawn from real-life tragedies and cases, including the Sampoong Department Store collapse, the Sewol ferry tragedy, and the Baby Garden cult (also known as Agadongsan).
These events are referenced only for narrative purposes and are not intended to sensationalize real-world tragedies.
Reader discretion is strongly advised.
Please proceed with care.
****
And so, after quite a lengthy round of greetings and catching up, the gathering slowly turned into something that felt more like a casual tea party.
At one point, Hyouka genuinely thought everyone had forgotten why they were even there in the first place.
They were sipping tea and chatting while nibbling on artisan pastries that looked expensive enough to cost her an arm and a leg.
But once the tea was finished…
The atmosphere shifted.
It was immediate. Noticeable. Almost tangible.
"So, Little Bread," Vincent began calmly, folding his hands on the table. "I've already heard a brief explanation from your sister as to why you wanted to meet today."
His gaze rested on Foca.
"But I would like to hear the full details directly from you."
"Of course," Foca nodded, taking a steady breath.
"The moment Bread Music started being built, I began conducting deep background checks on the artists I planned to sign."
He looked toward Vincent.
"Those artists being August, Silas, Ahn Jae… and by extension, Kang Ian."
"Do you remember when I came to you and explained what finally pushed me to create my own entertainment company?"
"Of course," Vincent confirmed.
"I remember," Jonathan said. "I couldn't believe it when you said it started because of a survival show."
He shook his head slightly.
"You said you hated seeing talented people get overshadowed by popularity and television scripting."
"Correct," Foca nodded.
"And ironically, that very same show eventually led us down a much deeper rabbit hole."
His voice grew firmer.
"A rabbit hole filled with criminal and heinous activities… which unfortunately leads to one of the companies you, Jonathan and Pearl hold significant shares in."
As he spoke, Hyouka began distributing folders around the table.
"The folders contain a detailed compilation of the crimes committed by Kang Seo-yul," Foca continued.
"The beloved son of the head of Hwarang Motors."
He paused.
"Many of these crimes occurred not only in South Korea but internationally as well."
"And unfortunately…"
Foca glanced briefly at Cole.
"He also has connections with Merth and several other individuals of similar status."
"What has that bastard Merth done now?" Jonathan sighed, sounding utterly tired of the name.
He flipped open the folder.
The first page he saw was a chat log.
It showed Merth, Kang Seo-yul, and another spoiled rich brat casually discussing Merth's latest escapade—
Sleeping with the mothers of his so-called friends.
Jonathan rubbed his forehead.
"I don't even know what to say anymore," he muttered. "I can't even say I'm surprised he managed to top his previous level of fuckery."
As everyone continued reading, the neatly organized documents Hyouka had prepared revealed more and more details.
Every page was structured carefully.
Every piece of evidence labeled and categorized.
Yes, excellent work, Hyouka.
Vincent's expression darkened the deeper he went into the folder.
Pearl let out a quiet, disbelieving huff.
"So let me get this straight," she said slowly.
"This guy is basically using money connected to our companies to fund his twisted hobbies."
Her eyes hardened.
"Creating a sex trafficking ring. Extortion. Blackmail. Revenge porn. Manipulation."
She flipped another page.
"Rigging a survival show just because he was bored—and manipulating the results so he could debut himself."
Pearl looked up sharply.
"And you're telling me this isn't even the tip of the iceberg?"
"Unfortunately not," Hyouka answered for Foca.
"The man is also responsible for multiple murders—though he rarely does the dirty work himself."
The room grew even quieter.
"He's destroyed entire families because he found it entertaining. He rapes women regularly, abuses substances constantly, drinks like it's water, and smokes like a chimney."
She spoke calmly, but every word landed heavily.
"He's framed innocent people, gotten them imprisoned, and in some cases… killed inside those prisons."
Hyouka folded her hands politely.
"And that doesn't even cover a quarter of how vile Kang Seo-yul truly is."
She paused.
"Oh—and he drowned his Shiba Inu because he got bored of it."
"That last detail isn't written here," Dew said, frowning slightly.
"Oh!" Hyouka replied sheepishly.
"I ran out of ink and paper."
Then she smiled brightly.
"But I know about it because I managed to infiltrate Kang Seo-yul's private Telegram group chat."
She proudly held up her phone.
On the screen…
Was the very chatroom itself.
****
And just as if fate had planned it—
Ding.
A notification sound cut through the room.
Hyouka glanced down at her phone.
The moment she read the message, her eyes widened.
"Uh… guys," she said slowly. "Does anyone know where Merth is right now?"
"He's supposed to be on house arrest," Cole replied. "Why?"
But even as he asked, dread was already creeping into his voice.
"Well…" Hyouka said carefully. "Turns out Merth is currently on his way to the other side of the world."
She lifted her phone slightly.
"Destination: South Korea."
The room fell silent.
"He's bragging in the chat about how his mom helped sneak him out."
"Oh dear…" Luca muttered, massaging his temples as a migraine threatened to form.
Foca's expression hardened instantly.
"Chamber."
Almost as if summoned by the word itself—
Chamber appeared.
No one even noticed when he had entered.
"Awaiting your orders, sir," he said calmly.
"I want everything they have," Foca said coldly.
"Gone by tonight."
Chamber didn't hesitate.
"Right away, sir."
He understood immediately and stepped out to begin.
The room stayed quiet for a moment.
Then Foca's expression softened slightly as he turned to Cole.
"Cole… I'm really sorry."
"Don't be," Cole said.
He looked furious—but beneath the anger was deep disappointment.
"They did this to themselves."
His voice turned colder.
"Let them suffer the consequences of their own actions."
And just like that—
Every investment Foca had poured into Cole's biological father's business was being pulled out.
Vacuumed clean.
Not a single penny left behind.
Foca then returned his focus to the table.
"Going back to the main issue," he said calmly.
"I understand that Kang Seo-yul's actions do not represent the entirety of Hwarang Motors."
He paused.
"But the head of the company and his wife have repeatedly overlooked—and even encouraged—their son's behavior."
The weight of his words settled heavily.
"I also understand that dealing with Hwarang Motors is extremely complicated and sensitive."
"Years of work could collapse in the blink of an eye."
His gaze moved between Vincent, Jonathan, and Pearl.
"If that happens, countless innocent employees would suffer. The company also plays a major role in the national economy."
"And many influential figures—including those in government—have close ties to the Hwarang family."
He leaned back slightly.
"Interfering with them could have lasting consequences for the entire country."
Then his voice softened.
"Dad. Jonathan. Pearl."
"I'm not asking you to bring down Hwarang Motors just because I have a personal grievance with one person."
He shook his head.
"All I'm asking is this."
"With the power you hold… please prevent interference from the Hwarang leadership."
His expression became resolute.
"While I deal with Kang Seo-yul myself."
A quiet fire burned in his eyes.
"He hurt my people."
"And I simply want to show him what happens when someone's foolishness knows no limits."
****
The room fell into tense silence.
Everyone was deep in thought.
The weight of the discussion hung heavy in the air.
And then there's that thing that sometimes happens when you're extremely nervous.
You know.
When your stomach starts doing weird shit.
When anxiety decides to turn your digestive system into a chaotic little orchestra.
Yes.
That was exactly what was happening to Hyouka.
She had been nervous as hell meeting Papa Foca for the first time. Then she got riled up arguing with a ridiculously hot, brooding, dark-romance-male-lead-wannabe.
At some point, without even realizing it…
She had been holding her breath.
And the gas.
For a very long time.
So the moment she finally relaxed just a tiny bit—
Her body betrayed her.
🎶 Tooooot 🎶
It was slow.
Long.
And disturbingly… musical.
There were modulations.
It had range.
This was supposed to be a very serious conversation about corporate crime and revenge.
But what could Hyouka do?
When gas decides it's time to become Elsa and Let It Go, nature simply cannot be denied.
At least, that was Hyouka's philosophy.
Calmly—like a professional who had absolutely not just produced a symphonic toot—she reached into one of her gigantic bags.
She pulled out a can of Febreze.
And generously sprayed the air.
As if nothing had happened.
Thankfully, everyone present had impeccable manners. No one acknowledged it.
But Hyouka caught something.
Dew's shoulders were shaking.
His head was lowered.
Eyes closed.
Fist pressed to his mouth.
In Hyouka's mind, she immediately went:
Oh this motherfucker is laughing at me right now.
Like he doesn't fart too?
Still…
The suffocating tension in the room had quietly dissolved.
Thanks to Hyouka.
Once again.
There was still seriousness lingering in the air, but now everyone could think more clearly.
This was especially true for Foca.
He had been getting carried away by his emotions.
Meanwhile, Vincent, Sebastian, Jonathan, Dew, and Pearl had all long been tempered by years of business warfare.
Foca was still new to this world.
So it was fortunate that someone close to him—knowingly or not—had helped diffuse the tension.
Foca subtly turned to Hyouka.
He mouthed silently:
"Thanks."
Hyouka blinked.
Thanks?
In her mind she immediately spiraled.
For what?
For letting it rip in front of the most powerful people in the room?
Is my humiliation entertainment now?
But then she reconsidered.
Well… if Sir Foca is happy…
What more could I ask for?
A proud smile spread across her face.
Good work, tummy.
Excellent timing.
While Hyouka internally praised her digestive system for its impeccable dramatic instincts, Jonathan spoke.
"What you're asking for actually isn't that difficult, baby bro."
Foca blinked.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Jonathan leaned back slightly.
"Because Dad, Pearl, and I…"
A small smile appeared on his face.
"…have already been working on completely restructuring Hwarang Motors."
****
"You see, we've been keeping an eye on the head of Hwarang Motors for quite some time now," Pearl revealed. "And let's just say… the extent of what that man has done makes his son's crimes look like child's play."
Sebastian stepped forward and began listing the offenses in his usual calm, professional tone.
"The head of Hwarang Motors has been involved in international drug distribution and human trafficking. He is also strongly connected to the ferry disaster that resulted in the deaths of numerous students, yet somehow managed to walk away without consequence."
He flipped to another page.
"He was also involved in the collapse of the obscenely pink-painted mall and the disastrous decisions made during its construction. And has sexually assaulted and raped children as young as 8 years old of both genders."
"And the matriarch is no different," Sebastian continued. "Her record includes embezzlement, running a sex trafficking ring involving young adult men, and leading a cult where she refers to herself as 'Baby.'"
He paused.
"She is also linked to multiple counts of murder, just to name a few."
"Oh my God!" Hyouka gasped, eyes wide in disbelief. "So we've got a walking PDF file for a father and a completely deranged, delulu mother. No wonder their spawn turned out the way he did."
"Kang Seo-yul was so confident doing all those vile things," Luca said thoughtfully, "because he knew his parents were just as evil as he was—if not worse."
"That family has a special place in hell waiting for them," Tuesday muttered.
"Little Bread," Vincent said calmly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Everything you've gathered regarding the son has only reinforced my belief that my decision to reform Hwarang Motors is the correct one."
He folded his hands together.
"We have overlooked their actions for decades."
His voice grew colder.
"Now it is time for them to understand how vast the world truly is—and that they are not gods among men."
His gaze hardened like a judge delivering a sentence.
"They will reap what they have sown."
"A hundredfold."
"With pleasure," Pearl said with a wicked smirk, looking as though she had been waiting for this exact moment for years.
"Well, well, well," Jonathan chuckled. "This turned out far more exciting than I expected. Don't you think so?"
His smile matched Pearl's.
"I've been waiting for this for quite some time," Dew added calmly, though the spark in his eyes betrayed how pleased he was.
"Let's do this!" Hyouka cheered.
She suddenly pulled out another thick stack of folders from her bag and began distributing them around the table.
"Everyone, since we're going after the absolute scum of the earth," she announced proudly, "I've compiled a list of torture methods—from the medieval era all the way to modern technological options."
Tuesday blinked at her.
"Girl… something is seriously wrong with you."
Then she grinned.
"And I like it."
"See? I knew you'd understand me, my queen," Hyouka said proudly.
She leaned forward conspiratorially.
"I personally suggest throwing them into a Hunger Games situation and letting them hunt each other."
She snapped her fingers.
"Or—hear me out—make them consume Red 40 every day."
"Or even better," she continued excitedly, "force them to watch TikYin brain-rot content for the rest of their lives. I mean, imagine hearing Skibidi Toilet or 'It's giving delulu' on repeat forever. That'll make anyone lose their mind eventually, right?"
"You're way more excited about this than you should be," Luca said, looking at her with amused disbelief.
Hyouka simply shrugged.
"What can I say? I enjoy serving justice."
She grinned.
"Whether it's hot, cold, lukewarm… or even digital."
As for Foca, he honestly didn't care what kind of torture Hyouka had planned.
Right now, he was simply relieved.
For the first time since all of this started, he could finally breathe.
Because he knew one thing for certain.
His family had his back.