RACA 66

“What? What did you say? You, you, you ungrateful, ungrateful bastard!”

Even as he stammered, Lee Daebak’s face darkened as he clearly pronounced the words “ungrateful bastard.” But he couldn’t jump on him like before.

Because right in front of him, Pyo Jaebeom and Bulgom stood with their arms crossed.

Meanwhile, Eunsol couldn’t hide his pitying gaze as he watched Lee Dae-bak glare at him, veins bulging in his eyes. The classic bully who picks on the weak.

Honestly, even if he were his father, wouldn’t it be natural not to recognize him?

‘That beard, that messy, unkempt hair, and that scruffy face…’

In fact, according to the drama’s setup, Lee Daebak had been gone from home for over five years. Even back when the protagonist was young, he was hardly ever around the house.

So it was only natural to feel unfamiliar with him. With that thought, Lee Eunsol calmly asked again.

“You’re saying it’s true, right?”

“Y-yeah, y-yeah! You don’t b-b-believe me? W-w-well then, let’s take your b-blood and my b-blood and t-test it!”

“Why blood…”

He frowned, wondering what he intended to do with that, but even that seemed to deeply offend Lee Daebak, who suddenly yelled.

“Why, why, why? Why, you, you, you! You, you, you ignorant fool! I, I, I’m trying to get a g, g, genetic test, that’s why!”

Who does genetic testing with blood? Unaware of Eunsol’s bewilderment, Lee Daebak continued to fire back.

“Yes, yes, yes, that’s why, that’s why you still haven’t graduated from university, that’s why!”

His speech was so stuttered it was hard to grasp the point. Eunsol tilted his head, then asked incredulously.

“You think I didn’t graduate because I’m stupid?”

Eunsol knew that in his original world, he hadn’t even made it past the university entrance exam, but here he was set up as a college student. However, he hadn’t fully grasped the fact that he was still attending school because he hadn’t graduated.

“Well, that’s because Eunsol was trying to juggle his studies and work at the same time. And that so-called father of his? He didn’t even bother to support his child’s education, yet he stole the tuition money and gambled it away. He’s in no position to say that, is he?”

Pyo Jaebeom, who had been observing the situation until then, finally spoke up. His words were so unexpected that Eunsol’s eyes widened.

“Wh-wh-what…”

“You know exactly what I mean. And now I’m curious why you’ve shown up in front of Lee Eunsol. Tell me, Mr. Lee Daebak. What’s your business?”

As Pyo Jaebeom took a step forward, Lee Daebak stumbled back two steps. Seeing him glance sideways at him, Eunsol wondered why he was trying to catch his attention. He tapped Pyo Jaebeom’s arm.

It was meant to signal him not to interfere, but that action must have looked different to Lee Daebak. Spotting his eyes flash in that instant, Eunsol spoke up before he could spout nonsense.

“Exactly. Why did you show up only now? Wasn’t the business settled when you sold me to the CEO? The money you took back then wasn’t exactly pocket change.”

The amount Eunsol confirmed was 500 million won. That money should be enough to live on for at least a few years.

If Lee Daebak had spent it on some business venture, he could have blown it all in one go, but judging by his current state, that didn’t seem to be the case.

“Wh-what! Ah, ah, Dad, Dad, I, I, I can, can come, come see, to see my, my child!”

Well, it didn’t seem like their relationship was that affectionate. This time, Eunsol’s head tilted the other way.

‘No matter how I think about it, it looks like there’s something else going on.’

The timing of their meeting was also unbelievable. Above all, it seemed like he knew he was going to the supermarket and was waiting there.

That’s why Eunsol believed Lee Daebak’s appearance was because of Pyo Jaebeom. 

He wasn’t sure if he was directly involved, but it was hard to explain this situation otherwise.

Plus, the way Lee Daebak had been watching Pyo Jaebeom’s reactions since earlier only solidified his suspicion. But judging by Pyo Jaebeom’s attitude just now, it didn’t seem like he was connected either.

‘Well, if it’s gang boss Pyo Jaebeom, he could be involved, but the actor has no reason, right?’

If he were a gang boss, he would have pressured Lee Daebak to appear around this point to block Eunsol’s escape route.

It would also be a necessary device for the drama’s tension and entertainment value.

‘So is this situation also for the drama’s progression?’

If so, he needed to know what event this development was building towards. Unfortunately, as a minor character, Eunsol didn’t know the drama’s overall story.

The only person who could know the future plot was Pyo Jaebeom, so his gaze naturally turned to him.

“Why?”

But Pyo Jaebeom was also looking this way, and their eyes met directly. He unconsciously asked what he wanted, but Pyo Jaebeom frowned, he was displeased.

Then, instead of answering, he abruptly turned his head away. 

That look was closer to the gangster boss Pyo Jaebeom than the actor, and Eunsol inwardly clicked his tongue in disapproval. Even if it was acting, did it really need to be that spot-on?

‘Seriously, why?’

Even then, Lee Daebak, who was just rolling his eyes around without saying why he’d come, seemed really suspicious.

“It’s not about the money?”

He asked outright. His shoulders jerked violently, confirming his guess.

“Wow… you blew through that money already!”

In a way, Eunsol genuinely respected Lee Daebak. That was why he couldn’t help but admire him.

But why did Pyo Jaebeom look like he didn’t care? 

“Money is meant to be spent.”

“I’m just amazed you could spend 500 million won in less than three months.”

“Why? If you used it for a down payment on a house or commercial space in Seoul, it would be gone in no time. Isn’t it actually not enough?”

Well, that’s true. But to Eunsol, who had never even considered squandering money, it was incomprehensible. Seemingly noticing his expression, Pyo Jaebeom chuckled.

“Well, I can’t imagine someone like Lee Eunsol who doesn’t know how to spend money. What would you do if you had 500 million won?”

“Well, I guess… food, utilities, transportation, occasionally buying clothes or going to the movies? Oh, and being able to buy scripts without hesitation when I want them would be nice.“

”You don’t need a car?“

”Hmm… You’re right. That would be nice too.“

Since public transportation in Seoul was so well-developed, he’d never once considered buying a car. He occasionally rented a motorcycle to get to places with poor accessibility.

”What about a house?”

“Well, I have a place to live now… No, that’s not what’s important right now.”

Why did the conversation suddenly go off on a tangent? Eunsol glanced at Jaebeom, who was staring at him as if he were a nine-tailed fox, then turned his attention back to Daebak.

He was gaping like he’d seen some strange spectacle. Only then did Eunsol realize he’d been acting far too familiar with Pyo Jae-beom in front of Lee Daebak. He wouldn’t misunderstand our relationship, right?

“You, you two,really, good, good….Maybe, are,…. are, pregnant…”

“Where did you spend the 500 million?”

Eunsol interrupted as Lee Dae-bak tried to change the subject again. He was curious too. Did he really spend it all and come looking for him?

Seeing him just roll his eyes again, he knew the answer without needing to hear it.

“I heard he lost it all gambling.”

The one who answered wasn’t Lee Daebak, but Pyo Jaebeom.

“Gambling? Ah, right…”

That was it. He’d completely forgotten what kind of person Lee Daebak was, because he didn’t think of him as his father.

“What, what! You, you, you brat, don’t, don’t stare at me like that!”

Lee Daebak, noticing Eunsol’s insolent gaze, yelled again. 

His voice must be hoarse from constantly raising his decibels like that over every little thing.

“If it’s about money, you’ve come to the wrong place. I don’t have a penny, and I doubt the CEO has any intention of giving you any money either, so please leave.”

His purpose was clear, so the business was done. Pyo Jaebeom, sensing Eunsol’s attitude signaled the end of the conversation, signaled for Bulgom to pull Lee Daebak away.

Even if Eunsol had no further interest in him, Jaebeom did. He needed to know why the person he’d told Kwak Sang to follow was here and what his purpose was. Of course, it wasn’t something Pyo Jaebeom would handle personally.

“Contact Kwak Sang.”

“Yes, boss.”

Bulgom bowed, then grabbed Lee Daebak by the collar again. Dragged along, he still seemed reluctant to leave, but he had no strength left to resist.

“As you know, sir, he’s not my father, so please don’t make any demands of me.”

Eunsol looked back and forth between Pyo Jaebeom and Lee Daebak before drawing a line. His words made Pyo Jaebeom smirk.

“I’m happy to oblige.”