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Chapter 280: Where There Is Light, There Is Darkness (4)
Chapter 280: Where There Is Light, There Is Darkness (4)
Chapter 280: Where There Is Light, There Is Darkness (4)
After the presentation ended.
The people in the conference room were divided into two groups.
Ability users and non-ability users.
The S-class ability users, led by Baek Seol-hee, headed to the break room, while the President, ministers, the Vice President of the Hero Association, and other relevant officials remained in the conference room.
“…First.”
The President cautiously brought up the topic.
“If anyone has heard any rumors about Baek Seol-hee dating someone or meeting someone recently, please raise your hand.”
No one raised their hand.
“If anyone knows anything, please speak up.”
“Mr. President, there’s nothing. There’s no man around Baek Seol-hee. After Duoexini died last time, even the gift she bought for Cheok Jun-kyeong was confirmed to be just for her younger brother.”“Sigh… Really? Not a single instance?”
“Yes. It’s more likely that she’s secretly meeting someone out of our sight. Someone we don’t know about.”
“Huh.”
If an ability user used their ability to deliberately hide their identity, could we really recognize that person?
“Minister Park, what about wiretapping or something like that…”
“We can check if we issue a warrant to the telecom company, but will they provide those records?”
“Not talking about doing it legally, but if we discuss it behind the scenes?”
“…There will be significant repercussions. Besides, if the President doesn’t know, doesn’t that mean ‘Cheonriyan’ also doesn’t know?”
“Sigh.”
The President scratched the back of his head.
“Indeed, if I knew it through Cheonriyan, I would have directly asked you for more details.”
“Weren’t you testing us?”
“Hey, there are no opposition people here, what are you talking about?”
“…….”
The people in the conference room looked at each other and nodded.
“So no one really knows, right? Hmm?”
“At least we’ve confirmed one thing. Baek Seol-hee’s… let’s just say ‘crush’. That crush is a married man.”
“An affair…”
Everyone smacked their lips.
“Whoever that lucky guy is, to be married and receive love from Snow White. Haha, the world is truly amazing.”
“This isn’t something to laugh off. Baek Seol-hee, who never mentioned pregnancy before, brought it up directly in front of us, implying we should handle the legal issues.”
“Yes. That makes it scarier. A woman who has always lived by the rules, now being driven crazy by love. That’s what love is.”
“Sigh… How did she get involved in such a complicated love affair?”
The people here were not ability users.
But their life experience was far richer than others, having seen more people than anyone else.
“Baek Seol-hee seems to be deeply in love with her crush. She’s prepared to become a mistress and even create a legal escape route to protect the man.”
“She even asked us to ensure the child’s protection. This means if there’s a custody dispute, she wants to protect the child. Regardless of who the married man is, or who his wife is, we must protect Baek Seol-hee and her child.”
“The nation protecting a mistress and her illegitimate child. Haha, people would have a field day if they heard this.”
“But she’s a woman who defeated three S-classes by herself.”
“Then we have to help her. Even if she kidnapped and raped a normal young man, we should turn a blind eye. She’s showing such determination about her pregnancy.”
There was one common thought among everyone.
“We must never provoke Baek Seol-hee. When we nagged her about dating, getting married, and having kids, she didn’t listen at all. Now, suddenly, she’s cooperating with us, which means she’s so in love that she’s willing to die without that man. I know this well.”
The President shivered and shook his head.
“…Fortunately, Baek Seol-hee is a patriot. She’s not a crazy woman who would sell out her country and child. Whoever her crush is, we need to support and respect her decision.”
“But, if the man isn’t an ability user…”
“Hey! If Baek Seol-hee says ‘I’m not doing this anymore,’ what will you do then?”
The President banged the table and shouted at the minister.
“She voluntarily brought up pregnancy, and if we respond with ‘Oh, an ordinary person?’ or ‘Oh, a C-class?’ how do you think she’ll react? We’ve already deduced the affair; does the ability rank matter?”
“If he’s a married man, he’s at least in his late twenties. We already know most of the married ability users.”
“…Is there a possibility we missed some young married ability users?”
“No, there isn’t.”
“Damn…! Is it fortunate that she’s willing to bear a child?”
Baek Seol-hee was going to have a child.
Even if it’s a married man’s child, she wanted to raise it.
“A common court issue is now a national issue. Damn, it’s crazy. Is that guy insane? If Baek Seol-hee asked for an affair, I’d divorce and marry her.”
The ministers smiled awkwardly at the President’s words, but no one shook their head or disagreed.
“We just have to trust her. Ah, would Baek Seol-hee marry an unworthy person? His only flaw is being married. And what if he’s not an ability user? Baek Seol-hee is S+, so she’ll at least give birth to an A-class.”
“But what if his rank is low…”
“Ah, let’s not think about that. One is better than zero, and opinions can change after having a child. One can become two and three, right?”
“If she has more than one child, that alone is a blessing…”
“Let’s just solve the legal issues. If the media catches a whiff, we’ll find out who the wife is and spin it in Baek Seol-hee’s favor. Understand?”
“Understood.”
A conclusion was reached.
“Listen well. No matter who Baek Seol-hee dates or who she loves, as long as he’s a ‘Korean man’…”
Vrrrr.
Suddenly, the door opened.
Without giving the secretaries a chance to intervene, everyone’s attention turned to the person who entered the conference room.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I left my cup behind earlier.”
“Taejo…”
The President’s face flushed as Taejo came in to retrieve his steel mug left on the table.
No matter how S-class he was, no matter if he was the President’s grandson, ordinary people didn’t just walk into a conference room in the middle of an ongoing meeting with the door closed.
“Haha. What serious discussion are you having? Oh, is it a serious discussion…?”
“What were you talking about?”
“Just battle strategies. How to use clones.”
“Hmm….”
“But I’m not interested in those talks, so I just came out. Hehe.”
Except for someone like Armored Taejo.
“Since you’re here, let me ask. Do you know who Baek Seol-hee is seeing?”
“…….”
Taejo sipped his coffee, remaining silent.
Everyone’s heart sank at his ambiguous attitude.
“Do you really know? Hmm?”
“Let me be clear, it’s not me. It’s not Jun-gyeong, nor is it Tousin. And I don’t know.”
“Anyone you suspect?”
“There is one person.”
“Who?”
“You might be shocked when you hear it. Especially you, Grandfather.”
“…Is it someone I know?”
“Well.”
Taejo glanced around the room and cautiously opened his mouth.
“It might be a shocking story for you adults, but are you ready?”
“Anything is fine. Just tell us.”
“Then….”
Standing at the entrance with his cup, Taejo cleared his throat.
“I think….”
At that moment, in the break room.
“What? Me and Irin? What kind of crazy talk is that?”
Baek Seol-hee scoffed at Lee Jun-young and Kim Yun-ji’s questions.
“Say something that makes sense.”
“Unni.”
“Nunim.”
“I know saying nonsense is a global rule, but Irin is….”
“A girl.”
“A minor.”
“…Both.”
Baek Seol-hee covered her face with her hands at the questioning looks from the two.
“Don’t worry. He’s Korean, not a girl, and an adult. Except for being married, he’s a decent person.”
“Unnie. Are you covering up the truth by saying he’s married? I’d rather believe you’re a lesbian.”
“I’d rather be a lesbian and fight for patriotism with the adulterer’s wife.”
“Pfft…!”
Lee Jun-young almost spit out his soda.
“Noonim, please don’t say things like that…!”
“It’s just a way of speaking. You’re suspicious of me too, aren’t you? What? A minor? Are you out of your mind?”
“…Isn’t it true? Ever since you went to Sejong Island this year, you suddenly started talking about patriotism.”
“So what?”
“Well, noonim, could it be a forbidden relationship between teacher and student…ugh?!”
Crackle.
“Hey, Kim Yun-ji!”
“Stop saying crazy things. It’s a crime to be with a minor!”
“Saying someone’s a lesbian is different from committing a crime against humanity!”
“Guys. Can’t you just accept that the person I’m seeing is married?”
Baek Seol-hee chuckled at the argument between the two S-classes.
“Whoever the man is, just think positively. Even if I have a child, I won’t force you to participate in public events. I have clones, after all.”
“That’s….”
“And.”
Baek Seol-hee glanced up at the ceiling.
“Even if a demon from Pandemonium appears, you won’t have to worry about Gwang Ik Gong stepping in. I can handle it with my clones, even if I’m pregnant. I’d appreciate it if you could help out a bit. Yun-ji?”
“Yes?”
“If I get permission, I’ll introduce you to someone. Someone who can greatly help you with your abilities. And if you guys reach S+ class….”
She grinned.
“I’ll take real parental leave. I won’t leave the country, and everyone won’t have to worry.”