The Ultimate Tycoon's System Audit

Chapter 6: Machinery of Wealth

Rain washed the dirt off the city streets as Jin walked away from the grand hotel.

He felt the cool wind on his face, but his body felt incredibly warm and alive. The extra days of lifespan he had just earned from the System made his previous exhaustion vanish completely. Behind him, the luxury banquet was in absolute ruins, but Jin knew this was only the first step. He looked down at his calloused hands. For five years, those hands had scrubbed floors, washed dishes, and carried heavy groceries for Min-ah's ungrateful mother. He had lived like an obedient dog, believing that love and hard work would eventually earn him respect.

Now, he realized how foolish he had been. Respect wasn't earned through submission; it was commanded through power.

Meanwhile, back inside the private VIP suite of the Grand Hyatt, Director Kang was smashing a crystal glass against the wall. Shards of expensive glass rained down onto the thick carpet, reflecting the harsh light of the room.

"Find him!" Kang roared, his face twisted in an ugly, veins-popping rage. He turned on his remaining assistants, who were trembling near the door. "I want Jin dragged to my feet by tomorrow morning! How did a low-level clerk get access to my security systems? How did he hack my screens?!"

Min-ah cowered on the leather sofa, her expensive makeup ruined by dark streaks of mascara. Her white silk dress was wrinkled, and she looked completely stripped of her previous arrogance. The glittering diamond necklace on her throat suddenly felt like a heavy iron collar.

"Kang, please... you have to believe me. That video was from years ago, before I even met you!" Min-ah shrieked, her voice cracking as she crawled toward Director Kang. She tried to grab his hand, but he violently slapped her arm away, stepping backward as if she were a toxic snake.

"Get away from me, you fake bitch!" Director Kang barked, pointing a finger at her. "You lied to me about your past, and you let a pathetic beggar make an absolute fool out of me in front of my biggest investors! My reputation is worth billions, and you dragged it through the mud in a single night!"

Min-ah wept loudly, clutching her bruised arm. She knew that if Kang threw her out, she would have nothing. Her family was drowning in debt, and she had spent the last five years relying on Jin to pay off their bills. Now, Jin was gone, and her golden ticket was slipping through her fingers. "Kang, please! Jin must have fabricated those audio recordings. He’s a psycho! He’s trying to ruin our lives because I dumped him. He has nothing to lose, but we do!"

Kang took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He smoothed his messy hair and adjusted his expensive silk tie. He was a powerful corporate director, and he had spent years climbing his way to the top of Cheonji Logistics. He had survived corporate betrayals, hostile takeovers, and backstabbing business partners. He was not going to let a penniless, useless low level clerk destroy his empire with one cheap stunt.

To survive in the cutthroat business world, one had to be stubborn, resilient, and ready to bounce back from any disaster.

Kang picked up his phone and dialed a private, encrypted number.

"Chief Prosecutor Chan," Kang said, his voice instantly turning smooth, calm, and professional. "We had a small security breach at the hotel tonight. A disgruntled, mentally unstable ex-employee is spreading fabricated, deepfake videos to sabotage our company's reputation. I need a complete media blackout by midnight. Shut down any online articles, forum posts, or social media uploads immediately."

The voice on the other end murmured agreement. With a single phone call, the heavy machinery of the wealthy began to turn, working to erase Jin's truth.

By the time Kang hung up the phone, his arrogant, confident smile had fully returned. He had the money, the high-priced lawyers, and the political connections to make tonight's scandal completely vanish from the public eye before the morning news even aired.

He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the rainy city skyline.

"Jin thinks he won," Kang muttered, his eyes narrowing into cold, murderous slits. "But tomorrow, our massive IPO launches. Once Cheonji Logistics goes public and the global investments pour in, I will be untouchable. I will buy the very land Jin's family lives on, bulldoze his home, and make sure he is locked in a dark prison cell for the rest of his miserable life."

Min-ah looked up from the sofa, wiping her face. Seeing Kang regain his composure gave her a surge of hope. Her tear-stained face twisted into a vindictive, cruel smile.

"Yes... destroy him, Kang," she whispered, her voice venomous. "Make him suffer a hundred times worse than what he did to us tonight. He deserves to starve in the streets."