Chapter 48 - Failure

"You really are a trash, you know that?" Jade commented. "Making her turn out to be a liar..."

"I was nine!" KJ protested. "I barely knew the multiplication tables. Forget about knowing what's wrong or right."

"Trash," the cat retorted. "You still don't know what is wrong and what is right." 

They glared at each other. But KJ knew Jade was telling the truth. He really was trash. 

"Where are we going next?" KJ asked sullenly.

"To your grandfather's office," Jade replied. "We need to know what the old man was up to after that incident. Let's go."

Jade pulled them through another time portal. KJ was gripped with a momentary darkness before the light descended on him. 

They were now standing outside his grandfather's office building. Calling it an office would be an understatement; it was a skyscraper.

Jade catcalled. 

"Boy KJ, you're rich," he said, feeling impressed.

"There's nothing impressive about it," KJ said sourly. "Not when you have two half sisters who'd love to kill you in your sleep."

"Point taken," Jade said. "Let's head upstairs."

Invisible to all the busy eyes, KJ and Jade made their way towards the office.The building was exactly how KJ remembered it to be. 

His grandfather owned Hann Constructions, the most influential property firm in the country. They were known for their thoroughly professional methods and cutthroat business practices.

Over the years, Hann Contructions became a pinnacle in the business industry. Their clientele consisted of high profile diplomats, politicians, celebrities and many other influential people.

It was not easy to buy a property from Hann Constructions. They only selected the topmost customers. Their impeccable business sense made them an indomitable force in the country.

Very few people knew about KJ's family. He intended it to keep his identity as Kwon family's heir hidden from the public.

"So where do we go from here?" Jade asked.

KJ paused for a minute, trying to recall the way to his grandfather's office.

"I think it's on the top floor," he said. "This way."

He led the way to the staircase. Since they were in astral form, they did not get tired of climbing the stairs. Finally, they reached the tenth floor. 

"Aha!" KJ exclaimed, pointing at old man Kwon's office. "There it is."

Jade caught up with him. "I can see Mr. Jung and Mirae heading this way," he informed. Sure enough, Jung Taewon was approaching the office with Mirae in tow.

They watched the father-daughter duo walking towards the Managing Director's office. Before heading in, Taewon paused and bent down to face Mirae.

"Mirae, my dear," he cupped her tiny face with his hands. "Don't be scared, alright? As long as you're telling the truth, Mr. Kwon will not get angry at you. Understood?"

"Yes, papa," Mirae nodded. "I will only tell the truth."

Her father flashed her a warm smile. "Let's go in then."

He held her hand and led her into the office. 

"Let's go," Jade ordered. They followed the pair inside.

Kwon Jinyoung was sitting at his desk. He was busy watching over some photos, his expression looking worried. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock. 

"Come in," he ordered. Jung Taewon came in, clutching his daughter's hand.

"Good morning sir," Jung Taewon bowed. Mirae too bowed respectfully. "You have summoned us here today." 

"Yes, President Jung," the old man said. "If you don't mind, may I speak with your daughter in private?" 

Taewon was a little worried. Mirae might be a bright child but he felt uneasy to leave her there. What if the old man did not believe her? He glanced at his daughter, who showed no signs of fear. 

"Alright, sir," Taewon reluctantly agreed. "I will be waiting outside. Mirae, please behave properly," he added to his daughter. She nodded in reply. 

Taewon bowed to the old man once again and took his leave. It was just Kwon Jinyoung, Mirae and the two invisible spectators in the room. 

"Sit." Kwon Jinyoung pointed at the empty couch opposite to his desk. Mirae obeyed and took a seat.

"Young girl," he addressed her sternly as he leaned forward. "What you said yesterday are very serious accusations against my granddaughter."

He was looking straight into her eyes, trying to see any hint of fear or lie. To his surprise, the little girl was looking at him boldly without any hesitations. 

"Yes sir," she said clearly.

"Do you know, lying is wrong?"

"I did not lie," Mirae said confidently. "I know what I saw."

"And that is...?"

"That bad unnie threw the boy into the mud and when he tried to get up, she kicked him back in," she replied without flinching. 

The old man studied her for a while before cracking into a smile. 

"You are a very sharp young lady," he praised her. "Just like your mother."

"You know my mommy?" she asked in astonishment.

"Of course!" the old man laughed. "Sung Sohee was my best student. Before she chose to settle down and marry your father, she worked for me. I knew her father as well. He was an old military buddy of mine. When he passed away, I took your mother under my wing and trained her in military combat. You resemble her a lot."

Mirae felt a hint of pride in those words. She beamed at the old man. 

"Your mother never lied," he went on. "And I believe you didn't lie either."

"Really?" Mirae was surprised at his words. "Why didn't you tell me that yesterday?"

"Because, I wanted to see what my grandson would do," Kwon Jinyoung replied with a hint of sadness in his voice. "I was testing him to see what his reaction would be."

"Did he pass the test?"

The old man's eyes glistened up at that question.

"No my dear," he lamented. "He failed."