302-303

Chapter 302: A Dramatic Plot

The Bayard family, originally from Delaware, had a distinguished history, producing one governor, six U.S. senators, one member of the House of Representatives, and a federal cabinet secretary.

Their family business was in the clothing industry, but they eventually left the small state of Delaware and relocated to Boston, Massachusetts.

Traditionally, the Bayards were vassals of the Lodge family, one of the core families of the Boston financial elite.

The Lodge family was deeply entrenched in Harvard University, holding one of the twelve board positions and maintaining long-term control over Harvard University Press as well as numerous newspapers across New England.

The Lodge family traced its origins to the Cabot family, with George Cabot having served as an advisor to Alexander Hamilton and George Washington.

Later, the Lodge and Cabot families merged their names, officially becoming the Cabot-Lodge family, which significantly elevated their status in New England.

In contrast, the early Blackburn family was considered a vassal of the Adams family.

During the 1950s, when the Adams family introduced John F. Kennedy—an outsider—as their primary political protégé within the Boston financial elite, the Lodge family was fiercely opposed.

This opposition stemmed from their historical ties to the so-called "Boston Brahmin" caste system, a concept originating in 19th-century New England.

These elites believed that *"Our privileges come from order, just as the best fruit grows from the best roots."*

The Boston Brahmins were mostly descendants of early American colonists who firmly believed it was their mission to lead American society.

They were predominantly Protestant, graduates of elite institutions such as Harvard, and staunchly committed to maintaining social and familial purity, actively avoiding intermarriage with outsiders—especially the Irish.

As the quintessential Boston Brahmins, the Lodge family vehemently opposed the Adams family's endorsement of Kennedy, an Irish Catholic.

In response, they even put forward a candidate from the Bayard family to challenge Kennedy—though they ultimately lost.

This near-schism within the Boston financial elite was only mitigated by the political acumen of Arthur Adams and Kennedy’s unprecedented political success.

Before Blackburn’s rise, the Boston financial elite operated in a four-pillar structure:

- The Adams family

- The Lawrence family

- The Lodge family

- The Lowell family

These four core families, supported by dozens of other influential families, used New England as their stronghold, indirectly extending their influence to neighboring states to form what was known as the Boston financial consortium.

This historical backdrop explains why, due to the past rivalry between the Lodge and Adams families, the Bayards (as Lodge family allies) and the Blackburns (former Adams allies) have long been at odds.

While Paladin was alive, his greatest political adversary in Massachusetts was always Craig Bayard.

After Paladin's passing, Craig—backed by the Lodge family and other Boston elites—rose to become Massachusetts' new Attorney General last year.

Younger than Paladin, Craig was considered the rising political star of the Lodge faction.

Of course, this assessment excludes a certain disruptive force from outside Boston’s traditional power base—the ever-unpredictable Milo Blackburn.

Even without taking Blackburn into account, Craig was still regarded as one of the most outstanding figures of the younger generation in Boston.

Recently, rumors had been swirling in Boston society:

The unmarried Craig Bayard had set his sights on becoming Arthur Adams’ son-in-law.

Supposedly, this was an effort to mend the historical rift between the Lodge and Adams families.

Given Craig’s exceptional status, if the Adams family were to agree to this marriage, they would never insult the Bayards by offering a distant relative.

Among the Adams’ main lineage, the most suitable candidate was none other than *Peggy Audrey Adams*—who, in Boston’s elite social circles, had become somewhat of a running joke.

---

*"You don’t want to marry Craig, do you?"*

Inside the room, Lee Fujin held her breath, frozen in place as she listened to the conversation outside.

*"So what if I don’t? Our marriages are never our own choice. Everyone knows that…"*

A soft, feminine voice rang out—it belonged to *Peggy*, the young and beautiful assistant often seen at the side of Prosecutor Hailey.

The man’s voice, however, made Lee Fujin tremble.

It was the voice of one of the most powerful figures capable of influencing her homeland—*Milo Blackburn*, the so-called "Godfather of Silicon Valley," whose influence there surpassed anyone else’s.

Lee Fujin’s mind was in turmoil.

A beautiful young female assistant and a strong, powerful man, locked together in a private room…

As someone born into South Korea’s elite circles, she was all too familiar with the implications.

Yet, she didn’t dare leave—not when that would be far too awkward.

Worse still, she feared being discovered. If Milo Blackburn became angry, he could retaliate against her family's business.

He didn’t even need to act directly—just a few dismissive words to her father would be enough to ensure she never had a future at StarStarStar Group.

At this moment, Lee Fujin cursed herself.

Of all the rooms she could have picked, why did she choose this one?

She should have just waited in line at the public restroom outside!

But no—her pride as a chaebol heiress had gotten the better of her, and now she was stuck in this predicament.

Despite her regret, curiosity still got the best of her.

Even as she fretted over the potential consequences, she couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gossip-fueled intrigue about the love-hate entanglements of these American elites.

---

*"It can't be Bayard."*

*"Why not?"*

*"Because I hate him."*

*"Just because you hate him? Wait… I think I remember something. At Paladin’s funeral, didn’t you almost punch Craig?"*

*"Not almost—I did punch him. Someone just stopped me."*

Peggy had attended Paladin’s funeral as Hailey’s cousin.

During the post-ceremony reception, an incident had nearly turned into a scandal.

Rumors swirled that *Paladin’s younger brother had assaulted a guest at the event*.

Though the matter was eventually suppressed, it contributed to Milo Blackburn distancing himself from Boston, leaving things unresolved.

Despite repeated marriage proposals from the Bayard and Lodge families to the Adams family, Arthur Adams continued to hesitate.

One key reason was that *everyone knew Craig Bayard had nearly been beaten up by Milo Blackburn*.

Clearly, their relationship was anything but amicable.

Though Blackburn had since risen to power and hadn’t retaliated against the Bayard or Lodge families—in fact, he had even cooperated with the Lodges—many assumed that he had let bygones be bygones.

But Arthur Adams wasn’t willing to take that risk, which was why he remained undecided.

---

*"Are you really that petty? Craig only said a few words. Even Hailey didn’t care, but you reacted so strongly—oh… I get it now."*

Peggy’s voice stretched out as she looked up at Milo.

*"You bastard—you wanted Hailey in your bed even back then, didn’t you?! Is that why Craig’s words made you so angry?"*

*"No. Not back then."*

*"Exactly! Otherwise, how could you have gotten Hailey pregnant—twice? Don't lie to me; we all know that those children aren’t Paladin’s. Before he got sick, he was so weak that even speaking was a struggle. There's no way he could have left behind frozen sperm!"*

These words made Li Fujing, who was hiding in the bathroom, straighten up in shock.

*This was explosive news!*

Although many of the American elite knew that Hailey Harrison Blackburn’s children were not Paladin’s, outside of that circle, public opinion and powerful influence convinced everyone that they were her late husband’s children.

Li Fujing had thought the same—until now. Her understanding of the situation was completely overturned.

---

*"So, Peggy, do you have any regrets?"*

*"Regrets about what?"*

*"Regrets about not dating me back then. If you hadn’t turned me down, you might have two or three kids by now—all with the last name Blackburn."*

*"Oh, and then I'd end up like Arianna Rockefeller, putting up with you fooling around and having illegitimate children everywhere, along with countless other women?"*

*"Tsk, don’t tell me Arthur VI and Arthur VII didn’t have women or illegitimate kids on the side."*

Arthur VI and Arthur VII... the former was Old Arthur, Peggy’s grandfather, and the latter was her father.

In Western culture, naming children after their elders is considered a sign of respect and a blessing—respecting the elder and wishing the best for the descendant. But in everyday life, to distinguish between family members who share the same name and surname, they simply add a number after the name.

For example, Milo’s full name was actually Milo III John Bush Blackburn.

*This was scandalous!*

Li Fujing tried to keep her breathing as quiet as possible, pressing her ear to the door to continue eavesdropping on the juicy gossip of these American elites.

Peggy fell silent.

Because, just as Milo pointed out, her father and grandfather both had mistresses and illegitimate children. Even her brothers and other male relatives weren’t exactly loyal.

That’s why Paladin, who, even in his thirties, only had one wife—Hailey—and no other women, was considered almost saint-like by many in Boston.

Meanwhile, his brother was seen as the devil incarnate.

Peggy thought about this but replied, *"That’s all in the past. I don’t care. Why did you drag me in here? What do you want?"*

*"I don’t want you to marry Bayard."*

*"Why?"*

*"Because you almost became my wife once... and you’re very beautiful."*

*"Hahaha, that’s the funniest reason I’ve ever heard."*

*"It’s not funny at all. Not one bit."*

*"What do you want?"*

*"Isn’t it obvious? You interrupted me and Hailey earlier."*

*"Oh my God! Hailey is seven months pregnant—she’s about to give birth! You were still fooling around with her? I was worried about her health, that’s why I interrupted you two!"*

*"But you left me feeling... unsatisfied."*

*"Then go find one of your other women. Hollywood’s not far; they can be here in under four hours by plane!"*

*"But I want it now."*

*"Then go out there. There are over a hundred women at the party. At least half would gladly help you with your... desires!"*

*"But thinking about you possibly marrying Bayard... I’ve decided it has to be you."*

*"No, I won’t... Mmph..."*

The conversation abruptly stopped, followed by the sound of struggling.

There was the tearing of fabric, some physical scuffling, and other chaotic noises.

Li Fujing listened with a mix of anxiety and embarrassment, her face flushed.

Then, a scream—*"Ah! You’re hurting me!"*

*"Relax, the first time is always like this."*

Li Fujing was stunned.

The noises that followed made it clear what was happening.

She could almost picture the scene in her mind: the man forcing the woman onto the mattress, her slight resistance, and then her reluctant submission.

She didn’t know how long it lasted, but by the end, Li Fujing was exhausted, leaning against the bathroom wall, her face red, her body weak.

---

*Bang! Bang!*

*"Huh? Why is the bathroom door locked from the inside?"*

A man’s surprised voice echoed from outside the restroom.

Li Fujing’s heart dropped.

*What do I do now?*

*"Is anyone in there?"*

No. There’s no one here.

Li Fujing silently prayed to God, begging for a miracle.

Maybe her prayers were answered because the noises outside stopped.

*Am I... safe?*

She didn’t dare to leave just yet. She stayed still, unsure of how much time had passed.

Then, she heard soft, deliberately quiet footsteps outside.

Before she could react—

*Bang!*

The bathroom door burst open.

*"Ah!"*

Li Fujing screamed, nearly losing control of her bladder.

But it wasn’t the man she feared. It was several huge, expressionless men in black suits.

They entered swiftly, pointing their weapons at her.

*Guns.*

Black, terrifying gun barrels aimed right at her. Li Fujing almost fainted.

She never imagined this would happen.

*"Shut up!"*

The men coldly commanded. Terrified, Li Fujing clamped her hands over her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

They scanned the bathroom, then one of them picked up a radio:

*"Clear. Just one person—an Asian woman. No threat. Judging by her attire, she might be one of the guests tonight."*

*"Understood. Call the housekeeper to identify her."*

Moments later, as Li Fujing was losing the will to live, considering that death might be a better escape from this humiliation, a woman in her fifties entered the bathroom.

*Hope.*

Li Fujing’s heart leapt.

She recognized this woman—the housekeeper of Prosecutor Hailey! The same woman responsible for welcoming all the female guests tonight!

*Am I... saved?*

---

Chapter 303: Hailey’s Interference in the Backyard

Originally planning to get married and then pursue a Ph.D. at Harvard University, Lee Jae-yong now found himself in San Francisco with his wife, attending Stanford University instead.

As the sole male heir of the StarStarStar Group, it was only natural that Lee Jae-yong attended a gala hosted by Silicon Valley’s star prosecutor, Hailey Harrison, that evening.

He had gone with his wife, Lim Se-ryung, and they returned home together.

Upon arriving at the villa that the StarStarStar Group had prepared for him in San Francisco, Lee Jae-yong was informed by the servants that the eldest daughter had not yet returned.

"Bu-jin hasn’t come back yet?" Lee Jae-yong asked in surprise, turning to his wife. "What about her car and bodyguards?"

Lim Se-ryung replied, "I already called to check. Her car and bodyguards are still at the Bay House and haven’t returned either."

"What’s going on?" Lee Jae-yong’s expression grew serious.

Lim Se-ryung gave a wry smile. "I asked about it. The driver and bodyguards said that Bu-jin plans to stay there overnight. She was invited by Prosecutor Hailey and will return tomorrow. They had the option to come back on their own or wait there, but since they didn’t receive any orders, they chose to stay."

Hearing this, Lee Jae-yong nodded, his eyebrows furrowing beneath his glasses. "Since when did Bu-jin get so close to Prosecutor Hailey that she’d stay overnight? Se-ryung, you two are always together. Have you not managed to establish the same kind of relationship with her?"

From her husband's words and tone, Lim Se-ryung could sense his wariness toward his elder sister.

Everyone knew that Lee Jae-yong was the next in line to take over the StarStarStar Group.

In a country where gender inequality was deeply ingrained, this was considered an unshakable fact.

However, his father—Lee Kun-hee, the reigning emperor of StarStarStar Group—had always shown a particular fondness for his eldest daughter.

He frequently praised Lee Bu-jin in front of the media.

Almost every time they appeared together, father and daughter were seen holding hands.

This led some media outlets and even certain high-ranking figures in the country to speculate sinisterly:

Perhaps Lee Kun-hee preferred his daughter.

Perhaps, he might even pass the throne to Lee Bu-jin.

Although the chances were slim, Lim Se-ryung knew that her husband cared deeply about this possibility.

His decision to study in the U.S. was both a way to gain prestige and an unavoidable political move.

Yet, Lee Bu-jin had no real reason to come along.

Even so, Lee Jae-yong insisted that she accompany him.

Interestingly, he never demanded the same of his second or youngest sister.

It was clear that he simply didn’t want Bu-jin to stay by their father’s side while he was away, fearing that she might influence him and threaten his future position.

As his wife—despite their recent marriage—Lim Se-ryung understood all of this.

After a moment of thought, she softly replied,

"I spend time with Bu-jin every day, and I genuinely have no idea when she got so close to Prosecutor Hailey. She never mentioned it to me."

"Unless she deliberately kept it from me, there’s no way I wouldn’t know."

Hearing this, Lee Jae-yong hesitated.

After some thought, he decided to send someone over to check on the situation.

An hour later, the response came back.

This time, it was Hailey’s own people who relayed the message:

They confirmed that Lee Bu-jin was indeed staying the night.

The reason? Hailey had discovered that she and Bu-jin got along surprisingly well and wanted to befriend her, so she invited her to stay.

Upon learning this, Lee Jae-yong barely slept that night.

The Next Morning

At the Bay House, where one could overlook the Golden Gate Bridge and the vast expanse of the San Francisco Bay...

As dawn broke, the floor-length curtains in the master bedroom were slowly drawn open, allowing sunlight to flood the room.

Beyond the window lay the boundless ocean, where gentle waves caressed the shore, producing a soothing melody.

The sea breeze, carrying a salty scent, mingled with the golden sunlight as it streamed through the open window.

Inside the luxurious bedroom, the silk sheets on the bed were smooth and soft, each detail exuding opulence.

Unique, high-end furniture adorned the space, each piece a testament to extravagance.

On the balcony, a cozy lounge chair basked in the morning glow, as if inviting its owner to indulge in a leisurely moment.

In the distance, the sunlit water sparkled, and the occasional passing ship left elegant trails in its wake.

Lying in the master bedroom of this lavish estate, Lee Bu-jin slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was an unfamiliar ceiling.

It took her a while—especially with the mild dizziness from low blood sugar—to fully grasp where she was.

And then there was the steady breathing beside her, a constant reminder of what had transpired the night before.

Last night...

She had simply wanted to use the restroom.

But because there was a line at the public restroom, she had chosen to use one inside a room instead.

Being reserved, she had deliberately picked the one at the very back.

Then, she got trapped in the bathroom—because she forgot to lock the door, and someone entered the room.

For over an hour, she had been forced to listen to the sounds of an intimate encounter unfolding just outside.

If that had been all, it would’ve just been an embarrassing memory.

But what happened next completely caught her off guard.

A bodyguard had suddenly burst into the room, scaring her half to death.

She had almost wet herself on the spot.

Thankfully, she had already relieved herself beforehand, or the embarrassment would have doubled.

Then... she had been brought before the hosts of the Bay House.

And after that…

Thinking about it now, Lee Bu-jin instinctively rubbed her thighs together.

A sharp soreness, a dull ache, and an undeniable fatigue coursed through her body.

She let out a long breath.

At least she was alive.

Enduring the discomfort, she struggled to get out of bed.

Avoiding the sight of the beautiful young assistant still sleeping on the bed, Lee Bu-jin attempted to find her clothes amidst the scattered fabric on the floor.

She found them.

Unfortunately, they were in tatters—completely unwearable.

Her brows furrowed as she wrapped part of the fabric around her upper body and made her way to the bathroom inside the bedroom.

There was a bathrobe in the bathroom, which made Lee Fujin breathe a sigh of relief.

She brushed her teeth and washed her face while running water into the bathtub.

Half an hour had passed by the time she finished her bath and came out wearing the bathrobe.

Outside, the beautiful blonde assistant to the prosecutor was still asleep on the plush mattress.

Standing at the door, Lee Fujin took a deep breath before opening it and stepping out.

Outside was a long hallway. From a distance, she could see a middle-aged woman who looked like a maid standing at the end of the corridor.

Lee Fujin’s heartbeat quickened as she walked step by step toward the woman.

The maid smiled politely, bowed slightly, and greeted her, “Good afternoon, ma’am. You’re awake. Is there anything you need?”

Gathering her courage, Lee Fujin stammered, “I… I’m a bit hungry. Could I have something to eat?”

“Of course.” The maid's smile remained unchanged—gracious and courteous. “Madam has instructed that if you woke up and were willing, you could join her for lunch in the dining room. She should still be there at this time.”

Honestly, if she could, Lee Fujin would rather leave this place right now.

She had no idea what they planned to do with her.

What if…

What if they were worried she might expose their secrets and decided to imprison her instead…

Lee Fujin thought that was a very real possibility.

In fact, the chances seemed quite high.

But she also understood that leaving here wouldn’t be easy.

Even though she was the eldest daughter of the ***Lee family, the eldest child of Lee Geon-seo, and the sister of Lee Jae-young, it didn’t matter.

Because this wasn’t Korea. This was the United States.

Here, the ***Lee family had no power—only insignificance.

No matter what, she would have to face it eventually.

With that thought, Lee Fujin spoke, “Then please take me there.”

“Right this way, please.”

Following the maid’s lead, Lee Fujin walked down another hallway, passing several rooms and a living area.

They went down a staircase and walked to the left for a few more minutes.

Finally, under the maid's guidance, Lee Fujin arrived at a sunroom dining area with massive floor-to-ceiling windows.

In the dining room, she saw the renowned celebrity prosecutor of Silicon Valley—Hailey Harrison.

But now, Lee Fujin knew her full name was Hailey Harrison Blackburn.

And she also knew that her two- or three-year-old child and the six- or seven-month-old baby in her womb weren’t her late husband’s.

They were the result of an affair with her late husband’s brother—her brother-in-law—a scandalous and immoral affair!

Lee Fujin was well aware that the reason she was kept here last night, and even asked to “serve” her lover, was all because of this woman.

Honestly, Lee Fujin wanted to lose her temper.

If they were in Korea, she would have already exploded with anger.

But this was America.

She didn’t dare.

She simply kept her head slightly lowered and approached the celebrity prosecutor with a respectful demeanor. She spoke as gently as possible in English, “Good morning—no, good afternoon, Prosecutor Hailey.”

“You’re awake.” Hailey responded with a smile and a soft voice, “You must be hungry. Sit down and have something to eat.”

“Alright.” Lee Fujin obediently complied.

A housekeeper then came over to set the table and served her food.

The housekeeper softly explained the dishes, informing Lee Fujin that they were specialties from Massachusetts.

There was Boston lobster, Cape Cod seafood chowder, baked beans with brown sugar, and the famous New England clam chowder.

Looking up, Lee Fujin saw that Hailey, seemingly full or otherwise occupied, was absorbed in reading a thick document.

Not daring to disturb her, Lee Fujin quietly lowered her head and began eating.

After all, she hadn’t eaten much last night.

Things had dragged on until late, and she was exhausted—truly starving.

When she was about three-quarters through her meal and no longer feeling as hungry, Hailey’s gentle voice broke the silence, “How does it taste?”

Li Fuzhen quickly stopped eating and obediently replied, “It’s very delicious.”

She saw the other person smile before continuing, “Li Fuzhen… Hmm, that’s your Korean name. It’s a bit hard to pronounce. I’ll just call you by your English name—Lilith.”

“Alright,” Li Fuzhen quickly responded.

Hailey then placed the documents she had been reading onto the table.

“These are your personal records, Lilith. I had someone bring them over.”

“I just skimmed through them,” she added.

Hailey continued, “No wonder he wanted you last night.”

Li Fuzhen’s heart skipped a beat. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the thick stack of documents.

What do they say about me? she wondered.

“My dear Lilith, you now have two choices.”

“Please go ahead,” Li Fuzhen replied, as obedient as ever.

“The first option: Become my son’s mistress. Have you heard of Sumitomo Junko from Japan? Your situation would be quite similar to hers.”

“The second option: In California, people go missing or die every year, every month, every day, every hour.”

Almost without hesitation, Li Fuzhen softly spoke, “I choose the first option, madam.”

Whether for survival or personal gain, she knew this was the only choice.

“I figured you’d choose that one,” Hailey said, nodding in satisfaction.

In the past, Hailey would never have done something like this—securing Milo’s household and dealing with other women on his behalf.

Back then, it was unthinkable.

But now, Hailey was methodically inserting herself into the affairs of Milo’s other women.

It wasn’t that she wanted to interfere, but she couldn’t allow Ariana to monopolize everything.

The reason was simple.

Hailey had to think about little Paladin and the unborn child growing inside her.

She wasn’t entirely sure how to go about it yet.

But stepping in to manage Milo’s other women was the first step she had come up with—and was now executing.

Last night, both Peggy and Li Fuzhen had been results of this decision.

“That’s settled, then,” she said to Li Fuzhen. “Someone will speak with you later. You’ll understand everything then. Just focus on being a good woman.”

Li Fuzhen obediently nodded again. “I will listen.”

Deep inside, she felt an increasing sense of joy and excitement.

Sumitomo Junko!

Perhaps in America, Europe, or anywhere outside of Japan and Korea, not many people knew her name.

But in Japan and Korea—especially among high-society women—

The name Sumitomo Junko was legendary.

Her story had spread like a fable within their social circles.

She had started as a minor member of the Sumitomo financial group, someone of little importance.

Her original fate was predictable:

She would either marry into another family of the same class to serve a strategic purpose,

Or be wed to an exceptionally talented commoner, used as a tool to integrate elite outsiders into the family.

Or she could abandon everything—her surname, her status—and pursue so-called love and freedom.

For women in their social class, these were the only three possible futures.

But Sumitomo Junko had taken a different path.

She had aligned herself with an American.

And through that connection, she had not only suppressed but also influenced the Sumitomo family itself.

Leveraging American power, she had become a spokesperson of sorts in Japan’s upper echelon.

Even the head of the Sumitomo family now had to consider her opinions before making any decisions.

She was on the verge of becoming the matriarch of a rising mixed-blood dynasty in Japan and Korea.

Her social status and accumulated wealth—

Made women like Li Fuzhen burn with envy.

Many dreamed of becoming the next Sumitomo Junko.

But the reality was—there was only one Sumitomo Junko.

Now, realizing that she herself could soon become Korea’s version of Sumitomo Junko—

That she could use American influence to overpower and control the *** family, gaining immense status and authority in Korea—

Honestly, if Hailey weren’t right in front of her, and if the time and place weren’t so inappropriate—

Li Fuzhen would have burst out laughing.

(End of Chapter)