“What are you talking about all of a sudden? Saying that nothing is working out because of Shin Young and me?”

Shin Young’s mother felt her soul leaving her body upon receiving the sudden phone call.

Two years ago, their business was on the verge of failing. Her husband Doo Shik had recklessly expanded the business and ended up getting scammed.

Shin Young’s mother was so terrified of ending up on the streets that she couldn’t even sleep at night.

Then one day, Doo Shik came to her with a big smile, saying that everything had been resolved. After that, they were able to move to a better house and increase Shin Young’s extracurricular activities.

They lived without worry. The only thing was that Doo Shik seemed to be meeting women occasionally. It was unpleasant to see, but it wasn’t bad being called the wife of a company president.

But now, all of a sudden, why again?

“Don’t take out your anger on the wrong person! What did Shin Young and I do wrong!”

[The wrong person! Do you know how much I sweated when Goldland collapsed before? It was embarrassing to keep denying it when the employees kept asking!]

During the Goldland incident, people had figured out through the grapevine that it was related to Shin Young and her mother.

The employees remembered them because Shin Young and her mother had shown their faces at Doo Shik’s company sports events and volunteer activities.

Shin Young’s mother felt like her heart was burning black. But now even Doo Shik had almost forgotten about it, so she thought it was all in the past.

“That’s all in the past, why bring it up again…”

[All in the past? Did you forget that Goldland belonged to JK? Why provoke the leader of JK! Now that we’re on Vice President Han Seung Jun’s bad side, we can’t even go near JK, you crazy woman! It’s because of you that we can’t do business with them anymore!]

Only then did Shin Young’s mother come to her senses.

Goldland was operated by JK. The places Doo Shik did business with were also JK. It seemed the incident had reached the ears of Vice President Han Seung Jun and been conveyed to Doo Shik.

Why is the vice president there concerning himself with such matters? He’s a busy man.

Shin Young’s mother already had a headache from constantly worrying about being sued, and now her husband’s business was being negatively impacted as well.

“They really fired you because of that? Is that JK vice president crazy? Why would he randomly cut off a water purifier company over that?”

Doo Shik couldn’t give any answer to that. As if he was hiding something.

[Anyway, I’m not coming home today, so figure it out yourself.]

The call ended.

Shin Young’s mother felt like her mind was in a dizzying tangle.

What kind of bolt from the blue was this all of a sudden? She thought all she had to do now was get Shin Young to graduate from kindergarten without incident.

Who knew there would be more trouble with her husband’s business.

As she was sighing deeply, another call came. This time it was from the kindergarten.

‘What kind of trouble is this kid causing now?’

Last year, she got angry because the kindergarten called so much, so there hadn’t been many issues this year.

But through other mothers, Shin Young’s mother knew that Shin Young was still constantly causing problems.

Answering the phone, sure enough, she could sense the teacher’s hesitation. Another incident, huh. It wasn’t the first or second time, so Shin Young’s mother steeled herself.

“Yes, what is it?”

[Shin Young’s mother, I’m sorry to say this, but Shin Young threw scissors because she was angry. Yoon Sung got hit in the head and is a little hurt. Could we talk when you pick her up today?]

Shin Young’s mother put a hand to her forehead.

Why does this kid keep throwing things?

Before, she heard that Shin Young threw a robot at Yu Min. Is it because her dad throws things when he’s angry?

Suddenly, an unbearable emotion surged up.

“No, it’s normal for things to happen when kids play together, why are you calling about every little thing? Shouldn’t the kindergarten stop these things? Why are you calling home when it didn’t even happen at home, why!”

Shin Young’s mother yelled as she stomped her feet.

If I do this, they won’t be able to say anything more. I introduced so many people to this kindergarten. They shouldn’t treat me like this. At least not them!

[Ma’am.]

The teacher’s voice sounded troubled.

[Sigh, the thing is, this isn’t the first or second time Shin Young has done this. The other mothers are complaining a lot. Until now, the kindergarten has apologized on her behalf and taken action, but the principal says it’s becoming too difficult.]

Even when spoken to like that, the teacher persisted in saying her piece, making Shin Young’s mother feel betrayed. Fine, I’ll stay quiet then. Shin Young’s mother spat out her words.

“So? You’re going to kick her out? Do as you please. You think I’ll stay quiet? Do you know how many internet cafes I’m active on? My husband runs a big company. I’ll spread rumors and make that kindergarten go under, I will!”

When I say I’ll do it, I do it. What kindergarten doesn’t know to fear the mothers? You think that’s how you’ll survive?

Even after hanging up, Shin Young’s mother couldn’t calm her remaining anger and gulped down cold water. Still, her heart continued to boil.

No, why is everyone doing this today as if on cue?

Both my husband and my child.

Fine, it’s not my fault. This is all because I married the wrong man. And because I gave birth to a child like Shin Young instead of Yu Min.

Wait a minute.

When you think about it, isn’t this all because of Yu Min and his mother? That strange man has Yu Min’s mom as his mistress too.

If only Shin Young and Yu Min hadn’t fought that time, that man wouldn’t have shown up flaunting Goldland tickets.

Then I wouldn’t have gone to Goldland and been humiliated.

I wouldn’t have gotten on JK’s vice president’s bad side and caused trouble for my husband.

And that time too, it wasn’t Shin Young’s fault but Yu Min’s for hitting her first. It was Yu Min’s mom, not me, who raised a violent child first.

Why should Shin Young leave the kindergarten? If anyone should leave, it’s Yu Min, he absolutely can’t leave.

Plus, last time Yu Min’s mom even slapped me.

“I can’t just sit still. I need to properly get back at her for slapping me last time.”

I couldn’t do it then because that man suddenly appeared. That man who has Yu Min’s mom as a mistress. I’m going to pay her back properly today.

She’ll come at pick-up time. I’ll thoroughly humiliate her at the kindergarten. I’ll expose her as a mistress, a woman who’s someone’s concubine.

The rumors will spread anyway, and then even if that man’s grandfather shows up instead of him, nothing can be done. It’s not like he’s some chaebol chairman.

Feeling satisfied that her mind was quite sharp, Shin Young’s mother opened the closet.

What clothes should I wear to go and be the subject of good rumors? Shin Young’s mother took out her clothes one by one and held them up to her body. Her large, thick lips twitched.

*

“We had a new friend join us today. That friend couldn’t find the craft supplies, but Yu Min told them the glue is here and the scissors are there.”

Seol Ah, who had gone to the kindergarten to pick up Yu Min, was in the middle of receiving a storm of praise from the teacher.

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to the teacher’s dedicated guidance.”

The teacher waved her hand at Seol Ah’s words.

“Not at all. It’s because you educate him well at home. The child is so kind and gentle that the other children really like him and follow his lead.”

Seol Ah blushed at the mention of educating him well. Just then, the teacher’s face suddenly stiffened.

Wondering what happened, Seol Ah turned her eyes to where the teacher was looking, and heard the teacher’s voice.

“Ah, Shin Young’s mother is here. Then please take care on your way home.”

The teacher greeted her in a stiff voice, as if she had never smiled, and walked towards Shin Young’s mother.

Seol Ah watched the teacher’s back with sympathetic eyes.

She had heard from Yoon Sung’s mother.

– Sigh, I don’t know why Shin Young always acts like that. She threw scissors at Yoon Sung. I was so upset when I got the call. But this isn’t the first time. Even though the behavior is repeated, it seems like they don’t properly discipline her at home.

– It’s not something that can be fixed with discipline. It must be hard for Shin Young’s mom too.

When Seol Ah responded, not wanting to badmouth others, Yoon Sung’s mother replied as if disagreeing.

– It doesn’t seem like she’s having a hard time. Even when we talk, it’s like she has no idea about her child’s issues.

– Yoon Sung must have been really startled. Comfort him well today. Yu Min also had that trauma for several days after getting hit by the robot before.

Seol Ah had tried to appease Yoon Sung’s mother by focusing on Yoon Sung as much as possible. But she also couldn’t help feeling dissatisfied with Shin Young’s mother.

What is she trying to say today?

It wasn’t something for Seol Ah to worry about, so she turned to go pick up Yu Min.

“Excuse me, Shin Young’s mother. Could you please come this way to the principal’s office?”

The teacher tried to escort Shin Young’s mother inside.

“Wait a minute.”

But Shin Young’s mother turned back and chased after Seol Ah, who was leaving.

“Yu Min’s mom!”

Seol Ah turned around.

“If you saw me, you should greet me, how can you just leave like that? Do I look funny to you?”

How can a person change like that. Seol Ah narrowed her eyes.

“We’re not exactly on friendly terms to exchange warm greetings, are we? The principal is waiting, so hurry up and go in.”

Not wanting to talk for long, Seol Ah said that. But Shin Young’s mother didn’t seem to want to do as she said and took a step closer.

“You put her up to this, didn’t you? You’re the one who begged the principal to kick out our Shin Young, right? You think our Shin Young is a pushover? Huh?”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Seol Ah spoke with her brows furrowed.

“What do you mean nonsense…”

Shin Young’s mother, who had been yelling, suddenly realized that her cell phone was ringing loudly. She suddenly remembered what Shin Young’s father had said in the morning.

Did something else happen?

Shin Young’s mother quickly picked up her phone. An unfamiliar number was displayed as the caller.

“Wait, I need to take this call, so you stand right there!”

Shin Young’s mother shouted loudly before answering the phone. Given the timing, her husband may have caused more trouble.

“Yes, hello.”

[This is Han Seung Jun, vice president of JK Group.]

At the sudden words, Shin Young’s mother’s body stiffened. JK Group? Vice President Han Seung Jun?

Shin Young’s mother’s face soon turned pale.

It was the person from JK Group who had fired her husband.