From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

940  Hear Me Out

Lena couldn't say anything after Minjun said those words.

She truly had hurt him plenty of times.

She thought he was doing the best for him by keeping him away from the public eye—and that included everyone he loved.

However, Lena was wrong.

She was doing it for herself. She was selfish.

For so long, she had kept her identity. She didn't want to go through what her dad went through. When people didn't know of her identity, she was more respected, and resistance was lower.

Moreover, she didn't have to face so many enemies.

She knew that a lot of people were praying for Phoenix's downfall. Too many people want to bring it down.

So, Lena did all of these to keep her peace...to keep the empire that her father had built.

Because it was the only tangible memory she had of him. However, to what expense?

She hurt her child more than anyone else in the world just because she was self-centered.

Just then, a lone tear fell from Minjun's eyes. Lena walked to where he was and gave him a hug. Minjun leaned closer to her, and at that moment, when they were so close, she still felt the distance between them.

It was the kind of distance that wasn't built overnight—but all throughout his life.

"I'm sorry."

Those were the only words she could say.

Lena had said it plenty of times.

'I'm sorry for not being there.'

'I'm sorry, I couldn't make it.' 'I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you.'

'I'm sorry. I'll buy you something.'

However, it has never been—'I'm sorry. I'll change from now on.'

It has been long enough.

Lena hoped she wasn't too late.

"I'm sorry," she repeated. "I don't hate you. You're the person I love the most in this world."

She realized it now.

"Everything could be taken away from me, but not you," she whispered. "Not you, Minmin."

Minjun's breath got caught in the back of his throat. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes.

"Really?" he asked, his voice filled with the innocence of a child.

Lena's heart ached even further as she hugged him closer to her body.

"Yes," she said. "I'll do anything for you."

"Anything?" Minjun asked, his voice suddenly sounding calmer than before.

She paused for a moment, narrowing her eyes at his sudden shift in attitude. Lena let go of Minjun for a moment and looked at his expression. His teary eyes were replaced with determined, almost mischievous ones.

"Yes?" she asked, sounding unsure.

"Then," Minjun smiled, causing Lena to raise her eyebrow in inquiry.

"You'll do anything to make it up to me, right?"

Lena pursed her lips. Goodness, her son looked so sorrowful just moments ago that she forgot how scheming he was.

"Then, help June with whatever it is that he's planning to do," he chimed.

"You can do that for me, right, mom?"

***

Pablo narrowed his eyes at the door of his office.

"I really don't like that woman," he said, causing June and Jenny to shake their heads in amusement.

"You've been saying that since she arrived," Jenny said, now chewing on an apple. Pablo's eyes narrowed even further. "And I'm telling you," he said, tapping his fingers on the counter. "It seems like she has a different motive with June." June raised one eyebrow. "And what motive might that be?" he asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Sexual…motives," Pablo revealed, causing June's face to contort to disgust. "Fuck that," he said. "That woman hates me." "All the more reason why you should be more cautious!" Pablo exclaimed. "There's a very thin line between hate and lust, you know?" Then, Pablo shook his head. "I can't believe you even got rich, mature women simping for you." "You're utterly wrong," June said. "But how'd you know she's rich?" "Well, a rich person can just sense this," Pablo said. "Anyway, going back to the topic. You should stay away from that woman." Jenny chuckled, her cheeks filled with the crunchy fruit. "Why? Is it because you're jealous?" Pablo scoffed and went closer to June, wrapping his arms around his bicep. June impatiently sighed and let him be, knowing that he was still recovering from June's departure. "That would only happen if June actually liked her!" he said. "I'm guessing he isn't too fond of her either." "You got that right," June muttered. Just then, the door opened, revealing Minjun—who looked surprisingly happy. His eyes were a little bit red, but aside from that, it appeared like their conversation went well. June stood straight as Lena walked out of the office, looking significantly worse than Minjun. Her eyes and nose were red and puffy, and some of her mascara had run down her cheeks. "Oh, honey," Pablo muttered. "She can afford a lot of things, but not a good waterproof mascara?" However, even though Lena appeared to have had a really long crying session, there was a hint of annoyance on her face. Minjun happily skipped to where June was, and the latter was surprised when Lena didn't do anything to tear them apart. Instead, she shifted her gaze away from them. Minjun looked up at June with a wide smile. "Did you have a good talk?" he softly asked. Minjun nodded, giving him a thumbs up. "Everything's good. Right, mom?" Lena pursed her lips and walked to where June was. Suddenly, she held onto his shoulder, causing June's eyes to widen in surprise. Pablo exaggeratedly gasped and covered his mouth. "I knew it," he muttered, turning to Jenny, who was also watching the scene with wide eyes. "I need to talk to you," she said. June raised one eyebrow. "I thought you didn't want to see me anymore?" Lena let out a deep breath as she felt her temper rising. However, Minjun was watching her with bright, innocent eyes, so she sucked it up and smiled at June. "I'm going to help you," she finally said.

"Whatever your plan is—I'll hear it out."