Sweet Hidden Omega - chapter - 3

Jungkook called his assistant and asked them to bring Cheon Ho-jin to the house to assess the painting.

Jeon Yoongi(A)

"Fine, let’s have Mr. Cheon take a look. When he proves the painting is real, let’s see what else you have to say."

Taehyung didn’t back down.

Lee/ Kim Taehyung(O)

"If it’s real, I’ll pay for it, no matter the cost."

Lee/ Kim Taehyung(O)

(Then, with a sinister smile, he added), "But if it’s a forgery?"

Jeon Yoongi(A)

"If it’s a forgery, I’ll call you 'Dad.'"

Lee/ Kim Taehyung(O)

"Very well. Don’t go back on your word,"

Taehyung said with confidence before turning to the Old Lady.

Lee/ Kim Taehyung(O)

"Grandma, I’ll go pack."

Grandma Fu nodded. After what had happened the night before, it was clear that Jungkook wouldn’t allow Taehyung to stay, whether the painting was real or fake. Taehyung went upstairs and packed Kim Taehyung’s belongings. After finishing, he didn’t hurry back down but instead sat quietly in the room, contemplating his next move.

After a while, Jeon Yoongi barged in with a displeased expression

Jeon Yoongi(A)

"Kim Taehyung, Mr. Cheon is here. It’s too late to hide now."

Taehyung didn’t argue. He opened the door and followed Jeon Yoongi downstairs, carrying his luggage. On the first floor, an elderly man, around 70 years old, was conversing with Jungkook and the others.

Jeon Jungkook(E)

"Mr. Cheon, my assistant must have informed you why we asked you to come. Please examine this painting by Priam and tell us if it’s genuine,"

Cheon Ho-jin

"A painting by Priam?" .

Cheon Ho-jin’s eyes widened in surprise.

Cheon Ho-jin

"There are very few of his paintings in circulation. How did you manage to find one?"

Jeon Jungkook(E)

"We purchased it at an underground auction,"

Jungkook explained, gesturing to the painting on the table.

Jeon Jungkook(E)

"You’re an expert on Priam’s work, so please take a close look."

Cheon Ho-jin, visibly excited, approached the table to examine the painting. However, as soon as he did, his expression darkened.

Jeon Yoongi(A)

"How is it? It’s real, right?"

Jeon Yoongi was eager for confirmation.

Cheon Ho-jin removed his glasses and frowned deeply. He turned to Jeon Yoongi and the others, displeasure written all over his face.

Cheon Ho-jin

Are you trying to pull a prank on me?

Jungkook’s eyes narrowed.

Jeon Jungkook(E)

Are you saying this painting is... a forgery?

Jeon Yoongi was taken aback and leaned in to examine the painting more closely.

Jeon Yoongi(A)

"Mr. Cheon, please take another look. Should I get you a magnifier? We spent tens of millions on this painting—how could it be a forgery?"

Cheon Ho-jin

"Tens of millions?"

Cheon Ho-jin scoffed, clearly uninterested in giving the painting another glance.

Cheon Ho-jin

"Who would be foolish enough to spend that much on a fake?"

Han So-hee glanced nervously at Jungkook, a slight panic setting in.

Han so hee(O)

"Mr. Cheon, please look again. You only glanced at it. Isn’t that a bit hasty to declare it a forgery?"

She had helped acquire the painting, and if it turned out to be fake, she would be in serious trouble. It would be a major blow to her reputation.

Cheon Ho-jin

(irritated,)"I don’t need to look again! I’ve seen enough of Priam’s work to distinguish a forgery from the real thing at a glance."

Cheon Ho-jin

"Besides, the original painting is in the possession of one of my acquaintances. I’ve seen it in their home, and they’re not the type to sell it to anyone."

His deep knowledge of Priam’s work made him particularly offended by such blatant forgeries. Jeon Yoongi had been prepared to tear into Taehyung after Cheon Ho-jin’s evaluation, but now that the painting was confirmed as a fake, he had to swallow his words. Han So-hee, who had spent millions on a forgery, was too shaken to speak. She realized she was in a much more precarious position than she had anticipated. Jungkook looked up at Taehyung, who was descending the stairs, his expression unreadable.

Old Lady Jeon

"Taehyung, how did you know the painting was fake?"

Everyone turned their attention to Taehyung after the Old Lady’s question, waiting for his response.

Lee/ Kim Taehyung(O)

"My mother was fond of oil painting and often took me to exhibitions abroad. I’ve seen other works by this artist, so the difference was easy to spot,"

Taehyung explained briefly. In reality, the authentic version of this painting, Rose, had been purchased by the Lee family eight years ago. It had been displayed in their living room ever since. Mother Lee was an avid collector of Priam’s paintings and had several at home. Cheon Ho-jin, as a fellow painting enthusiast, had visited the Lee family and seen the original version of this painting there.

Hearing that Taehyung had been the first to spot the forgery, Cheon Ho-jin couldn’t help but take a few more glances at the young man standing with his luggage nearby.

Cheon Ho-jin

"You have a sharp eye, young man. Even though it’s a forgery, the artist did an excellent job making it resemble the original. If I hadn’t seen the authentic one myself, I wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference so quickly,"

Lee/ Kim Taehyung(O)

(modestly). "It was just a coincidence."

It was indeed a coincidence that he had also seen the original painting before.

Jeon Yoongi(A)

"Soo-hee, you were careless. How could you make such a mistake with something this important? If Taehyung hadn’t noticed the forgery in time, and the painting had been delivered to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson tomorrow, Fu’s Enterprise would have faced a significant loss!"

Han so hee(O)

"I... I didn’t expect this either. The middleman guaranteed that it was an authentic painting!" (muttered guiltily, trying to explain.)

Jeon Jungkook(E)

“Go and call the lawyer and find the middle agent and the auctioneer. They must pay back what we have lost. That is your job, do not leave it to anyone else.”

This directive was aimed not only at Assistant Min-jae but also at Han Soo-hee.

"Yes, Boss. I’m on it," Min-jae nodded.

Jeon Yoongi(A)

"Brother, let Soo-hee and me handle this. Min-Jae has to lead the afternoon meeting,"

Jeon Yoongi volunteered. Since the painting was a forgery, he had to call Kim Taehyung dad according to the bet they had set up just now. So he must take off as soon as possible. Han Soo-hee shot a glare at Taehyung. She had planned to use this situation to have him thrown out of the villa entirely, but instead, not only had her plan backfired, but she had also lost credibility.

Jungkook personally poured a cup of tea for Cheon Ho-jin.

Jeon Jungkook(E)

"Mr. Cheon, this situation is urgent for us. We desperately need a painting by Priam. Could you possibly spare one from your collection?"

Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Wilson were deeply interested in Priam’s works, but finding an authentic piece on such short notice was proving difficult. Cheon Ho-jin, however, had a collection of Priam’s paintings. If he could part with one, the crisis would be averted.

Cheon Ho-jin

"Absolutely not! These are my treasured possessions, and I won’t part with any of them, no matter what you offer,"

Cheon Ho-jin responded firmly, not even bothering to drink the tea before making his exit.

Jungkook knew it was futile to press the matter further, so he didn’t try to convince him.

Jeon Jungkook(E)

"Min-jae, see Mr. Cheon out,"

Jungkook instructed. After Cheon Ho-jin left, Jungkook turned his gaze to Taehyung, studying him for a moment before speaking slowly.

Jeon Jungkook(E)

You were right about the painting, but that doesn’t mean you can stay here.

Lee/ Kim Taehyung(O)

(immediately,) “I get it. I will leave this place right now and I will never show up in front of you again .”

Jeon Jungkook(E)

“...”

Sea La Vie

Sea La Vie Compound belonged to the Jeon family, and it had been vacant until now. After leaving the villa, Taehyung temporarily moved into the Sea La Vie Compound. The apartment was new, and not as luxurious as the villa, but it was well-decorated and had all the necessary amenities. Taehyung cleaned the room, unpacked his belongings, and headed to the shower. Afterwards, he removed the makeup that made him look older, changed into a T-shirt and jeans, and took a rest in his new apartment. After resting for a while, he straightened his previously wavy hair and went out to buy some clothes and other necessities. Upon returning home, he received a call from the Old Lady, who asked for a favor from Cheon Ho-jin, whom he had met the previous day.