Touch Therapy: Where Hands Go, Bodies Beg-Chapter 336: Baek Family Moves

The Baek family mansion was a sprawling estate on the outskirts of the city, a testament to generations of accumulated wealth and power. Classical architecture, manicured gardens, imposing gates—it was designed to intimidate, to remind visitors of exactly who they were dealing with.

Seo-yeon arrived in the family chauffeur-driven car, stepping out onto the circular driveway with practiced elegance. She wore a designer dress in deep burgundy, her hair styled in a sophisticated updo, her makeup flawless. The perfect wife, the perfect daughter-in-law, the perfect pawn in the Baek family’s game.

Inside, the mansion was already buzzing with activity. Family members, business associates, influential guests—all gathered for what was ostensibly a family dinner but was in reality a strategic meeting disguised as social occasion. The Baek family never did anything without purpose, and tonight was no exception.

Seo-yeon moved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries, accepting compliments, playing her role with the ease of long practice. She knew exactly what was expected of her—smile, nod, look beautiful, and above all, remain silent. She was there to be seen, not heard, to add to the family’s image of unity and success.

Her husband found her almost immediately, pressing a glass of champagne into her hand, his smile wide and slightly manic. He looked better than he had that morning—sober, at least, though his eyes still had that slightly glazed look that suggested he’d had something to take the edge off.

"You look beautiful, my dear," he said, his voice too loud, too enthusiastic. "The family will be pleased to see you looking so well."

Seo-yeon accepted the champagne with a polite smile. "Thank you. How are you feeling today?"

"Excellent!" he declared, though his words slurred slightly. "Excellent. Uncle Ji-hwan has big plans, and I’m going to be part of them. You’ll see—this is going to change everything."

Seo-yeon nodded, keeping her expression neutral. She’d heard similar declarations countless times before, watched him get excited about one scheme or another, only to see it all fall apart when the Baek family lost interest or found a better use for him. He was a tool, a pawn, and he seemed completely unaware of his own exploitation.

The dinner was a lavish affair—multiple courses, expensive wines, conversation that veered between casual gossip and serious business. Seo-yeon sat at her assigned place, between her husband and one of Baek Ji-hwan’s senior executives, listening more than speaking, observing everything.

Baek Ji-hwan sat at the head of the table, a man in his sixties with graying hair and cold, calculating eyes. He had the kind of presence that dominated any room, the kind of authority that came from decades of absolute power. As he spoke, the conversation around the table quieted, everyone hanging on his words.

"We’re entering a new phase," he announced, his voice calm but commanding. "The failures of the past—Hanzenith Capital, the crypto investments—those were learning experiences. Valuable, yes, but ultimately stepping stones to something greater."

He paused for effect, his eyes sweeping the table. "The future is artificial intelligence. AI is going to revolutionize every industry, every aspect of business. And we’re going to be at the forefront of that revolution."

Seo-yeon listened, her expression neutral, but her mind was already processing the implications. Hanzenith Capital had been a disaster—billions lost in failed investments, the family’s reputation tarnished, their credibility severely damaged. The crypto investments had been no better—speculative schemes that had collapsed when the market turned. And now Baek Ji-hwan was talking about AI as if it was some kind of magic solution, a way to recover everything they’d lost.

"We’re establishing a new company," Baek Ji-hwan continued. "AI Solutions Korea, dedicated to developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies. We’re moving significant capital into this venture, and I’ve selected the perfect person to lead it."

He gestured to his nephew, Baek Min-seok, who sat a few seats down, looking smug and self-satisfied. "Min-seok will serve as CEO. He has the vision, the drive, the ambition to make this a success."

Seo-yeon watched Min-seok preen under the attention, his smile wide and arrogant. She knew him—not well, but well enough to understand that he was a spoiled, entitled young man who had never worked a real job in his life. His "experience" consisted of family appointments and nepotism, and his "vision" was limited to whatever would make him look good in the family’s eyes.

"And the funding?" one of the executives asked. "Where are we sourcing the capital for this venture?"

"From existing assets," Baek Ji-hwan said smoothly. "We’re reallocating resources from underperforming divisions. Including," he added, his eyes finding Seo-yeon’s, "certain subsidiaries that have failed to meet expectations."

Seo-yeon felt a cold knot form in her stomach. He wasn’t just talking about reallocation—he was talking about her business. The company she’d built, the business he’d stolen from her, was being used to fund his latest scheme. And he hadn’t even bothered to consult her, to inform her, to ask her opinion. She was just another asset to be exploited, another resource to be drained.

"The initial investment will be substantial," Baek Ji-hwan continued. "We’re looking at five hundred billion won to start, with additional funding as the project develops. This is the future, gentlemen, and we’re going to own it."

The table erupted in murmurs of approval and agreement, everyone nodding, everyone smiling. Everyone except Seo-yeon, who sat in silence, her hands clenched in her lap, her heart pounding with suppressed anger.

Her husband leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. "Did you hear that? Five hundred billion won! This is going to be huge. And Min-seok as CEO—imagine being part of something like that!"

Seo-yeon forced a smile, though her jaw was tight with tension. "It’s certainly ambitious."

"Ambitious?" Her husband laughed, too loud, too enthusiastic. "It’s brilliant! Uncle Ji-hwan is a genius, truly. He sees things the rest of us can’t even imagine. And we’re going to benefit from his vision. We’re going to be part of something historic."

Seo-yeon nodded, keeping her expression neutral, but inside, she was seething. Her husband was so completely brainwashed, so entirely under the Baek family’s spell, that he couldn’t see the reality of what was happening. He was being used, manipulated, and he didn’t even realize it.

After dinner, the gathering moved to the main lounge for drinks and conversation. The atmosphere was more relaxed, but no less calculated. Business cards were exchanged, deals were discussed, alliances were formed and broken in the space of a single conversation.

Seo-yeon moved through the room with her practiced smile, accepting compliments, making small talk, playing her role. But her mind was elsewhere, processing everything she’d heard, everything she’d observed. The Baek family was planning something big—something dangerous—and they were using her resources to do it.

She found herself near a group of younger family members, Min-seok among them. They were talking animatedly, their voices low but audible, and Seo-yeon found herself listening despite herself.

"—totally under control," Min-seok was saying, his voice confident. "The situation is handled. No one’s going to talk, no one’s going to cause trouble. I’ve made sure of that."

"Are you sure?" one of the cousins asked, sounding skeptical. "Because if word gets out—"

"It won’t," Min-seok insisted. "Trust me, I know what I’m doing. I’ve taken care of everything. The girl knows what’s at stake, and she’s not going to say anything. Neither are her friends. They all have too much to lose."

Seo-yeon filed the information away, her curiosity piqued. What situation? What girl? What were they talking about? It could be anything—business trouble, personal scandal, something illegal or unethical. Whatever it was, Min-seok seemed confident that he had it under control.

But confidence didn’t always mean competence. And Seo-yeon had a feeling that whatever Min-seok was hiding, it was going to come back to haunt him.

Her husband found her again, another glass of champagne in hand, his eyes bright with excitement. "You should hear what Min-seok is planning for the AI company," he said, his voice eager. "He’s talking about partnerships with international firms, government contracts, even military applications. This is going to be huge, Seo-yeon. Huge!"

He took a long drink of champagne, his hands trembling slightly. "And Uncle Ji-hwan said I could be involved. Not in a major way, of course—Min-seok is the CEO—but maybe in an advisory capacity. Can you imagine? Me, advising on cutting-edge AI technology!"

Seo-yeon looked at him, really looked at him, and felt a wave of pity mixed with frustration. He was so desperate for approval, so hungry for any scrap of recognition from the family that controlled him. He would accept any role, any position, no matter how insignificant, just to feel like he mattered.

"That sounds wonderful," she said, keeping her voice level. "I’m sure you’ll do a great job."

"I will!" he declared, his chest puffing out. "I’ve been studying, reading everything I can about AI. I may not have a technical background, but I understand business, I understand strategy. The family needs someone like me—someone with vision, with ambition."

Seo-yeon nodded, though she knew it was a lie. Her husband had no vision, no ambition beyond pleasing the Baek family. He was a follower, not a leader, a sheep content to be herded wherever they wanted him to go.

The evening dragged on, the conversation growing more repetitive, the alcohol flowing more freely. Seo-yeon maintained her facade, but inside, she was counting down the minutes until she could leave. The mansion, once impressive, now felt like a prison, its opulence a reminder of everything that had been taken from her.

Baek Ji-hwan found her toward the end of the night, his expression unreadable. "Seo-yeon," he said, his voice calm. "I trust you enjoyed the evening."

"Very much," she replied, her tone polite but distant. "It was... informative."

"Good." He studied her for a moment, his eyes assessing. "You’ve been quiet tonight. Is everything well?"

"Everything is fine," Seo-yeon said. "I was simply listening, learning."

"Excellent." He nodded, satisfied. "That’s what I like to hear. A woman who knows her place, who understands the value of discretion."

He moved closer, his voice dropping to a lower register. "I’ll be making some changes to your business structure in the coming weeks. Nothing major, just some reallocation of resources to support the new AI venture. I trust I don’t need to explain the details."

Seo-yeon’s hands clenched at her sides, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Of course not. I’m sure whatever you decide will be for the best."

"Good." He patted her shoulder, a condescending gesture that made her skin crawl. "That’s what I like to hear. Keep up the good work, Seo-yeon. The family appreciates your cooperation."

He moved away, joining another conversation, leaving Seo-yeon standing alone in the crowded room. Around her, the party continued—laughter, conversation, the clinking of glasses. But she felt completely isolated, completely alone.

Her husband appeared at her side, slightly unsteady on his feet. "Time to go?" he asked, his words slurring. "I think I’ve had enough for tonight."

"Yes," Seo-yeon said, relief flooding through her. "It’s time to go."

They said their goodbyes, the process interminable but necessary. Baek Ji-hwan offered a nod of acknowledgment, Min-seok a barely concealed smirk, the other family members polite but distant. They were all playing their parts, just as she was playing hers, and the performance was exhausting.

The car ride home was quiet, her husband passing out almost immediately, his head lolling against the window, his breathing heavy with alcohol-induced sleep. Seo-yeon watched the city lights passing by, her mind still processing everything she’d heard, everything she’d observed.

The Baek family was planning something big—something dangerous—and they were using her resources to do it. Five hundred billion won, siphoned from her business, her life’s work, to fund Baek Ji-hwan’s latest scheme. And he hadn’t even bothered to consult her, to inform her, to ask her opinion.

She was trapped, suffocated, completely at their mercy. And her husband—her useless, brainwashed husband—was happily going along with it, eager to please the family that controlled him, completely unaware of his own exploitation.

The car pulled into the underground parking garage of their apartment building, and the driver opened the door. Seo-yeon stepped out, the cool night air refreshing after the stuffy atmosphere of the mansion. Her husband stumbled out behind her, barely awake, and she had to guide him toward the elevator.

They rode up in silence, the only sound his heavy breathing, his occasional mumbling. When the doors opened on the penthouse floor, she practically dragged him to the bedroom, depositing him on the bed without ceremony. He didn’t wake, didn’t even stir, just continued his drunken slumber as if nothing had happened.

Seo-yeon left him there, moving to the living room and pouring herself a glass of wine. She stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out over the city, the lights glittering below like fallen stars.

For years, she had played by their rules, had accepted her role as a pawn in their game. But tonight, something had changed. The realization of how completely they controlled her, how thoroughly they exploited her, how little they valued her as a person—it was too much.

She was done. Done playing their game, done accepting their control, done living a life that wasn’t hers. The Baek family thought they owned her, thought they could use her however they pleased. But they were wrong.

Joon-ho’s offer, his plan, his vision of freedom—it was more than just a possibility now. It was a necessity. She had to escape, had to break free, had to take back what was hers.

Seo-yeon finished her wine, setting the glass down on the table with a decisive clink. She turned from the window, her mind already racing with possibilities, with plans, with the first steps toward her freedom.

She would do this. She would escape. And when she did, the Baek family would finally understand the cost of underestimating her.