"You!"Jin Sung-joon's voice cracked as he stared at Jin Do-jun in disbelief. Panic was already setting in.
Those weren't just any vases—They were the twin pastel baby-play vases, worth over a billion won, each holding deep sentimental value to Jin Yang-chul.They were gifts from a man who once saved his life during the post-war famine.
And now, both were smashed.
Sung-joon grabbed Do-jun by the collar, cursing and shaking him. "You're dead! Wait till Grandfather finds out!"
But Do-jun didn't flinch. Instead, he smiled coldly. "But dear cousin... you were the one who broke them, weren't you?"
Blinded by rage and guilt, Sung-joon raised his fist—Only to be met by a solid knee to the groin.
"Aaaargh!"
They rolled on the floor in a chaotic scuffle. Though older, Sung-joon was completely overpowered, thanks to one well-placed strike.
As footsteps approached, Do-jun eased up—just in time for the adults to arrive.
"Here! They're fighting in here!"His older brother Jin Hyung-joon had called for help.
Uncle Jin Dong-ki rushed in and dragged Sung-joon off. Lee Hae-in immediately cradled her son, eyes filled with panic.
Do-jun's plan was working.
Now all that remained—was for Jin Yang-chul to arrive.
Uncle Dong-ki, ever the troublemaker, picked up a ceramic shard, lifted it theatrically, and gasped."This isn't just any vase—it's one of Father's twin heirloom pieces!"
He shot a mocking glance at Jin Yong-ki (the eldest son), who now looked like he'd swallowed a lemon.
Then came the accusations.
Sung-joon, panic-stricken, pointed at Do-jun and blurted, "It wasn't me! He broke it! He did it!"
But the evidence said otherwise. And Jin Run-ki, Do-jun's father, knew it.
Kneeling in front of his son, he asked gently, "Tell the truth, Do-jun. Dad's here. You don't have to be afraid."
Do-jun was surprised—his father actually had his back?
Before he could speak, Sun Jung-rae, furious at the implication, barked out, "What? Are you saying my Sung-joon is lying?!"Her voice was sharp enough to slice steel.
Jin Yong-ki, cold and calculating, turned to Do-jun. "Well then. Let's hear it from him."
Everyone tensed.
Do-jun took a breath, and smirked inwardly. This is what I've been waiting for.
He stepped forward."That's right. I saw Sung-joon hyung sneaking in. He dropped the vase while stuffing antique coins into his pocket."
Then—without hesitation—Do-jun reached into Sung-joon's pocket and pulled out a handful of coins.
Gasps.
The adults looked stunned.A ten-year-old child wouldn't lie, right?And the coins—proof—lay in his palm.
"Big sis-in-law," Jin Young-hwa said, stifling laughter, "maybe boil ginseng soup for Dad every day for a month to make up for this."
The room cracked into awkward chuckles. Even Uncle Dong-ki piled on:"Soup won't be enough. Good thing your family's rich—charging high interest, right?"
(Side jab: Her maiden family runs a loan shark business.)
Jin Yong-ki was livid, but before he could react, Sung-joon lost it.
"You liar! You framed me! I'm gonna kill you!"
He lunged.
Do-jun dodged easily. The two boys began another chaotic chase—until...
"Enough!"
A thunderous voice froze everyone.
Jin Yang-chul had arrived.
His eyes swept over the wreckage. The twin vases. The shards of celadon.
He leaned against the door frame, hand trembling.
These weren't just antiques—they were a symbol of everything he'd fought for.
Even Lee Bi-ok, his wife, tried to comfort him, only to have her hand slapped away.
This was serious.
The room fell silent. Yang-chul's gaze zeroed in on the two boys.
Sung-joon buckled under pressure. "It—it was Do-jun! He broke it! I swear!"
Do-jun's lip curled. Coward.
He calmly bent down, picked up a shard, walked up to Jin Yang-chul—And let it drop.
The shard shattered again at their feet.
Then, he looked straight into his grandfather's eyes—unafraid—and said,
"If my cousin says I broke it, then fine… let's say I did."
The room went still.
Even Jin Yang-chul was shaken.
A ten-year-old child, surrounded by enemies, under pressure from the most powerful man in Korea—...and he stood tall.