CHAPTER 2 — The Apology No One Expected
No one in Jagalki Market dared to breathe.
Alex Gene remained silent, his dark eyes fixed on the tiny girl standing before him. She was fearless—not because she was brave enough to challenge him, but because she had no idea who he truly was.
Slowly, he looked toward the overturned baskets.
Bright red chili peppers, black peppercorns, and dried green peppers were scattered across the pavement.
He bent down.
Without saying a word, the most feared man in Busan began picking them up one by one.
His bodyguards stared in disbelief.
"Boss..."
Alex raised one hand.
They immediately fell silent.
Pretty Nanya watched carefully.
"Hmm," she said, adjusting her slipping glasses. "That's a better start."
When every last pepper had been collected, Alex carried the basket himself to Ify Nanya's stall.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
"I should have been paying attention."
The entire market froze.
His bodyguards had seen Alex threaten politicians.
They had seen him negotiate with criminal syndicates.
They had never seen him apologize.
Ify could barely speak.
"S-Sir... it's only peppers."
Alex shook his head.
"No."
"It's your work."
"And I disrespected it."
Pretty smiled for the first time.
"See?" she said proudly.
"That wasn't difficult."
Several vendors laughed nervously.
For reasons none of them understood, the terrifying atmosphere had completely changed.
Then Pretty looked up again.
"You still owe one more thing."
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
She folded her arms.
"My mother lost customers while cleaning your mess."
"So..."
May you like
"You should buy something."
Even Alex's expression almost became a smile.
