By Zephyria 
Executive Director Jin Tae-won’s mansion.
Clack. Leaning his upper body forward, Jin Seok-young placed a long sword on the table where Jin Tae-won was sitting and roughly ran his hand through his hair.
“I missed Vice President Seo right in front of me! I thought he seemed out of his mind at the recent gatherings, but he actually went and did it. I’ve sent people to that house for now, but…”
Executive Director Jin Tae-won took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it. The area around him was already thick with smoke. The inside of the house had been cleaned up perfectly, as if the horrific events that took place in the afternoon were a lie.
“What do we do now? If Director Han takes Vice President Seo first, it’s obvious that Seon-yu will be next.”
Jin Seok-young had intended to catch Seo Dong-hu first and hand him over to Han Seung-jae in order to get Jin Seon-yu out of the line of fire. However, the plan had not only fallen through but was becoming a tangled mess.
Starting with the fact that he had let Seo Dong-hu slip through his fingers right before his eyes. Furthermore, although it was already well past midnight, seeing as there had been no contact from Han Seung-jae—given his temperament—the possibility that he had already found and taken him could not be ignored.
As if anxious, Jin Seok-young rubbed his face repeatedly before speaking.
“If I go and meet him tomorrow morning…”
“Do you have the confidence to persuade him once you meet?”
Executive Director Jin Tae-won crushed the quickly burned cigarette into the ashtray.
“Dammit.”
Jin Seok-young grit his teeth. If it were anyone else, perhaps, but Han Seung-jae was not someone who could be swayed by persuasion. There was a high probability he wouldn’t even be given time to make an excuse.
As if by habit, Jin Tae-won pulled out a new cigarette and looked at Jin Seon-yu, who was sitting on the opposite sofa.
“If you’re thinking of using Gi-jun as a shield like you did today, forget it.”
If he dragged Kwon Gwi-jun into a scandalous entanglement with Han Seung-jae, it would turn into a mud-slinging fight, and the situation would spiral out of control. Jin Seon-yu was well aware of that fact.
Unable to say a word, Jin Seon-yu looked up and glared at Jin Tae-won, then stood up and ran up the stairs.
“Seon-yu…”
Watching Jin Seon-yu’s retreating back with pitying eyes, Jin Seok-young turned and sat on the sofa. Right now, wasn’t there a more urgent matter that required every second, rather than following Jin Seon-yu to comfort him?
Jin Tae-won lit his cigarette and took a deep drag. Jin Seok-young spoke, leaning in close.
“I’m going tomorrow to return this sword. What if Director Han demands that I hand over Seon-yu then?”
“Shut your mouth before I burn it with this cigarette.”
“Hyung, aren’t you worried about Seon-yu?”
Even if Jin Seok-young went, there was a high chance Han Seung-jae wouldn’t meet him; and even if he managed to secure some time, the impulsive and aggressive Jin Seok-young might ruin things. But it wasn’t as if he could send Jin Seon-yu. He knew Han Seung-jae’s temper. Thus, Jin Seok-young struggled to find a way to shield Jin Seon-yu.
“That’s why I’m looking for a way too.”
Executive Director Jin Tae-won’s eyes, with a cigarette dangling from his fingertips, landed on Jin Seok-young. He was engrossed, clutching his head firmly to find a solution. Jin Seok-young was exceptionally soft when it came to Jin Seon-yu. Since they were children, whenever Jin Seon-yu cried and threw a tantrum, he would grant him whatever he wanted. Wasn’t that why this disaster had happened?
“Well, isn’t there some good way?”
At Jin Seok-young’s reckless words, spoken before five minutes had even passed, Jin Tae-won’s brow furrowed deeply. Should he burn his head with the cigarette, or his mouth?
In truth, the best method already existed.
“There is.”
“What is it?”
“Pray that he wakes up by morning.”
Jin Seok-young seemed to understand Jin Tae-won’s words a beat late. For Seo Yi-kyung to wake up. For him to step forward personally for Jin Seon-yu. Other than that, there was nothing left that could be called a solution.
“Hyung, just in case, I sent someone to Haseon Hospital too.”
Jin Seok-young glanced at Jin Tae-won, fearing he would be scolded for acting on his own again. However, seeing no sign that Jin Tae-won would burn him with the cigarette, he hesitantly relayed the news he had heard from the secretary.
“They said people are standing guard in front of Seo Yi-kyung’s room. Only one doctor is allowed inside.”
Listening to Jin Seok-young, Jin Tae-won slowly exhaled the cigarette smoke.
Did Han Seung-jae station them there to protect him? Or did he station them there to prevent him from leaving?
Either way, it was incredibly troublesome for Jin Tae-won. Because none of those events were unrelated to Jin Seon-yu.
* * *
“…….”
Min Ra-hyeon swallowed hard. Soon after he turned his head, Han Seung-jae rose from the sofa. It seemed they were the ones he had been waiting for. Moreover, Han Seung-jae’s cold gaze was as freezing as a sheet of ice. Just the act of his elegant body rising made Min Seon-woong let out a groan of distress.
“Hyung.”
Among those present, Min Seon-woong was the youngest. Everyone he could address fell under that title. However, the person Min Seon-woong was looking at was Min Ra-hyeon.
Min Ra-hyeon hurriedly shifted his gaze away from Han Seung-jae. When Min Seon-woong mouthed, ‘What’s going on?’, he walked over, stumbling as if pushed from behind, and spoke. Why aren’t you answering your phone?
“……!”
Min Ra-hyeon pulled out the phone he had kept in his pocket. Whether the battery was dead or not, the screen did not light up. Min Ra-hyeon had just woken up and come out after finishing a call with Min Seon-woong. Because of that, he was at a point where he couldn’t tell if what he was seeing now was a dream or reality.
However, the shout of Seo Dong-hu, who approached Han Seung-jae, brought him back to reality.
“Seung-jae. No, Director Han! Please listen to me.”
Seo Dong-hu had discarded the blood-stained suit and was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt. He had been found at a gambling den. He had been dragged out while hiding in a poker room.
Pushing away the men pulling at his arms from both sides, Seo Dong-hu crawled on his knees toward Han Seung-jae. Strong men were still standing guard behind him.
There was nowhere to run, and no more places to hide. Thus, there was only one place left to cling to.
“I drank too much, I was crazy! Fuck, I must have lost my mind. To think I’d go to a place like that.”
Seo Dong-hu spat out words in a rush, like a hunted man. Han Seung-jae tilted the whiskey glass he was holding.
As the amber liquid flowed down, soaking Seo Dong-hu’s messy hair, sweeping over his bloodshot eyes, and seeping into his torn cheekbone and split lip, Seo Dong-hu’s words stopped abruptly. It was just as he was about to speak again. I…
He had experienced this level of humiliation several times before. However, thwack, Han Seung-jae struck Seo Dong-hu’s head with the crystal glass that had been emptied of whiskey. Shards of shattered glass flew in all directions. Fragments that hit Han Seung-jae’s black suit and the platinum pin of his glossy tie fell at his feet. With his head snapped to the side, Seo Dong-hu was unable to continue his sentence.
Watching this, Min Seon-woong cringed his entire body, covering his head and burying his face. Broken glass shards flew even toward him, a short distance away.
Min Ra-hyeon stepped back and fell off the sofa. He covered his open lips with his palm to stop a sound from escaping.
“Ugh, ugh…”
Turning his head to the side, Seo Dong-hu let out a sound like a wounded animal. Vivid red blood flowed long from his head.
The living room was instantly engulfed in silence.
Secretary Park had heard news about Seo Yi-kyung through Kwon Gwi-jun’s secretary and reported it immediately to Han Seung-jae. At that moment, Han Seung-jae’s expression had changed strangely.
And he had not said a word throughout the entire trip to the hospital. Only after examining Seo Yi-kyung’s wounds did Han Seung-jae order the search for Seo Dong-hu, but Secretary Park had already begun inquiring about Seo Dong-hu while heading to the hospital. It was because Han Seung-jae’s aura was different from usual. Just like now.
“When you speak in front of me, you should think.”
Han Seung-jae’s low voice shattered the silence. Seo Dong-hu lifted his head. It wasn’t by his own will. Han Seung-jae grabbed his hair and forced his head upward. Blood flowing from a scalp that felt as if it were being torn away along with glass shards pooled around Seo Dong-hu’s eyes and ran down.
Meeting his eyes with a gaze full of chill, Han Seung-jae added.
“If you have a brain.”
Seo Dong-hu nodded his head violently. Han Seung-jae tilted his head slightly and asked.
“Who told you?”
Although Seo Dong-hu had swung a sword there and Seo Yi-kyung had been rushed to the hospital because of it, no articles were published. It might have been due to the influence of Executive Director Jin Tae-won, who hoped no further problems would arise with Han Seung-jae, but the place wasn’t that lax.
“That Seo Yi-kyung was there.”
The fact that Seo Yi-kyung could stay there must have been possible with Jin Seon-yu’s help, so he was asking whose help had made it possible for Seo Dong-hu to find that place.
“Ugh.”
Seo Dong-hu’s lips trembled as he felt extreme pain at the crown of his head. As he got out of the car, he had seen Min Seon-woong being dragged along behind him. And even now, behind him, Min Seon-woong was curled up, unable to even lift his head.
Seo Dong-hu’s pupils shook wildly. For a moment, his heart turned cold. Han Seung-jae’s eyes, devoid of emotion, were filled only with desolation.
In other words, Han Seung-jae was likely asking even though he already knew everything.