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Chapter 109
Side Story 1
Translated by Springlila
A man fixed his gaze on a photo posted on a white chalkboard. There were several pictures attached, but the one in the center was Kang Il-hyun, and there was also a photo of Chairman Kang with bold red letters read “dead” on his face.
The man looked at the photo he was holding in his hand. He recently tried to find even a speck of information about this man who was frequently seen with Kang Il-hyun, but it was not as simple as he had thought. He called up the secretary who was nearby, checking the papers.
“Secretary Park. What did you say this man’s name was?”
Secretary Park looked at a photo Prosecutor Jang held out. His stunning features made it difficult to believe he wasn’t an actor. At first, they assumed he was an actor under Kang Il-hyun’s company, but his frequent appearances with Kang Il-hyun raised questions.
Secretary Park presented the documents to Prosecutor Jang. The man’s identity was written there.
“His name is Yang Seon-woo. He grew up under ordinary parents, went to university, and was exempted from military service due to an illness. We know that he stays at Kang Il-hyun’s house, but we couldn’t find any further details no matter how hard we investigated.”
Mmm. Prosecutor Zhang’s eyes narrowed. Kang Il-hyun’s closest aide, Park Tae-soo, was from a special forces unit and served as a mercenary before becoming Kang Il-hyun’s right-hand man. But this man named Yang Seon-woo, who was he and where did he come from? There was not even a sliver of a lead to pursue.
“Please look into it further. Even the tiniest bit of information will do.”
Secretary Park sighed. The higher-ups were already pressuring him not to touch Kang Il-hyun. Several charges have been filed, but all have been dropped. There was pressure not only from the chief prosecutor, but also from above, and if they continue to push, they will be the ones who were pushed out.
“Prosecutor. If the chief finds out, it will be chaos.”
“I know. That’s why I asked you secretly.”
Secretary Park sighed and hesitated for a moment.
“This is just a rumor, you know
”
Prosecutor Jang propped up on his desk and looked at him with twinkling eyes. As someone famous for his unconventional methods even within the prosecutor’s office, baseless rumors wouldn’t be entirely groundless.
“There was a rumor that he’s Chairman Kang’s lover.”
Prosecutor Jang’s thick eyebrows twitched. Huh? He looked at Secretary Park as if he couldn’t believe it. He shrugged, claiming it was all a rumor. Prosecutor Jang looked at the photo of Yang Seon-woo he was holding and placed it discreetly next to Kang Il-hyun’s photo.
He crossed his arms again and alternately looked at them. Then he went to his desk and turned over several pictures of the two of them one by one. He had investigated Kang Il-hyun as a witness six months ago, but he couldn’t find that bastard who used to laugh mischievously and crush people anywhere.
Mmm. He showed the photo for Secretary Park to see.
“Who did you say was the reporter who took this picture?”
“Reporter Yoon, he is my junior.”
“Could you schedule an appointment for me? I have something to ask him.”
Secretary Park let out a small sigh and nodded reluctantly. He was the type of person who would go searching regardless of whether they were told not to.
***
Sprinklers were running across the well-kept golf course, and flowers bloomed in abundance as summer approached. Director Kim, Director Park, and Director Choi were leisurely enjoying a game of golf. The young ladies who had come with them cheered and applauded each nice shot they made.
“Director Kim gets more energetic as he gets older.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I’ve been taking good care of myself lately.”
Director Kim hugged the young lady next to him by the waist and pulled her toward him. A cart was speeding down the hill in the distance, amidst the sounds of chatter and laughter. Director Choi, who found it first, clicked his tongue.
“That has to be some crazy guy driving like that.”
However, the cart continued across the lawn, heading straight toward them. Director Choi, who had been walking forward, abruptly came to a halt. The cart didn’t slow down, and Director Choi and Kim’s faces turned pale as they belatedly noticed the driver.
The crowd dispersed on both sides to avoid the approaching cart, and Director Choi, whose feet were twisted, fell and rolled on the lawn. Director. His secretary hurriedly tried to help him to his feet, but he could do nothing about the embarrassment that was already spreading.
Kang Il-hyun stepped off the stopped cart, with a cigarette in his mouth and a bored expression. His sudden appearance chilled the air as if cold water had been poured on it. Kang Il-hyun pulled a club from the caddy’s golf bag and swung it forcefully in front of Director Choi. Argh! Director Choi screamed involuntarily, and the golf ball beneath his feet flew as far as it could.
Il-hyun flicked the cigarette aside and chuckled coldly.
“Nice shot.”
The three Directors’ faces darkened sharply. The mere fact that Il-hyun was here when he should be at work, was ominous. The three of them avoided his gaze and trembled as if they were guilty. Il-hyun tapped the golf club he was holding to the ground and stared coldly at them one by one.
“You seem to be having fun during work hours.”
Director Kim hastily stepped forward.
“W-Well, you see, I had an appointment with Representative Seo, but it got canceled
”
“If it got canceled, then you should come to the company and work.”
“
”
“Do you think I’m paying all of you a salary just for you to play around here?”
The three of them were speechless. When Chairman Kang was alive, the three of them were able to accumulate wealth without doing anything special because they were founding members. However, everything changed after the company came into Kang Il-hyun’s hands.
At first, they couldn’t understand why they were spared even after undergoing a massive reshuffle. But it didn’t take long for them to realize why. It was because he wanted to torment and manipulate them incessantly. Thanks to him, they felt their lifelines getting shorter every day.
The three of them even tried to resign, but it didn’t work. They ended up reluctantly taking their seats at the behest of Kang Il-hyun’s remark that if they wanted to do that, they should return everything they had secretly taken.
The golf club was directed at Director Kim, Director Choi, and Director Park in turn, like a knife.
“If you have nothing to do, at least clean the company.”
“
”
“How sad would my late father feel if he saw you like this? Isn’t that right?”
Kang Il-hyun asked with a disappointed expression. But the three of them knew. Others might think it’s just a rumor, but they knew it was Kang Il-hyun’s doing that Chairman Kang died.
“Or would you like to leave together with me?”
Il-hyun smiled meaningfully and glanced at the sky. The spines of the three directors chilled, and their faces darkened.
“Just kidding. Just kidding.”
He casually put the golf club back into the bag. Then he went over to the waiting cart where Park Tae-soo was, sat in the driver’s seat, waved his hand, and immediately drove off. Seeing the cart going back the way it came, the three of them simultaneously let out a sigh of relief.
Director Choi supported his wobbly legs and pointed at Kang Il-hyun, who was moving away.
“That, that damn bastard.”
Shortly after, Director Kim spat on the ground
“Let’s go. I’ve lost all interest in golf.”
***
“Should I kill him?”
Tae-soo looked behind through the rear mirror, but there was no answer. Il-hyun looked out the window and exhaled a long cigarette smoke. It was fun to harass the directors by leaving them behind just by looking at them, but it was too risky to play with them for a long time. Even so, it was still useful because it was still alive. However, he hadn’t gotten rid of them yet because they still had their uses. They had connections in the political and business circles, and they were useful for dealing with troublesome aftermath.
“Yeah. It’s not the right time yet.”
As if talking to himself, he took out his phone and checked it. He sent a message to Lee Ja-kyung, but there was no reply. It made him uneasy. Part of the reason why he came here today and bothered the three directors was because of Lee Ja-kyung.
Ja-kyung had gone on a trip to Macau with Wang Lun and Wang Han a week ago and still hadn’t returned. He had said he would come back today, but suddenly changed his mind a day before and sent a message last night saying he would need two more days.
He had permitted it, but he didn’t feel particularly pleased about it.
He made a video call, and the signal went through. After a few rings, Lee Ja-kyung’s face filled the screen. It seemed like he had just woken up with his disheveled hair and sleepy eyes. Lee Ja-kyung smiled sweetly at the screen after rubbing his face.
[Hello. CEO Kang.]
Il-hyun’s crappy mood disappeared as soon as he saw Ja-kyung’s smiling face. He couldn’t help but laugh at himself because he found it pathetic. The screen moved, and the sound of rustling blankets could be heard. Il-hyun motioned for him to rotate the camera. As if familiar with the routine, Lee Ja-kyung pointed the camera at the bedside and the room, then protested.
[Delusional jealousy]
Il-hyun chuckled as if feeling sorry.
“Don’t do that. I’m restraining myself from chasing after you.”
Ugh, Ja-kyung made an odd sound of annoyance and grimaced. Il-hyun moved his tongue inside his mouth as he looked at Ja-kyung’s bare upper body. Ah, it had been over a week since he held that body in his arms.
[Are you on your way to work?]
Il-hyun nodded his head. In his heart, he wanted to catch him and keep him locked up, but Lee Ja-kyung originally has wild instincts. He had no intention of forcibly suppressing that. He just believed that the one holding the leash should always be himself.
“I miss you.”
He blurted out his longing. He didn’t want to ask when he would come home. But now that he’s seen Ja-kyung’s face, he wants to go after him right away. With a face that was still half-asleep, Lee Ja-kyung leaned in and kissed the screen. I miss you too.
Now, even expressions of affection came quite naturally. He was satisfied with that and couldn’t stop smiling.