Year-End Party (2)
As Lee Yeon left, Jang Cheon immediately dialed a number. The voice on the other end belonged to a young man, cheerful and bright.
A pleasant smile tugged at Jang Cheon's lips.
Jang Cheon: "I've decided to take the job."
Bishop: "Got it. I'll let Phone know."
Jang Cheon: "Okay. I'll upload the related files, so handle the investigation. Also, check the market for any contractors who've recently entered Korea."
Bishop: "Understood, boss. Oh, and S-BLOCK reached out. They want an exclusive contract with you for the whole next year."
Jang Cheon: "Exclusive?"
Bishop: "Yeah. No business strings attached—just Murim-related cleanup."
Jang Cheon: "How much?"
Bishop: "Three hundred million dollars. They'll handle everything clean through the market, fees included."
Jang Cheon: "Not bad."
Bishop: "I'd rather you turn it down."
Jang Cheon: "Why?"
Bishop: "You're finally back in your homeland after so long. I know it's a place of mixed feelings for you."
Jang Cheon: "Misunderstanding."
Bishop: "Then why don't we have a branch here? We even have one in Africa."
Jang Cheon didn't respond.
Bishop: "Anyway, take it easy for a while. I know you've wanted this break forever."
Jang Cheon chuckled softly.
Jang Cheon: "Not you who wants the break?"
Bishop: "Haha, caught me? I'll tell BLOCK you'll think it over. And consider setting up a Korean branch. It's time."
Jang Cheon: "Okay."
After hanging up, Jang Cheon plugged the USB into his phone.
The files began uploading after passing through Bishop's custom security program.
Back in the operations room, Lee Yeon searched something on her computer.
It was next year's BST schedule.
She'd forgotten about it for a while, but seeing the exam dates again stirred complicated feelings.
"What're you doing?"
Kwon Hyeok-su appeared from behind her monitor.
"Eek!"
"Why so jumpy? Like you've got a guilty conscience?"
"Make some noise when you walk!"
"I did. What had you so zoned out?"
"Looking for gigs that pay extra."
"Where? Where? I'm in!"
As Kwon Hyeok-su leaned in to peek, Lee Yeon quickly turned off the screen.
"Only one's hiring. Competitors get the boot."
"Cold."
"Life's been tough since the dawn of time, right?"
"Yep. It'll stay tough forever. Even on a space trip, you'll sigh out the window. Life's a grind."
Lee Yeon watched Kwon Hyeok-su settle into his seat.
"Ever thought about doing something else, team leader?"
"Yeah."
"Like what?"
"A small coffee shop, takeout-focused. Pondered it for months, then quietly dropped it."
"Why?"
"Too anxious."
"Makes sense. With kids and all."
"Truth? My wife's the reason. If I flop, that stubborn woman's hustle to earn would break me. Can't watch that with my pride."
"Pro husband approved."
The perceptive Kwon Hyeok-su probed gently.
"What? Wanna quit?"
"Nah. Just wondering. I don't even have startup cash for a coffee shop."
"Where'd your money go?"
"Mom's meds, new shoes, trips with a guy. Living it up."
"Never seen it."
"Studying, dating, shopping—happens off-stage."
"Hahaha."
Kwon Hyeok-su knew better. Lee Yeon was far from that life—barely buying clothes while caring for sick parents and supporting siblings.
"Gucci agent, hang in there!"
"Yes, sir! Till I promote to Chanel agent."
Kwon Hyeok-su headed out.
Lee Yeon's gaze drifted to the operations room screens. Unconsciously, she scanned dozens for Jang Cheon.
He wasn't there.
HT Group staff preparing the event were run ragged. As one of the company's biggest bashes, no mistakes could be tolerated.
While reporting in the lobby, Lee Yeon heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Where'd my darling go?"
Lee Yeon sighed inwardly.
Hold it together. Lee Yeon, can't lose this job!
Forcing a smile, she turned.
"Hello."
Park Gwang-cheol stood there. Hwa-ran, a few steps away, gave a knowing wink.
Could a celebrity be this open with a guy? No scandals?
HT Group's power at work.
Entertainment reporters, chase idols less—dig up stuff like this!
"Where's my darling?"
"Who's that?"
Lee Yeon played dumb, but Park Gwang-cheol wouldn't back off.
"That poor VIP you like."
He said it loud enough for nearby security staff to hear.
Ugh, should I just deck him?
Taekwondo 5th dan, kendo 2nd dan—she could KO scrawny Park Gwang-cheol in ten seconds.
"No idea what you mean."
"Jang Cheon, that mysterious swordmaster poser!"
Someone spoke from behind.
"That swordmaster's here."
Park Gwang-cheol whipped around, startled. Jang Cheon had appeared.
"Man, no warning?"
Jang Cheon: "What do you need?"
"Well, not exactly..."
He tried to banter, but words failed. Up close, in sword's range, it felt terrifying.
Jang Cheon turned to Lee Yeon.
Jang Cheon: "Need to go somewhere. Mind driving?"
Lee Yeon: "Of course."
Beaming like she'd met a savior, Lee Yeon left with him.
Park Gwang-cheol scowled, watching them go.
Hwa-ran sidled up.
Hwa-ran: "Zero to two. Unfair fight from the start."
"Why?"
"He's hot. And a Murim guy. Sword-bearing hunk? No contest."
"But I've got money."
"He doesn't seem broke. Not embarrassed by a small car—high self-esteem."
"Enough."
"Yes, hubby."
As Park Gwang-cheol walked off,
Park Gwang-cheol: "Game's just starting."
Hwa-ran followed.
Hwa-ran: "Fighting! Win and ditch your entourage first!"
Lee Yeon dropped Jang Cheon at HT Group headquarters.
Lee Yeon: "Mind if I ask why headquarters?"
Jang Cheon: "Meeting the intel director."
Lee Yeon: "Ah, got it. He's super mysterious—no real info out there."
But the intel director, Jo Kyung-taek, was ordinary, far from mysterious. Classic bureaucrat. A lesson in rumors vs. reality.
Jo Kyung-taek: "Hello, Jo Kyung-taek."
Jang Cheon: "Jang Cheon."
Lee Yeon: "Security Team 3, Lee Yeon. Assisting Jang Cheon."
Jo Kyung-taek: "Been waiting. Sit. Chairman called personally—help with anything."
Jang Cheon: "Appreciated."
Jang Cheon cut straight in.
Jang Cheon: "You're busy, so straight to it. How'd you get this intel?"
Jo Kyung-taek: "Source."
Jang Cheon: "Set up a meet."
Jo Kyung-taek: "Can't."
Jang Cheon: "Chairman said cooperate."
Jo Kyung-taek: "Not this. Source protection's absolute. Even chairman couldn't force it."
Not face-to-face, anyway.
Jo Kyung-taek: "One thing: he's safe, with us. Trustworthy. I vouch."
Jang Cheon: "Got it."
Jang Cheon stood.
Heading to the car, Lee Yeon asked.
Lee Yeon: "Now what? Get chairman's okay?"
She'd pieced it together—this stemmed from the source's intel.
Jang Cheon: "No. Would've started with that if so."
Lee Yeon: "Expected the refusal?"
"Yes."
Lee Yeon: "Then why come?"
Jang Cheon: "Wanted to see how he handles sources, his attitude."
Lee Yeon: "And? Judge lies from reactions?"
Jang Cheon: "Sometimes wrong."
Lee Yeon: "Director?"
Jang Cheon: "Ambiguous."
Lee Yeon: "So?"
Jang Cheon: "Planted a bug in his office."
Lee Yeon jumped at the unexpected bombshell.
Lee Yeon: "What kinda joke's that?"
Jang Cheon: "Not joking."
Lee Yeon: "You did? Where?"
Jang Cheon: "Under the tea table corner."
Lee Yeon: "Why?"
Jang Cheon: "To be sure."
Lee Yeon: "If caught? You're outsider, fine. I get fired—or jailed."
Jang Cheon: "Fire you, I hire. Jail, lawyer and care package."
Lee Yeon: "Not funny. Gotta report this."
Jang Cheon: "Go ahead."
Lee Yeon sighed. Reporting the bug would ruin it if it reached the director.
Half-jokingly, she wanted to ask if he'd really hire her. But she didn't.
"Jang Cheon's movements?"
Hong Tae-sik asked, and Lee Yeon answered honestly.
Lee Yeon: "He went to headquarters ops earlier."
Hong Tae-sik: "Ops? Why?"
She reported the ops room chat verbatim.
Hong Tae-sik: "Wants to meet the source? For what?"
She couldn't answer prying questions.
Hong Tae-sik: "Doubting our intel's credibility."
Lee Yeon stayed silent. Best to obey superiors like Hong Tae-sik without opinion.
Hong Tae-sik: "Anything else?"
Lee Yeon: "No."
Hong Tae-sik: "Dismissed. Report anything immediately."
Lee Yeon: "Yes."
Leaving the office, her heart weighed heavy.
She'd reported the talk honestly—but omitted the bug.
She'd agonized over full disclosure dozens of times. Decided against.
All for Jang Cheon. He'd leave post-party anyway.
Regret crashed like cold waves after leaving. Kwon Hyeok-su's warning echoed: don't jump into the storm.
Ah, screwed up.
BST temptation led to this.
She took a deep breath.
What's done is done!
Fear it might fork her life, but for now—no regrets.