Chapter 46
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: I am...
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Scene.46
I am...
Han Mi-ra and Yeon Jeong-suk watched Yu-hyeon with eyes full of curiosity.
They already knew Yu-hyeon could speak various languages, but they couldn't even tell which country the language he was using now belonged to.
Perhaps sensing their gazes, Yu-hyeon finished his call and smiled faintly.
"It's Arabic. First time hearing it?"
As the two stared with wide eyes and echoed, "Arabic?", Yu-hyeon shook his smartphone as if to say he still had more calls to make.
"This is near the main house. Are we meeting there?"
"No. The meeting will be at the gym where my father and I work out. We have to go to the outskirts of the farm, which is about a fifteen-minute walk. We're here now. Please wait a moment."
Yu-hyeon went into the garage behind the house and pulled out an SUV with a distinctive boxy design.
It looked rugged, but the star-shaped emblem embedded in the center of the grille was a logo familiar to everyone.
Han Mi-ra, who had gotten into the vehicle, wore a curious expression.
"If you want to ask something, just ask."
"How many cars do you have? The sports car you drove from the airport and this one are both Mercedes."
"Five."
"Why so many cars?"
"It just happened that way."
Yu-hyeon answered vaguely, as if there were circumstances behind it.
*
At seventy-two years old, he boasted a sturdy build and iron stamina that rivaled a young man's, the master of HS who spearheaded the entire group. Chairman Lee Won-chul sat at his desk in the chairman's office, staring at his smartphone.
An hour ago, a call from an unexpected place had prompted him to cancel his afternoon schedule, and he was now waiting for the next one.
3:30 PM. Lee Won-chul briefly checked the time and looked at his chief secretary.
"Didn't they say the call would come around this time?"
"Yes, Chairman. They said around 3:30."
"Hmm."
Lee Won-chul's gaze returned to his smartphone.
"If he's the Saudi prince's younger brother, that means he's royalty too..."
Hearing the chairman's murmur, the chief secretary spoke cautiously.
"President Lee Jae-yoon of HS Energy is on a business trip to Europe, isn't he?"
"You think this has something to do with Jae-yoon?"
"What else would royalty from an oil-producing nation contact us about? With rising oil prices lately, everyone's struggling with raw materials and oil. I suspect President Lee Jae-yoon has landed a major deal."
The chairman nodded as if wishing that were true. But if that were the case, wouldn't Jae-yoon have reported it first, before the Saudi royal family?
"In any case, I hope it's good news."
Although his marriage problems had once been a headache, since his divorce fifteen years ago, Lee Jae-yoon had gotten his act together and was steadily climbing the ladder as the heir to HS Group.
"Jae-yoon went to Europe this time for a patent..."
Trrrring-
Lee Won-chul paused the conversation and checked the number on the screen. The chief secretary, who had seen the number as well, quickly spoke up.
"It's an international call. The country code is..."
At the chief secretary's words, one of the secretaries positioned nearby reported.
"Malta."
Once the call's origin was confirmed, the secretarial staff immediately found materials related to Malta and spread them out neatly before Lee Won-chul.
"Hmm. Malta."
Lee Won-chul tilted his head and gestured to his chief secretary with his eyes.
The chief secretary pressed the call button on Lee Won-chul's behalf and spoke in fluent English.
"HS Group, Chairman's office."
-This is the person who was scheduled to call. May I speak with the Chairman?
The chief secretary looked at Lee Won-chul with a questioning expression.
‘What? Why?’
The chief secretary covered the mouthpiece with his hand.
‘It's in Korean.’
The chairman nodded at his secretary's words.
‘Really? An interpreter? Let me have it.’
‘Should I put it on speakerphone?’
Lee Won-chul nodded in agreement. When important strategic proposals were discussed, it was faster to respond if the secretarial staff heard it as well, rather than just him alone.
"This is Lee Won-chul."
-A pleasure, Chairman. First, I'd like to formally apologize for disrupting your schedule with this unexpected call.
"Not at all. I'm sure you contacted me regarding an important matter. Such adjustments are to be expected."
Even if it were the Blue House and not him, a call from the Saudi royal family could not be ignored.
-I'm calling about President Lee Jae-yoon of HS Energy.
Just as the chief secretary had predicted, the mention of HS Energy made not only the chairman but the entire secretarial staff's eyes light up with anticipation.
-For a swift response, I request that your secretarial staff listen in as well.
"Let's do that."
As Lee Won-chul nodded, the secretaries, each equipped with their own devices, went into battle mode.
-I anticipate this will take thirty minutes at the shortest, an hour at the longest.
"Time is not an issue. You needn't worry."
He had already cleared his entire afternoon schedule. Not just one hour, but two or three would be no problem.
-Understood. Then I will proceed.
After those words, the person on the other end fell silent.
Lee Won-chul and his staff, who were listening intently to the speakerphone, all tilted their heads as the silence stretched on.
"What is it? Did the call drop?"
The chief secretary shook his head at Chairman Lee Won-chul's question.
"No, sir. The connection is stable. Let's wait a little longer."
He nodded at the chief secretary's words, just as a somewhat familiar voice came through the speaker.
-Who is it! Who threatened my sister! Show yourself!
Not just Chairman Lee Won-chul, but all the secretaries stared with wide eyes.
"Is that..."
"It sounds like President Lee Jae-yoon's voice."
The chief secretary confirmed it instantly, his expression stiffening.
This time, a voice speaking English came through.
-I am Alex, the lead attorney from Ason Law Firm, mediating this matter.
"A law firm? Did he just say he's a lawyer?"
The chief secretary nodded at the chairman's question. But his expression was no longer one of expecting good news from a Middle Eastern call. Lee Jae-yoon's furious shouting and the appearance of a lawyer as his counterpart were deeply unsettling.
Just then, the initial caller's voice returned.
-I understand you must be confused, but I recommend you observe the situation for now rather than contacting President Lee Jae-yoon. For your reference, what you are hearing is happening 'in real-time.'
"Hello? What is going on? Without any explanation..."
Lee Won-chul asked in a bewildered tone, but the caller offered no reply. Only Lee Jae-yoon's harsh voice continued to echo from the phone.
*
In the center of the gym were two metal folding chairs with a small table between them.
Kang Man-dong, sipping coffee while sitting in one of the metal chairs, and Liong, who stood behind him like a guardian warrior, gave Yu-hyeon a wink.
Kang Man-dong spotted Yu-hyeon, Han Mi-ra, and Yeon Jeong-suk and rose to his feet.
"Jeong-suk, what brings you here?"
As Kang Man-dong looked on with a puzzled expression, Yeon Jeong-suk tightly grasped Han Mi-ra's hand.
"I was worried about sending Mi-ra alone."
Kang Man-dong nodded, then turned his gaze to Han Mi-ra and continued.
"I should warn you, the atmosphere might get a little tense for a moment. But it will be just that, 'a moment.' So please, relax. I'll take care of the rest. Mi-ra."
"Yes, President."
"I'm saying this out of an abundance of caution, but if that man, Lee Jae-yoon, offers financial compensation, you must accept it."
"What?"
"There's no need to let your pride get in the way and say things like, 'I don't need it,' or 'It's dirty money.' A person did the wronging, so there's no reason to take it out on the money, is there?"
At Kang Man-dong's words, Han Mi-ra looked slightly startled, as if her innermost thoughts had been exposed. On the off chance, the very slim chance, that Lee Jae-yoon mentioned compensation, she had been planning to unleash a torrent of fury.
But with Kang Man-dong putting it that way, she couldn't just think of her pride.
In Han Mi-ra's mind, Lee Jae-yoon would never offer compensation anyway, and even if he did, it would be Kang Man-dong securing it, not her. As someone receiving help, to flip the table that had been set for her would be more than rude; it would be ignorant.
"Okay. I will."
Han Mi-ra nodded, half worried and half expectant.
As Han Mi-ra and Yeon Jeong-suk took their places behind Kang Man-dong, Yu-hyeon gestured to Liong.
"Is everything ready?"
"They should be on standby."
Liong handed Yu-hyeon a smartphone and a single wireless earbud.
"The other earbud is under the table, and the number is already dialed in."
"Tell his highness I said thank you."
"Ahem. That's not something I can do. It would be better if you, Camu, contacted the Crown Prince directly."
"My mistake. I forgot, spending so much time together. Sorry."
Although he was former Saudi Royal Guard, the highest-ranking person he could contact was the head of security. So asking him to pass on a message of thanks was bound to make his expression stiffen.
"It's nothing."
Yu-hyeon placed the earbud in one ear, immediately pressed the call button to speak with HS Chairman Lee Won-chul, and then waited for Lee Jae-yoon to enter.
A moment later, Marcos and his men, who were acting as guides, appeared, followed by Lee Jae-yoon and Lee Jae-eun. Then came Manager Park Gyu-hyeon and Assistant Manager Kim Byeong-seok, whose faces he recognized, along with people who appeared to be secretaries, bodyguards, and a team of mercenaries, all filing into the gym.
Lee Jae-yoon, who had been furious since before he arrived, bellowed the moment he stepped into the gym.
"Who is it! Who threatened my sister! Show yourself!"
After shouting, Lee Jae-yoon scanned the gym with a fierce gaze. Then, he spotted Han Mi-ra standing behind Kang Man-dong, her lips pressed tightly together as she glared at him, and let out a smirk.
‘Have you decided not to think about the people around you?’
‘You're the one who's truly hit rock bottom.’
An emotionally charged gaze passed between them.
With Marcos and his men forming a wall behind Kang Man-dong, and the bodyguards and mercenaries forming one behind Lee Jae-yoon, the atmosphere became tense and volatile, as if a fight could break out at any second.
However, unlike the highly agitated Lee Jae-yoon, Kang Man-dong was the very picture of composure. Han Mi-ra watched Kang Man-dong with worried eyes.
Kang Man-dong saw Han Mi-ra watching him with her hands clasped together and gave her a grin as if to say there was nothing to worry about.
"Marcos. Begin."
"Yes, Don Karman."
Marcos gestured to his men, and the doors on the opposite side of the gym opened. In walked five men carrying briefcases, another man in a jacket and jeans, and one dressed in a priest's cassock.
‘Huh? A cassock?’
Surprised by the unexpected arrival, Yu-hyeon looked at Nicky as if to ask what was going on. Nicky wore an awkward expression and sheepishly hid behind Marcos.
‘That idiot. Such a pointless move.’
Lee Jae-yoon, who had just been shouting, now stared as if to say, 'And who the hell are they?'
A middle-aged man dressed in a neat suit looked at Lee Jae-yoon's group and began to speak.
"I am Alex, the lead attorney from Ason Law Firm, mediating this matter."
Not only Lee Jae-yoon but also his secretaries looked quite taken aback.
‘A law firm? Why is a law firm involved?’
As Lee Jae-yoon wore a puzzled expression, the introductions of the others who had entered continued.
The man in the jacket and jeans stepped forward and took an ID from his pocket.
"Inspector Jimmy, Malta Police Force. I am attending as an observer."
A lawyer was random enough, but now a police officer. Lee Jae-yoon looked at Manager Park as if asking what was happening. But what could Manager Park say? He couldn't hide his own bewilderment.
"Haha. Is it my turn now?"
This time, the man in the cassock with white hair stepped forward.
"My name is Duan, and I am responsible for the Diocese of Malta. I pray in the Lord's name that everyone gathered here today may return home safely, without a single person being harmed."
*
The secretarial team, who had gathered in the chairman's office expecting good news, now moved about frantically as if their feet were on fire.
"Ason Law Firm. It's one of Italy's top three law firms, and Attorney Alex is indeed the representative!"
"I... I'm sorry. There's no South Korean consulate or embassy in Malta. We have to go through the one in Italy."
"The head of the Diocese of Malta is Bishop Duan, that's correct! Oh?"
"What? Why?"
"Until three years ago, he was part of the Vatican's diplomatic corps."
"Diplomatic corps? You mean he was a Vatican diplomat?"
"Yes. And it seems he was quite a high-ranking official."
"Then why is someone like that showing up here!"
"That... I'm not sure."
"Dammit!"
The chief secretary was tearing at his hair when he suddenly remembered Manager Park Gyu-hyeon, who was in France for Executive Director Lee Jae-eun's matter.
"Park Gyu-hyeon! Get in touch with Manager Park!"
"Yes, sir!"