Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Kidnapped by a Chaebol Heir
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Things at the logistics center were peaceful as ever today.
It had already been two weeks since I became an AM—Area Manager.
I adapted to the job right away, so it wasn't all that tough.
I'm quick on the uptake anyway, so grasping the workflow was a piece of cake.
The only real challenge was managing people, if anything.
But since I knew everyone well, a little leniency here and a nudge there got them moving on their own.
- Min-jae, Zone B's all sorted~
"Got it, thanks for the hard work. No more tasks in Zone B for today, so take a breather and head over to Zone C for backup."
- Okey-dokey~ Let's hustle, everyone~
We exchanged a quick radio call, then I checked my watch.
10 a.m.
Sweet, sweet break time.
I took off my hard hat and stepped outside.
Wiped away the sweat—or condensation, really—from the temperature shift.
Even your forehead gets dew in a place this cold.
I trudged over to the vending machine.
Popped in some coins and hit the button.
Clunk.
A chilled ion drink dropped down.
Grabbed the can, cracked it open, and took a swig.
"Whew. That's cold."
Then, I sensed someone behind me.
A regular worker would've piped up with, "Hey Min-jae, grab one for me too?"
But it was eerily quiet.
'What the...'
I turned around, cold can still in hand.
My breath caught.
Black suits.
Clear in-ear pieces.
Dark sunglasses hiding their eyes.
Broad shoulders and menacing bulk.
And not just one or two.
At least six, easy.
They blocked off the narrow vending area like a black wall.
Suits at a logistics center?
Headquarters audit team?
Nah, auditors don't look this lethal.
Shooting a mobster flick or what?
The one who seemed like the leader stepped forward.
Face like a rock—solid and hard.
"Hanbit Distribution Logistics Center Zone 2 AM, Kim Min-jae?"
His voice was low and gravelly.
Instinct kicked in—danger.
Run?
No, vending machine's right there.
No escape.
Stay calm.
I haven't done anything wrong.
'...Wait, have I? YouTube?'
Nah, no way.
"Y-yeah, that's me. Who are you?"
I tried to play it cool, kept my voice steady.
The guy pulled a leather wallet from his jacket and flashed some ID.
[Hanbit Security Protection Team 3 Team Leader Park Cheol-woo]
"Hanbit Security."
Security?
Hanbit Group's private protection firm for the owner family—why me?
"If you're from headquarters, the center manager's office is upstairs on the second floor. Want me to show you?"
"We're here for you, Kim Min-jae, not the center manager."
"M-me? Why...?"
"Come with us."
No explanation.
His actions said it all.
He gave a nod, and two guys grabbed my arms.
They made it look gentle, but the grip was ironclad—no shaking them off.
What the hell.
Kidnapping? In broad daylight?
"Wait, hold on... I'm on the clock right now..."
"Already cleared it with the center manager. You're on special dispatch, so no worries—just cooperate for a bit."
"Uh..."
They cut off my exit too?
The leader muttered into his in-ear.
"Target secured. Moving out."
Target?
Me?
No time to resist—they dragged me off.
The day laborers by the conveyor belts and forklifts stared wide-eyed.
"What the heck? Should we step in?"
"Heard it's the security team..."
"Whoa."
Whispers followed, but no one came to my rescue.
Damn, the cold reality of modern life.
If I make it back alive, that's Shorts material.
Outside, the sunlight blinded me.
And there, gleaming black in the glare, was a sedan.
Genesis G90.
Way too out of place in the logistics yard.
'My '17 Avante AD looks shabby next to that.'
Not even comparable, really.
The car was polished to a mirror shine—my stunned face reflected right off the door.
The guard tapped the rear window lightly.
Tap-tap.
Whirr—
The tinted window slid down just a crack, enough for a finger.
Too dark inside to see much.
"Executive. Got him."
"Load him up."
Short and gruff.
Click.
The door unlocked automatically.
A gut feeling hit me—if I got in, I wasn't coming out.
"Get in."
Situation's a blur, but...
No choice but to climb in.
Stubbornness here, and these bruisers'd fold me into the trunk.
I eased in carefully.
Cool AC air and a faint, fancy perfume hit me.
Lavender?
Citrus?
Whatever—smells expensive.
Across from me, a woman sat with legs crossed, gazing out the window.
Fancy blonde hair, oversized sunglasses covering half her face, silk blouse with designer logos.
And of course...
Eun Ha-min.
Hanbit Group chairman's daughter, YouTuber with 5.5 million subs.
'Whoa... she's even prettier in person.'
Even amid the nerves, I was impressed.
Her skin literally glowed.
Eun Ha-min slowly turned to look at me.
She lowered her sunglasses a bit, revealing sharp, alluring eyes.
But...
She scrunched her brows the second she saw me.
"What the hell?"
Casual speech, right off the bat.
Wait, not to me?
"Profile said 28. How's this mug 28? You really Kim Min-jae? Impersonator?"
"...Yeah, that's me..."
I swallowed the injustice.
"It's him, miss. ID checked out."
The team leader chimed in from the passenger seat.
Eun Ha-min eyed me up and down like she couldn't believe it.
"You're... you're the guy behind The Truth of the World? The one who made that crap?"
"Uh. Yeah..."
I nodded meekly.
No point denying it—my info was already doxxed.
Then she grabbed my chin.
Studied my face, and her pale cheeks flushed red in seconds.
"Ahem. Well, looks aren't bad. Not bad at all... kinda like 'em."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind that. This is ridiculous. Thought some pro anti-fan was after me. But nah? Just some regular logistics drone?"
"Uh..."
Guess I am kinda ordinary.
"So a section chief grunt at Hanbit Distribution disses me—an executive director and VP—on YouTube?"
"...Sorry."
"Hey. Wait, 'hey' to an older guy is rude."
Eun Ha-min cleared her throat, switching her tone.
"Oppa, if you're sorry, you shouldn't have made that video. Me slurping ramen? Insane? My throat's not a steel pipe."
She snapped sharply.
The car rang with her voice.
She's got pipes, alright.
Could've been a singer.
But that's what she's mad about?
"That video... is that why you had me brought here?"
"Brought here? We escorted you politely."
"Arms twisted, dragged like a sack..."
"Shut it. Process doesn't matter—you're here, end of story."
Eun Ha-min crossed her arms and huffed.
"You commented: 'Say it to my face, don't hide behind your keyboard.'"
"Ah... yeah, I did..."
I scratched my head.
Never thought my private comment would boomerang like this.
Who'd guess a chaebol heir rolls up in a Genesis for a field trip?
"Well, here I am. What'd I say upfront? Your turn now."
"Huh? Say what...?"
She grabbed my chin again.
Like, spit it in my face.
I pondered for a sec.
Can't back down here.
Flinch and you lose.
Since I'm here, time to speak up.
Ask what I wanna know!
"Do chaebols really slurp ramen straight through a strainer?"
"That's your bullshit!!!"
Eun Ha-min shrieked.
The driver flinched up front.
"But chaebols love efficiency..."
"So you made me this: TTS voice, chilling with beer and chicken in a full villa, but slurping ramen 'cause time's money?"
Her brows twitched.
Mad, but sneaking peeks at my face, cheeks pink.
"Sigh... forget it. Why argue with an oppa eight years older."
She slumped back, deflated.
The tense vibe eased a bit.
"Was gonna make an example."
"Uh... like...?"
"Figured since you're group staff, tell HR to fire you? Or sic legal on you for defamation, bleed you dry? Rack up billions in lawyer fees?"
"..."
Billions? Where do I get that kinda cash?
Gonna need public defender.
"But now that you're here..."
Eun Ha-min sighed deeply.
Cupped her flushed face.
"Not feeling it."
"Thanks for the mercy."
"Who said mercy?"
"Eek. Sorry."
No forgiveness?
Am I fired?
As I got scared, she glared sharply.
"Hey, oppa."
"Yes."
"I'll let it slide."
"Really? Thank you!"
"Ahem. Smiling suits you better than scared."
"So can I go? Break's over, gotta head back."
I grabbed the door handle quick.
But it wouldn't budge.
Locked.
Damn.
"Who said so? Nothing's free. Conditions, obviously."
Eun Ha-min grinned wickedly.
Like a devil offering a contract.
"Not... delete the channel or anything, right...?"
Fuck, anything but that.
I pulled a pitiful face, fake-sniffling.
"That channel... it's my blood and sweat. Revenue's barely chicken money a day, but those videos are my babies. Please, not deletion... I got nothing else."
"Who said delete? Keep it."
"Huh?"
"No need. Boosts our channel too. I'm generous."
Eun Ha-min took off her sunglasses fully.
No makeup, still unreal pretty.
"Hang with me today."
"...Pardon?"
"Deaf? Play with me. Schedule's free. Bored."
"Said you were busy earlier..."
"Oppa, why so clueless? Wanna get dumped?"
"S-sorry."
"Told the center manager you're on HQ special dispatch. Your daily wage? I'll pay by the hour."
That's a punishment, right?
Daily to hourly means slashing my pay to one hour's worth.
Eun Ha-min didn't wait for my reply, signaled the driver.
"Driver ajusshi. Let's go."
"Yes, miss. Where to?"
"Food first. Gotta show you slurping ramen."
"Chaebols eat ramen too...?"
"You posted I do!"
The car purred smoothly away.
Staring at the receding center, I spaced out.
"What? Seatbelt."
"Ah, yes."
I fumbled it on.
Backseat though—do I really need to?