Before the Day Ends
My intuition might seem like a universal ability, but it isn't.
In other words, no matter how desperately I wished for it, it wouldn't tell me who poisoned the owner family.
Well… not exactly.
The more information my intuition provided, the more it naturally revealed details I hadn't wanted to know.
That's why I called an emergency meeting.
Thanks to how I grew up, I had my own opinions on this kind of soap opera.
And in such a world, the poisoning of the owner family? It was obvious.
The culprit was likely someone close to the owner family—probably someone driven by deep resentment or disappointment in them.
So it made sense that the person called to this urgent meeting could be the culprit.
And indeed, as soon as I entered the conference room, my intuition started violently churning against two people.
One was pure, clear anger directed at me.
*How dare he still be alive!*
That was the gist of it.
The other was different.
It was negative emotion… yet strangely subtle in its character.
If I had to put it into words, it was a hint of regret?
But that feeling was even worse.
It was as if murderous intent and expectation were mixed together in the same place.
And the source of that emotion was…
“Yoon Chang-seop, former Secretary Office Chief, is probably the culprit in this case.”
“…Yes?”
“And Jeong Min-cheol, director of the Future Strategy Planning Office, seems to be assisting him.”
My words made Choi Yu-na's eyes widen and her mouth press into a thin line.
It was as if she didn't even know where to start asking for the reasons.
She asked cautiously.
“How did you know that?”
“It's hard to explain with words, but I'm sure of it. It's the same feeling I have when I believe Secretary Choi is on my side.”
“I see.”
“?”
What?
I was already thinking about how to weave around the next part when Choi Yu-na nodded, clearly understanding.
I was glad I didn't have to add anything more, but still.
“First, let's hear about the director of the Future Strategy Planning Office.”
“Director Jeong Min-cheol is someone with a huge obsession with results. The higher the position, the more influence.”
At my words, Choi Yu-na adjusted her glasses and began explaining Jeong Min-cheol smoothly.
It seemed like there wasn't anything Choi Yu-na didn't know about Seonghwa Group.
“And he often gave gifts to the owner family.”
“Gifts?”
“Yes. Birthday and memorial days were standard, and most of them were expensive items.”
Hmm.
Just from what I heard, I could guess.
Just as Choi Yu-na said, the director of the Future Strategy Planning Office was a man who was honest about his desires.
And such a man was usually weak to temptation— a classic.
If someone offered sweet conditions, they would easily be swayed.
That meant he couldn't rise to villain assistant status in the usual way…
“So what about the former Secretary Office Chief? I wonder if he was his superior?”
“…Yes.”
Choi Yu-na's expression changed noticeably.
The character was completely different from when she had explained Jeong Min-cheol.
It was respect.
Or rather, something close to trust.
“Secretary Yoon Chang-seop wasn't just someone who supported the owner family.”
She continued slowly.
“He has been with Seonghwa since the first chairman, Mr. Kang Seong-cheol. He supported not only the second chairman, but also Vice Chairman Kang Jun-hyeok, who was the likely successor. He stood at the closest position to them and dedicated himself to Seonghwa Group.”
“He's like a fossil.”
“…Yes. He was also greatly respected by the employees—not just in the Secretary Office, but among staff from other affiliates as well.”
He had a good personality and never treated people carelessly.
And it was said that he handled his work extremely well.
To the point that his work was so clean there was no room for criticism.
Just hearing about him made me think such a perfect person could exist.
“But two months ago, he suddenly resigned from the Secretary Office Chief position.”
“Even Secretary Choi doesn't know the reason?”
“The stated reason was retirement at the age of sixty, but… I thought it was too early. In fact, he continued to participate in important decisions, and he was deeply involved in the succession structure.”
A loyalist from the first chairman.
A perfect Secretary Office Chief who was also respected by the employees.
Yet he suddenly resigned from active duty two months ago, and now appeared under the name of advisor…
Something clicked in my head.
It was a cliché that capable people became corrupt more easily.
But it didn't matter much.
The tragic story of the madman who brought me to this point?
Common sense would say it was curious.
Normally there was no negotiation with terrorists.
So.
“Have Manager Kim's whereabouts been located?”
I had to capture Manager Kim no matter what.
I was personally convinced that Manager Kim was the key to this case.
Why?
The face of the man I last faced was still vividly clear in my memory.
His face had looked a bit sad.
Was that because he hadn't killed me? Or because the guilt of being forced to kill me showed on his expression?
I wanted to hear the answer.
Honestly, I still didn't think he was a bad person at all.
Perhaps he was also a victim of the mess Yoon Chang-seop had caused.
“I'm sorry. Locating Manager Kim's current position isn't optimistic. The possibility of him fleeing overseas is also quite open.”
“Hmm… Then what about Manager Kim's family situation?”
“If it's family, his wife passed away three years ago from illness.”
Choi Yu-na checked her tablet for a moment and continued.
“And contact with relatives is practically nonexistent. His parents passed away long ago, and it's been quite some time since contact with his siblings was cut.”
“So there isn't even anyone Manager Kim can call family?”
“No. There is one. His daughter, Kim Seo-ah, who is six years old this year.”
The moment I heard that, I couldn't help but let out a short laugh.
Wife died from illness.
No relatives.
Yet she raised her young daughter alone and diligently…
How to put it.
From my perspective, the world seemed remarkably transparent.
And suddenly this line came to mind.
- Manager Kim, if you don't cooperate, your daughter will be in danger.
……
But all of this was only my speculation.
Simply that.
“Secretary Choi, please investigate the whereabouts of Manager Kim's daughter. As fast as possible!”
If my guess was correct, Manager Kim would soon make the worst choice.
It was half an hour after I made the request for Manager Kim's daughter's whereabouts.
Choi Yu-na returned with urgent steps and news.
“Since three days ago, Kim Seo-ah has not been seen leaving her kindergarten. According to Manager Kim, the reason was that his daughter was sick and he couldn't send her to kindergarten for a while.”
But Manager Kim's home was completely empty at the current time.
Then where had Manager Kim and his daughter Kim Seo-ah gone?
Of course, there was the possibility they had fled together, but…
“I think the possibility of kidnapping is high. I don't think a person like Manager Kim, whom I trust, would go insane and flee with his daughter.”
“So does that mean the culprit kidnapped Kim Seo-ah to blackmail Manager Kim?”
I nodded.
“The heart of a father is willing to do anything for his precious daughter, right? Anyway, let's keep this possibility open and start by rescuing Kim Seo-ah.”
“But Chairman, there are too few clues. We don't know how long it will take.”
“Ah, speaking of which, is there any warehouse or restricted facility managed by Seonghwa Group?”
Choi Yu-na blinked for a moment.
But she set aside her doubts and gave the answer I wanted.
“Seonghwa Logistics operates nationwide warehouse facilities. However, most of them see frequent human traffic because of logistics movement.”
“So what about places with restricted access or low usage frequency?”
“…There are. Past warehouses that were practically abandoned, sites of affiliates that are scheduled for redevelopment, or facilities where general employee access is restricted for security reasons.”
I asked her to list them.
The proverb about the lamp under the table was true.
If someone like Yoon Chang-seop, who knew the internal workings of Seonghwa Group well, was using them, it would be obvious.
So I skimmed through the list Choi Yu-na handed me.
Honestly, if they had intended to find them the usual way, it would have taken quite some time.
But the moment I slowly scrolled through the list with my finger—
I couldn't help but grin.
“Secretary Choi, isn't it about time for the sun to set?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Then I need to visit the security team as quickly as possible.”
“?”
Choi Yu-na's expression looked bewildered.
I saw that expression and smiled slightly.
“Before the day ends, let's rescue Manager Kim's daughter.”
***
Manager Kim.
Within Seonghwa Group, he was known as Manager Kim.
He stared blankly at the sky.
The lunch sky was clear and peaceful.
Unlike yesterday's Korean Empire.
A once-in-a-century crime of poisoning the entire Seonghwa Group owner family, and he himself, who had served a boy, standing at the center.
Was this not the noisiest day since entering the 21st century?
But the louder the world became, the heavier Manager Kim's guilt grew.
That was why he couldn't look at the sky any more proudly.
He had never deserved it in the first place.
He lowered his gaze.
A fierce wind was blowing.
And below it, a vast river spread out.
Manager Kim stood alone on the bridge in silence.
His fingertips were trembling.
It wasn't because of the cold.
Nor because he was scared.
Just……
Because he knew everything had ended.
“…Ha.”
A low laugh leaked out.
He had never imagined something like this would happen to him.
He had simply lived fiercely and worked harder than anyone else.
He had simply wanted to become a father his daughter could be proud of in front of others.
To fill the gaps where there was no mother so his daughter wouldn't feel inferior in front of others.
Even if he wasn't the person everyone said was great.
-Our dad is the best!
He wanted to be the kind of person who could hear those words at least once.
But even that dream was about to come true.
Manager Kim slowly closed his eyes.
When he closed them, his daughter's face naturally came to mind.
“…I'm sorry.”
A cracked voice leaked out.
He knew.
He knew better than anyone that this choice would plunge his daughter into lifelong pain.
But as a foolish father, this was the only way that came to mind.
Poisoning the owner family.
Attempted assassination of Kang-geon.
Bearing all those sins, and just ending it here—
At least for the sake of Yoon Chang-seop's former Secretary Office Chief, who knew his resolve, he would keep his promise.
That man was not the type who would break a promise.
Then at least Seo-ah could live.
And.
“…Kang-geon-dongin.”
Now there was still someone left to apologize to.
Of course, he didn't know if the other side would accept his apology.
In fact, thinking that he would accept it was selfish.
*Because I almost killed that person.*
But this was the last selfishness Manager Kim thought before dying.
He adjusted his breathing and turned on the phone he had been keeping off since yesterday, wanting to call the boy named Kang-geon.
But a doubt suddenly arose.
Next to him was Secretary Choi, attached to the team.
Naturally, given her personality, she would have immediately discarded the existing phone……
Then should he leave a message asking Secretary Choi to deliver the apology?
With that thought, Manager Kim smiled bitterly.
Of course, that expression changed in an instant to doubt.
Why?
Because.
“…?”
From the moment he checked the message left for him by Secretary Choi.
And the moment he confirmed the content, Manager Kim's mouth opened wide.
He had no choice.
The photo showed his daughter smiling brightly in someone's arms.
Not anyone else.
In Kang-geon's arms.
“W-what is this?!”
And below it was this text.
[Manager Kim, your daughter is so cute ^^]
[I couldn't help but kidnap her]
……