Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Family Debts and Discipline
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Kang Mi-young's office was as neat and orderly as ever.
There, Seo Ji-hyeok sat facing her on the sofa, sipping tea.
"Since we're at the company, it makes sense to call you President, right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Were you surprised?"
"A little. It'd be a lie to say otherwise. But I've always wondered. Thought there was a chance. That Woo-young's child might be out there somewhere, growing up. So when I learned who you were, it felt like... what had to come, finally arrived. That's how it was."
"Were you close with my father?"
"No. We were sworn enemies. Just a year apart in age. We fought a ton. Especially during puberty—we were like dogs and monkeys. But that's why I miss him more."
The emotion in Kang Mi-young's eyes was genuine.
A faint longing for her father reflected in her distant gaze.
But even so, Seo Ji-hyeok's suspicions about her lingered.
When the book was handed to his father, the three aunts were in their mid-twenties to early thirties.
And nearly thirty years had passed since then.
Recalling fond memories from the past was no proof she wasn't ordinary.
Time had a way of blurring even guilt.
"That's enough about the past. So, why are you here? If it's to collect on the debt I owe you, spit it out. I don't like living in debt either."
The debt she mentioned was Jinsung Tech.
And by choosing Jinsung Tech, she got the divorce she wanted.
Her ex-husband, now Vice Minister at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, didn't cling too hard—probably thinking ahead to his future.
He knew full well that crossing Taesung would make things difficult no matter what.
Having neatly wrapped up the divorce, Kang Mi-young was now pouring effort into Jinsung Tech.
"Not that. I'm here to confirm something."
"Confirm?"
"President, is this recommendation a family favor? Or a backroom deal from the head of the Future Strategy Office?"
Kang Mi-young gave no reply to Seo Ji-hyeok's words.
More accurately, she couldn't.
Her eyes brimmed with conflict.
"What's the difference between the two?"
"As you know, I said people aren't worth fixing. But if it's family, I'll give it one shot. If that doesn't work, oh well. Of course, if it's a backroom deal, I'm here to turn it down."
"Hoo..."
Kang Mi-young's sigh carried layers of emotion.
She stared at Seo Ji-hyeok for a moment, then slowly spoke.
"Can I ask you as family?"
"Sure. But combining this with last time, you'll pay a heavy price."
"Like what?"
"I'll tell you later. I don't trust promises much anyway. I'll collect the price myself. Just keep that in mind. By the way, where's Eun-seok?"
At Seo Ji-hyeok's question, Kang Mi-young picked up her phone and dialed.
"Where's Eun-seok right now?"
"......"
"Got it. Ji-hyeok's on his way. Don't step in, no matter what. Yeah. Seo Ji-hyeok."
After hanging up, Kang Mi-young frowned slightly and spoke.
"Room 1208 at the hotel."
"You have security on him?"
"I'm worried. They're there to stop him from causing trouble. Honestly, I hate seeing him come back beat up even more."
"Understood. I'll head over."
"Wait..."
It was just as Seo Ji-hyeok started to rise from the sofa.
"Yes?"
"......Ji-hyeok, please."
For the first time, she called him like family.
Understanding the weight of those words, Seo Ji-hyeok smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. Aunt."
At his smile, Kang Mi-young offered a slight smile in return.
A bit awkward still.
But there was something Kang Mi-young didn't know.
Seo Ji-hyeok wasn't building family here.
He was separating family from those who weren't.
And the price for the non-family would be steep.
Leaving the main building in Sogong-dong, Seo Ji-hyeok parked in the hotel lot and paused in the lobby.
"Good day, Executive Director Seo Ji-hyeok. I'm the general manager, Lee Dong-yul."
"Yes. I'm here on personal business."
"I know. But anything happening in the hotel falls under my purview. I hope for your understanding."
He had a point.
Any commotion in the hotel was the general manager's responsibility.
Not having thought of that, Seo Ji-hyeok nodded in acknowledgment.
"Are there many guests on that floor right now?"
"No. Fortunately, only a few. But there are guests who would be troubled by any noise."
Troublesome guests meant VIPs—people with social influence.
Meaning any disturbance would hurt the hotel somehow, so please be careful.
"Got it. Can I have the master key?"
"Yes. Here."
"And some tape if you have it."
"Tape?"
"Like duct tape."
"Ah, one moment please."
The general manager headed to the front desk and returned shortly with a beige envelope containing the tape.
"Here you go."
"And that thing the hotel uses to roll up laundry and push around... what do you call it?"
"The laundry collection cart?"
"Yes. When I call the front desk later, could you send it up?"
"Uh... sure."
Duct tape and a laundry cart...
The general manager seemed to picture it, replying with a slightly tense expression.
Leaving the anxious manager in the lobby, Seo Ji-hyeok took the elevator to the twelfth floor and faced the bodyguard outside 1208.
"You got the call?"
"Yes, sir. How can I assist?"
"Here's my car key. It's in the surface lot—move it to the basement. Leave the key with the parking guide. Then clock out. You won't have work for a while."
"Pardon? Oh... yes, sir."
The flustered bodyguard took the key, bowed, and headed to the elevator.
Only after he left did Seo Ji-hyeok use the master key to enter.
"Hoo..."
The sight inside was a spectacle, to put it mildly.
Clothes scattered everywhere, flashy lingerie standing out among them...
Following the trail of clothing debris led to the bed, where two naked bodies lay sprawled in sleep.
Approaching the bedside, Seo Ji-hyeok lifted the blanket to cover the woman's exposed skin.
But then.
'Well, well.'
Spotting two syringes next to a small blue pouch on the bedside table, Seo Ji-hyeok frowned.
Inside the pouch was a small case holding more syringes neatly.
It could be the woman's, but that didn't matter.
Stepping to the bedside, Seo Ji-hyeok raised his hand and slapped Park Eun-seok's cheek hard.
- Crack!
"Huh?"
It must've hurt like hell, but he just twitched.
Meaning the drugs were still in his system.
In the end, Seo Ji-hyeok pulled out his phone.
"Yeah, it's me. That Dongdaemun building from before—still the same?"
"......"
"Yeah. Mind if I use it? Tell the guys ahead of time."
"......"
"Got it. Send two guys who don't know my face. Yeah. Oh, you still pissed?"
"★○￥♂※∇≡...."
Startled by Jang Woo's sudden yell, Seo Ji-hyeok pulled the phone from his ear and froze.
When the voice quieted, he snatched it back to his mouth.
"All blood and flesh..."
"★○...."
This time, the yell cut the call as it hit.
He could picture Jang Woo staring at the disconnected phone, fuming, but Seo Ji-hyeok just grinned.
Then he picked up the intercom to the front desk.
"Yes. Send up what I asked the general manager for earlier."
The bell rang less than a minute later.
Meaning they'd already positioned the cart on the twelfth floor.
Seo Ji-hyeok opened the door, took the cart, and wheeled it bedside.
He lifted Park Eun-seok's naked body out, flipped it, and bound his wrists and ankles with duct tape.
Then rolled him over, stuffed what looked like his sock from the floor into his mouth, and sealed it with tape.
Twice over.
Park Eun-seok's state suggested no risk of yelling mid-transport, but better safe than dealing with noise complaints.
With Park Eun-seok secured, Seo Ji-hyeok gathered what seemed to be his clothes and items.
Tossing them into the cart one by one, he scanned the room for anything missed.
But then the woman, wrapped in the blanket, twitched.
Seo Ji-hyeok approached the bed, pressed the blanket over her face, and whispered coldly into it.
"This was your last chance, and you've used them all. Show up in my sight again, and you're dead. Need more explanation? Nod if you get it."
Even tightly wrapped, her trembling shook the bed.
His voice was that cold and merciless.
Making it all the scarier.
Of course, he didn't know who she was.
Didn't care to.
But his warning was no joke.
The cliff of drugs wasn't pushed—you ran to it yourself.
This woman might be fine a few more times.
But it was only a matter of time. The end was the same.
No exceptions.
Everyone who touched drugs ended up the same.
Strong or weak...
Seo Ji-hyeok had seen countless in Cheongnyangni claiming it was just for fun, that they could quit anytime.
Not one escaped. Not a single one.
And they all destroyed themselves the same way.
"Heave-ho!"
Leaving the shivering woman under the blanket, Seo Ji-hyeok hoisted Park Eun-seok into the cart and covered him with the bedsheet the manager had provided.
Then slowly wheeled it out.
Arriving at the Dongdaemun building, two burly men ran out—Jang Woo must've given the car details—and bowed deeply.
"Hyung-nim said to make yourself at home."
"Got a spot underground to hold someone?"
"Yes. Want to see it first?"
"Nah, sorry—grab that and follow."
"Got it."
The two pulled Park Eun-seok from the back seat floor, rolled him expertly in the blanket.
The bigger one slung him over his shoulder and headed inside.
Following them down to B1 led to an old karaoke room.
In a fairly large room, only a 디귿자 sofa remained—no tables or machines.
The man set Park Eun-seok on the sofa.
"They lock it from outside?"
"Yes. We use it sometimes, so steel door. No windows either—once inside, no way out."
"Lock it up. I'll be back for dinner. Watch him till then. If two shifts are rough, call more for three-way rotation. This'll take a while."
"Yes, sir."
"Here."
Seo Ji-hyeok handed over five checks.
Seeing the amounts, the man bowed deeply, hands extended.
"Thank you!"
Though sent by Jang Woo with special orders, the money made Seo Ji-hyeok someone extra special to them.
Leaving Park Eun-seok with the pair, Seo Ji-hyeok returned to his car.
He checked the text from Han Ji-young that arrived on the way.
[Gongsawoo Department Head is waiting for you at the company.]
'More impatient than I thought.'
Seo Ji-hyeok chuckled softly and eased the car forward.