Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Finding Steven Gibson's Mother
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Kim Sung-hee and Yoon Tae-ho were left dumbfounded by the sudden request to find his friend's mother.
“Um, President Lee Dae-hyuk. Could you explain a bit more?”
Kim Sung-hee, glancing at him cautiously, spoke up.
But Lee Dae-hyuk shook his head firmly.
“It's still a secret for now.”
“Even from me?”
When Yoon Tae-ho chimed in, Lee Dae-hyuk nodded without a moment's hesitation.
“Yes. Once it's somewhat resolved, I'll tell both of you.”
If Steven Gibson met his mother and underwent a second surgery, it wouldn't be these two who found out—it would be the whole world.
Lee Dae-hyuk smiled faintly and said,
“Ms. Kim Sung-hee, I'm asking you to handle the meeting with Lou Wilson.”
***
Lou Wilson.
He was an industrial spy counted among the top five fingers from his twenties, known as the 'Devil of Silicon Valley.'
In the 1980s, with no computers around, stealing information meant getting your hands dirty.
Scouting, scams, pickpocketing, seduction, threats, bribes, assaults... and more.
Lou Wilson stole countless pieces of information and talent.
And became one of the top ten richest in Silicon Valley.
At just thirty years old.
For that, he rotted away ten years in prison.
In truth, his crimes warranted life imprisonment...
But companies submitted petitions and hired lawyers for him, letting him out before his sentence was even up.
The companies had no choice.
Why?
Because the imprisoned Lou Wilson threatened to expose their tax evasion, slush funds, and other misdeeds.
If they didn't get him out, he'd spill everything.
In the end, all the companies banded together to spring him.
In return, Lou Wilson agreed to keep his mouth shut and set up shop in a corner of Silicon Valley.
A detective agency, of all things, that didn't fit the high-tech symbol of Silicon Valley at all.
As a kid, he'd stolen, so in his old age, he spouted nonsense about wanting to live righteously and opened the detective agency— that's Lou Wilson.
Now, he was deep in thought.
“Hmm. Hmm. Hmmm.”
Over the past five years, Lou Wilson Detective Agency had seen tremendous success.
There were a couple of dramatic cases like catching serial killers or terrorists...
But the other 998 were just supporting divorce suits by snapping photos of cheating spouses.
'Yeah. Pathetic side gigs.'
Still, that had to be more fulfilling and nutritious than today's request.
“Find Steven Gibson's birth mother... Haha.”
Lou Wilson let out an awkward laugh.
“Why is it so hard?”
The Eastern man who'd made the absurd request countered.
Beside him stood a woman who looked like an interpreter and a burly man who seemed like a bodyguard. They, too, had their mouths agape.
They probably heard it for the first time here as well.
'Young Master, why on earth do you want to find Steven Gibson's birth mother?'
'You've just met Steven Gibson. He's not even a friend, President!'
Yoon Tae-ho and Kim Sung-hee couldn't hide their bewilderment but kept it from showing.
Finding Steven Gibson's mother was a good thing, right?
It was a chance to get close to Apple's CEO.
But would someone like Steven Gibson be thrilled just because they found his mother for him?
Lou Wilson voiced the doubt they both held.
“I have a connection with Steven Gibson. We exchange Christmas and New Year's greetings.”
“Must be nice.”
At Lee Dae-hyuk's words, Lou Wilson gave a wry smile.
“We're just business partners—not particularly close friends, so no need to envy. But I do know Steven Gibson's personality better than you all do.”
Lou Wilson, fingers steepled, asked in a serious tone.
“He's got pride several times stronger than most. He hates unasked-for help. If he wanted to find his birth mother, he'd have done it himself.”
Lou Wilson's point was valid.
Lee Dae-hyuk's intentions crossed a line.
But from his perspective, he had no choice but to cross it.
To save Steven Gibson.
'Don't sweat the small stuff.'
Right now, saving his life came before preserving his pride.
Of course, building a friendly relationship with Steven Gibson for personal gain was part of it.
But when Lee Dae-hyuk shook his hand, he felt it.
This genius needed to live longer and change the world.
'And there's no time to take the long road.'
If he could stay in America for years, becoming close friends with Steven Gibson wasn't impossible.
But his goal wasn't investment success—it was making Daekwang Group Korea's top group, no, the world's top.
There was more to do in Korea than America.
'And I need to rack up more merits.'
Catching the spy at Daekwang Construction was nothing compared to his brothers' or sister's achievements—his merit was negligible.
To imprint his abilities on his father and the board, he needed to show not just investment success, but real management skills.
'Yeah. This is the only way.'
Reaffirming his resolve, Lee Dae-hyuk said,
“No matter the method or reason, I just want Steven Gibson to be happy.”
'And live a long life.'
Lee Dae-hyuk conveyed his sincerity as best he could.
But Lou Wilson's face crumpled like paper upon hearing it.
“Are you a fan of Steven Gibson? No, even fans wouldn't say something that cheesy. Or have you watched too many movies and dramas?”
Lou Wilson said it playfully, but his eyes were sharp.
He wasn't naive enough to take someone's goodwill and sincerity at face value.
'But money? That's reliable.'
He'd given reasonable dissuasion under the guise of conscience.
Now, with his conscience set aside, it was time to earn.
“I've said all I need to. Any more would be meddling.”
“No, I appreciate it.”
Lee Dae-hyuk smiled softly.
Unlike expectations, this ex-industrial spy had his own code.
This level of trust wouldn't hurt.
“Name your fee. I'll pay.”
He'd squeezed 5 billion from his brother.
Enough for a bonus.
“......”
Lou Wilson pondered Lee Dae-hyuk's offer.
These jobs had no fixed price.
“You may not know, but finding people scales with time—and money. It's... hard to quote fairly.”
“I'll give you $100,000 as a retainer.”
“Beyond the retainer, there are expenses and labor costs...”
Lou Wilson trailed off.
Lee Dae-hyuk chuckled.
'Pros are pros.'
The humanitarian worrying about Steven Gibson and him was gone, replaced by a greedy pro chasing cash.
“$100,000 for expenses and labor. Another $100,000 success fee if you find Steven Gibson's birth mother. Total $300,000—how's that?”
Lou Wilson's lips parted slightly at the offer.
He'd planned to ask for $200,000.
But if they were offering $100,000 extra, no need to haggle.
'Feels a bit guilty.'
Feeling a twinge of remorse, Lou Wilson fired his killer question.
“You'll pay the success fee even if I fail?”
“$50,000. One-month deadline.”
Lee Dae-hyuk drew the line.
If Lou Wilson couldn't find her in that time, he'd seek other options.
Even hearing that, Lou Wilson didn't blink.
He had that much info on him.
“Thanks for the generous timeline.”
Grinning, Lou Wilson extended his right hand to Lee Dae-hyuk.
Grip!
Lee Dae-hyuk grabbed it without hesitation.
And as usual, a flash came, and Lou Wilson's memories flowed in.
.
.
.
Even before his regression, Lee Dae-hyuk knew about Lou Wilson well.
He'd seen movies and reenactment shows based on his story.
The movie covered his industrial spy days and exploits(?).
Fleeing the FBI across America was the main thrill...
The reenactment show 'Oh My God!' featured his detective escapades.
One episode: Lou Wilson finding Steven Gibson's birth mother.
That made the world-class conman and world-changing genius lifelong friends.
Close enough to attend Steven Gibson's funeral.
That was the extent of Lee Dae-hyuk's future knowledge.
But now.
'...What?'
The moment he grabbed Lou Wilson's hand, strange information flowed in.
About an unidentified organization.
Lou Wilson was following orders from an unknown group—even he didn't know their name.
To monitor Steven Gibson's every move.
'Following orders from faceless bastards?'
Lee Dae-hyuk was stunned.
But soon, he understood why.
The mystery organization had sent killers after him in prison multiple times.
He'd been critically wounded and rushed to the ER countless times by their hitmen.
But the injuries were just shy of fatal, so he survived and returned to prison.
Repeated like that, the man became their slave.
In exchange for his life...
But that wasn't all.
'Money in the end?'
Lee Dae-hyuk clicked his tongue.
Lou Wilson received $10 million annually from the unidentified organization.
'Money aside... he has family.'
Just before releasing his hand.
Lee Dae-hyuk saw 'family' in his mind.
Lou Wilson's wife and daughter.
Divorced, but women he loved dearly.
That's why he became a slave.
The problem was the man who enslaved him.
'I need to see his face.'
Lou Wilson reported everything about Steven Gibson to that man.
He had to be near Lou Wilson or Steven Gibson.
'Ugh.'
Lee Dae-hyuk swallowed a groan inwardly.
Maybe from diving too deep into the memories.
His head felt like it would split.
But he had to see.
The face of the man who made Lou Wilson tremble in fear.
'Ugh.'
Focusing harder, the man's form emerged.
A hand with the same skin tone as his.
'East Asian?'
After the hand, the jaw.
As the face slowly revealed—
'Fog?'
A hazy something obscured his vision.
Then.
Darkness.
Even the silhouette vanished completely from his sight.
'...Fear? Trauma?'
Lou Wilson's subconscious had blocked his psychometry.
Out of fear, no doubt.
Lee Dae-hyuk knew instinctively.
'Cases like this happen. Can't rely solely on this power from now on.'
When strong subconscious repels psychometry.
He'd have to solve it with his own skills then.
'That's for later. For now, Lou Wilson and the secret group...'
After a brief deliberation, Lee Dae-hyuk decided.
'...Don't worry about it.'
No need to fuss over a secret group—or even aliens.
As long as they didn't harm Steven Gibson.
“Then, I look forward to working with you.”
Oblivious that all his info had been rifled through.
“Sure. I'll be in touch.”
Lou Wilson just smiled politely.
***
After Lee Dae-hyuk left.
Lou Wilson's main office.
Gazing out the window briefly, Lou Wilson called someone on his phone.
The man who'd brought him wealth... but also the one he most wanted to kill.
Ring!
Click!
- What is it?
An icy voice came through the phone.
Lou Wilson steadied his breath and reported.
“I got a request from an Eastern guy to find Steven Gibson's birth mother. What should I do?”
- …….
After a slight pause, the man's voice returned.
- Gather all info on that Eastern guy within three hours. We'll decide how to handle it after.