The Tail Exposed
***
JK Group Secretariat.
Sensing something amiss, Butler Moon hurried toward the secretariat. His mind was a whirlwind from the unexpected incident.
'A tail means someone's caught the scent... but who? No clues.'
No matter how he racked his brain, no suspects came to mind. Within the group, the only one on bad terms with Min-ho was Kang Du-seong. But jumping to conclusions was reckless—Du-seong's chances of knowing about Athena were slim to none. Besides, he had no reason to risk a tail.
His thoughts spiraled endlessly, shrouded in thick fog, visibility zero. If not an inside job, an outsider was possible too.
'If it's external... likely Namdo's people. Internal? One of the four presidents... Too early to say.'
Min-ho currently held the most sway over Chairman Kang's decisions—an undeniable fact. He monopolized the chairman's love and attention, yet had never shown a hint of ambition. Even in situations where he could have stepped up, he'd crowned the chairman and quietly exited the stage. The outcomes of every event so far proved it: Min-ho toiled solely for the group and his grandfather.
That was the truth, but others might not see it the same way. If they learned of recent events, they'd surely rebel against the chairman and spark a prince's revolt. The media would pounce, shaking JK Group; the chairman's leadership would be on the chopping block. Stock prices would plummet, and the group would suffer prolonged agony.
If Min-ho was exposed to danger like this, the chairman and group would crumble too. This was no time for silence—it demanded action.
Butler Moon flung open the secretariat door. The bustling staff froze and rose, bowing deeply.
"Has the executive director arrived?"
Straight-backed bows from all. A glimpse of Moon Sang-oh's power.
He'd once been secretariat chief, then accepted the role as the chairman's right-hand butler. Though he'd never claimed it, no one could deny he was JK Group's number two. He cared nothing for such titles now—his mind was fixed on protecting Min-ho.
"Implement vehicle control immediately. No car leaves without clearance."
"Understood. Any other orders?"
"Have the security team wait on the first floor. Where's Chief Jeong?"
"He's just back from a late lunch... coming in now."
Jeong Dong-gyun, secretariat chief, entered after his belated meal. Spotting Butler Moon, his face hardened as if choking.
"Executive Director Moon?"
He bowed, but grudgingly, eyes flashing contempt. There was reason for Chief Jeong's glare at Moon Sang-oh. As secretariat chief, he held no real power—instead, he followed the butler's orders. Nicknames like "puppet" or "straw man" shadowed him. Resentment boiled over, but defying Moon was impossible; his words were the chairman's will.
Bitter as biting unripe persimmon, Chief Jeong masked it and asked, "Why come here suddenly at this hour, Executive Director? Something wrong?"
"Check the black sedan that just arrived."
"Tell me what's going on first..."
Moon knew the resistance stemmed from animosity, but time was critical—no room for bickering. Staring him down, he warned in a deep voice, "Set personal grudges aside."
"Understood. Hey! Check everything per the executive director's orders!"
"Yes, sir!"
The staff scrambled. Less than a minute later, the report came.
"Not one of our group vehicles."
"Driver info?"
"Kang Mu-sik. Not in our records or any registered subcontractors."
No certainty yet if it was a tail. If confirmed, Moon would handle it within his authority.
"That's enough. Where's the toolbox?"
"Over there. Need something? I'll fetch it."
"I'll manage. Carry on."
Opening the toolbox, Butler Moon grabbed a long flathead screwdriver and hammer, heading to the first-floor parking lot.
Chief Jeong, glaring resentfully at his back, lit a cigarette and muttered, "Squirming to snag some of the chairman's cash... Gotta sideline that bastard someday..."
***
JK Group headquarters, first-floor parking lot.
The elevator doors opened. The security team waited.
"Executive Director, full team on the first floor."
"Hold at the main entrance for now. Lock down vehicles tight."
"Got it."
Butler Moon dashed into the lot. Just then, Min-ho and Attorney Choi stepped out of their parked car.
Moon glanced around—no one nearby. He reported at once.
"Young master, can't be sure, but looks like a tail."
Against expectations of shock, Min-ho smiled leisurely. "I know."
"Pardon? Since when?"
"Since yesterday. Thought I'd grab him when he stepped out, but he hunkered down, so I lured him here."
"For safety, let's get you inside. I'll handle the rest."
Min-ho nodded toward the tail's position and whispered, "Amateur hour. Not a PI firm—eyes only on me. I'll walk that way."
"Understood."
"Grandpa doesn't know yet?"
"Not certain, so no report."
"Catch him first, then talk. Attorney Choi, keys."
"Yes, sir."
Taking the keys, Butler Moon bowed and strode toward the tail car. He peered cautiously at the driver's seat.
As expected, the man was fixated on Min-ho. Suspicion confirmed. No hesitation now.
Moon drew the screwdriver and plunged it deep into the tire. Air hissed loudly.
Security sealed the main gate. No escape.
Now, just open the door. Knocking on the driver's window innocently, Moon said, "Hey, young man! Back tire's flat, looks like."
Through the crack barely wide for a finger, the driver replied, "Gonna hit a tire shop soon. Thanks."
"All the air's gone—you ain't going nowhere. Come check it."
"Really fine. Don't worry."
In that brief moment, Moon studied him intently. No recognition.
"Come on, kid—listen to your elder. You'll crash halfway!"
"Appreciate the concern, but I'm good."
As the driver raised the window, Moon's heavy bass cut in: "Who sent you?"
Panicked, Park Dong-min employee slammed the window up and started the engine.
Moon was faster. He smashed the driver's window with the hammer, yanked open the door, and dragged him out.
"Stranger or not, we've got plenty to discuss..."
***
Butler Moon hauled the man to the car like a lamb to slaughter, shoving him in the back seat. Fury blazed in Moon's eyes. He gripped the hefty screwdriver and hammer.
Terror-stricken, Park trembled like an aspen, speechless.
Doors opened; Min-ho and Attorney Choi boarded.
"Know him?"
Min-ho stared. "No, first time."
The man cowered, head down. Eyes darting, Min-ho nodded at hammer-wielding Moon and spoke.
"Not a PI at a glance... Who sent you?"
"I... don't know anything."
"Just say why you tailed me. Send you home safe."
"I... really don't know."
No easy pass—this threatened Min-ho, hence the chairman. Glaring murderously, Moon forced his head up.
Fear of no escape? Or regret over lost cash? After agonizing hesitation, Park whimpered the truth.
"Deputy Manager Lee Min-ho, sorry. Executive Director Seo just told me to follow you... sorry."
Min-ho, Moon, Choi exchanged glances and nods. No "young master"—he didn't know Min-ho's identity.
Min-ho pressed on. "Department and name?"
"Credit team, Park Dong-min."
"Who ordered the tail?"
"Seo... Executive Director Seo Gwang-hun."
"Said to play it off as debt collection if caught, right?"
"Yes, exactly."
Seo was Myeong-seon's most loyal. His name from Park sealed it: Myeong-seon's doing.
Min-ho's anger surged, but rage wouldn't solve it. Calmly: "How much did Seo offer?"
"Mom's surgery bills piling up, plus living expenses and a promotion promise."
"Reports up to where?"
"Scared of getting caught, never left the car. Just routes: Yeouido's More Times and your Seocho-dong home."
"Met President Kang Myeong-seon directly?"
"Once in new hire training group photo. Never otherwise. Please believe me."
Seo's pick of a grunt was simple: easy to bribe, easy to cut loose.
Myeong-seon's filthy scheme laid bare. Min-ho wouldn't take this lying down.
After sorting his thoughts, he nodded. "Park, see those guards?"
"Y-yes... I see them..."
"No running. Step out a bit."
"Pardon? Okay."
No clue yet how much Myeong-seon knew. Head spinning, Moon ventured, "Worse than we thought, young master. The youngest miss moving means she knows something."
"What would you do, butler?"
"Advise him to resign with some excuse."
"Then? Sure it won't happen again?"
"Impossible without silencing the youngest miss completely."
No need to kick away a gift. For Min-ho, a chance to excise a wart. To Moon and Choi's shock, he unveiled a masterstroke.
"Keep him on payroll. For now."
"Can't risk that."
"Green newbie, clueless. Threaten, pay him off—we control him."
"Turn him?"
"Exactly. Feed false reports."
"Then?"
Calculations done, Min-ho grinned. "Raid the warehouse first. Then I'll acquire JK Credit Info. Problem solved."