abcnovels
Chapter 14 - What are you trying to do now?
Chapter 14 - What are you trying to do now?
Chapter 14 - What are you trying to do now?
Chapter 14: What are you trying to do now?
TL: Aniea
‘…His actions are really decisive.’
I hadn’t been particularly off-guard.
It was just that the opponent’s determination had far exceeded my expectations.
Based on the explanation I heard from Kim Eun-ha a little while ago, Director Baek Do-young is someone who holds a significant share in the succession competition.
In some ways, he might be receiving more attention within the group than Kim Eun-ha, but who would have thought he’d attempt such a bold approach.
‘He has perfectly grasped our movements too.’
Although it’s nothing new, Kim Eun-ha is a very busy person, so I usually try to adjust my schedule to hers. Most of our meeting places are in the CEO office of the department store.
With the intention of not wanting to disturb her work as much as possible, I had set up a somewhat regular routine, and he sharply honed in on this aspect.
‘Engaging in a conversation now is definitely a loss.’
Seeing how confident he is, it’s clear he came fully prepared. If we start a conversation, there’s a high chance I’ll be unilaterally dragged around.
The best course of action is, of course, to respond together with Kim Eun-ha, but I can’t just call or text her in front of the opponent.
‘I’ll have to handle this on my own here.’
Thanks to consistently practicing the role of Kang Joo-heon over the past few days, fortunately, my outward appearance didn’t shake at all, even with the opponent’s surprise appearance.
My mind is cold.
My heart, even colder.
In any situation, never panic.
‘I am Kang Joo-heon.’
As I repeated this several times,
my mind calmed down.
The heart that had turned utterly cold spread its chill throughout my body. The actively circulating blood froze, significantly reducing the heartbeat.
“…Kang Woo-ju ssi?”
Step-
Completely immersed, I coolly ignored Baek Do-young’s words and moved forward. The hand he had extended for a handshake trembled as it grasped at thin air.
Then, two hefty men waiting behind him stepped forward, blocking the way.
They were freaking huge.
Their build was so huge that it was hard to believe they were fellow Asians, taking up the volume of almost 4-5 people.
‘So what.’
Step-
Nevertheless, I didn’t back down. Instead, I confidently stepped between them, as Kang Joo-heon would have surely done.
They probably didn’t expect me to forcefully make my way through, as their bodies flinched.
Of course, they quickly adjusted their stance to block the way, but their panic was evident.
“……..”
“……..”
Following their cautious gazes, I leisurely turned my head, and my eyes locked with Director Baek Do-young, who had been staring at me the whole time.
The heavy atmosphere pressed down on my shoulders. It felt suffocating, as if I had plunged into the deep sea.
‘Those eyes are terrifying.’
Director Baek Do-young was clearly not someone who insisted only on clean work.
Otherwise, how could he have gained Chairman Kim Seok-ho’s trust in just five years? It would be impossible for someone not of his blood.
‘How much blood has he stained his hands with.’
The number of missing person cases reported each year averages around 60,000.
About 1,000 of them are found dead, and a similar number remain completely untraceable.
Of course, this statistic includes those who choose to end their lives or run away on their own. But, would none of them have experienced ‘unfortunate accidents’?
‘…Kim Eun-ha would say I’ve watched too much drama if she heard this.’
I know all too well that this world isn’t all that beautiful. Reality is several times more cruel than drama.
Their way is to meticulously calculate even the value of a human life and weigh it on a scale. Director Baek Do-young in front of me wouldn’t be much different.
No, if anything, he might be even more ruthless.
It would be a lie to say I’m not scared.
Who would have thought that I, who was just an ordinary citizen until recently, would end up in such a movie-like situation?
Honestly, I feel like apologizing right now, bowing my head in regret.
I want to run away to a place where their gazes can’t reach me. But.
“Do you have something to say to me?”
Ssshh-
Words completely opposite to what I was feeling jumped out of my mouth. My voice, cold to the point of being unrecognizable as my own, echoed throughout the parking lot.
‘I don’t have the option to run away.’
Perhaps due to my complete immersion in Kang Joo-heon, his thoughts and way of thinking had taken over my mind.
If I were to tuck my tail and run away now, I might escape the immediate situation, but it was clear that I would eventually be caught and slaughtered.
‘It was just a matter of time.’
From the moment I made the contract with Kim Eun-ha, I anticipated that a day like this would come.
Although it seems too soon, the world is inherently unfair. It doesn’t wait for everyone to be perfectly prepared.
“If you have nothing to say, then move aside. You’re wasting my time.”
Twitch-!
Director Baek Do-young’s eyebrows twitched once again.
It was a subtle movement that ordinary people might not notice, but having studied countless facial expressions for acting, it couldn’t fool my eyes.
“…Impressive. I almost fell for it myself. Your acting skills are remarkable, to the point where it’s a wonder why you were unknown until now.”
“Acting?”
“According to our investigation, it seems you weren’t like this during your university days. No, even just a few weeks ago.”
So he knows about my past.
Well, researching that information wouldn’t have been too difficult.
In the Department of Theatre and Film, most classes are conducted with a camera. It’s essential to watch and correct one’s acting.
Even though I was marginalized in my department, just reviewing the materials from various evaluations and exams would give a rough estimate.
“Is that all you have to say?”
“…I’m not sure where this confidence comes from. If you think that woman will protect you, you’re greatly mistaken.”
Smirk-
I couldn’t help but twitch the corner of my mouth at his unexpected remark. I quickly rearranged my expression, but it seemed too late.
“Don’t you understand the situation?”
“Ah, I didn’t mean to laugh at you, Director. It just seems like you’re the one who’s mistaken, not me. You really don’t know anything about Eun-ha.”
Kim Eun-ha will protect me?
I’d be lucky if she doesn’t point a gun at my forehead.
It might be due to our contract, but it’s true that Kim Eun-ha treats me more comfortably than she does others.
However, I must not be mistaken. If she thinks someone is harmful to her, she won’t hesitate to cut them off, no matter who they are.
Especially since she contracted with me to use as a disposable shield, not out of some cheap sympathy.
“You might want to start your research from the beginning, including the parts that aren’t recorded in the data.”
“I think the current information is sufficient to drag you out.”
“Is that so?”
“……?”
Baek Do-young’s brows furrowed. I looked him straight in the eye and slowly began to speak.
“Name Baek Do-young, age 32. Grew up traveling to various countries with diplomat parents, gained experience from a young age, and after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business, immediately proceeded to an MBA in the USA.”
“…Kang Woo-ju ssi, what are you trying to do?”
Baek Do-young’s face scrunched up in annoyance. And the highlight hadn’t even been revealed yet.
He must have thought I was just fooling around with Kim Eun-ha up there. She’s not as vulnerable as he thinks.
– What is this?
– It’s information about my potential husband candidates. It includes everything from basic profiles to quite sensitive details. Don’t take it out of this room.
– You don’t have mine in there, do you?
– …You’re not a candidate.
– You hesitated just now.
– Just shut up and memorize it.
Since the amount of information was almost on the level of an encyclopedia, it was impossible to memorize everything at once, so I focused on studying key figures, including Baek Do-young.
Having practiced memorizing scripts quickly from an early age, I managed to cram an amount of information into my head in a short time that would astonish Kim Eun-ha.
“I also did some personal investigation on Baek Do-young ssi. It seems you had quite an enjoyable college life, not unlike myself.”
“……”
Director Baek Do-young swallowed his silence. Unlike before, his expression was unreadable.
Earlier, he had probably let his guard down, thinking his opponent was a no-name actor without any significant achievements, and that he was overwhelmingly superior.
‘…Dragging out the conversation any longer wouldn’t be wise.’
Baek Do-young’s atmosphere, which had significantly changed from before, was the moment I finally understood why Kim Eun-ha described him as ‘an unfathomable person.’
Although I bluffed with all my might using the limited information available, it was also slowly reaching its limit.
Although I didn’t show it outwardly, I was getting anxious that my lack of depth would be exposed at any moment.
“Interesting. Honestly, I didn’t expect this development. I must admit that I acted too complacently today.”
Indeed, he’s a dangerous man.
Not only is his decisiveness impressive, but what’s more irritating is how easily he acknowledges his mistakes. Such a type is good at feedback, rarely making the same mistake twice.
‘It’s going to be hard to score any more points.’
I swallowed my disappointment, remembering the CCTV cameras in the parking lot. I had hoped he would become more agitated and make a scene.
“Reflect on yourself at home.”
Swoosh-
With that, I turned around without any hesitation. After all, leaving this place was my top priority for now.
As if they couldn’t let me go just like that, the bulky men tried to block my way again, but Baek Do-young raised his hand to stop them.
“Let him go.”
“Understood.”
At Director Baek Do-young’s command, the bulky men stepped aside, creating a path for me. I walked away confidently, as if it was only natural, making sure to keep my gaze fixed straight ahead and paying careful attention not to quicken my pace.
* * *
“Is it alright to let him go like this?”
“Then should we go catch him again?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Smirk-
Director Baek Do-young’s lips curled up into a smile. Seeing this, the jittery secretarial staff quietly backed away.
Afterward, Baek Do-young stood pondering at the spot where Kang Woo-ju had left. Honestly, he hadn’t expected things to turn out this way when he first started his plan.
“…Hmm?”
“What is it, Director?”
“Wait here for a moment.”
“Huh? Oh, yes. Understood.”
Leaving his subordinates waiting, Baek Do-young headed somewhere. He passed the corner where the elevator was located and opened the door to the adjacent emergency staircase.
“It’s been a while, Kim Eun-ha.”
“You always had a good sense.”
Leaning against the wall, Kim Eun-ha slowly got up. A profoundly satisfied smile was on her lips.
Baek Do-young, slightly frowning, spoke again.
“You’ve found yourself an interesting toy.”
“Oh, a toy? He’s my precious boyfriend.”
“Do you think such a prank would work on the Chairman?”
“Of course it won’t.
“Then why…”
“If it were a trick, that is.”
“……!?”
Baek Do-young’s eyes flashed at her uncommon reaction.
Kim Eun-ha’s smile deepened at this rare reaction. Then, as if she had seen all she needed, she turned around without any lingering attachment.
“Ah, look at me forgetting myself.”
As she was climbing the stairs, Kim Eun-ha suddenly stopped in her tracks. Turning her head, she opened her mouth with a completely unsmiling, dry expression.
“Do not approach Woo-ju without my permission. I’ll let it slide today because I’m in a good mood, but next time, I’ll break those annoying glasses of yours.”
“…Your bad taste remains unchanged. Leaving Kang Woo-ju ssi’s past records deliberately unorganized for me to see as if you did it on purpose.”
“You’re overestimating me too much.”
Smirk-
Kim Eun-ha’s lips curled into a gentle smile again. After bidding a light farewell to Baek Do-young, she left the place without any hesitation.
Left alone, Baek Do-young slowly turned around after glaring at the spot where she had disappeared.
‘…Kang Woo-ju.’
He had thought it was just a bluff to avoid an arranged marriage, but Kim Eun-ha’s attitude was bothering him.
Despite having many other options that were more appealing and easier to manage, why did she specifically choose Kang Woo-ju?
‘Could it be…’
No, that couldn’t be it.
Baek Do-young immediately dismissed the hypothesis that had formed in his mind. After all, she wasn’t someone to waste her time on a trivial plaything.
While organizing his thoughts, Baek Do-young had unknowingly returned to his original spot. He asked his subordinates, who looked at him with questioning eyes.
“Ah, Director.”
“What did you think?”
“Eh? Ah… If you’re asking about Kang Woo-ju, it felt a bit strange. I can’t explain it clearly, but he doesn’t seem like an ordinary person.”
“Right. Normally, people would at least look back once due to nervousness when we stand behind them, but he didn’t show any signs of that.”
“Him?”
“Sorry, sorry! It just slipped out without realizing…”
Hmm-
Observing his subordinate’s reaction, Baek Do-young fell into thought again. He, too, had been receiving a somewhat similar vibe.
“Do you still have the research material we gathered before?”
“Yes, we’ve kept everything intact without missing a single detail.”
“From now on, treat all materials related to Kang Woo-ju as top secret. Contact the digital morticians to collect all related materials and delete the originals. Make sure to silence anyone related as well.”
“Yes. Understood.”
The employees, professional as they were, showed no signs of questioning. They simply moved quickly to follow the orders.
Baek Do-young, leading them, didn’t waste any more time. He immediately drove off in his car that was parked outside the department store.
‘I need to investigate this more thoroughly.’
Vroom-!
Baek Do-young’s car began to speed off on the road.