Chapter 180 – Hmm.. – – Part 4

Chapter 180 – Hmm.. – – Part 4

They will come.

No matter who it is.

All he had to do was wait.

Woojin, who had been standing still and looking at the path he had walked, turned around and headed towards the Villa.

* * *

Cha Juhyeok, who had informed Woojin of the news, ran his hand through his well-groomed hair.

He had bribed the driver of Lee Jeongmi, who had been set as the first target.

He pondered why Director Shin Woojin had chosen Lee Jeongmi first.

Among Chairman Lee’s children, she was the most active.

Simply put, she acted according to her emotions and spoke freely as she pleased.

If he bribed her driver, he could easily find out what she was doing and thinking.

Was that why?

Secondly, he also kept an eye on the close associates of Youngest Lee Jeonghye.

However, he could not approach Representative Lee Jeongho.

‘Representative Lee Jeongho will not be easy. Try once, and if it doesn’t work out, stop immediately.’

As Director Shin Woojin had said, Cha Juhyeok only tested the waters and did not push any further.

It seemed that figures such as drivers and secretaries were so loyal to Lee Jeongho that bribery would not work at all.

On the contrary, if he had even brought up money, it would have immediately reached Representative Lee Jeongho’s ears.

And the work that was done simultaneously with bribing these people.

It was a bone-chilling task.

Because he had entered and exited the heart of the owner’s family.

If he had been caught, he would probably be wearing handcuffs by now, let alone being kicked out of SH Strategy.

As if being thoroughly dusted off. No, he might even have additional false charges and have to spend his old age in a detention room.

Just then, his cellphone vibrated.

It was a subordinate staff member.

“Hello.”

-It seems Representative Lee Jeongho has called Chief Jo.

Cha Juhyeok’s eyes widened slightly.

It was quite unusual for Representative Lee Jeongho to call Chief Jo, who was leading SH Strategy.

Chief Jo, who only received direct orders from Chairman Lee, was someone even the owner’s family members couldn’t dare to treat carelessly.

There was another reason.

Chief Jo would step in when Chairman Lee would scold or reprimand his children.

He knew all their past weaknesses and flaws, so they couldn’t take him lightly.

He might have even secretly hidden such information.

“Understood. Keep an eye on it. Keep reporting.”

-Yes.

Cha Juhyeok put a cigarette to his lips and closed his eyes.

Then he let out a small laugh.

The situation was moving quietly.

As if a room would explode with a bang, causing a massive upheaval.

How would it all unfold?

Cha Juhyeok, who had retrieved his cigarette, called Woojin.

“Director Shin, are you busy?”

-Just a moment.

Director Shin Woojin’s voice was heard again, speaking to someone.

-You have the right to remain silent…

Cha Juhyeok blinked.

Cha Juhyeok had never seen Woojin in a police uniform, so he couldn’t quite imagine Woojin arresting someone while wearing one.

—Speak.

“Ah, yes. Representative Lee Jeongho called Chief Jo.”

—So you’ve finally caught a glimpse of their tail.

The tail leading to Chairman Lee.

—How about Lee Jeongmi?

“She hasn’t made any particular moves. We’re only keeping a close eye on Young Lady Lee Hyerim.”

—And Lee Jeonghye?

“She’s meeting with lawyers and shareholders.”

—Aren’t you getting in?

“Huh?”

Woojin wasn’t talking to Cha Juhyeok.

He was talking to the person in handcuffs.

—If you don’t get in, it’ll be obstruction of justice…

Another man’s groan was immediately heard.

—Ugh! I get it! I get it! I’ll get in… Ugh! Can a police officer even do this… Cough!

Thud!

With the sound of the car door closing, Woojin’s voice was heard again.

—Understood. Things are flowing naturally. Keep me updated.

“Yes. Please come in.”

After ending the call, Cha Juhyeok muttered, looking at his cellphone.

What could be flowing naturally?

It felt like an earthquake in the financial world, enough to crack the ground wide open.

***

Chief Jo, who had come to Lee Jeongho’s CEO’s office, bowed.

“Did you call for me?”

Lee Jeongho stood up and smiled gently.

“Chief Jo, I hope I haven’t inconvenienced you by asking to meet, especially when you’re so busy.”

“It’s fine.”

“Don’t just stand there, let’s sit.”

As Lee Jeongho sat on the sofa, Chief Jo finally took a seat as well.

“What you wanted to say…”

As Chief Jo’s voice trailed off, Lee Jeongho’s smile deepened.

“Chief Jo, how many years have you been with my father?”

“I’ve been serving him for 20 years.”

Chief Jo nodded his head.

“It’s been that long already. I want to thank you on Father’s behalf.”

“I only did it because I wanted to serve him.”

Just then, the Secretary entered and set down the tea.

As Chief Jo briefly looked at the teacup, Lee Jeongho’s gaze fell on Chief Jo.

‘He only did it because he wanted to serve him, huh…’

In a flash, a sneer appeared and vanished from Lee Jeongho’s lips.

Then Chief Jo spoke.

“If you’re asking about the Chairman’s whereabouts, you’re wasting your time. I’ve looked into it myself, but I couldn’t find out where he is.”

He had truly vanished as if evaporated.

Even keeping an eye on Lee Hyerim didn’t yield any information.

But in Lee Jeongho’s eyes, the path to Father began to reveal itself.

He had found out by instilling fear, spilling blood, and blackmailing people.

Lee Jeongho said,

“Are you uneasy?”

Chief Jo’s eyes widened slightly, as if asking what he meant.

“What on earth…”

“I’ve been thinking. What would happen to Chief Jo if something happened to Father?”

“I don’t think anything like that will happen. He hasn’t had any health problems. And isn’t he someone whose thoughts are completely unfathomable? I think this is just another one of those series of events.”

Lee Jeongho, who had been staring at Chief Jo, nodded, maintaining his friendly smile.

“I hope so too. It’s my wish. I just wanted to tell you this, which is why I asked to see you. Even if something were to happen to Father, I hope Chief Jo will remain as a Guardian for our Shinhwa Group. From now on, too.”

“The tea was good. May I leave first?”

Despite Chief Jo’s firm words, Lee Jeongho stood up and smiled.

“Of course. You must be busy, I’ll treat you to better tea next time.”

Chief Jo then stood up and bowed to Lee Jeongho.

“Then.”

As Chief Jo left, Lee Jeongho let out a small laugh.

And he recalled the words he had forbidden himself to say.

‘A Guardian of the Shinhwa Group….’

He had uttered embarrassing words.

Lee Jeongho, who had been looking at the door Chief Jo had exited, turned his body and shifted his gaze to the window.

Guardian is utter nonsense.

The fellow who wouldn’t budge even when secretly called without Father knowing, who wouldn’t move without Father’s permission, has come.

He is anxious about Father’s absence.

“Guardian… it’s not even funny.”

Lee Jeongho’s laughter grew deeper.

To him, Chief Jo was nothing more than a dog.

A cur that eats excrement, nothing more, nothing less.

All he had to do was put a collar on him and train him.

That’s what will happen.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

At the sound of the knock, Lee Jeongho replied without even turning his head.

“Come in.”

Soon, a man in a neat suit bowed.

“What happened?”

“We found him. We sent someone right away. The location is…”

“Stop.”

Lee Jeongho, cutting him off, put his hands on his hips.

His expression had hardened, unlike before.

“Make sure he’s well taken care of, so he doesn’t say a word. No, stuff money down his throat so he can’t even speak.”

“Understood.”

* * *

A hiker was climbing a mountain path.

Wearing a hat, he appeared to be in his mid-30s.

Dressed like a professional mountaineer, he could have been enjoying the scenery, but he was walking stiffly, keeping his gaze straight ahead.

How much time had passed like that?

A charming villa nestled against the mountain came into his view.

His steps slowed considerably.

He moved, turning his head as if checking every part of the villa.

And soon, his pupils dilated.

It was because Chairman Lee appeared, coming out.

Chairman Lee, wearing a farmer’s hat, began watering the young trees.

Just then, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

“What?”

He frowned and turned his head, and the man who had bumped his shoulder, Woojin, bowed slightly.

“I’m sorry. Are you okay? I was looking at my cellphone…”

“It’s fine, just go.”

“I’m sorry.”

Woojin bowed to him once more and then walked past.

He mumbled to himself.

“So, you’re the one they sent, huh?”

Though he was a stranger, the man made a gesture as if he had found what he was looking for. Woojin could tell better from up close.

Woojin immediately made a call and said,

“Room 3 PM. A guest has arrived. Just check it out, pretend you don’t know anything.”

At Woojin’s words, the bodyguard standing in front of the villa, with a cellphone to his ear, turned his head.

He saw a hiker whose face was mostly hidden by a deeply pulled-down hat, but Woojin could feel his gaze flickering towards them.

Woojin’s voice was heard again.

-They’ll offer you other people’s annual salaries. Probably even more than that. As I told you, it’s easy money. You can take it.

The call ended, and Woojin left the spot without hesitation.

The bodyguard soon retracted his gaze, as if he had no interest in the hiker.

About 20 minutes later, as Chairman Lee entered the villa, the hiker, who had been out of sight for a moment, approached the bodyguard.

“The villa looks like a painting. If it’s not too much trouble, could I ask you something?”

The bodyguard answered the smiling man without flinching.

“If you’re asking for directions, I don’t know them either.”

“That’s fortunate.”

The man’s smile deepened.

Time passed, and after his shift change, the bodyguard went to a coffee shop.

The person the bodyguard was facing was the hiker from earlier.

“As I mentioned, Chairman Lee’s family is very worried about him. This is just to confirm that he’s doing well somewhere. They also don’t want to disturb Chairman Lee’s rest. We will compensate you sufficiently.”

The man dressed as a hiker subtly pushed a shopping bag next to the bodyguard’s leg.

The bodyguard subtly pushed aside the newspaper covering the inside of the shopping bag.

Instantly, his eyes widened dramatically.

The bundles of 50,000 won notes were stacked so neatly; it looked like well over 100 million won.

As he watched, he unconsciously swallowed dryly.

The hiker’s voice was heard again.

If you help me, I won’t forget it. Your family is very worried.

The bodyguard cleared his throat and said,

“Is that really all it takes?

As words of greed flowed from the bodyguard’s mouth, the hiker smiled and nodded.

“Yes.”