Chapter 45 – Trap of the Trap (4)
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Im Hee-yeon sat anxiously on the sofa in Myung Joong-hwan’s study.
She had thought about running out after hearing the news of Shin-woo’s abduction, but with KITE’s Special Security Team 1 and other guards under Myung Joong-hwan already tracking him, she decided to wait quietly.
Reporting it to the authorities was an option, but Shin-woo had previously barely escaped an assassination attempt disguised as a car accident.
This incident was effectively the second attempt. For the sake of both Shin-woo’s safety and MH Group’s image, it was crucial to act discreetly.
As silence filled the room, Myung Joong-hwan, seated opposite her, looked at Goo Sang-ho.
“What’s the current situation? Is it still hard to track them?”
“They’re using a burner car, and it disappeared into a CCTV blind spot in the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province. We’re searching as thoroughly as possible and should have results soon.”
“Thorough indeed. That means these people are well-prepared.”
Goo Sang-ho bowed to both Im Hee-yeon and Myung Joong-hwan.
“My apologies.”
“Hmm… No need. Shin-woo is known for evading tails well. That’s why you had to guard him from a distance, which delayed your response.”
“……”
Im Hee-yeon also understood why this situation had unfolded and knew it wasn’t anyone’s fault.
Hearing her silence, Myung Joong-hwan let out a heavy sigh.
“Who could be behind this…? No leads on the burner car yet?”
“We’re still verifying that. But as the car itself is illegal and often sold through middlemen in decentralized networks, it won’t be easy.”
“Should we involve the police?”
“Tracking its route through CCTV might be faster than pursuing the car itself.”
At that moment, Goo Sang-ho’s phone rang.
The call was from Lee Doo-heon, a member of Special Security Team 1, who was involved in the search.
“What’s the status?”
Goo Sang-ho put the call on speakerphone so that Myung Joong-hwan and Im Hee-yeon could hear.
[We’ve located CEO Baek Shin-woo.]
“What’s his condition?”
[He’s unharmed. But…]
The hesitation in Lee Doo-heon’s response caused Goo Sang-ho, Myung Joong-hwan, and Im Hee-yeon to grow increasingly anxious.
[The individuals who abducted him aren’t in good shape. We’ve requested ambulances. Should we coordinate with the police?]
“Do we have the suspects’ identities?”
[They’re Ahn Seung-joo from S-One Finance and twelve of his debt collection team employees. Most have sustained fractures, and Ahn Seung-joo, in particular, has both knees broken.]
For a moment, the three were left speechless.
Eventually, Goo Sang-ho turned to Myung Joong-hwan, seeking direction.
“What should we do?”
“This is Myung Joong-hwan. Is CEO Baek Shin-woo with you now?”
[Yes, Chairman. He’s right here.]
“Let me speak with him.”
The call was handed over.
[This is Baek Shin-woo speaking.]
“Are you okay?”
[I’m fine.]
“Good. So, what do you want to do about this?”
[Do I have the authority to decide?]
“Well, technically, we weren’t the ones abducted.”
There was a brief pause before Shin-woo responded.
[Let’s just let it go. Even if we press charges, it’s not like they’d end up in prison.]
Ahn Seung-joo was the heir to S-One Finance, one of Korea’s largest financial groups. His connections extended to the police, prosecutors, courts, and even politics.
Even if Ahn Seung-joo were arrested, he’d use his resources to influence the outcome.
“You seem to know how this world works. But remember, you’re a part of MH Group. If you want, we can ensure Ahn Seung-joo faces proper consequences.”
[MH Group wouldn’t want to sour relations with S-One Finance, so let’s not say things we don’t mean.]
While Ahn Seung-joo was a reckless heir, S-One Finance’s liquidity and corporate influence couldn’t be ignored.
Even though Myung Joong-hwan disliked their management style, he maintained ties with the company out of pragmatism.
“Your focus on practicality over emotions is noted.”
[If there’s nothing else, I’ll pass the phone back.]
“Your mother is here, too. Don’t you have anything to say to her?”
[Not really.]
As the call returned to Lee Doo-heon, Goo Sang-ho began issuing necessary instructions.
Meanwhile, although Im Hee-yeon hadn’t spoken directly with Shin-woo, hearing his voice reassured her, and she let out a sigh of relief.
Seeing this, Myung Joong-hwan gave her an intrigued look.
“To think I’d see such an expression from you.”
“I was just a bit worried.”
Im Hee-yeon brushed it off, avoiding further discussion.
“It’s not as though he’s by a peaceful riverside. He’s in the middle of a battlefield. Of course, you’d be concerned.”
“What are you thinking, Chairman?”
“What do you mean?”
His calm response prompted a soft sigh from Im Hee-yeon.
“About Shin-woo. No matter how capable he is, he’s only twenty-three. Don’t you think he’s bearing too much?”
Myung Joong-hwan’s expression grew heavy.
“…Twenty-three. Now that you mention it, you’re right. It’s easy to forget his age when you see the things he does.”
Shin-woo hadn’t even received formal education in business or management. Yet, his capabilities were far beyond what could be expected of someone his age.
“To be honest, I thought he’d fail right from the start.”
“I didn’t think much differently. But he’s demonstrated overwhelming ability…”
In comparison, Shin-woo had already surpassed Myung Un-seok and Myung Jin-seok in terms of competence.
“That’s why I’m curious about your intentions. After all, Shin-woo has no future here, right? I understand the necessity of his talents now, but shouldn’t you leave some room for him?”
“I know what concerns you. You’re worried about what will happen once In-chul takes over after me.”
Even now, MH Group was embroiled in a quiet but intense succession war for the chairman’s position.
Whoever succeeded the role would undoubtedly eliminate any remaining siblings. Im Hee-yeon and Shin-woo, as the most prominent outliers, would be the first targets.
“Of course, leaving quietly wouldn’t be a problem, but you know better than anyone that no one will let that happen.”
“What would you like me to do?”
Im Hee-yeon hesitated briefly before bringing up something she had thought about for a long time.
“At least provide him with a secure position. I don’t need one, but Shin-woo does. His management abilities have already been recognized to some extent. Please leave him a position that others can’t easily touch.”
“Is there really a need for that already?”
At Myung Joong-hwan’s calm question, Im Hee-yeon’s expression sharpened.
“Would you say the same thing if Shin-woo were to join TSF Investment?”
It was the very topic of discussion between Myung Joong-hwan and Im Hee-yeon earlier today.
“That must not happen.”
“Then you must make your move to ensure you don’t lose him.”
“There’s some truth to what you’re saying.”
Im Hee-yeon’s suggestion wasn’t about giving Shin-woo company shares or similar stakes. She merely wanted him to have a secure position within the group where no one could harm him.
“Please, consider it.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“I’ll take my leave now.”
As Im Hee-yeon stood up, Myung Joong-hwan turned to Goo Sang-ho, who had just finished a call.
“Could you summon In-chul and Un-seok?”
“I’ll call them immediately.”
Goo Sang-ho, who had his own suspicions about who orchestrated Shin-woo’s abduction, quickly understood Myung Joong-hwan’s intentions.
***
Shin-woo was still near Ahn Seung-joo’s hideout.
After finishing a call, Lee Doo-heon approached him.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?”
“I’m fine. But could you lend me a car? I can’t walk back to Seoul.”
They were currently in the southeastern outskirts of Gyeonggi Province. At this late hour, there were no buses, and it was impossible to leave without someone giving him a ride.
“I’m sorry, but the Chairman instructed me to stay with you until your security team is fully prepared.”
Shin-woo furrowed his brow at that.
“Sorry, but that’s not going to work for me. It’s uncomfortable to move around with so many people.”
More importantly, Shin-woo couldn’t bring bodyguards when meeting Jang Man-soo or attending to “special” matters.
But Lee Doo-heon didn’t back down easily.
“You almost faced serious danger this time and the last.”
Though it was a reasonable argument, Shin-woo wasn’t about to accept it without a fight.
“I let myself get caught because I was curious about who was tailing me so blatantly. You’ve seen the results for yourself.”
When Lee Doo-heon found Shin-woo, he had traced him to an abandoned building complex at the end of a mountain road. There, over a dozen men lay incapacitated, their joints and pressure points struck.
In contrast, Shin-woo looked entirely unharmed, clearly demonstrating the disparity in their abilities.
“I know what you demonstrated to the KITE guards. But even a skilled individual has limits when facing a group. As the CEO, you should accept protection.”
For a moment, Shin-woo felt a surge of frustration.
‘If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve taken a different path through the mountains.’
He hadn’t expected the Special Security Team to find Ahn Seung-joo’s hideout so quickly.
This forced Shin-woo to explain everything to Lee Doo-heon and the other team members on-site.
“Even so, I don’t want it. Besides, I’m the CEO of KITE. Even the Special Security Team can’t ignore the final decision of the top executive, right?”
“The Chairman is KITE’s largest shareholder, and these are his orders.”
Faced with this rigid response, Shin-woo sighed and patted Lee Doo-heon on the shoulder.
Tap. Tap.
“Do you really have to live so inflexibly?”
“We follow orders. Please wait until the situation here is fully resolved.”
“Fine. I’ll wait in the car.”
“Thank you.”
Annoyed but resigned, Shin-woo climbed into the backseat of an empty car.
Lee Doo-heon, feeling slightly relieved, continued receiving reports from the other security personnel at the scene.
Vroom—
Screech!
Suddenly, a car parked at the entrance sped backward with a loud brake screech, performed a sharp 180-degree turn, and bolted away at full speed.
“That car…”
“Isn’t that your car, Chief?”
One of the subordinates identified the vehicle.
In that instant, Lee Doo-heon checked his pockets.
The car key he had just had a few minutes ago was now missing. And in the backseat of the fleeing car was none other than Shin-woo.
At the same time, the memory of Shin-woo patting his shoulder flashed through his mind.
“CEO—!!”
He shouted in urgency, but the car, a new purchase from just three months ago, had already disappeared from sight.
—
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