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Chapter 318: Seo Jae-Ill (2)

Seo Jae-Ill had uncovered that the kidnappers of Nalsae were part of a violent gang called the Icheon faction operating in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do.

However, as soon as the investigation began, the Icheon faction suddenly disbanded and the kidnappers\' whereabouts became unknown.

Additionally, before the authorities could even issue wanted notices for the missing kidnappers, pressure came down from above.

Enraged, Seo Jae-Ill confronted his superiors and was now on the brink of demotion.

"It looks like Choi Man-Sik pulled some strings, huh?" I remarked.

Kang Eun-Gi nodded in agreement. "But Yoon-Ho, did you mention Choi Man-Sik\'s name to Prosecutor Seo by chance?"

"No, I just tipped him off to look into Nalsae\'s kidnappers."

Even though I knew how capable Seo Jae-Ill was, I didn\'t expect him to take down someone as big as Choi Man-Sik, the future son-in-law of a high-ranking government official, in one go.

I had hoped he might at least sever Choi Man-Sik\'s underlings, but it seemed Choi Man-Sik\'s side had acted more decisively than I\'d anticipated.

"If Prosecutor Seo gets demoted, what will happen to you? What about your safety?" I asked with concern.

"Don\'t worry. I\'ve got plenty of people here on my side."

"Stop with the nonsense and tell me the truth!"

"...It\'ll get a bit tougher, I guess."

If Seo Jae-Ill were demoted, a different prosecutor would be assigned. And in that case, those targeting Kang Eun-Gi\'s life would have more freedom to act.

I needed to find a way to prevent Seo Jae-Ill from being demoted.

\'What should I do?\' I wondered.

That\'s when a thought crossed my mind: if I reported the incident involving Park Sang-Gon\'s aide, Seo Jae-Ill might be able to use that card to avoid his demotion.

I decided to check my planner just in case.

[Everyday V10.1]

[Date: September 30, 2020]

-11:30 p.m.: Naksan Park Parking Lot, Seoul. (Report: Instructions relayed to Team Lead Kang Myung-Gil.)

As expected, nothing in the schedule had changed yet. However, before I could act on this, there was something I needed to confirm with Kang Eun-Gi.

"Eun-Gi, do you really trust Prosecutor Seo?"

"Yeah. He might look rough but he\'s got a good heart. Right after I got stabbed, he sent someone to check on Yeon-Sil too. He\'s got too much pride, but he\'s not the type to take the wrong side."

It was the same answer I\'d heard from Lee Soo-Chan.

"Got it. I\'ll try to sort out the issue with Prosecutor Seo."

"How are you planning to do that?"

"Don\'t worry about it. I\'ve got my ways."

Just as I turned to leave, Kang Eun-Gi cautiously spoke up. "Yoon-Ho, about... that old man, what\'s he like?"

"What do you mean?"

Kang Eun-Gi mumbled without meeting my eyes, "You know...that rich old man."

It seemed he couldn\'t bring himself to say "father" as he stumbled over his words.

I thought it would take a little longer for him to bring up his father. However, being stuck in the detention center, Kang Eun-Gi was showing a slightly more vulnerable side than usual.

Still, I intentionally answered nonchalantly. "He\'s old and looks frail to do anything. Finding his son before he dies is apparently his last wish."

"..."

"But if you ask me, it\'s all just a show. If you\'ve decided not to meet him, draw a firm line and stick to it."

Kang Eun-Gi reluctantly responded, "Yeah, I guess I should..."

\'What a stubborn guy through and through,

\' I thought.

It seemed like it wouldn\'t be long before Kang Eun-Gi would ask to meet his father first.

"Alright then, I\'m leaving. Take care of yourself."

"Yeah, you too. Stay safe."

After saying goodbye to Kang Eun-Gi, I left the detention center.

As soon as I stepped out of the front gate, I spoke to Lee Soo-Chan who had come along with me. "Soo-Chan."

"Yes, hyung-nim."

"Try bringing up President Choi occasionally with Eun-Gi."

"But he might get uncomfortable with it."

I shook my head calmly. "Eun-Gi always says one thing but feels another. Even if it means they\'ll meet and argue or part ways again, they still need to meet at least once."

Lee Soo-Chan glanced over at the detention center. Being an orphan himself, he understood the longing for a father better than anyone. That\'s why he understood our situation more than anyone else.

Lee Soo-Chan nodded. "I\'ll do as you say."

"But don\'t push too hard. Just bring it up now and then. Read the room carefully."

"Yes, I will."

After repeating my instructions, I walked with Lee Soo-Chan toward the parking lot.

Then, Lee Soo-Chan suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh, by the way, hyung-nim. We sent Nalsae to the U.S."

"Oh? It looked like he was hurt pretty badly. I thought he\'d be stuck in the hospital for a while. Is he already better?"

"No. We thought it would be dangerous for him to stay here, so he decided to receive treatment in the U.S."

Nalsae, who had gone to the U.S., said he was going to find Choi Sung-Ae—Kim Dong-Soo\'s weak spot.

"He said he\'d find Choi Sung-Ae no matter what and asked that you avenge him."

I still didn\'t feel much affection for Nalsae, but at least he had contributed to our cause this time. If my name had been leaked instead of his, it might have been me who got hurt instead of Kang Eun-Gi.

"Alright. Take care, I\'m heading off first."

After parting ways with Lee Soo-Chan, I called Choi Eun-Tae before meeting with Seo Jae-Ill.

When I finished explaining the situation, Choi Eun-Tae spoke in a trembling voice.

-Were the injuries severe?

"No."

Choi Eun-Tae sighed, a mix of relief and regret in his breath.

-And...he hasn\'t mentioned wanting to meet yet?

"It\'ll take a few weeks, so please be patient and wait. If you rush things, you might end up making things worse."

-Ugh... Understood.

I also updated him on Seo Jae-Ill\'s current situation and suggested that I give Seo Jae-Ill the photos of Park Sang-Gon\'s aide receiving money.

-Alright. But make sure you also give me a copy. That way, I can take action too.

"Yes, I will."

-And make sure Prosecutor Seo doesn\'t find out that Eun-Gi is my son.

"I already planned to keep that hidden."

As I was about to end the call, I asked something that had been on my mind. "By the way, did you have a hand in the \'99 Bokbunja\' ad offer that came in for Ha-Na?"

Kang Ha-Na\'s average contract price ranged from 90 to 120 million won, but the \'99 Bokbunja Can\' deal was a whopping 150 million won for just a six-month contract.

I\'d scrutinized the contract thoroughly because it was an unusually good offer, but I couldn\'t find any issues with it.

However, Choi Eun-Tae came to mind the moment I signed the contract.

As expected, Choi Eun-Tae cleared his throat awkwardly.

-Ahem! I have no idea what you\'re talking about.

He was trying to support me, worried that I might not reach the 10 billion won sales target.

-A-alright. Anway, I\'ll look into Prosecutor Seo\'s situation too! Goodbye now!

Click.

Clearly flustered, Choi Eun-Tae hurriedly ended the call.

The notorious loan shark of Myeong-Dong was showing kindness to me because I was his son\'s friend.

Surprisingly, it didn\'t feel bad at all.

***

When I called Seo Jae-Ill to arrange a meeting, he came straight to the office.

Unlike his previously composed figure that had once calmly pressured me, he now appeared disheveled as if he hadn\'t slept for days. His hair was messy and his face was slick with oil.

Upon seeing me, Seo Jae-Ill immediately demanded, "Who exactly are you fighting against?"

In the past few days of investigating Nalsae\'s kidnappers, Seo Jae-Ill had encountered situations typically faced when dealing with corporate conglomerates or high-ranking lawmakers.

He sighed and said that he\'d been digging through evidence without sleep to resist the unjust orders from above.

I looked at him and said, "From now on, you must keep what I\'m about to tell you a secret."

"Don\'t worry, my lips are sealed. Just tell me quickly."

Looking into Seo Jae-Ill\'s bloodshot eyes, I reminded him once more. "This involves more than just one or two lives."

Realizing he was too worked up, Seo Jae-Ill started taking deep breaths. He stood up abruptly and headed to the restroom.

Moments later, he returned after having washed his face and combed his hair. Then he sat before me with a composed posture. "I have never compromised an informant\'s identity since becoming a prosecutor."

I began to feel a bit of trust when I met his unwavering and confident gaze.

I continued, "The truth is, Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon is involved in this."

Seo Jae-Ill fell silent upon hearing Park Sang-Gon\'s name.

\'Does he think he\'s stepped on something nasty?\' I wondered.

I didn\'t think Seo Jae-Ill was the type to cower at the mention of a big name.

When he raised his head, his face was lit with a look of excitement. "I knew it... If it\'s Park Sang-Gon, it all makes sense."

"Moreover, Choi Man-Sik of Future Imagination Savings Bank is also involved," I added.

At that moment, Seo Jae-Ill\'s turned even more eager. "If it\'s Choi Man-Sik from Myeong-Dong, he\'s someone I\'ve been gunning for anyway."

Seo Jae-Ill, like me, had a past conflict with Choi Man-Sik, whom he investigated for illegal loans and embezzlement, but was released for lack of evidence.

Seo Jae-Ill thought for a moment before asking, "From what I can gather, it seems that Eun-Gi stumbled upon some dirty secret of Park Sang-Gon\'s. So acting under Park\'s orders, Choi Man-Sik targeted Kang Eun-Gi. Is that correct?"

I nodded. "More or less."

Keeping the fact that Eun-Gi was his son hidden naturally led to such a conclusion. I played along with his assumptions, offering just enough to align with his reasoning.

Seo Jae-Ill clapped his hands, saying he\'d found the direction for the investigation. "Okay, then we\'ll target Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon. Beating around the bush isn\'t my style."

Relieved to have a way to break through the blockage, Seo Jae-Ill laughed. "Haha. But really. If you were going to give me information, why didn\'t you just do it right from the start instead of making it so roundabout?"

"I\'m sorry about that. I really wasn\'t sure about you at the time..."

"Oh, come on. Do I really look that rough?"

I wanted to be honest and answer yes, but I shook my head as I didn\'t want to hurt his feelings.

"I tend to be quite suspicious of others," I explained.

Seo Jae-Ill didn\'t seem convinced, but I held my ground.

Then, I proposed an idea to help save him from his demotion. "Would it help if there were photos of Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon\'s aide receiving money?"

Seo Jae-Ill quickly glanced around and lowered his voice. "Of course. Do you have such evidence?"

When I nodded, his face brightened considerably. But if I disclosed this too soon, the contents of my planner might change. For this reason, I only told him it would be available around the end of the month and promised to deliver the evidence on the day itself.

I continued, "And meeting with President Choi Eun-Tae, Choi Man-Sik\'s adoptive father, might help in resolving this matter."

Seo Jae-Ill tilted his head. "Choi Eun-Tae? The big shot loan shark from Myeong-Dong, right? I heard he\'s mostly retired... Is he somehow involved in this too?"

"No. But think about why Park Sang-Gon, a political heavyweight, would want to make a giant in underground finance like Choi Man-Sik his son-in-law."

Seo Jae-Ill\'s eyes widened. "Are you saying he\'s trying to snatch up Choi Eun-Tae\'s wealth?"

"Exactly. The alliance between the two is all about President Choi Eun-Tae\'s fortune. Legally, an adopted son is eligible for inheritance."

"This sounds like something out of a trashy drama..."

Choi Man-Sik\'s betrayal of his adoptive father and his attempts to eliminate Kang Eun-Gi, the biological son, were clearly motivated by his desire to monopolize Choi Eun-Tae\'s assets. His alliance with Park Sang-Gon was undoubtedly for the same reason.

Because the pie was too big to eat alone, he needed protection from the political sphere.

Seo Jae-Ill nodded. "Understood. I\'ll start digging on my end as well."

The demotion was set for mid-next month, and he said there was still time until then.

After shaking hands with Seo Jae-Ill, I got up from my seat.

Besides dealing with the matter of Choi Man-Sik, I also had a backlog of work to handle in my main job.

***

[In the Name of God Episode 17 Viewership Ratings: 32.7%! "Which Episode Will Break the 35% Wall?"]

[Beyond the Boundary, VIP Screening on September 24th. Celebrities Gather!]

[The Most Anticipated Release of the Second Half of the Year, Beyond the Boundary Premieres on September 25th!]

It was September 24th.

A day before the premiere of Lee Tae-Poong\'s comeback film Beyond the Boundary, a VIP screening attended by celebrities was held.

I headed to LT Cinema inside LT Tower located in Jamsil with all the celebrities from Team Jung.

Sitting in the middle of the back row, Miso was thrilled to be surrounded by Yoo-Jin, Cherry Blossom members, Haru, and Kang Ha-Na.

"Miso, do you like going to the screening that much?" I asked.

"Yes~ I love it!" Miso exclaimed excitedly while hugging her Powertuff Girls doll tightly.

Then she turned to me and asked, "Oh, right, Uncle Yoon-Ho. But why don\'t dramas have screenings?"

"Why? Would you like it if dramas had screenings like this?"

Miso blinked her eyes in excitement. "Yeah! It\'d be great if we could all get dressed up in nice clothes and gather together."

At that moment, Sae-Ri shook her head and said that it wouldn\'t work. "Miso, screenings are only for movies."

Miso blinked. "So we can\'t? Dramas can\'t have screenings? Huh? Sae-Ri unnie?"

"No, Miso. They can\'t."

Miso pouted slightly, and that\'s when an idea struck me. "Who says they can\'t? They can!"

At that moment, Miso\'s eyes widened. "Really?"

"We can have everyone gather before the drama airs and do a live broadcast on MeTube."

We could create a prologue broadcast introducing the drama and stream it live on MeTube. We\'d select a host, gather the cast members, and interact with people in the chat.

\'It\'d be perfect publicity!\' I thought.

When I gave my suggestion, Miso raised both hands in the air and cheered. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, you\'re the best!"

I smiled. "Yeah? Then you\'re the best too, Miso!"

Miso started singing happily as we headed to LT Tower in high spirits.

Following the parking attendant\'s guidance, we parked on the VIP-designated parking floor. After getting out of the car, we began fixing our outfits for the photo taking before entering the theater.

Just then, a yellow Ramborghini pulled into the parking lot. With its eye-catching color, all eyes turned toward the Ramborghini.

As the car stopped, the right gull-wing door opened and a familiar face appeared.

It was So Yi-Yung, an actress from Chungmuro who had competed with us in dramas.

\'What is she doing here?\' I wondered.

So Yi-Yung stepped out of the car in a tight silver dress that clung to her body. Then a man got out of the driver\'s seat.

At that moment, my fists clenched tightly without realizing it.

\'Fuck. Why is he here?\' I cursed inwardly.

The man was none other than the genius film director Jo Jae-Kyung with whom I had a fierce and bitter history in my past life.