Chapter 15: The Predator’s Table

The room was so spacious it felt desolate. Four people sat across from one another at a large table. Hearing the trickling sound of alcohol being poured into glasses, Hyeonseo stole a glance at Jeonghyeok beside her.

During the car ride here, he hadn’t uttered a single word. She couldn’t tell if he was in a foul mood, tired, or simply busy calculating his moves for this important meeting. He felt worlds apart from the man who, just yesterday, had forced a bag of medicine into her hands and driven her to her front door. Of course, her own emotions had been such a chaotic mess yesterday that she hadn’t been in her right mind either.

“I was inwardly worried that contacting you so suddenly might be an imposition,” Ahn Seong-tae said with a hollow, booming laugh as he filled Seo Jeonghyeok’s glass.

He was the facilitator of today’s meeting. It was he who had dragged Kim Kyeong-uk—the man they had marked as the strongest opponent in their bond acquisition plan—to this table. For Ahn, ensuring that the actual power of Eunsung Pharmaceuticals passed to his soon-to-be son-in-law, Jo Inho, was the only way this marriage would be a profitable transaction. Naturally, he was aggressive about winning over the creditors.

“An imposition? It’s an honor to be in such good company thanks to you, Assemblyman,” Jeonghyeok replied smoothly.

The cold face from a moment ago was gone, replaced by a shamelessly slick persona. Kim Kyeong-uk, sitting next to Ahn Seong-tae, still looked displeased. His expression suggested that while he had been forced to show up, he hadn’t been fully won over yet. He seemed determined to maintain his pride since he was already here.

Jeonghyeok raised his glass toward Kim Kyeong-uk with a curl of his lip. “Please, have a drink.”

He poured the liquor into the glass Kim held out reluctantly. The metal watch on Jeonghyeok’s tilted wrist flashed elegantly.

Hyeonseo couldn’t take her eyes off him. Even though he had spent his entire career in the States, he seemed remarkably adept at this quintessentially Korean style of entertaining. Every day, he showed a new side of himself that felt utterly discordant yet strangely natural.

“Lest Director Seo misunderstand, let me say this upfront: I didn’t come here having made any decisions. I only showed up for a meal because Assemblyman Ahn was so persistent,” Kim Kyeong-uk said, clearing his throat and drawing a line.

“Yes, I’m well aware. I also came just to introduce myself. Whether we strike a deal or not, since I’ve decided to unpack my bags in Korea, I figured I’d need connections like you two to keep my business alive and well.”

He lied through his teeth without blinking. Coming from a man who looked like he’d never bow to anyone, these greasy platitudes seemed to have a heightened effect. His obvious flattery sounded absurdly sincere.

“As you know, Chairman Jo and I are not just ordinary acquaintances. We’ve shared highs and lows for a long time. I can’t very well stab him in the back just because things are a bit difficult now, can I?” Kim Kyeong-uk said, smacking his lips bitterly after a drink.

“Of course. I understand,” Jeonghyeok nodded leisurely. “Trust. Loyalty. Morality. Affection. I’ve already heard that you hold those philosophies dear, CEO Kim.”

“Then why…?”

“But,” the movement of Jeonghyeok’s fingers against his glass stopped. “Those things are only possible when you have some breathing room yourself.”

Kim’s eyes silently asked what he meant.

“Since you’re being honest with me, I’ll be honest with you as well.”

“……”

“Within the next three months, Eunsung Pharmaceuticals’ stock will hit rock bottom. At that point, wait until then and hand over all your shares to us. We won’t buy them at the ‘scrap paper’ price; we’ll buy them at the market rate from the moment you decide to sell.”

“…What did you say?”

“That way, you can maintain your trust, loyalty, and affection for Chairman Jo while making sure your business doesn’t suffer. You won’t have to endure accusations of stabbing a lifelong friend in the back for money.”

“I don’t understand. What exactly are you thinking? Why go to such lengths to take a risk…?”

“Money, of course,” Jeonghyeok smiled like a snake. “I can’t reveal everything as it’s confidential, but we have our own intelligence and have made our own judgments. Simply put, we smelled the money.”

“And if I keep refusing? What then?”

“I’ll find another way. But as you know, even if you refuse to the end, I will eventually consume Eunsung one way or another.”

After all the flattering talk, he now threw out the nonchalant idea that he didn’t even need Kim. He was polite yet arrogant, respectful yet insolent.

Kim Kyeong-uk could only swallow a dry breath. There was no need to list the ruthless acts Jeonghyeok was known for; his face alone told the story. Anyone could tell at a glance exactly how vicious Seo Jeonghyeok could be.

“It’s just that we’d prefer the more cost-effective method, and you can wrap this up cleanly without a loss. I’m suggesting we take the easy route where everyone wins.”

An irresistible offer. Hyeonseo remembered when the man had once scoffed at her with that same face.

“Though, it would be a great pity for me if you still refused.”

The slight curve of his lips and his elegant gestures made it clear how this insolent, arrogant man had climbed to his current position. With just a look or a breath, he overwhelmed his opponent. He knew exactly how to needle people and how to take what he wanted. That animalistic instinct could only be described as innate. Just as she had been unable to resist his lure, Seo Jeonghyeok was a born hound.

A deep silence settled. Amidst the tension, only Jeonghyeok remained relaxed, his thick lips moving lazily against his glass.

“If it’s hard to decide alone, you can discuss it thoroughly at next week’s creditors’ meeting. I should give you at least that much time for such a difficult decision.”

Even without waiting, the result seemed obvious. In the end, Kim Kyeong-uk would have no choice but to give Jeonghyeok what he wanted. Chairman Jo, Jo Inho, Ahn Seong-tae, and Kim Kyeong-uk—they were all already dancing on the board Jeonghyeok had set. Only they didn’t know it yet.

“However, the longer you delay, the greater your loss will be. Regrettably, the stock price is on a downward slope every day.”

Unlike Jeonghyeok, Kim Kyeong-uk’s expression grew increasingly anxious. The situation was essentially over.

“My, my. Director Seo, you really have a talent for playing with people’s hearts,” Ahn Seong-tae said with a forced laugh, trying to break the awkward silence as he downed his drink.

Kim Kyeong-uk, his face pale, eventually stood up first, making an excuse about a sudden urgent matter. Since the primary objective had been met, the dinner meeting came to a clean end.

As they left the traditional Hanok building, Ahn Seong-tae turned his gaze to Hyeonseo, who had been sitting quietly the whole time.

“You said you worked at Cheongsong until recently?”

“Yes. I was there for about five years.”

He looked as if she were familiar. “I believe I saw you a few times at the JK Gallery?”

“Yes, that’s correct. We have met.”

At her confirmation, he scanned her with a peculiar smile. “Right. I’ve heard your name quite a bit from Director Jo. He said you helped him a lot during difficult times.”

The rumor of his marriage to Jo Inho was widespread, so there was no way he didn’t know who Cha Hyeonseo was. He clearly wanted to mock her for having been a “dog” for JK.

He seemed quite displeased that the man marrying his precious daughter had a history with such a “vulgar” woman. He likely felt it was a scratch on his own name. If he could, he would have stepped on her to make her existence vanish, so having her linger before his eyes must have been irritating. Hyeonseo wasn’t ignorant of this; she was used to it. This was the typical spite of people who had lived with a sense of entitlement their whole lives.

“I didn’t do anything special to help him. He was likely just speaking politely.”

She wanted to convey that it was no longer in the present tense—so he should stop. But Ahn Seong-tae seemed to have no intention of stopping.

“Mmm, no, no. A young lady like you must be exceptionally talented. You’re quite famous; the rumors about ‘Lawyer Cha’ are widespread in this circle. They say your talent and your services are top-notch. I have very high expectations. Hmm?”

It was a low-class sexual harassment. She was well aware of the rumors that had spread during her years as the “cleanup crew” for the powerful—the vicious, vulgar rumors that Cha Hyeonseo would provide not just legal services, but “night services” if the price was right.

She had endured considerable humiliation because of it, so she was used to it. Usually, she would just laugh it off like a joke and swallow the insult.

But today, she didn’t want to endure it. The reason was clear: Seo Jeonghyeok was standing right behind her.

“Yes. As the rumors say, I am quite good at what I do.”

She gritted her teeth and spoke in a calm voice. As if she wouldn’t be shaken by someone as insignificant as him. She poured out everything she was holding back.

“Many people have underestimated me because I’m a ‘young lady’ and ended up with a broken nose. Please keep your expectations high. I will ensure the results meet your standards, Assemblyman.”

It was her own form of warning. Behind her, she heard a short, airy snort. Seo Jeonghyeok, who had been listening, couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.

In contrast, Ahn Seong-tae’s face froze in a nasty expression.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Hyeonseo gave a curt bow and turned away first.

Jeonghyeok fixed his gaze on the back of her head, her dark brown hair swaying as she walked away with rhythmic clicks of her heels. He thought she was like a cat that purred—or hissed—when touched. Truly Cha Hyeonseo.

“I don’t know about her talent, but that Lawyer Cha has a prickly side,” Ahn Seong-tae said, showing blatant displeasure as if expecting Jeonghyeok to agree.

Jeonghyeok wiped the smile from his lips and stepped toward him.

“Since you have high expectations for Ms. Cha Hyeonseo, let me tell you something.”

His heavy voice suddenly sliced through the cold air.

“The future of your political career is in that woman’s hands, Assemblyman. You know that, right?”

Unlike his polite phrasing, his frozen, chilling expression was enough to give anyone goosebumps. It was hard to believe this was the same man who had been smirking a moment ago.

“Whether your son-in-law-to-be takes over Eunsung or not depends on Lawyer Cha Hyeonseo. If you want to find even a shred of reward for betting your daughter like this, I suggest you choose your words more carefully.”

The threat was blatant. Ahn Seong-tae, a sly old fox who had rolled around the political scene for thirty years, couldn’t fail to understand. He took a hasty step back.

“Now, now. Director Seo, you seem to have misunderstood me. I only said a friendly word because Lawyer Cha looked so familiar, like a daughter to me…”

“What kind of ‘services’ do you usually receive from your daughter?”

“…Wha—what?”

Ahn’s face turned a mottled red from sudden embarrassment and agitation.

“I’m joking. It’s just that you feel like family to me, Assemblyman. Don’t misunderstand.”

“Ha! Really! You…!”

At Jeonghyeok’s calm, level tone, Ahn Seong-tae could only fan himself helplessly. He was a politician who feared the eyes of others above all else. The fact that he swallowed his retort while his face turned beet red meant he didn’t want to escalate the matter further. When his attendant drove the car up, Ahn Seong-tae fled the scene.

Jeonghyeok took out a cigarette and headed toward his car.