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Translator: uly
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Manager's Resolve
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Living room.
Yoon Tae-ho sat there clutching the cup of instant coffee Lee Dae-hyuk had handed him, utterly dumbfounded.
"You know how to make instant coffee too?"
"Why? Did I look like someone who couldn't even handle instant coffee?"
Yoon Tae-ho shook his head at Lee Dae-hyuk's retort.
"Oh, no, that's not what I meant. I've just never seen you drink it..."
"Last time your father came by, I had nothing to offer him."
"Pardon?"
"He came to see his son, but I didn't have anything to give him. So I figured I should at least keep some instant coffee on hand and asked one of the security detail to pick it up."
"Oh."
Yoon Tae-ho's mouth fell slightly open as he listened to Lee Dae-hyuk's matter-of-fact explanation.
The security team didn't report every trivial detail of Lee Dae-hyuk's daily life.
They must have let a simple request like buying instant coffee slide.
"Give it a try. It's pretty good."
At Lee Dae-hyuk's suggestion, Yoon Tae-ho brought the cup to his lips.
"Ah... Is this really instant coffee? It's... too good."
"Glad to hear it."
Back when he first joined the gang life, Kim Gun-woo had been in charge of making coffee for the hyungs.
Those skills had come naturally.
But the reason he'd called Yoon Tae-ho here now wasn't to entertain him—it was to persuade him.
"You've got a lot of questions, right?"
Lee Dae-hyuk broached the subject first.
Then.
Thud—!
Yoon Tae-ho set down his coffee cup and nodded.
"I've been really worried, honestly."
Where should he even start?
Yoon Tae-ho hesitated on his next words.
One wrong move, and he might upset Lee Dae-hyuk.
But he knew this too.
If he didn't clear up these doubts, even if he stayed quiet, the other security members might raise issues.
Which meant he at least needed to know what Lee Dae-hyuk was planning.
"Young Master, I need to know what you're up to. That way, I can prevent any incidents before they happen, at least within my power."
"I get it. If word leaks out, it'll cause a headache."
Whew—!
Lee Dae-hyuk let out a small sigh and revealed part of his goal.
"Manager, I want to become the owner of Daehan Group. I want to take away what's precious to the people who stole my most precious time."
"..."
Yoon Tae-ho was at a loss for words.
From standing guard nearby, he knew Lee Dae-hyuk was scheming something with Kim Jae-woon.
And after observing Kim Jae-woon, it was clear the guy had sharp wits hidden under his scruffy exterior.
He'd had a gut feeling that the Young Master was gathering people to jump into the succession battle for real.
"..."
But hearing it straight from the man himself was on another level.
'...Or maybe it's only natural?'
If he were in Lee Dae-hyuk's shoes, he'd make the same call.
Chaebols feared losing their empires more than losing their lives.
The DNA etched into their bloodlines from generations of wealth accumulation prized the group and money above all else—even life.
In that sense, if Lee Dae-hyuk became chairman of Daehan Group, it would be the perfect revenge.
But for now...
'The odds are zero.'
"It must look impossible."
Yoon Tae-ho jolted as Lee Dae-hyuk voiced his exact thoughts.
"...Sorry."
"No, it's natural. Right now, it's harder than an egg smashing against a rock. That's why I'm building up power starting now... First up, I recruited Kim Jae-woon."
"So the second one too..."
"Yeah. Planning to bring in the second person within a few days."
"...!"
Yoon Tae-ho clamped his mouth shut, lost in thought.
Emotionally, he wanted to help Lee Dae-hyuk.
But if the succession fight actually kicked off...
'Does the Young Master stand a chance?'
With a wife and daughter to think of, he couldn't help feeling conflicted.
Then, as if to ease his turmoil, Lee Dae-hyuk continued in a calm tone.
"I'm not begging for your help. I can make it work without you. But if you do help, I'll reward you accordingly."
"I'm not after rewards. And... the one who should be rewarding is me, not you, Young Master."
Yoon Tae-ho wanted to repay Lee Dae-hyuk for saving his daughter.
That loyalty hadn't changed.
But.
"I'll help you with everything I can. However, if it comes down to choosing between my family and you..."
Yoon Tae-ho knew Lee Dae-hyuk's temperament well.
Under him was an off-the-books organization handling illegal matters.
If they came after him, he'd protect Lee Dae-hyuk with his life.
But... if they targeted his wife and daughter?
"I'll abandon you, Young Master."
"I understand. I'll send you off with a smile if it comes to that."
Even hearing he'd be abandoned, Lee Dae-hyuk remained composed.
He knew from experience that people who laid their cards on the table like this were less likely to betray him.
Plus, as long as his wife and daughter weren't in danger, this meant full commitment.
So, what he needed to do now was accept the man's help and execute the plan.
"Then help me out with this one too."
"Who are we saving this time?"
"Yeah. A loan shark."
"Pardon?"
First a PC bang bum, now a loan shark.
Yoon Tae-ho's eyes widened at Lee Dae-hyuk's words.
***
My father is dead.
Even at the funeral, and now after the burial... strangely, no tears come.
The scenery rushing by outside the moving car feels unreal.
Jeong Hee-ju thought she must be the protagonist in some boring melodrama.
In a way, it made sense.
Only after he passed did she learn her father's true identity.
'Dad...'
The father who'd been endlessly kind to her was a godfather ruling the underworld economy, boss of one of Korea's largest crime syndicates, the Eulsa Faction.
She still couldn't believe it.
But seeing gang bosses from across the country pay respects at his funeral left no room for doubt.
Still, the father in her memories was just an ordinary guy.
A doting dad who loved his daughter so much that she never felt her mother's absence.
'...Dad. What am I supposed to do now?'
Jeong Hee-ju was scared.
She was just an ordinary woman.
Dreaming of studying abroad, a job, marriage—the normal life.
But.
'Can I live normally anymore?'
Her father had been brutally murdered.
She didn't care if it was Jung Min-jun, the infamous gang boss, or whatever.
She just wanted revenge.
"..."
As she sank into her thoughts, the car carrying her pulled up in the alley in front of her house.
Screech—!
"We're here."
Kim Hak-soo got out and opened the door, and Jeong Hee-ju said awkwardly,
"You didn't have to go this far."
"Was it too much? Old habits from serving the boss slipped out. Sorry if it was burdensome."
Jeong Hee-ju shook her head at Kim Hak-soo's apology.
He said he was her father's subordinate, so he must be a gangster too.
Normally, she'd never even talk to someone like him.
But she'd seen him sobbing at the funeral multiple times, so she couldn't be cold.
"Thanks for everything during the funeral."
"Yeah. We'll have to see each other a few more times for the remaining procedures... Hang in there."
"Okay."
She bowed briefly to Kim Hak-soo after her short reply.
"Thanks for worrying. But I hope we don't meet again..."
Jeong Hee-ju drew a line.
Whatever her father's identity, she was a civilian.
She didn't want ties to gangsters like Kim Hak-soo.
"..."
Did he sense her intent?
Kim Hak-soo silently watched the daughter who'd lost her father.
It was his first time seeing her in person, but he'd followed her growth through stories and photos from Jeong Min-jun.
Feeling pity for Jeong Hee-ju, who was like a niece to him, Kim Hak-soo replied in a heavy tone.
"Call if you need anything. And try not to go out as much as possible."
"...Okay."
Even as she answered, Jeong Hee-ju's eyes wavered.
'My head's splitting. ...I just want to rest.'
Had the tension eased now that she was home?
Feeling extreme fatigue, Jeong Hee-ju politely told Kim Hak-soo,
"I'll head in."
But Kim Hak-soo just stood there.
No.
"..."
Not just standing—he was glaring down the end of the alley, eyes narrowed.
Jeong Hee-ju tilted her head, following his gaze.
"What's wrong?"
"...Sorry. Wait just a sec."
As Jeong Hee-ju puzzled over Kim Hak-soo's apology, footsteps echoed from behind her.
Thud thud—!
She whipped around on reflex, nearly screaming.
Five thugs in animal masks had them surrounded.
"Wh-what are those guys?"
"Get back in the car."
Kim Hak-soo stepped in front of Jeong Hee-ju, glaring at the gang ahead.
'Why target Hee-ju too?'
He knew Kim Min-sang was human scum.
But going after the enemy's family? He hadn't expected that.
Especially a civilian like Jeong Hee-ju.
'They must be after something.'
His mind raced.
But.
Grit—!
Kim Hak-soo clenched his teeth, shaking off distractions.
'Not the time for second thoughts. I'll protect Hee-ju no matter what.'
He steeled himself.
They outnumbered him, but their builds and movements screamed rookies handed masks.
In a residential area, any commotion would bring police reports.
But he lacked confidence to hold out until backup arrived while protecting her.
Only one option.
'Back to the car and get out!'
Screech—!
But before they could, two sedans blocked the escape route as if reading his mind.
And from those cars.
Five more masked thugs poured out.
"Ha..."
Kim Hak-soo gave up on fleeing.
'Path's cut off.'
No choice but to hold out alone until his men arrived.
He glanced worriedly at Jeong Hee-ju.
She hadn't gotten in the car, staring down the group encircling them.
Her lower lip trembled from extreme tension, but her eyes pierced the animal-masked thugs.
"The guys who killed my dad... one of them?"
"No. Not among them. The bastard who ordered these punks is the real culprit."
Jeong Hee-ju got it immediately.
The one who killed her father.
And these thugs up front were moving on someone's orders.
Which meant... that 'someone' was her true enemy.
Grit.
Jeong Hee-ju ground her teeth without realizing.
At that moment.
Click—!
The driver's door of the car Jeong Hee-ju and Kim Hak-soo had just exited swung open.
"Boss, sorry."
The driver suddenly lunged, pressing a kitchen knife to her left side.
"L-Lee Kyu-chan! What the hell are you doing?"
Kim Hak-soo's eyes bulged at his unexpected subordinate's actions.
"I hate doing this with my face out... but what can I do? Got a family. When an offer comes, gotta switch to the higher bidder."
"You bastard..."
"Don't be like that. I've been loyal this whole time. But now there's no one left to be loyal to, right?"
No guilt in Lee Kyu-chan's casual tone.
This betrayal had been brewing for a while.
"It's the boss's daughter! The daughter of the man who took such good care of us!"
Kim Hak-soo's voice burned with rage.
Sure, after Jeong Min-jun's sudden death, he knew betrayal was possible.
He wasn't naive enough to expect loyalty and brotherhood from a leaderless crew.
But he'd trusted Lee Kyu-chan.
They'd started their fistfights together, saved each other's lives multiple times—like blood brothers.
Yet against his desperate gaze, Lee Kyu-chan just smirked mockingly.
"Boss, stop being so naive and grow up. This is business. Just business."
"..."
"I'll take the girl."
"Kyu-chan!"
Kim Hak-soo pleaded again, but Lee Kyu-chan only grinned viciously, ignoring him.
He'd already gotten a dream sum from the new boss, Kim Min-sang, in exchange for handling Jeong Hee-ju.
Enough for an apartment and sending his daughter abroad.
With that cash, he could deal with bitches like her ten, twenty times over, clean.
Meanwhile, Jeong Hee-ju, gripped by the beaming traitor, trembled in silence, terror-struck.
"..."
Kim Hak-soo was torn.
Couldn't back down, but couldn't charge in with Jeong Hee-ju as hostage.
Trapped on all sides.
'Have to buy time.'
Right now, all he could do was block Lee Kyu-chan and Jeong Hee-ju.
But Lee Kyu-chan wasn't stupid.
"Hey. Move this boss aside."
No sooner had he spoken than the tiger-masked thug kicked him in the back.
Thwack—!
Distracted by Jeong Hee-ju and Lee Kyu-chan, Kim Hak-soo lost balance and staggered.
"Urk!"
Spotting the opening, the other animal masks rushed in.
Thud thud—! Thud thud!
Unable to withstand the barrage of fists and kicks, Kim Hak-soo collapsed.
Thud—! Crack!
The beating didn't stop.
"Argh!"
Crack—!
In seconds, his nose and lips split, blood pouring.
Lee Kyu-chan sneered at the sight.
"Don't kill him—complicates things. Just beat him enough and wrap it up."
He spoke in a flat tone, watching Kim Hak-soo get pummeled.
He'd switched ships; Kim Hak-soo was a stranger now.
No need to care about some outsider's life or death.
"Let's go."
"...Where to?"
Jeong Hee-ju shot back fiercely at Lee Kyu-chan's words.
He grinned at her sharp tone.
"Wanna see your dad's real killer? Face to face?"
"You doing this for money?"
"Have a kid someday. Oh wait, you won't. You're dying today. Heh heh."
As Lee Kyu-chan let out a sinister chuckle.
Thud thud—
"Jeong Hee-ju, right?"
Footsteps accompanied a new voice.
"...?"
Everyone there, including Lee Kyu-chan, turned at the sudden intruder.
From between the two cars blocking the road, a man in a black mask walked out slowly.
'Good. Made it in time.'
The masked man—Lee Dae-hyuk—smiled in relief as he stared down Lee Kyu-chan.