Chapter 2.1

Friday night. It was well past midnight, and the taxis were busy in the heart of the city. The neon signs illuminated the roads in a different way than the sun did during the daytime. EunHa watched the stumbling, drunk men with tired eyes. If she could have her own way, she would have lain down on the floor right this instant.

“Where is your home?”

Her boss, KyungHyun, had just returned from his meeting with the mayor of Seoul, Kim MinSuk. As he got back into the car, he asked her the short question. EunHa, who was sitting next to him, gave him her address.

After ordering the driver to turn the car around, KyungHyun kept his mouth shut. The secret meeting lasted for over two hours. EunHa was trapped inside the car until the last appointment on his schedule was completed. However, she didn’t complain or express any discomfort.

“Thank you for taking me home.”

In no time, she saw the apartment building she was staying at. He observed the simple apartment buildings before speaking in a monotone voice.

“I’ll see you next week at the office.”

“Yes, sir. Please take care.”

“Good work today.”

The moment EunHa’s hand touched the door handle, she heard him softly mutter those words. She curtly nodded before opening the door and exiting the car. As her high heels clacked on the pavement, her figure looked upright and tidy.

KyungHyun recalled how she had knocked on his office door that morning. After ordering EunHa to secretly investigate Kim MinSuk, KyungHyun ignored her for two days and treated her if she were invisible. After taking a good look at her face for the first time in two days, he noticed that she looked quite tired.

“What is this?”

The first page of the report that EunHa had turned in was related to Kim MinSuk’s youngest son who was diagnosed with epilepsy. EunHa had also included a record of the travel logs of Kim MinSuk’s wife for the past 10 years. He didn’t know how she had managed to get her hands on this information. KyungHyun read through the report carefully, and his sharp eyes narrowed.

“…Mostly the Netherlands.”

“Yes, sir. She left for the Netherlands multiple times with her son, but she’s also gone there alone. As you know, the Netherlands is a country where cannabidiol is legal.”

Cannabidiol (CBD). It was a hemp extract that was reported to be an effective treatment for symptoms of epilepsy or Alzheimer’s. The hemp oil was administered orally, and would decrease the epileptic seizures. However, in South Korea, it was considered a psychoactive drug and was therefore illegal to use.

“You are also aware that an assemblyman affiliated with Kim MinSuk recently proposed the legalization of hemp for medical purposes to the National Assembly, right?”

“This information isn’t enough to prove that Kim MinSuk’s wife has been using hemp to treat her son’s symptoms.”

“But it still gives a strong sense of probability.”

“Even if this was proven to be true, the fact that he was doing this for his sick son will probably gain him some sympathy points from the voters. People love emotional dramas.”

Since this was his first offense, his sentencing wouldn’t be harsh. KyungHyun looked at her as he shook his head. However, EunHa merely shrugged.

“Well, you’re probably right about that. But, Director, there’s more on the back of the page.”

He didn’t think there was more to the report. He blankly looked up at her before turning the page. His face suddenly hardened. It was a photograph taken in a suite room of an expensive hotel. In the picture, many people dressed in fancy clothing were sprawled out all over the place.

“Over here. The kid on the sofa is Kim MinSuk’s oldest son. He’s now twenty years old, and he’s as rowdy as they come.”

The dazed people in the smoky room were obviously high. Their eyes were dilated, and bottles of whisky and champagne were scattered all over the chaotic room.

“How did you get ahold of this?”

“What do you mean? I met the kid at a club and followed him here. Thanks to him, I stayed up all night before coming in for work. I thought I’d die of exhaustion.”

As she obviously expressed her displeasure at all the trouble she had to go through, the ends of KyungHyun’s lips slightly moved up before quickly returning to its usual grim line.

“It looks like General Manager Cha didn’t hire you just for your face.”

“Is that a compliment, sir?”

EunHa nodded indifferently before raising her index finger.

“Anyways, this kid was born with a silver spoon and really wanted to pursue music. However, since his father wasn’t merely a rich man but a rich politician, he wasn’t able to act as he wished in public. Therefore, he began to steal some of his younger brother’s medicine to pass the time. Even his mother couldn’t stop him.”

“Did he tell you all this himself?”

“No. It’s just my guess.”

“What?”

Gazing at KyungHyun’s confused expression, EunHa’s eyes sparkled as if she had just found a fun toy to play with.

“People may like emotional dramas, but they go crazy for soap operas.”

KyungHyun had only ordered her to find some dirt on Kim MinSuk. However, she’d gone a step further and made a crack instead. EunHa raised both of her hands to her chest and pressed them together as if she were praying. She tilted her head down and looked at him as she whispered, her face full of confidence.

“Wouldn’t it be fun if I scheduled an interview with a third-rate gossip magazine and leaked this information?”

“His political career won’t end with this kind of scandal.”

“He’s still going to have to step down as mayor, don’t you think? He was planning on running as a presidential candidate for the next term, so he probably doesn’t want any tongues to wag about something like this.”

Recalling her face as she replied so brazenly, KyungHyun laughed silently. He raised his large hand and rubbed his face. He was tired.

During their dinner, Kim MinSuk behaved as predicted. He avoided KyungHyun’s demands by claiming they were too risky. It seemed like he was only thinking of how to deflect KyungHyun by using this excuse over and over again.

“We haven’t seen each other in a long time. Why don’t we just spend this time having a few drinks together? Is the president still feeling unwell?”

KyungHyun watched him order another bottle of liquor and took out a cigarette. There was hemp in the cigarette, and as the smoke began to spread throughout the room, Kim MinSuk finally realized what was going on. His expression stiffened as he frowned.

“Just what do you think you’re doing in front of me?”

“I heard that you’ve done some good for your party recently. I believe you can give KeumOh any future business you may have. I will personally see to it that you get anything you need.”

“Director Shin, are you joking around with me?”

Kim MinSuk swallowed some liquor as he glared at KyungHyun over his glasses. No matter how much KeumOh had developed as a company, it still had its roots in the mob. Therefore, affiliating oneself with a company like them was basically political suicide.

“I heard that you’ve run into some trouble thanks to your son, so I was only thinking about how to help you out with that.”

As KyungHyun took a deep drag of the cigarette, Kim MinSuk glared at him, his mouth twisted. His cold voice was full of rage as it shattered the silence in the room.

“Even if that is the case, it isn’t right to speak of a sick child like that. Director Shin, it seems that I’ve been mistaken about you.”

“It doesn’t matter to me how you used to see me.”

“What did you say?”

“I was only wondering if your oldest son was also sick. Is that why he’s been doing drugs?”

At the words that left KyungHyun’s mouth, Kim MinSuk lost his composure.

“Well, I’m sure the doctor will be the judge of that. If he is diagnosed with extreme depression by a psychiatric clinic, I’m sure there might be some gossip, but it shouldn’t matter. I’m sure it’ll also help him get out of his military service.”

“S-see here, Director Shin.”

It was smooth sailing from there on out. KyungHyun watched as Kim MinSuk’s face reddened and smiled comfortingly.

“They say the hardest thing to do in the world is raising your kids. It seems that those words ring true. Let me pour you a glass of liquor. Like you said, we came out here to comfortably share a few drinks.”

After that, the conversation with Kim MinSuk flowed naturally. His behavior suddenly changed, and it was all partly thanks to Lee EunHa. However, KyungHyun still wasn’t sure whether his decision to keep her was the right one or not.

“Should we leave now, Director?”

Waiting for his order, the driver cautiously asked. KyungHyun’s elbow was leaning on the window as his hand held his chin. He was lost in thought as he shook his head.

“Let’s wait here for a while longer.”

“Yes, sir. That thing you asked us to prepare has just finished.”

“Give it to me.”

The driver handed him a small earphone. KyungHyun put it into his ear and looked out the window as he lit a cigarette. EunHa’s perfume was still lingering inside the car. Even as the heavy smoke filled his lungs, KyungHyun felt as if her smell still lingered at the tip of his nose.

When EunHa opened the door and entered her apartment, she almost let out a shriek. However, she managed to suppress it as she grit her teeth.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

YongJoon’s large body was stretched out on top of her bed. When she entered, he got up and began to pick his ears.

“Why are you coming home so late? Have you fucked Shin KyungHyun already?”

“Why are you here? Have you completely lost your mind?”

No matter how stupid he was, this was ridiculous. EunHa quickly ran to the window and lowered the blinds. Even though it was impossible for someone to look into her apartment on the 20th floor, she couldn’t be too sure.

“Take a good look at what I’m wearing. You think I’m retarded, don’t you? I know better than to just walk in.”

EunHa shrugged and looked YongJoon up and down. He was wearing the uniform of a well-known pizza chain. He was also wearing a cap. Not wearing his usual suit, YongJoon did look younger. But he couldn’t hide his face, which still made him look like a thug. As he reached into his pocket to take out a pack of cigarettes, YongJoon drew in a breath. It seemed that his wound from SungHo hadn’t completely healed yet.

“Get out right now. Carefully, so that no one notices you.”

EunHa snatched his cigarette and broke it in half before tossing it into the trash bin.

“Hey, do you wanna die?”

Having lost the wind in his sails, YongJoon barked out.

“If you have nothing important to say, listen to your noona and get lost.”

“Aigoo, I just might…”

He raised his hand as if he was going to hit her. However, he held back and didn’t touch her. He had been expelled before he could graduate middle school and began working as an underling at Serim ever since. Even though he had made it all the way up to his position now, he was still one year younger than EunHa.

Even though he didn’t show it, he had a complex about his young age. EunHa knew this and constantly pushed his buttons, so he wanted to give her a good, proper punch. But since he couldn’t do that, he was incredibly frustrated.

“Hey, you. Why did you turn off the bug we planted? Do you know how frustrated I was all day wondering if something went wrong?”

EunHa scoffed, taken aback.

“Do you think YongSung was born yesterday?”

“It’s dangerous, so I’m telling you to wear it whenever you leave your apartment.”

EunHa walked over to the end table next to her bed and opened the drawer. She took out a ballpoint pen that served as a wireless bug. Then she fiercely threw it at YongJoon. The long pen hit his chest and fell onto the floor.

“If I walk around with this kind of thing on me and get caught, I’ll die a dog’s death. But I’m sure you’d enjoy hearing my death live, wouldn’t you?”

EunHa spoke sarcastically, and YongJoon’s bushy eyebrows went up as he fumed. His dark face flushed.

“Fuck, who said we’d leave you like that? You think we’re morons, don’t you?”

EunHa shook her head as she threw her purse on the table.

“If that’s all, get lost. Make sure no one sees you. You’re the one who is putting me in a dangerous situation right now by being here. You’ve heard of the saying ‘If your head is bad, then your body will suffer’, right? I feel that I won’t be able to die a peaceful death if you’re standing around next to me.”

She opened the fridge and took out a cold can of beer. YongJoon watched her, his breaths puffing in anger.

“Hey. Is that what you say to someone who was only worried about you…”

EunHa opened the can and took a sip of the fizzling beer. She then went over to the bed and ripped off the hidden cellphone taped underneath the bed. The phone rang for a moment before SungHo answered the call.

“Ahjussi, it’s me.”

YongJoon flinched when he realized she was speaking to SungHo. His hand reflexively went to his arm. Ignoring him, EunHa brought the phone closer to her ear and perched on the bed.

“He met Kim MinSuk for two hours, and no money was exchanged. Judging from Shin KyungHyun’s reaction, the threat seemed to have worked.”

– Why did the two of them meet?

SungHo asked curtly. EunHa took another sip of the beer before lightly nibbling on the top edge of the can.

“The employees of the secretarial office only organize the schedule and fulfill orders given from above. Important files are protected by a password, so only people like Shin KyungHyun or higher have access to them. And that brainless general manager who always follows Shin KyungHyun around is completely in his corner, so I don’t think we’ll be able to get anything out of him.”

– Is that all?

EunHa began to shake her folded legs in frustration as she answered.

“His reputation is exactly what the report stated. He’s a man who is very suspicious in nature and doesn’t leave anyone to their own devices. He goes swimming or plays some squash in the mornings to exercise. When he comes in to the office, he doesn’t even leave the building until the day is over. I’ve been watching him for two weeks straight, and his routine never changes. Even when he leaves work, his days seem scheduled. He may meet various people throughout the day, but the only person that accompanies him is his driver.”

– So in the end, you’re telling me that you don’t know the reason why he met Kim MinSuk.

Sungo replied bluntly. EunHa slightly frowned.

“Doesn’t everyone know that Kim MinSuk is the father-in-law of the Attorney General? It’s obvious that they want the support of the prosecutors. In order to have it, they laundered money and supported his political career, but all he’s done is take the money and give nothing in return. I’m sure he went out of touch once the election was over.”

SungHo listened silently as EunHa spoke.

“Additionally, Shin KyungHyun’s date of departure has been set.”

– When is it?

“It’s in 6 weeks, but I think he’ll only be taking those that are close to him. Like you said, if any information is leaked, they’ll be in big trouble…”

– Once you’re able to join him, let me know.

SungHo cut off her words. He was telling her to use whatever means necessary to accompany him on that trip. Thanks to all the big and small incidents at Serim, EunHa knew very well that SungHo’s intuition had become sharp. The main source of income for the organization was black-market dealings, but they had already been caught by the police multiple times. Therefore, Serim needed to find another source of revenue.

SungHo wasn’t going to miss this opportunity to make money through stock manipulation. He had already bought a large chunk of the stocks of a failing pharmaceutical company. He had bought these stocks for almost nothing and was planning on snatching the project Shin KyungHyun was currently developing. Once SungHo increased the value of the stocks in his possession, he was going to sell them for hundreds of billions of won and make an enormous profit.

“Alright. And until I ask for it, please don’t send people to check on me. Shin KyungHyun is too observant. He’ll definitely catch on that something is going on.”

She didn’t tell SungHo that she had already tried to follow Shin KyungHyun several times but was shaken off every time. She was afraid that SungHo would order her to pull out of this mission if she told him.

“I don’t know how much marijuana he smoked when he met up with Kim MinSuk, but when he got back inside the car, he reeked of it.”

– So?

“He didn’t look dazed at all and seemed perfectly normal.”

Nine out of ten times, people who smoked marijuana would become lethargic and relaxed. However, Shin KyungHyun acted as he normally did with EunHa. His normally low voice only sounded a bit lower, but that was it. She felt that if he was the type to enjoy drug abuse, she could have taken advantage of it and seduced him. However, she didn’t think she’d be able to do that with KyungHyun.

– He’s never been an easy man.

SungHo scoffed as his thin voice rang through the phone. EunHa quickly responded.

“Yes. That’s why I don’t think I should install the wiretapping devices around him. Even though this isn’t an airport, whenever we scan our employee ID’s, there’s a machine that takes a full body scan before we enter the offices. This even applies to all the security guards and janitors that enter the building. If I bring something suspicious inside, I’ll be taken away before I can even install it.”

– Do whatever you see fit. How will I get in contact you?

“I probably won’t be available for contact very often. I’ll try to talk to you at least once a week.”

– … Have you slept with Shin KyungHyun yet?

EunHa was just about to hang up the phone when she froze.

“Not yet.”

She could hear SungHo light a cigarette on the other end. She heard him blow out the smoke before he spoke up.

– That’s so unlike you. What’s the reason for dragging this out?… Are you acting virginal in order to seduce him this time? A rag won’t become a towel just because it has been washed.”

EunHa frowned and began to laugh silently. Sex was often an absolutely necessity when it came to extracting information from a target. EunHa was the one who usually seduced a man into bed and then stole from him while he was asleep. Even though SungHo knew this very well, he always framed her as a whore.

After her parents passed away, she had nowhere to go. The one who came and held her hand during this moment of vulnerability was SungHo. However, she had to do whatever he ordered her to do as payment. One could call this a win-win relationship.

There was no other place that was more secure and effective than Serim when it came to having her revenge on those that killed her parents. As a puff of laughter escaped her lips, SunHo spoke up sharply.

– Why are you laughing?

“Because you’re too funny, Ahjussi.”

Even though SungHo always treated her like a whore, he had never actually had sex with her. After a round of dry-humping, he would always call for a prostitute and lounge around like a king in his harem. Then he ordered EunHa to stay by his side and watch. His strange preferences were laughable to her.

– Lee EunHa.

There was a trace of malice in SungHo’s voice. He would definitely have taken out his knife and held it up to her if he were standing in front of her. Even if he were to cut off a part of her body, he wouldn’t be able to kill her. This was because Kang SungHo was a perverse man who enjoyed toying with her life in his hands.

SungHo didn’t sexually desire her. Sexual desire was just an illusion that made one think that they completely possessed another person. Whatever it was that he felt for her, she didn’t care.

“You’re the one who told me not to act like a whore in front of him because he’s a difficult man, Ahjussi.”

EunHa spoke, her voice full of charm. SungHo’s voice remained hard.

– And you’re not the type of girl to fall for a good-looking guy like Shin KyungHyun.

“I don’t want to explain my methods to you. Let’s call it my business secret. Well, I guess it doesn’t matter since I learned it all from you, Ahjussi.”

SungHo chuckled softly, and his voice finally sounded like it had softened as it rang through the phone.

– Be careful. Don’t trust that bastard.

EunHa crinkled the half-full beer can and scoffed.

“You might as well tell me to trust any son of a bitch I pass by on the streets.”

You son of a bitch, perverted bastard.

EunHa thought to herself and hung up the phone. In front of her, a nervous YongJoon was standing still, his breathing silent. It seemed that he hadn’t reported to SungHo about entering her apartment.

It made sense. SungHo would never have ordered him to do something so dangerous. EunHa went over to her wardrobe and began to take out her pajamas. She glanced over at YongJoon.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

Tick, tick. EunHa undid the buttons on her blouse and her breasts in her half cup bra spilled out. YongJoon chewed on his dry lips and let out a curse.

“You fucking… crazy… bitch. Do you take off your clothes in front of anyone?”

As his the words left his lips, EunHa completely took off her blouse and tossed it into the laundry basket. She was now only wearing her bra and her skirt. As YongJoon’s breaths became heavier, EunHa slowly walked over to him and stood right in front of him.

“Why? Are you so aroused that you can’t control yourself?”

“Fuck…”

“Do you want Noona to suck you over here?”

Her hand lightly brushed over the hard bulge in his pants. Even though he was wearing jeans, her touch was enough to stimulate him. YongJoon flinched.

His large hands roughly grabbed her hair. EunHa’s sharp chin shot up into the air, but she didn’t make a sound. She was definitely a spiteful woman. YongJoon frowned and spoke, his voice tight.

“You bitch… Where’s the woman who cracked my forehead for taking a peek at her panties? You’re toying with me now…”

“I wasn’t able to fuck Shin KyungHyun today, so I’m very wet right now. If I close my eyes, I won’t have to see your ugly face. I think it’ll work if I just imagine it’s him.”

“What did you say?”

With his long hair covering his face, YongJoon gloomily stood there like a ghost. He no longer looked like a seventeen-year-old. YongJoon’s breaths became heavy, and EunHa’s lips went up into a pout.

“What? You don’t want to be a substitute? Whatever, that’s fine.”

“…Suck it right now, you bitch.”

Even though he felt humiliated, YongJoon’s face was flushed with arousal. EunHa watched as he hurriedly began to undo his belt. She began to chuckle. A strange, scary gleam flashed across her sparkling eyes.

“But you know, YongJoon.”

“…Haa…”

“Did you know that I can bite off your dick as I suck it?”

“……”

“If you want to take that risk, take your pants off.”

“Wh-what?”

He was in the middle of hastily trying to take out his erection from his underwear when he froze. A mix of emotions flashed across YongJoon’s eyes all at once.

“Isn’t it worth taking the risk? There’s a thrill. This might be the first time we have sex as well as the last. You’re presenting your dick to me because you’re prepared to become a eunuch, right?”

As he looked into EunHa’s eyes filled with madness, YongJoon knew very well that she was dangerous enough to actually go through with it. Her lips stained with red lipstick now looked terrifying to him.

“Whatever. Get lost, you crazy bitch.”

YongJoon let go of his grip on her hair and quickly pulled his pants back up as he caught his breath. Just the thought of having his penis ripped off by her caused cold sweat to form on the back of his neck.

“Pity. I wanted to enjoy it, too. Well, if you don’t want to…”

EunHa flashed her white teeth as she chuckled prettily. She turned around and unhooked her bra. YongJoon quickly closed his eyes. EunHa heard the front door of the apartment open and close with a thud. EunHa snickered and continued to take off her clothes. They fell off her body like a second skin. Then she slowly made her way to the bathroom.

Whoosh.

EunHa turned on the hot water and became lost in thought as she went over the day’s events. She recalled the way they stood next to each other as they spoke in his office. Her body immediately flushed at the memory. EunHa raised her head and let the water fall on her face.

“Haa…”

Shin KyungHyun’s strangely competitive nature had the strange ability to arouse people. His bottomless, black eyes seemed to hold so many thoughts. EunHa chuckled and put some body wash on her bath sponge before slowly rubbing her body.

TN Update: I believe all the Wattpad authors I contacted took down the translations. Thank you! They were very cooperative, and I can’t thank them enough for understanding. Hopefully, these translations will last for a very long time. Fingers crossed!

Edit: YongJoon isn’t 17. The author is saying he looks 17 because the pizza uniform he’s wearing makes him look younger. (I was so confused when I first read this, but EunHa’s age is revealed in the next chapter. She’s 26.)\n