Free Web NovelWe departed for Incheon Airport, which had only recently opened, in order to fly to England.
Since it had taken over the international routes previously handled by Gimpo Airport, most flights entering Korea from overseas now had to land at Incheon.
Leaving Seoul, we arrived at Incheon Airport quickly.
“It’s certainly on a different level compared to Gimpo Airport.”
“That’s correct.”
I entered the first floor of Incheon Airport with Manager Ma and looked around.
The sight of people moving busily came into view.
After a quick departure process, we boarded the private jet comfortably through a gate without crowds.
Compared to Gimpo, the security felt much tighter.
“How much time do we have left?”
“We’ll be able to take off in an hour.”
“Is that so? Then let’s hear how things went with Jiyoung. How did you deal with it?”
I knew Manager Ma would have handled it properly, so I hadn’t asked earlier.
But with some time before takeoff, and since it involved Cheon Jiyoung, it was something I needed to know at least in part.
“For now, we took them to an abandoned factory in Gyeonggi-do.”
Manager Ma slowly nodded and began to recount what had happened yesterday in detail.
“Turned out the four of them all knew each other.”
“Is that so? Well, considering they trailed her schedule every day, it makes sense. So, what happened?”
“To save their own skins, they reported each other.”
“Reported each other?”
At the claim that the stalkers had ratted each other out to survive, I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
“Yes. They confessed what they’d done. Among them, one in particular was a real piece of work. We missed it earlier, but he’d even gone inside Miss Jiyoung’s house.”
“What? Are you serious? What the hell were the security teams doing, letting a bastard like that into her house?”
“He broke in while Miss Jiyoung was away for her Hong Kong schedule. It seems the guards relaxed since she wasn’t home.”
Jiyoung was living independently on her own.
I had told them to guard her even more strictly because of that. Would I have to reshuffle the entire team?
“Even so...”
I trailed off, too dumbfounded to finish.
“One of the other stalkers had filmed it on video. On review, he slipped inside smoothly even with guards nearby, almost like someone who had gone through special training.”
“...”
“Turns out he was dishonorably discharged from a special forces unit for sexual assault.”
“And a freak like that was hanging around Jiyoung?”
My voice naturally rose. Not just some petty stalker, but a lunatic with military training hovering near Cheon Jiyoung—rage boiled up inside me.
“As a warning, we broke his leg. He’ll limp for the rest of his life.”
“Well done. What about the others?”
“Once they saw one man’s leg shattered, they begged, swearing they’d never go near Miss Jiyoung again.”
I hadn’t seen it, but I could picture it—tears and snot flowing as they cried and begged for their lives.
Even so, my anger didn’t settle easily. After a deep breath to calm myself, Manager Ma continued.
“I warned them that if they ever approached Miss Jiyoung again, we’d show them a real hell.”
“Hmph... will that really be enough?”
“Such men fear violence more than the law. Watching one of them crippled right in front of their eyes—that terror will never leave them.”
I nodded quietly.
That was the nature of such people—weak before the strong, and strong only toward the weak.
Parasites who took pleasure in stalking those who seemed weaker, ruining their lives in the process.
“If they ignore this warning and approach Jiyoung again, then make sure they never walk again.”
“Understood.”
“And when we return to Korea, re-evaluate the quality of Jiyoung’s security team and also those guarding Grandmother. No matter if he was ex-special forces, the fact that he got in while the guards were present makes no sense.”
What if he had worse intentions? What if it wasn’t just following, but physical harm?
Dark possibilities trailed one after another in my mind.
While discussing countermeasures with Manager Ma, an announcement came over the cabin.
― This is your captain. We are now preparing for takeoff.
It seemed everything was ready. Once the announcement ended, Manager Ma bowed slightly and went to take his seat.
Soon the private jet left Incheon Airport, bound for London.
After half a day in the air, we landed at London Heathrow International Airport.
“No matter how often I fly, jet lag is never easy to adapt to.”
“Are you all right, Boss?”
At Manager Ma’s concerned question, I nodded and led my tired body out into the airport lobby.
“Boss.”
Manager Ma, scanning the area, called to me and pointed.
There waited the head of Black Bear’s UK branch along with the security team assigned to protect me during my stay.
The branch chief stepped forward and bowed his head.
“An honor to meet you for the first time, Boss. I am Philip, head of the UK branch. It’s a privilege to greet you.”
“Nice to meet you, Philip.”
His courteous greeting was that of a textbook English gentleman. I extended my hand, and he shook it cautiously.
“James arrived yesterday, correct?”
“Yes, he should be at his residence.”
“Then let’s head there. I’m too tired today.”
“Understood.”
At Philip’s orders, the guards moved in perfect coordination. Thanks to their skill in managing the surroundings, we slipped through Heathrow—one of the busiest airports in the world—without issue.
The car carrying me headed not into central London but toward the outskirts.
About thirty minutes later, with the scenery changing rapidly, the car finally stopped. This was the house arranged for me in London.
Before leaving Korea, I had ordered a residence to be prepared here.
Given how notoriously expensive housing was in London, the place was quite small for the money spent.
The main gate opened, and we slowly rolled toward the garage.
I stepped out, took a breath, and looked around the modest garden. They said English roses were famous; the fresh scent of roses tickled my nose.
“The garden is rather nice. You managed to find a good house. Must’ve been a tight schedule.”
“Haha, in England, there’s nothing money can’t do. Pay the agents a high enough fee, and timing doesn’t matter.”
Behind the heartily laughing Philip, I spotted Han Kyungyeong approaching.
“Been a while, Muhyuk. How long has it been?”
“Yeah, it’s been a while. How’ve you been, hyung?”
“Same as always. Let’s go in. Looks small from outside, but inside it’s a piece of art.”
“Is that so?”
Chatting with Han Kyungyeong, I passed through the garden and stepped inside.
“How is it?”
“Nice.” freewebnσvel.cøm
“What, that’s all? Boring as hell.”
Though the house was decorated in an antique style, it didn’t stir much in me.
Seeing his disappointment, I smiled faintly.
“We didn’t come here for a vacation, but for work. Still, since we’re in England, let’s relax on an island after this job’s done. We’ll bring Eva, maybe Eric too.”
“You mean it this time? For real?”
“Yeah. Unless a war breaks out, we’ll rest properly. You and Eva haven’t had a break in a long time, right?”
“Finally, our cruel boss understands.”
Han Kyungyeong laughed endlessly, clearly lifted at the mention of a vacation.
“Let’s get the meeting done quick, then relax a bit.”
“Right. You still need to adjust to the time difference.”
The four of us sat around the large living room table.
I lifted the teacup before me, savoring the aroma, and asked Philip,
“Have you investigated the executives at The Sun?”
As expected of a country that lived on tea, the fragrance was incredible.
After enjoying it for a moment, I sipped and waited for Philip’s reply.
“Yes. No major weaknesses. They’re not desperate for money either, so no matter how much we tried to tempt their reporters, they wouldn’t budge. We then shifted focus to tax evasion or illegal acts, but found nothing there either.”
“No weaknesses at all?”
Too spotless—itself suspicious. I set down the cup and tapped the table with my finger.
“There are a few cases involving prostitution. But would that really faze them? For them, blackmail is just part of daily life.”
“So the branch believes money won’t work?”
“Yes, based on the intelligence we gathered.”
Most of the UK branch staff were ex–special forces or intelligence officers.
Philip himself had been in SIS—what the world knows as MI6. In England, no one could gather cleaner intel than them.
If they judged it impossible to stop stories with money, then it truly was impossible.
“Hmph.”
So blackmail was all that remained. In England, no less—and though The Sun was a tabloid, leaning on media owners abroad carried weight.
But I couldn’t allow my information to be broadcast unfiltered to the world.
“Track their schedules and movements.”
“...That’s dangerous, Boss.”
Philip hesitated, already guessing my intention.
“Why?”
“British intelligence surely already knows you’ve arrived. They also know The Sun is investigating you. If those men were to disappear, suspicion would fall squarely on you.”
He had a point. But if I started second-guessing everything, my room to maneuver would shrink.
That would defeat the purpose of coming all the way to England.
“We’ll decide how to handle it later. For now, get me their schedules and movements in detail.”
“Understood.”
At my second order, Philip no longer objected.
I turned to Han Kyungyeong, who had been listening silently.
“And you, hyung?”
“Me? I’ve set up a meeting.”
“Are they willing to sell?”
“We’ll see. But since they agreed to meet, it means they’re {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} open. Want to come?”
I shook my head. No need to expose my movements in the very country where the tabloid operated.
“You can handle it. For now, I’ll keep a low profile, since British intelligence is tracking me. Stick to your schedule as planned.”
“Okay, Boss!”
With the London schedule discussed, we wrapped up the meeting.
“Today I’ll get some sleep to deal with the jet lag.”
“Right. See you tomorrow.”
“Philip, report back quickly. Keep tabs on the British government too.”
“Yes, Boss.”
With those orders, I retired to my room with Manager Ma.
“Get some rest too. Tomorrow let’s take a look around the city.”
“Understood.”
Bowing, Manager Ma left and closed the door. Too tired to even change, I threw myself onto the bed.
Thoughts swirled through my head, but sleep quickly dragged me under.
I woke to morning sunlight streaming through the window. Checking the time, I rose.
I poured water from the glass on the bedside table and drank, shaking my head against the dizziness.
No matter how much I traveled abroad, adapting to time zones was always difficult.
Glass in hand, I walked to the window.
Contrary to London’s reputation for gloomy weather, the sky was perfectly clear.
Setting the glass down, I called for Manager Ma.
“You’re awake.”
“Where’s hyung?”
“He went out early this morning.”
“You sent the security team with him?”
“As you ordered, yes.”
That was reassuring. My nerves had been heightened by recent events in Korea, but what mattered most was Han Kyungyeong’s safety.
“Let’s just do coffee and toast for breakfast, then head into the city for some sightseeing.”
After a simple meal, we left the residence.
In a short drive, we entered central London and spent some time visiting its landmarks.
“Boss, we’re being tailed.”
“I know. Ignore them. Stick to the schedule.”
I had noticed the suspicious vehicle since we left home but pretended otherwise.
Their presence was expected—and with them so visible, backtracking them would be easier.
For lunch, Philip suggested the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
Stepping out in front, I immediately clicked my tongue.
“They really don’t know when to quit.”
The blatant surveillance made me frown.
Seeing it, Manager Ma asked quietly,
“Shall we warn them?”
“Let’s watch a bit longer.”
I held him back, and we went into the reserved hotel restaurant.
But there, I encountered someone I hadn’t expected at all.
