Free Web NovelIronically, if Choi Seohyeon died right now, I would be the prime suspect no matter what.
That meant killing him wasn't an option.
If I intended to live entirely in the shadows, it wouldn't matter whether I was suspected or not, but the eyes of the whole world were already focused on me.
Making a careless move was absolutely forbidden. Xavier wouldn't miss such an opportunity.
For now, what had happened in Korea wasn't something that could be settled in a hurry, so I decided to deal with it calmly.
“There might be attempts to kill Choi Seohyeon. Under no circumstances can you let him die.”
“Understood. I'll assign the surveillance team and add bodyguards as well.”
“Good. If things become truly dangerous, tell them to intervene.”
To think I had to guarantee the safety of someone who deserved to die. A hollow laugh escaped me.
“How's the atmosphere in Korea?”
“Better than expected. Because of everything you've done over the years, public sentiment is turning favorable. In particular, the fact that you're Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo's friend has diluted the purpose behind Choi Seohyeon's revelations.”
I had intentionally made my relationship with Myungsoo public.
Childhood friends who had maintained their friendship for twenty years. The argument was that I'd help a friend if he needed it, but it made no sense that I would secretly fund the Progressive Party.
“Still, we need to push harder. If Baltiche is behind Choi Seohyeon, they won't stop at this.”
“We'll continue watching closely.”
“The credit event still hasn't been officially declared, right?”
“Not yet.”
“Bear Stearns won't collapse until the credit event becomes official and the auctions begin...”
Things were dragging on too long. At this rate, the bill might pass first.
“I should tell Eva to speed things up. Fine. And ask Lorenze how things are progressing on Marx's side.”
“Understood.”
Remembering Marx's reaction at the memorial banquet, it was obvious he had nothing to do with this affair.
After seeing that, I had instructed Lorenze to speak with Marx.
Manager Ma left to carry out my orders, and I moved over to the window.
Slowly swirling the whiskey in my hand, I sank into thought.
'There's no way this is the end. What else is coming?'
It didn't seem possible that Xavier had prepared only this much.
'If that's really all, I might actually be disappointed. Xavier and Baltiche... how far can they go?'
The lights of New York looked like chess pieces scattered across a board.
The shadow of the global financial crisis was looming.
Yet the lights of New York, unaware of the coming disaster, continued to burn brilliantly.
The next day.
“Boss. It's an emergency.”
Manager Ma reported urgently.
What now? Another variable?
“Cheon Jiwon is holding an emergency press conference.”
“What?”
I sprang to my feet.
“What emergency press conference is that bastard holding?”
“Choi Seohyeon reserved the National Assembly press room.”
I was so dumbfounded that I collapsed back into my seat and let out a laugh.
“Hah. So this is it. There was no way it would end like this.”
No matter how much I had cut ties with Cheon Jiwon, a relative's accusations carried a completely different weight.
Whether true or false, the public couldn't judge.
“When?”
“2 PM Seoul time.”
I immediately checked the clock.
Even accounting for the time difference, there were only six hours left. Far too little time.
“Can we stop it?”
“If we kidnap Cheon Jiwon, yes.”
I shook my head. Extreme methods would only backfire.
“That would be the worst move.”
“Then the only option is to persuade him.”
“Rejected. I have no intention of begging that bastard. He wouldn't listen anyway.”
A headache began to form. As I pressed my temples, Manager Ma handed me medicine and water.
“Boss.”
“Ah, thanks.”
I swallowed the pills and drained the water in one go.
Slowly rubbing the empty glass, I sighed again.
“Should I have killed him?”
“......”
“I spared him because of Grandfather's last wish, and this is what comes back. Tsk.”
Grandfather hadn't wanted me to kill another member of the family.
So I had been satisfied with Cheon Jiwon's downfall. He hadn't directly participated in my parents' deaths, after all.
But things had come full circle and produced this result.
I had overlooked the fact that people with nothing left to lose feared nothing.
“We should have kept him under surveillance.”
“I'm sorry. I should have handled it.”
“No. I was the one who ordered everyone to pull out.”
Keeping Black Bear's elite personnel on someone like Cheon Jiwon forever would have been excessive.
After I stripped him of most of his wealth during the stock manipulation case and he went to prison, I lost interest in him entirely.
“Let's see what he says first and then make plans.”
“Yes, Boss.”
* °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° * *
Cheon Jiwon was waiting in the National Assembly building with Choi Seohyeon.
“You'd better do well.”
“Ah, stop worrying!”
Choi Seohyeon's brows furrowed at Cheon Jiwon's childish tone.
“President Cheon! Didn't I tell you how important this is? At least watch your manner of speaking...”
“Oh, come on. I said I'll handle it, Congressman Choi. Or do you want to go home?”
“......”
“I came all the way here because I want to see that bastard fall. So stop treating me like some subordinate.”
Suppressing his anger, Choi Seohyeon pretended not to notice the disrespect.
“Just keep your promise.”
“Don't worry. Once the press conference ends, it'll be taken care of.”
“Good.”
“Disappear after today's press conference.”
Cheon Jiwon nodded and smirked.
“Of course. Who knows how that bastard might react? I value my life, too.”
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
“Congressman, it's time.”
“Understood. We're coming.”
As Choi Seohyeon stood up, Cheon Jiwon rose as well.
“Stick to the script.”
“I said don't worry.”
Cheon Jiwon frowned at the constant nagging.
“I inherited Cheon Taesan's blood, too. I know the difference between shit and soybean paste, so stop trying to teach me. I might really start a scene.”
“Fine, fine. Let's go.”
Choi Seohyeon clicked his tongue softly.
He opened the door first, and Cheon Jiwon lazily followed.
The two walked side by side down the hallway, trailed by several lawmakers loyal to Choi Seohyeon.
He had once commanded considerable support in the National Assembly, but exposing Kim Muhyuk had come at a heavy price.
More than half had distanced themselves from him, and those remaining were people who owed Kim Muhyuk nothing.
'If this goes wrong, I'm finished.'
Choi Seohyeon had learned that even the Progressive Party couldn't escape Kim Muhyuk's influence.
Wearing a rigid expression, he entered the National Assembly press room.
Cameras clicked wildly.
Putting on a politician's smile, Choi Seohyeon placed Cheon Jiwon at the podium.
“Today, this young man, not I, will conduct the press conference.”
Only members of the National Assembly could reserve the room.
But anyone could speak there.
It was common for lawmakers to reserve time for civic groups or other people.
Still, it was rare for someone running in a presidential primary to do so.
As a result, a huge crowd of reporters had gathered.
In addition to the regular National Assembly reporters, the three major broadcasters appeared to be airing the conference live. Cameras filled the room.
Cheon Jiwon stood before the podium and tapped the microphone.
“Hello. My name is Cheon Jiwon.”
Some reporters knew him, but most did not.
“I am Chairman Cheon Taesan's eldest grandson.”
The room erupted in murmurs.
Those words alone carried enormous impact.
“Today, I stand here to speak about Kim Muhyuk, who is also my cousin.”
Choi Seohyeon anxiously watched Cheon Jiwon's face.
But the man was acting even better than expected.
“Kim Muhyuk is a psychopath with no blood or tears. He killed my father, Cheon Sooman, who was also his uncle...”
Cheon Jiwon's revelations continued.
His indifferent eyes and emotionless voice only made people pay closer attention.
“In addition, Kim Muhyuk has used his power and violence to manipulate people however he wished.”
For nearly ten minutes, Cheon Jiwon spoke about Kim Muhyuk.
“I don't think someone like Kim Muhyuk should walk this earth. Shamefully, I stand here today as family.”
Silence fell over the room.
After he finished, Choi Seohyeon stepped forward.
“Now we'll take questions. We don't have much time, so only five.”
Reporters immediately raised their hands.
Choi Seohyeon had already secured several reporters beforehand and pointed to one of them.
“Kim Seonggyeong from Hanminjok Daily. I'd like to ask Mr. Cheon Jiwon. Is everything you said today true?”
Cheon Jiwon nodded.
“In my grandfather's name, it is true. Not a single word I spoke today is a lie.”
After that, Choi Seohyeon continued calling on reporters.
Every one of them had been arranged in advance.
Most questions focused on sincerity, and none challenged the accusations.
After the fourth question, just as he was about to choose the last one, a reporter shouted.
“What is this, some staged show? Why are you only choosing progressive reporters?”
“Yeah! Are you kidding us? Why did you even invite us if this is how it'll be?”
Complaints erupted.
“...That wasn't my intention.”
“Candidate Choi, if you display bias toward the media, this press conference itself could be misunderstood.”
“Which paper are you with?”
“Koryeo Daily.”
Hearing that, Choi Seohyeon sighed inwardly.
“Very well. Then the last question goes to you.”
The Koryeo Daily reporter took the microphone.
“Mr. Cheon Jiwon, you served prison time for stock manipulation. In addition, you've committed numerous crimes including drugs, assault, and drunk driving. Though many cases quietly disappeared, those facts remain. What do you think about that?”
He wasn't questioning the message.
He was questioning the messenger.
“What does that have to do with today's press conference?”
“Because who says something determines how credible it is. Please answer.”
Cheon Jiwon looked at the reporter calmly.
“That's right. I caused many problems in my youth. I won't deny that. But the most recent stock manipulation case was a trap laid by Kim Muhyuk.”
“Can you prove that?”
“That's not my burden. It's Kim Muhyuk's responsibility to prove otherwise.”
The reporter raised an eyebrow and asked again.
“Then do you have even one piece of evidence supporting today's accusations? Anything besides your own claims?”
“No. Kim Muhyuk isn't stupid enough to leave evidence. That's why he's lived this way without being exposed.”
“So there is no evidence, only allegations. And those allegations come from a convicted criminal with a long record. Is that correct?”
For the first time, Cheon Jiwon's expression twisted.
“We'll end it here.”
Choi Seohyeon hurriedly ended the conference and tried to leave with Cheon Jiwon.
But the reporters had no intention of letting them go.
They surrounded the pair.
“Is it true that Mr. Cheon Jiwon is a convicted criminal?”
There was an old saying in politics.
If you can't attack the message, attack the messenger.
Today, the Koryeo Daily reporter had performed that role perfectly.
* * *
I turned off the television after watching Cheon Jiwon leave the National Assembly press room.
“Exactly as expected.”
“Yes.”
Cheon Jiwon had revealed everything he knew.
Most of it, if proven true, would be devastating to my morality.
“First, Jiyoung needs to leave Korea.”
The easiest target for the public would be Cheon Jiyoung.
She lived off the love of the public as an actress, which meant she was constantly exposed.
“And...”
To turn Cheon Jiwon's accusations into lies, I had to destroy his credibility.
The best card was his biological sister, Cheon Jisoo, denying his claims.
I picked up my phone and dialed her number.
After several rings, her voice answered.
— Who is it?
“Who do you think?”
— ...You're calling because of that piece of trash Cheon Jiwon, aren't you?
“Yeah. Since you already know that, I suppose you also know what you need to do?”
