MHD - 69

Chapter 69: The Past Comes to Light

Gong Sunyoung. Yoon Jisun.

As the names echoed in her memory, Hee-soo finally recalled the woman’s face.

She was the one who had shadowed Yoon Jisun and delivered her final message to Hee-soo on the day she packed her belongings and left “that house.”

“Starting today, all support from the Kangrim Cultural Foundation will be terminated. I hope you have no regrets about your decision.”

The woman’s gaze, so eerily similar to Yoon Jisun’s, had made Hee-soo despise her—even though she knew the woman was merely relaying Jisun’s words.

“Why is Chairman Yoon looking for me?”

Hee-soo asked calmly, masking her unease.

Facing Gong Sunyoung brought a flood of memories crashing back. Though a decade had passed, Hee-soo’s body tensed as if she had suddenly reverted to her 20-year-old self.

“You’ll understand when you meet her.”

Gong Sunyoung’s response carried an arrogance that seemed to mirror Yoon Jisun’s confidence that Hee-soo would obediently come when summoned.

Just like that day 10 years ago, Gong Sunyoung’s demeanor was just as overbearing.

But…

Hee-soo had deliberately avoided any connection with Kangrim, believing such a day might never come. She repeated to herself that there was nothing to fear now.

Forcing her trembling voice to stay steady, she quietly calmed her pounding heart.

“Alright.”

She gave a brief reply and stared at Gong Sunyoung coolly.

“I’ll decide the time.”

Though she didn’t know why she was being summoned, the one making the request was always the one in need.

Perhaps Yoon Jisun wanted to reunite her with Jae-hyuk, her son. Jisun was the type of woman who would stop at nothing, even wiretapping, when it came to her son.

“Ah, the timing…”

Caught off guard by Hee-soo’s words, confusion flickered across Gong Sunyoung’s face. While Yoon Jisun might have ordered her to drag Hee-soo over immediately, she couldn’t treat a famous celebrity the same way she once did.

“…Understood.”

Gong Sunyoung quickly composed herself and bowed slightly to Hee-soo.

“I’ll be in touch.”

Hee-soo held up the business card Gong Sunyoung had given her, offering a polite nod before getting into her car, leaving the hesitant woman behind.

---

Blink.

Jae-hyuk slowly closed and opened his eyes. For a moment, he thought he heard Hee-soo’s voice and furrowed his brow.

Knowing it was impossible, he blinked again, refocusing on his surroundings.

His office, piles of documents awaiting approval.

Nothing in sight reminded him of Seo Hee-soo. Yet, despite being overwhelmingly busy, fragments of her kept surfacing unbidden in his mind.

Why was this happening?

Jae-hyuk pressed his hand to his forehead and exhaled deeply.

Since watching Paradise Lost, the lingering images of her hadn’t faded. The way she had cried so pitifully on screen, her hollow eyes, her empty sobs—they kept twisting his insides.

Why?

He had always known Hee-soo was a talented actress, but why had he been reduced to tears? He couldn’t understand.

That night, from the moment Hee-soo delivered her first line until the closing credits rolled, Jae-hyuk hadn’t moved an inch. No, he hadn’t even thought to move—he had been completely absorbed in the film.

He hadn’t even realized he was crying.

It wasn’t until the credits ended and the TV screen went black that he rubbed his tired eyes. Only then, feeling the dampness on his fingertips, did he realize tears had fallen.

It was strange.

He hadn’t cried even when his father passed away. The fact that he was crying now felt utterly alien.

What had struck such a deep chord within him? No matter how much he reflected on the movie, he couldn’t comprehend it.

Hee-soo had simply been acting in the film. Perhaps the problem was that it had felt too real.

Huff. He exhaled again, trying to focus on the mountain of documents in front of him when he sensed movement outside the door.

Knock, knock.

Soon after, Director Oh entered the office.

“Attorney Kang is still waiting. Shall I bring him in?”

“Ah, yes. Let’s see him now.”

He had forgotten about Attorney Kang while dealing with the equipment accident at the Suwon factory that morning. Jae-hyuk slowly rose from his seat.

Attorney Kang had handled the aftermath of Jung Chul’s affairs, but Jae-hyuk had only met him a handful of times. In fact, very few people even knew of Attorney Kang’s existence within Kangrim.

He was a man who operated in the shadows, moving discreetly behind the scenes—it was what he did best.

“Kang Chan-sung.”

The man who entered the office bowed politely, but his gaze was sharp. Jae-hyuk offered a faint smile and gestured for him to take a seat on the sofa.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting. There was an incident at the Suwon factory this morning.”

“Ah.”

Attorney Kang nodded at Jae-hyuk’s explanation and responded with a slight smile.

“The factory manager at the Suwon plant must be close to retirement, yet he’s still there. That guy has always been stubborn. He likely altered or ignored most of the directives from higher-ups, handling things his own way. You should confirm it later.”

Without needing to hear specifics about which subsidiary or factory, Attorney Kang spoke confidently, as if he still had a firm grasp on the company’s affairs.

“The person you’re referring to retired last year. Most of the managerial positions at the factory have been replaced with new appointees this year.”

As Jae-hyuk spoke calmly and took his seat, Attorney Kang’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

No matter what you know, you’re already a relic of the past.

That was the message Jae-hyuk wanted to convey.

“Heh, my apologies. I’ve overstepped. Please forgive me.”

Recognizing Jae-hyuk’s intent, Attorney Kang apologized respectfully and sat down across from him. Having worked behind Jung Chul for over a decade, he was quick to pick up on nuances.

“There’s no need to apologize. In fact, I arranged this meeting because I need your expertise, Attorney Kang.”

As soon as Attorney Kang settled into his seat, Jae-hyuk got straight to the point.

“Please tell me what you want first.”

“Yes. As I conveyed earlier, I want double the severance pay I received, personal protection for the informant, and support for my family to stay abroad securely.”

In Attorney Kang’s hand was a document envelope. When Jae-hyuk glanced at it, Attorney Kang added:

“This contains evidence I didn’t hand over to the police. I’ve also summarized the charges from back then. Most of them were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.”

“Even if this evidence comes to light now, would it be possible to pursue an arrest?”

“A few cases are nearing the statute of limitations, but given how many accomplishments that person has amassed, it won’t matter much. Especially now, with public discourse blowing up online, it’ll only make things worse for them.”

Attorney Kang placed the envelope on the table and looked at Jae-hyuk again.

“So, are all my conditions accepted?”

Smiling faintly at Attorney Kang’s question, Jae-hyuk replied:

“I’ll give you triple your severance pay. Additionally, I’ll provide enough funds for you to change your nationality. You’ll also have personal security for about three years.”

“Ha… Thank you.”

Hearing Jae-hyuk’s response, Attorney Kang exhaled deeply, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Having survived several suspicious accidents in the U.S., Attorney Kang firmly believed that Jung Hoon was behind everything. Convinced that the threats wouldn’t stop as long as he lived—and as long as Jung Hoon coveted the top seat at Kangrim—he had entrusted his safety to Jae-hyuk.

“After handling so much of that man’s dirty work, to think he’d repay kindness with enmity… I couldn’t stand it anymore.”

Attorney Kang pushed the envelope toward Jae-hyuk and asked:

“Can I trust you, Vice President?”

“You came to me because you had no other options, right? Trust me. Isn’t it better for these documents to be in my hands than in my uncle’s?”

After staring intently into Jae-hyuk’s eyes, Attorney Kang finally removed his hand from the envelope.

“Understood. Handle it as you see fit. Just keep your promises to me.”

Jae-hyuk picked up the envelope and began examining its contents. Inside were thick stacks of documents and several USB drives.

“I always thought this might come in handy someday. These are things I’ve gathered over 20 years. Considering the hit-and-run drunk driving incident just before departure, it’s quite something.”

As Jae-hyuk flipped through the documents, he casually asked:

“Hit-and-run drunk driving?”

The mention reminded him of a record of drunk driving just before departure—but it seemed it wasn’t a simple case of DUI.

“Yes. He refused a breathalyzer test and was taken to the police station for obstructing official duties. We managed to get him out and bring him home, but on the way, he kept rambling... about hitting someone.”

“...Hitting someone?”

Jae-hyuk narrowed his eyes and repeated the question. Attorney Kang shrugged.

“He said he hit a young woman, then later claimed it was a child... I kept an eye out for any nearby hit-and-run reports for a few days, but nothing came up. However...”

“...However?”

Jae-hyuk’s gaze shifted to the document in his hand, which listed the date of the drunk driving incident.

“The memory card from the black box was replaced. It should be inside the envelope. I never got a chance to check it myself. I was suddenly ordered to accompany Director Jung Hoon on his departure, so there was no time. Afterward, since the situation didn’t escalate, it was left alone.”

“You didn’t think to check it separately?”

“What is a hit-and-run compared to everything else? Director Jung Hoon caused plenty of traffic accidents. Similar incidents happened so frequently that I was just grateful this one didn’t blow up. Plus, I covered it up myself.”

“Ah, I see.”

“At the time, I thought Chairman Jung Chul would live another 20 years. If that had happened, Director Jung Hoon might not have wandered abroad like this.”

Just as Attorney Kang finished speaking, a knock came at the door.

“Vice President, it’s time for your meeting.”

Director Oh peeked his head in. Sensing it was time to leave, Attorney Kang promptly stood up.

“I’ll take my leave, then.”

“Director Oh, please see him out.”

Attorney Kang left with Director Oh, assured that he would receive what he sought. After they departed, Jae-hyuk placed the envelope containing the documents into the safe in his office.