Chapter 135 - Hann Constructions (XI) It will all be over...

"Sunbae…"

Eli was looking at Hyun Jung. There was a strange glimmer in his eyes. He was staring at the screen intently.

"Sunbae!" she shook him. Hyun Jung broke out of his reverie.

"Huh?" he asked in confusion.

"Sunbae, what is this video about?" Eli asked. "Who are these people with Shun Oguri?"

"I don't know," Hyun Jung lied. He was not sure how to explain it to her. He recognized Junhyung immediately and if he was not wrong based on the descriptions he received from KJ, the person next to Oguri was probably Ziko. 

Does this mean Shun Oguri is somehow involved with the Cartel? Hyun Jung thought. Unfortunately, the video was muted and it was difficult to tell what the three men were talking about.

"We're going to Hann Constructions again," Hyun Jung said. "Tomorrow is Sunday so we'll go on Monday."

Before Eli could say anything else, Hyun Jung turned away. He wanted to call KJ but thought the better of it. It was better to collect conclusive proof first. 

"Sunbae, are you alright?" Eli questioned.

"I'm fine," he snapped. Eli was startled. Hyun Jung realized his error.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I was just thinking about something else. Please excuse me."

He got up and left the room. Eli wanted to stop him but thought the better of it. She would have to find out the truth by herself.

Hyun Jung headed towards an empty interrogation room. His head was filled with confusion. Who could have sent the video? Was it Junhyung himself? But why would he endanger himself by openly admitting his association with the Cartel? Then again the video was sent to Hyun Jung and not to anyone else. Does this mean there was a hidden message which was directed towards him?

Maybe Junhyung cashed in on the fact that Hyun Jung was friends with KJ and would definitely tell the latter about the video. 

Should I tell him? Hyun Jung wondered. But if he was being honest with himself, he did not want to tell KJ about this yet. The latter had just recovered from a coma and was already burdened with a lot of other work. He knew KJ was still trying to get any news about the Cartel but his life was still in danger. The video was proof that Junhyung was working against them again.

"I can't tell him," Hyun Jung said out loud. "Not yet."

He buried his head in his hands.If only he could catch the Cartel's main guy, it will all be over...

….

KJ, Ash and Mirae were going over their plan again.

"Remember, you have to keep Shun Oguri busy for at least twenty minutes," KJ repeated.

"I know!" Ash said, rolling his eyes. "I'm to keep negotiating with him and keep him busy while Mirae goes to the washroom to execute her plan."

"What if someone catches you?" KJ asked. 

"I'll have a lookout," Mirae replied.

"Who?"

"You don't need to know," she said. "Just trust me. So you're going on Monday?" She added to Ash.

"That's what the PR person said," Ash replied. "Around eleven am."

"Shouldn't we inform Hyun Jung about this plan?" Mirae asked KJ. "He helped us out the last time."

"Unlike last time we are not going to corner anyone nor coerce information out of them," KJ said. "He won't be able to help us inside Hann Constructions. Besides, he's got other cases to work on. He probably piled up a lot while I was on coma. Nah, let's not involve him in this one. This is our own mission."

"But won't he be mad?" she asked. "That we will break into Hann Constructions without him?"

"Still, I don't want to involve him," KJ insisted. He did not like the idea of keeping Hyun Jung in the dark either but he had noticed that over the past few days, Hyun Jung was preoccupied with something. He would not even tell KJ what was bothering him. KJ figured it was probably something to do with work since Hyun Jung was totally focused on him over the past month. He probably had a pile of other work stacked up and KJ did not want to worry him even more.

"I agree with KJ," Ash said when Mirae opened her mouth to protest. "Hyun Jung has enough on his plate and he's probably busy trying to find clues on Teppei's meeting in Sunny Daze. Besides, we can manage this on our own. Unlike last time, Hann Constructions may have Cartel's spies but it's owned by KJ's family. There are Kwon family loyalists in there. We're not heading into enemy territory but weeding out enemies from our own gang."

Mirae pursed her lips. She could not help but feel that they should inform Hyun Jung about their intentions. 

"Let's go over the plan one more time," Ash suggested. "We need to make sure everything goes smoothly on Monday."

Nodding at his suggestion, KJ and Mirae began to go through their notes again. Finally, after working through the whole night, they had the plan memorized to the T. Exhausted by the end, Ash and Mirae bid goodbye, leaving KJ alone to his thoughts.

He slumped on the couch, ready for a daylong sleep. Jade jumped on to his lap. Stroking the mute cat, KJ went over the plan again in his head.

"Soon, it will all be over..." he consoled himself.

….

Nida slowly made her way towards the main chamber. Despite the mansion's elegance and artsy touches, she could not help but shudder in fear whenever she was there. The whole atmosphere suffocated her. Yet, she kept a calm and indecipherable composure. If there was one thing she learned in all these years with the Cartel was that panic will only make one weaker.

Standing in front of the main bedroom's door, she lightly knocked on it.

"Come in," came a deep voice.

Stepping into the bedroom, Nida bowed down. The President was sitting behind the desk, his back towards her.

"I believe you have some news?" he questioned her.

"I have sent the video to the detective as per your instructions," Nida informed him. "Given that Junhyung and the detective went to the same school with Kwon Jiwon, the detective will surely recognize his old friend."

She waited for his reply but was met with silence. The President pondered on his next move.

"If you…" Nida started cautiously but stopped herself.

"Go on," the President ordered quietly. She bit her lip.

"If you don't mind me asking," Nida said again. "Why did you send the video to the detective? That was a highly confidential meeting regarding the next successor! Wouldn't that video jeopardize the Cartel's future?"

"It might," the President said lazily.

"Then why did you send it, sir?"

"That," the President emphasized. "Is something you don't have to know."

His voice held an underlying threat. Nida knew if she asked any more questions, the consequences would be terrible. She did not even want to think about what he might do to her.

"Strip and bend," came his orders. 

"Yes, sir," she complied in terror. Trembling, she slowly took off her clothes until she was completely undressed. Bending over the bed, she waited, the cool air sending chills down her spine.

She felt a heavy presence come behind her. He yanked her hair harshly, almost making her cry in pain. Her eyes were teary but she did not dare to make a sound otherwise it can get worse. Dimly, she heard the unbuckling of a belt. Even after so many years, she still dreaded the next part.

Within a few seconds, her screams of pain echoed throughout the empty mansion.

A few more days, she chanted in her head, as the torture on her body continued. A few more days and it will all be over...