Chapter 187 - EXOTIC (XIX): Gearing Up

KJ was in his study room, looking through the files he had received from his grandfather's men. Standing in front of him was Secretary Lee, who had brought all the doc.u.ments KJ had asked for.

"Did you ever investigate who that person was?" KJ asked. "The one who was found dead inside my grandfather's office?"

"No," Secretary Lee replied. "The man's teeth were broken and his gums were burned badly. Moreover, we had noticed that his fingerprints and footprints were burned off as well. We suspect the dental recognition and fingerprints were removed before he was burnt to death."

"What about his DNA?"

"We tried to match his hair samples...or what was left of it," Secretary Lee squirmed. The thought of that dead body made him sick. The image of the man's gooey burnt flesh was etched into his mind like a haunting nightmare.

KJ set aside the files to the side and sighed. "If I'm not wrong, that man was Goo Soo Bin," KJ said thoughtfully. "After all, he went missing during that time."

He was rolling his chair, lost in thought. "Does anyone else know we are living here?" he asked.

"No sir," Secretary Lee confirmed. "However, the media may investigate soon. After all, your wedding is the talk of the town."

"Well even if they know, the Cartel won't be able to harm us here," KJ said. "The security consists of the best military personnel of the country who were personally selected by my grandfather. And with Abyss' men stationed at every point, the Cartel can't think of reaching us here. Outside, however, is a different issue…"

"Sir, the office of Mystic Entertainment will need extra security," Secretary Lee pointed out.

"Yes," KJ sighed. "Increase the security there. Also, have a team on surveillance for Mirae whenever she goes out. I'll choose the team members myself. And also, put the artists of our company under surveillance. The Cartel might end up attacking them in order to get to us. And we will not take any more trainees. Train the current ones and prepare to debut a new girl group."

"What about Hann Constructions, sir?" Lee asked. "There is no President to run the board and the shareholders want to sell off their shares. Since the death of Shun Oguri, they've lost faith in the company. Their condition is that a member of the Kwon family must take over in order to ensure their continued support and also to ensure that the Cartel does not get a hold of the company again. So until you return, they won't be investing in it anymore."

"Hmm…" KJ thought. "If I'm not mistaken, Hann Constructions was looking to expand its business beyond real estate and was diverting towards the entertainment industry by investing in the constructions of new buildings for various agencies. Right?"

"Yes," Lee replied. "There were plans to do that. It was a diversification strategy to dab into various fields."

"Alright," KJ clapped his hands. He stood up from his chair and went around the desk. "Firstly, fire all the employees and directors who had any connection with the Cartel over the past years. If they have any dues from our end, pay it to them so that they cannot take any legal actions against us. If they don't leave willingly, use any underhand method you deem necessary. Secondly, Mystic Entertainment will buy back the shares held by Shun Oguri and all the Board members who had any connection to the Cartel. That should make up around fifty percent of the company. Add my grandfather's shares to that, we'll own almost sixty percent."

"After Mystic Entertainment takes over the company," he continued. "Hann Constructions will go through revamps. The real estate business will only become a subsidiary of Mystic Entertainment. That way, Hann Constructions will be saved from the grip of the Cartel and Mystic Entertainment will get a greater market share. Plus, it will leave us with less worry when we take on the firms owned by the Cartel especially in the entertainment industry."

"And finally," KJ said. "Find Ash Park. Alive. At any cost. That man is more dangerous than the Cartel. If he takes over...then it will be over for us. Go and find him."

"Understood sir," Lee bowed before taking his leave. KJ stood there in silence. He had made a mistake by leaving Hann Constructions to the mercy of the wrong people. It was time for him to take back his legacy.

….

Secretary Lee was on his way out when he heard his name being called.

"Secretary Lee!"

He turned around to see Mirae running towards him. She gave him a brief hug.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" she asked, smiling at him.

"I was summoned suddenly by Master Jiwon," he replied. "Congratulations on your marriage. It might have taken years but at least the Chairman's last wish has been fulfilled."

"What do you mean?" Mirae asked curiously.

"Well…" Lee began. "Before Chairman Kwon passed away, he wanted to put forth his last wish in front of the two of you. However, Master Jiwon chose not to visit his deathbed due to the auditions and went on to become an idol while you were sent away for training."

"What was his last wish?"

"His last wish was to get the two of you married," Secretary Lee revealed.

….

Hyun Jung had just arrived at the precinct and took his seat at the desk.

"Detective Hyun."

He looked up to see his senior, Sergeant Deokwha summoning him.

"Sunbae!" he stood up to greet him. 

"Can we talk privately?" Deokwha requested.

"Sure."

Sergeant Deokwha led him towards the pantry room. It was empty.

"I've noticed you've been working on a lot of off the record cases," Deokwha commented. "Can you please share why you are not concentrating on the cases on hand and chasing non-police work?"

"I was simply looking into the death of Ahn Naesung and Kwon Jiwon's attempted murder," Hyun Jung replied. "Since KJ is my friend and I was one of the first officers at Ahn Naesung's death scene."

"But you're going overboard," Deokwha pointed out. "Those are not your cases. Focus on the files you have in hand. The superiors had been watching you very carefully. Recently, you put in a request to access the information for someone named Song Sia with the Busan Police. May I ask why?"

"I...I was told that she was involved with the killers of Ahn Naesung," Hyun Jung lied. 

"Do you have any proof?"

Hyun Jung hesitated. "No," he finally said. "Which is why I need-"

"Stop all those useless investigations!" Deokwha snapped. "You're off these cases. Kwon Jiwon's shooting was by a sasaeng fan who never got caught and Ahn Naesung's case has no leads. That case will be reassigned to someone else."

"But I was there!" Hyun Jung protested.

"Doesn't matter," Deokwha overruled him. "You're off these cases. Do I make myself clear?"

Hyun Jung clenched his fists, fuming with anger but he did not voice it out.

"Yes sir," he finally said.