Chapter 205 - Rescue (2): Renewed Respect**

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS GRAPHIC VIOLENCE. IF YOU'RE UNCOMFORTABLE, PLEASE SKIP TO THE DOTTED LINES. 

Nida was whimpering on the king sized bed. Her b.r.e.a.s.ts jumped up and down as the President humped her roughly. She bit into the pillow to stop herself from screaming but the President grabbed her hair and jerked her backwards. 

He then grabbed her left leg and put it on his shoulder, slamming into her hard. The slapping of his rod against her clit echoed through the room. Nida held in her cries as he finally climaxed and filled up her insides with his c.u.m. 

She had been in his room for the past two days, locked in his perverse acts. Her hands were tied to the bedposts and her eyes were dried. They no longer shed tears whenever she was in bed with the President. 

The man rolled over and slid out of her. He was completely n.a.k.e.d, a repulsive sight for Nida. But she kept her submissive demeanor to appease him. She watched him pour a glass of wine for himself. 

"How is the boy doing?" he asked quietly. 

"Master Ash opened his own agency," she replied. "It already received talented trainees and our business partners are investing in it. Very soon, they will introduce a girl group." 

"Will you be a part of this group?" he asked, taking a sip from his glass. He lit up a cigar and sat on the edge of the bed. 

"Yes," she whispered. The man said nothing and kept on smoking his cigarette quietly. 

"Kwon Jiwon married the CEO of Abyss," he stated. 

"It's a marriage of convenience!" Nida said at once. "They got married in order to protect Kwon Jiwon's reput-" 

Her rest of the words were overridden by her scream. The President had put the burning cigar into her navel. 

"They are now formidable," he said absentmindedly, grinding the cigar against her stomach. Nida whimpered in pain as it burned on her skin. 

"She is now doubly protected," he said. "Both by Abyss and Kwon family's men." 

He removed the cigar from her stomach and put it in his mouth again, blowing the smoke on Nida's face. 

"That brat better destroy them," The President stated. "Otherwise the succession will be very difficult for him." 

Nida cowered away but her hands were still tied. She wanted to run away from this vile man but her attempts failed. He always found her and every time she was caught, the punishment was severe. Which is why she hoped that once Ash becomes the head of the Cartel, her sufferings may reduce. 

He positioned himself in between her legs and spread them wide open. She had the brief urge to throttle him with them. But she bit it down as he swooped down and began to lick her. 

Very soon the cries of her pleasure and pain were heard from outside the locked room. 

… 

Eli fidgeted nervously as she stared at the vast mansion in front of her. It looked like a mini castle! Was the Nation's Idol raised here? 

"Rich people sure have it easy," she muttered. The security guards ushered her in. They led her to a small patio in the garden and asked her to wait while the mistress of the house arrived.

She looked around in awe. It was a cozy garden with a mini pond surrounding it. The patio was inside a gazebo, fully furnished with a set of comfortable couches. There was a stylish coffee table for hi-tea and snacks. 

One of the maids arrived with a tray of snacks which Eli only saw in food magazines along with tea. 

"Mistress is coming," the maid informed her. "In five minutes. Please enjoy the view in the meantime." 

Eli thanked her as the maid walked away. She stood up and walked over to inspect a flower bed. There was a beautiful orange flower which caught her eye. She had never seen it before but the color was striking. 

"It's called a Lantana." 

Startled, Eli turned back to see Mirae standing there. Even though she had seen the CEO of Abyss on TV, it was the first time they had officially met sans the disastrous meeting when they were interrogating Shun Oguri. Eli remembered how much they had mistrusted each other then. 

"These grow mainly in Africa," Mirae stated as she approached her. 

"It's beautiful," Eli said. "I don't know if you remember me. I'm Detective Lee Eli." 

She held out her hand. Mirae shook it. 

"Let's sit down and discuss some things, shall we?" Mirae suggested. She led Eli back to the couch. 

"First of all," Eli started. "I'm really sorry about our first meeting at the police station. I didn't know who you were and I was being rude-" 

"That's alright!" Mirae laughed. "You were being kept in the dark about all this. It was natural of you to get suspicious. Although I admit, I didn't like it either but it's all in the past." 

She gave her an assuring smile. Eli was relieved by Mirae's friendliness. She was afraid that the CEO would hold a grudge against her. But to her surprise, Mirae was very welcoming. 

"Regarding what Hyun Jung sunbae said," Eli began. "I have strong reason to believe that Goo Soo Bin might be in this building." 

She took out the file and opened it for Mirae to study. "As you may know, I was the one who took up the case on the request of Mr. Shin Woojin. But shortly after, he also went missing." 

"So this Sergeant Deokwha stopped the investigation?" Mirae queried. 

"Yes," Eli said. "I was surprised but he overruled my protests. I didn't realize this case was related to the Cartel until sunbae told me he was looking for Goo Soo Bin. I strongly suspect that the Sergeant is affiliated with the Cartel." 

Mirae thought hard. "Hyun Jung had already told me that much," she said. "Which is why, I'll need your help. He can't investigate the cases related to the Cartel freely. But if that Deokwha is out of the way, you two will have more freedom." 

She opened a pouch and took out a tiny chip. It was so small that at first glance, it looked like a mole. 

"This is a mini hacking device," Mirae explained. "All you have to do is put it inside his computer's memory card reader. I'll do the rest. Once inside, I can access his emails, call records, transactions. Everything." 

"What if he doesn't have anything related to the Cartel on his computer?" Eli frowned. 

"Doesn't matter, his card numbers, case files and other PIN will reveal a lot," Mirae said, putting the device in a small box. "But once you put it in, you'll have exactly five minutes to take it out and discard it. Otherwise it will self-destruct and arouse suspicions. Got it?" 

Eli nodded as she took the box. 

"Thank you, Eli for helping us," Mirae thanked her. "It means a lot." 

Eli smiled at her. "I'll try my best to help," she said with a fierce determination. "And I would like to make it up to you in anyway I can."

Mirae suddenly straightened up. "Actually, if you don't mind, can you help me out with something?" she asked. She took out her phone and showed her the picture of Sunye's locket.

"Can you help me find this boy over here?" she asked. "A friend of mine is looking for him because they're foster siblings and I promised I'd help. Unfortunately, she can't remember much from those days since she was so small. The locket itself is a rare item made by the famous jewelry maker, the late Jeon Shin. If I go, his family may not give me the information. But you're a cop. They will readily give you the list of people who had this locket made."

Eli took a look at the picture. "Alright," she agreed. "Send me the picture and I'll investigate there. It shouldn't be a problem for me to get the information from them."

Mirae smiled and emailed her the picture. Even if they started on a rocky patch, Mirae had a feeling that Eli would end up as a close confidante. Eli, too, gained a sense of respect for the CEO.