Chapter 311 - The Two Clans

He slowly turned his chair to face them, putting away the cigar in his hand.

"Oh, you can speak," Tamlin commented. "I thought you needed a puppet to do that as well."

The President was unabashed by his remark. If there was one person who could insult him and get away, it was Song Tamlin. He was very well aware of the latter's notorious reputation for skullduggery.

"I know that you owe Abyss favors, Song Tamlin," he shot back coolly. Sunye was frozen in fear and shock. It was the same voice from all those years ago. She could never forget that man's hoarse and scratchy voice which sounded as if he was on the verge of death. The President was wearing a white, full face mask to hide his appearance. Sunye knew that his face was completely burnt and he was hiding his hideousness from the world. 

Yet, his mysterious persona made him even more dangerous.

"I completed my favors already," Tamlin shrugged. "I saved his wife at my party didn't I. Otherwise your lovely assistant here was courting death."

He threw a hard gaze at Junhyung who looked mortified. "Trying to harm a guest under my own roof," Tamlin said quietly. "That's one thing I would not tolerate even if it was my own enemy. If there is one thing Song Tamlin has never done, is to break the code of hospitality. She was my invited guest and insulting her at my party is equal to insulting me."

Junhyung was visibly scared. Tamlin may be on their side but even the Cartel would not dare to mess with him. He was untouchable just like the President himself.

Beads of sweat appeared on his face which he wiped away with a handkerchief.

"You pull a stunt like that again," Tamlin began. "I will chop your balls and burn them in front of your eyes."

It was not a threat but a vow. Song Tamlin was not known for breaking his promises.

"I should have known better," Junhyung said with a shaky voice.

"You did," Tamlin stated, with a smile."You just thought you'd be protected by the President. Unfortunately, you overestimated your capabilities. Am I right?"

He turned to look at the President who was quiet. A cold fury welled up within him.

"I will deal with you later, Junhyung," the President said in a flat tone. "Back to our work."

He turned to Sunye, who was as white as a paper.

"Are you alright, Ms. Han?" he asked curiously. "You haven't spoken a word."

Sunye was startled that he was talking to her. She was afraid that if she opened her mouth, he would recognize her. Why did this bizarre thought run through her mind, she never found out. But the fear and irrational thoughts popping into her head were preventing her from saying a word. If this kept up, she might foil their plan and give them away.

"I was simply wondering why you have summoned us here," she said slowly. "What can we do for you, President?"

She waited to see if the old man would recognize her at all. To her relief he merely shrugged.

"I wanted to know what news you have for us, Song Tamlin," the President stated. "What is Abyss up to?"

"They're looking for the killers of their informers," Tamlin informed him. "They obviously know their men have been killed under your orders. But now they're looking for evidence."

"What about the hitman they have captured?" 

"Dead," Tamlin said warily. "He killed himself out of fear that you'd subject him to a worse fate than death. Then again, if he was beaten by a bunch of teenagers then he was not doing his job very well, was he?"

The President leaned back, studying Song Tamlin. There was no doubt the man was telling the truth but why? What were his motives to help them?

"Why are you on our side?" he finally asked. "My men were the ones who violated your daughter. I have no reason to trust you."

"You don't," Tamlin said. "Your grandson, however, is a different story. I owe him a favor."

"What do you mean?" 

"Ask him," Tamlin said. "Maybe someday, he'll tell you. Besides, he's much more capable than your so-called secretary here to run the Cartel."

Junhyung was slighted by the constant insults. His hands clenched into a fist and he wanted to punch Song Tamlin in the face. But he knew that would be equal to courting death.

"Give me all the details on their plans," the President said. "If any information is wrong, then I won't hesitate to declare an all out war between our clans. Even if you have as much power as me, I will not go easy on you."

"Song Tamlin doesn't lie," Tamlin declared. "You know that very well."

"You don't lie," the President agreed. "You simply use the truth to your advantage."

He leaned forward. "I want to take over Mystic Entertainment as soon as possible," he announced. "Find out how we can exploit their weakness."

"You need to build your weak agency first," Sunye shot back. The President turned to her, mildly interested at her audacity. She was unflinching from his gaze.

"You failed to debut a girl group," she went on. "Their first show was a disaster and there is no news of their comeback. Do you really think that your company can take over a music giant like Mystic Entertainment. I'm a lawyer and the idea you're suggesting is laughable to me!"

"So what do you suggest we do, Ms. Han?" the President asked.

"Focus on building your reputation," she said. "Ash Park is already a stained idol. He'll never rise again and there is no hope for him. Remove him from the company and reinstate someone who is more competent than him!"

"Unfortunately, my grandson is the majority shareholder," the President mused. "I can't replace him. Besides, I have another use for him…"

He trailed off, not elaborating on his plans. "And as for Kwon Jiwon," he went on. "He'll come to me himself. I know his weakness and I know how to strike at it. What you will provide me, is the timing."

He glanced at Tamlin. "Tell me about their movements," he ordered. "Every single of them. I want to know about the events they will attend or host. Everything."

Tamlin nodded. "Fine," he said. "I will inform you but I have no intention of getting involved with them any further. What you do with the information, is up to you."

The President nodded. Tamlin and Sunye stood up. "Pleasure doing business with you," Tamlin said, extending his hand forward. 

Sunye watched, holding her breath as the two men shook hands. There was a tension in the air, suffocating her. The two men did not trust each other but were agreeing to an uneasy truce.

"Let's go, Ms. Han," Tamlin nodded. Sunye followed him, wanting nothing more than to leave the place.

As soona s they left, Junhyung turned to the President. "Sir, he is not trustworthy," he said at once. Song Tamlin is hiding something."

"Do you really think I don't know?" the President asked in a quiet tone, scaring Junhyung for stepping out of line.

"I didn't mean-"

"Keep an eye on that girl," the President said. "She was carrying a recorder which was undoubtedly being tapped by Abyss."

Before Junhyung could express his shock, the President added, "Kwon Jiwon will be busy watching over his wife. Make sure he's always near her. That will clear our way to carry out our plans. When I'm done with executing my next move, both of them will come to me themselves. They have to."

Junhyung did not say anything else but nodded. The President turned away his chair, lighting up another cigar.