Chapter 314 - The Unreadable Man

Song Tamlin and Sunye were sitting with KJ at Mystic Entertainment. Hyun Jung and Riggs were there too, listening to their discussions. 

"So he wants more information on us," KJ said thoughtfully. "Well, we managed to eliminate all his spies like how he killed off our informers. It's natural that he has no idea what we are planning."

"But what is he planning?" Hyun Jung interjected. "Now that both the sides are silent, the President himself is beginning to act up. But what are his motives?"

"It's impossible to read the man," KJ sighed. "After the incident at the concert, he will not stay quiet. And Ash...Ash won't either. I'm sure he's up to something as well."

"Ash Park was probably the one orchestrating the concert incident," Tamlin replied. "He was being quite cryptic before the debut of his girl group and its failure did not bother him at all. It was like he was merely using them to get to you."

"I won't be surprised if he was the one who did the planning," KJ muttered. "Only someone familiar with the venue would know about that hiding spot. EXOTIC had performed there many times so I'm sure he knew about it."

That was when it hit Hyun Jung. "That day when the hitman killed himself," he said slowly. "I had taken Ash's name while talking on the phone. The guy was unresponsive until I took his name."

"That must mean he was more scared of Ash than he was of the President," Sunye said. "Ash Park is also the heir to the business. Moreover, the President can't even remove him. Who else can replace the old guy as the new leader?"

"Whatever the President is planning," Riggs added. "Ash Park must be on it as well. He's been controlling the strings from behind."

"So what do we do?" KJ asked in frustration. It was almost impossible to catch Ash unless it was red handed. He was operating freely despite being a social pariah. 

"Tell them the truth," Tamlin said. Everyone turned to stare at him.

"Tell the President the truth about your whereabouts," he simply said. 

"Are you insane?" Hyun Jung exclaimed. "If we do that, they'll tail us."

"Exactly," Tamlin pointed out. "They'll know where you are and come for you. And by default, we'll know where they are so that we can strike from behind before they can attack you. Don't go searching for the enemy who's also looking for you. Wait in one place and let him come to you."

KJ pondered on those words. They had heard the President's words. He was going to do something which will make KJ go to him…

"He's going to target Mirae," he concluded. "It's obvious. He knows our whereabouts but is waiting for the right time to strike."

"Except this time, you decide when he'll strike," Tamlin said. "But the President is no fool. He'll not just run into your trap like that. He'll make sure that you are enraged enough to do something stupid."

"So what are you suggesting we do?" Riggs asked but this time Sunye replied.

"Leave it to us," she assured him. "All we need is your assistance in next week's anniversary party for Mystic Entertainment."

"How can we help?" KJ demanded.

"At the party, you'll be with Mirae," Sunye stated. "Don't leave her side. The President will attack her but if he sees you, he might also attack you as an added bonus. In short, make him target both of you together. After that, we'll take care of him. All you have to do is, take Mirae out of there in a car we'll designate for you. Take her away without any guards. Alone."

KJ nodded. Even if he did not trust Song Tamlin, he trusted his sister. Moreover, even Tamlin relied on Sunye for and was helping them so far.

"Alright," KJ agreed. "We'll rely on you."

"I'll not fail you, Kwon Jiwon," Tamlin said. "You have my word."

"I should go," Sunye said. "I have to go to the court early tomorrow."

"We'll drop you off," Riggs offered. "It's not safe for you to go alone."

Sunye was about to protest but Hyun Jung cut through her words. "He's right," he said. "We'll be careful but please don't refuse."

She sighed. "Alright," she said. "Let's go."

Turning to KJ she said, "I'll talk to you later."

"Alright, sis," he said as she walked away. They left the room, leaving KJ and Tamlin alone in the room.

"You're hesitating," Tamlin noted.

"What?"

"You're hesitating to go against your former friend," Tamlin elaborated. "I saw it in your eyes when Hyun Jung talked about Ash Park."

KJ pursed his lips. Song Tamlin was right. Even after what Ash had done, he was still not ready to go against the man he had once considered a friend.

"It's just hard to believe that he betrayed us," he lamented. "The Ash we knew never existed."

Tamlin observed KJ carefully. "You two are quite alike," he said. "Both of you are fighting for a purpose. You're fighting to protect your loved ones. He's fighting for his birthright."

"The birthright which stands on a pile of dead bodies," KJ said sardonically.

"Nonetheless, it's his right to claim what belongs to him," Tamlin sighed. "Except that, he will lose a lot more than he bargained for. He already did. Just like me."

KJ did not ask him what he meant. Song Tamlin was a complicated man and he had no intention of delving into his history.

"He knows what he lost," KJ corrected him. "He had it all. Fame, money, friends and love. Yet, he gave it up for what? A birthright which will only bring him misery."

"Who knows?" Tamlin mused. "Maybe he isn't after anything. Some people would not hesitate to burn the entire world down for their own gain. Ash Park is like that. He'd destroy the whole world if he has to only to achieve what he wants. Even if it means...her."

KJ froze at those words. Tamlin knew very well that Ash Park still had a soft corner for Mirae and yet, he would not stop to think before killing her as well. After all, Tamlin himself did not hesitate to kill his own beloved.

"I won't let him touch even a hair on her head," KJ swore. "He won't be able to hurt us anymore."

"Keep her close, Kwon Jiwon," Tamlin said, getting up. "The President is unpredictable but not unreadable. Ash Park on the other hand is unreadable. You don't know what he's thinking and you'll never know it either. Be wary of him. He's going to destroy you more than the Cartel ever had."

With that, Tamlin bowed his head and left the room. KJ sat there for a while, thinking about what to do next.