The night sky of Seoul was dyed purplish-red by neon lights. Cui Wenhan stood before the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor of the 63 Building, looking down at the city lights twinkling like a river of stars beneath his feet.
He gently swirled the Macallan whisky in his crystal glass; the amber liquid shimmered with an alluring luster under the lights.
"Mr. Cui, your speech tonight was a great success."
His secretary, Park Zhixun, stood three meters away, his hands clasped in front of him, bowing slightly. "Public opinion polls show your approval rating has risen by 2.3 percentage points."
Cui Wenhan did not turn around, merely raising his left hand and making a slight gesture with his index and middle fingers.
Park Zhixun immediately fell silent, stepping back half a pace, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He knew what that gesture meant: his boss was in a bad mood, and any superfluous words could lead to catastrophic consequences.
"Get the car ready," Cui Wenhan finally spoke. "I need to see Kim Min-jeong."
Park Zhixun's Adam's apple bobbed. "But Mr. Cui, there's a parliamentary inquiry tomorrow morning..."
"I said, get the car ready," Cui Wenhan turned around, a smile on his lips but no warmth in his eyes. "Do I need to repeat myself a third time?"
Park Zhixun's back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.
He bowed deeply, almost at a ninety-degree angle. "I will arrange it immediately, Mr. Cui."
Cui Wenhan watched his secretary's hurried retreat and took a sip of whisky.
He really should have rested today to prepare for tomorrow's parliamentary inquiry. But the new popular actress, Kim Min-jeong, with her startled, deer-like eyes and slender neck, had been lingering in his mind for a whole week.
He needed to release stress, and nothing relaxed him more than a terrified prey.
Half an hour later, a black Maybach stopped downstairs at a secluded luxury apartment building in Gangnam District. Cui Wenhan took the elevator to the top floor alone, entered the password, and pushed open the door.
The apartment was dimly lit, and the air was filled with the scent of expensive incense.
"Kim Min-jeong?" Cui Wenhan called out softly.
On the sofa in the corner of the living room, a young girl in a white dress suddenly looked up.
She wore exquisite makeup, but the fear in her eyes was unmistakable. Kim Min-jeong trembled as she stood up, her hands clasped tightly together. "Mr... Mr. Cui, you're here."
Cui Wenhan slowly took off his suit jacket and hung it on the coat rack. "I heard you recently received an offer for a new JTBC drama? The lead role?"
"Yes... yes," Kim Min-jeong forced a smile. "Thanks to your recommendation."
"Do you know why I recommended you?" Cui Wenhan walked closer to her and reached out to caress her cheek.
The girl's skin was cold, trembling slightly under his fingers.
"Because... because I..."
"Because you're obedient," Cui Wenhan's fingers suddenly tightened, pinching her chin. "At least last week you were obedient. But today I heard you had dinner with that actor named Do?"
Kim Min-jeong's eyes instantly filled with tears. "That was just a work dinner, everyone from the crew..."
"Shh~"
Cui Wenhan pressed his thumb against her lips. "I don't like excuses."
He pulled a velvet box from his pocket. When opened, it revealed a diamond-encrusted choker. "Look, a gift I specially prepared for you. Pure platinum, these diamonds are worth 300 million Korean won."
He smiled as he unlatched the choker. "More than your salary for that drama."
Kim Min-jeong began to back away, but Cui Wenhan grabbed her wrist, his grip so strong that she cried out in pain.
"Please... Mr. Cui... I have a shoot tomorrow..."
Cui Wenhan's smile widened. "No, you don't."
He took out his phone and dialed a number. "Cancel all of Kim Min-jeong's engagements for the next two weeks. Yes, just say she's feeling unwell."
After hanging up, he looked at the ashen-faced girl. "Now, we have plenty of time."
Three hours later, Cui Wenhan emerged from the apartment, looking refreshed.
Park Zhixun appeared beside him like a shadow, offering a wet towel and mineral water. Cui Wenhan wiped his hands and tossed the towel back to his secretary.
"Handle it," he said curtly. "She needs a few days of rest."
Park Zhixun bowed his head in assent, a flicker of imperceptible disgust and anger in his eyes.
He was all too familiar with what "handle it" meant: arranging a private doctor, paying hush money, threatening the agency.
This was already the third one this year.
Back in the car, Cui Wenhan's phone vibrated.
An unsaved number sent a text message: "The item is with the 巽 Group. The situation is more complicated than imagined."
For the first time, a crack appeared in Cui Wenhan's expression.
He quickly replied: "Get it back at all costs, someone must be sent to deal with it!"
After sending the message, he turned to Park Zhixun. "After the parliamentary inquiry tomorrow, I need to fly to Jeju Island immediately. Cancel all other engagements."
Park Zhixun looked up in surprise. "But Mr. Cui, the day after tomorrow you are scheduled to attend..."
"I said cancel," Cui Wenhan's voice was icy. "Do I need to explain it a second time?"
The air in the car seemed to solidify.
Park Zhixun lowered his head, his fingers moving quickly on the tablet. "It's already arranged, Mr. Cui."
Cui Wenhan leaned back in the leather seat and closed his eyes.
The contents of that silver briefcase were enough to turn him from a member of parliament into a prison inmate. Not only did it contain records of his dealings with Russian arms dealers, but also videos he thought no third person would ever see.
If these things were made public... his fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest.
Veronica had guaranteed she would send the most reliable person to handle this. Five hundred thousand dollars was no small sum, but compared to his political life, it was mere pocket change.
The next day, the parliamentary inquiry went surprisingly smoothly.
Cui Wenhan perfectly answered every pointed question, his smile appropriate, his words sincere.
No one could find a single flaw in this elegant gentleman; no one knew he had only fallen asleep at three in the morning, his mind constantly flashing with terrifying images of who the briefcase might have fallen into.
The next morning, he received a call from Suoluo.
"Mr. Cui, the item you entrusted us with has been located," the voice on the other end was calm. "But there have been some changes."
Cui Wenhan gripped his phone. "What changes?"
"It's been moved, and we are tracking it," Suoluo paused. "Your hired courier seems to have... deviated from the original route."
Cui Wenhan's pupils contracted. "Find him! I want that box back in my hands, completely intact."
"Of course, Mr. Cui. However..." Suoluo's voice suddenly became subtle. "Considering the increased risk, additional fees may be required."
Cui Wenhan's mouth twisted in a grimace, though his voice remained steady. "Money is not an issue. But if you dare to play tricks..."
"You worry too much, Mr. Cui. We always value our reputation," Suoluo chuckled. "I will personally oversee this matter."
After hanging up, Cui Wenhan slammed his fist on the armrest of the seat. These parasites, swarming in at the scent of blood. But he had no choice now but to continue this dangerous game.
"Triads!!"
Cui Wenhan poured himself a drink and stood by the floor-to-ceiling window facing Seoul's night view.
What Cui Wenhan didn't know was that, at this very moment, a man in a suit stepped onto the shores of Busan.
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