A Contracted Gangster Who Has to Die to Survive - Chapter 36

I stared blankly at Choi Taejoon’s back.

His heaving shoulders and the redness creeping up his neck betrayed his simmering rage.

“Sir, you’re aware that what you’re doing right now constitutes obstruction of justice, correct?”

“Aren’t you the one abusing your authority, Detective?”

“Oh, right. I almost forgot to add assault to the charges. Sergeant Kang, these guys seem to love procedures, so make sure to follow protocol and arrest them properly.”

Since the head of security had been the first to twist an officer’s arm, the detective was now adding assault to the list. The security chief scowled, holding out his wrist right under the inspector’s nose.

“Here, take it. Arrest me for assault or whatever. But leave the others out of it.”

The inspector, clearly just as fired up, let out a derisive snort.

“Guys like you never know the difference between shit and soy paste. Always so damn proud of your blind loyalty. What was that? ‘Leave the others out of it’?”

“What the hell did you just say?”

The security chief clenched his teeth, ready to lunge, but Secretary Kim stepped in between them.

“Lee Jinsoo. Let’s stop this here.”

“Come on, buddy. This is hilarious. Since when did gangsters become noble revolutionaries, willing to lay down their lives for loyalty?”

I had called Taejoon’s men “gangsters” plenty of times before, but hearing it from him—especially in that tone—felt infuriating.

If I was pissed, I could only imagine how Taejoon felt.

As expected, Taejoon exhaled a slow, controlled breath, curling and uncurling his fist as he took a step closer to the detective.

“You’re Senior Inspector Lee Jinsoo from the Central Investigation Bureau’s Violent Crimes Division 7, correct?”

The surrounding officers immediately closed ranks around their superior, while Lee Jinsoo himself instinctively tensed, lowering his stance in preparation.

“W-What? You planning to hit me?”

Taejoon slowly removed his sunglasses, then dipped his head slightly in a mock bow.

“Thank you for your hard work, even on the weekend.”

His tone was polite, his posture respectful—but the mockery in his words was unmistakable.

And judging by Lee Jinsoo’s scowl, I wasn’t the only one who felt it.

“If it weren’t for scumbags like you, I wouldn’t have to work weekends in the first place.”

Taejoon tilted his head, pausing for a moment to scan his surroundings before locking eyes with the inspector once more.

“Have you ever considered that the only reason I’m speaking so civilly to you right now is because you’re a cop?”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that if you weren’t wearing that badge, I wouldn’t be wasting my breath on formalities, Senior Inspector Lee Jinsoo.”

There was a brief flicker of fear in Lee Jinsoo’s expression—just for a split second.

But he recovered quickly, slipping back into his usual bravado.

“Choi Taejoon of Taesung Industries. Obstruction of justice, assault, and now threats? Quite the list you’re racking up.”

“Let’s see… abuse of authority, emotional damages, defamation, unlawful disclosure of a suspect’s status, and what time is it, Secretary Kim?”

Secretary Kim promptly checked his watch.

“1:29 PM, sir.”

“Damn. Guess I’ll have to add reimbursement for the flight tickets to that list. Civil and criminal lawsuits combined… Think you can cover that with a government salary?”

Whether it was the weight of Taejoon’s words or the realization that this was turning into a much bigger mess than they’d anticipated, the officers—who had been so eager to drag him away just moments ago—suddenly seemed hesitant.

Backed into a corner, Lee Jinsoo clicked his tongue in frustration before asking sharply,

“What’s your reason for suddenly going to Jeju Island? As far as I know, you were advised not to leave your usual area of operation.”

“Since when am I not allowed to travel within my own country with my own money?”

I nodded in agreement. He had a point. South Korea was supposed to be a free country. It wasn’t like he was fleeing overseas.

Seizing the brief silence, one of the other officers—likely the more level-headed one—quickly stepped in, trying to mediate.

“Of course, of course. You’re free to travel.”

He forced an awkward smile, clearly uneasy about how things were escalating.

“But we reviewed your statements, and there were some inconsistencies with your whereabouts on the day of the incident. We just need some clarification. Rather than discussing this here, why don’t we move somewhere more private?”

Taejoon checked his watch again, then let out a short sigh.

It seemed he had realized this wasn’t something he could brush off.

“Fine. Let’s hear it. But first, release my employee.”

“…Let him go.”

Though reluctant, Lee Jinsoo gave the order, and the cold metal cuffs were finally removed from my wrist.

In the end, Taejoon, Secretary Kim, and the security chief were all taken to what was likely an interrogation room, leaving me alone in the terminal.

— This is the final boarding announcement for KE602 to Jeju Island, departing at 1:30 PM. Passengers, please proceed to your gate immediately.

The airline had been calling our names over the intercom for a while now.

Maybe I should go explain the situation to them.

Just as I was about to make my way over to the airline counter, someone grabbed my sleeve.

“Hyun Woo Kyung.”

“Huh?”

“Shh. Come with me.”

I turned to see a familiar face.

“Baek—Baek Team Leader?”

What the hell is he doing here?

“Yeah, it’s me. Keep quiet and follow me.”

“Let go of me!”

Baek Team Leader dragged me into the airport restroom, shoving me into the innermost stall before lowering his voice.

“Hyun Woo Kyung, what exactly are you planning to do with Choi Taejoon in Jeju? Going on a honeymoon?”

I recoiled, pinching my nose against the stench of the restroom.

“A-Are you crazy?”

“Then why the sudden trip to Jeju? Expanding his business, is he?”

“I don’t know! And why did you drag me into this disgusting bathroom? Move!”

“Not until you talk. Why is that gangster suddenly going to Jeju?”

So what if he’s a gangster? He’s not banned from going to Jeju.

“You seem to think my boss only deals in illegal activities. He’s going for legitimate business.”

“Legitimate business?”

I hesitated for a moment before blurting it out.

“Yes. An entertainment agency!”

Baek Team Leader scoffed, laughing incredulously.

“Choi Taejoon, an entertainment CEO? That’s about as believable as a hot iced Americano. And why are you defending him?”

“I’m not defending him. I’m just telling you the truth.”

“Sure, sure. So what’s his real plan? Smuggling? Drug trafficking? Money laundering? There’s no way he’s just going to run an agency.”

Whatever calculations Taejoon had in mind, I had no clue.

“Who knows? Maybe he is planning to smuggle drugs, launder money, or even disappear in hiding.”

“What?”

“But even if he was, do you really think he’d tell me? He barely trusts me as it is. Now, move! If someone sees me with you, it’ll just make things worse!”

If anyone caught me talking to Baek Team Leader, things would get messy fast.

“Fine. Let’s say he is going there for an agency. Why now? An entertainment company isn’t exactly a cash cow for laundering money.”

“The only thing I know is that Taejoon has been temporarily appointed as ST Entertainment’s CEO. That’s it. Satisfied?”

That much information should be harmless to share. Besides, he wasn’t going to let me leave without something. And I really didn’t want to stay locked in a restroom stall any longer.

“I have to go. If Taejoon realizes I’m missing, he’ll—”

Before I could finish, my phone started vibrating inside my bag.

“Wait a second. The CEO of ST… isn’t that actress Song Seohee? Kang’s lover? There’s no reason for her to step down, and Taejoon would never accept that position willingly. This doesn’t add up.”

“I told you, that’s all I know!”

I unlocked the stall door and bolted out.

“Hey, Hyun Woo Kyung! Stop right there! You think I like doing this? You think I enjoy digging into your past and using your weak spots against you?”

As if I didn’t already know his tactics. He was about to bring up my so-called father again to threaten me.

“You know we’ve been protecting your father, right? Maybe I should just hand him over to the gangsters.”

“Go ahead. Do whatever you want. And while you’re at it, stop calling them gangsters—it’s offensive. You sound way more like a thug than they do.”

“You little—did you just call me mister?”

Baek Team Leader’s grip tightened around the back of my neck.

“Hyun Woo Kyung. What happened to you? Who are you?”

“Who do you think? I’m me!”

At that moment, I spotted Taejoon in the distance. He was fidgeting with his phone, scanning the terminal for me.

“It’s Taejoon!”

“What?”

“He’s looking for me!”

Baek Team Leader’s hand went slack as he followed my gaze.

“…Shit.”

It was too late to run. Taejoon’s sharp gaze had already locked onto us.

His eyes flickered between me and Baek Team Leader.

“Agh! Why did you come here?!”

I had to stop them from talking.

There was no way a cunning man like Taejoon wouldn’t see right through Baek Team Leader’s pathetic attempt at pretending to be a loan shark.

“Hyun Woo Kyung. Play along. I’m a loan shark, and you’re a guy who owes me money. Got it?”

Baek Team Leader whispered quickly, just for me to hear.

But it was too late.

Taejoon was already standing right in front of us. And, unfortunately, he had the worst possible takeaway from the conversation.

His expression froze, and a slight twitch formed on his cheek.

“You two… are kissing?”

“What?”

“You just said you’re going to ‘match lips.’”

“Me? With him?”

Disgusting!

The misunderstanding was so absurd that even Baek Team Leader was momentarily stunned into silence, mouth hanging open.

For a brief moment, I swore I saw Taejoon’s pupils flare red.

How the hell do I fix this?

And then, I saw my escape.

Inspector Lee Jinsoo and his officers were approaching in the distance.

Perfect.

I threw up my hands and shouted, “Hey! Officers! Over here!”

The detectives turned their heads toward us.

“This man is an illegal loan shark who’s been threatening me!”

“…What?”

Baek Team Leader’s eyes went wide.

“He’s guilty of extortion, intimidation, and even attempted kidnapping!”

“You little—what the hell are you saying?!”

“And just now, he tried to forcibly kiss me! Hurry, arrest him!”

If I could just keep Taejoon and Baek Team Leader apart, I could deal with everything else later.

They could settle their business some other time—preferably when I wasn’t caught in the middle.

“You crazy bastard! What the hell is wrong with you?!”

“It’s true! You heard him, right? Two people heard it! Taejoon heard it, I heard it—case closed!”

God, it was so damn hard just trying to get to Jeju.

Would I ever make it there today?

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