A Contracted Gangster Who Has to Die to Survive - Chapter 98

Park Ha Hyun pursed his lips slightly, as if searching for the right words, before continuing in a calm tone.

“Team Leader Baek came to see me yesterday too.”

“T-Team Leader Baek?”

So, after his fight with Choi Taejoon, he had gone straight to Ha Hyun.

I hadn’t known that.

“Do you know what he said to me?”

The smirk disappeared from Ha Hyun’s face, leaving his cheeks slightly flushed with anger.

A sharp glint flickered in his eyes.

“He told me we should throw you to Taeseong like fresh meat. He acted all concerned, like he was heartbroken over my safety.”

Ha Hyun let out a dry laugh and tapped his temple lightly with a finger.

“So I thought about it. Why the hell did that bastard come all the way here at that hour to say that?”

He exhaled sharply before answering his own question.

“Because you weren’t playing along. And since you weren’t, I was the next best option.”

For once, his face was filled with genuine bitterness.

At the same time, it made me realize how desperate Baek must have been to approach him so recklessly.

“It was the perfect timing for him to throw someone to the wolves at Taeseong. The only real question was who. Would it be me or you?”

Ha Hyun’s voice dripped with venom as he snapped.

“In the end, you were more useful alive, while I was just… disposable, right?”

His expression hardened.

“But too bad for him—I have no intention of dying so easily.”

So Baek had told him that I would die.

“Why the hell did you refuse? You could’ve just agreed and stabbed me in the back. Then you’d be happily living your life.”

Whether I died or he did, it was never really a difficult decision for people like Baek.

It was just about picking the less troublesome option.

To Baek, keeping me alive probably meant an easier way to reach Taejoon.

People like me and Ha Hyun were just pawns, to be used and discarded when necessary.

“I realized I’ve been too complacent. I should’ve protected my own interests better. So now, I’m getting myself an insurance policy—Choi Taejoon.”

His voice lowered.

“Hand him over.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

He smirked knowingly.

“What’s wrong? You’re suddenly reluctant to let go?”

After finishing his sentence, he popped the last piece of pancake into his mouth.

“You never really cared about him anyway.”

The way he spoke was so casual, as if he were retrieving a borrowed item.

I could only stare at him, speechless.

“And this is exactly why I like you, Senior. You’re so transparent.”

His voice was mocking.

“Every single thought you have shows on your face.”

With a final clink, he set his empty plate down.

“Well, that was a good meal. It’s been way more than five minutes. More like twenty, actually. You think that’s fine? Who’s paying for breakfast today? You? No, wait—it was probably Choi Taejoon, wasn’t it?”

His lips, still slick with syrup, stretched into a lazy grin.

He was watching me closely, waiting to see how I would react.

I took a deep breath, then lifted my head with determination.

“Park Ha Hyun.”

“Yeah?”

Who did this bastard think he was playing with?

“You know what? Just take the damn house back. Everything. I don’t need it.”

His eyes widened slightly.

“…What did you just say?”

“I said my siblings can go back to their old home. Let’s call it off.”

For the first time, he actually looked surprised.

“You act like giving me one lousy house means you own me.”

I glared at him.

“And Taejoon? You think he’s some thing to be handed over?”

I pushed my chair back and stood up abruptly.

“And breakfast? You pay for it. You’ve got money—why are you mooching off people?”

“…Hyun Wookyung.”

“And since you’re technically my boss, don’t you think it’s inappropriate to accept a meal from your subordinate? This could be flagged in an internal audit, you know?”

I bowed slightly, forcing an overly formal smile.

“Then, I’ll be taking my leave first.”

With that, I spun around and strode out of the lounge, not giving him a chance to respond.

As soon as I stepped into the elevator, I leaned against the wall and exhaled shakily.

That bastard. Does he think I’m an idiot?

“Shit. That was nerve-wracking.”

I had put on a brave face, but my hands were trembling.

I clasped them together tightly, trying to steady myself.

I wasn’t naive enough to trust him with my fate.

The first time he offered to kill me, it had been a personal issue between the two of us.

But now, Choi Taejoon was involved.

And that changed everything.

I opened my fist, revealing a crumpled business card.

It was the one Ha Hyun had given me earlier, with his guest house number and extension line.

“Taejoon was mine to begin with.”

Yeah, well, he sure as hell wasn’t going to be his again.

I crushed the card further before stuffing it into my pocket.

As the elevator doors slid open, I took a deep breath, regaining my focus.

Ha Hyun and Taejoon were supposed to be together in the original timeline.

I was supposed to disappear.

And Taejoon was supposed to die for him.

Hell no.

A shiver ran down my spine.

I needed to find a way to change this outcome.

To survive, to return to my original world—and to make sure Taejoon didn’t die.

I had to find a way.

“Why do you look so deep in thought?”

The voice came from just above me.

I looked up and found myself staring straight into Choi Taejoon’s eyes.

The faint scent of his cologne and skin lotion filled the space between us.

He was already fully dressed, ready for work.

Sharp suit, neatly knotted tie—every inch of him immaculate.

“…Vice President?”

Choi Taejoon’s quiet voice settled over my shoulders.

“You sulking because I left you in the lounge? You didn’t answer my calls, and now your face is all red—what’s wrong?”

“…I’m not sulking. Oh, and I didn’t see your calls.”

I lifted my head to meet his gaze.

“Senior, just step aside. You never really cared about Choi Taejoon anyway.”

I wanted to cover my ears, to block out the lingering echo of Park Ha Hyun’s voice.

What did he mean, “originally his”?

Who decided what was real or not?

Who gave him the right to determine my feelings?

As I stood there, lost in thought, Taejoon’s face slowly filled with concern.

“Did something happen?”

“…No, nothing.”

Just then, a slight cough from nearby interrupted our conversation.

I turned my head and saw a familiar face standing a short distance away.

He met my gaze, his usual composed expression unwavering, and gave a small nod in greeting.

“It’s been a while.”

“Director Kim…?”

No way…

Director Kim was back.

I instinctively looked at Taejoon.

And just like that, I understood why he had abruptly left earlier.

Taejoon had never told Director Kim to return to work.

He had never given an order for him to resume his duties.

But while waiting for Hyun Wookyung in the lounge, Taejoon had received a text notification:

Visitor has arrived at your residence.

When he checked the vehicle registration, the plate number belonged to Director Kim.

Then, a direct message arrived.

Director Kim
Vice President, I’m here to escort you.

A sense of urgency settled in Taejoon’s chest.

He needed to deal with Kim before he met Hyun Wookyung.

Because deep down, Taejoon was afraid.

Afraid that Kim would say something to hurt Wookyung.

That was why, even against his instincts, he had left Wookyung alone with Park Ha Hyun in the lounge.

“Good morning.”

Director Kim was already standing in the living room, waiting for him.

He bowed with his usual sharp precision—polite yet devoid of unnecessary warmth.

Taejoon remained silent, offering no response.

Kim bowed again, this time lower.

“I’m here to escort you, Vice President. I’ll assist you in getting ready for work.”

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, he moved toward the walk-in closet.

It was clear he intended to prepare Taejoon’s wardrobe for the day.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Taejoon asked, his voice edged with suspicion.

Kim replied evenly, “I have no ulterior motive.”

“I never told you to come back.”

“You did.”

“When?”

Kim turned slightly, meeting Taejoon’s gaze with unwavering certainty.

“If that’s the case, why did you come to my house?”

Taejoon had no immediate response.

Kim, as if expecting the silence, simply shrugged.

“I’ll graciously accept the building and land you gave me yesterday.”

His tone was neutral, but there was an unmistakable trace of amusement.

Without even looking back, he continued his work, deftly moving through the closet as if he had never left.

Taejoon watched him in silence.

The property he had given Kim wasn’t just any land.

It was prime real estate in Gangnam—a six-story building on high-value land.

A severance package Taejoon had prepared for him long ago.

Even now, after returning, Kim showed zero intention of returning the asset.

“…You’re nothing but a goddamn thief.”

Taejoon couldn’t see his face, but he knew Kim was smirking.

And then, he finally broached the topic that needed to be settled.

“I spoke to him directly.”

Kim’s hands stilled.

“Hyun Wookyung…”

Taejoon’s voice carried absolute certainty.

“…is not a cop.”

Kim’s back tensed.

His previously smooth, efficient movements froze in place.

For a long moment, he stood utterly still.

Then, finally, he exhaled a slow breath and replied,

“…Understood, Vice President.”

His voice was steady, almost indifferent.

But somehow, Taejoon got the feeling he had already known this would be Taejoon’s answer.

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