Jeho had only provided information about the gangsters, but Representative Chae used it as a basis to dig deeper into Minwoo. Although the issues involving women were neatly covered by Yuri’s mother, if Representative Chae set his mind to it, he could easily uncover more about Minwoo.
Until now, Minwoo, in addition to dating violence, had repeatedly engaged in actions close to kidnapping, imprisoning desired women, installing wiretapping devices, setting up hidden cameras, and more.

Yuri was the only exception. He couldn’t dare to install wiretapping devices in the house of the political giant, Representative Chae Hyeong-sik, so he refrained. However, once he learned that Yuri had become independent, he immediately took action.

“How did Minwoo know that he moved to the next door?”

“I didn’t know. I just speculated that the wiretapping device’s reception range was short, so I assumed it would be the same building.”

“So, did you deliberately provoke him by saying, ‘Let’s go to the bedroom’? Did you expect Minwoo to come running with his eyes rolled back?”

Yuri weakly smiled and nodded.

“I did provoke him, but I never thought he’d come running from the next door. I just expected he’d call again. I’ve been planning to trace where Chief Secretary Kim is receiving signals during that time.”

“Hmm, typical Chae Yoori.”

Jeho gently smiled and stroked Yuri’s head.

“But from now on, make sure to tell me first. It’s better to know, even if you worry.”

While saying that, in fact, he, too, had parts that he didn’t tell her. On the way back after meeting Chairman Kwon, he received a call from Representative Chae. It was right after he sent Yuri a text saying he would come right away. The conversation with Representative Chae was brief.

― I thought I should tell you first, rather than Chairman Kwon.

Representative Chae briefly explained what Minwoo was doing at the moment, leaving Jeho to handle the aftermath.

― Chairman Kwon will gladly follow any decision if it’s yours.

Jeho went back to Chairman Kwon and explained the situation. Although he received permission in just 5 minutes, those 5 minutes felt longer than ever. Although Chief Secretary Kim and his bodyguards were waiting nearby, he couldn’t relax for even a moment.

However, Jeho didn’t know that Yuri knew everything. He had rushed here without saying anything, afraid that she might be scared if she knew. But she was the one who first noticed and sought help…

“Anyway, I’m relieved it’s over like this.”

Jeho, breathing a sigh of relief, hugged Yuri tightly.

The place Chief Secretary Kim brought Minwoo was a suite in a top-class hotel in the heart of Seoul. As they entered the room, the sight of Representative Chae sitting on the living room sofa, sipping tea, came into view.

“Sir, isn’t this going too far?”

Looking at Representative Chae, Minwoo blushed as if expressing discomfort. Although he was brought here like a current offender, there was still a way out.

He hadn’t used violence on anyone yet. He only spat out severe curses, and strictly speaking, it was only stalking and invasion of residence. If he employed a competent lawyer, it could be settled with a suspended sentence.

“I was just trying to protect Yuri. I got a bit excited because that crazy guy dared to mess with Yuri.”
Silently listening, Representative Chae eventually set down the teacup.

“So, you’re saying you tried to protect my daughter by installing wiretapping devices and cameras.”

“That… ”

After hesitating for a moment, Minwoo quickly offered an excuse.

“I couldn’t relax. You know how the world is these days? What if someone with bad intentions tries to harm Yuri? So…”

“Well, your words make sense.”

Representative Chae glanced at his watch, then stood up from the sofa.

“I have an appointment, so I have to leave now. The rest of the story can be settled with Chairman Kwon.”

“What?”

Representative Chae left the room, and Chairman Kwon entered soon after. Seeing Chairman Kwon, Minwoo, with a pale face, knelt down on the spot.

“Grandfather, I’m really unfair. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Expecting a stern reprimand, Minwoo was surprised to find Chairman Kwon wrapping his shoulders and standing up from his seat.

“I understand. Don’t worry. Will you bend your arm inward or outward?”

At those words, Minwoo’s face brightened instantly. Although Representative Chae probably heard the entire story, Chairman Kwon was talking to him kindly instead of getting angry. With a benevolent smile, Chairman Kwon spoke again.

“Minwoo, to become the next chairman of KG Group, you need to broaden your perspective. Isn’t that right? Travel around overseas branches for three years, familiarize yourself with the global trends. In this era of globalization, you shouldn’t become a frog in the well.”

“Grandfather! I mean, Chairman, that’s…”

If he said that, it was tantamount to saying he would be transferred overseas, almost equivalent to demotion. But Minwoo couldn’t say anything. The other party was Chairman Kwon.

What should he do?

Minwoo thought hard.

Should I resist for a while? If I endure it, there’s no need to go outside of Chairman Kwon’s eyes. Although he said three years, if he peeks in and comes back a few months later, that would be the end of it.

“Alright, Chairman. I understand.”

Anticipating tomorrow, Minwoo decided to bow his head for now.

“Pack up and come out quickly. Let’s stay at our place for a while.”

Upon Jeho’s words, Yuri nodded and went to the bedroom to pack.

She didn’t want to stay a day longer in the officetel with wiretapping devices and cameras. However, she didn’t want to go to her parents’ house, and luckily, Hyunkyung had just left for a trip to Europe. She could stay in a hotel, but she didn’t want to openly refuse Jeho’s suggestion.

As Yuri took out her suitcase from the closet, her phone started ringing. It was a call from Representative Chae.

[Heard the story from Chief Secretary Kim.]

“Yes, father.”

[You handled it well without any problems. Don’t worry. I’ll end it here.]

“Um, father.”

Yuri quickly stopped Representative Chae, who was about to hang up.

“You intentionally gave Minwoo the address of the officetel? Expecting it to turn out like this?”
Representative Chae didn’t say a word. However, his silence was an answer in itself. Her expectations were correct. Representative Chae used her to get rid of Minwoo, like using a rabbit as bait to hunt a beast.

Even though she had escaped the crisis thanks to Representative Chae, there was a somehow lingering feeling of disappointment.

“Haven’t you ever thought that something might go wrong, even a little?”

If she hadn’t noticed quickly, she could have been exposed to danger for days or even months, with Minwoo watching without her knowledge.

“You’re my daughter. I can’t let you face danger easily.”

Yuri was confused about how to take that statement.

“What if it were Yuri?”

[If it were Yuri…]

She didn’t expect an answer, but after hesitating for a moment, Representative Chae continued.

[It might have been different. She’s not as clever as you. She’s just a naive child.]

With that, he abruptly ended the call, claiming he had another engagement. Yuri stared blankly at her phone after the call was cut.

“Yuri, what’s going on? Are you okay?”

Waiting for Yuri to come out, Jeho, looking worried, entered the bedroom. He approached her as she didn’t come out, sitting on the bed with a vacant expression.

“Jeho, sir.”

As she slowly lifted her head, Jeho looked at her.

“Can I… get a hug?”

Her voice, tinged with moisture, was trembling faintly.