Chapter 183: Trouble Arises
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Not even two seconds later after Ji-Won finished speaking, his phone rang. It was a call from Seo-Jun.
"Yes?" Ji-Won picked up hastily.
"Ji-Won, where are you?" Seo-Jun's loud voice burst through the phone, almost deafening Ji-Won.
There was a sense of urgency in the man's tone that caused Ji-Won's stomach to clench. Still, he tried to push back the unease he was feeling and calmly answered his friend's question.
"We're in front of Ma's family inn. Why?"
"You'd better hurry back here."
"Why? Seo-Jun, what's going on?"
"Something went wrong. I think our business deal with the Ma's is about to fall through. They just sent someone to tell us not to contact them again, because they won't be signing with us."
"They sent someone? Who?"
"A lawyer."
At this, Ji-Won's eyes widened in shock. The hand holding the phone trembled slightly and he had to clench his fingers tightly around the object, so it wouldn't fall from his ear.
"I understand. We'll be right there. In the meantime, try to mediate the situation as carefully as possible."
After that, Ji-Won hung up and turned to Su-Jin.
"Let's go, Miss Park. There's no use for us to wait here anymore."
Su-Jin was curious to know what the conversation had been about, but something about Ji-Won's expression made her hesitate to ask. The man looked terribly upset, but at the same time there was a hint of weariness in his eyes that he couldn't mask. Therefore, she kept her mouth shut and quietly followed him back to the parking space.
Once they were back inside the car, Ji-Won didn't immediately turn on the engine. Instead, he placed both hands on the wheel and stayed like that for a while, thinking. His dark eyes were fixed straight ahead on a certain spot outside. He appeared seemingly focused but, in truth, Ji-Won was so absorbed by his thoughts that he couldn't really perceive anything at all.
Then, after several minutes of staring through the front window, Ji-Won finally moved. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
From the front passenger's seat Su-Jin saw the name 'Big Rascal' flashing on the screen as the call connected. She wanted to laugh at this childish naming, but before any sounds could come out of her mouth, Su-Jin was suddenly rendered speechless.
The person named 'Big rascal' spoke with a familiar voice.
'Hey, wait a minute, isn't that Deputy Director Kim's voice?' Su-Jin wondered in disbelief.
Then, suddenly understanding the gist of it, she almost burst out laughing. So, the stern, cold faced Director Kang Ji-Won could also joke around like that, saving his best friend in his phone under such an unusual name.
Knowing about this, Su-Jin felt a light tickle on her heart, as though a tiny, soft paw was scratching at it. Surely, she had never expected to be moved by such a thing but, here she was, gazing at Ji-Won with flickers of amusement sparkling in her eyes. If he were to suddenly turn his head towards her, Ji-Won might have been stupefied by the warmth that radiated from those hazel eyes.
Alas, the man was currently too busy conversing on the phone. Due to his current concerns, the fact that someone might have been able to see the number he dialed didn't even cross his mind.
"Seo-Jun, can you use your connections and find out what happened?" Ji-Won asked grimly.
"I thought you didn't like me using those connections?"
Ji-Won remained silent. He was indeed conflicted, but he had to make a choice. If he wanted to gain an advantage in this kind of situation, he had to take a step back when it came to other things. Besides, it's not like it would involve anything illegal or too shady. The fact of the matter was that he simply didn't like those people… at all.
That group of people were Seo-Jun's former classmates and friends. They were children of powerful people in various fields. Most of them had been sent abroad to study business and financial management and gain other helpful skills in order to eventually take over their families' businesses.
Some of them even left willingly in order to escape their families' watchful eyes. That way, they could have all the fun they wanted without being reprimanded.
So, instead of rising up to their family's name, those people acted unruly. Whether it was partying, drinking, going after women and some of them even using light drugs to pass the time, there was nothing they didn't do.
Once Ji-Won learned of this, he asked Seo-Jun to cut off any connection he had with those people. Being mixed with someone like them would eventually lead to trouble. Even if Seo-Jun never indulged in whatever plays those people were having, it didn't necessarily mean that he was safe. If a scandal were to break out, he would be the most vulnerable one. After all, they all had the backing of their fathers and mothers, but Seo-Jun had none of that protection. He was by himself, in a world of hyenas and wolves ready to prey on the weak.
It hadn't been a difficult decision for Seo-Jun to do as Ji-Won asked. Even at the time when he often went out with that group of people, Seo-Jun wasn't close with either one of them. He also knew just how much they mocked him when he wasn't around.
And how could they not? They were rightful heirs to their family's business, while he was an illegitimate child, merely a bastard, tolerated only thanks to his father's regrets on his deathbed. Seo-Jun had no money of his own, no properties on his name and not even one member of the Kim household considered him a legitimate family member.
He was well aware and accepted all that. Why? Because those people could offer him a way out of his situation. If he played nicely with them, making them feel important while undermining his own abilities, he might gain something from them at some point.
At least that's what he had believed many years ago. But he got rid of those silly thoughts back when he was still abroad. After Ji-Won talked him out of hanging around with those people, Seo-Jun rarely even thought of them.
However, he held a secret that he couldn't tell Ji-Won.
After all, old habits die hard and breaking certain chains can be very difficult.
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Not even two seconds later after Ji-Won finished speaking, his phone rang. It was a call from Seo-Jun.
"Yes?" Ji-Won picked up hastily.
"Ji-Won, where are you?" Seo-Jun's loud voice burst through the phone, almost deafening Ji-Won.
There was a sense of urgency in the man's tone that caused Ji-Won's stomach to clench. Still, he tried to push back the unease he was feeling and calmly answered his friend's question.
"We're in front of Ma's family inn. Why?"
"You'd better hurry back here."
"Why? Seo-Jun, what's going on?"
"Something went wrong. I think our business deal with the Ma's is about to fall through. They just sent someone to tell us not to contact them again, because they won't be signing with us."
"They sent someone? Who?"
"A lawyer."
At this, Ji-Won's eyes widened in shock. The hand holding the phone trembled slightly and he had to clench his fingers tightly around the object, so it wouldn't fall from his ear.
"I understand. We'll be right there. In the meantime, try to mediate the situation as carefully as possible."
After that, Ji-Won hung up and turned to Su-Jin.
"Let's go, Miss Park. There's no use for us to wait here anymore."
Su-Jin was curious to know what the conversation had been about, but something about Ji-Won's expression made her hesitate to ask. The man looked terribly upset, but at the same time there was a hint of weariness in his eyes that he couldn't mask. Therefore, she kept her mouth shut and quietly followed him back to the parking space.
Once they were back inside the car, Ji-Won didn't immediately turn on the engine. Instead, he placed both hands on the wheel and stayed like that for a while, thinking. His dark eyes were fixed straight ahead on a certain spot outside. He appeared seemingly focused but, in truth, Ji-Won was so absorbed by his thoughts that he couldn't really perceive anything at all.
Then, after several minutes of staring through the front window, Ji-Won finally moved. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
From the front passenger's seat Su-Jin saw the name 'Big Rascal' flashing on the screen as the call connected. She wanted to laugh at this childish naming, but before any sounds could come out of her mouth, Su-Jin was suddenly rendered speechless.
The person named 'Big rascal' spoke with a familiar voice.
'Hey, wait a minute, isn't that Deputy Director Kim's voice?' Su-Jin wondered in disbelief.
Then, suddenly understanding the gist of it, she almost burst out laughing. So, the stern, cold faced Director Kang Ji-Won could also joke around like that, saving his best friend in his phone under such an unusual name.
Knowing about this, Su-Jin felt a light tickle on her heart, as though a tiny, soft paw was scratching at it. Surely, she had never expected to be moved by such a thing but, here she was, gazing at Ji-Won with flickers of amusement sparkling in her eyes. If he were to suddenly turn his head towards her, Ji-Won might have been stupefied by the warmth that radiated from those hazel eyes.
Alas, the man was currently too busy conversing on the phone. Due to his current concerns, the fact that someone might have been able to see the number he dialed didn't even cross his mind.
"Seo-Jun, can you use your connections and find out what happened?" Ji-Won asked grimly.
"I thought you didn't like me using those connections?"
Ji-Won remained silent. He was indeed conflicted, but he had to make a choice. If he wanted to gain an advantage in this kind of situation, he had to take a step back when it came to other things. Besides, it's not like it would involve anything illegal or too shady. The fact of the matter was that he simply didn't like those people… at all.
That group of people were Seo-Jun's former classmates and friends. They were children of powerful people in various fields. Most of them had been sent abroad to study business and financial management and gain other helpful skills in order to eventually take over their families' businesses.
Some of them even left willingly in order to escape their families' watchful eyes. That way, they could have all the fun they wanted without being reprimanded.
So, instead of rising up to their family's name, those people acted unruly. Whether it was partying, drinking, going after women and some of them even using light drugs to pass the time, there was nothing they didn't do.
Once Ji-Won learned of this, he asked Seo-Jun to cut off any connection he had with those people. Being mixed with someone like them would eventually lead to trouble. Even if Seo-Jun never indulged in whatever plays those people were having, it didn't necessarily mean that he was safe. If a scandal were to break out, he would be the most vulnerable one. After all, they all had the backing of their fathers and mothers, but Seo-Jun had none of that protection. He was by himself, in a world of hyenas and wolves ready to prey on the weak.
It hadn't been a difficult decision for Seo-Jun to do as Ji-Won asked. Even at the time when he often went out with that group of people, Seo-Jun wasn't close with either one of them. He also knew just how much they mocked him when he wasn't around.
And how could they not? They were rightful heirs to their family's business, while he was an illegitimate child, merely a bastard, tolerated only thanks to his father's regrets on his deathbed. Seo-Jun had no money of his own, no properties on his name and not even one member of the Kim household considered him a legitimate family member.
He was well aware and accepted all that. Why? Because those people could offer him a way out of his situation. If he played nicely with them, making them feel important while undermining his own abilities, he might gain something from them at some point.
At least that's what he had believed many years ago. But he got rid of those silly thoughts back when he was still abroad. After Ji-Won talked him out of hanging around with those people, Seo-Jun rarely even thought of them.
However, he held a secret that he couldn't tell Ji-Won.
After all, old habits die hard and breaking certain chains can be very difficult.
Not even two seconds later after Ji-Won finished speaking, his phone rang. It was a call from Seo-Jun."Yes?" Ji-Won picked up hastily."Ji-Won, where are you?" Seo-Jun's loud voice burst through the phone, almost deafening Ji-Won.There was a sense of urgency in the man's tone that caused Ji-Won's stomach to clench. Still, he tried to push back the unease he was feeling and calmly answered his friend's question."We're in front of Ma's family inn. Why?""You'd better hurry back here.""Why? Seo-Jun, what's going on?""Something went wrong. I think our business deal with the Ma's is about to fall through. They just sent someone to tell us not to contact them again, because they won't be signing with us.""They sent someone? Who?""A lawyer."At this, Ji-Won's eyes widened in shock. The hand holding the phone trembled slightly and he had to clench his fingers tightly around the object, so it wouldn't fall from his ear."I understand. We'll be right there. In the meantime, try to mediate the situation as carefully as possible."After that, Ji-Won hung up and turned to Su-Jin."Let's go, Miss Park. There's no use for us to wait here anymore."Su-Jin was curious to know what the conversation had been about, but something about Ji-Won's expression made her hesitate to ask. The man looked terribly upset, but at the same time there was a hint of weariness in his eyes that he couldn't mask. Therefore, she kept her mouth shut and quietly followed him back to the parking space.Once they were back inside the car, Ji-Won didn't immediately turn on the engine. Instead, he placed both hands on the wheel and stayed like that for a while, thinking. His dark eyes were fixed straight ahead on a certain spot outside. He appeared seemingly focused but, in truth, Ji-Won was so absorbed by his thoughts that he couldn't really perceive anything at all.Then, after several minutes of staring through the front window, Ji-Won finally moved. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.From the front passenger's seat Su-Jin saw the name 'Big Rascal' flashing on the screen as the call connected. She wanted to laugh at this childish naming, but before any sounds could come out of her mouth, Su-Jin was suddenly rendered speechless.The person named 'Big rascal' spoke with a familiar voice.'Hey, wait a minute, isn't that Deputy Director Kim's voice?' Su-Jin wondered in disbelief. Then, suddenly understanding the gist of it, she almost burst out laughing. So, the stern, cold faced Director Kang Ji-Won could also joke around like that, saving his best friend in his phone under such an unusual name. Knowing about this, Su-Jin felt a light tickle on her heart, as though a tiny, soft paw was scratching at it. Surely, she had never expected to be moved by such a thing but, here she was, gazing at Ji-Won with flickers of amusement sparkling in her eyes. If he were to suddenly turn his head towards her, Ji-Won might have been stupefied by the warmth that radiated from those hazel eyes.Alas, the man was currently too busy conversing on the phone. Due to his current concerns, the fact that someone might have been able to see the number he dialed didn't even cross his mind."Seo-Jun, can you use your connections and find out what happened?" Ji-Won asked grimly."I thought you didn't like me using those connections?"Ji-Won remained silent. He was indeed conflicted, but he had to make a choice. If he wanted to gain an advantage in this kind of situation, he had to take a step back when it came to other things. Besides, it's not like it would involve anything illegal or too shady. The fact of the matter was that he simply didn't like those people at all. That group of people were Seo-Jun's former classmates and friends. They were children of powerful people in various fields. Most of them had been sent abroad to study business and financial management and gain other helpful skills in order to eventually take over their families' businesses. Some of them even left willingly in order to escape their families' watchful eyes. That way, they could have all the fun they wanted without being reprimanded. So, instead of rising up to their family's name, those people acted unruly. Whether it was partying, drinking, going after women and some of them even using light drugs to pass the time, there was nothing they didn't do. Once Ji-Won learned of this, he asked Seo-Jun to cut off any connection he had with those people. Being mixed with someone like them would eventually lead to trouble. Even if Seo-Jun never indulged in whatever plays those people were having, it didn't necessarily mean that he was safe. If a scandal were to break out, he would be the most vulnerable one. After all, they all had the backing of their fathers and mothers, but Seo-Jun had none of that protection. He was by himself, in a world of hyenas and wolves ready to prey on the weak. It hadn't been a difficult decision for Seo-Jun to do as Ji-Won asked. Even at the time when he often went out with that group of people, Seo-Jun wasn't close with either one of them. He also knew just how much they mocked him when he wasn't around. And how could they not? They were rightful heirs to their family's business, while he was an illegitimate child, merely a bastard, tolerated only thanks to his father's regrets on his deathbed. Seo-Jun had no money of his own, no properties on his name and not even one member of the Kim household considered him a legitimate family member.He was well aware and accepted all that. Why? Because those people could offer him a way out of his situation. If he played nicely with them, making them feel important while undermining his own abilities, he might gain something from them at some point. At least that's what he had believed many years ago. But he got rid of those silly thoughts back when he was still abroad. After Ji-Won talked him out of hanging around with those people, Seo-Jun rarely even thought of them.However, he held a secret that he couldn't tell Ji-Won. After all, old habits die hard and breaking certain chains can be very difficult.
