Precious Thing

“Hear this? They’re saying he stabbed someone.”“That’s crazy. I knew it from the start. He caused a scene at our store the other day. Damn, it was so embarrassing…”“What, did he break something?”“I wish! At least if he’d broken something, we could’ve brushed it off as an accident. But no, he came in, threw all the clothes around, and demanded we put them in a trash bag. Can you believe that?”“What a psycho.”“He even went to Seokjun’s store that day too. Somehow cut his own hand, then told Seokjun to kneel in front of him. Seriously, what’s wrong with him? Acting all high and mighty. It’s not like he’s got much going for him anyway. Even Chairman Lee has pretty much written him off.”The flowers were white with soft pink tones. The same flowers lined the virgin road, with floating candles placed in water at even intervals. They were real flowers, and considering how well-arranged they were, it was clear a lot of money had been spent.“Didn’t he get caught drunk driving a few months ago? He’s really spiraling.”“He killed someone, didn’t he?”“What… Wait, are you talking about him?”I wonder who will perform the congratulatory song. At weddings Lee Yesin attended, there were always famous singers and MCs. What song will they sing this time? Who’s popular nowadays?“Yeah. I felt so bad for that guy. I was at that party, you know?”“Party?”“The one I told you about. He dressed to impress, while the other guy looked like a mere accessory. Anyone would’ve known just by looking — ‘you’re real, he’s fake.’ Even Seokjun trashed Lee Yesin that day.”“Wow, what a jerk. His siblings are perfectly normal, so why is he like that?”“He’s probably acting cocky because of his looks. Anyway, check this out.”“What? Are you getting married?”“I got proposed to! Look at this diamond — isn’t it huge?”Lee Yesin took a breath, letting out a long exhale. He unclenched the fists resting on his lap and tried to keep his face from hardening. He carefully controlled his breathing, making sure no anxiety showed on his lips.“So that’s Lee Yesin. I’ve only seen photos before, but he’s got that sharp, cold look in person.”How long has it been since I last took a breath? With a blank expression, Lee Yesin took another deep breath and slowly let it out. He joked inwardly that he might suffocate at this rate. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and clicked on a random app.“Ask him for a hookup. He’s nothing but a slut.”Lee Yesin’s fingers wandered aimlessly over the phone. The weather app showed it was sunny outside, with a temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. When the sun set, it would drop to around 18 degrees.“He looks delicious.”“I’ve heard from someone who knows him — they say he’s really good in bed.”“Screw it, should I ask for a round? I’m pretty good myself.”“Are you nuts? But don’t you have a girlfriend of four years?”“Cheating’s one thing, but just having a fling? No big deal. Besides, my girlfriend’s too clueless to notice. I slept with two people back-to-back before seeing her, and she didn’t even realize.”“You’re a real piece of trash.”“Not like I’m gonna marry her, so who cares?”A light tap. As Lee Yesin scrolled through the weather app, his hair was lightly ruffled. He turned his head up to see Tae Woowon sitting beside him. Glancing at his watch, Tae Woowon brushed back his hair, his expression as stoic as always. Lee Yesin looked at him and smiled.“Seems like you missed out on some fun.”“I didn’t miss a thing.”Before he could ask if Tae Woowon had heard everything, Chairman Lee and Lee Juho arrived. Lee Juho’s younger brother greeted them warmly and led them to the front seats. Some guests on the groom’s side stood up as they passed by. Lee Yesin remained seated, as did Tae Woowon. Chairman Lee walked past them, and the atmosphere in the hall grew heavier.“I met your grandfather before I came in.”Lee Yesin watched Chairman Lee sit down in the distance, then shifted his gaze back to Tae Woowon.“Did you get a bonus for bringing me here?”“Yeah, I did.”A laugh escaped from him. Lee Yesin chuckled softly and told Tae Woowon, “Congratulations.” Tae Woowon, now looking at him, grinned widely.“Thanks. It’s all thanks to you, so I’ll share my bonus.”With that reply, the lights in the hall dimmed. A famous announcer took the stage as the MC, and the ceremony began with a calm yet humorous tone. The bride and groom entered one after the other, followed by the usual formalities. A popular female singer, riding the current Hallyu wave, sang a celebratory song, and with that, the first part of the event concluded. After the dreaded photo session, the bride and groom went to change outfits while the food started being served one by one. Lee Yesin stirred his broccoli soup absentmindedly with a spoon. That’s when Tae Woowon set down his utensils.“I’m stepping out for a bit.”He wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up. When he returned, the main course, steak, had already been served. Did he just go to the restroom? Lee Yesin glanced at him briefly and resumed his uneventful meal.The bride and groom reentered, cut the cake, and raised their champagne glasses. A well-known male singer performed another song, not as famous as the earlier singer but still reputable. Afterward, the couple began going around the tables to greet the guests. What’s the point of all this, really?“Thanks for coming. Did you enjoy the food?”The bride and groom, now at a nearby table, smiled brightly as they thanked the guests.“Yeah, it was good. That song was amazing. You probably need good connections to book someone like that, huh?”“Why, you planning to book someone?”“Nah, actually I’m planning to propose… Oh no, my ring!”Lee Yesin’s distant relative, a department store parachute appointee, suddenly stood up from her seat, frantically lifting utensils and scanning the floor. The bride and groom, wide-eyed, turned their heads like startled birds.“What’s going on? Did you lose your ring?”“No, I checked it just a while ago… It’s really expensive, and my brother gave it to me…”She crouched down and lifted the long tablecloth. Her companions, equally flustered, began searching for the ring with her. The bride and groom, unable to ignore the scene, reassured her that they’d alert the hotel staff to help, though their words seemed to fall on deaf ears.“Do you like diamonds?”Tae Woowon, having just emptied a glass of water, asked Lee Yesin out of nowhere. Watching the commotion at the table, Lee Yesin turned to him with a puzzled look. It was clear Tae Woowon didn’t enjoy events like this, having looked bored the entire time. But now, he seemed different, with one corner of his lips curling slightly.“Why are you suddenly asking about diamonds?”“If you like it, I’ll give it to you. If not, I’ll just get rid of it.”Lee Yesin frowned and looked back at the chaotic table. The woman still hadn’t found the ring, her face flushed red with embarrassment.“Did you do it?”“What?”Tae Woowon replied with a shameless expression. Lee Yesin, face tightening, set down the dessert spoon he was holding.“I don’t like diamonds.”“I figured. So I got rid of it.”“…Where?”“Ah! Why is this here…?”The woman’s friend, who had been helping search for the ring, suddenly exclaimed, pulling the ring out of her clutch bag. The parachute appointee’s face turned a deep shade of red.“What’s wrong with you? No matter how jealous you are, stealing someone’s stuff? Do you know how low that is?!”“What? I didn’t steal it!”“Don’t give me that! Earlier, in the restroom, you were eyeing my ring when I took it off!”“So what? I touched it with your permission!”The small commotion quickly escalated. The groom, suppressing a sigh, motioned to the hotel staff. A guard in a black suit entered the hall, politely bowing as he escorted the women out. Even as they left, their voices could still be heard. Lee Yesin narrowed his eyes at Tae Woowon. Tae Woowon glanced at his wristwatch and placed the dessert spoon in Lee Yesin’s hand.“Let’s watch one more before we go.”“…”Since Lee Yesin didn’t move, Tae Woowon took matters into his own hands, scooping some frozen persimmon with the spoon and holding it up.“Want me to feed you?”“…No.”Lee Yesin took the cold persimmon into his mouth. As he savored the sweet taste, the bride and groom approached the table to greet them. Lee Yesin’s table was sparsely occupied, with only one woman sitting across from him and Tae Woowon by his side. The conversation ended quickly, and as Lee Yesin’s table was the last, the bride and groom clasped hands and exited the hall. That’s when the second uproar began.“You crazy bastard, really?”A woman suddenly appeared and smacked the back of a man’s head who had been sipping champagne. The man buried his face in his champagne glass, and as a result, spilled champagne all over himself, coughing loudly.“You said cheating doesn’t count if it’s just sex? Who else have you been sleeping with? Does it feel good screwing around because you’re not planning to get married, you son of a bitch?”The woman began pounding on the man’s head with her handbag. He grimaced and tried to grab her wrist, but by then, his humiliation had already spread far and wide.“What the hell is this about?!”“Last week? The day you claimed to be tired, you had a one-night stand and then slept with me?!”“That’s not true! Where did you hear that?!”The man shouted at his colleague, who sat next to him with wide eyes. His girlfriend, who had been sitting quietly, picked up a bottle of champagne from the table and poured it over his head.“What do you care where I heard it? If I see you again, you’re dead. If you mess with anyone I know, you’re dead. Keep your head down, or I’ll ruin you in front of the entire country.”After setting the champagne bottle down with a clatter, the woman tightly grabbed the man’s crotch. He bent over in pain, desperately trying to pry her hand off. As a finishing touch, she slapped him across the face, then calmly fixed her disheveled hair and walked out of the hall. Everyone who witnessed the whirlwind scene was left stunned.“Let’s go now.”Except for Tae Woowon.In the car on the way home from the hotel, Lee Yesin squinted at Tae Woowon. He was curious about what Tae Woowon was thinking. Was the chaos at the event all his doing? If so, why? He wanted to ask but hesitated. Perhaps out of fear. Tae Woowon remained silent as well. The car, filled with intentional silence, quietly arrived in front of Lee Yesin’s house. Tae Woowon dropped him off and left to park the car. Lee Yesin stood there watching Tae Woowon’s car drive away before heading inside.As he loosened his tie and entered the dressing room, his phone buzzed in his jacket pocket. The caller was Kwon Heechan. After a moment of hesitation, Lee Yesin answered the call.“Yeah.”— I saw you in an article.A few reporters had been allowed into the wedding venue’s lobby earlier that day. It seemed they had taken pictures of Lee Yesin and written about him. What could they possibly have to say?— Why has your phone been off?“Battery must have died.”— For over a week?Since he’d begun avoiding going out, he hadn’t used his phone. He hadn’t even taken it when he impulsively went to the villa with Tae Woowon. He only charged it after returning home, just before the wedding.“I was just away for a bit.”— I was worried because you didn’t contact me after asking for that favor.“…Sorry.”— I just called in case. I didn’t want to leave a text and have a trail.Lee Yesin closed the door to the dressing room with a complicated expression. He bit the inside of his lip and held his breath as Kwon Heechan continued speaking.— I made contact. Someone who can help you. But their demands are… well, it’s better if we meet in person. I don’t think it’s something to discuss over the phone.“Got it.”— Should I come to your place?“No. Let’s meet outside.”— Alright, let’s meet at the movie theater in the morning. It might take a while…Lee Yesin responded with an “Okay” and hung up. His mind was in turmoil.After being unable to attend school, Tae Woowon was right; recklessly throwing himself around had been no different from self-harm. But he couldn’t live that way forever. That’s why, when he met with Kwon Heechan last time, he asked for a favor. He had asked if Kwon Heechan could help him leave without anyone knowing. He had to start fresh. Lee Yesin hadn’t yet given up on his dream of Hangyeol.Kwon Heechan, who grew up in an orphanage, had connections in various fields. One of them had supplied the sleeping pills to Lee Yesin, and although it was rare to meet them, Kwon Heechan mentioned knowing someone involved in smuggling people out of the country. When Lee Yesin cautiously brought it up, Kwon Heechan initially said it would be difficult, as he wasn’t directly acquainted with the person. But after persistent persuasion, including promises of money, Kwon Heechan finally nodded. And now, the answer had come.He had thought he’d leave without hesitation. But now that a path was before him, his heart felt heavy. Lee Yesin walked into the bathroom, trying to suppress his emotions and think logically.Though there were no legal issues, Lee Yesin was essentially barred from leaving the country. The moment he applied for a passport, it would be reported to Chairman Lee. Both Chairman Lee and Lee Juho had closely monitored Lee Yesin, not because of affection but because of what he knew and how he might use it.Chairman Lee had never found all 50 lawyers Lee Yesin met with at the age of 19, nor did he know what kind of deals were made. Because of that, they kept him under close watch, fearing the leverage he held. In a twisted way, this might have been the only reason Lee Yesin was still alive. If the ruthless Chairman Lee and his son, Lee Juho, ever found out that no deals had been made with the lawyers, they might have killed Lee Yesin on the spot. So running away now, cutting ties with Yeho Group completely, seemed like the right choice.Standing under the shower, Lee Yesin buried his face in his hands. He’d only traveled abroad for a few months at a time, never truly lived overseas. He’d have to start from scratch in a place where he knew no one. He was scared. But he had to go. Shutting off the water, he dried himself and put on a bathrobe. When he looked in the mirror, the reflection of his own vacant face stared back. The figure in the mirror asked him, ‘How about sleep?’“…”Lee Yesin slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again, covering the face in the mirror with his hand.That night, even in Tae Woowon’s arms, sleep didn’t come easily. Tae Woowon didn’t ask why. He wasn’t annoyed by it either. He simply held Lee Yesin tighter, stroking his hair and patting his back gently. Lee Yesin clung to Tae Woowon’s shirt, burying his face in his chest. When Tae Woowon quietly pressed his lips to Lee Yesin’s forehead, slowly, very slowly, sleep finally came.٠ ࣪⭑Tae Woowon’s car pulled up in front of the movie theater. Kwon Heechan stood on the side of the road.“Call him.”Nodding at Tae Woowon’s words, Lee Yesin unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door. Without hesitation, he stepped out of the car and turned to look back.“What?”“…No, it’s nothing. See you later.”With those clumsy words, Lee Yesin closed the door behind him. Tae Woowon watched as Lee Yesin walked over to Kwon Heechan and entered the building before he called Baek Hyeyun and turned the steering wheel.— Yes?“Where are you?”— In the studio.“Who’s there?”— Seokkyung and me.“I’m on my way.”— Really? Then can you bring coffee?Tae Woowon answered with an “Alright” and ended the call. Seokkyung was the hacker Baek Hyeyun had hired last time. He was expensive, but highly skilled. It was he who had uncovered the paternity test results proving that Lee Yesin and Go Heejeong were biologically related, evidence that Lee Yesin and Go Hangyeol had been switched. While it wasn’t clear who had requested the test, Seokkyung had brought forth the deeply hidden evidence for Tae Woowon to see.More surprisingly, he had also unearthed police records suggesting that Go Hangyeol’s death might not have been a suicide, but a homicide.Go Hangyeol’s death had been ruled a suicide by hanging, but there were suspicious signs. The cause of death was asphyxiation, but there was blunt force trauma to his head and signs of a struggle. Muddy footprints had been found in a corner of the living room. The police had started an investigation, but it was quickly closed, likely due to external pressure.It seemed likely that the switch between Go Hangyeol and Lee Yesin wasn’t an accident but orchestrated by Lee Juho and Chairman Lee. They were meticulous when it came to bloodlines, and the fact that they hadn’t officially registered Go Hangyeol as a legitimate heir, despite having him near Lee Yesin, made it all the more suspicious.In this light, the theory that Go Hangyeol had been murdered was worth considering. If Go Hangyeol and Lee Yesin had learned the truth, it was highly probable that Chairman Lee and Lee Juho had killed Go Hangyeol to keep it hidden. Powerful men like them would naturally eliminate anyone who knew their secrets.If this theory were true, then Lee Yesin was in danger too. However, during the security interview, Chairman Lee had specifically told Tae Woowon not to kill Lee Yesin. It was possible that Lee Yesin was blackmailing Chairman Lee, perhaps threatening to expose everything if anything happened to him.Yet, despite being in a position to blackmail them, Lee Yesin had remained submissive to Chairman Lee. He hadn’t pursued revenge; instead, he chose self-destruction after dropping out of school. This indicated that Chairman Lee was likely holding something over Lee Yesin too. Given that Lee Juho had mentioned his mother when he announced the school withdrawal, it seemed likely that Lee Yesin’s birth mother, Go Heejeong, was being used as leverage. While his legal mother, Yoon Seokyung, lived a comfortable life, Go Heejeong was in a foreign country, staying at an expensive nursing home. In short, they had each other’s weaknesses.Though the theory was plausible, it was all conjecture. It was possible that neither Lee Yesin nor Go Hangyeol knew anything, and that Go Hangyeol had simply committed suicide. However, to be safe, Tae Woowon thought it best to ensure that Chairman Lee and Lee Juho were dealt with thoroughly. If they were indeed threatening Lee Yesin, simply removing him from the family registry wouldn’t be enough to sever their connection completely.In fact, if you were to ask Lee Yesin how much he knows or if he’s being threatened, it would be easy to uncover the truth. However, that thought didn’t cross Tae Woowon’s mind. He recalled the materials Seokgyeong had shown him. There were many photos of Go Hangyeol lying flat in the living room, taken from various angles. In every one of those photos, there were blue flowers and petals. Tae Woowon couldn’t fathom how shocking the death of someone who had spent childhood together and had been closer than a biological brother would be for Lee Yesin. All he knew was that Lee Yesin had not been able to overcome Go Hangyeol’s death. Lee Yesin was still trapped in that day. He clung to the dream of the fashion show he had once shared with Go Hangyeol, spending the days immersed in reckless behaviors to escape the stark reality of his absence. Tae Woowon didn’t want to disturb Lee Yesin’s delicate feelings regarding the blue flowers.The studio for Tae Woowon’s team was a suite in a boutique hotel. None of the team members had any desire to do household chores, and since it was a place where they wouldn’t attract much attention coming and going, it was an ideal choice. Tae Woowon entered the room holding the coffee he had bought on the way. Baek Hyeyun, sprawled on the living room sofa, raised her hand.“It’s been a while.”“Yeah.”It was the first time he had met Baek Hyeyun since the design draft came out last time. Tae Woowon handed her the coffee and sat down on the sofa.“What’s up? Why does your face look so good?”Baek Hyeyun furrowed her brow while peeling the straw. Was it such a big deal that someone else’s face looked good? Although he wanted to retort sarcastically, Tae Woowon smiled.“I’ve been getting along well with Lee Yesin lately.”“…Can’t you just take off with him?”Still displeased about bringing Jo Seonggil into the mix, she couldn’t shake off her lingering reluctance.“I have no intention of running away. Besides, if I take off with him, he’ll definitely be confined. I want a stable, independent Lee Yesin.”“Then use your good relationship to persuade him even more. Okay? Live together, sleep together, eat, fight, and then go abroad together. Sound good?”“What if Chairman Lee calls? Even if Lee Yesin says he won’t go, Chairman Lee is someone who can take him by force. I can’t let that happen. Only I should be able to dictate what Lee Yesin does.”Baek Hyeyun looked at Tae Woowon with a pitying expression. Tae Woowon smiled at her. If she was going to say something, she should at least think about her own life. Baek Hyeyun clicked her tongue and lowered her gaze. Just then, the bathroom door opened.“Oh, hello.”Seokgyeong approached Tae Woowon with a bright smile. They had only spoken over the phone before; this was the first time they had seen each other in person. The tattoo-covered arms under the white short-sleeve T-shirt he wore gave off a wild vibe.“Hi.”“I’m Seokgyeong.”He smiled widely and extended his hand to Tae Woowon. Tae Woowon shook his hand while glancing at the skull tattoo on his knuckles.In truth, he wasn’t a member of Tae Woowon’s team. Tae Woowon had initially planned to recruit someone else as a hacker, but Seokgyeong volunteered himself. He even said he wouldn’t take any payment. When he had begun to provide unsolicited information, Tae Woowon had grown suspicious and asked why he was doing it. Seokgyeong replied that he was just curious.“Do you know why I’m good at what I do? It’s not because of talent, wealth, or desire for fame. The quality of a hacker comes from curiosity. And when that curiosity is coupled with persistence, it becomes unbeatable. Use me. If you want, I’ll reveal all my personal information.”He was curious about the outcome of Lee Yesin’s theft and showed interest in Go Hangyeol’s death, wanting to closely observe how Tae Woowon dealt with Yeho Group. Tae Woowon accepted him on the condition that if he betrayed them, he would lose four fingers and one eyeball. Feeling guilty about using someone so skilled for free, he gave him the amount he had planned to pay another hacker. Seokgyeong took the money without any fuss.“What should I call you? You didn’t tell me your name.”“Call me whatever you want.”“Then… Mr. Woo.”Tae Woowon glanced at Baek Hyeyun and nodded. She didn’t know his real name but was aware that he was currently working under the name Ji Geonwoo. Seokgyeong must have known that Tae Woowon was choosing someone to keep an eye on Lee Yesin. It was unclear why he specifically chose the title ‘Woo,’ but it seemed to have come from Ji Geonwoo’s name. Seokgyeong then added his explanation.“Mr. Ji seems… well, just like any other branch manager. And Mr. Geon seems like he would be really dry and skinny, like dried squid.”That wasn’t a conversation that needed to happen. With an expressionless face, Tae Woowon turned away and pulled Baek Hyeyun’s laptop toward himself. Seokgyeong hurriedly approached and sat down next to Tae Woowon.“This is my business card.”The card Seokgyeong handed over was not for hacking. He had given Tae Woowon his tattoo artist business card.“If you ever need a tattoo, let me know. I’ll give you a discount. I can also travel!”“Is this your real name?”“No. Do you want me to tell you my real name?”“No.”Tae Woowon tucked the business card into his pocket and opened the file containing the current progress.“Did you buy the equipment?”Baek Hyeyun, who had already finished her coffee, asked while crossing her legs and looking at the ceiling.“Yeah. The situation in China is fine. Did he have an interview?”They needed to break into the safe of the fearsome Korean Jo Seonggil living in China, but the security was more serious than anticipated, making it difficult to handle alone. If time were on their side, he would have managed it himself, but he couldn’t be away for long with Lee Yesin around. Therefore, he planned a two-night, three-day trip and recruited one person.“Yeah. He’s calm and adapts quickly to changes. Smart and has good hands-on skills.”“Let’s go with him. Give me his number.”“When are you going?”The sooner, the better. Although things were a bit confusing yesterday, Lee Yesin had been in good condition lately. Mentally stable and taking care of meals well, he needed to go quickly, within the near future. Tae Woowon thought of Jo Seonggil’s schedule and picked a suitable time.“This Thursday.”“Four days left. I’ll book the flight, so send me your ID.”“Okay. And this guy, is he the one who’ll guard Lee Yesin while I’m gone?”Tae Woowon displayed a man’s face and profile on the laptop screen. Baek Hyeyun, who had been jotting down things in his phone’s notepad, craned his neck to look at the screen.“Yeah. He’s clean. A real elite bodyguard. But did you tell Chairman Lee you’ll be away?”“I told him yesterday.”It was when they went to the wedding venue that Tae Woowon spoke with Chairman Lee. The chairman had taken a liking to him. Lee Yesin, despite dropping out of school, hadn’t caused much trouble during his frequent outings, and recently, he’d been quietly staying at the villa. Even when Tae Woowon mentioned that he wouldn’t be reporting further, Chairman Lee remained favorable. Although he had to navigate the minefield of the family gathering that involved Lee Yesin, the outcome wasn’t bad. He also discovered why Lee Yesin had caused a scene at the department store and had taken some small revenge on those who had tormented him. If only there had been more time, he could have expanded the plan. He was dissatisfied that the pain they experienced seemed far too little compared to what Lee Yesin had endured.“Didn’t Chairman Lee say anything? Isn’t it a breach of contract?”“I told him I found someone to cover for me, and he told me to handle it.”Despite having earned Chairman Lee’s trust, Tae Woowon wasn’t interested. It was Seokgyeong, who had been silently sitting by, who showed interest.“Chairman Lee just wants Lee Yesin to stay quiet?”“Yeah.”Seokgyeong nodded, stroking his chin. Tae Woowon glanced at him.“Just to be clear, don’t approach Lee Yesin out of curiosity.”“Come on, of course not. How could I even dare?”For some reason, Seokgyeong replied with a grin. As Baek Hyeyun looked back and forth between the two, he pulled out a cigarette. Seokgyeong, who disliked smoking, moved to the opposite side. Tae Woowon took the cigarette pack and lighter from Baek Hyeyun’s hand, lit one, and exhaled the smoke while saving the temporary bodyguard’s number.“Have you thought about how to let Jo Seonggil know that Chairman Lee has what was stolen?”As he set his phone down, he sifted through files on Baek Hyeyun’s laptop and asked. Baek Hyeyun, now holding the cigarette in his left hand, unlocked a folder.“Rogi will be involved.”Rogi was the forger they had met at the motel last time. Whatever was in Jo Seonggil’s safe, they planned to have that couple take care of it. If it was a painting, Rogi would handle it; if it was jewelry, his girlfriend Goldie would. The plan was to replace the item in Chairman Lee’s safe with a forgery so that Jo Seonggil would come after Chairman Lee. For this to work, Jo Seonggil had to realize that the item in the safe was a forgery, while still believing it was the real thing. Tae Woowon understood why Rogi was needed when he saw the painting on the screen.It was a somber painting—one of the most famous works by the Spanish artist Saliman, titled Woman Wrapped in Ribbon, which had fetched the highest price at an auction five years ago. Sold for 150 billion won, this painting caused a stir in the art market for some time. The buyer was anonymous, and both the buyer and the painting’s whereabouts remained unknown after the auction. It was a time when artworks were widely used for money laundering. There was a high likelihood that Woman Wrapped in Ribbon had been used for tax evasion.“Rogi wasn’t the buyer, right? He made the forgery?”When Tae Woowon asked, Baek Hyeyun exhaled a long plume of smoke and nodded.“Yeah. He painted it all himself, from start to finish.”“No matter how perfectly it’s replicated, it won’t draw attention if the original still exists.”“The original burned down two years ago. Only a few people know. You can trust me; I’m the source of that information.”Seokgyeong, who was sitting cross-legged, smiled as he spoke. Tae Woowon looked at Baek Hyeyun, who nodded.“Kyung’s right. The person who bought the painting died with it. It all burned down, so no one knows that Woman Wrapped in Ribbon has disappeared.”“Forget about him for now. How did Rogi know about this? Did he make the forgery without knowing the original had burned?”“No, he knew. Rogi started the fire.”Tae Woowon let out a chuckle. He knew Rogi was daring, but he didn’t realize he was bold enough to set fire to a 150-billion-won painting and kill someone in the process.“He said he wanted to test if the forgery he painted could be accepted as the original.”“I did recommend Rogi for this job, but yeah, he’s a bit of a madman.”Baek Hyeyun nodded in agreement, and so did Tae Woowon.“So, you’re planning to put this in Chairman Lee’s safe?”“Yeah. Chairman Lee has been accused of tax evasion a few times before. If we tip them off about this painting and send over some real evidence of the evasion, a search warrant will be issued. They’ll probably want to open the safe just out of curiosity about the painting.”As she explained, it was clear that if Woman Wrapped in Ribbon, which was likely used for money laundering, resurfaced, even someone as influential as Chairman Lee couldn’t avoid a search. The sudden appearance of this painting, missing for years, would grab headlines both domestically and internationally, and Jo Seonggil’s interest in the painting would be piqued. Once the painting emerged from Chairman Lee’s safe, Jo Seonggil would soon discover his own stolen item alongside it. After that, he’d target Chairman Lee as the thief and cross borders to exact revenge and reclaim what was his. This was the perfect plan to bring in Jo Seonggil, their third party.“Good. What did Rogi ask for in return for the painting?”“Nothing. Rogi just wants the recognition. We’ll see if that ambition was justified after all this.”Things were getting interesting. The heist had begun with greed and would surely end with it. Various people, each with their own desires, were gathering unintentionally. Tae Woowon smiled and closed the window showing the painting.“So, everything’s ready so far, right?”Baek Hyeyun handed Tae Woowon an ashtray as he asked. Tae Woowon tapped off the ash from his cigarette into it.“What about Lee Juho? What’s the plan if Jo Seonggil doesn’t go after him?”“We’ll use some actors. Honestly, it’s not like Jo Seonggil has to go after Lee Juho. The real goal is to scare off Lee Juho while blackmailing Lee Yejun. We’ll just drop hints that the thing taken from Chairman Lee’s safe belongs to a very dangerous person. Once that rumor spreads, Lee Juho will run.”“Let him get caught. Tell Jo Seonggil where Lee Juho’s hiding.”“But isn’t our goal…?”“It’s changed. Now, we want Lee Juho taken out, too. He won’t leave Lee Yesin’s side unless he gets beaten up a bit.”“Why do I feel like I’m the only one who’s always busy…”Baek Hyeyun said, his voice tinged with gloom. Tae Woowon chuckled. Considering how often he used Baek Hyeyun, it wasn’t a bad deal.“Everything else is ready, right?”Tae Woowon stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and asked. Baek Hyeyun gave a disinterested nod without even looking at him. The next plan wasn’t complicated but it was dangerous. The other team members involved would meet after breaking into Jo Seonggil’s vault.“Can I ask a question?”Seokkyung raised a finger, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. Tae Woowon finally took a sip of his coffee and nodded.“Why Jo Seonggil? And where did you get the information that Jo Seonggil has a vault he hasn’t been able to open for over ten years? That’s some high-level intel. I only learned about it recently myself.”Tae Woowon placed his coffee on the table and quietly stared at Seokkyung before pulling out a cigarette. After lighting it and exhaling smoke away from the eager-eyed Seokkyung, he responded.“Because Jo Seonggil is useful. And I couldn’t not know. When it comes to Jo Seonggil, I’m more curious than you are.”At Tae Woowon’s words, Seokkyung frowned, seemingly displeased that someone had outdone his own obsession. Not intending to tease him further, Tae Woowon smiled and added an explanation.“Jo Seonggil is my mother’s husband.”Lee Yesin wasn’t the only illegitimate child. Tae Woowon was the child born from an affair his mother had while married to Jo Seonggil.Tae Woowon’s mother, a jeweler and safe maker, was married. While Jo Seonggil was busy expanding his business in China, leaving her alone in Korea, Tae Woowon’s father, Tae Hyunjae, appeared. A swindler, Tae Hyunjae was likely drawn to the many jewels she handled. He approached her with a warm smile, and they frequently met. In the end, Tae Hyunjae fell deeply in love with her and never stole a single gem, but a child was born from their relationship nonetheless. The problem came afterward. Jo Seonggil’s business stabilized, and he called her to join him in China. At that point, Tae Hyunjae still didn’t know she was married.She confessed the truth and left Tae Hyunjae and their child to go to China. Tae Hyunjae was left in despair, and Tae Woowon grew up neglected. Young Tae Woowon didn’t believe he was born from his mother’s womb. He had no memories of ever seeing her.Then, one day when Tae Woowon was nine, she appeared. Tae Hyunjae was out of the house at the time, and she took Tae Woowon by the hand, offering to buy him something nice. She never introduced herself as his mother. She simply bought him food, clothes, toys, and took him to amusement parks, arcades, and zoos. They spent two weeks together. Tae Woowon was happy not having to go to school and not worrying about money.“Woowon, what’s your treasure?”As he was running around in a large hotel room, she came over and asked. He thought for over a minute but couldn’t come up with anything, so he answered, “I don’t have one.” She smiled.“If you did have one, how would you hide it?”Tae Woowon thought again, recalling how he recently hid a gold bracelet he’d stolen.“I’d make it look unimportant or hide it among more important things.”“If they take everything, won’t it be meaningless?”“I’d layer it. Put something that looks valuable in front and hide the real treasure in a secret compartment inside. People usually throw away jewelry boxes anyway.”She laughed at his words. That evening, using materials her subordinates brought, they made a box together. They created a box within a box, like a magic trick. It looked like there was only one space inside, but solving the puzzle would reveal a hidden compartment. After several days, when the box was completed, she took Tae Woowon back home.Tae Hyunjae, who had returned by then, cried when he saw her. She embraced him without saying a word. Watching them hug and cry, Tae Woowon tightly held the box they made together. That’s when he realized: she was his mother. After that day, Tae Woowon never saw her again. Then, in the early winter of his 19th year, a stranger came to visit.They wanted to meet Tae Hyunjae. Tae Woowon, who had a distant relationship with Tae Hyunjae, kicked him out of his room. After a long time, Tae Hyunjae returned, looking the same as usual, but he didn’t speak. By the time December ended and January came, marking Tae Woowon’s coming of age, Tae Hyunjae left. He took the box that Tae Woowon and his mother had made together.It didn’t really matter. Tae Woowon thought it was no big deal; if he wanted, he could always make another box. But curiosity lingered. Why did Tae Hyunjae take the box? And what had happened to his mother? That was the first useless curiosity Tae Woowon faced.Tae Woowon pursued them. He spent time and money to learn that she had died of illness and that Jo Seonggil, her husband, was desperately searching for the box. The people who came to Tae Woowon’s house when he was 19 were Jo Seonggil’s subordinates. They must have informed Tae Hyunjae of her death and mentioned the box. Tae Hyunjae, realizing Jo Seonggil wanted the box, likely denied knowing anything. Whether he didn’t want to lose the box, which originally belonged to Tae Woowon, or had some other agenda, no one knew. Either way, Tae Hyunjae took the box and left, and somehow, Jo Seonggil knew and had been searching for Tae Hyunjae ever since.Tae Woowon wanted to know why Jo Seonggil was so obsessed with an empty box. But digging into Jo Seonggil’s affairs wasn’t easy, and gathering information was a long, frustrating process. Tae Woowon stopped and started many times, giving up and hoping, until finally, after several years, he found the answer.There was a safe that his mother, a safe maker, had left to Jo Seonggil as part of her estate. Jo Seonggil, having checked the instructions, used the safe without suspicion, but then could never open it again. That was why he was so desperate to find the box. He thought it contained a clue.Once Tae Woowon grasped the situation, he decided to find Tae Hyunjae and retrieve the box. He wanted to know why Tae Hyunjae had run away with it, why his mother had orchestrated such a scheme, and he was curious to meet Jo Seonggil at least once. At the same time, he felt like giving up.The closer he got to the truth, the more questions arose, and the answers seemed farther away. But after all these years, he couldn’t let go. He had followed their trail for too long. He couldn’t forget, no matter how hard he tried. Every time he thought of them, his chest tightened, like an unresolved tension. Tae Woowon was forcing himself to keep walking. He had no choice but to search for Tae Hyunjae and keep an eye on Jo Seonggil. And he never expected that this ongoing matter would end up being useful in his plan to steal Lee Yesin.“There’s a box I made with my mother when I was a kid. My father ran away with it. I’m not a hundred percent sure, but that box is connected to the vault Jo Seonggil can’t open. My mother made that vault, and Jo Seonggil’s been desperately searching for my father, or more specifically, that box.”