The Beginning of Everything: Part 2

This isn't the first time someone cut in front of Kim Kyung-Tae's car.

In fact, similar circumstances happened so often that he had lost count. These so-called "victims" would act like they don't know who he was, then asked for an exorbitant amount of compensation. Some women even dare use this method as a way to garner his attention, thinking that they can seduce him by just pretending to be fragile and magnanimous. Some of them were sent by his competitors to make a raucous, hoping to destroy his reputation.

There was no sign of frustration on his face, just a calm, relaxed exterior that gives people chills. As one of the most influential figures in South Korea, it is obvious that he has his own legal team to deal with this kind of irrelevant, insignificant thing. There is no need to worry.

In South Korea, there is not a single person who doesn't know TK Group. The company has a wide range of businesses, ranging from manufacturing day-to-day things to electronics and healthcare. There are also companies registered under different names, masking its true influence from the general public.

Kyung-Tae sighs, his eyes laxly squinted, partially revealing a pair of bottomless pitch-black pupils. He gently places his knuckle under his chin, his well-sculpted face tilted slightly, gazing outside the luxurious car's window. The sky is dark and the night scattered with mist. The street lights, although somewhat working, have their brightness comparable to a firefly. With the area this rural and dark it is no wonder that an accident would occur, intentionally or not.

Kyung-Tae wouldn't have been here this late into the night if not because he had to assess the real estate value himself. A big project such as this one requires that he must not take other's judgment without first checking its validity.

If things go as planned, this whole area would be demolished and redeveloped into a hospital town for VIP patients.

Nowadays, new generation rich patients not only want to get their illness treated but to also get the feeling that their environment perfectly supports their recovery. This area is not too far from Seoul, with fresh air and good scenery. It would be ideal to build a hospital that specializes in not just administering healthcare, but also in providing the best general services such as spas, massage, restaurants, swimming pools, hot springs and many more.

Whatever the patients want to do to feel more at ease, it's all here.

Oh, not to mention agricultural farms of naturally grown foods...

'Enough of this', he chided himself with a slight smirk. The priority right now is to ensure that the "victim" is alive, whether the incident is fabricated or not. Unlike him, most of the general populace is naive. They wouldn't believe that someone would go to the extent of death just to plot against another person, underestimating the capability of desperate individuals.

Therefore if the victim dies, no amount of proof would be enough to erase the suspicion of the public, increasing the risk of some of his businesses being affected negatively.

Save first, investigate later.

He took his phone out of his black blazer pocket then dialed for an ambulance that only belongs to him in case of an emergency. He then texted his lawyers to keep them informed. He glanced down at his watch, estimating five more minutes before the ambulance arrives.

Kyung Tae slightly turned to cast a sidelong glance at his personal driver, currently in a state of shock, sweating and stuttering incoherently. He shook his head, expressionless. Just because he is used to this kind of situation doesn't mean others would. God knows how many times he had to change drivers because of such incidents.

Since he couldn't rely on this driver of his to go out of the car and take a look, he decided to do it himself.

Hm?

A brat?

Krung-Tae couldn't help but feel a little surprised, his perfectly arch brows slightly lifted. There was never such a case before. He tries hard to focus his eyes in the dark, staring at the small figure. A girl, her body trembling on the rocky ground. Her shabby white dress appeared dirty, crusted with both blood and dust. As she laid there, her messy bangs parted sideways, revealing a pair of orb-like hazel eyes. Although a little too thin, she has a doll-like face, with her small nose cutely perked up like a pixie. Her lips, full and supple, now a shade of blue.

Under immense pain, her eyes darted around nervously, trying to register what happened. It was a pitiful sight even to a cold man like himself.

All of a sudden her eyes met his, and then she stilled, gaining a visibly calmer countenance. He looked at her in amazement. There is no hint of fear in her eyes, or even if she does feel fear, it didn't show.

Interesting, he thought, amused. She is injured, and yet she still has the audacity to stare at him, a stranger, with no hint of fear. Not even a grown adult dared look at him straight in the eyes, let alone a child.

Tug

Suddenly, he feels a slight pull at his right ankle, bending down to see a small, trembling yet steady hand. It's the little girl's hand, grabbing on to the edge of his trousers. She looks at him with fading focus, mumbling something about saving her mother.

Wee~Woo~Wee~Woo~...

The sound of the ambulance approaching closer from the distant, breaking apart the silent night. It soon stopped next to his car, then rapidly several staff members flew out with a stretcher, professionally placed the girl on it then rapidly transfer her onto the ambulance. Everything moved fast and soon, they left.

Kyung-Tae quietly stared off into the direction that the ambulance has gone, deeply in thought.

There is no doubt that she will be alive and well; with all the superior medical equipment installed in the ambulance and the speed at which primary care is being administered...

And yet what is this weird feeling in his heart?

Kyung-Tae has never felt concerned about anyone else other than his own children. In fact, he isn't even sure whether the feelings he has for his own children is considered "concern", more like a duty he must fulfill as a father according to social norms. He takes care of them, sure, but he won't have a qualm cutting them off one day if they pose a threat.

In a family such as his, one can't trust anybody, and one must never will.

When the girl asked for his help, her face was expressionless, but her eyes couldn't fool him. In her eyes, he can see so much bravery and fearless determination, yet so much fragility and sadness. For a kid her age, it's quite rare.

She can be useful, he thought silently, weighing the pros and cons.

His only trusted aid right now is his father's closest subordinate, Mr. Choi, who takes care of important matters in the company. Mr. Choi is eighty years old this year, already passed the time of his retirement.

He can't rely on him forever, but he can't seem to find good enough seedlings to be trained under him.

There were several candidates over the past four years, and to his disappointment, each one of them was not up to par with what he has in mind. He wants someone extremely loyal, learns things quickly and never takes action without orders or consent. Someone who knows his or her place, not asking for more than what has been given.

Someone who can be his eyes and ears.

There are people who met some of the criteria, but never all. The smarter ones would be less loyal; easily moved by bribes and death threats. The loyal ones are more stupid, not knowing how to lead or plan ahead.

That is why he has come to a conclusion; he needed someone he can mold. A blank sheet of paper...or something close. Thus it would be best to cultivate a child at around age eight to thirteen.

His own children? Don't even joke.

The corner of his lips tilted slightly in ridicule, his eyes a cold bottomless whirlpool.

He can't trust his own children.

They are nothing but their mother's puppet, unable to think for themselves. If it's not because they are still very young he would have cut them off completely. His only hope is that when they are old enough, they would make wise decisions for themselves...and that entails severing their connection with their mother.

Of course, he wouldn't merely wait until then without doing a thing. The adoption will happen sooner or later, and as long as he will it, he can hand over the company to any outsiders he wants.

After all, it's the ability that matters.

However, there is a problem.

He can't deal with children.

Small children, to him, is another species altogether.

Each time he looked at one, it'll cry ear piercingly, hiding cowardly behind its parents. The younger the children, the more annoying they will be. Is he that scary? It's not like he can kill them with one look. That is also the reason why he is quite estranged with his children, not even sparing a single minute near them during their earlier years.

This is a good chance, he thought silently. The girl seems different. She is also injured and malnourish, highly possible that her parents are either poor or neglectful of her. If he offers to lend her a helping hand when no one would; give her luxuries and top-notch education, then surely she will only be loyal to him… at least for a number of years.

If she decided to be ungrateful in the future, then he can just get rid of her. He smiled, this time coming to a conclusion.

He took out his phone, dialed a number and lightly spoke, "I need information on the girl I just saved," his fluid-like calm voice flow out gently from his thin pale lips.

"Oh, and don't forget to look for her mother. Now. You only have five minutes. Do you understand?" He smiled. His voice sounds relaxing to the ears, but the forceful nature hidden beneath is surprisingly chilling.

He walked back towards his car and get seated. Lightly tap the glass window to bring back his driver's senses.

"To the hospital".

* * * * * * * * *