Chapter 126: The Weight of Responsibility

Eva's tears continued to flow for quite a while.

But it was far better than pretending to be okay.

After all, if she couldn't cry, she wouldn't be able to heal.

"Boss… thank you. And I'm sorry."

I patted the sobbing Eva on the back.

"No, it's the least I could do. As long as you haven't betrayed me, I would go anywhere for you."

"I was scared… I just wanted to die."

Eva's eyes flickered, as if she didn't know where to focus.

The tears began to slow, but it was hardly a good sign. Just recalling what had happened sent her into a shiver of fear.

"Eva, this is Korea. No one can hurt you here. Well, from now on, I'll make sure no one ever touches you again. Don't be afraid."

It took a while for her tremors to subside.

I gently removed her hands from her head and ruffled her hair.

Eva flinched at my touch but didn't pull away.

"Don't think about anything. Just rest. Listen to the doctor and focus on your recovery. That's the priority."

Eva nodded without answering.

"We've got security outside watching over you, so it's okay. You can relax."

"Boss…"

"Stay strong, Eva."

"Okay…"

"I'll be going now. I hope when we meet again, you'll be feeling much better."

With those words, I turned to leave.

"Please take care of her."

After one last request to the bodyguards, I left the hospital.

In the car, I tried to organize my chaotic thoughts.

'To protect my people, I need greater strength and more money.'

If I couldn't protect those I cared for, then all the money in the world meant nothing.

The reason I had no choice but to keep Mei Hong alive was that I still lacked the power.

"Where to go now?"

Manager Ma asked me from the back seat, noticing my silence.

"Manager, are there any Russians in Black Bear?"

"There probably are. After the Cold War ended, people from intelligence agencies like the KGB were thrown into the free market without any plan."

When the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia declared a free economy.

However, the rapid changes resulted in severe side effects.

Quality soldiers and intelligence agents flooded the market, and Eric wouldn't let that opportunity slip by.

Besides, no one denied that the Soviet Union was America's greatest rival.

"If you have any connections with influential people in the Russian political or military sphere, I'd appreciate an introduction. I need to establish a foothold in Russia."

"Understood."

Though I was a bit late because of Eva, now was the perfect time to enter Russia, especially with Yeltsin standing on the brink of impeachment and the economy in tatters.

"Let's not think about any more complicated matters for today. I have a meeting with Ji-young, so let's head there."

"Yes, Boss."

It had been a while since I made an appointment to meet Cheon Ji-young.

She had been working towards becoming a singer in her own way, but with the war against the Cheongpung Group and other events, I hadn't been able to check on her.

"Oppa!"

Upon arriving at the meeting spot, Cheon Ji-young, who had arrived first, stood up and waved.

Her bright demeanor seemed to clear the clutter from my mind as usual.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Me? Coffee."

"With that tiny frame, you still want coffee?"

"Oppa, I'm an adult now."

…Right, I forgot.

Maybe it was because I had regressed, but even after a few years, Ji-young still looked like a child to me.

"Okay. Let's get coffee."

Manager Ma left our table to place the order.

"So, what have you been up to lately?"

"Me?"

"You said you were going to be a singer. How's that going?"

"Oppa, I'm Cheon Ji-young. If I don't pursue music, who will?"

Ji-young said with her chin proudly raised.

She sure had confidence.

"Which company are you with?"

"Do you think that I'll reveal that?"

"You might be surprised. You never know when I might find out."

Though entertainment agencies were emerging, most still operated haphazardly.

And many had ties to gangsters.

"Come on, tell me. I might already know."

"Nah, you probably wouldn't know."

Ji-young continued to mumble, refusing to reveal her agency.

'Something seems off.'

What reason could she have for not mentioning her agency? According to Ji-young, if it were anywhere decent, I'd surely know about it, so there shouldn't be a reason to hide it.

When I looked at her silently, Ji-young pretended to sip her coffee, avoiding my gaze.

There's something going on.

"Hey, Ji-young."

"Yeah?"

"What's going on? Tell me."

"There's nothing, really. It's nothing to be embarrassed about—just a small agency that I was a bit shy about."

"Should I find out for myself? I bet I can figure it out in ten minutes."

Her reply suddenly halted her words.

I glanced over at Manager Ma, who was standing a little ways off.

"Manager."

"Yes?"

"Find out where Ji-young is working. Please./"

As soon as I brought Manager Ma into it, Ji-young jumped up, surprised.

"No! I'll tell you! Oppa, that's unnecessary!"

"Thus, spit it out quickly."

With an eager signal for coffee, Ji-young sighed heavily.

"There's a place called Cubic Planning."

"Cubic Planning?"

"Yeah. I'm preparing for my debut there."

At my glance, Manager Ma quietly left the pressure cooker atmosphere.

"I've never heard of that company before. What about places like MS Entertainment? Why not debut there?"

"Those places only look for kids. Teenagers."

With idols reigning over the music industry, most agencies would be scouting trainees from a young age.

"Is it a proper agency you're at?"

"Yeah. They recently debuted an idol. I don't know if you've heard of them."

"Hmm…"

"Anyway, let's ditch that topic. How have you been? Grandpa said you were busy with stuff in the U.S. and Hong Kong, all by yourself."

Ji-young seemed to want to steer clear of the conversation.

"Busy, yeah. Still, I have plenty of time to meet you. If you ever find yourself in a tough spot or need help, just ask me anytime."

"Okay."

No one mentioned Cheon Su-han.

I just hoped Ji-young wouldn't feel more uncomfortable because of Cheon Su-han's karma.

While spending time chatting with Ji-young, Manager Ma returned quickly.

Only then did Ji-young realize he had gone and looked embarrassed.

Manager Ma approached me and whispered the news.

"Bae Kwang-sik is the boss there. And…"

Despite the short time he had, Manager Ma brought back a lot of information about Cubic Planning.

But upon hearing the name Bae Kwang-sik, I couldn't hear anything else.

He would later gain fame as a renowned record producer, but at this time, he was notorious for all kinds of scandals.

He was especially known for treating his artists like slaves.

For even me, who hadn't been paying much attention to the entertainment world, that was a genuinely low-life character.

"Ji-young."

"Yeah?"

"Is the CEO Bae Kwang-sik?"

Ji-young's eyes went wide as saucers.

"You've got to be kidding me. Tell me this isn't true."

I felt irritated with myself for not paying attention to Ji-young with all the busyness acting as an excuse.

Ji-young was practically family to me. Despite the awkwardness brought about by Cheon Su-han, we should have kept our bond intact.

Ji-young hesitated to answer, looking around for cues from me.

"Ji-young, we're family, aren't we? Aside from Grandpa, you're the only family member I can claim in the Cheon family."

Because of me, Ji-young's future had also changed.

I had to bear the responsibility for that.

"The truth is…"

Eventually, Ji-young hesitated but began to speak.

"They say they'll launch me, but I keep getting pushed back. The kid who debuted this time joined later than I did. But I did want to debut solo… so I have no idea when that might happen."

"What about anything else?"

I didn't miss the slight tremor in Ji-young's eyes.

"What else is there?"

"…"

"Ji-young, you are the granddaughter of Chairman Cheon from Myeong-dong. You're not someone who should quietly accept unjust treatment from anyone!"

The Ji-young who had once encouraged me to live boldly was no longer the same.

Now she only looked apologetic towards me, waiting for my next word.

This was the reality I had changed.

"Manager, take her to the Myeong-dong office. If she resists, break something to bring her along. I don't care—just make it happen."

"Oppa."

Ji-young called out to me but couldn't continue her words.

"Also, call CEO Lee Sang-geun to the Myeong-dong office. No, tell him to drag him here."

"Understood."

Manager Ma stepped out to relay my orders.

Ji-young couldn't hold onto him and was restless.

"Oppa, what's wrong? I'm fine!"

"I'm not fine. I know exactly what kind of person that guy is. Don't think about lying to me."

Without Ji-young saying a word, I had an idea of what had transpired.

"Stay in Pyeongchang-dong. Don't go anywhere."

* * *

This is a family matter for the Boss.

"Understood. I'll bring him quickly."

Lee Sang-geun, after receiving Manager Ma's call, immediately summoned his right-hand man, Tak Hoon.

"Who's looking after the entertainment side?"

"Director Baek is in charge of that area."

"Contact him immediately and tell him to come in."

"Yes, sir."

Left alone, Lee Sang-geun felt troubled.

I had known Kim Mu-hyeok since he was a chil.

I knew he would never compromise when it came to family matters.

Fortunately, he didn't take long to arrive with Director Baek.

"This is Baek Chang-ho. You called for me, Chairman?"

"Director Baek, do you know a company called Cubic Planning?"

"Cubic Planning, you say?"

"Yes, do you know if their CEO is Bae Kwang-sik?"

"Yes, I do. It's a company we manage. Is there a problem?"

Lee Sang-geun struggled to keep his face neutral at those words.

"Ha… Get that guy here immediately. No, I'll go myself. Lead the way."

"No, Chairman. You need to tell us what's going on. Why Cubic Planning all of a sudden… Is there something Bae Kwang-sik has done wrong? He's been with us for a long time. He's also someone who supplies us with singers for our business."

Even though times had changed, gangsters' primary income was still in the entertainment industry. The number of A-list artists they could book for places directly correlated with their profits.

They would even start record companies, assisting one another and infiltrating deeply into the entertainment sector.

"The longer he's with us, the bigger the issue. This is a family matter concerning the boss in Myeong-dong."

"Huh? The Boss in Myeong-dong?"

"Right. This is also a family issue. Do you have any connections with that guy?"

"No, sir. I don't."

As Lee Sang-geun's tone grew harsher, Director Baek flinched, lowering his head.

"For now, just make the call. But don't let him escape. Find out where he is and confirm his location."

"Yes, sir."

Director Baek's panic made him hesitate to respond, but Lee Sang-geun was not in the mood to point it out.

After a moment, Lee Sang-geun led Director Baek to Cubic Planning.

"Ha… Their office is located in Myeong-dong?"

As he stepped out of the car, Lee Sang-geun scoffed in disbelief.

Suddenly, as the hulking figures entered, the employees of Cubic Planning became flustered and restless. Amidst their confusion, someone recognized Director Baek and approached.

"Oh, Director Baek! What brings you here?"

"Is President Bae inside?"

"Yes, he is. But what's going on…"

Ignoring the question, Director Baek swung open the office door.

President Bae Kwang-sik, who had been on the phone, fumbled the receiver at the sight of Director Baek and his hulking entourage.

When he finally snapped back to reality, Bae Kwang-sik faced Director Baek.

"What's going on? Director Baek, what is this? Why are there so many big guys? What's happened?"

But before Director Baek could respond, Lee Sang-geun, who followed closely behind, interjected.

"You bastard?"

"Yes, sir."

"Take him away."

Bae Kwang-sik signaled to his subordinates, and the hulking men lunged at him, capturing him.

"What are you doing, Director Baek?!"

"Hey, you bastard! Don't pretend you don't know me!"

Bae Kwang-sik shouted, bewildered.

The man who I had seen just days ago, laughing over drinks, was nowhere to be found.

Although Bae Kwang-sik struggled against their hold, he was easily subdued and dragged away.

Outside the office, the other employees murmured anxiously, but Director Baek growled a warning.

"Don't even think about reporting this. Just keep doing your jobs as usual."

No one stepped forward to help Bae Kwang-sik as he was led away, blood streaming from him.

"Is this Bae Kwang-sik?"

"Yes, sir."

Bae Kwang-sik, bewildered, looked up at Kim Mu-hyeok as he was brought t the Myeong-dong office.

"You brought him in quickly. Is this related to your organization?"

"It seems he got involved with us because he supplied us with singers for our business."

"Is that so?"

His tone was flat, but I could see the chill in Kim Mu-hyeok's smile.