The well-trained bodyguards hired by Xi Xiping glanced at the scene with a hint of hesitation, but Xi Xiping paid no attention to them and clung to Seo Seung-hyun’s legs. Seo Seung-hyun raised an eyebrow, creating a slightly awkward expression.
“Why are you like this? Who said I’m going to kill you?”
“I-I was going to ask you for help with the auction!”
“You’ve grown up. I can understand without you saying anything.”
“I can’t do it! I can’t! If my siblings find out, I’m as good as dead! Hy-hyungnim, you know it too… If I fail to secure that item this time…”
“You really think godfather Su Bang would just let you die?”
Seo Seung-hyun’s lips seemed to form a smile, but held back.
“An adopted son like you, he wouldn’t just abandon you, would he? Right? No, no way. Or has your favor with him diminished without me knowing?”
“Haha, Godfather still values me… like before….”
“That’s right! That’s exactly it. That’s how much he values you, so much that he would push aside his fourth wife from his bedroom and replace her with you, that kind of love, meaning that he cherishes you so much he’d keep you by his side. But the adopted son who was so favored secretly went to Mauritius, avoiding his eyes….no. There was also the Bahamas, right? What’s the name of that thing over there, El…”
“Ah!”
“…investing directly in California through that paper company…”
Seo Seung-hyun looked down at the sobbing Xi Xiping, still clinging to his legs, with a sly smile on his face.
“Just a little help.”
Xi Xiping managed to stop his sobbing and looked up at Seo Seung-hyun with genuine confusion. Seo Seung-hyun’s expression remained unchanged, just like when he confidently walked into this heavily guarded penthouse with the eight bodyguards. Realizing that there was no escape from the masked smiling face, Xi Xiping dropped his head again.
Clutching Seo Seung-hyun’s knees with trembling hands, he asked, “H-How can I help you?”
“It’s nothing much. Just go to the auction as planned and bid for the item with the 1 billion yuan you received from your godfather.”
Xi Xiping stared blankly, as if Seo Seung-hyun was seeing through his entire budget. Seo Seung-hyun tilted his head in an innocent manner, as if he knew nothing. Of course, only Jang Young-hee realized the meaning behind that repulsive gesture.
“If you find it lacking, I’ll cover the rest, so don’t worry about the money and just make sure to win the auction. Got it?”
“A-And then?”
“After that, you’ll take the item and head to the El Dorado Airport, where your private jet will be waiting for you.”
Seo Seung-hyun reached out and lightly patted Xi Xiping’s shoulder, who was still clinging to his knees.
“Unfortunately, on your way there, you’ll encounter the Caracas Cartel, who are after Chinese hostages, and you’ll be kidnapped along with the item.”
“Eek…”
“Don’t worry. Not a single hair on your head will be harmed. Those bastards are after ransom money, and of course, they won’t know that you’re godfather’s beloved concubine. It’s a pity, really. They’ve caught the wrong hostage.”
Seo Seung-hyun smirked and at the same time gently pushed Xi Xiping away, rising easily from the sofa. A cool smile appeared on his face.
“Although something was lost in the process, Godfather won’t pay it any mind. As long as his beloved concubine returns safely, that’s all that matters.”
Xi Xiping stared at Seo Seung-hyun dumbfoundedly, but Seo Seung-hyun didn’t even glance back. He confidently strode through the penthouse, passing the motionless bodyguards, expensive furniture, and the decorative fireplace.
Jang Young-hee quickly moved ahead and opened the door for him. Standing before the open door, Seo Seung-hyun suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned around.
“Oh, I almost forgot.”
He looked back at Xi Xiping, who had collapsed to the floor. Seo Seung-hyun spoke in a somewhat affectionate tone.
“Xi Chennen seemed to have caught the tail of El Forap in the Bahamas, but don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it.”
“Chennen-hyung…”
A pained groan escaped from Xi Xiping’s lips.
Seo Seung-hyun playfully waved his hand twice before turning around and confidently leaving the room without hesitation. Jang Young-hee followed behind. Thud. The heavy door closed shut.
Right on time, the two of them waited in front of the hotel entrance and boarded the waiting limousine. The hotel doorman, who had received a generous tip, opened the car door for them and bowed 90 degrees as they left.
Inside the limousine, it was quiet.
The faint sounds of the engine and rubber tires rubbing against the stone-tiled floor could barely be heard even with Seo Seung-hyun’s keen hearing. Occasionally, there was the sound of air brushing against the side mirror.
“Oh, by the way.”
Seo Seung-hyun, who was comfortably leaning against the soft natural leather backrest, opened his mouth as if he had just remembered something.
Jang Young-hee glanced at him.
“I forgot to tell Xi Xiping to stop watching Korean historical dramas.”
“Should I relay that message?”
The nonchalant secretary, who was like a bear, responded, and Seo Seung-hyun waved his hand dismissively.
“Did everything go smoothly?”
At that moment, from inside the plastic partition that separated the driver’s seat from the backseat, Yang Ye-ri asked.
The driver has changed, but Seo Seung-hyun wasn’t surprised. He absentmindedly toyed with a Cohiba Veique, worth over five hundred dollars per cigar, placed on the spacious storage armrest between the seats. His fingers, as if playing with a toy, lightly flicked the cigar.
“Get in touch with Chairman Yang.”
The response came not from Jang Young-hee, but from Yang Yeri, “Should I arrange a meeting?”
A silent smile appeared on Seo Seung-hyun’s lips.
“With no prior appointment, can I just drop in suddenly? Ask if tomorrow night would be suitable.”
“I’ll ask.”
Afterward, Seo Seung-hyun ignored the proper etiquette of cigar lighting as he placed the cigar’s end between his lips. Jang Young-hee immediately pulled out a lighter from his pocket. The luxurious Dupont lighter ignited the high-end cigar. The secretary, well-versed in every aspect of cigar enjoyment, lit the cigar and then discreetly removed the cigar band for Seo Seung-hyun. The deep aroma of wood and earth mixed with the cream emanated from the cigar. As the smoke wafted through the limousine, the built-in air purifier silently began to operate.
The rich scent of nicotine somehow resembled the smell of sex.
Seo Seung-hyun chewed on the end of the cigar with his incisors, savoring the fragrance deeply.
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