After shedding all his tears, he got up and staggered to the bathroom, washing his body for a long time. He washed away all traces of the Alpha and the lingering sweetness of their kisses.
When he left the room, Yang Ye-ri looked at him expressionlessly and said she would bring him food, so he should not leave the room. Seo Seung-hyun’s order was clear. Lee Young-jin asked her to bring the food to his room instead, and Yang Ye-ri hesitated for a moment before agreeing, adding that he should not go outside if possible. Lee Young-jin nodded. After all, everything he wanted to do could be done within the confines of his room.
He returned to his room.
Soon, Yang Ye-ri brought the food.
It was Korean food, something he did not expect to taste in a foreign land. Thick porridge filled generously with chicken and abalone, dongchimi, and soy sauce braised beef were served. Lee Young-jin took a very long time to finish them all. As soon as Yang Ye-ri took the dishes away, he got up and went to the computer.
He launched a few software applications and tapped on the keyboard a few times.
A small window popped up.
Lee Young-jin used a translator to type in a few words and sent them.
[你好。
你知道他間諜你嗎？
聯繫當地華人是一個愚蠢的想法。
如果你想把你的東西安全帶回家，你為什麼不抓住我？]
[Hello.
Do you know he is spying on you?
Contacting local Chinese is a foolish idea.
If you want to safely bring your stuff back home, why not join hands with me?]
***
Friday.
A mist-like rain fell in the morning, then winds from the Andes pushed the clouds away, revealing the sun around noon. The crisp blue sky gleamed brightly. Tourists and locals mixed, drinking beer and sugarcane ade.
Yang Ye-ri returned after being away for a moment in the morning.
They settled in a hexagonal living room with a view of the patio and terrace.
“Ms. Yang said to convey her apologies for a few days ago.”
Yang Ye-ri continued expressionlessly.
“And she said not to worry because everything is being prepared as planned.”
Then she lightly shook the smartphone in her hand. A map appeared on the wall opposite the window as light flashed on the smartphone screen connected to the presentation device. Yang Ye-ri shook the smartphone again. The roads on the map twinkled with red neon lights.
“We’ve prepared twelve limousines and SUVs. After the auction, Xi Xiping will head straight to El Dorado airport and from there, take a private jet directly to Macau. However, we will lure Xi Xiping from El Dorado to Boyacá, and then through Highway 50 to the vicinity of Mosquera.”
She continued without changing her expression.
“We’ll handle the rest there, and then take Xi Xiping to the San Andres Golf Club nearby.”
“Where will the goods go?”
Jang Young-hee asked.
Yang Ye-ri nodded.
“Of course, we’ll divert them in advance. The goods diverted from Xi Xiping will be sent directly to Guaymaral Airport. You can wait at the airport and take the goods from there.”
A twinkling dot appeared on the map. Aeropuerto Guaymaral. This small airport, used as a military base and a private airport, had a single 15-kilometer runway and was located just about 30 kilometers from El Dorado International Airport.
“We’ve already informed them, so you can take off as soon as you receive the goods. A private jet to Toronto will be on standby. From there, transferring to Seoul will be safe.”
Yang Ye-ri looked at Seo Seung-hyun as if waiting for a response. Seo Seung-hyun shrugged and glanced at Jang Young-hee. Jang Young-hee explained on his behalf.
“We have prepared a flight. Don’t worry about that part. We will be waiting at Guaymaral, so please deliver the goods to us. Will you come in person, Ms. Ye-ri?”
“Yes.”
She replied solemnly.
“I will go personally. In case of any emergency, do not accept the goods until I have a direct video call with either the CEO or Manager Jang.”
“Understood.”
Jang Young-hee responded.
“We will move our private jet at El Dorado to Guaymaral, so please convey that to the ATC. The registration code is VP-CHL7.”
“Got it.”
With that, Yang Ye-ri gave the smartphone one last shake. The screen disappeared. She bowed deeply to Seo Seung-hyun.
“It has been an honor to serve you during this time.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Seo Seung-hyun smiled, lifting the corners of his mouth.
“Please tell Ms. Yang to discuss the rest after this matter is concluded.”
“I will. Once again, about the incident a few days ago…”
“Ah, let’s not talk about that anymore.”
Seo Seung-hyun cut her off with a smile.
Lee Young-jin quietly observed them. The affectionate formal speech of this arrogant and confident Alpha seemed somewhat condescending.
Yang Ye-ri left the room.
Seo Seung-hyun and Jang Young-hee turned their attention to Lee Young-jin. Lee Young-jin nodded once and then lightly pressed the screen of his smartphone. The screen appeared again on the white wall.
“The auction will be held at the Campestre Golf Club.”
The map flashed.
“It’s less than ten kilometers from Guaymaral Airport… Also, some of the participants are either expected to arrive at Guaymaral Airport today or have already arrived and are staying at the club.”
“Continue.”
Seo Seung-hyun gestured.
The screen changed.
Several photos of a luxurious private golf club with nearly eight thousand yards of two 18-hole courses and twenty-nine tennis courts appeared and then disappeared. Instead, the whole wall was filled with aerial photos and plans of the golf club.
“The auctioneer has rented the entire club for a week for this auction. Since last week, access to the club has been controlled… Hmm. Currently, three people are staying.”
“It won’t be exactly three.”
“Thirty-four security personnel brought by the auction side, and the three each brought their own two, totaling six. Hmm. The number of bodyguards that can be brought into the auction is limited.”
“Xi Xiping?”
“He moved to the club last night.”
“He’s moving quite fast for someone so heavy-set.”
Seo Seung-hyun chuckled low. Lee Young-jin blinked.
“Just in case, I accessed the membership list and registered you, but… since members are also not allowed to enter right now……”
“Young-hee.”
Instead of answering, Seo Seung-hyun called Jang Young-hee. The chief secretary spoke bluntly.
“We’ve already finished talking with Evans.”
“What did they say?”
“They will do as we wish.”
“Where are they now?”
“Their representative will land at Guaymaral this afternoon at 3:30.”
“Good. Let’s meet there then.”
Seo Seung-hyun turned his head and looked at Lee Young-jin again.
“How’s Evans’s financial situation?”
“About sixty million euros in oil securities…”
“Ah. Poverty is a sin.”
Seo Seung-hyun exaggerated a sigh and placed a hand on his chest.
“Let’s be understanding. They’re on the verge of ruin because of Brexit.”
“It seems Evans’s funds are a bit short. Shouldn’t we infuse some of our funds to liven up the auction atmosphere? It could also serve as a backup plan in case Xi Xiping backs out.”
“Hmm. Yeah, I’m thinking of doing that a bit. But it’s only for livening up the atmosphere, so no need to worry too much.”
The man who always considered second-best, third-best, and the worst-case scenarios crossed his arms and spoke quietly.
“It’s not a good time to split funds. Xi Xiping has brought one billion yuan, but it seems it might be just enough.”
“Will the bid go higher than that?”
“One billion yuan should be sufficient if we just follow the auction atmosphere. The first one ended at 1.2 billion.”
“But in case of emergency, there’s also the one hundred and fifty million pounds that the chairman and manager arranged in Gibraltar.”
“Yes. That and Evans are all backup plans.”
“Backup plans?”
“In case Xi Xiping does something stupid and raises the bid above one billion yuan.”
A relentless critique followed about the adoptee of the Triad’s top boss.
“What does he know about auctions like this? He might have shouted ten million won for a bottle of champagne at an end-of-year charity party.”
Afterward, Seo Seung-hyun slightly twisted his lips.
“Of course, I’d prefer such a situation not to happen.”
Seo Seung-hyun tilted his head slightly.
“Adding Evans’s funds to the chairman and manager’s one hundred and fifty million pounds, it’s almost three hundred billion. Young-hee, we’ve already put in one and a half billion in the groundwork alone. The advance payment of one hundred billion from Executive Director Kwon has become tied-up money with no use.”
“So, what’s the auction limit?”
“What limit?”
His voice was firm.
“If the worst-case scenario is losing out on the goods when combining Evans’s funds with ours, then the absolute worst is not getting the goods at all.”
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