Chapter 450: It Will Be Very Interesting

As soon as the arrest warrant for Seo Jae-hoon was issued, the Legal Department of Il-seong Group went into emergency mode.

They needed to refute the evidence presented by the prosecution in the substantive hearing of the warrant.

Before calling Seo Jae-hoon for an investigation, the prosecution first filed for a detention review at the court.

The detention review was a system where a different judge would interrogate the case, excluding the one who issued the warrant.

Il-seong Group mobilized all its resources to find a judge who would favor them in delivering a verdict.

However, the atmosphere was unlike before.

All the judges who had once received sponsorship from Il-seong turned down their requests.

Some judges didn’t even bother to respond to their calls.

To make matters worse, Goryeo Daily dedicated three full pages to report all suspicions surrounding Seo Jae-hoon.

[The Two Faces of Seo Jae-hoon, the Crown Prince of Il-seong Group.]

The arrest warrant for Seo Jae-hoon had been issued.

Arrested as a suspect in the murder of an American, the prosecution quickly sought a detention warrant from the court.

In an unusual move, the court held the warrant hearing late at night and issued the arrest warrant early the next morning.

(Omitted)

Vice Chairman Seo Jae-hoon was stepping up to lead Il-seong Group after Chairman Seo Yong-geon collapsed from a heart attack. However, now that he was detained as a murder suspect, Il-seong Group has not issued any official statement.

Investigative reports suggest that, aside from this incident, the prosecution considers Seo Jae-hoon a prime suspect in two previous disappearance cases.

If all these suspicions were true, it would be outrageous. Our publication intends to feature this issue prominently.

Turning from the first page to the next, an in-depth article about the aforementioned disappearance cases was printed.

On page three, there was an article detailing the impact of Seo Jae-hoon’s arrest on Il-seong Group.

“What kind of crazy bastards are these!”

An outburst erupted in the Legal Department office at Il-seong Group headquarters.

Jang Geun-seok slammed the newspaper down, cursing loudly.

“What are you doing when you can’t stop even this?”

“Manager Lee Seok-min handled all the media. We just…”

The staff members tried to defend themselves, but Jang Geun-seok didn’t listen.

“First, pull all ads from Goryeo Daily. Contact other newspapers and tell them not to publish any hasty articles.”

“…It wouldn’t do us any good to antagonize Goryeo Daily. Chairman has tried hard to maintain good relations with them.”

“What does that matter now? Everything is about to fall apart! Just stop it! What’s the point of having a secretary’s office? Do you all want to lose your jobs?”

Jang Geun-seok shouted, pointing his finger at the secretary’s staff.

“Ah, got it.”

“Don’t just sit around making phone calls; get out there and take action. If you can’t stop it, be prepared to lose your jobs. Get moving now!”

The secretary staff hurried out of the Legal Department office, and the department’s staff followed in.

“How about you guys?”

Gloom showed on the staff members’ faces. Jang Geun-seok, who had washed his face dry, sighed heavily.

“Ha… These bastards are just taking without giving anything back, and now they ignore our calls? Do they think we’re going to crumble like this?”

“Manager, is the article from Goryeo Daily true? If it is…”

One staff member cautiously asked.

“What if it’s true? Is that even a question?”

“But Goryeo Daily wouldn’t publish such an article without evidence, would they?”

“Hey, you lunatic! Whether it’s true or not, our job is to get the Vice Chairman out of the detention center! That’s all we should be thinking about!”

Jang Geun-seok said coldly. The Legal Department staff lowered their heads in unison.

“The judge in charge of the detention review will be decided soon. At the same time, gather all information on that judge.”

“Understood.”

The atmosphere of Il-seong Group was so tense that even the lawyers in the Legal Department were trembling with anxiety.

* * *

At the U.S. Embassy, the ambassador arrived with a man.

“Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok. Good to see you again.”

“Yes, Ambassador. It’s been a while since we met.”

After exchanging simple greetings, they sat down.

“Who is the person next to you?”

“Oh, this is the new branch chief assigned by the CIA to Korea. Danny Williams, the chief of the Korean branch.”

“Danny Williams, huh.”

“I’m Kim Mu-hyeok. But why have the two of you come to see me together?”

Though I had already guessed their reason for coming, I pretended not to know and asked.

Ambassador Hamilton spoke first.

“It’s about the death of Vice President Patrick.”

“Hmm.”

The two had come to see me because they knew I was at the scene.

Where on earth had this information leaked?

Neither the press nor the police or the prosecution knew of my presence.

Everyone present at the scene kept their mouths shut.

Even if Seo Jae-hoon or Han Ji-ho emphasized my involvement, the prosecution would surely keep things quiet.

“That was done by Seo Jae-hoon. But do you have a specific reason for seeking me out?”

“We know you were present at the scene, Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok.”

This time, I nodded without denying it.

“That’s correct. I went to save him, but it was already too late. I had even had drinks with James the night before, and we had decided to go into business together, but suddenly he disappeared. So I tracked down where he had been kidnapped. I went there, but he was already a cold corpse.”

I spoke matter-of-factly, smiling gently.

“That’s how we were briefed as well.”

“Hamilton. I’ll speak from now on.”

“Danny, don’t get in the way.”

Danny Williams interrupted Hamilton.

Hamilton seemed to know Danny well enough not to push him.

It seemed they shared a certain degree of familiarity.

But still, even if he was the chief of the CIA Korean branch, he shouldn’t be of equal status to the U.S. Ambassador, right?

I regarded Danny Williams with growing interest.

“Hamilton. Let’s stick to our respective roles. A citizen of our country died here. From now on, this is our jurisdiction.”

“…Damn it.”

Hamilton frowned and cursed.

“Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok.”

Danny called me.

“Yes, what is it?”

“We believe you influenced Patrick’s death.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Whether Jae-hoon killed him or his subordinate did, our assessment from Langley is that you led him to that fate.”

I wiped the smile off my face and glared at Danny with icy eyes.

So these bastards are probing me?

“Is that the official stance of the U.S.?”

“No, it’s not. But it’s our speculation.”

“So you’re coming here to say that I led Patrick to his death without an official position?”

As I asked coldly, Danny smirked and replied.

“Listen, Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok. Do you think we don’t know how you conduct business? What reason would Seo Jae-hoon have to kill Vice President Patrick? Patrick came to Korea to collaborate with Seo Jae-hoon to restrain you. But after meeting with you, he suddenly went out drinking with James Han. Then he disappeared and was found as a cold corpse. Naturally, we have no choice but to suspect you.”

I raised an eyebrow as I observed Hamilton.

Was this something they agreed upon beforehand? Hamilton’s eyes were twitching slightly.

“Danny, what are you doing? We never discussed this.”

“I told you not to interfere. You could also be a suspect. Is that what you want?”

Hamilton shut his mouth at the thought of him also being suspected, but his eyes were filled with fury.

“The Korean police have arrested Seo Jae-hoon as a suspect. The prosecution and court issued a pre-arrest warrant, citing adequate suspicion. And despite that, you two are still suspecting me?”

“Isn’t it you who has Korea in your grip? How can we trust you?”

The conversation grew increasingly strange. This wasn’t typical CIA behavior.

“You don’t trust me? Since when has the CIA Korean branch been able to disregard the Korean prosecution and judiciary? Who do you work for? Whose orders are you following?”

If the CIA were genuinely suspicious of me, they wouldn’t come directly to threaten me like this.

They would find evidence behind the scenes and hit me with it.

One thing popped into my mind immediately.

“Are you also with Valtiche? Is that why you’ve come to probe me?”

I mentioned Valtiche while capturing both of their faces in my eyes.

Hamilton looked baffled, as if he didn’t understand what I was saying.

But Danny’s response was different. For just a moment, his eyes flickered.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Nonsense. They must be scared of me, huh? Sending their people to probe the CIA Korean branch?”

Danny didn’t respond.

I shifted my target to Hamilton, who was looking confused beside me.

“Ambassador Hamilton.”

“Yes, Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok?”

“I’m really not in a good mood right now.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Hamilton hadn’t done anything wrong, but I needed to show my superiority.

“I’m aligned with the U.S. government. You should know that. So, to handle matters this way is disappointing.”

“I’m sorry. Danny, this isn’t like him. He’s acting oddly today.”

“I’ll accept your apology for now. Ambassador, have you heard of an organization called Valtiche?”

Upon my question, Hamilton shook his head.

“No, I’ve never heard of it until today.”

“Really? I’m considering writing a novel, would you like to hear about it? It will be very interesting.”

“Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok.”

Danny interrupted my speech.

I slowly turned my head to look at him. There was a slight hint of anxiety in his eyes.

“Why? Shouldn’t I?”

“…Please stop.”

From Danny’s reaction, I became convinced he was a pawn of Valtiche.

He used to be so confident, but now he looked like a trapped animal, frozen in fear.

I curled my lips and said, “Interesting. So there are actually Valtiche’s pawns within the CIA.”

Danny’s expression now betrayed no emotion.

At that moment, Hamilton interjected.

“What on earth is Valtiche?”

“Hamilton, please, don’t try to find out. You might get hurt that way.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s both a piece of advice as a friend and a warning as the chief of the CIA Korean branch. So, don’t take an interest.”

Hamilton’s face was marked by indignation.

“Hey, Danny. Since when did the chief of the CIA Korean branch outrank me?”

Whether this was a show or a genuine argument, it was quite absurd.

I found it ridiculous to see them bickering in front of me.

“What are you doing? If you’re going to act like that in front of me, I’ll have you leave right now.”

Both of them stopped quarreling at my words. With a heavy sigh, I spoke again.

“Danny, I have no connection to Patrick’s death. So tell your high-and-mighty boss for me: if you’re going to keep probing me, I won’t let it slide. If you have anything to discuss, come to me directly.”

“…”

“I thought the warning I gave you last time would be enough, but apparently not. If you want something else, I’m willing to provide it. Don’t forget to convey this message as well.”

After warning Danny, I turned to Hamilton and said.

“Ambassador, it doesn’t seem like today is a suitable time for further discussion. I too mourn for Vice President Patrick’s death. But I only tried to help him. I’m sure the prosecution will reveal the truth soon, so let’s wait for that.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok.”

Hamilton bit his lip slightly, lowering his head.

“You should leave now.”

I issued a dismissal to them.

Hamilton rose first, and then Danny followed suit, reluctantly standing up.

“Then we’ll see each other again next time.”

Hamilton greeted me, and I nodded in response.

“Yes, see you again, Ambassador.”

“We still haven’t cleared our suspicions about you. Don’t forget that we are watching you.”

Danny warned me until the end. What a way to hold onto his pride.

I shook my head, gesturing for him to leave.

“Just get out of my sight already.”

As Hamilton and Danny left, Manager Ma entered.

“Manager, find out more about Danny Williams, the CIA chief for Korea.”

“Understood.”

After giving my order to Manager Ma, I sank deeply into the sofa.

I felt an ominous sense that I was going to keep running into Valtiche.

Starting with Patrick, they had sent Danny to Korea and didn’t bother to hide it.

That meant they were now starting to take notice of me.

“What should I do about these bastards…”