IMFOBO | CH 7 | It’s Scary When a Madman Is Sincere

It’s Scary When a Madman Is Sincere

 

[Ilsim Capital]

The old wallpaper pasted on the worn window was cracked like a parched rice paddy during a drought. The space, saturated with the marks of time, was disorganized, even exuding a messy atmosphere.

“Why did you have to meet here of all places?”

As Jeong-seok grumbled and stepped into the office, sharp gazes from the burly men poured over him. Instinctively shrinking back, he quickly settled in front of Tae-san.

“I’m a little busy.”

“…”

Tae-san chuckled, watching Jeong-seok struggle to suppress his inner turmoil. The fact that he’d come all the way here despite being told there was no time showed how desperate he was.

Jeong-seok clicked his tongue, watching Tae-san brazenly slurp down black bean noodles in the seat of honor in someone else’s office.

“You have a good appetite. How can you even eat black bean noodles right now?”

“You should watch your mouth. There’s no guarantee these guys will be friendly to you.”

Jeong-seok, who had been holding his nose at the stench of cigarettes permeating from the yellowed wallpaper, slowly lowered his hand. The thought of being buried in some unknown mountain made his skin crawl.

Always so easily scared.

“How long have you known I was in Cheongrim Village?”

“About three months?”

“Wow, so you knew from the start?”

Tae-san replied nonchalantly. Jeong-seok trembled as if he’d been struck hard in the back of the head, but that wasn’t Tae-san’s concern.

Jeong-seok was quite different from him, despite being from the same bloodline. He was so transparent that it was fun to tease him.

“You already knew, so why did you leave me alone for three months?”

“Do I really need to explain?”

Tae-san wearily dabbed his lips with a tissue. Jeong-seok seemed to have given up on getting an answer, but he still couldn’t shake off his unease.

“…Don’t tell me it’s because of Eun-cho.”

“Oh, you’re close? Calling her name so affectionately.”

Tae-san raised his left eyebrow slightly, then smiled faintly. It was a smiling face, but there was no hint of amusement in his eyes, exuding a chilling aura.

“Why Eun-cho of all people…? And what’s this about catching grandfather’s eye?”

“If you’re here about Lee Eun-cho, then I have nothing more to say.”

Tae-san gestured towards the door, not hiding his displeasure. At the clear dismissal, Jeong-seok shut his mouth. Sensing the unusual atmosphere, his youngest sibling’s instincts told him that acting out here would lead to a severe beating.

“Let’s get to the point.”

“Push for my marriage with Su-ji. Then I’ll hand over my shares to you at market price.”

“Our youngest is quite the schemer, aren’t you? You’ve grown up so much.”

Tae-san tapped his cheek with his index finger and smiled. This offer was quite tempting. It was worth making time for.

Strangely enough, Grandfather had promoted both his brother, Gi-beom, and himself to the position of Managing Director. In a time when the battle for succession was in full swing, even a fraction of a percentage point of shares could determine the outcome, so Jeong-seok’s offer was all the more appealing.

“So, you’re accepting my offer?”

“Shh.”

Tae-san suddenly put his finger to his lips at the loud noises coming from just beyond the door.

“Why does it have to be paid all at once all of a sudden? Where is it written that it has to be this way?”

The sharp voice was very familiar. Without rushing, Tae-san got up and carefully opened the blinds to assess the situation outside. It was none other than Lee Eun-cho, single-handedly walking into a gangster’s den.

Tae-san stood still and gazed at Eun-cho.

It’s been a while.

Everything that made up Lee Eun-cho was white and soft. Far from being tainted by the countryside, her skin was so pale as to appear as though she hadn’t seen the sun in the city. Her round forehead, seemingly innocent eyes without makeup, and the delicate nape of her neck, visible through her tied-up hair, all came into view.

Her dark eyes and red lips, creating a strange contrast with her skin, were captivating. To be more precise, they aroused a peculiar interest and a feverish desire. Though she herself probably couldn’t even imagine it.

“This girl still hasn’t come to her senses and is lecturing us on the law? Does a debtor need to be told how to pay? Should I tell you how I’m going to get it?”

The man threatened, roaring menacingly. He showed no sign of leniency.

“Go pick the burrs off a dog’s ear.

But Lee Eun-cho, clenching her teeth and retorting with incomprehensible words, was not to be underestimated. Wreaking havoc with an elegant face was just like him.

I like it.

“Heh.”

Tae-san muffled a faint laugh, trying to suppress the rising amusement.

“Mr. Tak-soo? First, I’ve deposited this month’s interest as we initially agreed. Installment payments of principal and interest are one thing, but a lump sum payment is impossible.”

“How dare you be so presumptuous! Where did you learn to just notify me?”

“Are you going to hit me again? You shouldn’t do that to me.”

The man flared up, but he couldn’t treat Eun-cho as carelessly as before. He raised his hand as if to strike, but that was all.

It was obvious. The nature of those third-rate street thugs was that they easily bowed their heads to those with greater power than themselves. It was worth making sure they knew exactly who they were dealing with.

“Do you want to see my face for a long time?”

“Why would I? You should look in the mirror yourself.”

Eun-cho had always been cheeky, but now she was deliberately provoking Tak-soo. She was throwing all the resentment she had accumulated at him.

“Unless you want to bite a stinky sock and stand as punishment again, take this month’s payment and leave.”

“Ha, this girl is really testing me. Do you think I’m a joke?”

“A little? You know who’s behind me now, right?”

The corners of Tae-san’s lips curled up in a relaxed arc. How could she never disappoint? His dark eyes were filled with layers of interest.

She’s scamming a gangster while slyly selling my name.

Utterly unaware that Ryu Tae-san himself was listening to every word.

“Should I call my brother?”

Since when was I your brother? Lee Eun-cho.

It was quite a spectacle. Unlike Tae-san, who burst into a low laugh, Jeong-seok’s face turned ashen, unable to do anything.

Lee Eun-cho might not know, but Ryu Jeong-seok knew exactly that his friend had dug her own grave and even made the coffin herself.

‘Now all that’s left is to lie down.’

Let’s see how far she goes.

Tae-san leisurely watched Eun-cho, who was running wild like a runaway train.

“Even if I pay everything off, let’s adjust the interest rate a bit. You know this current rate is outrageous, right? Even for a gangster, this is too much. Before I call my scary brother.”

Even the final deal was perfect.

“Let’s take out the non-essential stuff and cut it in half. You know it’s still shockingly more than the legal interest rate, right?”

Eun-cho made sure to get a receipt confirming that she had paid this month’s interest in full from the thug, who was trembling with anger, before leaving the office. The thin aluminum door made a series of creaking noises.

After confirming that Eun-cho, who had been running wild like a colt, had left, Tae-san finally burst into laughter. He licked his lips as if savoring a taste.

“What is she? She’s something else. She’s crazy.”

“…Damn it.”

Despite the high praise, Jeong-seok cursed under his breath. His brother’s expression was so desperate that anyone would think the Baekun Group was going bankrupt.

“Hyung, do you really like Eun-cho?”

“She’s audacious.”

As Ryu Jeong-seok had predicted. Ryu Tae-san was hooked on Lee Eun-cho. Very intensely.

“I want to break her.”

“Wow… It’s scary when a madman is serious.”

“I think you said what you were thinking inside.”

“Ah, that’s not it! Break, break, that’s not a normal person’s thought process!”

Jeong-seok shook his head, holding his forehead. He thought he would get hit again, but Tae-san was in a good enough mood to let even that impudence pass.

“Here are the documents for the completed registration. What are you going to do with the old house?”

At that moment, the CEO of Ilsim Capital asked, bowing deeply. Tae-san, wiping away his smile, stared at the old, middle-aged man.

“Director Kim, why don’t you manage your subordinates properly? It would be a problem if they damaged my property again.”

The short rebuke was laced with coldness. It was pointing out the incident a few days ago when he had laid a hand on Eun-cho. The man wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and constantly looked around.

“I will escort you to the company, Managing Director.”

Secretary Seon came forward and informed him of the next schedule. As Tae-san moved, the thugs stood up, and a path opened as if the Red Sea had parted.

He grabbed the top of Tak-soo’s head, who was closest to him, and pressed down hard. The man, with a cast on his arm, braced himself, putting his strength firmly into his legs to avoid staggering.

“Hey, do it in moderation. You guys are making me look like a gangster.”

Tae-san turned to look at Jeong-seok. Jeong-seok was frowning, as if he was frustrated.

“Ryu Jeong-seok, I’ll give you ten days. Get everything in order and come back to Baekun Manor.”

Tae-san patted Jeong-seok’s shoulder quite kindly, then gripped it tightly.

“Oh, and don’t even think about hiding Lee Eun-cho somewhere.”

As if he had already seen through his shallow intentions.