TL | Chapter 32 | Auction

The Grand Hotel Incheon Branch was situated not far from Incheon Port. The unique thing about it was that its grand banquet hall was located underground, unlike most hotel venues.

Arriving first with part of the security team, Seowon inspected the banquet hall thoroughly, setting up additional surveillance cameras in blind spots not covered by the hotel’s CCTV system. He stationed security personnel throughout the hall, then went to wait by the entrance for Iden’s arrival. Across from the hotel entrance, in a nearby high-rise, more security guards had been placed to counter any possible sniper threats.

Seowon kept his senses sharp, scanning his surroundings, but nothing suspicious stood out. He hoped the night would pass without incident, yet Min emphasized more than usual that Seowon should remember to wear his bulletproof vest today, adding that he should avoid the front lines if possible. The more cautious Min acted, the more Seowon felt like something could happen tonight. Iden, too, seemed different; though outwardly calm, Seowon could tell from his gaze that he was on high alert.

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As the auction’s starting time approached, guests began to arrive, one by one, each holding an invitation. The security team checked each person’s identity at the banquet hall entrance and escorted them inside.

“What are you doing out here?” Min, who had been inside preparing for the auction, came out and found Seowon, who was watching the guests entering the hall. Seowon wore a black mask that covered all but his eyes.

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“Even with your face covered, if the Director finds out you’re out here, he won’t be happy.”

“I want to confirm everyone’s face as they come in. No point in being here if I do nothing just because he won’t like it.”

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Seowon responded casually.

“The other guards would stop if the Director didn’t like it.”

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Min replied with a slight laugh. Whether because Iden was their employer or because he was the mafia heir, Seowon was the only one who ever went against him.

“Is this list all the guests expected today?”

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“For now, yes. We’ll have to see if any uninvited guests try to join the crowd.”

Min looked over the invitation list, glancing at the arriving guests. Some of them recognized him and greeted him with a friendly smile.

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When a man in a sleek black suit approached, Min’s expression changed. He quickly moved over to him and bowed politely.

<Welcome.>

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Seowon turned his gaze to the man as Min greeted him with respect. The man looked foreign, so Seowon couldn’t gauge his exact age, but he guessed he was in his forties.

<The Director is waiting for you inside. I’ll escort you.>

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The man nodded slightly in response. Leo, who was coming out of the entrance, also immediately bowed to him at a full ninety degrees. After he and Min entered the hall without even needing to show an invitation, Seowon asked Leo who the man was.

“That’s Liam Scorsese, the boss’s sworn brother and Luciano’s Underboss.”

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Leo answered readily, though his expression seemed to ask why Seowon didn’t already know.

“Have I met him before?”

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It was a strange question, but he couldn’t help asking. He was certain he’d felt the man glance at him as he passed. Maybe it was just a trick of the eye, but it left him feeling unsettled.

“‘Mr. Ha’ has always stood by the Director’s side, even in the United States. Naturally, you’ve crossed paths with him before.”

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Seowon smiled wryly at Leo’s response. It seemed like Leo, even suspecting he wasn’t the real “Ha Seowon,” was trying to be polite.

“I’m surprised the Director isn’t the Underboss himself.”

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Since Iden was the heir, Seowon had assumed that only his father stood above him.

“The Director is the Consigliere. He oversees the company’s legitimate business operations. In terms of rank, there’s no real difference between him and the Underboss.”

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Although Seowon had heard terms like “Underboss” and “Consigliere” before, he didn’t fully grasp what they meant. Still, Leo’s explanation suggested that Iden’s work remained within the bounds of legality, while the Underboss was likely involved in more illicit matters.

Liam had looked like a distinguished gentleman… Seowon had assumed he was an executive or CEO of some big company. It just went to show that appearances were deceiving—someone like him was part of the mafia. Seowon looked around the banquet hall, suddenly more suspicious of everyone there.

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“Are the staff here hotel employees?”

He noticed several attendants in identical uniforms setting up simple refreshments and champagne on the tables in the hall.

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“They’re hotel employees, but we’ve verified all their backgrounds.”

So, no suspicious persons would have been able to get inside.

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Seowon’s gaze drifted to Iden, who was now conversing with Liam in front of the stage. Although Liam appeared older, Iden showed no sign of being intimidated. If anything, Iden’s imposing physique and sharp features made him stand out even more.

Seowon wondered what they were talking about as he saw Liam pat Iden on the shoulder and laugh. Although Iden’s expression remained neutral, he didn’t brush off Liam’s hand and responded to him now and then. The man who seemed to be Liam’s secretary was also chatting casually with Min.

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Iden and Liam’s relationship seemed cordial. In fact, Liam appeared closer to Iden than anyone else in Luciano. It was strange to see someone treating Iden so casually—no one in Luciano Company dared to act that way with him.

“Are the Underboss and the Director close?”

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When he asked Leo, who was standing next to him again, Leo sighed shortly. He could guess Leo’s thoughts—if the real Ha Seowon were alive, he wouldn’t ask questions like this. There was a hint of lament in Leo’s sigh, as if acknowledging the limits of an imposter.

“As I mentioned earlier, the Underboss is the boss’s sworn brother. So, he’s like an uncle to the Director, the boss’s heir. They have no reason to dislike each other. I’ve heard that when the Director first moved to the States and was clashing with the boss, the Underboss took his side.”

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So, Liam was one of the few people Iden could rely on within the organization. Seowon studied Liam’s face again. With his soft features, he definitely didn’t look like a mafioso.

Mafia or not, father and uncle… Why did he always assume Iden had been lonely? The Iden he knew hadn’t had a good relationship with his father and grew up without ever really seeing his face. Even when he was summoned as the heir, he hadn’t been happy about it. He’d lived alone with his mother, with no other family around.

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So naturally, Seowon had assumed this Iden also had a poor relationship with his father and had only gone to the U.S. out of obligation after his mother’s passing. Maybe he’d wanted to believe Iden hadn’t chosen this life of his own will—that he’d had no choice.

Despite the loss of his mother, Iden had his father and uncle to support him, as well as countless loyal subordinates. Unlike “Iden-hyung,” he was surrounded by people.

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Would it even matter if I weren’t here?

That thought was quickly stifled by another.

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Despite everything, Iden had returned to South Korea to search for Ha Seowon and even established Luciano Company in Seoul to make that connection. “One Ha Seowon” wasn’t a trivial matter.

“We will now begin the Luciano Corporation Auction.”

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The host took the stage and announced the start of the auction, first in Korean, then in English for the international guests.

“First item up for bid.”

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Two Luciano guards wheeled in a large framed artwork on a cart. When they pulled away the covering cloth, a stunning painting was revealed.

“This is a work by Sano di Pietro, one of the prominent artists of the early Renaissance….”

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The host went on to describe the painting. Apparently, it had been discovered during renovations of a British church and was valued at over 600 million won.

Why was such a painting being auctioned here instead of in a museum? The host clarified that the painting had been stolen while en route to a museum. It was a stolen item, now being sold off as contraband.

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While Seowon frowned at the mention of it being stolen, no one else seemed bothered by it. They began raising their numbered paddles, and the bidding quickly climbed by millions of won.

The subsequent items were no different—there was a necklace once worn by royalty, and several other antique artifacts. After about an hour, Seowon, who had no interest in the auction, started growing weary.

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“We’ll take a brief intermission before continuing the auction.”

Perhaps considering the fatigue of those seated for a long time, the host announced a break. Seowon’s gaze naturally shifted to Iden, who had been seated at a front table. After exchanging a few words with Liam, Iden rose from his seat and made his way toward the banquet hall exit, seeming ready to step outside.

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