DDB Ch 15

Seungjae burst into laughter behind Ishin’s head.

“Ha, this, this. That confidence, I like it very much.”

Laughing heartily, he walked away from the window towards the sofa.

Picking up the whiskey bottle from the table, he refilled his glass. He couldn’t count how many glasses it had been already.

“But here’s the thing. Doing it at your house is out of the question.”

At Seungjae’s words, Ishin furrowed his brows. Without speaking, his sideways glance asked for the reason.

“Your house is a sacred inviolable zone where my power doesn’t reach.”

“…”

“…”

“It’s Congressman Gray’s territory.”

Seungjae was not an easy person either. He trusted Ishin, but not 100%.

As he said, Ishin’s house was a place where the hands of [Heritage] couldn’t reach, a promised sacred inviolable area.

It was a privilege obtained by Robert Gray, a British peer and once his guardian, who had burdened [Heritage] with a huge debt.

To conduct work in such a place?

Seungjae strongly expressed his opinion that it didn’t make sense for his technician to work in a place where he couldn’t see.

“So, let’s do the work here… on Yusando.”

The eyes that had been smiling kindly until then now sparkled with determination.

“In return, I’ll provide whatever is necessary. I’ll give you the safest place on Yusando. The facilities will be top-notch…”

However, Ishin was no pushover either.

“Isn’t that just a given?”

Slowly rising from his seat, Ishin did not lose his shine even at the top of Heritage.

Being a head taller than Seungjae, he pressed down lightly on Seungjae with his inherent aura of intimidation.

“The one who will benefit the most from this is you, Vice Chairman. You should at least do that much.”

“…”

Anyway, he had no intention of setting up a workshop at Ishin’s house for the picture replication. Seungjae would surely visit frequently under the guise of checking the work progress.

Moreover, they had found Seo Jiwoon, who was well hidden in Florence. Hiding wasn’t always the best strategy; the more you hide, the more attention you draw.

It’s often darkest under the lamp; placing him right under their noses might actually be safer.

“As the sole technician, ensuring safety is essential.”

So, this cunning man must be used well as a piece on the chessboard. There’s something very clear that must be obtained this time around.

Like, deploying external staff on Yusando?

Therefore, the groundwork must be laid well.

“Safety?”

“You need to keep it out of reach from Director Oh Kyungseok or Chief Go Misung… to complete the work, right? After all, it’s a matter concerning the chairman’s position.”

Ishin subtly instilled a sense of ownership in Seungjae, stirring his sense of crisis and competitive spirit.

“That’s how you can keep your position.”

He also didn’t forget a bit of solidarity.

“That’s why I’ve been supporting you until now… you must do what needs to be done. For my sake as well.”

He threw in a hint of obligation.

“Think about the line you’ve held for eight years, trusting only in you, Vice Chairman.”

“Oh Kyungseok…”

Seungjae’s eyes went blank for a moment.

“Does this mean if I can’t have it, I’ll cause chaos?”

“Is the Vice Chairman’s thinking wrong?”

His anxious eyes flickered as he tried to steady his thoughts.

Ishin drove the point home.

“If you can’t take it, you can cause chaos.”

At his words, Seungjae blinked a few times, narrowing his eyes.

“Looking at it that way… you’re right.”

The tilt of his head and the faraway look in his eyes indicated that his thoughts had been sorted out.

“Is it just Oh Kyungseok? No, Chief Go Misung might be an even bigger problem.”

Ishin shared a similar thought.

“From Chief Go Misung’s perspective… she could easily reach out to my technician. No, she definitely will.”

By now, Seungjae had acknowledged Jiwoon as his technician, nodding with a determined look.

“I never imagined our Director Baek would bring a woman by flaunting his charm like this.”

Then, he grinned as if finding it amusing.

“Alright.”

Seungjae set down his glass and stood up abruptly.

“Since he’s my technician, I must protect him thoroughly. If you need anything, just say it. I’ll consider anything that requires my approval.”

Seungjae’s gaze fell upon Jiwoon, who was lying on the long sofa, dozing off in a light sleep.

“Miss Seo Jiwoon?”

Despite the soft voice, Jiwoon, who was hypersensitive, soon rubbed her eyes and sat up.

“Yes?”

Her voice was languid, filled with sleep, making the reports about her severe sleep disorder seem unbelievable.

Observing Jiwoon like this, Seungjae proposed a novel safety measure.

“I’ll give you my right-hand man, Director Baek Ishin](https://x.com/i/grok?text=k%2520Ishin)), as a gift.”

Her eyelids, which had been heavy with sleep, opened wide. Her dark brown eyes, now round and large, were clearer than ever.

“…What are you giving me?”

At her question, Seungjae twitched his lips and answered clearly.

“Baek Ishin.”

Wow-.

Completely awake now, Jiwoon blinked her large eyes slowly. Then, as if it was the natural next step, she looked up at Ishin, who was casting a shadow over her.

He stood there expressionless, yet his eyes were intensely sharp, indicating he wasn’t thrilled with the situation but didn’t see a reason to refuse.

No, it might even be a good thing. Seo Jiwoon was capable on her own, after all…

“From now until the work is done, Director Baek Ishin will be your close protection.”

So she could complete her task without worrying about anyone.

To protect Seo Jiwoon and to use her.

A cold smile tilted one corner of Ishin’s mouth.

Unaware of his inner thoughts, Seungjae and Jiwoon continued their conversation as if performing in a play.

“From now on, Director Baek will keep you safe.”

“…Every day?”

“Indeed.”

“24 hours?”

“Of course.”

“And the duration… about 10 years?”

“Why? Planning to start a household?”

“If you allow even that…”

“I can’t wait that long, let’s finish it within three months.”

“Aw… give me at least six months.”

They went back and forth like comedians.

Having thrown out this grand proposition that Jiwoon would like, Seungjae puffed out his chest and asked about the deal’s outcome.

“How about it? Good?”

Jiwoon, who had openly declared she was smitten with his charm, nodded with rosy cheeks as if to prove her words.

“I’ll work hard on the replication…”

Her wide smile and the curve of her eyes matched her clear gaze, exuding a fragrance like dried peaches they had eaten earlier.

Seo Jiwoon, it seems, was still Seo Jiwoon, even as time passed.

🐬🌊🐳

“Work hard on the replication?”

Ishin, who had slipped his arm between Jiwoon’s thighs and armpits to hold her, spoke as they entered the elevator.

“The duration is 10 years?”

His gaze, looking down at Jiwoon, was icy.

With her arms around his neck, Jiwoon’s sparkling eyes met his, still smiling as if something delighted her.

“Three months become six months, six months become a year, and a year turns into ten years.”

Just like how a brother becomes a husband, and then a father.

‘Brother.’

At her plump lips whispering ‘brother,’ Ishin’s Adam’s apple twitched subtly, though his voice remained cold.

“Wake up from your dream, start walking on your own feet.”

“Ouch, my head.”

As he tried to put her down, Jiwoon clung tighter to his neck, pressing her head against his chest and closing her eyes.

“The Vice Chairman said you’re mine now.”

“He entrusted me with your protection.”

“He said you were a gift.”

“It’s for your safety.”

“My head isn’t safe right now.”

Tsk, if only you couldn’t speak.

Although he clicked his tongue in displeasure and scolded her coldly, his eyes were not harsh.

Holding her even more securely to avoid her falling, he stepped out of the elevator and walked briskly out of the headquarters building.

His straight back, leisurely stride, and slightly curved lip left no room for weariness, looking rather joyful.

From a distance, someone observed him.

“Did Baek Ishin… just smile?”

Go Misung, who had just come up from the executive parking lot to the first floor, narrowed her eyes.

If her eyes weren’t deceiving her, Baek Ishin was now… smiling while holding a woman.

“Baek Ishin smiling? No, Baek Ishin… with a woman?”

Her smooth, egg-like face wrinkled in confusion.

“Secretary Kim, where is Director Oh Kyungseok?”

“He’s in his office right now…”

Before the secretary could finish, Misung headed towards the annex corridor.

Upon reaching Oh Kyungseok’s office, chaos was unfolding beyond the glass wall.