Chapter 76
04. 20 Years Old, Baek I-hae
She had turned twenty.
It was just a change of seasons, yet she was now an adult—it didn’t feel real.
“Do Ha-jun has made his move.”
Still, she reminded herself that this was an age where she had to take responsibility for her own actions.
As if he’d been waiting for her to come of age, Do Ha-jun attempted to make contact with her. And Baek I-hae immediately shared that fact with Baek Yeong.
“While Seo-yeol is away from home for a few days, he wants me to lure out Uncle I-heum.”
It was highly likely that some organization members had secretly tailed Seo-yeol during his school event absence.
Baek Yeong nodded.
“He’s probably on guard after seeing that the culprit in Seo I-heum’s hit-and-run hasn’t been caught.”
It wasn’t a simple hit-and-run. If it was an intentional accident by another organization, Seo-yeol could be in danger too, so it was a natural precaution.
“Some to Seo Do-gyeom, some to Seo-yeol. He must have been waiting for the members to scatter.”
“That bastard is damn obsessed with safety.”
Chai Ryeong gritted her teeth, adding that it was just like Do Ha-jun. Baek I-hae hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Let’s do it. I knew it would come to this eventually, so there’s no point in delaying. Actually, I think it’s better since there’s less risk of involving Yeol.”
If Seo-yeol were nearby, he might sense the danger and get involved. Then he could end up as a hostage or in peril.
Seeing Baek I-hae make a more rational decision than expected, Baek Yeong nodded.
“Yeah. Dragging it out would only arouse Do Ha-jun’s suspicions.”
“Are you going to ambush him while he’s trying to attack Seo I-heum?”
At Chai Ryeong’s question, Baek Yeong shook his head.
“He’d anticipate that much and have the Shinun faction lying in wait. He’s the type who prepares for every possibility. He’d even consider the chance that Baek I-hae might betray him.”
“Even if I-hae betrays him, what could that bastard do about it?”
Chai Ryeong asked out of genuine curiosity. It was a fair point. He couldn’t control people’s minds.
Baek Yeong glanced between their expressions and calmly explained, “He’d make sure betrayal doesn’t cross her mind.”
“He’s likely to create a situation where Baek I-hae would feel guilty. For example, bringing her cousin and threatening their life.”
Baek I-hae flinched. Indeed, if such a scenario unfolded, she might find it hard to follow through with the plan.
She harbored no fondness for them, but if Jang Seul-gi or her uncle died because of her, she wasn’t sure she could act as planned.
That was a normal reaction, and Do Ha-jun was simply someone who knew how to exploit such human psychology.
“And since he knows Baek I-hae is at our place, he’d assume I’d get involved too.”
“Ah, then what do we do! Stop stalling and just tell us the plan already!”
As Chai Ryeong snapped irritably, Baek I-hae nodded cautiously. Backstabbing someone required knowing them well.
“First, Baek I-hae goes alone to lure out Seo I-heum. He won’t tail her.”
“No, even if I-hae shares the lure location, what if Do Ha-jun suddenly changes the plan and moves to another spot? What if our kid ends up in danger? Are you going to take responsibility, boss?!”
“I’m fine with it……”
“Shh! Kids don’t butt into adult conversations.”
Baek I-hae, the very person involved and now an adult, wore a sullen expression.
“I don’t want Baek I-hae getting hurt either.”
At Baek Yeong’s following words, both Baek I-hae and Chai Ryeong fell silent. It was just a sensible statement, yet it sounded oddly meaningful.
‘Something feels off. Ever since that early morning conversation, his likability and trust shot up suddenly, and I even completed the quest.’
She’d been so shocked when she woke up the next day. It was good that she avoided the penalty, but it left her a bit uneasy. She’d decided to just let it go, though.
“I’ve prepared separately for that.”
“Then I’ll tell Do Ha-jun I’ll do it.”
[Scenario #4 Quest Triggered!
‘Do Ha-jun’s Scheme: Lure Seo I-heum to His Death.’ Do you accept?
Accept: Do Ha-jun Likability +10
Reject: Threat to Seo Do-gyeom’s Life]
‘Damn player bastard.’
What was she supposed to do with Do Ha-jun’s likability anyway?
Moreover, glimpsing into Do Ha-jun’s mind—how he’d threaten Seo Do-gyeom as if waiting for her rejection—made her feel sick.
After sending a reply to Do Ha-jun accepting the proposal, he texted her the location and time to lure Seo I-heum. She stared at it blankly before sighing.
“What? Worried that Seo I-heum won’t come even if you call?”
“No.”
Baek I-hae shook her head at Chai Ryeong’s question.
“Uncle will definitely come. It’s just… I feel sorry. Of course, I believe the Baek faction will make sure to help so he doesn’t get into danger.”
“Yeah. We’ll step in before Seo I-heum gets hurt. Even if he spends all day at a desk buried in documents, most guys aren’t a match for him.”
Even with Chai Ryeong’s not-quite-comforting words, Baek I-hae let out a deep sigh. Then, after hesitating, she texted Seo I-heum’s contact for the first time in a while.
Do Ha-jun had said it was fine to ask for help or reveal she was being threatened—just as long as she got Seo I-heum to come alone to the appointed place. Any method would do.
So Baek I-hae simply texted the facts: ‘I’ve been kidnapped, and the blackmailer promised to let me live only if Seo I-heum comes alone.’
Chai Ryeong, seeing the curt message, was dumbfounded enough to comment.
“Why not call and cry or something? This looks like a voice phishing scam.”
No sooner had she said that Seo I-heum wouldn’t budge for something like this than Baek I-hae’s phone buzzed.
It was a vibration signaling a text arrival.
“……His reaction is disgustingly fast.”
“That’s why Do Ha-jun chose to use Baek I-hae.”
Baek Yeong mocked Chai Ryeong as he took the phone from Baek I-hae. After checking the address and time Do Ha-jun had provided and returning the phone, he said,
“As long as you don’t do anything reckless, you won’t get hurt. So just do exactly as Do Ha-jun says.”
It was as if capturing Do Ha-jun was less important than Baek I-hae’s safety.
Baek I-hae replied that she understood and left the house. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her trembling body from tension. It was time for her to head to the meeting place too.
The appointed location was the abandoned factory where Do Ha-jun had dragged her before.
‘Let’s end this.’
For her sake, for Seo Do-gyeom’s sake. For the people she loved.
Baek I-hae took heavy steps forward.
***
Meanwhile, Old Man Oh was guarding Seo Do-gyeom’s hospital room.
“Jeez, the boss is reckless too. He knows it’s a trap but insists on going anyway.”
Seo I-heum, who was in the room with him, had declared he’d go immediately upon seeing Baek I-hae’s text.
Old Man Oh had offered to go along, but Seo I-heum told him to stay in case Seo Do-gyeom was attacked.
‘At least it’s good that I sent people to the contact point.’
Old Man Oh called the members at home, told them the meeting location, and instructed them to go just in case.
“The culprit who attacked Young Master Do-gyeom might have used the miss’s phone to impersonate her. The tone was stiff, unlike her usual way. What? Of course the boss went alone. Ah, I really don’t know what kind of guts he has. He’s not even on active duty anymore.”
While chatting with his subordinates and subtly gossiping about Seo I-heum, Old Man Oh casually turned toward the bed and his eyes widened.
It was because he saw Seo Do-gyeom’s eyelids twitching.
“Huh? W-wait a second. The young master is opening his eyes……! Hey, kid. Hang up for now! Young master, young master!”
Hurriedly ending the call, Old Man Oh shouted loudly without daring to shake Seo Do-gyeom’s body. At the unusual reaction, he called for a nurse, and Seo Do-gyeom’s eyelids slowly lifted.
It was a miraculous moment.
“Young master, are you conscious? Do you recognize me??”
Perhaps because he hadn’t drunk water in so long, Seo Do-gyeom’s voice wouldn’t come out properly as he mouthed words. Like someone trying to say something.
Old Man Oh quickly leaned in, ear close, and realized he was repeating one word over and over.
It was Baek I-hae’s name.
