Chapter 45.1

Chapter 45.1

A huge spray of water shot up, reaching as if it might touch the ceiling. Bound and plunged into the water, Sungang sank with no way to struggle.

By the time Gukhyun had snatched the jackknife and taken hold of it, he was standing right in front of Seokchan. The razor-sharp tip aimed precisely at Seokchan’s Adam’s apple. If Gukhyun had made up his mind, Seokchan would have lost his voice forever. His life hung on the point of the blade.

Gukhyun stared at Seokchan with an emotionless gaze and said,

“Let Gang-ah go first.”

“…Put the knife down.”

“Do you think it’ll be hard for me to kill Director Yoon and pull Gang-ah out?”

Seokchan glared at Gukhyun like he wanted to kill him. The scent of blood sharpened the cunning gray in his eyes as he glanced at the blade threatening his throat. After a short hesitation, Seokchan barked an order to the men behind him.

“Get Kang Sungang out of the water.”

The men who had been waiting for Seokchan grabbed Sungang’s nape and hauled him from the pool. Limp and unconscious, Sungang had the blue tape over his mouth peeled away; he trembled, shuddered, then let out a hacking, dry cough. Seokchan nodded toward the knife at his own throat.

“I pulled him out, so put the knife down.”

“Let him out.”

“How can I trust you? If I let him out he’ll stab my throat first. Put the knife down first.”

“Nghh! It’s okay…! Just kill me, hyungnim.”

Sungang, barely regaining consciousness, lifted his head and croaked out the words. His eyes were wild, but his voice was weak.

His face had gone pale and the ear wound—though dressed with gauze and given emergency care—had started bleeding again.

“Please, just kill me…”

Gukhyun looked at Sungang, then let the knife fall from his hand. Seokchan, as if he’d been waiting for that, kicked the blade far away and signaled to his men.

“Tie up Director Kwon.”

A pack of men rushed in, forcing Gukhyun’s arms behind his back and wrapping them tight with rope. They pressed down on his shoulders until he was kneeling. Showing no resistance, he let them do as they pleased, his eyes fixed only on Sungang.

“Why don’t you just kill me already! Why—! Let go! Let go of me, you bastards! Let go, you f*king pieces of sht!”

Held by the nape, Sungang thrashed and kicked wildly in the air. Seokchan rubbed the spot on his throat where the blade had touched, then dropped heavily into the fishing chair. Meeting Gukhyun’s gaze, he said,

“You know whether that kid lives or dies without an ear depends on you, right, Director Kwon?”

“I’ll give you whatever you want, Director Yun. Just send Gang-ah to a hospital.”

“Anyone watching this would think you’re his father. Lucky kid, huh? Got himself a dad.”

“You moth3rf!ker… I’ll k1ll you. You hear me? I’ll f’k!ng kill you, you son of a b*t.ch!”

Even as they dragged him out, Sungang hurled curses until the end. Watching him go, Seokchan shook his head, amused.

“Finally, peace and quiet. Feels good to get that noisy brat out of here. Doesn’t his own voice hurt his ears?”

He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his inner pocket and slipped one between his lips. Then, as if remembering something, he let out a short laugh.

“Oh, right. He doesn’t have an ear anymore.”

“Hah…”

Gukhyun gave a dry laugh, the kind people make after hearing a mildly funny joke. The corners of his lips curved high.

“Guess you really are a piece of sh*t now, Yoon Seokchan.”

“Want one?”

Seokchan stuck his lit cigarette between Gukhyun’s lips. Gukhyun held his gaze and drew in deeply. Seokchan watched for a moment, then suddenly grimaced and snatched it back.

“Looking at that f!*k1ng handsome face of yours pisses me off.”

Gukhyun blew smoke straight into Seokchan’s face.

“Sorry for being good-looking.”

“You know Joo-ah picked you first, right? Every time I see you, that crosses my mind. Makes me wonder what would’ve happened if you’d married her.”

“Jealous? Guess being a son-in-law’s got you bored these days.”

“Of course I’m jealous. We’re in love, aren’t we?”

At Yoon Seokchan’s words, Gukhyun let out a quiet, low chuckle.

“I know what kind of women you like, Yoon Seokchan.”