Chapter 36
“It really is Herick.”
Michael murmured softly, turning to look at Hyungoh. Hyungoh had been frowning at Herick, who was glaring at him like he was filth, but quickly smoothed out his expression.
“Who is he, Michael?”
Hyungoh asked with a smile. For now, he’d play dumb in front of Michael. Herick didn’t seem interested in revealing they’d met before either. Better not to drag this out, Hyungoh thought.
“Why do you need to know? We probably won’t meet again anyway.”
Herick answered instead, his laugh cold.
“That’s pretty rude for a first meeting.”
“Yeah. I absolutely hate wasting time on things that don’t matter.”
“…”
“If you’ve got nothing else to say, why don’t you head back to your own place? You should realize it’s annoying to cling to someone else’s house this early in the morning.”
Oh, that’s right—that place isn’t even yours, is it? Living off someone else and still wandering around like you own the place. Herick’s mockery was blatant. His tone was so cutting that even Hyungoh, who prided himself on patience, felt his anger flare.
Stay calm. Calm down. If I react emotionally to these childish provocations, he’ll just pounce on it. Hyungoh took a deep breath and smiled lightly.
“You’re right, now that I think about it. I have been pretty shameless.”
“Choi, where are you going?”
“Home. I’m going home.”
Michael stared after Hyungoh with a stunned expression as he strode toward the stairs, then quickly ran after him and grabbed his arm.
“Don’t go.”
“But staying too long at someone else’s house is a nuisance, like he said.”
Hyungoh answered with regret, gently patting Michael’s back as Michael held him tight. Michael’s wide eyes rolled toward Herick and locked on him.
“That’s not true, Herick.”
Herick flinched, seemingly startled by Michael’s cold tone.
“Don’t bully Choi.”
That single emotionless sentence from Michael left Herick with no choice but to shut his mouth. Though Michael’s voice remained as gentle as always, his tense eyes and lowered gaze were incredibly threatening.
The dejected Herick suddenly lifted his head and glared at Hyungoh. Feeling another wave of anger, Hyungoh furrowed his brow. What did I even do? I barely said anything.
Disliking me and being jealous however he wants. His overflowing malice is so obvious—did he think I’d just take it quietly? I’m upset too.
“It’s okay, Michael. I’ll just go.”
“No, don’t go.”
“I’m a bit tired today. Sorry.”
He removed Michael’s arms from around his waist. The part about being tired was true. He couldn’t keep staying at Michael’s place forever. For now, he should go home and finish the conversation he’d started with his uncle. Ah, I wonder if he’s home. I’ll have to wait while I sort out my thoughts.
Hyungoh brushed past Herick and walked to the front door, flinging it open. Michael remained frozen in place as if turned to ice, following Hyungoh’s retreating figure with only his eyes.
Herick bit his lip. The silence was gradually tightening around his neck.
***
When the long silence that had settled in the car became almost comfortable, Hunter turned on the radio. Schubert’s “Erlkönig” resounded majestically through the speakers. Hunter nodded his head slowly, seemingly satisfied with the choice.
“There he is.”
Hunter focused on a man standing in front of the building across the street, anxiously looking around. I didn’t even expect him to come out himself, he thought. Hunter smirked derisively.
Whenever people walking on the street approached the man, more than a dozen muscular men positioned around the area shot them fierce glances. One woman who kept looking at the man seemed oddly familiar. Hunter vaguely remembered seeing her in FBI agent performance records he’d managed to intercept last month.
So it is the FBI.
“What a crafty mother, isn’t she?”
Hunter shook his head. Taylor, who had been fidgeting with his seatbelt, looked at Hunter with a tired face.
If only there had been more time. Hunter glanced at his phone. The missed calls had exceeded fifty.
“Taylor.”
“…”
“Do you know who kidnapped you?”
“…No.”
Hunter turned the steering wheel to reverse the car.
“It was the Cenaline Family. Remember that.”
Taylor nodded obediently. Hunter gently stroked his head. In reality, the Cenaline Family would never orchestrate such a stupid kidnapping. It was clearly the work of the FC group acting independently, desperate to curry favor with the Cenaline Family.
Like the Gostin Family, the Cenaline Family had also invited Samantha Scofield to join their organization. While Federico hadn’t shown much interest, Hunter, convinced she would gain greater honor and power, had actively recommended her.
Enya Cenaline, the boss of the Cenaline Family, was the same. With intuition comparable to Hunter’s, she had pursued Samantha just as eagerly. When the boss of a major mafia organization personally makes an offer, it’s essentially an offer you can’t refuse.
That’s why Hunter could somewhat understand Samantha’s wariness and defensiveness. She knew better than anyone that refusing meant making a powerful enemy.
But Cenaline was a very clever woman. She might devour her prey alive, but she wouldn’t recklessly destroy it out of anger. This incident means the end for the FC group, Hunter chuckled.
“Taylor, who am I?”
Taylor turned his head at Hunter’s unexpected question. Hunter, who had stopped the car on a quiet street, reached out to straighten Taylor’s rumpled collar. Seemingly catching a glimpse of Hunter’s intention, Taylor answered:
“You’re the person who saved me.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Hunter put his arm around Taylor’s waist and gently pulled him close. His fingers slipped between the folded collar and then withdrew.
“Tell your mother that no thanks are necessary.”
Hunter bent down a little more. His voice gently circled Taylor’s ear. Hunter opened the passenger door for him and returned to his seat. He waved kindly to Taylor, who was looking back and forth between Hunter and the door with a surprised expression, as if this was unexpected.
I can’t miss such a good opportunity. Hunter’s eyes gleamed from behind his half-closed eyelids. His gaze was fixed on the black listening device attached between the folds of Taylor’s collar.
***
Mate, who was frowning deeply as if uncomfortable with his tightly fastened tie, gritted his teeth when he spotted Hunter approaching from a distance with leisurely steps.
“What time is it?”
Hunter pretended to check his wristwatch.
“7:50.”
“Are you crazy?! You’re five hours late. Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
“I was driving.”
“What? Tch, seriously.”
“Move.”
Mate, who was blocking the doorway, snorted incredulously.
“The boss’s schedule is delayed because of you.”
“Congratulations, you’re contributing to that delay right now.”
“You little…”
Mate clicked his tongue and opened the door. Hunter stepped inside. The room was so neatly organized and quiet that you could believe it was empty. Hands in his pockets, Hunter silently stared straight ahead.
As he stood still, he could faintly hear a wet, licking sound. The chair facing the desk turned with a metallic creak.
“You always put me in difficult positions.”
Federico, who had turned his chair to the side, spoke softly. A small head was visible beyond the desk, moving slightly back and forth between Federico’s legs. Hunter glanced at the scene with contempt.
“I like it. I love troublemakers.”
Federico murmured as if deep in thought. His hand was gently stroking the boy’s head.
“Did you hear that, little one? If you want to be loved, just bite that thing off.”
Hunter said flatly. Federico kicked the boy kneeling before him. The child rolled backward with a loud thud and groaned, clutching his stomach. He had a tiny frame that looked no older than five.
“Haha.”
Federico beckoned Hunter to come closer.
“Do you pity that child?”
“Of course not.”
Hunter answered curtly after taking a couple of steps forward.
“Right. You wouldn’t.”
Federico rose from his seat, grabbed a golf club placed by the window, and swung it at the child. A scream that seemed to tear through the air filled the room.
Hunter didn’t turn his head. He just kept looking straight ahead. The child’s desperate crying pierced his ears.
“How cruel that no one stops me, little one.”
Federico’s voice, tinged with laughter, grated on Hunter’s nerves.
He stood right in front of Hunter. Blood was splattered on his white shirt. Hunter faced Federico with an expressionless face.
“Yes. I like this expression.”
Federico laughed.
“From the first time I saw you, this expression always caught my eye.”
“I’m concerned whether we can finish our conversation today.”
“Ah, conversation. Right. Conversation is important.”
Federico, who had been fidgeting with the golf club, stared at the unconscious child. Hunter’s eyes took on a murderous gleam when he noticed Federico’s eyes tainted with madness.
Federico’s hand slowly caressed Hunter’s cheek. His gaze was now fixed intently on Hunter.
“Where have you hidden Michael?”
