Chapter 37
Federico Gostin loved gambling. Not purely out of greed for wealth. He was a man who enjoyed watching the scenes that unfolded at gambling tables—the process of humans descending into fear and ecstasy.
To others, he was nothing more than an incomprehensible psycho. Rumors spread everywhere about him being a madman who smiled happily at others’ pain.
Hunter secretly smirked. Why does everyone make things so complicated? It’s actually quite simple.
“If you wanted to find him, you should have put someone on me. Then you could have found him easily.”
Hunter leaned back lazily on the sofa. Federico smiled at his nonchalant retort.
“I know your personality too well for that. Before I could find Michael, my people would return to me as cold corpses.”
“Well, you’re half right and half wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought I’d been careful all this time, but I guess I failed to catch a few bugs by mistake.”
Federico’s eyes gleamed at the mention of bugs. Hunter didn’t think those intruders had moved under Federico’s orders. They must have been following Hunter under the direction of another executive.
It was a common power struggle. With Michael, Federico’s personally favored child, in Hunter’s grasp, they were trying to check his influence.
“Of course, they’re all resting comfortably in the ground now.”
Hunter said.
If Marsha had killed them, they must have behaved quite violently. Were they not trying to kidnap Michael but kill him? So that was their plan to put me in a bind. After all, I’m the one who took Michael from Federico and hid him where no one could find him, and if Michael died by someone else’s hand, the responsibility for failing to protect him would fall on me.
Hunter leaned back against the sofa and tilted his head. He had anticipated this. He even had a rough idea of who orchestrated it. But that wasn’t the important issue. It would just be one of the executives building their power base, and Hunter already had enough power and ability to control all of them.
There was only one part that needed attention. The problem is that this one opponent isn’t so easy to deal with. Hunter stared at Federico, who had plopped down on the sofa opposite him, with cold eyes.
“To think you found Michael and didn’t report to me… That’s why I’ve been feeling so down lately. The passage of time is truly cruel. Despite all the care I’ve lavished, all I get back is disrespect. Take note, Hunter. When you reach my age, you’ll be alienated by your children in this way.”
“I don’t have any children I’ve raised, so I won’t have to worry about being alienated.”
“Haha, no children you’ve raised? You?”
Be more honest, Hunter. Federico leaned forward, moving closer to Hunter.
“You’ve taken two of my children away, haven’t you?”
“…”
“I could overlook one, but not two. Michael was my most cherished child.”
“If you’d cherished him any more, you might have killed him.”
“Everyone has their own way of showing affection, don’t they?”
No one understands, so I’m truly sad. Federico shook his head regretfully and dropped the golf club to the floor.
“Look at this. Despite how much I cherish you, you still don’t understand.”
He spread his palms wide.
“…Fede.”
Hunter leaned forward, following Federico’s posture, and lowered his voice seriously.
“The more you try to find Michael, the more your people will run wild.”
“To me, it just looks like cute jealousy.”
“That cute jealousy might sever Michael’s neck.”
“If you’re that worried, you could just tell me where Michael is. Isn’t that the safest method?”
Hunter closed his mouth. Federico sighed as if he had expected this.
“How much special treatment do I need to give you to make you satisfied? Despite so openly taking what’s mine, not even a small scratch has appeared on your body. But instead of being grateful, you only try to climb higher.”
“This will never happen again. I promise.”
“So you’re asking me to overlook it just this once?”
“…”
“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. He’s a necessary child to me, in many ways.”
Hunter finally couldn’t hold back and snorted at Federico’s sleazy reply.
Necessary? What despicable nonsense. When you’ve only ever thought of him as a tool for sexual gratification. You treated him like a toy, just like countless other boys in the prostitution market, and now you’re pretending to show great interest?
After having a brief staring contest with Federico, Hunter soon drew a smile on his lips and stood up. Federico’s eyes never wavered. They showed no movement, to the point of bewildering his opponent. Almost like time had stopped.
Hunter suddenly felt déjà vu. The gaze of a man who caught his attention amid the chaos. A man standing straight alone amidst the swarming crowd. The increasing noise. Those persistent eyes. And the smile that softly formed on his tightly closed lips.
Yes. It was at a gambling den. That’s where Hunter first met Federico. Nearly twenty years ago, on a day that was unlucky in many ways. As usual, he was winning money by deceiving gamblers’ eyes with clever cheating, but he mistakenly failed to avoid one guy’s suspicion.
The atmosphere rapidly turned hostile. They were crazy enough to commit murder right then and there. For them, gambling was no longer a simple game. For these human dregs who had sold everything—their cars, homes, even their families—and had nothing left, gambling was now their only hope in life.
Their self-control had vanished long ago. That’s why they fell for provocations more easily. Having completely forgotten why they had started fighting, they fell for Hunter’s instigation and began tearing each other apart.
Knife fights broke out, and the floor became soaked in bright red. No one paid attention to Hunter anymore. As he leisurely headed toward the back door, someone’s gaze caught his ankle.
That man who had been watching everything from the beginning was Federico.
“Stay here for a few days.”
Snapping out of his reminiscence, Hunter looked down at his wrist. Federico, who had approached without notice, was holding it.
Hunter raised his eyebrow. Federico shrugged, raised both hands, and took a slight step back.
“You’ve been away for so long, and quite a bit of work has piled up.”
“Since when have you ever told me to diligently teach the kids?”
Hunter said. It’s been eight years since I’ve been harassed by these hot-blooded youngsters because of your orders. You know that, right?
Though he spoke with dissatisfaction, Hunter actually understood very well why Federico had given such orders. Indeed, one of the reasons the Gostin Family had maintained itself without collapsing for so long was that some of its members held normal jobs. Police, teachers, lawyers—these were common but socially influential groups. The intention was to expand their power by reaching out from the shadows into the light, and this had served its purpose well enough so far.
“Right. That’s enough. Isn’t it about time you returned?”
Hunter laughed at his words. Return. Return.
Yeah. I couldn’t have been lucky. As I initially expected, today was just a wretchedly unlucky day.
Hunter remembered all the mistakes he had made at dawn today. Whenever Maria’s birthday came around, he always lost his mind and put alcohol to his lips despite not being able to hold his liquor.
This time, he couldn’t control himself. I did something stupid to Hyungoh. He seems like a guy whose head works well despite his appearance.
Hunter suddenly recalled a secret room located next to the study. Did I lock it properly? Even though the door itself would be difficult to find… Surely he wouldn’t be able to go that far.
Federico called in Mate, who had been standing outside the door. Show Hunter to the room where he’ll be staying. At his smoothly delivered order, Mate nodded.
“Don’t take out your anger on me.”
Mate, who had stepped outside with Hunter, said while glancing at him cautiously. Hunter didn’t answer. At first glance, his face looked the same as usual, but the air around him was so chilly it could freeze solid. Mate clicked his tongue. Damn, in this battle of nerves between these two, only us underlings will suffer.
Hunter tapped the elevator handle with his finger. He had already noticed that Federico was lying. Saying he hadn’t even tried to find Michael because he knew I would interfere. How ridiculous.
Federico had more than enough power to find Michael. No, he was a man who could have found him already.
So why didn’t he?
“So tiresome.”
Hunter muttered with a hint of laughter in his voice. Federico was neither a madman, a psycho, nor anything else. He was just a man who loved gambling. No matter who bled in the process, even if the one who would bleed was himself, he would enjoy it all.
Won’t you play a game with me this time?
Those were the words Federico had approached Hunter with on that day twenty years ago, as he tried to sneak away from the chaotic scene.
There’s a lot to worry about. Hunter closed his eyes as his head throbbed. All the problems that were about to come were merging into a worst-case scenario, forming irritating images on their own.
***
“Hey, Hunter!”
The sound of violent knocking, as if about to break the front door, echoed through the house. Early in the morning, Hyungoh, who had just woken up, finished washing his face and headed to the living room.
What’s all this commotion so early in the morning? Hyungoh frowned as he trudged along tiredly. He had planned to wait up for Hunter’s return, but Hunter never came. He had never stayed out overnight before. I wonder if something happened. Hyungoh worried slightly as he opened the refrigerator door.
Perhaps because he hadn’t been sleeping properly lately, his body felt weak. It was serious enough to notice his hands trembling just from pouring water into a cup. This is terrible, really terrible. Hyungoh seriously considered starting some light exercise.
“Hey! Stop dawdling, will you?”
“Seriously, so noisy…”
Water splashed everywhere as he slammed the cup down on the table. Even Hyungoh himself thought he seemed sensitive, probably due to lack of sleep.
As he looked for tissues, he suddenly noticed a cup sitting on the table. It was filled with cold cocoa that seemed barely touched.
Hyungoh tilted his head. Why didn’t he finish it? He used to sip it every day without fail, giving off that cocoa scent.
“What? Is no one home?”
Unable to wait any longer, Theo now tried to force the doorknob to turn. He looks ready to break down the door. Hyungoh approached the front door with a dumbfounded expression.
“Oh! Um… what, it’s you again?”
“Uncle isn’t here.”
“Huh? No, wait! Hey! Why are you being so cold?”
Theo hurriedly blocked Hyungoh who had opened the door and was trying to close it again.
“I told you my uncle isn’t here.”
“Then where is he?”
“I don’t know.”
“If you don’t know, who would?”
“Ah, I said I don’t know. Why are you asking me?”
“Why are you getting irritated again? Do you always get annoyed just seeing my face?”
While other guys are busy grinning widely. Theo raised his chin and smiled slyly. Finding it both ridiculous and amusing, Hyungoh unconsciously snorted.
“Oh right, Theo. That person called Herick has already been discharged from the hospital.”
“What?”
“He’s probably with Michael right now.”
After kicking me out, that is. Well, technically I left voluntarily. Hyungoh let out a sigh through his nose.
“That guy is obsessed with Ghost. I really don’t understand it.”
“Do you know a lot about those two’s relationship?”
“What would I know?”
“Answer me seriously. You said you’re old friends with Herick. When did you first meet him?”
“Why are you curious about that?”
“Just think of it as simple curiosity and move on.”
Hyungoh urged him with a nod. Since we’ll probably meet often, I should know the basics.
“Herick moved next door to me when I was about eight years old.”
Theo answered with a shrug.
“Was he obsessed with Michael back then too?”
“I don’t know. We became friends in high school, as kids we were too busy ignoring each other.”
“Wait. Did you two go to the same high school?”
“Yeah, we did. But then one day this guy stopped coming to school. Turns out he voluntarily took on the role of Ghost’s nanny and even dropped out. That’s when I first learned about Ghost’s existence.”
Theo rolled his eyes as if recalling that time, then his gaze stopped beyond the flowerbed.
“Huh, what’s with that appearance?”
Theo mockingly laughed with exaggeration. Hyungoh turned his head at the slowly approaching presence.
“…Herick?”
Herick, looking haggard, was striding across the lawn toward them. Hyungoh instinctively grimaced. Herick’s eyes were boiling with hatred.
“You, come with me.”
“What? Suddenly?”
“Follow me while I’m asking nicely. I feel like I could develop murderous intent just by looking at you.”
Herick growled as he abruptly grabbed Hyungoh’s wrist. Hyungoh’s eyes widened at the blatant display of hostility. What the hell. I didn’t expect him to threaten me so directly.
His grip was so tight that Hyungoh’s wrist hurt. Hyungoh stepped back. This guy’s lost his mind. I didn’t expect him to act like this. Startled, Hyungoh tilted his head and signaled to Theo with his eyes. Do something. Theo, who had been watching the whole situation with interest, finally chuckled.
“What’s this, Herick? You’re unusually excited.”
“Stay out of it.”
“Whoa, calm down. If you keep getting heated like that, blood might start leaking from your newly stitched head.”
Theo easily removed Herick’s hand as he spoke mockingly. This seemed to provoke Herick further, as a thin blood vessel suddenly appeared on his forehead.
“Why are you here? Did you come to escape because Michael tried to hammer you down again?”
“You’d better shut up before I split your head open with an axe instead of a hammer.”
Herick answered, forcibly twisting his lips into a smile.
“Hey, you.”
“…”
“How long are you going to keep Michael waiting?”
“…Did Michael ask you to bring me?”
Seeing Herick clenching his jaw without answering, Hyungoh quietly nodded. So he asked you to bring me.
Left with no choice, Hyungoh obediently followed Herick. Hunter didn’t seem likely to return early anyway, and he didn’t want to further provoke Herick, who already disliked him.
“Oh, take me too.”
Theo suddenly put his arm around Hyungoh’s shoulders as he was about to leave. Herick narrowed his eyes.
“What did you say?”
“Let me meet that damn Ghost too.”
Hyungoh opened his mouth and looked at Theo. Ah, so they’ve never directly met even once. Theo’s eyes contained both curiosity and contempt.
“Seeing that precious face of his has been my lifelong wish.”
