Chapter 7
This was due to Hwanhee Group’s unique position.
Si-heon’s grandfather and current chairman of Hwanhee Group, Kwon Soon-yeol, was the leader of the Hwanhee faction. After unifying the underworld, he succeeded in corporatizing it, building today’s Hwanhee Group.
While dominating the underground, the Hwanhee faction handled private and discreet matters that companies couldn’t deal with openly – this became their source of power.
If Hwanhee were to speak up, there were countless matters that could deliver fatal blows to other companies.
Thus, even companies with higher rankings or larger scale tended to yield to Hwanhee Group.
“Come on, let’s sit. We’ll drink to celebrate Director Kwon Si-heon’s promotion.”
The bartender brought the strongest whiskey, just as Noh Man-su had ordered earlier.
As soon as someone poured the liquid into his glass, Si-heon downed it in one go.
Despite the burning sensation in his throat, he kept drinking whiskey continuously without even blinking.
“…Hah.”
The atmosphere froze at his quiet sigh.
But even so, Si-heon failed to notice.
People said he was the spitting image of his grandfather, Chairman Kwon Soon-yeol.
From his appearance, build, stamina, insight, and judgment, to even his unmatched drinking capacity.
Thanks to this, it took longer than others for him to get drunk.
Needless to say, he had to endure this damned headache throughout.
It’s suffocating. Irritating.
His head was throbbing and his insides burning.
The noise from all directions merged into a buzz that hummed in his ears.
No matter how many drinks he had, nothing changed.
Indeed, coming here solved nothing.
“So, if Hwanhee Construction chooses our side this time… Huh? Si-heon?”
Rising abruptly from his seat, Si-heon strode away from the sofa table on his long legs without a word.
Park Ju-seong, who had been staring dejectedly at his retreating figure, soon clenched his fist.
“That bastard, really.”
“Hey, let it go. Don’t get angry. It’s not like his arrogance is anything new.”
“Such an unlikeable guy. Even for a gangster family, they’ve gotten too full of themselves.”
As soon as Si-heon was gone, everyone changed their attitude like flipping a hand, finally relaxing and clinking their glasses comfortably.
“Sigh. If it weren’t for his father, we could’ve done something about him.”
“Heh. Look at Park Ju-seong showing off. Don’t you know that guy regularly spars with national team athletes? He’s trained in all sorts of martial arts.”
“Isn’t this gathering basically a business meeting? We’re supposed to be sizing each other up and making deals over drinks. Damn, he’s just drinking like a real gangster.”
“Still, that Si-heon… apart from his background, he’s got everything. On the way from the entrance to here, everyone’s eyes were on him.”
“He is handsome. Good proportions too. Can’t argue with his looks.”
Indeed, all eyes, regardless of gender, were drawn to Si-heon as he gracefully cut through the jazz bar.
“It’s amazing though. Despite all that, he’s managed to stay completely clean without any scandals.”
“If it were me, I’d have several illegitimate children by now.”
“You crazy bastard.”
Their vulgar jokes and snickering didn’t last long.
“He’s such a thorough bastard. Absolutely refuses to show any weakness. The way he pursues business single-mindedly with those looks – he really is like a Doberman. Good at sniffing out dirt too. Look how he exposed Assemblyman Kim’s corruption and dragged him through the mud.”
“I heard that was because Assemblyman Kim called Si-heon’s secretary chief an orphan? Well, an orphan is an orphan – what else would you call them? He’s terrifying.”
“That dog Si-heon. Just wait till he shows a weakness. I’ll latch on and never let go. I’ll show him who the real Doberman is.”
Meanwhile, Si-heon remained oblivious and indifferent to the chatter of those who called themselves his friends.
Just as he was about to leave the jazz bar, he suddenly stopped.
There was a fragrance.
An elegant, subtle scent like the plum blossoms planted in his family home Jeongsimwon’s garden.
The moment he caught that scent, his pounding headache instantly subsided.
…What was this?
Briefly frozen by this sudden change, Si-heon quickly scanned the area, searching for the source of the fragrance.
His eyes fell on a woman sitting alone in the corner.
She was the source of the scent.
The woman received a pink cocktail from the bartender, stared at the liquid for a moment, then downed it in one go as if she’d made up her mind.
Ignoring the sticky gazes fixed on him, Si-heon strode toward her.
“Your perfume.”
Ga-eun turned her head at the sudden voice.
A statue-like, handsome, and towering man was staring down at her.
When had he approached?
“What perfume do you use?”
Startled by his piercingly cold voice, she found herself stammering.
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