âWhy are you eating so little?â Dan-Han asked with a frown as he watched Eun-sun as she ate with him. He had counted the number of times she had raised a spoon towards her mouth, and it was no more than ten.
Eun-sun shook her head. âNothing, Iâm just tired.â She said, but Dan-Han didnât seem convinced or pleased.
âIâll feed you.â He said, raising a spoon towards her lips, but Eun-sun shook her head to stop him.
âYou shouldnât move too much. And seriously, Iâm not hungry.â She said.
Dan-Han furrowed his brows as he stared at her. He deflatedly sighed. âIâve told you to stop worrying. Everything will be fine.â He encouraged her while Eun-sun nodded. She had heard that too often recently, and every time she tried to believe that, things only got worse.
They were both still eating when Tae-Ho came into the room and informed them about Senaâs arrival at the hospital. Eun-sunâs hand on the spoon she was about to lift to her lips paused, and Dan-Han observed her reaction.
âAnd boss, your father called. I think the chairmanâs wife must have informed him.â Tae-Ho announced, making Dan-Han wearily sigh.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
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âShe just had to do that.â He hissed. The last thing he wanted was his father breathing down his neck and pressuring him to leave everything halfway and return home.
âHas he called?â Dan-Han asked, knowing the old man would do that until he answered and did his bidding.
âNo, sir,â Tae-Ho replied, and Dan-Han frowned, finding that strange.
âLet me know when he does.â He told him, and Tae-Ho nodded before excusing himself.
âIs your father going to come here?â Eun-sun inquired, already feeling anxious about his arrival if he was to suddenly come. It wouldnât be out of the ordinary if he did, as Dan-Han was his only child and immediate family, and also his heir.
âIâm not sure he will. Heâd want to keep an eye on things at the company until I return.â He told her, and speaking about the company, Eun-sun suddenly missed work.
She wasnât close to anyone at the office, maybe except Hye-Jin, but she really missed it. It was over a month since she hadnât been to work; if her recovery period were added.
Dan-Han had mentioned the sick leave he had approved on her behalf, but she feared her absence might raise curious brows.
âHow long is my sick leave supposed to last?â She asked.
âIndefinitely.â
âWhat?â Eun-sun stared at him with shock and surprise.
âI didnât know how long it would take for you to get better, and I didnât want to take any risk.â
âBut my job-â
âYou work for me, Eun-sun, not anyone else. So you donât have to worry about anything.â He cut in. Eun-sun stared at him with nothing to say, and he picked up her spoon and handed it to her.
âYou should eat, so we can go see your dad and mom.â He told her, making Eun-sun snap her gaze to him.
âYouâre not supposed to leave your bed yet. It would be best if you stayed here. Iâm sure sheâll come to see you.â She told him, not liking the idea of him getting out of bed.
âIâm sure she will, but I canât stay on this bed one minute more except you want to come and lie on me. Iâd let you take the lead.â He said with a suggestive wink, and Eun-sun instantly turned red from her cheeks to her neck.
âYouâre getting out of hand, Dan-Han. You should know that.â She said with mortification while Dan-Han chuckled.
âYou donât have to worry about me. Iâm fine.â He assured her, and even though Eun-sun wanted to insist that he remain in bed, she knew she couldnât convince him to do so.
After they had eaten, Eun-sun trailed beside Dan-Han as they walked to the elevator. Her eyes kept looking at him with worry, but he seemed quite normal. Though his strides werenât as long as they usually were, he didnât look like he was hurt. Talk more about being shot.
âStop looking at me like Iâm going to fall over.â He hissed while observing her worried looks on him.
âIâd prefer it if you fall over. That way, you can stay in bed, and Iâd be settled.â
Dan-Han softly chuckled. âNow, you know how infuriated you made me. Anyway, Iâll be fine.â He reassured her, but Eun-sun just looked behind him to Tae-Ho, trailing behind them like a grim reaper. She heaved a sigh when she noticed he was close enough to hold Dan-Han, Incase anything happened.
âDan-Han, what about the attorney?â Eun-sun suddenly asked the moment she remembered him. Tae-Ho pressed the button to the floor they were headed.
Dan-Han briefly peered at her before turning his eyes away. âDead.â He told her, and Eun-Sun stiffened.
What did he mean by dead? Did something happen to him? Didnât her father request Dan-Han to exclude from his crazy plans?
âWw.. what do you mean by heâs dead?â Her voice trembled as she asked. Dan-Han turned to look at her face, which had turned ashen.
âHow do you think the man who came into your room found out about your room number?â He asked as Eun-sun stared at him with horror.
Eun-sunâs mind made a quick thought about it. That was some mystery she had failed to give a thought because everything had been chaotic. She was surprised she hadnât thought of that.
Dan-Han nodded when he saw the look of realization on her face. âHe was working with the enemy.â He told her just as the elevator door opened, and they stepped in.
Eun-Sun was stunned by what he had just said. Had the attorney been working with her uncle? It made sense.
They were the only ones present when Dan-Han booked a different room for them. So it only made sense that one amongst them had given the information to the enemy. But how did Dan-Han know?
âHave you known before you invited him? Did you invite him on purpose and set a trap for him...â While using her as bait?
Dan-Han paused when he realized the last part of Eun-sunâs questions that she had not asked out. He had gotten used to her, and he could say he knew her well.
He sighed when he saw the puzzled look on her face. âNo, I didnât know he was working with them, but I had my suspicion.â He told her.
âRemember when you asked how Yong-Gun would take everything from Mi-Cha?â He asked, and Eun-sun nodded.
âWell, I figured Yong-Gun would need help doing so. If Mi-Cha were to be in charge, sheâd need her âuncleâsâ guidance, who in turn would only need the help of the will executor to steal what she has. Mi-Cha might not know it, but sheâd give everything to Yong-Gun without knowing.â
âSo heâs only using her as a means to an end?â Eun-sun quietly asked. She already had the answer, but she didnât want to believe it.
âPeople like Yong-Gun have no moral compass, nor do they hold anything with value. I doubt he even likes the girl; talk about seeing her as a daughter.â
Eun-sun frowned, knowing that was true. Her heart ached for Mi-Cha. She didnât know how someone could be this cruel, and she also couldnât imagine how sheâd feel when she discovered everything.
âSheâd be heartbroken and disappointed.â Eun-Sun reasoned out, and Dan-Han nodded affirmatively.
âSheâll be.â He agreed.
âDo you think we should tell her? Sheâs suspicious she might be involved in all of this because of what happened at the hotel.â
âWhat happened at the hotel?â Dan-Han asked with a frown, and Eun-sun narrated it all to him.
A thoughtful frown framed Dan-Hanâs face as he listened to her.
âDo you think sheâll figure it out?â Eun-sun nervously asked.
Dan-Han didnât think Mi-Cha could figure things out with just the little she had heard. âI doubt it, and Iâd prefer if she doesnât. It would be too troublesome if Mi-Cha doesnât find out.â
âPresident Lee.â Tae-Ho subtly called, announcing the person approaching, but he was too late because Mi-Cha had already heard her name.
âI shouldnât find out what?â She asked, making Dan-Han and Eun-sun turn to her.
âMi-Cha,â Eun-sun called out with surprise. She observed the cup of coffee in her hand, but Mi-Cha fixed her gaze on Dan-Han.
âWhat were you guys saying about me just now?â She firmly asked, with a tone that told them she had clearly heard them, but before she could get a response from Dan-Han, Senaâs voice boomed across the hall.
âDan-Han?â She called behind them from the direction of Ki-Junâs room. Dan-Han and Eun-sun turned to her before walking towards her with Mi-Cha trailing behind.
âAunty,â Dan-Han bowed.
âWhat are you doing here? Why are you walking about?â She asked with worry. She turned to Eun-sun. âWhy are you letting him walk about? You should have stopped him.â
âStop fretting. Iâm fine.â Dan-Han told her, but that didnât take the look of worry off her face.
âWhat happened to you and Ki-Jun? I heard you were both shot. Why are you both in such states?â She tearily asked, her eyes already warming with tears.
Mi-Cha sighed when she saw her mother on the verge of reopening the dam of tears they had managed to cease a few minutes ago before she left to grab a cup of coffee for her from the cafeteria.
âStop crying, mom,â Mi-Cha consoled her, looking over at Eun-sun, who stood still with no idea what to do. Sena was still clueless about the truth, so she didnât know how best to console her.
Dan-Han cupped up the womanâs face and wiped her tears. âYou donât have to cry. Everything will be fine. Uncle will be fine.â He told her.
âKi-Jun had never been in such a state before.â She sobbed. âWhy would anyone even try to kill him or you?â She asked between sobs.
Everyone exchanged glances, but Sena was too distraught to catch on. âIâm sure uncle will tell you when heâs better.â Dan-Han told her, and she looked up at him with mild suspicion.
âIs something going on? Is there something you guys know youâre not telling me?â She asked, but Dan-Han shook his head.
âNothing is going on. But if there is, Iâm sure uncle will tell you when he wakes up.â He told her. Sena silently stared at him before shifting her gaze to Mi-Cha and then to Eun-sun.
She frowned when she saw the bandage on Eun-sunâs arm. âAre you injured too?â She asked with worry, but Eun-sun shook her head.
âJust a light graze. I lost my footing earlier today, and I fell.â Eun-sun lied.
Sena sighed as she walked over and hugged her. She didnât know why she felt the need to comfort Eun-sun, but she did. âEverything will be alright, my darling.â She said while Eun-sun hugged her back.
A tingling feeling warmed her stomach as she stood in Senaâs embrace. Something about it felt different compared to all the other hugs she had shared with others. It was warming and comforting.
âLetâs go see, uncle,â Dan-Han said before leading the way to Ki-Junâs room.
Mi-Cha shuffled her gaze between Dan-Han and Eun-sun. She couldnât help but think they were hiding something from her, something related to this incident, and she did not doubt her suspicion.
But what could it be?
Away from there, Ki-Junâs doctor, Doctor Tan, was in a meeting discussing the procedure for Ki-Junâs surgery. The man was slightly wounded in a bad way, so they had to be careful about the surgery.
âIt shouldnât be as bad as weâre suspecting. Giving the scans, we should have a success rate.â A resident doctor who would be assisting doctor Tan with the surgery said.
.....
âMaybe, but the risk of him slipping into a coma is also there.â Another doctor said, and before Doctor Tan could respond to that, his phone chimed with a message notification.
He hesitated opening it, as he hated being distracted during discussions such as this, but the moment he did, he paled.
In the video clip, he had received his 19-year-old son strapped to a chair with a cloth gagging his mouth, and a gun pointed to his head.
Another message followed. It was an address to an instruction to be there tonight.
âCome alone, or he dies.â A third message read.