âYou have guts to dare call me after your failure.â A low drawl came through the phone as soon as the call connected.
âI believe my guts is the reason why you sought my help in the first place.â Ji-Tae non-chalantly replied. He wasnât fazed by the gruffness of the manâs voice.
A low scoff came from the other side of the phone. âSought your help? You must be high on those drugs I heard youâve been using my money to buy.â He said slightly surprising Ji-Tae. âOr you think I donât know what youâve being doing with my money?â
Of course, heâd know. Ji-Tae didnât think he should be surprised by it.
âIâm sure you know. But you should also know Iâm still going on with the plan.â
âThe plan? And what plan is that?â The man irritably asked, his tone hinted with anger and displeasure. âThat you use my money to finance your illicit business?â
âNo. But more like I use your money to get rid of your enemy.â Ji-Tae replied, making the man frown.
.....
âAnd in what way have you done what you were paid for?â The man drawled, but Ji-Tae amusedly chuckled.
âPaid for?â He angled a brow. âYou didnât pay me. We both have a mutual enemy, and you asked for my help. No one would dare go against him for you. You only made the resources for the job available, I donât work for you.â Ji-Tae corrected him, not liking the word of being paid. He didnât pay him, neither does he work for him or anyone.
âAnd I can see him dead already, canât I? You have a done a really good job.â The man said with sarcasm which made Ji-Tae frown.
âIâm working on it.â Ji-Tae gruffly said, but his words only angered the man over the phone.
âYouâre working on nothing! Because that bastard has fully become a thorn in my flesh. He has refused to get off my business and has refused to die.â
âRefused to die?â Ji-Taeâs brows furrowed.
âYouâre not thinking about making a move on him, are you?â Ji-Tae asked with suspicion, but the man didnât reply.
âStop calling my number. Youâre just as useless -â
âYou shouldnât be to brash to go against Lee Dan-Han, especially not with an open attack like killing him. And if indeed you succeed in killing him, you will only make yourself an enemy of the Lee family. If you want Dan-Han really handled then Iâm your best shot.â Ji-Tae told him, but he figured the man was unconvinced when he heard him scoff.
âAnd what have you done in the last months?â
âI have been setting my plan in motion. Dealing with my cousin requires intellect to scheme. And I can assure he wonât be able to get out of what I have in store for him.â He said. Ji-Tae smiled when the man didnât give a quick response like he has been doing.
âAnd whatâs this plan of yours?â The man inquired.
âThe details are not for you to know. The result is all you should be worried about.â Ji-Tae leisurely replied.
A few seconds of silence elasped before the man asked again.
âAnd how good is this plan of yours?â He inquired again.
âEnough to get him off our lives for good.â
âThen get to it. I want him handled as soon as possible.â The man eagerly ordered. âTell me what you need to get it done.â He said and Ji-Tae smiled satisfactorily, feeling happy that he didnât have to place a demand as he had intentionally thought.
The man must be desperate, he mused.
Ji-Tae didnât have the exact details of the manâs issue with Dan-Han, but he had speculations about it, and he knew it was very important to have made the man restless and on edge for months that he was willing to see the end of Lee Dan-Han. He had tried looking into it, but hadnât been able to come up with something concrete.
âThen, Iâll get back to you.â Ji-Tae smugly replied. It wasnât his fault that Dan-Han had enemies lurking around him, and weâre willing to do anything to bring him down.
âAnd Iâd like some real resultâs this time, young man.â The man drawled.
âYou donât want to be on my bad side. I might not be able to easily kill that cousin of yours, but you arenât an exception, and thereâll be no trouble from anyone about your sudden disposal, especially with Dan-Han as the head of your family. And I guess you also havenât imagined what would happen to you if I should draw the attention of the authorities towards your little business? It wouldnât be nice. Not for you and not for your parents.â The man threatened.
Ji-Taeâs lips curled up when he heard the manâs threat. âYou wouldnât want to do that, as we both know it wouldnât be beneficial to us. With our financial transaction, youâll only end up being an accompliceâ Ji-Tae smugly told him. His smile widened when he heard the annoyance in the manâs voice.
âAre you threatening me?â He asked and Ji-Tae chuckled. He hasnât even threatened him yet, he was already feeling threatened.
âNot at all, and Iâd advise you not to do the same. Weâre both using each other for our own ends, so thereâs no need for threat. Letâs just keeping our cordial relationship. What do you say?â Ji-Tae asked.
There was a pause.
âDo as youâve said.â The man ordered and ended the call.
Ji-Tae scoffed as he put the phone away. He lit up another ciagrette and took a drag of it.
âNow that the money has been settled, I have to ensure I stop Dan-Han from sabotaging this plan.â
âWhat are you going to do?â Jota inquired, and a sly smile played on Ji-Taeâs face.
âLetâs bring my cousin home a little sooner.â He said with a mischievous smile and glint in his eyes.
And to do that he knew exactly who to call.