RACA 63

For Jaebeom, playing the part of someone else wasn’t that difficult. Especially if it was a role from the data he’d accumulated over the years.

“Well, President Kim. That’s not something I can discuss. I’m just the head of a savings bank, how could I possibly know what goes on with the higher-ups?”

In stark contrast to the loud laughter, Jaebeom remained expressionless. As usual, he playfully wiggled his ankle.

That’s why Kwak Sang, watching Jaebeom right beside him, didn’t notice anything unusual at all. He just knew his boss wasn’t in a good mood.

Right after arriving at work, President Kim called, and since then, he’d been stuck listening to pointless chatter, no wonder he was irritable. Just as Kwak Sang suspected, Jaebeom was trying to suppress his frustration.

It was precisely when he was about to hear an interesting story that Mr. Kim called and made an unreasonable request.

But it was a relief that while he had to be careful with his words and actions as an actor, conscious of those around him, now he could do as he pleased.

“Even if you hype it up like that, what can’t be done still can’t be done. Yeah, it can’t. Of course not, it can’t.”

Jaebeom waved his hand dismissively, dealing with President Kim who was persistently pestering him to do something unreasonable. It seemed he wouldn’t have time to talk to his subordinate right now because of this troublemaker.

Even as Kwak Sang left the executive office, President Kim kept whining on the other end of the phone.

-Rep. Shin can do it, right? I hear he’s been meeting with your chairman often lately. And I heard there’s even talk of a marriage between Chairman Jang’s son and… Ah, my mistake.

“That’s right. Our chairman wants to build connections in the political world, so he’s trying to form an alliance through marriage with Assemblyman Shin. It’s no secret.”

-I knew it! I figured as much. Well, Assemblyman Shin and Representative Jung are best friends, right? So maybe Representative Kim could pull something off too?

President Kim is a big spender, a party animal, and a moody character, so it’s fine to hang out with him casually. But Jaebeom really didn’t like how he tried to squeeze what he wanted into every conversation like this.

“No, that won’t work. You keep trying that, but I can’t do it. If you need something, just talk to our chairman.”

-Well, then our CEO Pyo would have to arrange a meeting with Chairman Jang.

“Do I need to be involved? With your capabilities, Mr. Kim, meeting our chairman shouldn’t be difficult, right?”

-There’s a proper order to things. How could I just skip over CEO Pyo and go straight to Chairman Jang?

It was ridiculous how they tried to use him for their own ends. What order? They just want Jaebeom to step up for their sake.

“Oh, you’re playing the victim again. I have to get back to work now, so I’ll hang up.”

Having endured his stubbornness for 20 minutes was enough. So, signaling his intention to end the call, he pulled his ear away from the phone.

His ear and palm were burning hot from how much he’d endured. Just as he was thinking he should use earphones next time, Mr. Kim said something he couldn’t let slide.

-Then we’ll do that next time. What about this week? Let’s grab a drink together and you’ll introduce me to the Omega guy.

The ankle that had been playfully moving up and down stopped abruptly. Jaebeom’s eyes flashed as he raised his eyebrows.

For some time now, President Kim had been asking to see Eunsol whenever he got the chance. At first, he thought it was a joke; then he wondered if he was trying to test his feelings.

But the way he kept bringing it up just when Jaebeom thought he’d forgotten it made him feel like he’d caught on to something. His gaze shifted toward Kwak Sang, who had just left the CEO’s office moments ago.

As far as he could recall, Kwak Sang was the only person he’d met with President Kim recently. Of course, neither Kwak Sang nor Bulgom were the type to blab carelessly. That meant the leak came from somewhere else.

Who could it be?

Thump.

Jaebeom lowered his crossed legs and planted his feet on the floor, then slowly opened his mouth.

“It’s a hassle. You know that, right? I hate having anyone tag along.”

-Anyway, our CEO Pyo is such an indifferent person. If you’re going to have someone like that by your side, you should at least treat them to good food and give them some enjoyable experiences. That’s why I’m looking out for CEO Pyo like this.

“Well, he’s a bit too country bumpkin to take to places like that.”

-Well, that’s exactly why he should come with us. When else would an omega like that ever get to see my club? You know I don’t invite just anyone.

Jaebeom rubbed his raised eyebrow with his thumb. For some reason, Mr. Kim’s words were grating on him today. What should he do?

It seemed like it might be best to cut things off properly at this point, but…

“Well, I guess I understand. It wouldn’t be polite to keep refusing when Mr. Kim invites me. Let’s set a date soon.”

After pondering back and forth, Jaebeom tossed out the bait, and President Kim took it as if he’d been waiting for it.

-Oh! CEO Pyo finally understands me. I’ll clear my schedule this week.

“Instead of this week, let’s talk about a time that works for me.”

-Alright then. Since CEO Pyo is busy, I can certainly accommodate that. Just let me know whenever. I’ll have everything ready and waiting.

The call, which had kept his phone burning hot, ended there. It was as if the original purpose had never been to learn about a specific politician, but rather to figure out who the Omega was who had taken place beside Pyo Jaebeom.

“That’s strange…”

Even after thinking it over again, there was something peculiar about Mr. Kim’s attitude. While they were somewhat acquainted, it wasn’t to the point where they meddled in each other’s personal lives. To be precise, he hadn’t bothered to pay attention to that extent.

Jaebeom wasn’t the type to think he needed to pay attention to others unless it was work-related.

Though Mr. Kim does keep a close eye on him while doing so.

Thump.

Jaebeom slammed his phone down, then grabbed the phone sitting on the desk. He needed a way to deal with this nuisance. When it came to handling such matters effectively, there was no one better than Kwak Sang.

“Come in.”

The moment he hung up after uttering just those two words, Kwak Sang entered in the CEO’s office after knocking.

“Were you looking for me?”

“Yeah, why did you come earlier?”

“I found Lee Daebak’s whereabouts.”

“Really?”

Jaebeom paused, trying to recall who Lee Daebak was, but quickly remembered that he was Lee Eunsol’s father.

“Yes. He was staying at the house run by Mr. Kim, but he racked up a huge debt and got kicked out. And it seems he still hasn’t come to his senses, just wandering around nearby.”

“House? Ha…”

Jaebeom let out a sigh of disbelief. Gamblers drift and drift until they finally end up at the same place: an illegally operated gambling den.

Among them, the house was the worst of the worst, a vicious cycle that wouldn’t end unless you gave up your life. Well, once you’d tasted that flavor and still couldn’t come to your senses, it was obvious where you’d end up.

“Got him?”

“I told them to keep an eye on it for now.”

Jaebeom crossed his arms, leaned back against the chair, crossed his legs again, and wiggled his ankles. It was his habit when organizing his thoughts. Kwak Sang waited quietly as his boss spoke.

“Test the waters. See if he mentioned anything about Kim Eunsol to Mr. Kim.”

“…Do you think Lee Daebak did that?”

“This is already the third time. Mr. Kim has said he wants to see Lee Eunsol. He can be a bit of a nuisance, but he’s not the type to insist like this.”

That statement essentially meant he was certain Lee Daebak was behind it. Kwak Sang also thought that was the more likely scenario.

“Should I bring him?”

“No. It’s not that bad. Just listen to me for a bit.”

“Understood.”

Even at the immediate reply, Jaebeom’s furrowed brow didn’t relax. Waiting a moment to see if Kwak Sang had more to say, he tilted his head back and forth. This, too, was a gesture he made when deciding something.

“Ah, this is really…”

An uncharacteristically grumbly sigh escaped him. He looked like he knew he had to do something, but he clearly didn’t like the idea at all.

Uncrossing his arms, Jaebeom finally sighed, clearly displeased, and spoke up.

“Find me an Omega who looks similar to Lee Eunsol. Someone who can act well and knows how to be cute.”

“An Omega?”

The words that came out of his mouth were something Kwak Sang hadn’t anticipated. When he asked doubtfully, Jaebeom, still looking displeased, nodded in affirmation.

“Yeah. He has to act and talk like Lee Eunsol too. That’s the only way to pull it off flawlessly.”

If President Kim heard the news from Lee Daebak, they need to nip any potential trouble in the bud.

‘He’s pregnant.’

So protecting him was only natural. Jaebeom used the same excuse whether he was a gang boss or an actor.