* * *
The detectives captured the three kidnappers and tried to find out who was behind them.
A detective reported to the team leader, “From what I can tell, these guys don’t know anything.”
The team leader scratched his head.
“So, according to those bastards, they just heard a rumor that the kid would be at the Gangwon-do Province set and kidnapped her?”
“Yes. They heard the girl’s father is a billionaire and dotes on his daughter, so they thought he’d easily pay ten billion for ransom. And they believed there wouldn’t be any CCTV there to reveal their identities.”
“So, where did they hear this rumor from?”
“None of them remember exactly. They said they picked it up at some bar.”
“What about the bar?”
“We checked, but there’s no CCTV there either.”
“Damn it.”
***
Na Kang-In chuckled and said, “Of course, this is the scenario if the movie flopped, but it seems our movie won’t flop. Director Son said this version is better than the original and he’s been smiling ever since. So, just take my story as a fun tale.”
Hearing this, Shin Eun-ha clapped her hands, relieved.
“Wow, Na Kang-In oppa, you’re not only good at action but also at writing scripts. That story could make a great movie.”
Kim Yoo-chan laughed and said, “I want to be the male lead in that movie too. Just leave the action to Na Kang-In.”
Of the four, only Lee Tae-ho couldn’t smile.
***
The drinking session ended early.
Lee Tae-ho quickly paid the bill and left.
Shin Eun-ha suggested, “It’s too early to end. Shall we go for another drink?”
Kim Yoo-chan agreed, “Yes, it’s a shame to part ways now.”
“Yoo-chan oppa, just go home.”
“Why? I’ll pay. Isn’t that fine?”
Na Kang-In watched Lee Tae-ho’s car driving away and thought, ‘Having faced such a close call, he won’t gamble the shares of Iron Gear Corporation again.’
What he had mentioned today wasn’t a typical corporate raid tactic.
‘Since there’s no other way to bring down Iron Gear Corporation, someone took this dangerous step. So…’
Na Kang-In shrugged.
“With all the variables removed, Iron Gear Corporation won’t collapse at least this year.”
Shin Eun-ha pulled Na Kang-In’s arm.
“Na Kang-In oppa, let’s have another drink.”
Na Kang-In replied, “Sure, the three of us.”
***
While driving, Lee Tae-ho called the PR team leader.
“Team Leader Gu, do you know how the National Forensic Service and the police are investigating the incident at the Gangwon-do Province set?”
– I’ve heard some details about it. Should I tell you what I know?
“Yes, please.”
He listened carefully to the PR team leader’s explanation.
Then, he went straight home.
His brother, Iron Gear Corporation’s head office manager Lee Tae-sung, asked, “Why are you alone? Where’s Min-ji?”
“Min-ji went home. Where’s Mom?”
“In Sokcho.”
“Dad is here, right?”
Lee Tae-ho replied with a serious expression, “I came because I have something to say to you and Dad.”
***
Lee Tae-ho shared with his father and brother what he had heard from Na Kang-In and the investigation details from the PR team leader.
Iron Gear Corporation’s CEO Lee Jungmin was furious.
“You crazy fool! How could you think of filming a movie with our company shares on the line?”
Lee Tae-ho defended himself, “Because it was a sure-hit movie, I wanted to make a big success and expand our film company…”
“Shut up!”
“Yes.”
Iron Gear Corporation’s head office manager Lee Tae-sung sighed deeply, holding his head.
“With the current situation already bad, you really… sigh.”
“Current situation? Didn’t the company develop a great new product? And the export deal is going well, isn’t it?”
“I heard that there are some groups aiming for a hostile takeover recently. They seem to want to disrupt our foreign market bids by stirring up merger issues. Our shares are solid, so they had no way, and it seemed they gave up, but…”
Lee Tae-ho sprang up.
“So one of those bastards must have ordered the kidnapping of our Min-ji!”
“Hey. Is this the time for you to be yelling in front of Dad and me?”
“Hey, bro. But still…”
Lee Tae-sung explained.
“It’s possible that one of those companies made a move, but it’s more likely to be the arms brokers who want to sell us off to one of them after acquiring us first.”
“Ah…”
Iron Gear Machinery produces equipment for the military and police.
“Given the nature of our products, weapon brokers have always shown interest.”
CEO Lee Jung-min kept glancing towards a bag filled with golf clubs.
He first swung a golf club at his second son when he deceived his parents to major in theater and film.
He thought such a day would never come again, but today the golf clubs kept catching his eye.
Lee Jung-min clenched and unclenched his fist, letting out a deep sigh.
“Whew. Let’s sort out the situation first. Lee Tae-ho, are you sure this movie won’t fail?”
Lee Tae-ho assured him.
“It turned out even better than the original shoot.”
“Thanks to that actor?”
“Yes. Thanks to Mr. Na Kang-In, we were able to finish the film quickly. He’s the one who told me about this situation today.”
“How does an actor know about our company’s situation?”
“We were out drinking today, and I mentioned that I had to secure company shares to make the film. After hearing that, he quickly grasped the whole situation.”
Lee Tae-sung scolded him.
“You let an actor figure it out so easily? Seriously… sigh.”
“No, bro. He’s not just any actor. Normally, people wouldn’t understand even if they heard the story.”
Lee Jung-min asked Lee Tae-sung.
“If Lee Tae-ho’s company is fine, external attacks shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Lee Tae-sung guaranteed it.
“Yes. We can handle most attacks as it is, but knowing this situation, we’ll prepare even more thoroughly.”
“Good, that’s settled then.”
“But we should still take precautions. We’re a bit tight on cash right now, so should we secure funds in case the movie flops? The interest might be high, though.”
“If this is someone’s strategy, they might try to interfere with that too. So, secure funds through conventional means while figuring out who’s meddling. It won’t be easy to find out.”
“Yes.”
“If you manage to secure the funds, make sure Lee Tae-ho covers the bank interest.”
Lee Tae-ho nodded quickly.
“If the movie is a hit, I’ll cover all the interest.”
“And Lee Tae-ho, you…”
Lee Jung-min scowled.
“If you mess with your shares again, I’ll disown you.”
Lee Tae-ho waved his hands.
“I won’t touch them. Almost got Min-ji kidnapped because of that.”
“How’s Min-ji?”
“She’s fine. Took her to the final shoot today, and she was happily playing with Mr. Na Kang-In.”
Lee Jung-min sighed.
“Whew. So, the crisis passed without us even knowing.”
“Right.”
Lee Jung-min felt a bit relieved. Now he had the leisure to think about others.
“By the way, about that Na Kang-In guy. He’s a stunt actor, right? Find him a role with more lines or something. We owe him.”
Lee Tae-ho considered Na Kang-In’s current situation.
Director Son Tae-min seemed eager to ask Na Kang-In for help on his next film.
Many people had seen how Na Kang-In performed on set over the past few days. If this film succeeded, his reputation would spread in the industry.
THO Entertainment CEO Lee Tae-ho explained.
“Father, I don’t think Mr. Na Kang-In is at a level where I can just give him a role anymore.”
* * *
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