In an instant, the air in the room became quite different.

Choi Seo-jun and Hong Jang-gun could not hide their nervous expressions as they exchanged glances with each other.

On the other hand, I composedly checked the cell phone screen, and a curve was drawn on my mouth.

“As expected, what was bound to come has arrived.”

As soon as I pressed the call button, a dignified voice resonated.

–It has been a long time.

Holding the cell phone, I walked back to the window and replied while appreciating the scenery.

“Congratulations, Chairman.”

Thanks to my sense of throwing out a congratulatory greeting right away, McCain’s laughter grew louder.

– Hahaha. As expected, I cannot beat you. Has the news already spread?

In fact, I was inwardly waiting for contact to come from McCain.

McCain continued speaking while being very happy, unaware of that fact.

– I heard news that you came to the United States. If you are not busy, shall we have a cup of tea? To see your face after a long time as well.

I let out a subtle laugh while looking down at the scenery outside the window.

“That sounds good. Please let me know the time and place.”

– There is a club I go to. It is perfect for avoiding public eyes. I will send the address soon.

“Understood. Then I shall see you at the club.”

As soon as I hung up the phone, the silence flowing in the room quickly vanished.

Choi Seo-jun looked at me with a strange look in his eyes.

“What kind of person who is a Vice Chairman goes to a club? On top of that, telling a minor to come to a club. Really, now.”

I suppressed the urge to burst out laughing for a moment.

I turned my head to the side, thinking Choi Seo-jun might feel needlessly embarrassed if I didn't.

However, Hong Jang-gun began to laugh like crazy while clutching his stomach.

“Pwahahahaha! No, did you think it was some kind of dancing club? Do you really think Vice Chairman McCain would take a minor to a bar!”

Choi Seo-jun, whose face had turned as red as could be, awkwardly let out a fake cough and checked the atmosphere.

“No, what I meant was not that kind of meaning….”

Hong Jang-gun continued laughing while wiping away tears.

“Hahaha. Look at him worrying so seriously! No, you weren't imagining a scene of shaking it in a disco club with the Vice Chairman, were you?”

My shoulders shook while my head was turned away.

I was trying hard to hold back my laughter, but a curve had already spread across my mouth.

Choi Seo-jun waved his hand bashfully and made an excuse.

“Ah, I really said it wasn't like that! This person, since I've been letting it slide. Do I look like a pushover to you!”

Hong Jang-gun, still unable to stop laughing, tapped Choi Seo-jun’s back.

“As expected of Director Choi. Do not worry. Tomorrow, instead of a disco ball, you will be seeing a social club thick with cigar smoke.”

The next day, a black sedan slowly came to a stop on a hill where the city lights flowed densely.

The building visible outside the window was a structure with an antique exterior rather than flashy lights.

At the entrance, which did not even have a sign, staff members dressed in black suits were standing guard.

Hong Jang-gun glanced outside the window and spoke lowly.

“As expected, the security is tight, just as I thought.”

I got out of the car and stood in front of the door.

Hong Jang-gun and Choi Seo-jun stood by my side as if to protect me.

Handguns were momentarily visible at the waists of the staff members in black suits guarding the entrance.

Choi Seo-jun instinctively felt his throat burning dry.

He was one thing, but Hong Jang-gun, who would usually throw jokes to relax the tension, was very quiet this time.

On the other hand, I slowly observed the surroundings like a person who had come to an art museum.

Since this was not a common occurrence, my eyes even sparkled as if I felt interest.

Hong Jang-gun walked one step ahead and quickly scanned the surroundings.

Though he said nothing, alertness radiated from his entire body.

A staff member approached them and asked.

“Please confirm your identification.”

Choi Seo-jun took out his passport and business card and handed them over while being extremely tense.

His fingertips trembled slightly.

The staff member, who was going through the confirmation process, looked at my face and spat out a few words into a radio.

Soon, he nodded toward my group.

“You may enter.”

The thick wooden door slowly opened with a heavy sound.

As expected, the first thing I encountered was the scent of cigars.

I moved my steps leisurely, but Choi Seo-jun frowned.

“Ugh….”

He sniffed and slightly covered his nose with the back of his hand.

Because he was a person who detested even the smell of cigarettes normally, his expression hardened even more.

Hong Jang-gun glanced at him and chuckled, but I moved my steps composedly.

Rather, I looked as if I were enjoying this place where a strange scent wafted exactly as it was.

At that time, a man in a neat suit quietly approached us.

“You are Representative Lim Hyunjun’s group, right?”

As I nodded, the man spoke politely.

“I am Vice Chairman McCain’s secretary. The Vice Chairman is currently waiting inside. You may come this way.”

The secretary reached out his hand with movements that had no waste.

For a moment, Choi Seo-jun’s face darkened slightly, but I still moved my steps leisurely.

I even looked excited instead.

Old masterpieces and expensive antiques were lined up on the walls, but my interest was not there.

My gaze narrowed slightly.

‘McCain….’

I was wearing a composed smile, but a meticulously drawn picture was already being painted in my head.

A person hungry for power cannot cut it off once they begin to taste it.

They are bound to do anything to protect that position.

The corners of my mouth went up.

The place where Vice Chairman McCain was located was a space where subtle lighting was cast.

It was as if a private lounge of a luxury hotel had been moved exactly as it was.

Several men in black suits were standing firmly in front of the door as well.

As I stepped inside, the first things that caught my eye were the amply placed leather sofas and a wide wooden table.

The solid wood furniture, which looked as if it were made by a craftsman, seemed to contain the weight of years.

The sofas were the same.

An empty glass cup was placed on the table, and next to it, smoke rising from a cigar was thick.

Vice Chairman McCain was sitting with his legs comfortably crossed and holding a glass lightly.

Seeing the smile on his face, it could be clearly known that he was in a good mood today.

When he saw my group entering, he stood up from his seat as if in welcome and spread his arms.

“Oh, Representative Lim. We finally meet.”

With a bright face, it was a quite friendly gesture unlike a big shot in politics.

However, I did not fail to realize that even this appearance was included in his calculations.

“Since the Chairman personally gave me an invitation, I had to come running at once. Congratulations, Chairman McCain.”

As soon as McCain heard my congratulatory greeting, he clutched his stomach and laughed boisterously.

“Hahaha! My, oh my. As expected of Representative Lim. To already know the news when the official announcement has not even been made yet. Are you receiving news faster than the American media?”

His laughter was not merely ceremonial.

The pleasure of victory contained within his voice was felt intact.

In fact, there was a separate reason why McCain was in an exceptionally good mood today.

Thanks to the decisive hint I leaked, he put the current Chairman in a predicament as soon as he returned to the United States.

If not for that information, he would not even have been able to dream of the position of Chairman, let alone be in this place today.

McCain knew that fact better than anyone else.

That the young Korean boy in front of him was the key that opened the door of power for him.

So, he naturally felt a debt of gratitude while also having the purpose of wanting to get closer.

“I feel good since you call me that, but in fact, it has not been finalized yet. There are procedures remaining.”

McCain waved his hand as if being humble on purpose.

However, he still did not hide the smile on his lips.

I responded while smiling calmly.

“What does that matter? Since it is a matter for which a conclusion has already been reached, the fact that the Chairman is the new owner does not change even if the announcement is delayed by a few days.”

At those words, McCain’s eyes flashed for a moment.

It was a feeling as if his inner thoughts were accurately pierced through.

But soon he laughed out loud again and raised his glass.

“Yes, your words are right. Today is a day where it is okay to be congratulated.”

As I slightly raised the glass placed in front of me, someone snatched it away quickly.

It was Director Choi Seo-jun.

He shot me a look once and then drank it himself instead.

‘I was just going to have a little taste, but I got caught.’

It was the moment when I tried to sneakily drink the whiskey and had it taken away.

Even while knowing, I raised my two hands toward Director Choi while pretending not to.

Choi Seo-jun emptied the glass in one gulp and then turned his head to speak to McCain’s secretary.

“Since I drank the alcohol, please provide a drink for our Representative. Could you prepare it with sparkling water?”

The secretary blinked his eyes as if momentarily surprised, then moved after realizing what it meant.

Before very long, he came back in holding a glass containing sparkling water.

I looked at Choi Seo-jun while being slightly disappointed.

“Thanks to the Director, I will not be thirsty.”

Choi Seo-jun wore a bashful smile while pretending to be composed, but he hardened his resolve inwardly.

As if the Representative is still young, so he must look after him.

While the two of them were doing that, McCain put the cigar he was holding back into his mouth.

As the light burned red and thick smoke spread, it made the inside of the room even thicker.

The characteristic heavy scent spread deeply.

Choi Seo-jun instinctively frowned and sniffed.

To him, who could not even endure the smell of cigarettes, such a deep scent was rather more burdensome.

Noticing that appearance with a sidelong glance, I smiled composedly and put down the glass I was holding.

“Director Choi and General Hong, please wait outside for a moment. Today, I would like to have a talk with the Chairman alone.”

Hong Jang-gun nodded and stood up from his seat.

On the other hand, Choi Seo-jun hesitated but stood up reluctantly following my gaze.

“Representative, even if it's just me….”

“No. It is fine.”

At my firm answer, Choi Seo-jun went outside together with Hong Jang-gun.

McCain also sent the secretary outside sensibly.

In the end, only the two of us, McCain and I, remained in the room.

McCain put the cigar to his lips and exhaled the smoke fully.

The white mist spread slowly and flowed up to the ceiling.

He leaned deep into the sofa with his legs crossed.

That appearance seemed relaxed, but his gaze alone was staring at me fiercely.

“Now we can finally have a proper talk.”

In his low voice, the scent of alcohol was heavily stained.

I moved slowly on purpose, picked up the glass containing sparkling water placed in front of me, took a sip, and put it down.

As the cool drink went down my throat, I even felt refreshed.

I swept up my slightly stray hair with my hand and looked at McCain.

“Chairman McCain, you want something from me, don't you? Please tell me what it is now.”

McCain chuckled and pressed the cigar into the ashtray to put it out.

A very satisfied expression was floating on his face.