Chapter 112: < Protect – Episode 111 – New York Festival [4] >

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After parting ways with Ahn Soo Ho, Han Chae Kyung took her entourage and went to her residence. Kim Na Hee—who owned properties all over the world—made a huge effort in acquiring residences in New York, London, Paris, and Milan because those places were the top 4 fas.h.i.+on destinations of the world. Owning a residence in New York cost a crazy amount of money. However, A house party was a must in order to debut in New York’s society.

After greeting her American employees, Han Chae Kyung looked for Kim Chang Hee, whom Kim Na Hee put on her. Kim Chang Hee’s name sounded like a man’s, but she was a woman in her early 30s.

“How much do you know about Uncle, Chief Kim?”

“Are you talking about CEO Ahn?”

She was taken aback by Han Chae Kyung calling Ahn Soo Ho her uncle. She had no blood relation to Ahn Soo Ho. But then again, she had no blood relation with Kim Na Hee either.

“The chairwoman relies a lot on CEO Ahn.”

“Do they have a deep relations.h.i.+p?”

Kim Chang Hee didn’t understand Han Chae Kyung’s question at first and just tilted her head.

“What you’re presuming won’t happen, I a.s.sure you.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that, Chief Kim.”

While studying abroad, Han Chae Kyung experienced a dating culture with more freedom. In any country, the upper cla.s.s tended to be more conservative. However, when it came to the art world, it was a little more disorderly. Han Chae Kyung liked this at first. She enjoyed the freedom of their society and even partic.i.p.ated in protests for protecting animals and nature. She even stripped in the middle of the streets while using art as an excuse.

But life involving alcohol and drugs should be avoided.

No matter how much freedom she had, she couldn’t erase the values and habits she learned while growing up in Korea. Dating a pro soccer player in Italy was probably the most extreme thing she did, and the consequences of that remained as a scar that would never be erased.

“There wasn’t a direct commitment, but I believe there are hidden intentions about my mom’s decision to send me with CEO Ahn.”

In personal settings, Han Chae Kyung called Kim Na Hee her mom and Kim Chang Hee called her the chairwoman.

“A hidden intentions?”

“Yes, think about it.”

After tilting her head once more, Kim Chang Hee opened her mouth in surprise.

“Do you understand it now, Chief Kim?”

“But CEO Ahn is already engaged to be married.”

“A goalkeeper doesn’t always block goals from getting in, and it’s common for relations.h.i.+ps between an heir and a celebrity to go wrong.”

There were many actresses and announcers who became wives of heirs, but it was rare for their marriages to last forever.

“Making a living off your face only lasts for a little while. Most importantly, celebrities tend to be looked down in society as well. After all, people get more conservative as they climb the ranks in our country.”

It was possible for Jang Seol Hyun and Ahn Soo Ho to get married as planned. However, it was obvious that she was in for an intense fight as soon as she debuted in society as an heir’s wife. People might question the consideration of ancestry in the 21st century. However, from what she experienced while following Kim Na Hee around, the women of the upper cla.s.s were very cruel.

‘She is a top star, but will she be able to endure it as a mere celebrity?’

It was a waste of time to compare the viciousness of the financial world and the entertainment world. Han Chae Kyung wasn’t sure if Jang Seol Hyun could survive the cruel world of the upper cla.s.s after being served all her life as an entertainer.

Kim Chang Hee showed a strange expression on her face.

“If that’s what the chairwoman’s thinking… would you accept this arranged marriage?”

“I don’t see why not.”

Han Chae Kyung answered in a calm manner.

“But I’m not saying I fell for him at first sight or anything. I don’t know if I love him either. But if I had to marry him… I don’t see why I can’t.”

After being framed for murder, her outlook on dating and marriage changed completely. She used to prefer freedom more than getting involved in strategic marriages that considered political backgrounds, but not anymore.

‘People are better off dating someone who’s similar to them.’

Meeting someone with a different background was probably more fun, but they didn’t last long. And for Koreans, it was best for them to marry another Korean. After going through a big ordeal, Han Chae Kyung became more conservative without knowing.

‘Things just got a little more complicated.’

Ahn Soo Ho, who was listening to their conversation from outside the door, wondered if he should go in or not. Was Kim Na Hee really thinking that way? If he didn’t ask her himself, he was never going to know. This didn’t sit well with him, but he pitied her more than feeling disgusted.

‘Something’s wrong here.’

She seemed okay, but she wasn’t.

Han Chae Kyung’s heart was ill in some way. In what sounded like a calm voice, it seemed like she lost her emotions completely. Ahn Soo Ho turned around. If he went in now, things were bound to get awkward. He signaled the employee to keep their mouth shut. He left the residence, then pulled out his phone.

“Hey, Chae Kyung. This is your uncle. Yeah, I actually have an appointment to go to right now. Sorry about that. Enjoy your lunch, and maybe I’ll see you for dinner. Okay.”

He set out to explore New York for the first time in a while, and not much had changed. There were many people and cars pa.s.sing by as well. New York, which was filled with people of all races, was often called the capital of the world. However, Ahn Soo Ho didn’t agree with that.

‘There’s no such thing as a great America.’

Americans used the word “great” very often when describing people, cities, and countries. The use of that word was especially common among politicians. Their speeches usually started and ended with the word “great”. But if Ahn Soo Ho had to pick one thing that was actually great about New York, he would have chosen this.

“One shrimp taco, please.”

In New York, there was nothing one couldn’t eat. He couldn’t acknowledge it as the capital of the world, but he admitted that it was the food capital of the world. There were lots of people, cars, and food there. Another thing that was common in New York was their love for the American flag 365 days a year. Americans loved their flag.

One of New York’s symbols—Times Square— was a showroom of people. It was actually fun to just go there and watch people take photos of themselves. People who still dreamt of the American dream. It wasn’t as intense as before, but there were still people all over the world who longed for America.

Those who still had faith in the States thought Hollywood, pop stars, the Oscars, and the Billboard charts were at the top of the world. Korea’s influence over the broadcasting market of the world was stronger than anyone knew. But without knowing American English, they had no chance at business.

‘Language is power.’

If the rest of the world tried hard to learn Korean, the Korean media would have cheered in celebration. The two reasons why Americans were superior was because their language was universal and because the US dollar was strong. No matter how many financial crises they went through, they would never go under.

Ahn Soo Ho stopped at Central Park. There were all sorts of people laying on the gra.s.s, doing yoga as a group, taking their kids out for walks, dancing to songs, painting, and putting on creative performances.

“Isn’t it peaceful?”

The person who started talking to Ahn Soo Ho as he watched the people while sitting on a bench was the hairy man that he worked with in Brazil.

James Black.

He was often called “Black Fortune” and was the superintendent of national defense special operations, or at least he used to be. The harmful effect of bureaucracy was that it never acknowledged the faults of the system. The Davis administration’s biggest mistake was that they punished the soldiers as a way to relieve their own dissatisfaction. It would have been better if they fired a general, but punis.h.i.+ng a veteran like James was bound to draw criticism.

“I heard the news, James. I’m sorry.”

“I’ve lost way too many comrades. Someone must take responsibility for this.”

The last rescue operation was messy in many ways. The White House thought that sending the special forces would solve everything, but they weren’t Supermen who were invincible to bullets.

“What are you going to do from now on?”

“I’m going to go down to the countryside and continue our family business.”

“Family business?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Our family’s in farming.”

“I can’t imagine it.”

Black Fortune? Farming? It made more sense for a lion to eat gra.s.s.

“Did you meet Deputy Director Laroche, Soo Ho?”

“Yeah. He told me not to get involved. What about you?”

“Why should I care? I’m unemployed. I’m just wondering if I can help if something does happen. I was too far away during the 911 so I was only able to watch it happen. I want to make up for it.”

“You don’t think we can stop it.”

“No, we might be able to, but there will be collateral damage.”

It was impossible to not get hurt while fighting enemies that were ready to die. Did that mean that New York would evacuate? The incompetent American president and the New York Mayor were incapable of doing such a thing. And James, who loved Americans more than anyone, didn’t think to let the media know. He knew better than anyone about what could happen once terror information got leaked out into the public.

Liberal democracy without governmental authority didn’t exist.

“Since things turned out like this, let’s do this together, James.”

“I thought he told you to stay out of it.”

Ahn Soo Ho got up from the bench and smirked.

“I don’t have any interest in forcefully getting involved. But if a problem comes my way, I have no intention of dodging it either.”

“Haha!”

James laughed loudly.

“That’s the Soo Ho I know.”

People thought Mr. Guardian was a great resolver who resolved international disputes, but he perceived Ahn Soo Ho as a troublemaker who mocked the world.

“What are you going to do now?”

“I need to meet Has.h.i.+m Nagir.”

“Has.h.i.+m? The prince of Saudi?”

“Yeah.”

“What for?”

“Tsk, tsk. Looks like you’ve lost your touch ever since you became unemployed, James.”

Ahn Soo Ho clicked his tongue.

“Isn’t it weird that the prince of Saudi isn’t leaving New York ahead of a terrorist attack?”

“Maybe he doesn’t know.”

“What about during the 911?”

“Hm. You’re right.”

James understood. The day before the twin tower toppled over, Wall Street was in chaos. That was because the Middle East capital was pulled out immediately. That was one of the evidence. There was no way the prince of Saudi wouldn’t know about a terrorist attack.

When something big happened, it was rare for it to be truly sudden. Most of those in power had an idea of what was going to happen beforehand. The only ones who became victims with no idea were the average citizens.

“If those Arabs have a brain, they won’t pull out all their money this time.”

“Yeah. The important people of their country could be avoiding suspicion regarding the target of the terror attack.”

That wasn’t an absurd plan. But James was surprised because of something else.

“Target? Do you know the target of the terrorist attack, Soo Ho?”

“There’s only one thing related to Has.h.i.+m.”

Advertising an advertis.e.m.e.nt was a predictable situation and a predictable plan.

“New York Festival.”

< Protect – Episode 111 – New York Festival [4] > The end.