~{Chapter 9}Business on the Green~
Sunday morning arrived with brilliant sunshine, a stark contrast to Friday's gloom.
Alex woke to the sound of activity downstairs, voices, footsteps, the distinct timbre of his father's laugh echoing through the halls.
He was back.
Alex showered and dressed quickly, choosing a crisp white shirt and dark slacks. When he descended to the dining room, his father was already seated at the head of the table, newspaper in one hand, coffee in the other.
"My Son,"
Mr. Lee said warmly, setting down his cup.
"Good morning father."
Alex took his seat.
"Welcome back."
Mr. Lee folded his newspaper and studied Alex with sharp eyes.
"You look tired. The week was difficult, I heard."
"Nothing I couldn't handle."
Mr. Lee nodded approvingly.
"Mr. Max briefed me on the incident. Unfortunate business, but these things happen."
Alex's jaw tightened slightly.
"Someone tried to kill me."
"And failed." Mr. Lee's tone was matter-of-fact.
"Thanks to your new assistant, I understand. Where is Mr. Kim, by the way?"
As if summoned, Moon appeared in the doorway, dressed impeccably in a navy suit.
"Good morning, Mr. Lee. Mr. Alex."
"Ah, Kim Moony."
Mr. Lee gestured to the empty chair. "Join us. I wanted to thank you personally for protecting my son."
Moon hesitated, then bowed.
"It was my duty, sir. I'm glad I was able to help."
"Duty." Mr. Lee smiled. "Yes, well. Duty performed admirably deserves recognition. Sit."
Moon glanced at Alex, who gave a barely perceptible nod. Moon sat, posture perfect, hands folded in his lap.
Breakfast was served—eggs, toast, fruit, freshly squeezed juice. The staff moved efficiently around them.
"So,"
Mr. Lee began, cutting into his eggs.
"The attack. I want you to know it's been handled."
Alex paused. "Handled?"
"The mastermind has been dealt with. Quietly, of course. No need for public
spectacle."
Mr. Lee took a bite, chewing thoughtfully.
"You won't be bothered again."
"Who was it?"
"Does it matter?"
Mr. Lee's tone was gentle but firm.
"What matters is that you're safe. The company is safe. We move forward."
Alex's fingers tightened around his fork.
Mr. Lee studied him for a moment, then sighed. Alex wanted to protest, to demand more answers about the attack and the mastermind. But he knew his father well enough to recognize when a subject was closed.
Mr. Lee set down his fork and turned his attention to Moon.
"Mr. Kim, I've been meaning to ask you something."
Moon looked up, his expression polite and attentive.
"Yes, sir?"
"Mr. Max mentioned you handled the attackers quite... efficiently."
Mr. Lee's eyes were sharp, assessing.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Moon didn't hesitate.
"Self-defense classes, sir. I took them for a few years."
"Self-defense."
Mr. Lee repeated, leaning back in his chair.
"That's quite modest. From what I heard, you took down four armed men."
"I was fortunate, sir. Adrenaline and instinct."
"Hmm."
Mr. Lee picked up his coffee, taking a slow sip.
"It's curious that such a skill wasn't mentioned in your CV. Combat training, even self-defense training, is notable. Especially at the level you demonstrated."
Moon's expression remained calm.
"I didn't think it was relevant to the position, sir. I was applying to be an assistant, not a bodyguard. And honestly, I never expected to actually use it."
There was a pause. Mr. Lee studied Moon over the rim of his cup, eyes narrowed slightly.
"I suppose that makes sense,"
He said finally.
"Though in hindsight, it proved invaluable. My son is lucky to have you."
"I'm just glad I could help, sir."
Mr. Lee nodded slowly, then smiled, warm, but with something calculating behind it.
"Well, consider it an unexpected bonus. Alex clearly made the right choice in hiring you."
Moon bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you, sir."
Alex watched the exchange carefully. His father's questions seemed casual, but Alex knew better. Nothing his father said was ever truly casual.
"Don't worry yourself over these things, son,"
Mr. Lee said, turning back to Alex.
"You have more important things to focus on."
He smiled.
"As a matter of fact, I have something planned for today. There's a golf meeting I'd like you to attend. Some associates of mine, important people. It's time you start building those relationships."
Alex slowly put down his cutlery and looked up.
"Business is often conducted on the green, Alex. You'll learn that."
Mr. Lee turned to Moon.
"Mr. Kim, you'll accompany us, of course."
Moon bowed his head. "Of course, sir."
"We leave in an hour."
Mr. Lee stood, dabbing his mouth with a napkin.
"Dress appropriately. First impressions matters."
________
The golf course was pristine, rolling greens, meticulously maintained, with a clubhouse that looked more like a mansion. Luxury cars lined the parking area. Men in expensive polo shirts and designer sunglasses milled about, shaking hands and laughing too loudly.
Mr. Lee led them inside, greeting people by name, his charisma on full display. Alex followed, Moon a silent shadow at his side.
They were directed to a private section of the course where a group of men waited. Four of them, all older, all radiating wealth and power.
"Gentlemen,"
Mr. Lee said warmly.
"Allow me to introduce my son, Alexander Lee."
The men turned their attention to Alex, assessing him with practiced eyes.
"So this is the heir,"
one of them said, a stocky man with silver hair and a thick gold watch.
"You've been keeping him hidden, Ji-won."
"Not hidden. Preparing."
Mr. Lee clapped Alex on the shoulder.
"Alex has been managing the company admirably in my absence."
"Managing?"
Another man, taller and leaner, raised an eyebrow.
"I heard there was some trouble. An incident?"
"Minor," Mr. Lee said smoothly.
"Already resolved. Alex handled it perfectly."
The men exchanged glances. Alex could feel them measuring him, testing.
"Can you play?"
the stocky man asked, gesturing to the golf clubs waiting nearby.
"Yes,"
Alex replied evenly.
"Good. Let's see what you've got."
They moved to the first hole. Alex selected a driver, feeling the weight of it in his hands. He positioned himself, lined up the shot, and swung.
The ball sailed down the fairway, landing near the green. A good shot.
The men nodded approvingly.
"Not bad," the lean man said. "Your
father taught you well."
They played a few holes, the conversation light, superficial. Alex performed well, keeping pace with the others, impressing them just enough without seeming like he was trying too hard.
Moon stood off to the side, taking discreet notice of everything. Alex noticed him occasionally glancing at the men, memorizing faces, studying interactions.
After the fourth hole, the group retreated to a shaded corner near the clubhouse, a private gazebo overlooking the course. Drinks were brought out. The men settled into comfortable chairs.
"Son, why don't you practice your swing for a bit,"
Mr. Lee suggested.
"We have some business to discuss."
It wasn't a suggestion.
Alex nodded and stepped away, Moon following.
They moved to a nearby practice area, far enough to give the men privacy but close enough that Alex could still see them. Moon stood beside him, tablet tucked under his arm.
Alex watched his father lean forward, gesturing emphatically. One of the men shook his head. Another laughed, but it didn't reach his eyes.
They stayed there for another twenty minutes, Alex going through the motions of practice while Moon secretly observed. Finally, Mr. Lee stood, shaking hands with the men. The meeting was over.
"Son!"
Mr. Lee called, waving him over.
Alex and Moon returned. The men were all smiles now, cordial and pleasant.
"A pleasure to meet you, Alex,"
the stocky man said, extending his hand.
"I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other."
"I look forward to it,"
Alex replied, shaking firmly.
The men departed one by one, their drivers pulling up in sleek black cars.
Mr. Lee turned to Alex, satisfaction evident on his face.
"You did well today. They were impressed. Let's head home. I have calls to make."
The drive back was quiet. Mr. Lee made several phone calls, his voice low and clipped. Alex stared out the window, mind churning.
When they arrived at the estate, Mr. Lee disappeared into his study. Alex retreated to his room, and Moon to his.
Moon closed the door to his suite and immediately pulled out his laptop.
He sat at the small desk by the window, fingers flying across the keyboard.
Four men. Four names.
Director Kang Min-ho – CEO of Kang Industries, major pharmaceutical supplier. Known for aggressive business tactics and political connections.
Mr. Choi Seung-woo – Real estate mogul. Owns significant property throughout Seoul. Rumored ties to questionable development deals.
Dr. Hwang Jin-soo – Former government health official, now private consultant. Specializes in regulatory navigation and FDA approvals.
Mr. Baek Dong-hyun – Finance. Venture capital. Known for funding high-risk, high-reward pharmaceutical startups.
Moon leaned back, staring at the screen.
All connected to pharmaceuticals. All with significant influence.
And all meeting privately with Mr. Lee.
Moon opened a new document and began typing, recording every detail he could remember, what they wore, how they interacted, the tone of their conversation even if he couldn't hear the words.
He worked for over an hour, cross-referencing names with public records, news articles, business filings.
Patterns began to emerge. Connections. Deals that seemed legitimate on the surface but felt too convenient, too coordinated.
And at the center of it all, was Mr. Lee.
Moon saved the document, encrypted it, and sent it to a secure server.
Then he sat back, rubbing his eyes.
This was bigger than one missing employee or a single attack.
This was something systemic. Organized.
And Alex was right in the middle of it, whether he knew it or not.
Moon closed his laptop and stared out the window at the darkening sky.
He needed to be careful. One wrong move, one slip, and everything could unravel.
But he also needed to move fast.
He was already running out of time.