The group gathered at the large dining table in President Choi's home. President Choi sat at the head of the table in his wheelchair while Yang-jung and Joe sat nearby.
Yang-jung turned to the old man with a serious look. "If I was Kim Myeong-gil, I would have thought to move that hard drive to a safer location by now. He has to assume Im Jang-do revealed his weaknesses."
Joe nodded and leaned in. "Besides, we also have In-beom. Even if Myeong-gil trusts him, he would not feel safe unless he moved the gold to a new spot."
Hyeon-ju shook her head and rested her elbows on the table. "Do you think he can afford to move things around? We have boxed him into a corner and he has no one left except for Kim Jun-min and that Mr. Jung guy. I do not think a man like him trusts just anyone."
Yang-jung leaned forward to emphasize his point. "He does not have to move it far. He could hide it in the trunk of a random car and we would never find it. Kim Myeong-gil knows that is an option.
Hyeon-ju gave a small nod of agreement. "Hm."
President Choi spoke up and the table went quiet. "You are right. The tides would turn in our favor if we manage to recruit one of his enemies over to our side. But to do that, we need the hard drive because it contains everything about his blackmail victims."
He looked at the younger members of the group. "Those people share our motivations. There will be powerful people like the heir of the Iil Group mixed in with the bunch. We need them."
The old man sighed and adjusted his position. "The longer this fight drags on, the less likely we are to come out on top. I am sure Myeong-gil has made a vast network of connections by now. Every cop and politician that can be bought is probably in his pocket."
Hyeon-ju tried to lighten the mood. "Yeah. But we have taken down two of his main guys already. It makes sense to get anxious about the big picture, but we are doing pretty well. No one has even gotten hurt so far."
President Choi smiled at her. "That is true."
Geon-woo's mother brought the last of the steaming dishes to the table. The smell of fresh stew filled the room.
"Then let's eat," President Choi said.
Everyone thanked Suhyeon for the meal before picking up their chopsticks.
"Thank you."
"Thank you for this meal."
Suhyeon nodded and smoothed her apron. "Please enjoy."
The sound of clinking silverware filled the room for a few minutes. Yang-jung took a large bite and his eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa!"
President Choi looked over at Geon-woo. "Mm. Um, Geon-woo."
Geon-woo looked up from his bowl. "Yes, sir?"
"When are you taking your mother to the orphanage?"
Hyeon-ju spoke up before Geon-woo could answer. "I can do it. Let me borrow your car, Grandpa."
President Choi nodded but his expression stayed cautious. "It has been parked outside for a while. Someone might have seen it so you must be careful."
"I will be okay," Hyeon-ju said.
"All right."
Hyeon-ju turned to Geon-woo. "Do you want to go after we finish eating? We should make it there in an hour at this time of day."
Geon-woo looked at his mother. "Mom, does that work for you?"
Suhyeon hesitated and twisted her hands together. "Uh, to be honest, I think I would feel a lot better if I just stayed here and kept preparing meals for everyone."
President Choi gave her a kind smile. "Mrs. Yoon, I do not mean to impose, but would you mind helping out at our orphanage? Your cooking skills are really impressive and I think the children would love it."
Yang-jung pointed at his empty plate. "Mrs. Yoon, this food is just amazing."
Hyeon-ju gave a small thumbs up from across the table.
Woo-jin joined in between mouthfuls. "I think so too. That way, you can pass the time easily without worrying."
Geon-woo rested a hand on his mother's arm. "Mom, I also think that would be for the best."
Suhyeon finally nodded and smiled back at them. "Well, okay, if it helps you guys in any way."
"That is great. Thank you so much," President Choi said.
"Yes."
---
In the police control centre, Gang-yong pointed at a grainy monitor.
"Let's take a look over there."
The technician zoomed in. "Here?"
"No, no. Next to it."
"Oh, all right."
"How about up there? That part."
Gang-yong leaned in close to the screen. He saw a silver SUV and a smashed-up black Mercedes heading toward an unassuming two-story house.
"Oh, all right. Thank you."
He patted the young officer on the shoulder and walked away with a dark look on his face.
---
Somewhere in a private gym, Myeong-gil was training his kicks against a heavy bag.
THUD!
A phone he had taken from Min-beom began to ring on a nearby bench. One of his enforcers picked it up and saw the caller ID was GANG-YONG.
The man handed the phone to Myeong-gil. Myeong-gil wiped sweat from his forehead and answered. "Yes."
"I have sent the location. Will that do?"
Myeong-gil checked the incoming message on the screen and saw the address. He nodded to himself. "Thank you very much."
He ended the call and looked at his men. "Let's go."
"Yes, sir!"