Jiyong sat in the center of the long table, his presence commanding and unyielding. His men stood behind him, a formidable wall of loyalty and readiness, prepared to shield him with their lives if necessary. The atmosphere in the room was charged with tension as the two groups of men faced off, negotiating and offering illegal transactions.
The leader of the opposing group leaned forward, his voice laced with frustration. "We agreed to pay you 10% once we received the item. Now you want to charge us extra for a late payment? That's extortion!"
Jiyong remained calm, his eyes cold and calculating. "You knew the terms of the agreement. A delay means you pay more. It's not extortion, it's business."
The other group's men shifted uneasily, their expressions a mix of anger and apprehension. Their leader's fists clenched on the table. "This is ridiculous. You can't just change the terms because you feel like it."
Jiyong leaned back in his chair, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "The terms were clear from the start. You pay late, you pay extra. If you can't handle that, maybe you shouldn't be in this business."
The tension in the room thickened, the air almost crackling with the intensity of the standoff. Jiyong's men stood firm, their eyes locked on the opposing group, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
After a long, heavy silence, the leader of the opposing group sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine. We'll pay the extra. But this better be the last time you pull something like this."
Jiyong's smirk widened into a full, satisfied smile. "Pleasure doing business with you. Remember, punctuality is key."
The opposing group muttered amongst themselves, clearly displeased but ultimately resigned to the terms. Jiyong's men remained vigilant, their eyes never leaving the adversaries until the deal was finalized and the opposing group left the room.
As the door closed behind them, Jiyong's demeanor shifted, his expression hardening once more. "Keep an eye on them," he instructed his men. "I don't trust them not to try something."
His men nodded, their loyalty unwavering. Jiyong knew that in this world, trust was a rare commodity, and power was everything. And tonight, he had once again proven who held the upper hand.
--
Jennie sat in the backseat of her car, staring out at the passing cityscape as she rode home from a long day at Kim's Logistics Company. Her thoughts were suddenly consumed by memories of Mr. Choi, a mentor and key figure in the company’s success. She knew she needed to pay her respects.
"Take me to the flower shop on Maple Street," she instructed the driver.
The car pulled up to the quaint flower shop, and Jennie stepped inside, the scent of fresh blooms immediately lifting her spirits. She approached the counter where the elderly shopkeeper greeted her with a warm smile.
"Good evening, ma'am. How can I help you today?"
"I'm here to buy some lilies," Jennie replied, her voice soft with nostalgia. "They were Mr. Choi's favorite."
The shopkeeper’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. "That's quite a coincidence. Just yesterday, a woman bought lilies from me as well. She said they were for Mr. Choi too."
Jennie felt a flicker of curiosity. "Do you remember what she looked like?"
The shopkeeper nodded. "Tall, elegant, with a calm demeanor. She seemed very thoughtful."
Jennie's mind raced, but she pushed the thought aside for now. She selected a beautiful bouquet of white lilies and paid for them, thanking the shopkeeper before heading back to her car.
A short drive later, Jennie arrived at the cemetery. The evening air was cool, and the setting sun cast a golden glow over the gravestones. She made her way to Mr. Choi's grave, her steps deliberate and reverent.
As she approached, she noticed fresh lilies already placed at the grave. She smiled, touched by the sight. Placing her own bouquet beside them, she whispered, "Hello, Mr. Choi. You are indeed a good friend who visits you a lot."
She stood there for a moment, her mind flooded with memories of their past encounters. She remembered his wise advice, his unwavering support, and the many ways he had influenced her and the company.
"You wonder why I came alone," Jennie said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Jiyong's having a hard time processing your sudden passing." She paused, her heart aching for both her friend and her husband. "We won’t forget you. You were such a good friend to my family."
A small, bittersweet smile formed on her lips as her eyes misted with tears. "I promise I'll visit you whenever I have free time and bring your favorite lilies. I know how much you loved them."
With a heavy heart, Jennie turned and walked back to her car. Sitting in the back seat, she felt a renewed sense of purpose wash over her. Taking a deep breath, she whispered, "Until next time, Mr. Choi," and gently instructed the driver to head home.
YOU ARE READING
Instant Regrets Book II
Fanfiction( You're reading Book II ) When Jennie family discovered the truth about her relationship with a married woman, they were unable to accept it, and she brought shame upon them. To preserve the Kim family's reputation and status, her father made a dra...
