CAPTURING REDEMPTION

CHAPTER 13: THE IRONIC CONFRONTATION

At twelve in the afternoon, Yevgeny received a call from Kwon Taekjoo while he was deeply engrossed in collecting reports on South Korea's largest seafood company, Chanxhan Seafoods Private Limited. The nation had been thrown into turmoil after a shocking incident: a buyer discovered a severed finger in one of the containers, embedded in a can of spam. This gruesome find had captivated public attention, sparking outrage and concern.

To address the situation, Kwon Hari had been dispatched to gather first-hand information. She was on the ground, conducting interviews with local residents and the unfortunate victim, who had threatened to sue the company for the severe mental distress caused by the incident. Despite the victim's threats, it was widely acknowledged that an ordinary citizen stood little chance of winning such a case against a powerful corporation. Some speculated that the victim's actions might be a calculated attempt to gain fame and sympathy from the public.

A swift investigation followed the incident. Reports were soon disseminated to the media, revealing the origins of the severed digit. It belonged to a worker who had reported to work intoxicated and subsequently lost his finger after his hand became entangled in a machine used for cutting fish. This revelation added a layer of complexity to the narrative, shifting some of the blame away from the company and onto the injured worker.

As Yevgeny sifted through the details of this scandal, his phone rang, displaying Kwon Taekjoo's name. The call was a stark reminder of his primary mission, momentarily diverting his attention from the chaotic seafood controversy. He knew the conversation with Kwon would require his full focus, given the critical importance of the pen drive and the delicate negotiations that lay ahead.

The case of Chanxhan Seafoods, with its mix of human tragedy and corporate intrigue, underscored the complexities and often harsh realities of industrial accidents and the ensuing public relations battles. It also served as a backdrop to Yevgeny's own intricate dance with danger and diplomacy, where every move needed to be calculated and precise.

Despite his phone ringing incessantly throughout the day, Yevgeny only returned Kwon Taekjoo's call after meticulously completing, checking, and sending the report for printing. By the time he finished his work, it was nearly seven in the evening. As he hurriedly gathered his belongings from the table, he called out, "Kwon Hari, good job today. Be careful on your way home." Kwon Hari nodded, a wide grin spreading across her face. She was pleased to see her boss had become more humane and approachable since that significant day.

Leaving the office in a rush, Yevgeny balanced folders between his side and elbow while clutching a large plastic cup of coffee in one hand and his phone, held between his head and palm, in the other. His hurried gait reflected the urgency stemming from a message he received from Kwon Taekjoo. The message had warned that the actor would come to pick him up if he didn't receive a call from Yevgeny within ten minutes.

Now, as he furiously tapped the elevator button, he found that Taekjoo was not answering his calls. The prospect of being seen with the controversial actor filled Yevgeny with dread. The power Taekjoo wielded could bring a storm of gossip, potentially leading people to dig into Yevgeny's past and find something to ruin him. He was acutely aware that anyone in his position would fear losing what they had worked so hard to build. He was desperate to avoid losing his chances of a fresh start.

When the elevator finally reached the ground floor, Yevgeny practically leaped out, his eyes darting around fanatically. Relieved not to see any sign of the actor, he dashed out of the building and into the parking lot. There, he spotted a familiar figure leaning against a sleek black Jaguar, a cigarette dangling from his fingers and headphones over his ears. The man was further disguised by a black mask and large sunglasses, but something about his stance struck Yevgeny as oddly familiar.