Swapped by fate

chapter 3

Hyunjin's POV'

“Sir, the people you are scheduled to meet today want to confirm your attendance,” my secretary informed me.

“Yes,” I replied.

He bowed and left the office.

I hadn't slept since yesterday. To be honest, that investor is pushing me to the brink. He keeps sending messages to Seungmin, threatening to reveal the secrets of the company he’s holding over us.

I’m doing my best not to make any rash decisions. I need to think things through carefully. I also want to see what he'll do once he finds out we have his daughter.

Mr. Nam entered the office and bowed. “Sir, I have news regarding your order from yesterday. They have Lara in custody.”

“That fast? Alright. Instruct them to bring her to the basement.”

“Understood, sir,” he said before leaving the office again.

We’ve got Lara. Now, what will you do, Mr. Kato?

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I was in a lunch meeting with other investors from Chan’s company. They were all pitching ideas, none of which I was particularly fond of. I wanted to reject them all, but Chan advised me against it. I trust that Chan wouldn’t do anything to harm the company’s image.

“Alright, Mr. Hwang will make the final decision—” Chan started to say.

“No, you decide,” I interjected, not liking any of the options.

“Okay...” Chan hesitated before continuing with his comments and ultimately chose an idea he liked. Not bad. It was the only one I understood, but that doesn’t mean I liked it.

“Wrap up the meeting for me,” I told Chan.

He nodded. “Thank you.”

Everyone bowed.

I left Chan’s company with my secretary and driver. Our next stop was my house, where Lara was being held.

“What happened?” I asked.

“They asked around about Kato Lara and everyone pointed them to one class. A student described Kato Lara as having long wavy black hair, fair skin, and being about 5'2" tall. She was wearing a sky-blue backpack with a white fur keychain,” Mr. Nam reported.

“And?”

“They found a woman matching that description outside the university,” Mr. Nam said.

When we arrived at the house, Mr. Nam paid the men who had found and taken the woman. I headed downstairs and found Mr. Kato’s daughter. Her hands and feet were tied, and there was tape over her mouth.

“She’s still asleep?” I asked.

“Yes, sir,” one of the men responded.

“Why does she have a cut on her hand? Did any of you hurt her?”

“No one touched her, boss. She already had that bruise when we found her,” another man answered.

“You can all leave. I’ll handle it from here,” I instructed.

They left the basement, leaving only Mr. Nam and me.

“Sir, I want to assure you that I strictly instructed the men not to hurt her or even raise their voices at her,” he said.

“But where did the cut come from?” I asked, sighing.

“We’ll find out when she wakes up,” Mr. Nam replied.

I nodded.

“But didn’t you say you wanted her dead? Why are you concerned if someone hurt her?” he asked.

“I got caught up in the moment. Besides, I don’t want anyone interfering with my business,” I said.

“Your business,” Mr. Nam chuckled.

I shot him a glare.

“Apologies,” he whispered.

After what felt like hours of waiting, Lara began to stir. When she opened her eyes, she looked at me, confused and scared.

“You’re awake.”

As soon as she realized she was tied up and had tape on her mouth, she began thrashing around and trying to scream.

I removed the tape from her mouth—

“Who are you? Where am I? Why am I here? What’s happening? What do you want? I don’t have any money if that’s why you took me!” she said, panicking.

“I have money. I don’t need yours,” I replied calmly.

“Then why did you take me? Are you going to kill me? Sell me?” she asked, her voice rising in fear.

“That’s not what this is about,” I said, trying to keep my tone steady.

“Huh?” She paused, confused.

“You’re just my hostage.”

“Hostage? What did I do?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“You didn’t do anything. It’s your father who’s the problem.”

“My father is dead! What do you mean? If you’re talking about my stepfather, that jerk, we’re not even related by blood. Why am I being punished for him?” she shouted.

“Your father is dead? What do you mean?”

“My father died in a car accident when I was young. Why am I even telling you this?” she muttered, trying to untie herself.

“Your father is alive. Stop lying. Look, Ms. Kato—”

“Ms. Kato? Wait, someone said earlier that they had Kato Lara. You’ve got the wrong person. I’m not Lara Kato,” she insisted.

“Stop lying. If you think you can fool me to escape—”

“My father is dead, and I am not Kato Lara! Untie me and let me go! You’re wasting your time!” she yelled.

“Enough!” I shouted.

She froze, startled.

“If you’re trying to escape by pretending to be someone else, it won’t work. I’m certain your father warned you that someone might come after you because of his actions.”

“But I’m not Lara,” she said quietly.

“Be quiet. From now on, you’re my captive,” I said, my voice cold.

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I hope you guys liked this chapter...