Chapter 82: < Protect – Episode 81 – Scandal [1] >

Crimes against Koreans or related to Koreans were still happening all around the world. It was just that the Korean government wasn’t interested. It was a relief if just one article was published about it. Because of this vibe, the diplomats were supposed to be taking the lead were sparing themselves.

It wasn’t that there were no diplomats who had a passion for their job. But they were petty and crafty, and only cared about their ambitions and aspirations. Democracy definitely led to a generation of decent people, but there were still lots of crazy people as well. It wasn’t Korea that was having issues with incapable diplomats who failed to protect their country.

If Ahn Soo Ho had to pick the most incapable organization, he would have picked the diplomats. He might have been underestimating them, but their organization’s future was hopeless.

“What a mess.”

The case file of Han Chae Kyung was a complete mess.

‘Italian investigators, political circles, gambling brokers, mafias… Sigh! She’s involved with all of the above.’

The upper-class foreign exchange student and the pro-Italian soccer player ended on a bad note. Was it even romance?

‘A pro soccer player who was more popular for his looks than his talent?’

But if he was playing in the first division, he must have had some talent. But the league wasn’t so easy that he could succeed when he was all about parties and girls.

‘This isn’t the first time a win was fabricated.’

Many people were screwed over by the soccer scandal that put Italy in chaos back in 2006. Ahn Soo Ho only heard stories about it. What was more of a problem was that a similar scandal took place in 2012 as well. Experts predicted that such fabrication with wins had been happening for quite some time and would continue to occur in years to come.

‘Just like diplomats, this isn’t only specific to one country.’

Illegal gambling in pro sports was different in each country, but the scale was phenomenal. The truth behind Han Chae Young’s case file was that she had low standards and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

‘Han Chae Kyung is innocent.’

But it didn’t look like she could get out of it easily. The Italian government preferred sacrificing one foreigner than to be humiliated nationally, so in order to get rid of the evidence, gambling brokers and mafias worked together as an ensemble.

Ahn Soo Ho closed the file.

It was too big a fight for Kim Na Hee. They could have a better chance if the Korean government or Daesan Group stepped up, but it didn’t seem like the government was willing to do that. What else could he expect from them? The current Italian and Korean ambassadors were trash.

“What do you think?”

Ahn Soo Ho handed Logan the documents.

“She was very unlucky. The mafia could try to shut everyone’s mouths.”

“That won’t be easy, even for the mafia. The Italian investigators aren’t dumb.”

The Italian investigators once made huge sacrifices to root out the mafia. They still existed today, but there were much less than before.

“If a scandal breaks loose, a lot of heads will be chopped off.”

“But we can’t let someone be framed.”

“Are you going to get involved, Soo Ho?”

“No. That’ll make things more complicated.”

He could set Han Chae Kyung free with one phone call. But so what? There was too much to be bothered with by getting involved with someone he didn’t even know. Ahn Soo Ho shook his head. It was unfortunate for Kim Na Hee, but all they could do was hope for a light sentence by the Italian court.

Logan changed the subject.

“The basic training ended yesterday.”

“Can they start working then?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Hosoo Guards dispatched to the security company solely meant for Hosoo Entertainment Group. Since guns were illegal in Korea, being a guard wasn’t particularly difficult, but it was different for bodyguards. Do Kyung Ho was in charge of guarding the facilities in Star Tower while Logan was in charge of being a bodyguard.

“The celebrities aren’t in any particular danger.”

“Didn’t one of them have a stalker?”

“That’s pretty common.”

They were capable of creating evidence that never existed. As long as they weren’t vicious stalkers, they could just make up some evidence and hand them over to the police. The managers at the scene were the most excited at the Hosoo Guards’ appearance because they worked as the guards up until this point. It was physically demanding and they had a hard time fulfilling the job completely.

“It looks like Kosino is having fun.”

“He’s always like that.”

Korea had the fastest internet speed. It was the best playground for Alexa and Kosino’s team, who played around with information. TV and internet were overflowing with Ahn Soo Ho’s name, but not many people recognized him on the streets. It was actually Logan in his white t-shirt and jeans with a ripped body who got more attention.

“This is making me mad.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing.”

Ahn Soo Ho tried to deny it. He thought he had become more famous than the average star, but he was sad that no one recognized him.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Logan?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I’m always giving you work though.”

“At least they’re new things.”

Since he had always held a gun, he probably never worked a normal job before. Retirement didn’t mean that a person would have to hide out on a deserted island. They arrived at a rooftop café in the middle of Hongdae. The outdoor café had a very captivating idea. The problem was the not so good air of Seoul.

“Hey!”

A foreigner who was just as big as Logan waved his hand as soon as he saw Ahn Soo Ho. Two Westerners and one Asian wouldn’t have been a strange sight in Itaewon, but there were those who were glancing over at him who spoke fluent Korean.

“Is this Logan?”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Cox.”

“Mister? Just call me David.”

David Cox, whose Korean name was Lee Chul. He was the husband of princess Lee Mi Hyun.

“You’ve become famous for controlling this country in the time we haven’t seen each other. What happened?”

“No one recognizes me anyway.”

“Haha.”

Lee Chul laughed at Ahn Soo Ho’s whining.

“Is your wife doing okay?”

“Yeah, of course. I’m sorry and thankful to you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The Korean imperial family was no longer the Korea National Association’s puppet. Ahn Soo Ho’s financial support helped, but it was the absence of Lee Geun Taek that did the job.

“Come to Jejudo some time. I’ll host your entire stay.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

That was it for their greetings.

“The reason why I came to see you… Sigh.”

Lee Chul suddenly sighed in the middle of talking.

“Don’t overthink it, Chul.”

“I have no shame. Tsk! Come out, you punks.”

Lee Chul called them over after clicking his tongue. Ahn Soo Ho was wondering who he kept glancing at, and the people who came over looked familiar to him. It became even clearer once they took off their hats and sunglasses.

“You guys?”

“Hi, Soo Ho.”

They were Lee Chul’s nieces, Emily and Rachel, who went back to Australia after their trip to Korea.

“When did you get here?”

“Yesterday.”

“You should have called. I would have picked you up.”

The way Lee Chul was looking at Emily and Rachel suggested that they were in a situation. But isn’t this the middle of a high school semester? Lee Chul sighed once more.

“Soo Ho, I’m sorry…but can you watch them for a few months? I’ll pay you.”

They applied for exchange student programs without him knowing.

“Is that possible for a minor to do?”

“In Australia, kids can live alone once they’re sixteen.”

“Ha.”

Ahn Soo Ho laughed and then tilted his head.

“Can’t they just pass through if they’re exchange students?”

“Not exactly…their family is pretty well-off, too.”

“There’s nothing that money can’t do.”

“Since they had their grades transferred, all they have to do is graduate. You don’t have to do much, and I’ll drop by from time to time…”

“Okay.”

“What?”

Lee Chul was ready to explain further, so when Ahn Soo Ho nodded, he had his eyes wide opened.

“Okay. I’ll take care of them.”

“Really?”

“We’re close enough to do things like this. So Hye will be happy, too. But if they’re in senior year, aren’t they a year older than So Hye?”

“They skipped a grade.”

“Oh! I’m impressed. Anyway, I’ll take care of them.”

Lee Chul looked relieved.

“I’m sorry, Soo Ho. We don’t have any connections in Seoul. And as for relatives…Lee Jin is a good person, but we’re not close to anyone else.”

Lee Mi Hyun’s older brother, Lee Jin took the money Ahn Soo Ho gave him and seized the Korean Imperial family. Did he have what it takes? If it was back in the day, he could have been known as a wise king. Emily and Rachel, who weren’t that fluent in Korea, just blinked and looked around.

“What do you say?”

“Thank you, Soo Ho.”

The two girls addressed him in broken Korean. Ahn Soo Ho smirked.

“Why did you want to leave a place with such clean air and come to this dirty city?”

“Because we missed Korea.”

” You probably just want to become celebrities.”

When Lee Chul snorted, Emily and Rachel minded Ahn Soo Ho. It was clear what that meant, and it didn’t feel insulting. Connections were a skill.

“We want to become idols!”

“Hm.”

“Help us, Soo Ho.”

Ahn Soo Ho had no choice but to nod in response to their earnest gazes.

“Okay. But you still have to take a test.”

“Of course. We prepared.”

Lee Chul was just shaking his head.

“Can I take them to take a test right now?”

“Sure.”

“What about you?”

“I should get back to Jejudo. Mi Hyun must be scared by herself.”

He had a lot of curse words he wanted to say, but he kept them down. He was another submissive husband.

“Please say hi to your wife for me.”

“I will.”

After saying goodbye to Lee Chul, Ahn Soo Ho felt his phone vibrating, so he checked the caller and then answered it.

“What is it?”

“We’re in trouble!”

“What?”

What trouble?

But it really was big trouble.

– This just in! Seol Hyun is dating her CEO!

– Exclusive scoop! Seol Hyun is dating her CEO!

– Hosoo Entertainment is surrounded by all sorts of rumors! Could this be political retaliation?

It was obvious where the origin was.

Politicians never sat back and did nothing, and since they were screwed over completely, their counterattack was 99.9% expected. People were most frightening when they had nothing else to lose.

‘It’s not like I tried to stop them…but they’re trying hard.’

They refused to go down alone.

< Protect – Episode 81 – Scandal [1] > The end.

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