Chapter 134 (1/2)
Joseph’s expression didn’t change as he casually threatened her. He was currently a paparazzi. It might be due to money but he often threatened people with incriminating photos and extorted money. He was more proficient in intimidation than he thought and drove the current situation to the limit.
“W-What is this? Did you kidnap Kis? Don’t lie to me! He isn’t an easy guy to get caught!”
Her face was red. For some reason, she didn’t believe it. However, based on her shaking legs, she seemed to have experienced a lot of shock.
“It isn’t a lie.”
Yes, it wasn’t a lie. Partially...
“L-Liar! Is there any evidence?”
Joseph pulled out a few photos. It was clearly a photo of Kis’ face. He had white bandages all over his body. It was unexpected that this photo could be used like this.
‘I took a photo because the old man suddenly asked me. I didn’t expect it to be used like this.’
Helena was handed the photo and her legs shook once more.
“T-This...!”
Joseph told her the words he previously thought about, “I am telling you the truth. We currently have your lover, Kis.”
“How can I believe you? It is just bandages. Of course, Kis’ face can’t be seen clearly but... I can’t believe all of your words.”
She was a smart woman. This was exactly what he had heard from Kis. By the way, this information was found through torture. It was known as the tickling torture. Of course, the one who did the torture wasn’t him but the old man.
“Hey, how do you think I knew your name?”
“Y-You must’ve heard from somewhere since I’m Aidan’s wife!”
“Then think about how I showed up here.”
“T-That...”
“We tortured Kis and found the location.”
“Y-You tortured him?”
Helena’s face was full of shock. Joseph sighed and continued his acting.
“Since you don’t believe it, I can only show you this.”
In fact, he didn’t want to use this method. Maybe it was a bit cruel to her. Joseph pulled out a few other photos. This time, it was the appearance of Kis bleeding. This was manipulated through Photo Synthesis, one of his skills. The photo was full of hideous torture tools and a bleeding Kis was staring into the air with empty eyes.
‘It is the last stage of the intimidation: Submit the evidence.’
There were many stages to his usual method of intimidation. The first was ‘promoting fear.’ The first time he met her, he instilled fear using his identity as a kidnapper. The second was the ‘weakness attack.’ It was easy because he knew her weakness was ‘Kis.’ However, if this didn’t work then he would have to use the finishing touch.
Joseph handed her the composite photo. “My boss told me to convey this to you.”
Helena’s hands trembled after seeing the photo.
“Give me money or I will separate his flesh from his bones.”
The woman in front of him eventually collapsed. Joseph shrugged. “Was I too much?”
The night full of intimidation deepened.
* * *
The next morning.
Today was Sunday. It was the day when I promised to go hiking with my first son and the kitchen was busy early in the morning. My daughter-in-law also decided to go so she was busy preparing lunch boxes.
”I'm sorry, Father. You are being delayed because of me...”
“It’s okay, slow down. There is still a lot of time left.”
“Phew. I’ll finish quickly.”
My daughter-in-law’s hands became faster. I told her I would help but she said she wanted to do it on her own. Thus, I had no chance to get involved. Just then, the sound of the door opening was heard.
“No, this color...”
Kanghyun grumbled that he didn’t like the color of his hiking suit because it looked like women’s clothing. I could understand this part because I thought the same. The pink hiking suit clung to his belly. I pinched his sagging belly and nagged him, “You should lose some weight.”
“I don’t have time for that.”
“Tsk. Aren’t you a private otolaryngologist? Shouldn’t you close your practice when you want to close it and open it when you want to open it? If it was me, I would spare some time for exercise.”
Kanghyun smacked his lips together like he was embarrassed. Then my daughter-in-law’s loud voice was heard from behind me, “Right? As expected, I can only rely on Father. Honey, I told you to lose some weight.”
“That’s why I’m going to work out now. I heard I will be very tired after hiking so I won’t exercise for the time being.”
“......”
Kanghyun sat on the couch with a cough.
The lunch box was completed and my daughter-in-law took off her apron.
* * *
We headed to Bukhan Mountain National Park where we always went. It was closest to home but in fact, there were no mountains in Seoul higher than this. It was winter so a chilly wind was blowing. As I got out of my car, I saw a familiar face in the distance.
“Eh? Isn’t that Seohui?” Kanghyun exclaimed with a surprised expression from behind me. My daughter-in-law's eyes widened as well.
“Oh my, really? Your younger brother takes her hiking as well?”
“Well, Jeonghyun can’t help it. There is no one to look after her.”
“Indeed, that’s true. I hadn’t thought about that.”
The couple exchanged words. Meanwhile, my smile was wide enough to reach my ears. My second grandchild, who I would never get sick of seeing, was running over.
“Grandpaaa~!”
A warm touch was felt on my knees. Seohui was wearing warm clothes all over her body. The white fur gloves looked adorable. I lifted Seohui and laughed. “Gosh~ Our Seohui has grown a lot. Hahahaha!”
My sense of fatigue disappeared when I saw my smiling granddaughter. Seohui was smart and followed me well, so I really liked her. Jeonghyun’s voice was heard in front of me, “It has been a while, Father.”
“Yes, how are you these days?”
“I’ve been well. By the way, who picked your hiking outfits? Why are you all pink?”
“Mido picked it.”
“Aha.”
He quickly accepted it. Well, Mido’s love of pink was well known. I asked him a question, “Why did you bring Seohui here? Isn’t it hard to climb?”