Even a Lonely Squirrel Has Its Burrow - Chapter 96

Chapter 96

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“This is the matter you mentioned last time.”

Receiving the documents handed over by Chief Han, Sa Muheon quickly scanned through their contents. Looking at the accompanying photographs, he saw a face that appeared much more haggard than he remembered. Back when this person was working at the company, they had looked much better. The anxious and restless expression they now wore stood out, and the person facing them in the photo was also someone familiar to Sa Muheon.

“Tsk…”

Clicking his tongue briefly, he set the documents down on the desk and looked at Chief Han.

“The information has leaked, just as you said. It was my failure for not managing it properly. I apologize.”

“It’s a bit ambiguous to place all the blame solely on you, don’t you think?”

“I’m sorry.”

Sa Muheon began to tap his fingers on the photograph. His gesture, as if asking for further explanation, prompted Chief Han, who had bowed his head, to continue speaking.

“He’s an employee under Team Leader Jang. We called him in advance to verify what was leaked, and it seems he let it slip without much thought, thinking it wouldn’t be a big deal.”

“Hm…”

Although he wore an ambiguous, unreadable expression, anyone could tell that Sa Muheon was not in a good mood. Since there were still many things left to be said that could irritate him further, Chief Han quickly continued his explanation.

“The information that actually leaked wasn’t all that significant. However, the problem is that the recipient is someone well-versed in the company’s internal affairs.”

“So, in any case, it’s true that someone on our side spoke carelessly.”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

“So, someone on our side ran their mouth, and this bastard got hold of the information…”

Sa Muheon’s finger, which had been pointing at one person in the photo, slowly moved to another. The next picture showed the same person along with someone else—another familiar face.

“This rat carried information to the cat?”

“…Yes, that’s right. It’s not yet confirmed, but given the circumstances at the time, it’s almost certain. Up until then, there had been no connection between him and Director Hong, but ever since we started monitoring him, they’ve been in constant contact.”

“Hm…”

Sa Muheon shifted his gaze to another photograph. This one captured Ryu Beomju, his secretary, and the informant rat from their side all in one frame. The secretary was handing over what appeared to be a bag of money, and the rat was clearly seen checking its contents.

Though he would need to hear it from the source himself, the current assumption was unlikely to be far from the truth. With that conclusion in mind, the next course of action became clear.

“Director Hong isn’t the type to keep a rat by his side for long.”

“Yes. We’re planning to secure him on our side within the day.”

“That would be best. I can leave it to you to figure out exactly what information was leaked and to whom?”

“I’ll make sure to get to the bottom of it.”

Chief Han bowed his head slightly. Sa Muheon, satisfied, straightened his body from where he had been leaning in his chair. He picked up the documents on the desk and flipped through them before suddenly remembering something and asking another question.

“Oh, what about the Samujin side?”

“They’ve been maintaining consistent contact with Director Hong. It appears that’s when changes began occurring in the financial flow.”

Chief Han placed another set of documents in front of Sa Muheon. After reviewing them, Sa Muheon let out a short laugh.

“They really took a lot for themselves.”

“…Given the nature of the construction business, the amount siphoned off from the back end is greater than one might expect. Since the overall sum is so large, small amounts being embezzled at a time didn’t stand out much.”

“But even small amounts add up to a substantial sum. Seems like they have a firm grip on the internal workings.”

“Yes. Only President Yoo and a select few closest to him are aware that Director Hong is a suin. Those who know the truth are wary of him, while those who don’t seem to instinctively feel that something about him isn’t quite normal.”

At those words, Sa Muheon silently nodded. No matter how much one called him a mere housecat, a tiger was still a tiger. Even if he lay prostrate under President Yang, it didn’t change his true nature.

President Yang had long feared Ryu Beomju and had constantly sought ways to subdue him. Ryu Beomju, needing something from him, had obediently played the role of a submissive dog, carrying out whatever tasks were assigned. Yang likely believed he had successfully tamed the tiger according to his own design.

But in Sa Muheon’s eyes, that was an incredibly foolish and dangerous assumption. A mere human trying to tame a tiger—what nonsense. Yang was completely oblivious to the fact that the tiger was watching for the perfect moment to strike.

“Still, for now, we need to work together…”

Sa Muheon muttered in a low voice. Chief Han remained standing at the desk, pretending not to have heard, awaiting his next command.

“What do you think, Chief Han?”

Though Sa Muheon didn’t specify what he was referring to, Chief Han understood his intent immediately. He paused in thought, but his hesitation was brief.

“There are multiple ways to pressure Director Hong, but given our current options, the fastest and most effective approach is clear.”

“Hmm.”

“As you mentioned, the surest path for now is to align with President Yoo. Lately, President Yoo has been treating Director Hong more harshly.”

“Oh, really?”

He asked back as if he had no idea, but he already knew the truth. Of course he did—he had even witnessed President Yoo slap Ryu Beomju across the face. If he had failed to notice anything despite seeing that, he wouldn’t deserve to be in this position. Just thinking about that moment made his irritation surge. He himself hadn’t so much as blinked at the sight, but he could still vividly recall Garam’s reaction at the time.

“…I don’t like it.”

“Then I’ll look for another method.”

It was a small mutter, but Chief Han immediately responded by saying he would find another way. Even though he himself had said that working with President Yoo was the easiest and fastest approach, he acted as if he would truly come up with an alternative just because Sa Muheon didn’t like it.

“That’s not necessary. I just have one last question.”

“Yes.”

“In your opinion… if President Yoo finds out about this, do you think he’ll definitely get rid of Director Hong?”

This time, the answer came back without a moment’s hesitation.

“No one would let a beast that bites its master go unpunished. And if that master is President Yoo, there’s no need to even ask.”

It was a satisfactory answer. Sa Muheon leaned back into his chair and spoke again.

“Get in touch with President Yoo for me.”

“What should I tell him?”

“Hm…”

Receiving the question, Sa Muheon seemed to ponder something before smiling. At first glance, it was a beautiful smile, but underneath it lay a dangerous venom.

“Tell him we absolutely have to meet today. Whether he comes or not is up to him, but if he doesn’t, he’ll regret it deeply.”

“Understood.”

Chief Han bowed his head and then left the office. Not long after, Sa Muheon’s phone began to vibrate. Checking the name on the screen, a bright smile spread across his face. Unlike the smile from earlier, this one held nothing but pure joy.

“Yes, baby.”

There was silence on the other end for a moment. Even without seeing, he could clearly picture the other person blushing bright red. They never outright rejected the affection he showered upon them, yet they always seemed a little flustered by it, so it was only natural that they wouldn’t know how to respond to this kind of love. And Sa Muheon found immense satisfaction in the fact that he was the first to see them react this way.

The words that followed were more than enough to melt away all of Sa Muheon’s earlier irritation. Just how much had they been thinking with that small head of theirs? Considering that the call had only come in well past lunchtime, they must have spent the entire morning with thoughts of him filling their mind.

What conclusion had they reached? Judging by the way they seemed to have something to say, he had a rough idea, but it was still too early to jump to conclusions. In any case, Sa Muheon wanted to give this little squirrel a bit more time.

He had no intention of letting them go. However, rather than cornering them into giving him the answer he wanted, he preferred that Garam choose him of their own accord. Even if that meant eliminating all other options to ensure it.

Last night’s events had already made it clear where their heart lay, to some extent. But they probably still didn’t have complete certainty. Sa Muheon wanted to instill that certainty in them—the absolute conviction that the one who would love them the most, the one who would cherish them the most, was none other than him.

“Then how about coming with me somewhere tomorrow?”

Looking at the calendar on his desk, Sa Muheon brought it up. Garam seemed to have no clue what was significant about tomorrow. Given how chaotic things had been lately, it was understandable.

“Don’t skip meals just because you don’t have an appetite. Make sure to eat dinner properly—I’ll be checking with Seokgyu.”

“…Okay.”

They sounded a little reluctant, but Sa Muheon was certain their face was still flushed red.

“Alright. See you later.”

Ending the call, Sa Muheon wore the unmistakable expression of a man deeply in love.