Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 961: Long Ways to find the Older Sister (2)

Victoria stared at me in shock when I asked her to pretend to be a corrupt American looking to adopt children overseas.

"So you want me to act like I'm buying a kid?" asked Victoria.

I nodded. "Yeah. You're good at acting, aren't you? So just pretend to be some filthy rich American shopping for children."

When I went to the hotel to catch Victoria, she stepped out of the room and acted so naturally that I wouldn't have recognized her if not for her nails. She was bold, too. She even tried to strike first with a stun gun while talking to me. That made her the perfect person for this job. Most importantly, she was a foreigner.

Then Victoria fell silent for quite a while before asking, "What happens to the kids at this orphanage after you lure the director out and get rid of her?"

Now I understood why she hesitated for so long. She had been worried about the children who would be left behind after the directors disappeared.

'She's a lot kinder than I expected.'

"Don't worry. We're moving all of them to Angel Orphanage."

Only then did Victoria brighten up. "Then okay! But I have conditions."

'Conditions? That's plural, not singular.'

I said, "Go ahead. I'll agree to all of them."

Victoria's eyes sparkled. "First of all, I don't think I should go in there alone no matter what."

"Then?"

Victoria glanced to the side. "I'll bring Doo-Oh in as my husband. If I show up alone as a woman trying to adopt a child, they'll get suspicious."

Lee Doo-Oh's eyes widened. "Noona, why me? You can just take Mr. Jung with you."

"Doo-Oh, Mr. Jung is famous. If I walk in pretending to be married to someone whose face is already known, what do you think people will say? Does that even make sense?"

"Still..."

"And finding Mrs. Lee Ji-Yeon's older sister's photo is important too, but we also need to catch those monsters pretending to be human! That's how we'll save the kids in that orphanage too."

There were currently around fifty children registered at Hansomang Orphanage, and Victoria was insisting that all of them had to be rescued as well.

Victoria looked at me and said, "And I'll take care of those kids too."

"What?"

"I've got a lot of money."

"How much could you possibly have..."

"Whatever amount you're imagining, it's more than that."

Victoria said she made money while living as Ghost and defending HK Inc.'s stock price. Since she had done that for around five years, I figured she must have about ten billion won saved up. However, she said it was more than that.

"Twenty billion?" I asked.

Victoria shook her head. "Wrong unit."

"What... did you just say? Then how much do you have?"

Victoria answered hesitantly, "A hundred billion won."

"What kind of nonsense is that..."

"You caught me when I was operating as Ghost, remember? So HK Inc.'s slush fund that was supposed to be used for manipulating Hoop Entertainment's stock price ended up entirely in my hands. I was wondering what to do with it, but I might as well use it for something good."

Even with a hundred billion won in her possession, she wanted to spend it on children instead of herself. Victoria suddenly seemed even kinder to me.

"Although, I don't have any cash on hand right now, so you'll have to help me out for the moment, Mr. Jung."

"That's nothing."

"Oh, and there's something else we'll need for the infiltration."

"Just say the word. If you need something, I'll buy all of it for you!"

Victoria grinned and stated her condition. "My second condition is..."

The moment Victoria revealed it, I realized I had made a mistake.

***

The entrance to Hansomang Orphanage, perched on top of a hill, slowly came into view. The orphanage was surrounded by tall walls, and at the entrance stood a massive iron gate alongside a guard post.

I spoke to the two people sitting in the back seat. "We're almost there. Get ready."

In the back seat, Victoria sat with her legs crossed, dressed head to toe in L.M.L Black Label designer wear and carrying a luxury handbag. Beside her sat Lee Doo-Oh in a perfectly tailored luxury suit.

Victoria's second demand had been that we dress like an IT tycoon couple from America, decked out entirely in luxury brands from head to toe. As a result, Victoria was currently wearing around thirty million won worth of designer clothes and handbags combined. Lee Doo-Oh was wearing a suit worth around ten million won.

At that moment, Victoria crossed her legs the other way and spoke with a haughty expression. "Hey, Mr. Jung~ could you drive a little slower? I think I'm getting carsick. Is that seriously the best driving you can manage?"

The speedometer in my car was pointing at 30 km/h.

I looked at her with a dumbfounded expression. "What exactly are you doing?"

Victoria arrogantly lifted her chin. "I'm practicing acting like an ignorant, stupid, greedy trophy wife of an American IT tycoon."

'She's watched a lot of dramas. Bizarre dramas, at that.'

Still, it wasn't bad. If she was going to play a corrupt American bastard buying people, she needed to act at least that obnoxious.

Victoria then started giving instructions to Lee Doo-Oh as well. "Doo-Oh, call me Honey. I'll call you Darling. Got it?"

Lee Doo-Oh visibly shuddered in disgust as he answered, "Got... it."

"Hey. Aren't you looking a little too stiff and serious? If we're going to save those kids, you need to get used to it. And starting now, you're the CEO of a famous security software company based in LA. Got it?"

"Yeah, Honey."

"Good. Very good." Victoria nodded before continuing her instructions. "And Doo-Oh, just keep looking arrogrant and nodding beside me. People trying to buy children with money aren't exactly going to be polite."

"I have to act too?"

"Yeah. We've gotta save the kids, you know."

"Fine. I'll do it."

Even Lee Doo-Oh, who had been reluctant at first, was now taking things fairly seriously at the thought of rescuing the children.

Screech.

After parking the car in front of Hansomang Orphanage's gate, I added a little more detail to Victoria's setup. "I'm introducing you two as investors in Hoop Entertainment, so keep that in mind."

Victoria asked with a worried look, "We're really going in without the Daeheung Security guys?"

"Relax. I'll make sure neither of you gets hurt."

At that moment, Lee Doo-Oh spoke to Victoria. "Noona, don't worry. If Yoon-Ho hyung is there, even a whole truckload of bastards wouldn't be able to beat him."

Back when Lee Doo-Oh worked as a programmer for Ticket King, he had personally witnessed me taking down the gangsters who had held him hostage.

"I know perfectly well that he beat an Asian Games gold medalist. I'm just saying we should still be careful. Anyway, okay," said Victoria.

After reassuring Victoria not to worry, I pulled the car up in front of the guard post at the entrance.

The security guard in his fifties sitting inside the guard post looked at me with a bored expression. "What brings you here?"

"These are the Ryans, a couple who run an IT company in America. They've come because they want to adopt Korean children."

"One moment. I'll call the director."

The guard spoke through the intercom connected to the inside before opening the gate.

"You may go in."

Buzz.

The massive gate slowly opened.

As I drove the car forward, I spoke to Victoria. "I'm counting on you, Victoria."

"Don't worry. I'm about to expose everything those sons of bitches are hiding."

Somehow, seeing Victoria's confident face reflected in the rearview mirror reassured me.

***

In the director's office of Hansomang Orphanage, Director Choi Yi-Jin, forty-three years old this year, welcomed our group.

"Oh my. Welcome."

The moment she saw Victoria and Lee Doo-Oh wrapped in luxury brands, she couldn't hide her delight. She was obviously imagining the huge amount of money she'd receive if the adoption went through.

Still, perhaps because my face was already well known, she looked at me cautiously as she spoke. "I never imagined the famous Chief Jung Yoon-Ho would personally come all the way to a place like this."

It seemed having me there alongside the Ryan couple, who supposedly wanted an overseas adoption, was making her uneasy. However, I had been waiting for that.

I smoothly launched into the prepared scenario. "President Ryan here is a Korean-American businessman who operates major businesses between Seoul and LA. As you can see, he's ethnically Korean, so he wanted to adopt a child from Korea who shares the same bloodline. I've been helping him with the process. However, we were worried there might be strange rumors if the adoption happened in Seoul, so I brought them here instead. Since you are also someone who runs an organization, I'm sure you understand how important reputation is, right?"

I deliberately flattered Choi Yi-Jin as I spoke. Perhaps because someone as publicly recognized as me was praising her, a faintly pleased look crossed her face.

"I'm sorry for doubting you. The world has become such a dangerous place these days that even we, who arrange adoptions with good intentions, run into many difficult situations."

'Hah. Good intentions? Only for themselves, because they'd be making a fortune in dirty money.'

Suppressing the rage boiling inside me, I asked, "Anyway, they want to adopt two children. Would that be possible?"

"Of course. Although we don't have any newborns. The youngest children here are three-year-old fraternal twin sisters."

"Real sisters would actually be even better. The age range is perfect too. Though... would it be possible to see the other children as well? If they really like them, they might adopt one or two more."

Like anyone coming to shop for an adoption, I said I wanted to see as many children as possible. Finding evidence of the illegal activities involving Choi Yi-Jin and Former Director Han Myung-Sung was important, but I also needed to confirm how many children were actually in this orphanage.

But after catching the scent of money, Choi Yi-Jin subtly changed the subject. "The children could get hurt if they raise their hopes for no reason, so I can't just let you meet them carelessly."

It was just as expected. I knew she would react like this, so I immediately pulled out the magical item that always worked on greedy people.

Thunk.

A white envelope landed on the table. It was positioned so ten 1 million won checks were clearly visible through the open flap.

"Let's make this easy, shall we?"

"Hmm..."

"And this is only a small greeting gift from my client. If the adoption goes through, they'll donate an amount so large it'll make your eyes roll back," I spoke coldly, like someone shopping for children as though they were merchandise.

At that, Choi Yi-Jin hesitated with greed-filled eyes before eventually slipping the envelope containing ten million won into her arms. "Ahem. Then please wait just a moment. If you're in a hurry, the former director is actually someone who handles these matters without making mistakes. Would it be alright if I brought him here instead?"

That was exactly what I wanted.

"It doesn't matter."

Choi Yi-Jin smiled as she quickly picked up the phone.

"Yes, this is Director Choi. Could you come help for a moment? As quickly as possible. A couple looking to adopt just arrived. Yes. Yes."

The corners of Choi Yi-Jin's lips slowly curled upward as she spoke on the phone. She was completely unaware that her greed was about to consume her whole.

***

Slide.

Han Myung-Sung, now seventy years old, entered the office. With his toad-like face and perfectly straight posture, he strode in with large confident steps. The moment I saw how healthy he looked, I couldn't help feeling relieved.

'Good. Glad you're healthy, you bastard.'

When criminals were elderly or in poor health, courts often refused to detain them even after they had committed crimes. It was because if they ordered detention and the person died in prison, it could become a major issue. However, seeing him this healthy meant he could properly pay for the crimes he committed.

I clenched my teeth and forced myself to keep a calm expression as I silently thanked fate for letting me meet the man who had tried to sell Writer Lee Ji-Yeon's older sister overseas.

Han Myung-Sung sat down and looked us up and down first to gauge our wealth. The moment he confirmed we were dressed in luxurious designer brands, a smile spread across his face.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Honestly, this doesn't seem like a matter I should involve myself in, but for the sake of the children, I'll step in and help." After delivering that hypocritical line, he looked toward Choi Yi-Jin. "Director Choi. Have you shown them the children for adoption yet?"

Choi Yi-Jin shooker her head. "Not yet. I told them about the three-year-old fraternal twin sisters, Jung Yul-Hee and Jung Seol-Hee, and they're satisfied with them, but they said they'd like to see the other children too. Apparently they might adopt one or two more."

"What a generous couple. Then you should've immediately brought the resident roster for them to see. What are you standing around for?"

"Haha, you're right. Then I'll head to the records room for a moment."

Even though there was a computer in the director's office, they were separately managing a physical roster of the children. If that was the case, then there was a high chance that older records were also stored in this so-called records room.

Slide.

As Choi Yi-Jin stepped out of the office, Han Myung-Sung spoke to me as well. "Mr. Jung. Matters like this are usually discussed only between the parties involved. Would you mind stepping out for a bit?"

"Of course. I'll wait outside then."

I nodded willingly, signaled Victoria to do well, and stepped out of the office.

Slide.

After closing the door behind me, I quietly followed Choi Yi-Jin so I could learn where the records room was located.

***

The moment Jung Yoon-Ho left, Han Myung-Sung grinned and started speaking in clumsy English. "I am Mr. Han. Eh. Nice to meet you. Uh, I'm fine, thank you and youuu?"

Victoria crossed her legs and snickered before replying in equally awkward Korean. "Me speak Korean very good. Just speak Korean."

"Oh. Really? Alright then. But you see, adoption is a very delicate process. There are many documents to prepare, it takes time, and there are evaluations of the parents as well..."

Victoria suddenly raised her voice in irritation. "We American people. Hate complicated things. Just do quick quick. How much money? Hurry hurry!"

"Hahaha. My, my. You're even more impatient than Koreans."

Han Myung-Sung laughed awkwardly as he probed them cautiously. No matter how profitable this business was, safety still mattered in operations like these.

"Still, you both look like you're in your twenties, and the fact that you're rushing things without even seeing the children first makes me uneasy. There are also many people who regret adopting afterward. Children aren't objects you can simply return..."

That was when Victoria put on an obnoxious expression and spoke down to him. "Hey you. No want make money? Hate money?"

"Pardon?"

"Kids gonna be raised by nanny anyway, so just give any kid. And I gotta go party tonight~ Need go department store and shopping~ So let's do with money, money. Three hundred million won. Per kid! Deal?"

Even while talking about adoption, Victoria focused entirely on money. She perfectly embodied the image of a disgusting human being.

At that moment, greed began to flicker in Han Myung-Sung's eyes. Because if the other party was this easy to "talk to," he could raise the price as much as he wanted.

"Ahem. I am not some merchant who buys and sells children! What exactly do you take me for?"

When Han Myung-Sung tried to refuse, Victoria snorted. "No no. You businessman. Definitely merchant. I can see everything. Okay. Too cheap, right? Five hundred million. Per kid. But no more negotiation. Got it?"

Han Myung-Sung's hands began to tremble. Five hundred million won per child meant one billion won for two children. And if they adopted two more on top of that, it would become a staggering two billion won. However, greed always blinded people.

"Do you have any idea how much money we've spent raising these children all this time? To hand them over for only that amount is a little..."

Just as Victoria was about to speak again, Lee Doo-Oh, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke with a disgusted expression. "Hey, old man. Know when to stop."

"What?"

"We're only adopting Korean kids because we need records showing we adopted Korean children so it helps us do business in Korea. We came here because we heard your side keeps quiet and everything is tied up neatly, but now I'm not sure I can trust you. Forget it. It's not like this is the only orphanage around."

Acting completely unlike his usual self, Lee Doo-Oh stood up and glared at him with icy eyes.

Victoria looked impressed before quickly standing up as well. "You're right. Let's go, Darling."

"Let's go, Honey."

With her arm linked around Lee Doo-Oh's, Victoria started walking toward the office door.

Startled, Han Myung-Sung hurriedly rose to stop them. "Oh no! Please, please wait! That's not what I meant. I was only saying we'd need to grease the palms of some welfare workers and people involved. Five hundred million per child is fine. We'll do it that way. But if you want things processed quickly, we'll need to pay off welfare officers, government officials, and the police. You'll need to cover those costs too."

Lee Doo-Oh widened his eyes. "Welfare officers and police are involved too?"

Han Myung-Sung rubbed his hands together with a servile grin. "Of course. To move things along quickly, there are always plenty of people who need to be bribed."

Victoria grinned and reached into her handbag before pulling out a phone that had been recording the entire conversation. "I got everything recorded, you shameless human trafficker bastard!"

Then Victoria shouted loudly toward the hallway outside the office. "Mr. Jung! We're good!"

At that moment, hurried footsteps thundered from outside the office.

Startled, Han Myung-Sung quickly reached out. "What the hell is this? Hand over that phone right now!"

Victoria flinched and stepped backward. Han Myung-Sung lunged toward her again, trying to snatch away the phone in her hand. However, his hand never reached Victoria because Lee Doo-Oh had already pulled a stun gun from his pocket and jammed it into Han Myung-Sung's side.

Sparkle!

"Guaaaarghhh...!"

Han Myung-Sung's scream echoed throughout the office.

Thud.

He lost consciousness and collapsed onto the sofa. And at that exact moment, the office door swung open.

Slide.

Standing there was Jung Yoon-Ho, staring blankly as though saying, 'This time it was you, Doo-Oh?'

***

Just as I was about to follow Choi Yi-Jin downstairs, I heard Victoria calling for me from the director's office. I sprinted there in an instant and violently threw open the office door. Han Myung-Sung was sprawled limply across the sofa with his eyes half rolled back. I thought Victoria had used the stun gun, but it had actually been Lee Doo-Oh.

"Doo-Oh. Is he alive?" I asked.

Lee Doo-Oh nodded. "Yeah. He's alive."

"Good. Then that's fine."

At that moment, Lee Doo-Oh looked toward Victoria. "You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm okay," answered Victoria.

Saying he never wanted to use it again, Lee Doo-Oh handed the stun gun back.

Victoria took it and snickered. "You're not supposed to keep holding the button down like that. The proper way to use it is—"

"No, it's fine. I'm never using it again, so I don't need to know."

Victoria was just about to explain again when Choi Yi-Jin's voice rang through the hallway after coming up from the basement.

"Huh? Wasn't that Mr. Han's voice?"

'Right. There's still one accomplice left.'

Without hesitation, I immediately launched into the ultimate lie to lure Choi Yi-Jin over from the end of the hallway.

"Mr. Han collapsed after hearing how much the Ryan couple planned to donate! You need to come quickly!"

"Oh my. Really?"

Clutching a thick file binder in her arms, Choi Yi-Jin hurried toward us with what looked almost like excitement on her face. She was completely unaware she was walking straight into a trap.