Chapter Text
Receivership.
They wanted to make Han Seo a puppet once more. This time, it would be even worse. He wouldn't be out there acting as chairman. They'd place the company in their hands and lock him away somewhere.
Probably somewhere with no link to the outside world and a lot of drugs to keep him docile.
These were people working on the blueprints of the old Han Seo. He would go down clawing at all of them. They might take the company, but he knew a thing or two about their precious kids. The ones he used to do drugs with, and all the married young ladies who treated aborting their affair babies like botox injections. Things he'd kept to himself because he'd had secrets too. But his secrets were exposed, his family’s dirty laundry out for all the world to see.
There was nothing holding him back.
One of the parasites came to stand beside him, clearly intending to push him, and Han Seo engaged his brakes. Mr Jin struggling for few glorious moments before quietly stepping away, face flushed.
Head held high, Han Seo wheeled himself into the boardroom.
***
He'd expected it to be bad, but the meeting was awful.
They talked about him like he wasn't there. And those that did address him spoke as though the wheelchair meant he'd regressed to a two year old. Coddling him, the very people who'd had no problem ripping him apart in public. The very same people who'd placed barriers at the lowest level of the boardroom, the only place his chair could go. Making sure he had no choice but to be up on stage so they could all watch him like a zoo animal.
He didn't give them the satisfaction of cowering, making sure to look each of them in the eye.
***
The members of the Blue Bird foundation were out a lot. Which was good since Han Seok got time to himself, and bad because once he noticed the crow, it was always there…staring. At first Han Seok had been unsure, but after weeks of staring at the creature, he was certain, it was the same bird that had eaten away at him.
One did not forget how a bird that had pecked at his chest while he was still alive looked. Naturally he had tried to kill it. Throwing rocks and whatever was available at it but it always flew away. Leaving him tired and one occasion, with a broken window he could not explain. So now, Han Seok was actively ignoring the bird, his focus on something else, research.
Wusang and Babel had continued their partnership. The old coots using it to slowly swallow Babel. Luckily for Han Seok, for a law firm Wusang was a bit of a mess. Two dead partners and one missing would do that. Though declared missing, Han Seok had never been logged out of their systems. He'd simply used his details and all the information had come to him. From the date, to the time of the receivership meeting. He'd been plotting ever since.
After all the negative press, Babel’s execs had gone the quiet route when ousting his brother. Holding a meeting for those in know during a busy work week. No doubt they’d make a small announcement in the news soon after. Something easy to miss as they focused on remaking Babel to their liking.
Fools.
Like Han Seok would ever let that happen. Having made his escape from Jang Sung Chul's house (using money stolen from Jin Eon), he was still clinging to his anger as he walked into Babel HQ.
“Sir, you can't go back there,” A woman said, the tap-tap of her heels following as she hurried to block his path.
Going around her, he continued on his way to the boardroom, not at all liking the slight wheeze in his breathing. Nor the way he was so very tired.
“Sir,” A gentle but restraining hand settled on his elbow. Two guards materialized out of nowhere, clearly ready to escort him out.
“Which one of you is going to kick me out?” He asked, finally throwing back his hood. Giving all of them his most charming smile.
It was the woman who recognized him first. Letting go as though burned and bowing deeply, not daring to raise her head.
“Chairman Jang, welcome,” She breathed, trembling visibly. At her greeting the guards tensed, taking one more look and swiftly bowing.
“Why are you all standing around? Weren't you about to escort me to the meeting?” They nearly tripped over each other in a effort to be the first to obey.
It would've been funny if Han Seok wasn't trying his best to breathe without them noticing he was desperate for it.
His mere presence making people squirm was such a thrill. As they made their way to where the backstabbing cowards were gathered, a thrill ran through him.
It was good to be back.