Impossible Romance - Chapter 78

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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78.

“Why do you have to call me for every little thing? I told you to handle what you can on your own.”
Kwon Seok-ha flipped through documents in the temporary office set up beside the Community Hall, his tone dripping with annoyance. Sunglasses rested on the table as he reviewed the papers, his expression broadcasting his irritation.
“I handle most matters, but I thought this one required your direct attention, sir.”
Hwang Manager stood beside him, waiting for his signature.
After reviewing the documents, Kwon Seok-ha signed and handed them back to Hwang Manager.
“That’s it?”
“By the way, sir, when are you heading back to Seoul? You’re not planning to stay here indefinitely, are you?”
Hwang Manager asked carefully, concern etched across his face. Of course, with the major project completed, taking a vacation was reasonable. But Kwon Seok-ha had never stayed away from the Company this long before.
“I’m thinking of staying here permanently.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean by that!”
“Our energy business is just getting started.”
“Don’t joke around.”
“Ha, I should head up. With Jun-hee.”
Kwon Seok-ha touched his chin, thinking of Jun-hee. Even when I see her, I always want to see her more—a smile naturally bloomed at the thought. Then suddenly, goosebumps prickled across the back of my neck. An unpleasant chill ran through me.
“Ahn Jun-hee seems to be doing better here than she was in the City.”
Hwang Manager had confirmed her presence on the island not long ago. However, since Kwon Seok-ha had instructed him not to go near the Bookstore, he’d been staying at lodgings near the Dock.
“She’ll be even better off with me.”
Kwon Seok-ha’s face turned arrogant, one corner of his mouth curling upward smugly.
“But this island seems to have quite a few tourists. A dark sedan was loaded onto the ferry just a few hours ago. Once word spreads that Seonjin is developing this place, there will probably be more of that, won’t there?”
At Hwang Manager’s words, Kwon Seok-ha’s eyes flashed sharply.
“A sedan?”
Kwon Seok-ha’s brow furrowed. I didn’t trust hunches without basis, but that strange chill from moments ago nagged at me. After all, it didn’t seem like Ahn Jun-young would give up on Jun-hee, who was his source of funds. Even without concrete evidence, it was right to verify with my own eyes in situations like this.
“Yes, now that I think about it, the atmosphere seemed a bit different from typical tourists. Where are you going?”
Before Hwang Manager could finish speaking, Kwon Seok-ha stood up and rushed out of the office.
“To Jun-hee. I need to see her.”
His expression turned serious as he bolted outside.
“Wait, you were just with her a moment ago.”
Hwang Manager tilted his head in confusion before following him out.

***

“Let go of me!”
Jun-hee cried out loudly as Park Dong-gil dragged her forward, her hair gripped tightly in his fist. She desperately hoped someone might see her and come to her aid.
But the Island Village, already quiet by nature, was especially deserted at this hour after sunset. People were either at the dock or heading home to prepare dinner. Even Grandmother Kim’s hearing, dulled by age, couldn’t catch Jun-hee’s screams—they were swallowed by the sound of the waves.
“Damn it, listen here—your family’s waiting. Your brother’s been dying to see you.”
Park Dong-gil spat curses as he dragged Jun-hee forward, his grip brutally strong. She dug her feet into the ground, straining against him, but it was useless.
“Let me go! Release me!”
Jun-hee extended her leg and kicked Park Dong-gil’s shin with a sharp crack.
Caught off guard by the unexpected blow, Park Dong-gil yelped and released her. Jun-hee immediately tried to flee, but two thugs standing nearby grabbed her again.
“Ahhh!”
Seized by the iron grip of one of the thugs, she could only scream, unable to move an inch.
“Pretty face like that, you better stop being difficult, or we’ll sell you off somewhere.”
“Shut up and come with us!”
Two men who looked thoroughly disreputable took turns taunting her. One had a dragon tattoo and a scar running across his face; the other was massive with a vicious expression.
Still, Jun-hee couldn’t submit quietly.
“I’ll report you to the police!”
“Go ahead and try. Besides, the police box in this neighborhood is pretty quiet anyway—how long do you think it’ll take them to get here?”
Park Dong-gil, irritated from taking a kick to the leg, pulled a jackknife from his pocket and flicked the blade open. It was meant as a threat rather than an actual weapon.
The moment Jun-hee saw the knife, she was so startled that her legs nearly gave out beneath her. She’d known her brother Ahn Jun-young had connections with delinquents, but she never imagined it would come to this.
“You’d better get in the car quietly. Unless you want your face slashed.”
Park Dong-gil threatened while glancing at a sedan parked nearby. It was a signal to his subordinates to put Jun-hee in the vehicle. She thrashed and writhed, but with two large men holding her down, she couldn’t break free.
Her heart pounded violently, and she couldn’t breathe. A terrible premonition seized her—that something awful was about to happen. That she might never see Kwon Seok-ha again.
She’d come all this way to escape her family, only to be forced into a dark sedan and dragged to some unknown place. Tears streamed down her face.
Why was life so exhausting? Why was existence so painful?
Was she being punished for those sweet moments she’d shared with Kwon Seok-ha?
Jun-hee’s chest ached so deeply with sorrow and anguish that it felt as though it might split open.
That was when it happened.
“How dare you!”
A thunderous voice rang out, followed by the sharp crack of long legs striking flesh.
“Ugh! Ahhhhh!”
The thug holding Jun-hee released her with a cry of pain from the powerful blow.
As Jun-hee lifted her head, she saw Kwon Seok-ha standing before her, his face burning with rage. Behind him, the sea bathed in the sunset’s glow rippled like blood, a deep crimson.
Kwon Seok-ha had been skilled with his fists since childhood. After graduation and entering society, he’d largely restrained that side of himself, but when it came to Jun-hee, everything changed.
Seeing her—someone he treasured and cherished—being forcibly dragged away sent something primal surging through him. He extended his leg again with devastating force, driving the thug to the ground.
Despite his size, the thug crumpled helplessly before Kwon Seok-ha’s trained physique. Kwon Seok-ha mounted him and rained down punches on his face without mercy.
“Ugh, I-I’m sorry! Ahhhhh!”
Pinned beneath Kwon Seok-ha’s overwhelming strength, the thug could only take the beating and beg for mercy. His eye sockets split and his nose shattered under the relentless assault. The other thug had already begun backing away, scrambling to escape.
“Executive Director, this is dangerous! Please get away!”
Jun-hee felt grateful that Kwon Seok-ha had rushed to her aid, yet also deeply sorry. It seemed she was always causing him trouble, and the guilt weighed heavily on her heart as she shifted nervously from foot to foot.
“What the hell is this?”
Park Dong-gil roared at the sight before him. One thug had fled, another was sprawled on the ground writhing in pain. Seeing this, he clenched his fist, and without knowing who this man was who’d suddenly appeared to interfere, he simply acted on his rage—charging forward with the knife still in hand.
“No! A knife! Executive Director, watch out!”
Jun-hee spotted the blade in Park Dong-gil’s hand and rushed forward to stop him. But Park Dong-gil, who had lived a reckless life, was naturally quick on his feet.
In his excitement, Park Dong-gil raised the knife and drove it deep into Kwon Seok-ha’s back without warning—a cowardly, vicious move.
“Ugh.”
Kwon Seok-ha, struck in the lower back, contorted his face and let out a groan of pain.
“No! Seok-ha! No, please!”
Jun-hee rushed after him, pounding Park Dong-gil’s back while embracing Kwon Seok-ha. As she saw the vivid crimson blood staining the shirt he wore, Park Dong-gil pushed himself upright.
Thinking this should have frightened him enough, he glared at his subordinate cowering in the corner.
“Hey, you bastard, get over here and grab that woman.”
Yet despite the knife wound, Kwon Seok-ha pulled Jun-hee close and held her firmly in his embrace. His eyes were streaked with blood, burning red. He pressed one hand against the wound while refusing to release Jun-hee with the other.
It was not Kwon Seok-ha who was frightened—it was Park Dong-gil’s subordinate. Terrified by the menacing gleam in Kwon Seok-ha’s eyes as he shielded Jun-hee, the man could barely muster any strength.
“We need to get you to the hospital. Let me take you there. Just hold on until then.”
Jun-hee spoke through tears, trembling at Kwon Seok-ha’s side.
“That bastard’s a monster. You, what are you doing? Drag that woman to the car and load her up!”
Park Dong-gil snapped in irritation and headed toward the vehicle. He planned to leave his fallen subordinate behind and take only Jun-hee. All he could think of was Ahn Jun-young’s promise—that bringing Jun-hee would earn him a substantial sum. He was not a man who gave loyalty or honor a second thought when money was on the line.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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