~[chapter 3] Addictive~
The jet landed in Seoul just after sunrise.
Alex sat still as the engines slowed. Guards moved first, clearing the path for him. He followed them without a word and got into the car waiting outside. The door closed, shutting out the noise of the airport. The city was already awake.
Cars filled the roads. Large screens flashed on tall buildings showing advertisements. People moved quickly, like they always did here. Everything felt sharp. Busy. Chaotic
They drove in silence.
Just as they turned to the main city, Alex noticed a crowd had gathered in front of one of the company buildings. It had his family's name on it.
He sat up straight and lowered the glass just enough to see and hear better.. Barricades blocked the entrance. Security guards stood in rows, keeping people back. Protesters shouted and waved signs in the air. Some cried openly. Others held bottles, papers, or pictures.
YOUR MEDICINES ARE KILLING US.
STOP PRODUCTION NOW
INVESTIGATE THE TRUTH NOW
A woman screamed until her voice broke. A man hit the barricade with his fist. Cameras pointed in every direction.
The car did not stop.
It passed by smoothly, like nothing was happening.
Alex kept watching until the building disappeared behind them.
"What's happening?" he asked.
The driver paused before answering.
"There have been protests for a while now, sir," he said carefully. "They're about one of the company's drugs."
"What about it?"
"They say it contains addictive substances,"
the driver replied.
"They claim people have died from it.
Alex leaned back in his seat.
"And the company?"
"They deny it," the driver said. "They say the claims are false."
Alex said nothing.
"They also believe someone leaked information to the media," the driver added.
The car turned a corner, and the noise was gone.
They arrived at the estate not long after.
The gates opened right away. Guards stood at attention. Servants lined up at the door, heads lowered.
"Welcome home, young master," they said together.
Alex walked past them.
Inside, the house was quiet. Clean. Cold. Nothing had changed.
A servant showed him to his room. He showered, ate breakfast and went to bed.
Alex was deep asleep when he heard it.
A sound. Low. Painful.
He shut his eyes open.
Another sound followed. Someone breathing hard. Someone crying.
He looked at the clock, it was half past 11 PM. He stood up, followed the sound and stopped in front of a closed door.
It was slightly opened. He walked closer and opened the door
The room was dim. A single light hung above.
A man knelt on the floor. His hands were tied behind his back. His face was bruised and swollen. Blood ran from his mouth.
Some pair of eyes turned to look at him, among them was his father's.
________
The next morning came too quickly.
Alex hadn't slept. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the man on the floor. Heard the sounds. Smelled the blood mixed with expensive cologne.
His father's cologne.
He showered until the water ran cold on his skin, trying to wash away the fatigue. It didn't work.
When he finally came out of his room, dressed in an Italian costume tailored suit, the house was already awake. Servants moved silently through the halls. Guards stood at their posts. Everything was pristine. perfect. Like yesterday never happened.
Mr. Max was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
"Good morning, young master,"
he said, studying Alex's face.
"Your father is waiting for you in the dining room."
Alex's jaw tightened.
_______
The dining room was flooded with morning light. A full breakfast spread covered the table, far too much food for two people.
Mr. Lee sat at the head of the table, reading something on his phone. He looked up when Alex entered, and smiled.
Actually smiled.
"Good morning, son. Sit."
Alex sat.
A servant immediately placed food in front of him. Perfectly prepared. Still steaming.
"You look tired,"
Mr. Lee observed, putting down his phone.
"Jet lag?"
"Something like that,"
Alex replied carefully.
Mr. Lee sipped his coffee, then set the cup down with deliberate precision.
"I know last night was... unexpected," he said.
His tone was almost gentle.
"You weren't meant to see that."
Alex's fingers tightened around his fork.
"Who was he?"
"No one important,"
Mr. Lee said dismissively. "A disloyal employee who thought he could steal from this family. It's been handled."
Handled.
The word made Alex's stomach turn.
"Now," Mr. Lee continued, his voice shifting to business,
"we have much to discuss. The board meeting is this afternoon. You'll be formally introduced as Chairman of Lee Pharmaceuticals."
Alex looked up sharply.
"Chairman? I thought—"
"You thought you'd have time to adjust?"
Mr. Lee's smile didn't reach his eyes.
"The company needs strong leadership. I'm focusing on my senate campaign. This is your responsibility now."
It wasn't a request.
"The board will have... questions," Mr. Lee continued. "Some may resist. They're old-fashioned. Skeptical of youth. But you will prove them wrong."
He reached across the table and placed his hand over Alex's. The touch was cold.
"You're my son. My heir. You were made for this."
Alex wanted to pull away. But he didn't.
"Understood?"
Alex looked up to meet his father's eyes and saw nothing but ice.
"Understood."
His replied. Equally cold.
_____
The Lee Pharmaceuticals headquarters was a towering glass structure in the heart of Seoul's business district. Inside, everything gleamed. Polished marble, chrome fixtures, walls of screens displaying stock prices and news feeds.
Alex walked through the lobby with Mr. Max and at his side. Employees bowed as he passed. Cameras followed his movement.
The board room was on the top floor.
Twelve men and women sat around a massive table. They stood when Mr. Lee entered, then when Alex followed. After every one was settled, Mr Lee cleared his throat.
"Ladies and gentlemen,"
He began,
"this is my son, Alexander. He'll be taking over from where I stop as the chairman of this great organization."
The room echoed with polite applause. But Alex could see it in their faces.
Doubt. Resentment. Suspicion.
"Mr. Lee,"
one of the older board members spoke up. A woman with sharp eyes and graying hair.
"With all due respect, your son has been abroad for years. He has no experience in pharmaceutical management. How can we trust—"
"Mrs. Choi,"
Mr. Lee interrupted smoothly,
"Alex graduated top of his class in Business Management. He's more than capable."
"That's not what I'm asking,"
Mrs. Choi pressed, leaning forward.
"The company is facing serious allegations. Deaths linked to our medications. Federal investigations. Protests at our doors. This isn't the time for... on-the-job training."
Murmurs of agreement rippled around the table.
Another board member, a middle-aged man with a cold expression spoke up.
"Your father is asking us to trust someone who doesn't know our products, our processes, or our problems. Meanwhile, people are dying, Mr. Lee. What do you have to say about that?"
All eyes turned to Alex.
His throat felt tight. The room suddenly too small.
He opened his mouth to respond, but his father cut in.
"Enough,"
Mr. Lee said, voice like steel.
"The decision has been made. Alex will serve as Chairman. If anyone has objections, you're welcome to tender your resignation."
The room went silent.
Mrs. Choi held Alex's gaze for a long moment. There was something in her eyes, pity, maybe. Or warning.
"Meeting adjourned,"
Mr. Lee said.
As the board members filed out, Alex heard whispers.
"Too young..."
"Doesn't know anything..."
"We're doomed..."
He stood alone at the head of the table, watching them leave.
His father clapped him on the shoulder.
"They'll come around,"
he said.
"Or they'll be replaced. Now come. I'll show you to your office."
______
Moon sat on the bed of his sparsely furnished apartment. He had just stepped out of the bathroom when he heard his phone ringing. He picked up, a male voice spoke .
"It's time," Tae-jun's voice came through, calm and commanding.
Moon's grip tightened on the phone.
"You're sure?"
"Lee So Mun just made his son Chairman. Alexander is in position. Now you need to be."
"I'm ready."
"I know you are."
A pause.
"Remember—get close to him. Gain his trust. Find the evidence we need. And Moon?"
"Yes?"
"Don't let sentiment cloud your judgment. He's Lee So Mun's son. He's the enemy."
Moon looked at the photograph on his wall. His family, complete. Happy.
"I won't forget," he said.
"Good. Your application goes through tomorrow. You have one week to prepare. Pack light. Once you're in, communication will be limited."
"Understood."
"Moon."
Tae-jun's voice softened slightly.
"Be careful. Lee So Mun is dangerous. If he discovers who you are..."
"He won't."
"Make sure of it. You're like a son to me. I can't lose you."
The call ended.
Moon sat in the darkness, staring at the photograph.
One week.
Then he'd walk into the lion's den.
And this time, he wouldn't just stop a panic attack or a fight.
This time, he'd become part of Alexander Lee's life.