After a while, the assemblyman's allies arranged a meeting with both the assemblyman and Lee Jin Ho. However, the discussion seemed mundane, revolving around regular matters and the current state of their operations. Throughout the meeting, the assemblyman faced constant criticism for his growing list of failures. Yet, each time a problem was raised, Lee Jin Ho skillfully defended or resolved it, further cementing his reputation among the allies and their affiliated gangs.
As the meeting progressed, the assemblyman became visibly agitated. His allies' dissatisfaction was palpable, and every new fault brought to light only added to his frustration. Finally, unable to handle the growing tension, the assemblyman stormed out of the room in anger.
Once he was gone, the remaining allies didn't hold back.
"He lost 300 billion won to a prosecutor," one of them scoffed.
Another added bitterly, "And he got us caught during the drug deal. Now, this is his last chance. If he fails again, we'll ask them for permission to get rid of him."
The mention of "them" sent a chill down Lee Jin Ho's spine. While the allies didn't elaborate further, it confirmed what Goto had hinted at before: there was a higher power orchestrating things from the shadows. Jin Ho kept a calm demeanor, but his mind raced as he absorbed this revelation.
One of the allies then turned to him. "Anyway, what do you have for us, Lee Jin Ho?"
Jin Ho remained composed as he handed over the documents he had received from Goto, who, in turn, had obtained them from James. The allies examined the papers carefully. After a long pause, one of them smirked and declared, "From this moment on, you're the director of our 4th affiliate."
The room fell silent. Everyone was shocked by the sudden announcement, but given Lee Jin Ho's consistent ability to clean up the assemblyman's messes, no one dared to challenge the decision.
Shortly afterward, the allies called someone into the room. A young woman entered, exuding confidence and professionalism. She introduced herself as Kim Ji Eun, a resourceful and efficient operative.
"I'll be assisting you with your tasks as the director," she said with a slight bow.
After the formalities, the meeting was dismissed. As Jin Ho was leaving, Ms. Kim handed him her card. "Call me anytime, Director," she said before walking away.
Later that day, Lee Jin Ho regrouped with the assemblyman's crew, consisting of several gangsters. He led them to the location of a rival gang's base, where he instructed them to deal with their adversaries. The gangsters were eager for a fight and rushed out of their vehicles, weapons in hand, ready to cause chaos.
Jin Ho, however, stayed behind, seated in his car. He observed the scene calmly, his mind focused not on the fight itself but on the larger picture. He understood that every move he made now brought him closer to dismantling the assemblyman's empire and uncovering the mysterious "them" who controlled the strings in the background.