Chapter 93 - Brothers At War

Jonghyun was summoned to the Prime Minister's mansion that day after work. He was greeted by Sam who led him to the study.

"What does he want with me?" Jonghyun demanded.

"Sir did not specify it," Sam said curtly. Jonghyun did not ask any further because he knew that this man would not reveal anything to him. He simply followed Sam until they reached the study.

"Enter."

Lee's voice came from within the room. Jonghyun entered the room and stood in front of his father who sat by the fireplace.

"Han Sunye won the case today," Lee remarked. "She did as she had been ordered."

"I told you that she will win," Jonghyun said. "She's the best in her field."

Lee leaned back against his couch, studying Jonghyun. "Crown Prince!" he softly exclaimed. "If the monarchy had not been uprooted, you'd have been the Crown Prince today. Your brother would have been disposed of and you'd have enjoyed the benefits of being the future monarch."

The old man stood up and faced the fire in the chimney which was blazing. Jonghyun remained rooted to his spot, not making any comment.

"Your life would have been different, right?" Lee went on. "Everyone would have bowed down to you. People would obey your orders and if refused, they could have lost their lives. After the Emperor, your word would have been the law."

"Yes," Jonghyun agreed. "That would have been my life."

"But it's not…"

Lee trailed off. He was deep in thought as if trying to ponder his next options. Jonghyun watched the man who stood still, unmoving.

"That would have been your life if the monarchy had not been uprooted," Lee repeated. Suddenly, he turned around and slapped Jonghyun with all his might. The latter was momentarily stunned but did not react. 

Instead, he slightly touched his cheek which was warm due to the heavy hit it took. Lee glared at him with fiery fury, his eyes burning with angry flames.

"You brat!" he hissed. "How dare you act on your own?"

"What do you mean?" Jonghyun asked, feigning ignorance.

Lee grabbed a file from his desk and threw it at Jonghyun's feet. Jonghyun stooped down to pick it up and read it. It had the record of the texts he had sent to his mother about the case. The pictures of the transaction files were also stapled.

"The Company manipulated the evidence you handed to them!" Lee hissed. "And turned all those offshore accounts into NGO's! This almost cost us the case! What the hell were you thinking?"

"If Hyun went to prison then he'll collude with the enemy!" Jonghyun argued. "Don't forget, several members of the Light are in prison including two of their seats! If Hyun goes there-"

"The Light will never collaborate with him because Hyun is a dubious bitch!" Lee roared. "You really don't know much do you, little kid?"

Jonghyun did not show his anger on his face. Lee was fuming at him and banged on the table in frustration.

"The two holder of those two seats who are in prison," Lee began. "Were sent there by Hyun himself. If they run into him, they won't collude with him. They'll murder him. Or make his life miserable there."

"But the Company-"

"Knows very well that the 6th and 8th seat of the Light will never do something as stupid as partner with Hyun!" Lee spat. "Hyun's double crossing nature is a threat to them. Their leader will never agree to it. All the members of the Light work in unison. They don't work as lone wolves. If the 6th and 8th seats collaborate with Hyun, it means all of the Light will have to work with him. It's risky. The Company knows it."

"Then why would they want Hyun to be released?" Jonghyun argued.

"Was it the Company who ordered you or your mother?" Lee demanded.

Jonghyun's silence gave him away. "Your mother is trying to take over the Company herself," Lee revealed. "And you're her crown jewel. The Crown Prince of the country. The Company wants to keep you in its grasp but your mother wants more. Hyun is one of her closest comrades and was working to oust me from the government so that she could use her puppet and make herself the de facto head of the country. That way, she won't need you to take the throne. As the lawful wife of the Emperor, she could seize it herself."

Lee sat on his chair, frustrated by Jonghyun's lack of wit. Jonghyun's fingers were clenched into a fist, anger bubbling within him. He was afraid of his mother and the hold she had over him. The woman was keeping his secret as a leverage and if that was exposed, the entire Company would turn against him.

"Don't play into her hands again," Lee ordered. "I've spent many years protecting you. The Emperor had named you the Crown Prince but we still need that will. Once we find it, we can officially crown you. Once that happens, your position in the Company will be secured."

"Understood," Jonghyun nodded and bowed. His tone was robotic and his thoughts unreadable.

Lee nodded. "Now leave," he ordered. "I have another brat to handle."

Jonghyun quietly left the room but on his way, he bumped into Myung. The two brothers met each other's eyes, fully aware that both of them were facing the same punishment from the Prime Minister. Jonghyun decided not to leave but waited around for Myung to come out.

He stood at the hallway, waiting for Myung to come out. His cheek had swollen and was hurting a little but he ignored the pain. It was impossible to hear what they were talking about since the room was soundproof but Jonghyun knew that Myung was also being reprimanded for something.

Twenty minutes later, Myung came out of the room, sporting a similar swollen cheek. They did not talk to each other but walked side by side as they left their father's mansion.

"Want me to drop you off at the hotel?" Jonghyun offered. 

"No," Myung said curtly. "I can go by myself. I have my bike."

"Why did he call you here?" Jonghyun asked.

"I was bunking class with a friend," Myung shrugged.

"Friend?"

Jonghyun raised his eyebrow. As far as he knew, despite Myung's popularity at school, he did not have many friends and always bunked classes on his own. 

"Is it that girl from that day?" Jonghyun asked. Myung stopped and turned to face him, feeling irritated.

"Why do you care about my life?" he spat. "Whether I bunk classes or not or be friends with someone, is none of your goddamn business. I don't know what conspiracy you're cooking with my dad, but stay away from me!"

"I'm your elder brother," Jonghyun claimed. "If you don't say who your friend was, perhaps I'll pay a visit to that girl and ask her myself."

Myung grabbed him by the collar. "Stay away from her," he threatened. "I mean it. If I see you hovering in our lives, I swear I'll not spare you."

They glared at each other. Jonghyun was aware that Myung was a threat in his way. This boy was being groomed to take over his father's political party and if that happened, Jonghyun would find himself at odds with him once he took over the throne as the Emperor. Even worse, if Myung manages to become the Prime Minister someday, he would have the power to stop the Emperor's laws from being passed. 

The only way to keep Myung out of his way was to subdue his weak spot. And the way he was reacting to that girl it seemed that Jonghyun found Myung's Achilles Heel.

"Careful, little brother," he warned with a soft smile. "You don't want to anger me."

"Fuck off!" Myung spat and pushed him away. Jonghyun watched as Myung stormed off towards his bike.

Jonghyun picked up his phone to call Haein but thought better of it. He would investigate this girl himself.

The cold war between the brothers was about to begin.