***
The next day, Chaeyoung and Lisa received the results from the investigation into Louis' poisoning.
"Organ failure?" Lisa frowned while reading the report that Jin had handed her.
"Yes Young Master. The doctors concluded that Young Master Louis might not wake up anytime soon. There..." Jin hesitated, "There is also a possibility that he will be forever in a vegetative state, never waking up until his body gives up on its own."
"What did you say caused the organ failure? Did you get the toxicology report?" Chaeyoung asked.
"Yes Miss. It's on the third page. The doctors said it was some plant... They said there is a possibility that he contracted the poison from his lab," Jin explained as Lisa passed the report to Chaeyoung. The latter then examined the report and instantly lifted an eyebrow.
"Rosary peas... It would be reasonable for them to assume that he is studying some chemicals and that was where he got the poison. Louis is a chemist after all. However..." Chaeyoung made a deliberate pause as she typed something to her laptop before showing this to Lisa. "His neat records and journals show that he was not studying any poisonous plants, much less rosary peas."
"The doctors have already given these findings to the authorities and I heard they would close the case as an accidental poisoning," Jin said.
Chaeyoung giggled. "It seems that Minnie overestimated herself. She thought that she could finish everything before we discovered what had caused the poison. Either that or I had ruined her original plans and made her make drastic changes at the last minute, causing these mistakes."
"Don't let the authorities close this case. Tell them about Louis's laptop and journals. Tell them the Manoban Family does not believe that this is just an accident. Also, release this to the media. I want Minnie to know what is going on." Jin bowed after hearing Lisa's orders before silently leaving the room.
"What else did you find out?" Lisa asked her wife.
"I inspected Minnie's trips and it seems that she traveled to a tropical country three months ago. Rosary peas only grow in these kinds of countries," Chaeyoung said, her eyes never leaving her laptop. "I will compile all this evidence. For now, I am not sure how Minnie gave the poison to her brother. All I know is that after the initial contact, it will take approximately four days before the poison from rosary peas take effect which means he was poisoned four days before the party."
"Her timing was impeccable. I'm sure she was caught her off guard by the announcement, which was why she made some drastic changes. It makes me wonder what her original plan was," she added.
"Maybe... she wanted to poison her brother and make it seem as if he saved Grandfather," he answered. "Anyway, I already ordered my men to rescue my uncle the moment Minnie leaves the villa."
"I don't think she will leave the villa anytime soon," Chaeyoung blurted before reaching for her phone. She could see how Minnie was enjoying the torture. "But I have a way to make her leave."
...
Minnie was currently in the basement when one of her men told her that someone named Chaeyoung was calling.
This startled Minnie. She immediately wiped the blood off her hands and scurried her way out of the bloody basement.
"Hello?" she answered her phone, her voice sweet and innocent, making Chaeyoung shiver.
"Hi, Miss Minnie. I need to see you. We already have the result of your brother's toxicology, as well as the doctor's comments about his condition. Lisa asked me to give this to you." Chaeyoung's voice was sincere, devoid of any anger.
Minnie's brows furrowed, unable to understand Chaeyoung purpose. She found this whole thing weird. She couldn'thelp but wonder what Chaeyoung was up to.
"Hello? Are you there?" Chaeyoung's question brought her out of her thoughts.
"Yes. I... I was... Umm... I was just shocked to hear from you... I mean after what I did... I did not expect the Manoban Family to still help me and my mother," she answered, her voice starting to break.
In response, Chaeyoung chuckled. "Of course, you are still a part of the Manoban Family after all. We just want to give transparency to everyone and make sure to catch the culprit."
"Culprit?" she asked, her face turning into a frown. She had made sure to make it look like an accident. Why is Chaeyoung talking about a culprit?
Minnie thought about what she did and made sure to remember any details that she might have missed.
Nothing.
She had made sure to hide all of his research materials that could point out her brother's work. "I uh... When do you want me to see you?" she asked.
"How about tomorrow over dinner?"
"Dinner? Sure. Send me the time and place."
"Got it." An awkward silence followed before Minnie heard Chaeyoung laugh. "I'm excited to see you, Miss Manoban."
Me too.
She wanted to say how she would also love to see her. After all, it was not every day that she would see someone like Chaeyoung Park.
But that would be inappropriate, so she opted to thank her instead before ending the call.
...
Minnie's eyes turned an extra shade darker as the thought of seeing Chaeyoung agitated her nerves.
Minnie can't seem to calm her nerves.
She was currently in Chaeyoung's cafe. This was where the two of them had decided to meet.
Seeing Chaeyoung was giving Minnie mixed reactions. She was nervous; that was the only emotion that she was sure of.
She could feel herself fidget as she looked at the big clock hanging on the wall of the cafe.
Two more minutes. Two more minutes of an excruciating wait.
Minnie bit down on her lower lip in an attempt to hide her anticipation. She couldn't help but wonder why she was feeling this way. However, she immediately concluded that it must be the thrill of having Chaeyoung as an enemy that turned her on.
After all, she might look like a woman, but Minnie was still a man by heart.
...
"You are already five minutes late," Lisa noted as she watched Chaeyoung leisurely drink a glass of sparkling wine inside the car.
They were currently in a car parked two buildings away from the cafe, watching Minnie.
Chaeyoung did not answer Lisa. Instead, she took another taste of the exquisite wine in her hands. "Delicious."
She then grinned at Lisa. "Let her wait."
"Is everything prepared?" she asked Lisa.
"Yes, I just need at least five minutes."
Chaeyoung nodded as a trace of mirth flashed in her eyes.
...
Minnie stared at Chaeyoung after Chaeyoung had finished explaining to her everything about her brother's situation.
Although Chaeyoung was apologetic about being thirty minutes late, Minnie could not stop the disappointment in her heart. She had expected Chaeyoung to arrive on time. After all, she was the one who had asked for the meeting.
She thought this meeting was important to Chaeyoung, important enough for her to cancel her other appointments for the day and show up on time.
"As I was saying, since we don't know who the culprit is, it is best if we maintain extreme caution with everyone, including our friends and family," Chaeyoung said while staring at Minnie, her gaze full of hidden meanings.
Minnie just nodded as she watched Chaeyoung elegantly lift her wine glass and take a little sip of what seemed to be champagne.
"Sparkling wine," Chaeyoung said after drinking. She had sensed Minnie's eyes on her drink. "I don't drink alcohol. It makes me do insane things," she continued before stifling her laughter. Her face was incredibly attractive.
"Oh, I wonder what insane things someone like you could do," Minnie mused. The disappointment that she had felt earlier seemed to vanish.
"Random... evil things."
"Like what?"
"Torture someone," Chaeyoung answered without skipping a beat. Then she giggled at Minnie's gaping mouth.
Minnie stared at Chaeyoung in disbelief. How could a woman say such words in a public place? "Do you like to torture your enemies?"
Chaeyoung beamed after seeing Minnie's interest on the subject. "No. Not really. I would only do that if I really hated someone. Other than that, I would rather win the war without dirtying my hands."
"Interesting. I've always seen you as..."
"As what, Miss Manoban?"
"The innocent type. Someone that would only scheme against their enemy and would not have the courage to hurt someone," Minnie answered bluntly.
"I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment," Chaeyoung laughed. "I am only ruthless to those who hurt my family. Aside from that, I would rather just leave the people who did not offend me alone."
Minnie narrowed her eyes at Chaeyoung, unable to process Chaeyoung's bluntness. She had a feeling that Chaeyoung already knew about her true gender but she couldn't help but wonder why Chaeyoung did not seem to hate her.
"I agree with you," Minnie nodded. She could only agree with her words, even though she knew that Chaeyoung had wanted her to hear this. Chaeyoung wanted Minnie to know that she did not only have a scheming mind. "Tell me, Miss Park..." she said as she leaned towards Chaeyoung, "have you hurt anyone before?"
"Of course," Chaeyoung answered, her gaze never leaving Minnie's eyes. "Not that it matters anymore. We, humans, tend to seek revenge for the people who have hurt us in the past. I am not an exception to that rule.
"And I will not hesitate to do so again to the people who offend me and my family in the future," she added.
"Does that include the person who hurt my brother and killed my father?"
"Depends."
"Depends on what?"
"If the culprit crosses the line," Chaeyoung answered.
"What line?"
"If the culprit touches a hair on the people I love... that line." Chaeyoung's tone was serious.
She knows, Minnie thought.
It was a warning. A warning for her.
"Of course, it doesn't mean that I won't let the culprit pay for what he did to your family," she added, her gaze meaningful. "After all, I am the type of person who never forgets a debt."
Minnie stared at Chaeyoung, unable to see her true meaning.
However, only one thing is clear. She is threatening her.
Minnie let out a sigh before shaking her head. "Miss Park, I really like you."
This time she is telling the truth. No pretense nor lies.
"But?" Chaeyoung raised an eyebrow.
"But, I believe we are two sides of the same coin. Born to always oppose each other." Minnie said, dropping all the pretentious facade that she had earlier. Her expression relaxed, languid. As if she was just released from her burdens.
"Are we?" Chaeyoung's lips lifted into a smirk. Are they really two sides of the same coin? Were they born to oppose each other? "Then tell me... how do you deal with your enemies? Do you usually torture them as well?"
Her direct question almost made Minnie spill her drink. Does she know about her father as well? "Maybe? Why don't you guess?"
Chaeyoung looked at her from head to toe before laughing. "I would see you as someone gentle. Someone who won't lift a finger towards their enemies... But we both know that's not true right?"
This time the provocation in Chaeyoung's eyes is too obvious to even Jin who was standing a meter away from her can feel it.
"Careful Miss Park, you don't want to fight a war without knowing your enemies. It will only result in a crushing defeat." Minnie said. She is now certain that Chaeyoung wanted to see her because of another matter.
She was also certain that Chaeyoung know about her father being alive. Minnie wondered if they are planning to rescue him. For some reason, she was glad that she left Leo half dead. She wondered how long her father will last in that state.
The only good thing about this meeting is the fact that she is already prepared to leave the country anytime. In fact, she already called her mother and asked her to turn herself to the police for Louis's poisoning.
"You are wrong Miss Minnie. I am a conventional woman." Chaeyoung said as she leaned closer towards Minnie's face. "I want to win first and then go to war later. I have the tendency to subdue my enemy without fighting. In this case, I can say that we are the same... almost."
"Art of War... I would say I am impressed." Minnie answered. "I like you Chaeyoung... and for that, I will warn you. I am not your enemy. You better know who is... before its too late."
Chaeyoung squinted her eyes at Minnie's words before resuming the clam look in her face. "Thank you for the warning Miss Manoban... or shall I call you Mister Manoban now?"
*HAHAHAHAHA* Minnie's laughter startled both Chaeyoung and Jin. "For your own good... stop being too smart. Some things are meant to be hidden forever."
"Hidden? Is that why you deliberately loosen the security of your file?"
"You knew?"
In response, Chaeyoung just stared at Minnie. "Tell me... who is asking you to create trouble for the Wang and Manoban Family?"
"How sure are you that it's not just me and my... evil tendencies?" Minnie asked, amused by Chaeyoung's wits.
"You wanted to me overhear about the pregnancy so I could investigate you. But I didn't realize it at that time. You used someone traceable to attack my company knowing that I will track the culprit. You used a bank account that you yourself opened for me to track you." Chaeyoung answered. "Now tell me... who is behind all this and why warn me? I know you only wanted to hurt your father and mother as well as your brother, not Lisa nor me."
"You are one hell of a smart woman Miss Park... it makes me wonder if you got it from your mother or... your father."
"What are you talking about?"
Ignoring Chaeyoung's question, Minnie continued. "You are wrong about one thing, I hated the whole Manoban Family and I wanted to destroy all of them. Too much power will only attract greed. However, you are right, I would not hurt you."
"What are you talking about???" Chaeyoung raised her voice. The way Minnie mentioned her father and mother made it seem like she knows both of them. Though this is impossible, Chaeyoung can't help but be curious about the meaning of Minnie's words.
Aside from this, her instincts were never wrong.
"Time's up, Miss Park. If I'm right, your woman will call you any minute now. Lisa wouldn't want you to spend too much time to someone like..." Minnie's words were interrupted by the vibration of Chaeyoung's phone. "See?" Minnie smirked as she watched Chaeyoung's confused expression.
If she was still a man, she would surely make Chaeyoung his. After all, a woman like Chaeyoung was one of a kind
Too bad the only thing man in him was only his heart. She used to think that she would never undergo another surgery to change her into what she was. However, meeting Chaeyoung seemed to spark this idea inside her.
"It seems like, she would be here anytime soon." Minnie said before standing, her tall frame towering over Chaeyoung. "I hope you won't mind, but I have to go now."
Minnie walked towards the door of the VIP room without waiting for Chaeyoung to answer her. However, just before she could open the door, she turned her head over her shoulders to look at Chaeyoung. "Send my regards to my father. If... he was still alive." Then she gave Chaeyoung a smirk before leaving, "See you soon Miss Park."
.....