*Chapter 4: The Counterattack*
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The night was thick with tension, the kind that settled into your bones and made the air feel heavier. Vincenzo Casano stood by the window of his safe house, looking out over the city below, his hands clasped behind his back. His mind was working in overdrive, analyzing every possible move the Kangs could make. The first strike had been successful—but that was only the beginning. Now, the Kangs would retaliate.
His phone buzzed on the table in front of him, cutting through the silence. Vincenzo picked it up, his eyes narrowing as he saw the message. It was from Ji-ae.
*“The Kangs are making moves. They’re targeting the media. They’ll use this to discredit us.”*
Vincenzo’s lips twisted into a smirk. It wasn’t surprising. If there was one thing the Kangs knew, it was how to manipulate public perception. They would try to bury this under layers of lies, hoping to spin the situation in their favor.
But Vincenzo wasn’t worried. The media could be twisted, but not everyone could be bought. He had his own ways of making sure the truth came out.
He quickly typed a response. *“Prepare for a public appearance tomorrow. We’ll show them we’re not afraid. They want a fight? Let’s give them one.”*
The screen buzzed again. Ji-ae had responded: *“Understood.”*
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The next morning, Vincenzo and Ji-ae stood side by side in front of a sea of cameras. The press conference was being held in the heart of Seoul, in a modern building with gleaming glass walls. Hundreds of journalists from all the major outlets crowded in front of them, eager for answers. This was a dangerous move, but Vincenzo had chosen to face the media head-on.
“Mr. Casano,” a journalist shouted, his microphone aimed directly at Vincenzo, “what is your response to the accusations that you’re trying to destabilize the economy with illegal activities? Are you involved in money laundering or worse?”
Vincenzo didn’t flinch. His calm demeanor never wavered as he turned to face the journalist.
“The truth is simple,” he said in a low, steady voice. “The Kang family has been exploiting the system for years. The real question is why are they allowed to continue with their criminal empire? I’m here to expose them for what they are. This is not about money; it’s about justice.”
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Ji-ae stood at his side, observing carefully, her hand resting lightly at her side. She had never seen Vincenzo so composed under pressure, and for a moment, she felt a twinge of respect for him. She had no idea how far his plans would go, but she knew one thing—he wasn’t the type to back down.
Another reporter raised their hand. “Do you have proof to back up your claims, Mr. Casano?”
Vincenzo smirked, his eyes gleaming with confidence. “I don’t need to prove anything right now. The Kangs will expose themselves. They’ve already started their counterattack.” He glanced briefly at Ji-ae, who stepped forward and handed him a small tablet. On it was a series of documents, financial records that traced back to the Kang family’s offshore accounts and illegal activities.
“As you can see,” Vincenzo continued, “we’ve already started to dig deep into their operations. It’s just a matter of time before the truth is out in the open.”
The reporters exchanged glances, their interest piqued. Some of them began to type furiously on their phones, already preparing their headlines. Vincenzo knew they were hungry for more, and he intended to give them just enough to keep them intrigued.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice cutting through the noise. “I’ve said what I needed to say. The truth will always come to light.”
With that, he turned and began to walk away, Ji-ae following close behind. The cameras flashed, the room buzzing with questions, but Vincenzo was already on his way out, unfazed by the storm he had just stirred.
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Once they were in the car, Ji-ae let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “That was bold,” she said, glancing at Vincenzo. “But do you really think that will be enough to stop them?”
Vincenzo sat back in his seat, his fingers tapping lightly on the leather armrest. “It’s not about stopping them. It’s about showing them we’re in control. The Kangs thrive on fear and secrecy. They think they can hide behind money and power. But they can’t hide from the truth forever.”
Ji-ae nodded, her mind racing. Vincenzo had a point. If they could expose the Kangs for what they really were, the public backlash would be enough to shake their foundation. But that didn’t mean the Kangs would go down without a fight. And Vincenzo was right—this was only the beginning.
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Back at the Kang family headquarters, *Kang Jin-ho* was seething. He had watched the press conference, his fist clenched as he listened to Vincenzo’s words. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. He had expected Vincenzo to back down, to cower in fear. Instead, Vincenzo had come out swinging.
“Do we have any leads on Vincenzo’s movements?” Kang Jin-ho barked at his assistant, his voice like ice.
“Sir, we’re tracking him. But he’s been very careful. He’s always one step ahead of us.”
“Not for long,” Kang Jin-ho muttered darkly. “Get me everything you can on Vincenzo Casano. I’ll make sure he regrets crossing the Kang family.”
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Later that evening, Vincenzo and Ji-ae were back at the safe house, analyzing the fallout. The press had already picked up the story, and the Kangs were scrambling to damage control. The public opinion was shifting, but Vincenzo knew that this was far from over. The Kangs would retaliate, and it would be brutal.
As Vincenzo sat by the window again, Ji-ae approached him cautiously. “What’s next?”
Vincenzo looked at her, his expression hardening. “We stay two steps ahead. They’ll try to hit us where it hurts. But we won’t give them the chance. We’ll expose every dirty secret they have.”
Ji-ae’s lips curled into a smile. “You’re ready for this, aren’t you?”
Vincenzo’s eyes glinted. “This is just the beginning. The Kangs won’t know what hit them.”
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*End of Chapter 4*
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*Chapter Summary*:
- *Vincenzo and Ji-ae* face off with the media, using their power of truth to strike against the Kang family’s reputation.
- The *Kang family* retaliates, and Vincenzo knows they are just beginning the real battle.
- Tensions rise as both sides prepare for what comes next, with the Kangs vowing revenge.
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