In the gripping ninth episode of "Red Swan," we delve deeper into the intricate web of deception and power struggles. Do-yoon, shrouded in secrecy, convenes with his former supervisor, their conversation laced with distrust yet a mutual understanding to collaborate on the enigmatic Hwain case. Despite the boss's wounded pride from Do-yoon's lingering suspicions, he begrudgingly grants him the liberty to probe further, specifically into the rumored slush fund of Kim Duo, ostensibly intended to pave Yong-guk's path to corporate dominance.
Meanwhile, across continents, Yong-guk and Wan-soo embark on a Swiss odyssey to strategize the retrieval of Kim Duo's legacy. Amid Wan-soo's slumber, Yong-guk stealthily arranges a rendezvous with Peter, a mysterious figure, via email. At the bank, their eyes feast on the colossal fortune, but its repatriation proves a logistical nightmare. The sheer magnitude of the funds and the delicate nature of their origins necessitate a clandestine laundering operation to smuggle the riches back into Korea's shores.
Back in the heart of Korea, at the majestic Grand Palace, a chance slip-up exposes So-dam's true identity to the watchful eye of Do-yoon. He artfully interrogates her about her stature and linguistic prowess, only to be met with artful deceit. Yet, Do-yoon's skepticism lingers, like a smog that refuses to dissipate.
As the familial rift deepens into a raging inferno, Yong-min's avarice rears its ugly head, voraciously demanding a tripartite division of the ill-acquired riches. In stark contrast, Yong-guk stands like a rock, steadfastly maintaining that Wan-soo alone holds the reins of deciding the fortune's destiny. Fueled by her own grandiose aspirations, Chairwoman Park champions the cause of employing those funds to pave the way for Yong-guk's ascension. This ideological clash ignites a fiery showdown between the brothers, with Yong-guk unflinchingly reminding Yong-min of the illegitimacy of his claims to the inheritance, his words ringing with unyielding resolve.
Yong-min, frayed at the edges, threatens to unravel the family's secrets to the prosecutors. Yong-guk, unperturbed, retaliates by hinting at Yong-min's hand in Chairman Duo's demise, a revelation that shocks Chairwoman Park but leaves Yong-min unfazed.
Later, a clandestine visit to Mr. Han's abode unravels a shocking truth: Yong-min, aided by Mr. Han, was the architect behind Chairman Duo's tragic end. Flashbacks reveal a violent confrontation where Yong-min's fury culminates in a fatal blow with a golden bar. Now, desperate for both funds and Wan-soo's demise, Yong-min enlists Mr. Han's aid once again.
As the dust settles, a common denominator emerges—the daunting task of laundering the massive sum into Korea, a challenge that looms large over every player in this intricate game of power and greed.
Upon Wan-soo and Yong-guk's return from their Swiss sojourn, Chairwoman Park cunningly proposes to Mr. Han that they exploit Hyun-soo as a conduit for laundering illicit funds, believing this tactic will coerce Wan-soo into submission. However, she is taken aback when Mr. Han dismisses her scheme, suspecting his reluctance stems from her refusal to include their son, Yong-min, in the financial arrangements.
Elsewhere, Wan-soo, Hyun-soo, and Do-yoon strategize their next steps amidst a web of deceit. Do-yoon advocates for turning over the incriminating ledgers to the prosecutor, whereas Hyun-soo hesitates, fearing reprisal from Mr. Han should they confront him directly. Do-yoon, having uncovered Yong-min's true identity as Mr. Han's son, cautions Hyun-soo to tread carefully. Ultimately, they decide to confront Mr. Han with the evidence, with Do-yoon urging Hyun-soo to keep him abreast of their meeting. Additionally, he warns Wan-soo of So-dam's potential machinations.
Yong-guk, meanwhile, persists in his quest to find a way to launder the funds and aid Wan-soo, while also attempting to mend fences with Ta-era and his son, Jun-hee. In a heartfelt moment, he acknowledges his paternal role to Jun-hee, though he reluctantly informs the boy of his intention to part ways with Ta-era. Respecting Jun-hee's choice to reside with his mother, the two share an emotional embrace before the child departs with his family.
Elsewhere, Yong-min, emboldened by Ji-hyeon's funds, embarks on a reckless bid to acquire more Hwain shares, earning the ire of Ji-hyeon. She berates him, demanding the return of her money within three days and predicting his inevitable defeat against Yong-guk, citing his mother's disapproval as a formidable obstacle.
As night falls, Do-yoon receives a harrowing message from Hyun-soo, informing him of an impending meeting with Mr. Han by the Han River bridges, an area devoid of surveillance. Suspicious of So-dam's sudden departure, Do-yoon tails her, discovering her true destination. He covertly records the tense exchange between Hyun-soo and Mr. Han, who remains unyielding in his assurances that Wan-soo will remain trapped within the foundation's web. As Hyun-soo hands over the ledgers, his fate hangs in the balance.
Moments later, So-dam emerges from the shadows, her eyes blazing with malice as she swiftly slits Hyun-soo's throat. Do-yoon, too late to intervene, retaliates by stabbing her in the back, but she manages to evade capture, leaving Do-yoon to call for aid as he watches her flee into the night.
Mr. Han promptly dials the prosecutor's number, entrusting them with the incriminating ledgers. With a heavy heart, he silences his phone, anticipating the storm that would soon engulf the Chairwoman's residence. Shortly thereafter, the prosecutors descend upon the Chairwoman, presenting her with a stark summons to their offices. Desperate for legal counsel, Chairwoman Park attempts to reach her attorney, Mr. Han, only to find him mysteriously absent until dawn's light.
Elsewhere, Do-yoon trails a fading Hyun-soo to the hospital's threshold, where the doctors' efforts prove futile in saving his life. As the Chairwoman braces herself for her encounter with the prosecutor, a swarm of media descends upon her home, like vultures circling their prey. They linger, cameras at the ready, awaiting her emergence to pounce with their questions.
Mr. Han, a pillar of composure, urges the Chairwoman to remain steadfast, assuring her that the prosecution's grip is tenuous without solid evidence. To her astonishment, he reveals that it was Hyun-soo, not Do-yoon, who had entrusted the ledgers to the prosecutors. Despite this sudden revelation, she places her unwavering trust in Mr. Han, convinced of his ability to navigate this turbulent water.
Meanwhile, Do-yoon personally breaks the heartrending news of Hyun-soo's passing to Wan-soo, offering her solace amidst the sorrow. Wan-soo yearns to bid her brother farewell, yet Do-yoon implores patience, citing the media horde as a barrier. Concurrently, the Chairwoman prepares to venture forth, but a new media frenzy erupts when Wan-soo's personal affairs are splashed across headlines. Undeterred, the Chairwoman refrains from commenting on Wan-soo's situation, pledging cooperation with the prosecutor and offering an apology for the misunderstandings that have arisen.
Amidst the maelstrom of media scrutiny, Wan-soo's mourning is further delayed, her heart heavy as she awaits the moment to honor her brother's memory. She dispatches her assistant to offer support to Hyun-soo's grieving widow. Ji-hyeon, too, confronts a storm of her own, discovering that Yong-min has leveraged her secrets to coerce her father into funding his scheme to expand Hwain's holdings. Unyielding, she confronts Yong-min, demanding a divorce, undaunted even by his threats of exposing her compromising materials. She stands firm, warning him that he has picked the wrong adversary.
Eventually, the dust settles, and Wan-soo attends her brother's memorial, paying her respects amidst a solemn atmosphere. There, Hyun-soo's widow entrusts Wan-soo with her husband's final legacy—evidence that could shake the foundations. Do-yoon orchestrates a cunning plan, urging the widow to notify the prosecutors of the evidence's hiding place: within Mr. Han's own safe. Stealthily, Do-yoon infiltrates the safe, planting a USB drive as the key to unlocking the truth.
As for the Chairwoman, she is temporarily freed from her ordeal, with Mr. Han suggesting a hotel refuge until the media frenzy subsides. In the confines of the hotel room, Mr. Han bares his true intentions, desiring that Yong-min inherit Hwain. However, the Chairwoman's laughter mocks his ambition, finding it absurd that he would expect her to cede control of the company to the son of a mistress. Mr. Han's pride is pricked by her insult, yet he masks his anger with a tight-lipped smile.
