#120.

On Friday evening, Im Hayoon was walking towards the apartment complex. The streetlight illuminated her tense expression. Her steps towards the management office were heavy, but her eyes held a determined will.

In a corner of her mind, regret crept up for having refused Park Joonho’s offer. Usually on Fridays, Park Joonho would go to meet his wife, so spending time with him was nearly impossible. Today was a rare opportunity.

,Maybe it would have been different this time…” Im Hayoon muttered.

His warm touch, soft voice, and the secret moments she’d shared with him flashed through her mind. Im Hayoon bit her lip, shaking off the thought.

‘No, I need to focus on the case right now.’

She took a deep breath. The expectation that this meeting could unravel a clue in the case drove her forward. Leaving behind the sweetness and guilt from her relationship with Park Joonho, all those complex emotions, she resolved to focus solely on the investigation.

As the management office grew closer, Im Hayoon’s heart began to beat faster. Anticipation and anxiety intertwined regarding the informant she would meet with Lee Han, and the story they would tell.

She comforted herself. ‘Uncovering the truth is more important.’

Im Hayoon took one last deep breath and reached out towards the door of the management office. As she opened it, Lee Han greeted her. His face was etched with worry.

,Hello, Detective-nim,” Lee Han greeted cautiously.

,Yes, hello,” Im Hayoon replied curtly.

Lee Han sighed and continued, ,The… the informant is very worried. They’re concerned about whether this will cause problems…”

Im Hayoon shook her head firmly. ,You don’t need to worry. I won’t leave any official records until I’ve definitely caught the case. The informant’s identity will be strictly protected.”

Lee Han’s expression softened slightly. ,I understand. Then let’s go together.”

The two left the management office and walked across the apartment complex. Im Hayoon looked around and asked, ,Where are we headed?”

,To the informant’s house,” Lee Han replied, entering an apartment building.

Im Hayoon silently followed him. While riding the elevator, her mind was already filled with questions she needed to ask.

Finally, they stood in front of a front door. Lee Han turned to Im Hayoon.

,I’m only going this far. I think you’ll have to persuade them yourself now.”

Im Hayoon nodded. Her eyes held a determined will. After taking a deep breath, she slowly reached out and pressed the doorbell.

At that moment, anticipation and anxiety mixed within Im Hayoon’s heart. Could the person behind this door really provide a clue to the case, or would it be another dead end? She sharpened all her senses and waited for the door to open.

The door slowly opened, and a woman cautiously peeked out. Her eyes anxiously scanned Im Hayoon’s expression, and quickly swept over the hallway.

Im Hayoon smiled gently, trying to reassure her. ,Hello. May I come in?”

The woman hesitated for a moment, then nodded and opened the door a little wider. As Im Hayoon stepped inside, Lee Han was already quietly riding the elevator down.

Having entered the house, Im Hayoon was led to the sofa by the woman.

,Would you like something to drink?” the woman asked, heading to the kitchen.

,Yes, coffee, please,” Im Hayoon replied.

Only the faint sound of coffee brewing could be heard in the room. A heavy silence filled the space, and within that stillness, Im Hayoon carefully surveyed her surroundings.

The woman returned with the coffee and placed it in front of Im Hayoon. Then she quietly sat on the sofa opposite her. Her face was still etched with tension.

Im Hayoon took a sip of coffee and then spoke in a soft voice. ,Hello. I’m Detective Im Hayoon from the Seoul Central Police Station’s Violent Crimes Unit.”

The woman hesitated for a moment before answering in a small voice. ,I’m Park Mina.”

The two women’s eyes met. Im Hayoon’s eyes held warmth and determination, while Park Mina’s eyes were mixed with anxiety and expectation. Neither of them could predict what this meeting would bring. But now that they had taken the first step, there was no turning back.

Im Hayoon took a deep breath, preparing her next question. Hoping that this conversation would be an important step closer to the truth of the case, she carefully opened her mouth.

Im Hayoon continued in a soft voice. ,Park Mina-ssi, thank you for having the courage to meet me. It must have been difficult… I will do my best to help you in any way I can.”

Park Mina’s tense shoulders seemed to relax slightly. She looked at Im Hayoon and cautiously opened her mouth. ,Should I… should I tell you what I experienced?”

Im Hayoon nodded. ,Yes, please feel free to tell me.”

Park Mina took a deep breath and began to speak. Her voice trembled, but gradually gained strength.

,When I first met him… I thought he was a really good person. He was tall and handsome. His words were gentle, and his eyes were warm. At first, I just thought he was a kind neighbor…”

Park Mina’s eyes wavered. She paused for a moment and took a deep breath.

,But gradually… his behavior started to become strange. He often came to see me and pried into my daily life. At first, I thought it was interest…”

Im Hayoon listened carefully to every word Park Mina said. Her story seemed to describe Park Joonho, but something felt awkward and fabricated.

,Then, at some point, he started trying to control me. He took issue with the people I met and started pointing out my behavior. ‘Your behavior seems dangerous,’ ‘If you do that, people will misunderstand,’ things like that.”

Park Mina’s hands began to tremble. Her voice lowered.

,And… he… started threatening me. It wasn’t direct violence, but he said that if I didn’t listen to him, something bad would happen… But at the same time, he said that he was the only one who could protect me.”

Park Mina’s voice trembled. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

Im Hayoon keenly observed Park Mina’s reaction. The content of the story seemed fake, but the emotions within it seemed genuine. It felt as if she was packaging a real experience as someone else’s story.

Park Mina’s trembling hands, fading voice, and tearful eyes clearly seemed to stem from a real experience. But whether the subject of that experience was the ‘him’ Park Mina was talking about, or someone else, was questionable.

A moment of doubt flashed through Im Hayoon’s mind. ‘Could she be deceiving me?’ But she quickly shook off the thought. ‘No, I shouldn’t doubt the victim. Right now, I need to focus on listening to her story.’

,It’s okay, Park Mina-ssi. Please take your time,” Im Hayoon reassured her in a warm voice.

Park Mina nodded and continued her story. Im Hayoon tried to find the truth hidden in her words, while at the same time trying to believe and support her. Uncovering the truth in this complex situation was her mission, but it was also important to understand and empathize with the victim’s pain. Im Hayoon tried to strike a balance between these two things, listening to Park Mina’s story.

When Park Mina’s story reached its climax, she suddenly burst into tears. Im Hayoon quickly handed her a tissue and comforted her.

,It’s okay, Park Mina-ssi. Calm down slowly,” Im Hayoon’s voice was soft and steady.

After a while, when Park Mina’s crying subsided, Im Hayoon asked cautiously. ,Do you happen to have any related records? Messages, emails, anything…”

Park Mina wiped away her tears and shook her head. Im Hayoon bit her lip. It would be difficult to proceed with the investigation based solely on statements without evidence.

A moment of silence passed, and Park Mina cautiously opened her mouth. ,I… I think there’s another victim besides me.”

Im Hayoon’s ears perked up. ,Really? Do you happen to know who that person is?”

Park Mina seemed hesitant. ,I don’t know if I should say this…”

,Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility,” Im Hayoon said firmly.

Park Mina paused for a moment, lost in thought, then raised her head. ,Then… I’ll contact them and arrange for you to meet them again, Detective-nim.”

Im Hayoon nodded, trying to hide her delight. ,Thank you so much, Park Mina-ssi. That would be a great help.”

She comforted Park Mina, talked a little more, and then got up from her seat.

,Thank you so much for having the courage. I will definitely resolve this matter,” Im Hayoon said in a sincere voice.

Im Hayoon’s mind was complex as she comforted Park Mina and left the house. Park Mina’s story, and the existence of another victim… She had to uncover how all of this was connected, and what the truth was.

Im Hayoon was leaving the apartment complex, lost in deep thought. Then someone’s voice broke her train of thought.

,Detective-nim.”

Turning her head, she saw Lee Han standing there. He approached Im Hayoon with a gentle smile.

,Did the conversation go well?” Lee Han asked cautiously.

Im Hayoon hesitated for a moment, then nodded silently. Then she added in a low voice. ,Thank you for your cooperation.”

Lee Han bowed slightly and replied. ,You’re welcome. You’ve worked hard.” Then he seemed to hesitate for a moment before opening his mouth again. ,Could we perhaps talk for a moment in the office?”

Im Hayoon hesitated for a moment. It was already late, and she needed to organize the story she had heard today. But it was also awkward to refuse Lee Han’s suggestion, who had helped her so far.

,…I understand,” Im Hayoon replied reluctantly.

Im Hayoon, along with Lee Han, entered the management office and sat on the sofa. Lee Han offered her a drink, but she politely declined.

Lee Han sat across from Im Hayoon and opened his mouth. ,Do you think… this case will become big?”

Im Hayoon’s expression hardened for a moment. ,I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you the details of the case.”

Lee Han quickly expressed his apology. ,Ah, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that as an apartment manager, it’s a company-level matter, so I have to report it to the higher-ups.”

At those words, Im Hayoon’s intuition reacted sharply. ‘If the story of this case gets to Aryong Group, the investigation could be blocked.’

,Could you perhaps… postpone the report for a while?” Im Hayoon asked cautiously.

Lee Han’s expression became troubled. He seemed to be contemplating for a moment.

Im Hayoon continued in the most persuasive voice possible. ,Right now, everything is at an uncertain stage, so it could only cause confusion. If you give me a little time…”

Lee Han let out a deep sigh. ,I understand. Since you said it’s unofficial, Detective-nim, I’ll wait without reporting it for now.”

The tension eased from Im Hayoon’s shoulders. ,Thank you so much.”

However, Lee Han’s expression suddenly turned cold. ,But you must let me know in advance before this becomes an official investigation.”

Im Hayoon felt a chill at his cold gaze. ,Don’t worry. I will definitely let you know in advance.”

Lee Han’s expression softened in an instant. He said with a warm smile. ,Thank you. If you need any help, Detective-nim, I will do my best to help you at any time.”

Im Hayoon bowed sincerely. ,Thank you so much, Lee Han-ssi.”

Lee Han and Im Hayoon left the quiet apartment complex. Late at night, the complex was desolate and silent.

,Which way are you going?” Lee Han asked.

When Im Hayoon told him the direction of her house, Lee Han nodded. ,You can go this way.”

The two walked silently through the dark complex. The streetlight occasionally cast their shadows long.

Suddenly, Im Hayoon’s steps stopped. Her gaze was fixed on a point in the distance. In an instantaneous reaction, she grabbed Lee Han’s arm and hid behind the shadow of a nearby building.

Lee Han had a bewildered expression, but he didn’t say anything, seeing Im Hayoon’s tense face.

At the end of Im Hayoon’s gaze, a man could be seen. He was walking with a woman, arm in arm. The two were whispering in an intimate atmosphere as they walked.

As they got closer, Im Hayoon’s breathing quickened. The man’s face was revealed in the streetlight. A low voice escaped from Im Hayoon’s lips.

,Senior Park…”

At that moment, a complex emotion flashed across Im Hayoon’s eyes. Shock, betrayal, and deep hurt. Her hand unconsciously gripped Lee Han’s arm even tighter.

Lee Han noticed the situation, but didn’t say anything. He simply stood quietly next to Im Hayoon.

Park Joonho and the woman passed by, completely unaware of Im Hayoon and Lee Han hiding. Im Hayoon held her breath until their laughter faded away.

Only after the two had completely disappeared from view did Im Hayoon let out a deep sigh. A complex emotion lingered in her eyes.

,Are you okay?” Lee Han asked cautiously.

Im Hayoon shook her head. ,Yes… I’m okay.” Her voice was trembling.

Lee Han didn’t ask any further questions. He simply stood next to Im Hayoon, waiting for her to collect herself.