#114.

As Han Su-jin’s body slowly rose, her gaze flickered between Lee Han and Yeo-kyung. Lee Han didn’t miss the slight trembling of her lips. There was a subtle tension in Han Su-jin’s voice as she greeted them.

,I’ll excuse myself first then.” Yeo-kyung nodded at Han Su-jin’s words.

As Han Su-jin opened the door and left, the look she cast back was a mixture of unease, jealousy, and curiosity. But Lee Han’s expression remained as calm as ever.

As the door closed, Lee Han smiled gently and guided Yeo-kyung to the sofa. ,Please, have a seat over here.”

Yeo-kyung’s sharp gaze swept over the sofa. The tip of her nose twitched slightly. She seemed to detect a subtle, suggestive fragrance in the air, but her expression remained as cold as ever.

Lee Han’s voice cut through the tense atmosphere. ,Would you like coffee or tea?”

,Coffee, please,” Yeo-kyung replied succinctly.

While Lee Han brewed the coffee, a strange silence filled the office. As the hot water soaked the coffee grounds and a rich coffee aroma filled the space, Yeo-kyung’s shoulders seemed to relax slightly.

Lee Han carefully placed the coffee cup in front of Yeo-kyung. The moment his fingertips left the cup, Yeo-kyung’s sharp gaze brushed against his hand. Lee Han, as if aware of her gaze, naturally sat down in the seat opposite her.

,I’ll formally introduce myself,” Yeo-kyung’s voice was low. ,I’m Lim Ha-yoon, a detective in the Violent Crimes Unit of the Seoul Central Police Station.”

Lee Han bowed slightly and replied. ,Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Lee Han, the manager of this apartment building.”

Their gazes met in the air. Within those eyes lay wariness and scrutiny towards each other, as well as a secret tension. A subtle standoff, hidden within the aroma of coffee, was beginning.

Lim Ha-yoon’s sharp eyes turned to Lee Han. ,Since when have you been in charge of this management office?”

Lee Han wore an expression as if he was thinking for a moment. ,It’s been about a year now.”

Lim Ha-yoon’s eyebrows rose slightly. ,In that case, do you happen to know anything about the previous manager?”

In that instant, the warning videos Chairman Park had sent flashed before Lee Han’s eyes. The screams and pain of the women, and their tragic ends. His fingers trembled unconsciously, but he soon regained his composure.

,I’m sorry. I don’t know much,” Lee Han’s voice was calm.

Lim Ha-yoon tilted her head slightly and asked again. ,Don’t you know anything about their past history either?”

Lee Han shook his head. ,No, I haven’t heard much.”

Lim Ha-yoon’s expression twisted for a moment, then relaxed. ,By any chance… haven’t you heard any stories about frequent suicides or disappearances among the previous managers here?”

Lee Han’s eyes widened slightly. A suitable amount of surprise was laced in his voice. ,Did that happen? I had no idea.”

Lim Ha-yoon’s sharp gaze scanned Lee Han’s expression. ,What did you do before this, then?”

A smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. ,Actually, I was an unemployed bum preparing for a job. I just got lucky that a position opened up here.”

Lim Ha-yoon slowly sipped her coffee, carefully observing Lee Han. A shadow of doubt flickered in her eyes, but it soon disappeared.

,This place has a lot of incidents, so be careful,” Lim Ha-yoon said as she stood up.

Lee Han bowed his head and replied. ,Yes, thank you. I will be careful.”

As Lim Ha-yoon left the office, Lee Han let out a deep sigh. His eyes gradually darkened. In his head, the past videos and Lim Ha-yoon’s questions swirled around in a vortex. Lee Han’s fingers gripped the coffee cup tightly. A complex mix of emotions flashed across his face.

Chairman Park’s cold voice echoed in his ears. ,If you’re going to commit a crime, you have to make sure you don’t get caught…” A cold shiver ran down Lee Han’s spine. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

The appearance of the police was an unexpected variable. If he continued to carry out Chairman Park’s instructions, he would eventually be caught in a trap. But he couldn’t quit either. Knowing Chairman Park’s power and influence, it was obvious what his fate would be the moment he defied his orders.

Various possibilities flashed rapidly through Lee Han’s mind. How to shake off the police, how to avoid Chairman Park’s suspicion, and above all, how to preserve his own life. His eyes shone sharply. In order to continue this dangerous tightrope walk, he had to become even more careful and cunning.

As Lim Ha-yoon left the management office, she replayed Lee Han’s appearance in her mind. His seemingly innocent face and ordinary demeanor didn’t seem to leave any room for suspicion. ‘A face with no distinguishing features, and someone who’s only worked here for a year…’ She bit her lip slightly. It seemed natural that Lee Han would be ignorant of this apartment’s dark history.

Lim Ha-yoon stood in the apartment complex and slowly looked around. The sunlight glinting off the glass windows, the well-maintained landscaping, and the laughter of children playing created a peaceful atmosphere. But her sharp eyes were trying to penetrate this tranquil facade and uncover the hidden reality of the darkness beneath.

‘Aryong Group’s social contribution…’ A cynical laugh escaped Lim Ha-yoon’s lips. Her fingers unconsciously touched the notebook in her pocket. Inside, suspicious records related to this apartment were densely written.

Looking at the playground crowded with young couples, Lim Ha-yoon’s eyes shone coldly. ‘These people probably don’t know. What kind of trap they’re falling into…’ Past records flashed through her mind like a panorama.

Reports of sexual assault, 13 cases. Attempted rape, 7 cases. And all cases dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Lim Ha-yoon’s hand clenched. ‘There was no physical evidence, but the number of reports from this apartment was abnormally high. This is definitely not a coincidence.’

‘The recent call to the counseling center…’ Lim Ha-yoon let out a deep sigh. That disconnected call, combined with the numerous past records, weighed heavily on her mind. This was not a simple coincidence. Rather, it was evidence that this apartment’s dark history was continuing.

,Is it starting again…” she muttered softly.

‘It has to be different this time.’ Her eyes shone coldly. ‘If someone is suffering, I will definitely save them.’

Lim Ha-yoon looked at the apartment with a determined expression. The hidden reality of the darkness beneath this peaceful facade, she would uncover it. The call to the counseling center was a warning sign announcing the existence of a new victim, and for her, it was an opportunity to break this vicious cycle.

Lim Ha-yoon was deep in thought as she looked around the apartment complex. Just then, her heart skipped a beat at the familiar voice coming from behind.

,What are you doing here?”

Turning her head, she saw Park Jun-ho. His handsome face and tall height caught her eye.

,Ah, Senior. I was just looking around,” Lim Ha-yoon replied calmly, but her eyes wavered.

Park Jun-ho approached her. ,You came because of that case again, huh? Be careful, it could be dangerous.”

Lim Ha-yoon felt complicated emotions at his worried voice. She felt grateful, but also a sense of discomfort for some reason.

,I know, Senior. But this is important,” Lim Ha-yoon said in a small voice.

A moment of silence passed between them. Lim Ha-yoon inadvertently looked at Park Jun-ho’s left hand, and his wedding ring caught her eye.

,Come to think of it, Senior, do you live here?” Lim Ha-yoon changed the subject.

Park Jun-ho seemed slightly flustered, but soon replied. ,Ah, yeah. My new home is in the countryside, so we’re a weekend couple. I’m living alone here.”

Lim Ha-yoon’s expression changed subtly at his answer. Their gazes met for a moment, and something inexpressible passed between them.

,I see…” Lim Ha-yoon muttered softly.

Lim Ha-yoon’s hand moved slightly towards Park Jun-ho’s hand. The moment her fingers touched the back of his hand, a slight current seemed to run through her. Lim Ha-yoon took a deep breath. After looking around once more, she carefully intertwined her fingers with his.

Park Jun-ho paused for a moment when he felt her touch. But soon, he gave a gentle smile and held Lim Ha-yoon’s hand tightly. Lim Ha-yoon’s heart was filled with excitement at the warmth conveyed from his palm.

The two walked slowly together. Lim Ha-yoon focused on the sensation she felt from Park Jun-ho’s hand. His calluses, long fingers, and… the feeling of cold metal. It was a wedding ring.

Lim Ha-yoon’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. A heavy ache settled in a corner of her heart. But she soon composed herself. ‘I chose this…’ she repeated in her mind. She bit her lip slightly and swallowed the complex emotions.

Lim Ha-yoon looked up at Park Jun-ho. His profile still made her heart flutter. The sweetness and bitterness of forbidden love washed over her at the same time. But at this moment, she was happy just to be holding his hand and walking.

,How’s work these days?” Lim Ha-yoon asked casually.

Park Jun-ho chuckled softly. ,Same as always. Busy and hectic.”

The two continued their conversation as if they were ordinary colleagues, but their gazes and touches revealed a hidden intimacy. Lim Ha-yoon looked around, checking to see if anyone was watching them.

After a while, Lim Ha-yoon carefully brought up the topic. ,Um… could you possibly show me around your place?”

Park Jun-ho’s expression stiffened for a moment. ,Um… I don’t think today would be a good time. Maybe some other time…”

Lim Ha-yoon’s heart ached at his roundabout refusal, but she forced a smile. ,Ah, okay. I understand.”

As Lim Ha-yoon stepped back slightly and clasped her hands behind her back, Park Jun-ho seemed to read her mind and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

,I’ll see you tonight,” he whispered in her ear.

Lim Ha-yoon’s heart softened again at those words. She nodded slightly.

The two talked as if they were ordinary colleagues and slowly left the apartment complex. But their steps and gazes held a secret that no one else knew. Lim Ha-yoon put aside her complicated emotions and moved forward, looking forward to the evening ahead.

—-

Chairman Park’s office, only the blue light of a large screen illuminated the space in the darkness. On the screen, the bodies of one man and two women were intertwined. Their breaths and moans faintly filled the room.

Chairman Park was turned away, gazing out the window. A quiet voice could be heard from the phone in his hand.

After a moment of silence, Chairman Park’s deep voice rang out. ,It’ll be fine, so proceed for now.”

A strange smile spread across Chairman Park’s wrinkled face after he hung up the phone. ,If he can even pull this off, I can move on to the next stage.”

He slowly turned his body and looked at the screen. Chairman Park’s eyes shone sharply at the passionate 모습 of the people on the screen. A satisfied smile deepened on his lips.

,I wonder how far he’ll go.” His voice was filled with anticipation and excitement.

A flame of desire burned in Chairman Park’s eyes. His wrinkled fingers clenched and unclenched the armrest of the chair. His expression looked even more sinister in the darkness.

The blue light of the screen flickered on his face. Chairman Park stared at the video with an expression as if he had become a god. His eyes were filled with the pleasure and anticipation that came from manipulating the fate of others.