#116.

Late afternoon, the shadows enveloping the apartment complex were growing longer. Im Ha-yoon’s footsteps echoed along the paved path at the entrance of the complex. Her shoe sounds broke the surrounding silence as she approached the management office.

The sound of leaves rustling in the wind and the faint laughter of children in the distance lingered in the air. But it seemed as if Im Ha-yoon couldn’t hear any of those sounds. Her eyes were sharp, and her gait was filled with a determined will.

The management office came into view. A low, flat building, with flowerpots placed in front, their heads drooping lifelessly. Im Ha-yoon paused for a moment and took a deep breath. Anxiety and anticipation swirled within her chest.

Standing in front of the office door, Im Ha-yoon hesitated for a moment. The fingers gripping the doorknob trembled slightly. Could this meeting be a breakthrough in the investigation? Or would it be another dead end?

She took one last deep breath and opened the door with a determined expression.

As the door opened, Lee Han’s figure came into view. He looked up and smiled as if he had expected Im Ha-yoon’s visit.

,Hello, Detective-nim. You’ve come again.”

Lee Han’s voice was soft and friendly. But deep within his eyes was a depth that no one could read.

Im Ha-yoon hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth. “Yes, there are a few more things I’d like to ask.”

Lee Han nodded and stood up from his seat. “Please, sit down. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

Im Ha-yoon shook her head. Her fingers unconsciously gripped and released the strap of her bag. “It’s okay. I don’t have time…”

Lee Han didn’t miss her tense appearance. He gave a gentle smile, as if trying to reassure Im Ha-yoon. “Would you like to tell me what’s going on? I’ll do my best if there’s anything I can do to help.”

Im Ha-yoon took a deep breath. Her eyes wavered. “Actually… I’m looking into the incidents that happened in this apartment in the past.”

Lee Han’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Past incidents?”

“Yes,” Im Ha-yoon continued cautiously. “Sensitive cases like sexual assault reports or attempted rape…”

Lee Han’s expression momentarily hardened before changing to a worried look. “To think such terrible things happened… I didn’t know.”

Im Ha-yoon carefully observed Lee Han’s reaction. It was difficult to gauge whether his surprised expression was genuine or not.

“Could I possibly see the apartment management records from that time?” Im Ha-yoon asked cautiously.

Lee Han wore an expression as if he was contemplating for a moment. His eyes flickered complexly. “Well… that’s a bit sensitive information…”

Im Ha-yoon’s heart began to beat rapidly. The anxiety that she might be rejected as it is overwhelmed her.

Then Lee Han opened his mouth. “But… I think I can trust you, Detective-nim. Even if there’s no official warrant or anything, I’ll cooperate as much as I can to help you.”

Im Ha-yoon’s eyes widened. Her heart wavered for a moment at the unexpected cooperation.

“Really? It would be a great help if you could do that.”

Lee Han gave a warm smile. “Of course. However, the privacy of the residents is also important, so I think we should proceed with caution.”

Im Ha-yoon nodded. “Of course. I will definitely keep the confidentiality.”

The two people’s eyes met. At that moment, Im Ha-yoon felt a strange sense of trust in Lee Han. But at the same time, a small warning sounded in a corner of her heart.

Lee Han slowly stood up from his seat. “Then I’ll look for the relevant records and organize them. When would you like to come again?”

“Well… I’ll come back in about two days.”

Lee Han nodded. “Okay. Oh, and if there are any rumors or unofficial information circulating among the residents, I’ll organize them together.”

Im Ha-yoon’s eyes sparkled. “Thank you so much. That kind of information will be a great help.”

The two exchanged contact information. Just as Im Ha-yoon was about to leave the office, Lee Han called out to her.

“Detective-nim.”

As Im Ha-yoon turned around, Lee Han’s eyes had become serious.

“This… is unofficial, right?”

Im Ha-yoon hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yes, it is.”

Lee Han said with a solemn expression. “Okay. I will keep the secret thoroughly. I trust you, Detective-nim.”

Im Ha-yoon felt a strange sense of relief at those words. But at the same time, the question of whether this situation was right weighed heavily on one side of her heart.

Leaving the management office, she paused and took a deep breath. She decided to take a walk around the complex to clear her head. The warm sunlight of the late afternoon caressed her face. With every step she took, her conversation with Lee Han lingered in her mind, but on the other hand, her eyes kept scanning her surroundings.

It was as if she was waiting for someone, or perhaps subtly hoping for a chance encounter disguised as coincidence. At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind her.

“Ha-yoon-ah.”

It felt like her heart dropped. Im Ha-yoon slowly turned her head. Park Joon-ho was standing just a few steps away. His eyes still seemed to pierce through her soul.

“Joon-ho Senior…” Im Ha-yoon’s voice trembled faintly with a strange anticipation.

Park Joon-ho approached with a gentle smile. His eyes were warm, but there was an unfathomable shadow somewhere.

“Still working? Without even a break.”

Im Ha-yoon tensed up for a moment. As she was choosing her answer, biting her lip slightly, Park Joon-ho gently grabbed her arm.

“Let’s go to dinner. Just the two of us, for the first time in a while.”

A thrill ran through Im Ha-yoon’s body at his touch. Her reason screamed. ‘No, I need to focus on work right now!’ But her heart was already caught up in Park Joon-ho’s presence.

“That’s…” Im Ha-yoon hesitated.

Park Joon-ho’s eyes deepened even further. “I’ve made a reservation. I’ve also ordered the wine you like.”

Im Ha-yoon felt her will crumbling like a sandcastle. She nodded. “…Okay.”

Park Joon-ho gave a satisfied smile. “Good. Let’s meet at 7 o’clock. I’ll be waiting.”

Watching him turn around and walk away, Im Ha-yoon was caught in a whirlwind of complex emotions. Guilt and anticipation, self-loathing and desire intertwined, squeezing her chest.

‘It’s happening again…’ Im Ha-yoon muttered inwardly. ‘I know it, but I can’t stop.’

Something hot welled up in her eyes for a moment. But Im Ha-yoon quickly composed herself. She looked around, hoping that no one had seen her.

Im Ha-yoon let out a deep sigh. Her steps were heavy, but a small expectation still flickered in a corner of her heart. Im Ha-yoon didn’t know whether that emotion would bring her happiness or plunge her into a deeper abyss.

She slowly moved her feet, starting to think about what to wear for the dinner date. For that moment, she forgot all her worries and obligations, and only looked forward to her time with Park Joon-ho.

—

Late in the afternoon, the red sunset light was seeping through the windows of the management office. Lee Han stared intently at the computer screen, furrowing his brow. He tried to find past records of the case Im Ha-yoon was investigating, but the records were empty.

“It’s clean…” Lee Han muttered to himself.

All traces had been wiped clean. As if those incidents had never existed in the first place. Lee Han’s fingers moved restlessly over the keyboard.

Then his gaze turned to the black USB hidden in his desk drawer. The small object he had received from Chairman Park when he had just taken on the management position. Lee Han’s eyes shone sharply.

The videos in the USB flashed through his mind. The faces of the previous managers, their expressions filled with desire, and the terrified eyes of the last moment…

Lee Han slightly raised the corners of his lips and fell into thought. The USB was both a threat and a powerful weapon. It could be a decisive card to stop Im Ha-yoon’s investigation, and if necessary, it could be insurance to use against Chairman Park.

Slowly opening the drawer, Lee Han weighed the various possibilities. Taking out the USB, a calculated coldness settled in his eyes.

“How should I use it…” Lee Han muttered to himself. Several scenarios were already being drawn in his mind. Ways to manipulate Im Ha-yoon, means to keep Park Joon-ho in check, and strategies to further solidify his position.

Lee Han’s fingers slowly rotated the USB. The sunset light shining through the window cast a deep shadow on his face. The office was quiet, but his eyes were constantly moving, calculating something.

After a while, Lee Han quietly placed the USB on the desk. A subtle smile crossed his lips. He leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath.

His gaze, which had been looking out the window, turned back to the USB on the desk. At that moment, the door to the management office quietly opened.

Han Soo-jin entered with quiet footsteps. Her eyes were filled with a subtle anticipation. Approaching Lee Han from behind, Han Soo-jin slowly placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Still working?” Her voice softly spread into Lee Han’s ear.

Lee Han turned his head to look at Han Soo-jin. Fatigue and tension were evident in his eyes. Han Soo-jin gently stroked his cheek.

“What’s wrong?” Han Soo-jin asked affectionately.

Lee Han sighed and stood up. He wrapped his arms around Han Soo-jin’s waist and gave her a light kiss.

“Something complicated has come up.” Lee Han muttered.

Han Soo-jin’s pupils sparkled with anxiety and curiosity. “The previous female cop? The one who came when we were here…”

Lee Han nodded. “That’s right. She said she’s a detective.”

Han Soo-jin’s expression hardened with tension. “What did she come for?”

Lee Han gently took Han Soo-jin’s hand. His voice was calm. “She said she’s investigating past incidents. But don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

Han Soo-jin took a deep breath. “I’m still anxious. She saw us here together.”

Lee Han smiled gently. “It’s okay. I responded naturally. But I think we need to be more careful in the future.”

“What are you going to do?” Worry was evident in Han Soo-jin’s voice.

Lee Han gently took Han Soo-jin’s hand and led her to the sofa. “Let’s talk about the details while sitting down. There’s nothing to worry about.”

The two slowly headed to the sofa. As the sunset light subtly illuminated their figures, a subtle tension lingered in the room.

Sitting on the sofa, Han Soo-jin looked at Lee Han’s face with concern. “What if something happens to you? I’m worried that the cop is trying to dig something up.”

Lee Han gently squeezed her hand and smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. I can handle it well. She’s just investigating past incidents.”

Anxiety still lingered in Han Soo-jin’s eyes, but she seemed somewhat relieved by Lee Han’s words. Lee Han gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder and continued. “There’s nothing wrong between us. But I think we need to be a little more careful in the future.”