#127.

Im Ha-yoon stood in front of Kang Ji-won’s doorway. As the door opened, the fear etched on Kang Ji-won’s face was unmistakable. But that expression seemed to fear Im Ha-yoon herself, rather than the fear of a victim.

“Come in,” Kang Ji-won’s voice trembled.

Im Ha-yoon suppressed her suspicion and spoke gently. “Would you mind giving your statement one more time?”

Kang Ji-won started her story haltingly. Im Ha-yoon listened silently. She tried not to miss any changes in Kang Ji-won’s expression.

When the statement was over, Kang Ji-won asked, “Can I get a drink of water for a moment?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

While Kang Ji-won was away, puzzle pieces began to fit together in Im Ha-yoon’s mind. It seemed like hidden connections within the story were slowly being revealed.

Kang Ji-won returned from the kitchen, holding her glass and cautiously drinking water.

Im Ha-yoon, lost in thought, looked up. Seeing Kang Ji-won drinking water, she realized she was thirsty too.

Kang Ji-won finished her water and looked at Im Ha-yoon. “Detective-nim, would you like some water too?”

Im Ha-yoon hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yes, thank you.”

Kang Ji-won headed back to the kitchen. In the meantime, Im Ha-yoon organized the information she had so far in her head. It felt like there was an important clue, but she hadn’t quite grasped it yet.

A moment later, Kang Ji-won returned with a glass of water. “Here you go.”

“Thank you,” Im Ha-yoon said, taking the glass. She slowly drank the water, sorting out her thoughts. Kang Ji-won’s anxious eyes, Park Min-ah’s refusal, and Lee Han’s actions… everything seemed to be slowly connecting.

“Thank you,” Im Ha-yoon said, organizing her thoughts as she drank the water.

Seeing Kang Ji-won standing there anxiously, Im Ha-yoon snapped out of it. “I’m sorry. Thank you for your statement.”

Stepping outside, Im Ha-yoon took a deep breath. Her gaze turned towards the management office in the distance. As if having made up her mind, she started walking.

‘Now everything is clear.’

Im Ha-yoon’s eyes sharpened. Her steps were filled with conviction and determination. Tension filled the air as she headed towards the management office. It was time to reveal the whole truth.

As Im Ha-yoon opened the door to the management office, Lee Han jumped up from his desk.

“Detective-nim, did you confirm it?” Tension was evident in Lee Han’s voice.

Im Ha-yoon carefully examined Lee Han. “Shall we talk on the sofa for a bit?”

Lee Han looked puzzled but complied obediently.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Lee Han asked.

“No, thank you,” Im Ha-yoon refused firmly.

A moment of silence passed. Im Ha-yoon took a deep breath and continued.

“I want to talk about the statements of the two victims.”

She slowly unfolded the stories of Park Min-ah and Kang Ji-won. Confusion flashed across Lee Han’s face, but Im Ha-yoon didn’t stop.

“There are contradictions between the two statements. But at the same time, there are strange connections too.”

Im Ha-yoon’s sharp gaze turned to Lee Han. “Why did you fabricate this story?”

A smile spread across Lee Han’s face. The smile contained complex emotions.

“As expected of you, Detective-nim.” Lee Han’s voice lowered. “I think I underestimated you.”

Im Ha-yoon’s eyes sharpened even more. It was the moment when everything became clear.

A smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. His eyes shone with admiration and a sense of victory.

“As expected of the woman I chose.” Lee Han’s voice was filled with deep satisfaction.

At those words, Im Ha-yoon’s eyebrows twitched. Flames of anger ignited in her eyes.

“Are you playing with me?” Im Ha-yoon’s voice trembled.

Lee Han slowly shook his head. “Don’t think like that. Don’t you… want to know the secret of this apartment?”

At those words, Im Ha-yoon’s anger momentarily stopped. Her sharp eyes glared at Lee Han.

“You suspect the relationship between Park Joon-ho and Aryong Group, don’t you?” Lee Han asked.

Im Ha-yoon’s pupils shook. “How did you…”

Lee Han’s smile deepened. “Do you think I’d tell you that easily?”

Im Ha-yoon couldn’t stand it and rushed at Lee Han. Just as she was about to grab his collar, she suddenly felt dizzy.

‘Could it be…’

Her vision began to blur. Through her wavering vision, she saw Lee Han’s triumphant smile. Im Ha-yoon’s eyes slowly closed.

Lee Han lightly caught the collapsing Im Ha-yoon. A cold look of victory flickered in his eyes.

“Sleep well, Detective-nim,” he whispered softly. “Because the real beginning starts now.”

Lee Han laid Im Ha-yoon’s limp body on the sofa. His fingers slowly traced her cheek. Lee Han’s smile deepened even more.

“You… will be able to enjoy this game.”

–

Im Ha-yoon’s eyelids slowly opened. The surroundings were shrouded in darkness. A moment of terror gripped her, but she soon realized that she was blindfolded.

She tried to move her body. But her hands were tied tightly behind her back, pulled upwards. Her feet were not free either. Feeling the cold air on her bare skin, she realized that all her clothes had been taken off.

She opened her mouth to shout, but something round was filling her mouth. No matter how much she tried to make a sound, only a stifled groan escaped.

Im Ha-yoon desperately shook her body. She tried to scream, but she couldn’t move her body properly because of her tied hands and feet. Her chest rose and fell roughly. Fear, anger, and shame mixed together and overwhelmed her.

After struggling for a long time, Im Ha-yoon stopped moving, exhausted, and a familiar voice came from the darkness.

“You’re energetic, Detective-nim.”

It was Lee Han’s voice. A cold, detached voice, yet with a subtle pleasure mixed in, sent shivers down Im Ha-yoon’s spine.

Im Ha-yoon gritted her teeth. Anger, fear, and humiliation swirled in her head. But at the same time, her detective instincts awakened.

‘I have to stay calm,’ she repeated to herself. ‘This is what he wants. He wants to see me terrified.’

Im Ha-yoon took a slow, deep breath. Although she was helpless now, she would never give up. She had to find a way out of this situation. And above all, she had to figure out Lee Han’s true intentions.

Lee Han’s footsteps slowly approached. Im Ha-yoon’s muscles tensed with anticipation. She tried to predict what Lee Han would do or say next.

Lee Han’s voice came from all directions. It seemed like he was circling around Im Ha-yoon.

“The brave Detective Im Ha-yoon walked into the trap on her own two feet. She even took a vacation for a personal investigation… Will anyone know about this situation?”

Im Ha-yoon felt a chill run down her spine. She was horrified by the fact that Lee Han had been investigating her. She tried to feel around with her feet, but her body, just awakened from sleep, was weak, and her movements were restricted because of her tied hands.

Suddenly, she felt Lee Han’s hand touching her head. Im Ha-yoon hurriedly tried to pull back with force, but it wasn’t easy. Soon, the object blocking her mouth fell out.

“Huk… huk…” Im Ha-yoon cursed, gasping for breath. “Hurry up and untie this?!”

Lee Han’s laughter was heard. “You still don’t know what situation you’re in, do you? What usually happens when a female detective is dragged into a criminal organization?”

At those words, a moment of fear gripped her and Im Ha-yoon’s body stiffened. But she tried to hide it and said, “You think I’ll succumb to that threat?”

Quickly turning her mind, Im Ha-yoon continued, “If it were that kind of organization, wouldn’t I have already been killed before I got into this situation?”

Admiration was evident in Lee Han’s voice. “As expected, you’re excellent, Detective-nim.”

Im Ha-yoon gritted her teeth. Fear and anger were mixed together, but her reason was still working sharply.

“What is your purpose?” she asked sharply.

Lee Han’s footsteps came closer. “Purpose… interesting. What do you think, Detective-nim?”

Im Ha-yoon answered calmly. “You’re trying to threaten me to stop the investigation. But that won’t work.”

Lee Han chuckled softly. “Oh, it’s not that simple. Our game has only just begun.”

Im Ha-yoon felt her heart beating fast. She tried to grasp the meaning hidden in Lee Han’s words.

“Game? I have no intention of playing a game with you.”

“But Detective-nim, you’re already participating in the game.” Lee Han’s voice was close to her ear. “And the winner of this game… will be me.”

Im Ha-yoon bit her lip. She had to get out of this dangerous situation. But at the same time, she had to figure out Lee Han’s plan.

“You think you can do as you please?” Im Ha-yoon said coldly.

Lee Han’s laughter was heard again. “That’s it, Detective-nim. Your spirit of challenge will make this game even more interesting.”

Im Ha-yoon thought about her next move in silence. In this dangerous game, she had to win.