#2.

That evening, a letter of unknown origin was delivered to Lee Han. It was a mysterious letter with only a few numbers scribbled on it, with no sender indicated. Puzzled, Lee Han examined the letter, and the computer installed in the camera room suddenly came to mind.

Instinct whispered something. Hurriedly heading to the computer room, Lee Han turned on the computer and entered the numbers from the letter as the password. The screen lit up, revealing the desktop. An unknown folder caught his eye.

Out of curiosity, he clicked the folder, and a gruesome video began to play. Videos of men violating women were lined up one after another. The faces of the people involved were all different, but the composition of terrified women and men enjoying their screams was strikingly similar.

With trembling hands, Lee Han checked the videos one by one, and was startled when he reached the last video. Several news articles were suddenly displayed on the screen. They were articles about the men in the videos he had seen so far.

,Disappearance, murder…? Did all those men meet such a miserable end?’

Closing the video, Lee Han’s mind was in complete chaos. Who on earth, and why, had shown him these things?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind. What if those men were the previous building managers? They must have been reckless and careless, leading to their crimes being discovered and their miserable fates. If he didn’t want to end up like that, he shouldn’t rush to pounce on Han Su-jin.

If all of this was a kind of warning from Chairman Park, its meaning was clear. Approach slowly and carefully. Be careful not to be exposed all at once. He would have to subtly ensnare his opponent with their shameful weaknesses.

Clenching his teeth, he turned off the computer. With a strange thrill, a strong determination filled Lee Han’s inner self. Mistakes could not be tolerated. He had to learn. He had to learn a lesson and move one step further.

With patience, one step at a time. He would slowly approach the prey called Han Su-jin. Never rushing, never getting caught. That way, he would thoroughly ensnare her.

Lee Han skipped a day and contacted Han Su-jin, calling her to the office. When she arrived, she looked tired, as if she hadn’t slept well. But even in that haggardness, Han Su-jin’s beauty was still shining.

Lee Han looked at her, swallowed hard, and cautiously began to speak.

,First of all, I haven’t told Chairman-nim about Han Su-jin-ssi’s kleptomania yet. Fortunately, you didn’t actually take anything, so I think I can handle it myself.”

At those words, Han Su-jin’s stiff expression seemed to relax a little. But at Lee Han’s next words, her face darkened again.

,However, I’m not entirely comfortable with covering everything up like this.”

,Perhaps… do you want money?”

Han Su-jin, unable to hide her anxiety, asked in a trembling voice. But Lee Han smiled and shook his head.

,No, don’t misunderstand. My suggestion is, how about Han Su-jin-ssi helping with some of the apartment management work?”

At the unexpected suggestion, Han Su-jin looked bewildered. Lee Han moved closer to her and continued.

,Since you almost caused trouble in the apartment, you can think of it as volunteering for the complex. Because the Chairman-nim manages it directly, there is no residents’ association, so there is a great shortage of hands from the management’s point of view. I would appreciate it if you could share some light tasks. Oh, do you have any other work?”

In fact, Lee Han already knew that Han Su-jin was a full-time housewife. However, he was trying to reel her into the conversation by asking her trivial questions first.

Lost in thought, Han Su-jin took a moment to catch her breath and then thanked him and promised to help.

,Can we start now? I’ll explain what kind of work we do while patrolling the complex together.”

At Lee Han’s smiling suggestion, Han Su-jin also nodded. The two of them immediately headed to the apartment complex.

While looking around the apartment complex with Han Su-jin, Lee Han asked her light and natural questions. When asked if she had a job, Han Su-jin replied that she was a housewife. She was a full-time housewife living on her husband’s income.

,I see. What does your husband do?”

,He works at a small to medium-sized company. He works hard, so he’s often late.”

,You seem to care a lot about your husband. He must be a respectable person.”

Han Su-jin’s face flushed slightly at Lee Han’s compliment.

,Yes, he always does his best for me. He’s a really grateful husband.”

Han Su-jin’s tone was full of affection for her husband. Lee Han smiled inwardly. There seemed to be room to slowly dig into her vulnerabilities.

The two continued their conversation as they roamed around the complex. They asked and answered questions about the atmosphere at home and what hobbies she liked, and began to look into Han Su-jin’s life.

Occasionally, when Han Su-jin showed signs of wariness, Lee Han quickly changed the subject. He also subtly threatened her by mentioning the kleptomania incident. The more he did that, the more she shrank back.

As time passed, Han Su-jin’s words gradually increased. Family relationships, lifestyle, even her worries. Lee Han listened patiently. He sometimes gave kind advice.

Before they knew it, the sun was setting.

,It’s already this late. Han Su-jin-ssi, thank you so much for today.”

,No, it’s something I should do.”

Han Su-jin gave a wry smile. She hadn’t completely opened her heart, but it seemed like a certain level of intimacy had been built.

,I’ll be asking for your help often in the future, so please take care of me then too.”

,I understand. I’ll do my best within my capabilities.”

After saying goodbye, Lee Han watched Han Su-jin leave. Her retreating figure, with a shy smile, looked somehow endearing.

,Soon, you’ll be obeying my every word.’

A chilling smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. With his cunning plan, Han Su-jin was slowly opening her heart. He would thoroughly dig into her life, seize her weaknesses, and tame her.

In the darkness, a gruesome madness flowed through Lee Han’s eyes. It was the gaze of a beast burning with desire. Hiding his wriggling, sinister intentions, he returned to the office. The hunt that had just begun, he intended to enjoy it leisurely.

Lee Han often called Han Su-jin out to help with apartment patrols and management tasks. In the process, he was able to learn about her one by one.

In particular, the story of Han Su-jin and Park Tae-young’s meeting was interesting. It was impressive that Park Tae-young had fallen for Han Su-jin’s appearance when she was working part-time at a convenience store, actively pursued her, and quickly fell in love and pushed for marriage.

But Park Tae-young’s family was different. They strongly opposed the marriage, citing Han Su-jin’s lack of anything to show for herself other than her appearance, her poor family, and her low education.

,In the end, Park Tae-young is her only lifeline.’

Lee Han smiled. If the evidence of her kleptomania that he held was revealed to her husband, Han Su-jin would be gripped by the fear of losing even that.

Returning to the office, Lee Han sat deeply in his chair and began to organize the information he had collected. In his mind, the next course of action was being drawn.

He cast his gaze at the calendar hanging on the wall. The deadline that Chairman Park had initially set was two months. He had to get Han Su-jin in his hands within that time. The time seemed sufficient. He decided not to be impatient and to slowly and carefully develop a plan.

Suddenly, Han Su-jin’s kleptomania incident from a month ago came to mind. Could he possibly catch another trace of it from her? A sense of anticipation swelled up.

Lee Han got up. He was going to thoroughly monitor Han Su-jin’s every move. There must be a pretext somewhere. Hiding the gruesome, sparkling desire in the darkness, he sat in front of the computer and began monitoring.

Lee Han smiled contentedly as he watched the scene on the monitor. It clearly showed Han Su-jin committing kleptomania again without realizing it. Even the sight of her suddenly coming to her senses and returning the stolen item to its place.

Lee Han quickly printed the scene and placed it on his desk. That one photo was enough to get Han Su-jin in his grasp. He pondered over how to bring up the words of blackmail.

The next day, when Han Su-jin, who had been summoned, sat in the office, Lee Han deliberately only sighed deeply. Her face was filled with worry and anxiety at his appearance. Her hands, placed on her lap, fidgeted.

After dragging out the time, Lee Han carefully handed her a photo. At that moment, Han Su-jin’s lips were tightly shut. As if she couldn’t make any excuses.

,This seems like… a disease.”

Lee Han began to speak.

,It looks like you need treatment. Should I tell your husband?”

,Please… don’t do that!”

Instantly, Han Su-jin grabbed Lee Han’s arm and pleaded. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Cold on the outside, but actually soft on the inside. Her seemingly strong attitude was just a facade to protect herself. Lee Han had been able to grasp Han Su-jin’s inner thoughts through their conversations. If he squeezed her weaknesses, she would easily crumble.

,Then I’m worried about how to handle this.”

Lee Han muttered indifferently. He was laughing inside. It would be nice if Han Su-jin would suggest it herself, but there was no way she would. He felt like he had to throw out some bait.

,Please forgive me… please.”

Han Su-jin sobbed, her shoulders shaking. Lee Han got up from his seat, approached her, and said as if to comfort her.

,Don’t worry too much. I’ll figure out how to solve it somehow.”

Han Su-jin looked up at him with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. Lee Han swallowed hard once again.

,Instead…”

The moment he trailed off, Han Su-jin’s body stiffened. She seemed to have realized what he was going to ask for.

,No… isn’t there another way?”

Han Su-jin asked in a trembling voice. But Lee Han’s eyes were firm. He pointed to the photo on the table, applying unspoken pressure.

Han Su-jin, terrified, looked at the photo, finally closed her eyes, and opened her mouth.

,What do I have to do?”

A victorious smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. He had succeeded in getting Han Su-jin in his grasp. The pleasure of evil enveloped his entire body.