episode_0017

In conclusion, Cheolsoo was taken away by the police as a suspect.

“As expected! Truly remarkable! What an astonishing plan! Even I, who was right there, couldn’t have anticipated it!”

Secretary Park exclaimed in admiration towards Yujin.

He had just handed over Cheolsoo to the police station as a suspect.

“A person without a trace of blood or tears!”

Of course, even if he handed him over directly at the scene, proving guilt wouldn’t be easy.

Considering the victim’s testimony and the situation, there is plenty of room for normal extenuating circumstances.

However, the power of Heukcheon makes even that possible by force.

“To be arrested for a crime committed against the woman you love.”

What a wicked thought that is.

Not many men can hold onto their sanity after such an ordeal.

It’s not just about others’ opinions or issues with women.

Surely unable to forgive oneself.

Even if it was a semi-coerced act due to drugs and circumstances, the outcome remains the same.

And Cheolsoo walked into that on his own accord.

From meeting Yeonghee for the first time, bringing her to the hotel, to involving Cheolsoo, it was all part of a single plan!

Secretary Park was amazed at Yujin’s abilities.

Of course, not knowing it was all a crazy coincidence overlapping with another coincidence could lead to misconceptions.

“Hmm, the more I think about it, the more fucked up it seems.”

-The fact that you have to think hard to understand that is damn surprising.

Yujin, outwardly serious, was internally struggling.

Never could he have imagined that the mysterious drink in the refrigerator would be so feeble.

No, what kind of crazy hotel puts that in the fridge?

And not knowing that, yet recommending it to Cheolsoo.

Upon closer inspection, it implies that Cheolsoo attacked Yeonghee because of him.

“Oh no, this is insane! Ultimately, it means my mistake accounts for more than half!”

Certainly, there may be reasons related to Cheolsoo liking Yeonghee, but at least if there were no feebleness, he wouldn’t have done such a crazy thing.

If you’re going to do something, you should at least listen to everyone’s story first.

But now, Cheolsoo has already been taken away by the police.

“Oh no! I messed up! I didn’t know there were such circumstances! Our Cheolsoo is an innocent, good kid!”

In reality, Yujin couldn’t do anything.

Having heard the situation, Secretary Park swiftly resolved the matter.

Secretary Park, like a giant in Heukcheon, also had connections within the police force.

His usual competence had now become a problem in reverse.

“Can this be fixed with money, or do I need another approach? Should I go to the police station and kneel, begging for forgiveness for my mistake?!”

Most things had been resolved with money until now.

It’s uncertain if that will work this time.

Anyway, now it’s not about winning or losing.

At this rate, my friend’s (potential) life is screwed!

Money, power, connections—bring them all, shabam!

It was time to talk to Secretary Park and at least try something.

“Over there, sir.”

At Secretary Park’s words, he turned his head.

Standing there was Yeonghee with a blank expression.

Yeonghee seemed visibly shocked.

Yujin quickly approached her.

“Why are you like this? I told you to stay inside.”

Before he could finish speaking, Yeonghee hugged Yujin tightly.

“I messed up….”

She spoke with a voice full of tears.

“I’ll do anything. I’ll really do anything. Please, please save our Cheolsoo….”

Before Yujin could say anything, she suddenly knelt down.

Ah, damn it.

Why does everyone have to be so heart-wrenching?

****

The police station, visited for the first time, was darker than expected.

The atmosphere itself wasn’t the issue.

But the gaze that saw him as a criminal.

That, even for Cheolsoo, who had trained for a long time, was unbearable.

Moreover, not to mention the crime of attacking a loved one.

“Wow, crazy bastard. How could you touch a girl at that age, let alone a fellow student from the same school.”

“It wasn’t my intention.”

“No way. There are clear testimonies and evidence right here.”

“They’re all manipulated by those bastards!”

“I see.”

At the policeman’s words, Cheolsu raised his head abruptly.

He was currently in an interrogation room.

Although it was just an interrogation, he was handcuffed, and the dark atmosphere inside was intimidating enough.

Add to that the police’s firm confirmation of the crime.

It was enough to instill fear even in adults.

Thrown into such a situation in an instant, Cheolsu thought he had fallen into a trap without a chance to react.

But did the police really know that fact?

“If that’s the case…”

“What difference does that make?”

“Pardon?”

The policeman shrugged his shoulders, looking at Cheolsu.

“Do you know who’s backing you up right now? It’s Heukcheon, Heukcheon. Even high-ranking congressmen tremble when they see his aide.”

“……”

“How far do you think Heukcheon’s influence extends? Ignorant fools. From prosecutors to judges, it’s rare to find someone untouched by Heukcheon’s money.”

“And what about you, officer…?”

“Me? Obviously, I won’t say anything. If I take your side, who knows what might happen to my family. Am I crazy to help you?”

Cheolsu couldn’t utter a word at that statement.

Wasn’t it because of his own mistake that he ended up like this with Yu Jin?

With Heukcheon’s power and wealth, cutting off a single police officer or questioning them was child’s play.

How many people would be willing to risk such danger?

“Could it be that they calculated all this and handed me over to the police station?”

If so, then it was a meticulously crafted trap.

Honestly, it doesn’t make sense.

Why would they go to such lengths for someone like me?

Is it just pure sadism?

Or is there some underlying reason?

“If this goes to court, it’ll be dangerous. With a criminal record, you’ll be expelled from the academy and won’t be able to become a hero. You’d have to resort to being a mercenary. Do you think Heukcheon would stand for that?”

“As I said, I am not a criminal.”

“Sure, this must all be fabricated evidence. With Heukcheon, anything is possible. People who see this will think the same. But what does that matter? The prosecutor won’t care.”

“It’ll be different once it goes to trial.”

“Didn’t you hear me properly? If prosecutors and judges are all on Heukcheon’s side, do you think a lawyer would be any different? Those gentlemen also likely receive money from Heukcheon and clearly have a vested interest in manipulating you from behind, kid.”

The policeman’s words were true.

With Heukcheon’s power, he could potentially cover the sky.

In contrast, Cheolsu had nothing.

All he could do was struggle pathetically from the start.

“So what do you suggest?”

Cheolsu’s fist trembled.

“Are you saying I have no choice but to accept this situation? Not even try to rebel properly?”

That guy was like trash for touching Yeonghee.

He had to protect Yeonghee.

He had lived solely for that purpose.

Could he really give up on Yeonghee now?

There was no way he could do such a thing.

“There is a way to turn this situation around. In fact, it might be the only way.”

Cheolsu raised his head.

“You go to the person who put you in this position and grovel before them. Promise never to resist again.”

“But I can’t…!”

“Shut up, kid. You know nothing about Heukcheon.”

The policeman put a cigarette in his mouth.

Upon closer inspection, he was missing a pinky finger.

“From what I’ve observed of them, they won’t lift a finger unless there’s something in it for them. They just ignore everything like butterflies fluttering nearby.”

The policeman whispered to himself.

A snake’s tongue.

“So, all you have to do is give the man what he wants. That’s how you make a living.”

Cheolsu bit his lip until it bled.

Do as the guy wants.

So, you’re going to hand over Yeonghee and pretend you never knew her for the rest of your life?

That’s impossible.

Yeonghee is everything to him.

A life without her is unimaginable, and living like that doesn’t seem possible.

But then, what should he do?

“Damn it.”

It was unfair.

If he had been stronger, more powerful, would things have turned out differently?

If he had the strength not to yield to that guy, an unbreakable spirit, would it have been different?

There was no turning back now, though.

“Pardon me.”

Another police officer entered at that moment.

She whispered something in the detective’s ear.

“What? Really?”

The detective’s eyes widened momentarily, then he looked at Cheolsu with a surprised expression.

“No way. Why the sudden change?”

“How would we know? We just do as we’re told.”

“Geez. Can’t figure out what those high-class folks are thinking.”

The detective stared at Cheolsu for a moment before shaking his head.

“Hey, get out.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said get out.”

Cheolsu looked puzzled for a moment.

He couldn’t understand the sudden change in attitude.

Was this decision supposed to be made so easily from the start?

“Who ordered you to kick me out?”

Cheolsu’s expression twisted even more oddly at the detective’s suspicious words.

“The successor of Hukcheon personally requested it. What have you been up to?”