The investigator cleared his throat a few times and turned on his tablet PC.
“First of all, I’m sorry about what happened. But I should congratulate you on waking up and no longer being a wanted person.”
“Thank you.”
“Mr. Yoon Juwon, as you’ve probably heard already, it’s been determined that Kim Cheolwoo was the one who killed Chairman Seo.”
I tried to listen to the investigator’s full statement, but I had to interrupt at this point.
“May I ask how this was discovered?”
The investigator rubbed his forehead as if tired. I felt a bit sorry, but considering how I’d been trembling as a wanted person all this time, I had the right to know.
“To summarize briefly, CEO Seo Hajin handed over evidence to us, and after seeing that evidence, Prosecutor Lee Woohyun began to suspect Director Kim Cheolwoo. With CEO Seo Hahyun’s cooperation, we performed an autopsy on Chairman Seo’s body, which revealed traces of a lethal poison. Additionally, with testimony from Kang Sojeong from Fashion Group H’s secretarial team, we were able to issue an arrest warrant.”
Though it was a brief summary, it wasn’t difficult to grasp the general outline of the case. However, one thing that bothered me was that Hajin had suspected Director Kim but hadn’t mentioned anything to me about it.
“Yes, thank you for explaining.”
The investigator offered a stiff consolation in a voice devoid of emotion.
“It must have been difficult for you. You’ve been through a lot.”
“Well, it’s fine. I’m just glad the truth has finally come to light. But, what happens with my kidnapping case?”
“Naturally, we plan to add that charge as well. About that…”
The investigator paused, hesitated for a moment, then asked with a serious expression:
“Currently, Kim Cheolwoo is claiming that it wasn’t him who kidnapped and confined you, but rather CEO Seo Hajin and Director Seo Hahyun. We need your testimony on this. While you were wanted, were you actually being held captive rather than on the run?”
I couldn’t help but smile. To think that this was all Kim Cheolwoo’s cornered mind could come up with when he was on the verge of sinking into a swamp… He must still think that I’m at odds with the brothers. Considering the real Yoon Juwon’s personality, such an assumption wasn’t unreasonable.
“I wonder why you’re smiling…”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I just find Kim Cheolwoo’s thinking so amusing. Isn’t it funny that after framing me, he’s now trying to frame the Seo brothers as well?”
The investigator nodded as if he’d expected this response.
“Then I assume there are no charges against CEO Seo and Director Seo?”
“Not only are they free of any charges, but they’re the ones who believed in me and protected me when I was framed, even without any evidence of my innocence.”
The investigator responded with a surprised expression:
“Ah, is that so? Then there’s nothing more to investigate.”
I nodded at the investigator with confident eyes. Compared to being kidnapped, suffering a concussion, and nearly breaking my ankle, this was an easy conclusion. The investigator said goodbye, telling me to take care of my health, and left the room.
I pulled the blanket up to just below my neck and turned toward the window. Despite everything being resolved, I felt pain as if sharp thorns were piercing throughout my chest.
* * *
“Is it true that Juwon woke up?”
Hahyun, who had been waiting outside until the investigator came out, pursed his lips at the sight of Hajin rushing over. Hajin was the one responsible for Juwon being kidnapped and hospitalized. And yet here he was, brazenly showing his face and asking about Juwon’s condition…
“What happened? Is he really awake?”
“The hospital contacted you, so you came, right? Why are you asking such obvious things?”
Despite Hahyun’s sharp response, Hajin slumped down as if all his strength had left him. Then he kept repeating, “Thank goodness. I’m so relieved.” After repeating the same words for a while like someone who had lost his mind, stroking his chest, Hajin tried to enter the hospital room. Hahyun quickly grabbed his arm.
“You can’t go in.”
“Why?”
“Do you really have to ask? The investigator said he needs to question him one-on-one. If no one was needed, don’t you think I would be in there instead of standing out here?”
Hajin put his hand to his forehead as if he understood.
Hahyun glared at Hajin, then stretched his neck to peek at the hospital room. It seemed like a long time had passed since the investigator went in, but he still hadn’t come out.
Hahyun grew increasingly anxious.
‘Could Yoon Juwon be betraying us like before? Is there something else that Seo Hajin, who hid the secret of Chairman Seo’s death, is still hiding? Maybe they’re plotting together to deceive me!’
Just then, a hand tapped his shoulder, and Hahyun looked up.
“Seo Hahyun, what are you thinking that makes your face turn so pale?”
Hahyun, who had been stubbornly silent and just glaring at Hajin, finally spoke.
“If there’s anything you and Yoon Juwon have conspired about to deceive me, tell me now. I’ll forgive you.”
Hajin shook his head with a disheartened expression.
“I wish it was a conspiracy. Do you know what my first thought was when I heard Juwon had woken up?”
Hahyun glared at Hajin as if to say “Tell me,” without letting down his guard.
“Of course, my first thought was gratitude that he woke up, and my second thought was…”
Hajin trailed off and lowered his head. Being so good at deception, Hahyun didn’t let go of his suspicions even when seeing Hajin’s seemingly distressed appearance.
“I wondered how I’d face Juwon now.”
“Why? Because you hid the fact that someone else killed Chairman Seo? Or because you let him stay home alone even knowing he could be in danger? What’s making it so hard for you to face Yoon Juwon again?”
“Both. I did think that a cornered Director Kim would stop at nothing… but I never imagined he would go as far as kidnapping.”
“Excuses! It’s all your fault. If you had given me even a hint, I wouldn’t have left Yoon Juwon alone!”
Hahyun lashed out at Hajin. But inside, he was relieved that Hajin seemed so frightened. It meant he probably hadn’t conspired with Yoon Juwon.
Just then, the hospital room door opened, and the investigator, seeing the brothers waiting, approached them.
“CEO, you must be relieved.”
“It’s all thanks to everyone’s concern. How did the investigation go?”
On the surface, it was a polite inquiry about the investigation, but the underlying meaning was that he was curious about what Juwon had testified. The investigator, catching the true intent, gave a business smile.
“Yes, it went well.”
“You know that’s not what I’m asking, don’t you?”
The investigator stroked his chin and smiled mysteriously.
“You know better than to ask this. How can you expect me to disclose investigation details to a suspect? There’s no law that allows that. Well, I’ll see you at the prosecutor’s office.”
The investigator turned away. As soon as he disappeared, Hajin quickly grabbed Hahyun’s arm as he was about to enter the hospital room.
“Hahyun, could you give me some time?”
“…What time?”
“I think I need to talk with Juwon. You’ve been with him all along and probably saw him after he woke up, but I haven’t… Could you let me be alone with him for a moment?”
Hahyun folded his arms and shook his head as if displeased. This reaction was expected. Hajin grinned and pulled out his trump card.
“Seo Hahyun, what did I say when I rescued you from Choi Eunji’s house? I said I’d grant any wish as long as it wasn’t about giving you Yoon Juwon, right?”
“That was about the company, wasn’t it?”
“A wish belongs to the person making it.”
Hahyun, who had leaned forward toward Hajin as if about to argue, ultimately couldn’t continue and became sullen. Then he sighed and continued:
“Not for long.”
“Cut me some slack. Though it’s unlikely, if Yoon Juwon doesn’t forgive me, he’ll all be yours.”
Hajin turned away with a bitter smile. Hahyun watched his retreating figure and thought: although it was too much that Hajin had deceived him, if Hajin explained that he did it to reclaim the CEO position of Fashion Group H, the ambitious Yoon Juwon would eventually forgive him…
* * *
After the investigator left the room, I expected Hahyun to come in right away, but no one entered for a while.
I stared blankly out the window. The sky outside was very clear, but my heart felt foggy and clouded. What was Hajin doing now? What should I ask him first when I see him? My thoughts were scattered and couldn’t easily come together.
I had just dozed off briefly when I heard the door open without a knock. Then came familiar footsteps. I could tell who it was without having to turn my head.
“Juwon…”
I pretended to be asleep, unable to bear the awkwardness. The footsteps grew closer, and Hajin’s cologne scent invaded my nostrils. It was the fragrance I had longed for while in the warehouse and while curled up alone in the forest after my miraculous escape. My eyes squeezed tighter to hold back tears of sorrow. I felt a warm sensation on my hand, and shortly after, a soft “chu” sound. He had kissed the back of my hand.
“Thank you for waking up. If you hadn’t, I probably couldn’t have forgiven myself.”
His exaggeration was severe—it wasn’t as if I had died and come back to life, nor had he harmed me. My chest felt heavy, like a stone was placed on it. While I didn’t want to say anything, I had many questions, so I slowly turned to face him.
