“I have no idea what makes you so confident, but if rumors about Seo Hajin-ssi being gay start circulating, wouldn’t it be difficult for you to maintain your position as CEO, let alone return to modeling? This is supposed to be beneficial for both of us, so why are you being so stubborn?”
Hajin smirked. This wasn’t about mutual benefit; the prosecutor just wanted to add another achievement to his record.
“Prosecutor Lee, I don’t particularly like people who can’t distinguish between those whose hands they should shake and those they shouldn’t, people who immediately reach out to anyone they think might benefit them.”
It was a rebuke directed at Prosecutor Lee for joining hands with someone like Secretary Kim. Understanding the implication, Prosecutor Lee’s face twisted momentarily before he slowly nodded.
“I’d like to play dumb too, but as you know, Director Kim and CEO Seo are cut from the same cloth to me. I can switch sides anytime depending on who offers the better deal.”
Hajin sat up in his seat and turned his head toward Woohyun.
“Secretary Kim probably told you this, right? That there’s evidence I’m keeping Yoon Juwon, so I could be charged with kidnapping and confinement, and since my reason for taking Yoon Juwon was to frame him for murder, murder charges could be added as well.”
Hit right on target, Prosecutor Lee flinched but adjusted his glasses to hide his surprise. Hajin chuckled and added:
“You’re mistaken. Let me show you the evidence right now.”
Hajin called Hyunwoo, who had been waiting outside, into the car.
“Send the evidence of Secretary Kim’s embezzlement and the audio recordings.”
“Yes, sir.”
When Hyunwoo placed the evidence in front of Prosecutor Lee, Woohyun’s eyes grew wider and wider.
From the beginning, the embezzlement evidence against Seo Hajin that Director Kim had provided was full of holes. It was so flawed it seemed deliberately planted as a joke. However, the evidence they had brought was meticulously detailed with hardly any flaws even at first glance.
Additionally, the audio recordings contained conversations between Director Kim and his associates.
– Wouldn’t it be fastest to find Yoon Juwon and make him testify?
– We need to know where he is to find him, don’t we?
– The prosecutor thinks Yoon Juwon is a murderer, so would it look good to the prosecutor if we joined hands with someone like that?
– Don’t worry about that. If we press the fact that he whisked away Yoon Juwon, we can even pin murder charges on CEO Seo Hajin.
The recordings also contained conversations about relationships with current members of the National Assembly, and information about paper companies that could prove tax evasion charges. Of course, they showed thoroughness by mixing machine sounds with essential information to prevent detailed information from being revealed.
Lee Woohyun, who had taken a hard hit, swallowed bitterly. He wanted to demand they hand over all this evidence immediately, but to do so, he would need to offer something of equal value in return.
“CEO, as you know, this alone doesn’t prove that Yoon Juwon’s disappearance has nothing to do with you.”
Hajin smiled mockingly.
“Then, do you have evidence that I took Yoon Juwon away?”
“Well, Director Kim said he would provide that…”
“Prosecutor, let’s be honest. Do you really think this is all the evidence I have?”
“…”
“If that’s all you’ve got, then I have no further business with you. There are many prosecutors in Korea. I can just go to the Chief Prosecutor and give him all the materials I have.”
At Hajin’s words, one corner of Woohyun’s mouth turned up.
“I didn’t know you were so skilled at bluffing.”
“In that case, our business today is finished. For our next meeting, please send an official summons. I’d prefer not to waste time like this again.”
Woohyun chewed his lip, considering his options. If Hajin had recordings of Director Kim’s conversations with internal staff, it was obvious he would have even more damning material. This case involved stock manipulation and embezzlement at Korea’s largest fashion group, collusion between politics and business, tax evasion, and even potentially linking the mysterious murder case of Chairman Seo. Woohyun couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.
He could decide which side to take later. For now, the wise decision was to take Seo Hajin’s seemingly valuable hand and weigh both sides.
“You’ve been so cold from the start. Shouldn’t you give me some time to think as well?”
“Proceedings will begin soon, so I can’t give you much time. Let’s make a decision within a week.”
After Woohyun nodded and got out of the car, Hyunwoo quickly spoke up.
“What the hell are you thinking, mouthing off to a prosecutor like that?”
“What do you mean ‘mouthing off’? It’s obviously a bluff. No matter what evidence they have, we’ll win.”
Hyunwoo frowned and asked, “What if they have video footage of Chairman Seo’s last moments?”
“Come on, if they did, this would have blown up by now. Director Park, how can you work with me with such a tiny liver?”
Hyunwoo was speechless at Hajin’s relaxed attitude. Thinking he’d like to punch that snickering face, he grabbed the steering wheel.
“So? What’s our next destination? The hotel? Or home?”
“I’ve made him anxious for a few days, that’s enough. I should go comfort him now.”
“You sly fox.”
“I’m surprised you’re only realizing this now…”
Hyunwoo thought there were times when he felt sorry for Yoon Juwon as he turned the steering wheel to the right.
“Is Hahyun off work now?”
“He’s busy with official schedules, but he doesn’t work overnight. I think he should be home by now, even if late.”
“Then give him some work starting tomorrow. I went through all this trouble to make time, and it gets tiring when he sticks with Hahyun.”
“Fuck!”
As they drove down the empty predawn roads, Hyunwoo’s driving became increasingly reckless. Hajin’s face was filled with the smile of a victor.
* * *
It had been two days since Hajin had returned home. I couldn’t eat or sleep due to an inexplicable anxiety.
At 4 AM, I woke up and paced around the living room. I turned on the news, but there was not a single article about Hajin.
“Ah, seriously, what’s going on? This is driving me crazy.”
Out of worry, I sent multiple messages to Park Hyunwoo, but he only sent back replies asking about my well-being without providing any substantial news.
I wanted to ask Hahyun, but even seeing me sigh made him question whether I was worrying about Hajin in front of him, so I couldn’t even worry freely.
Just then, I heard the front door open. I turned my head to see Hajin entering the house with slumped shoulders. My heart sank when I saw his desolate expression.
When our eyes met, Hajin smiled faintly.
“You haven’t slept until this hour?”
He’s smiling… Is this really a situation where he should be smiling?
I stared at his face in disbelief before finally opening my mouth.
“…What is this? If you were going to be like this, why did you buy me a phone? You could have at least left a message. You’re always quick to send useless texts asking if I’ve eaten, but why don’t you contact me when it actually matters?”
I had resolved to welcome him warmly when he returned, but seeing his face made me feel neglected, and my mouth moved on its own.
Hajin approached silently and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. Despite having yearned for his embrace all day, I pushed him away, disliking how he clung to me without answering. A sad laugh came from beside me.
“Is Hahyun asleep?”
“Is that important right now? Answer me first.”
“It is important. If he sees you acting like this, he’ll flip his lid…”
Seeing his playful expression made my blood boil.
“Before Seo Hahyun’s lid flips, mine is about to flip, so answer my question. What’s the situation now? You need to tell me something. I’m dying of frustration here.”
Hajin took off his jacket and sat on the sofa. After loosening his tight necktie, he opened his arms toward me.
“I’ll tell you, so come here.”
Too annoyed to respond, I sat between his legs. He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. The sound of him inhaling deeply tickled my ear.
“Now that I’m here, talk.”
“As you probably guessed, things have gotten complicated. Originally, I was planning to counterattack using the weaknesses I had on Secretary Kim…”
I had expected that much; he wasn’t the type to just take things lying down.
“But you’ve become a variable. I met with the prosecutor today, and he said that if I hand you over, they’ll look the other way.”
“…What?”
What is he talking about now?
My hair stood on end at these unexpected words. It was real fear that I hadn’t felt in a long time. Was he saying I would face the prison ending I had so desperately wanted to avoid? The time I had spent holding my breath, first to avoid dying at their hands, then to avoid murder charges—was it all going to disappear futilely?
“That’s exactly it. Secretary Kim’s side made the offer first. Since I’m confining you, they said they’d take you away and lock us both up…”
I never really trusted Secretary Kim, but to stab us in the back like this? It was absurd.
“I thought you had leverage on him.”
Hajin silently held me so tightly I could barely breathe. Judging by his silence, it seemed Hajin didn’t have a good solution either. Well, if he did, he wouldn’t have been so powerlessly taken away from the board meeting.
When I sighed, he grabbed my chin and turned my face. His blue eyes, which had always been bright, were now darkly clouded. Yet they still shone, creating a strange atmosphere as they wavered precariously.
“What are you worried about? Do you think I’d easily hand you over?”
“You said there’s no way if you don’t hand me over.”
“Even if I have to go in, I will never send you away.”
“…”
He pressed his face against my cheek. His skin felt rough, as if he hadn’t had time to shave. The thought that neat and tidy Hajin had been pushed to such a state made a corner of my heart ache.
