# Chapter 187
While pretending that nothing was wrong as she followed Dr. Kim’s experiments and orders, she knew that something was going wrong.
The excruciating pain that spread throughout her body whenever she used the gem’s power. Her arm gradually turning black. These weren’t normal phenomena. She was scared whenever she thought she might really die. The end of crumbling away without anyone knowing in a strange place where not even proper records were kept. That was a fear of oblivion.
But she couldn’t say she wanted to stop the experiments and go back. This was a place she had sought out willingly. If she backed out now just because she was scared, what about Young’s hopes nurtured over countless hours? Her pain? Her anger?
Who would acknowledge that?
…Would anyone even care about me?
“I’m a coward. Despite my fancy words, in reality, I waste an enormous amount of time hesitating. Good results have rarely come from my actions.”
Young murmured quietly.
“But when you push me from behind, I get the feeling that everything will truly be okay.”
A foolish human who unhesitatingly told her things would be fine when she hesitated. Looking at that innocent face that spouted only carefree and positive words without knowing anything about Young, strangely, she wanted to believe him. Both when she tried to leave the factory and today.
“It felt like you were shouting that it was okay for me to be brave.”
Young glanced at Iyeon. His carefree face looked a bit more blank than usual, probably from surprise.
“It’s thanks to you.”
“……”
“Hearing your words made me want to live as you do.”
Young smiled, raising the corners of her mouth, and patted Iyeon’s shoulder. Iyeon just stared at her blankly.
Iyeon wasn’t such a great person. Rather, he thought the opposite. Young’s words about gaining courage thanks to him were so unbelievable that they felt surreal. Only Young’s face, smiling refreshingly in the darkening street, shone brightly.
That sight was really…
“Jung Iyeon-ssi, are you cheating right now?”
“Gah!”
Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind and firmly grabbed his shoulder. Startled, Iyeon flailed about. As he jumped and turned around, he saw a dark suit.
“Is this someone you know?”
“Ah, yes. That’s right, but how did you get here…”
Young showed no sign of surprise, either because she already knew or was naturally unfazed. In response to Young’s nonchalant question, Iyeon answered dejectedly while still clutching his startled heart. This wasn’t a horror movie, but the sight of Jonghee standing in the seemingly empty street like a mirage was enough to terrify him.
After observing Iyeon and Young intently, Jonghee bowed her head. As always, she appeared flawless.
“It’s been a while.”
“Y-yes…”
“I thought you had lost your phone, but it seems to be vibrating just fine.”
“Oh!”
Only then did Iyeon grasp his phone, which had just started vibrating in his pocket. He was doomed. He’d been avoiding it. Come to think of it, how did she know where to find him? Iyeon looked awkwardly at Jonghee, but she showed no particular reaction.
However, her voice was a bit prim, indicating she wasn’t completely composed.
“Let’s talk.”
After parting awkwardly with Young, Iyeon followed Jonghee dejectedly to a large cafe. Maintaining a solemn face throughout ordering drinks and receiving the buzzer, Jonghee opened her mouth as soon as Iyeon sat across from her at the table.
“Do you know what punishment is given for wrongful dismissal?”
“……”
He’d heard this somewhere before. If he had known she would press him like this, he would have forced a signature regardless of whether Jesan needed him or not. As Iyeon discreetly averted his gaze, Jonghee folded her sunglasses that she had been stubbornly wearing even indoors, revealing her bare face. Her cool, elongated eyes scanned Iyeon as if scrutinizing him.
“Is it really because of an affair?”
“No, what affair are you talking about?”
“Have you developed feelings for that woman? Is that why you abandoned our Sano-nim?”
“Ah, no. Abandon? Why would you phrase it like that?”
Although Iyeon protested as if wronged, Jonghee didn’t seem to hear him. Her face became even more serious.
“I thought it was just an ordinary lovers’ quarrel, but to think you’re having an affair—it’s shocking. What exactly is lacking in our Sano-nim? Aside from conscience, Sano-nim overwhelmingly wins in every aspect.”
Why has this turned into some kind of public relationship inquiry? He couldn’t even tell where things had gone wrong.
“Did you come here to ask me that?”
Exhausted after just a few minutes, Iyeon buried his upper body into the backrest. At his gloomy voice, Jonghee took a sip of her coffee with a calmer expression.
“Jung Iyeon-ssi, I thought you and we had built quite a good relationship.”
“…I don’t think it’s bad either.”
“Then can you tell me why you fired Sano-nim?”
He had anticipated this topic, but hearing it actually made him uncomfortable. He’d been ignoring Jongchan and Jonghee’s calls precisely to avoid this conversation. That Jesan, he’s got a loose mouth. He already told everything to Jonghee. While grumbling internally, Iyeon responded defensively.
“I didn’t fire him, I just let him go. He’s busy, you know.”
“Sano-nim was quite angry.”
“He’s always angry.”
“That’s true.”
Her crisp agreement left him without a response. As Iyeon closed his mouth, Jonghee spoke again in a calm tone.
“Whether you’re having an affair, two-timing, wrongfully dismissing someone, or kicking them out of the house—it’s your freedom, Jung Iyeon-ssi.”
“No, that’s not what happened…”
“But please don’t pretend not to see Sano-nim’s intentions.”
“……”
“Sano-nim is not a doll or a robot. I’m reminding you just in case.”
After a brief pause, Iyeon cautiously asked.
“…Was he very angry?”
“Among what I’ve seen, it ranks highly.”
It was a resolute answer. Iyeon dejectedly fixed his gaze on his cup. He hadn’t meant to make him that angry.
“Also, I have something to tell you about the witness matter I mentioned before.”
At Jonghee’s words, Iyeon brightened up. He had been planning to ask about it sometime. He had readily accepted the proposal to testify at Taejin’s trial, but he wasn’t sure what extent he should speak to.
But unexpectedly, Jonghee shook her head.
“Please pretend you didn’t hear it.”
“What? But before…”
Iyeon is one of the victims and witnesses most deeply involved in Taejin’s criminal activities. His testimony was, metaphorically speaking, a joker card. Not using it when available was tantamount to taking an unnecessary detour.
“Sano-nim strongly refused.”
“Ah.”
A sigh-like response escaped. Although Jonghee used the elegant expression “strongly refused,” Iyeon could roughly imagine the manner in which he had declined. …Still, wouldn’t testifying benefit him? Does he just not want to be involved? Is he sick of seeing me after I unilaterally pushed him away? Thinking like that made him feel even more depressed. As if to comfort Iyeon, Jonghee added an explanation.
“Don’t worry. We have enough prepared materials to put Lee Taejin behind bars without any issues.”
“Yes…”
Just then, a phone ringtone sounded from Jonghee’s inside pocket. Both of their gazes were drawn to the monotonous melody. Jonghee gestured to Iyeon for understanding and answered the phone.
“Yes.”
Iyeon couldn’t hear what the person on the other end was saying, but he could tell they were speaking urgently about something. Jonghee’s expression subtly changed as she listened quietly.
“When did he go in?”
…Go in? Where? Iyeon glanced at Jonghee, feeling tense due to the ominous atmosphere.
“It is certainly strange. This is unlike him. Given the poor environment, it’s better to be fully prepared. …No, most support would be a hindrance. Select high-ranking personnel and contact them separately.”
Jonghee’s words became faster. Eventually, she stood up abruptly as if she couldn’t even see Iyeon sitting across from her.
“Instead of this, I’ll go too. It takes about… an hour from here. Keep watch until then.”
Click. Even after ending the call, Jonghee didn’t put down her phone but searched for something. And just as she was about to make another call somewhere, Iyeon asked.
“Is it Je Sano?”
Only then did Jonghee turn to look at Iyeon. Noticing the slight anxiety on her usually calm face, Iyeon asked again.
“I’m asking if it’s about Je Sano. What happened?”
“Jung Iyeon-ssi, I’ll contact you again later. I’m sorry. I’ll leave first.”
Jonghee didn’t give a proper answer, but Iyeon was certain. There was only one person Jonghee would be this cautious and concerned about, even speaking formally about their actions.
Plus, the content of the call. It definitely wasn’t a conversation about a positive situation.
“Take me with you if you need support.”
“Jung Iyeon-ssi.”
“How much has Je Sano told you about me?”
Iyeon quietly looked directly into Jonghee’s eyes. Jonghee closed her mouth for a moment, then answered as if nothing was wrong.
“Sano-nim hasn’t said anything.”
“But you’re not completely in the dark, are you?”
“……”
“Take me with you. I’ll probably be more helpful than whoever you’re about to contact.”
Iyeon stood up. Thump, thump. Trying to ignore his increasingly rapid heartbeat, Iyeon spoke once more, enunciating each word clearly.
“Where is he now?”
