The threshold of summer.

The second house of Kim Yu Jun, executive director of Myeongjin Group, embracing a vast garden.

Park Ra Jin, with her forehead pressed against the transparent window, blankly stared at the scenery swaying in the wind. Hoo, with each deep exhale, the peacock maple tree blurred and then reappeared clearly.

‘Is it the third day….’

Park Ra Jin recalled the day she first entered this house.

Right after the drama filming ended, surprised by the crying coordinator’s call, she hurriedly got in the car.

Entranced by the manager’s ominous words, she rushed out without even gathering her belongings when the car stopped. That’s how she entered Kim Yu Jun’s new house.

A space with faint traces of paint smell remaining.

To have walked into this place on her own, deceived by the manager’s shallow trick. At first, she laughed from the feeling of emptiness, and later, an indescribable sense of self-loathing washed over her.

During those three days, Kim Yu Jun, who surely received reports, did not appear at this house. He only conveyed his messages through the bodyguards surrounding the house.

Self-restraint and reflection.

At Kim Yu Jun’s message that he was considering punishment for betrayal, Park Ra Jin was idly killing time.

‘Was there some kind of deal?’

Oh Jong Hyuk, the agency CEO and her step-brother, had hoped for Park Ra Jin to marry Kim Yu Jun, so he might be filled with vain dreams right now.

“Crazy.”

Harsh words poured out as the isolated world felt overwhelming.

If she falls into Kim Yu Jun’s grasp with the tacit approval of her family that’s only a shell now, what should she do? She felt sudden fear to the point of making her determination to never become weak seem meaningless.

As Park Ra Jin was biting her lip, at that moment.

“No!”

“Block there!”

“Hurry!”

The shouts of men were heard from outside the door along with clattering sounds.

Park Ra Jin couldn’t ignore the unusual commotion. She approached like a cat, quietly, and pressed her ear against the door. Ready to run out or block entry if necessary.

“Step back.”

“You step back. This area is off-limits!”

Who are these people? As Park Ra Jin was debating whether to open the door, she carefully lowered the handle.

It was such chaos that no one noticed her opening the door. Park Ra Jin, who had been watching the situation dumbfounded, pulled the handle hard.

Bang!

The heads of people shouting while stacked like sandwiches all turned towards Park Ra Jin at once.

“Actor, please go inside!”

The sturdy bodyguards surrounded her protectively. However, Park Ra Jin turned her body slightly to shift her gaze.

There were three or four men in dark suits, two women with government IDs around their necks, and one man with sharp eyes.

Her relaxed mind instantly became tense. As if on cue, that man stepped forward.

“Ms. Park Ra Jin.”

At the baritone voice, Park Ra Jin’s heart plummeted to her feet.

“Is that you?”

The man calmly asked, even though there wouldn’t be anyone here who didn’t know the top star Park Ra Jin.

“…Yes.”

“I am Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho from the Special Prosecutor Heo Tae Su’s team.”

Park Ra Jin looked up at the man showing his government ID. She couldn’t feel any emotion from the man who didn’t even blink.

He carefully examined Park Ra Jin’s face before taking out an official document.

“Violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, tax evasion…”

Like someone encountering a foreign language, none of the words on the official document registered in Park Ra Jin’s eyes. She only scanned her name stamped like a brand on the white paper.

“An arrest warrant has been issued.”

After reciting the long list of charges, Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho handed the paper to Park Ra Jin. The paper she received in a daze clearly bore the phrase “Suspect Park Ra Jin.”

“Ms. Park Ra Jin is suspected of conniving with or…”

“…”

“Inflating contract amounts to evade a total of 9.8 billion won in taxes with the CEO of OH Entertainment.”

If she had acted in a legal drama, would this situation have felt less awkward? Trying to remain composed in this sudden situation, Park Ra Jin took a deep breath.

“Ms. Park Ra Jin, you have the constitutional right to refuse to make self-incriminating statements.”

“…”

“You also have the right to appoint a lawyer or receive help from a public defender. Would you like to wait for a lawyer?”

Park Ra Jin clutched her forehead with an unsettled expression.

“I’m not sure… who I should call.”

“We will give you ample opportunity to explain to prevent violations of suspect rights.”

“Can I think about it on the way?”

The man with the cool gaze nodded briefly.

At that moment, a bodyguard blocked Park Ra Jin’s path again.

“This can’t happen. At least with the executive director’s permission…”

“Obstructing official duties is a serious crime punishable by up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won. Do you know what you’re doing?”

Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho softly snapped, as if annoyed from earlier. Still unable to read the situation, the bodyguards stood with their heads held high, not moving an inch.

“They’re here to carry out official duties. I’ll only make things worse for myself if we waste time.”

Park Ra Jin’s voice trembled as she said they should go see what this is about. Only then did the bodyguards sense the gravity and step back slowly.

Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho, still expressionless, gave a signal with his eyes, and staff members flanked Park Ra Jin’s sides.

“We will escort you.”

At his words signaling departure, the people guarding both sides moved simultaneously.

Two months ago.

A famous hotel overlooking Namsan.

Park Ra Jin, who got out of a large van, looked at the cherry blossom petals adorning the purple sky. As if spring itself was burning, the evening air was fragrant and even sweet.

“Hmm. Nice.”

It was a planned interview with a daily newspaper after a long time.

Perhaps because it was a reputable newspaper company, her heart was pounding even though she wasn’t a rookie. The agency seemed to care as well, as her step-brother, the CEO, took the initiative to prepare Park Ra Jin’s outfit.

The unusually warm spring breeze today, anticipation for the interview. Add to that a fluttering heart for no reason, and Park Ra Jin’s steps were light as if she could fly.

“Actor, this way please.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

With each of Park Ra Jin’s steps, her apricot-colored chiffon dress fluttered.

Just as she gracefully passed through the heavy revolving doors and entered the hotel lobby, burly men rushed towards Park Ra Jin.

“Hello, actor.”

“…”

“We’re from the Myeongjin Group security team.”

At the mention of Myeongjin, Park Ra Jin’s head whipped around. The manager who had been two steps ahead was now three steps behind.

“I came here for a newspaper interview.”

As if checking the scheduled appointment, Park Ra Jin looked at her manager, but his eyes quickly darted away. This was no way to treat a person, what kind of situation was this?

“Haa.”

Come to think of it, she had thought the outfit was too much for an interview, but it turned out to be dressing up to meet Kim Yu Jun. A hot sigh escaped at the realization of being completely deceived.

“The executive director is waiting.”

“Is the interview fake?”

“He will explain that separately.”

As if they could no longer delay, the security guards formed a circle around Park Ra Jin.

“From here until you return home, our security team will be in charge.”

At the security chief’s words, the manager turned away without hesitation.

She wanted to hurl harsh words at the back of the manager’s head as he walked away, as if the handover was complete.

But what was the use of that? The agency CEO, the manager, even the security guards were all Kim Yu Jun’s people. Even anger felt meaningless.

Moreover, if she didn’t follow the security guards now, someone would take the blame. A small spark could fly, or someone’s job could be on the line.

A learning effect gained through multiple experiences.

Not wanting to be the thunderbolt for Myeongjin employees anymore, Park Ra Jin slowly turned her body. The formation loosened in response to her movement.

“We will escort you, actor.”

“Actor? That woman who just passed by noisily with those dark guys?”

Hanabi, the hotel’s Japanese restaurant with a subtle wooden scent.

Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho was sitting side by side with his junior, Prosecutor Yeo Ho Jin.

“Top star Park Ra Jin. Oh, you know, the one who won the grand prize for acting last year and appears in tons of commercials.”

A woman with dazzling and harmonious features, there was no need to ask if she was famous. He had seen her face on the luxury brand advertisement hanging on the hotel wall.

“The Deputy Chief Prosecutor treating us to dinner at a hotel, encountering a top star in person.”

At Ho Jin’s excitement calling it a jackpot, Ji Ho muttered “well.”

Seeing a beautiful top star was one thing, but the Deputy Chief Prosecutor calling them separately for a meal might not be a good thing.

“Oh my, I talked on the phone for too long.”

With the sound of the door sliding open, the Deputy Chief Prosecutor who had gone out to take a call came back in.

“Oh, no need to get up. Sit down.”

A huge spread filled with delicacies.

As the Deputy Chief Prosecutor poured alcohol, the gold leaf on the sashimi trembled slightly.

“Our Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho! Congratulations on being selected as an outstanding prosecutor for 3 consecutive years. Cheers!”

He downed the warm and sharp cheongju in one gulp and chewed the sashimi silently. Instead of savoring the umami taste in his mouth, Ji Ho mulled over every word the Deputy Chief Prosecutor had said.

Even in moments when Ho Jin’s jokes were added like side dishes, Ji Ho didn’t let his guard down. He was only curious about the reason for doing this under the pretext of congratulations.

After exchanging meaningful glances while glasses were quickly refilled, the Deputy Chief Prosecutor spoke first.

“Prosecutor Kang.”

“Yes. Please go ahead.”

“Remember what I said last time? About getting in shape.”

That wasn’t simply talking about exercise. Ji Ho recalled all the recent news at once. Surely it’s not that case? There was a concerning incident, but he pretended not to know and waited for the next words.

“About the special prosecution that just started.”

‘Oh no…’

Ji Ho’s prediction was right after all.

“It’s been 20 days already. But there’s no progress at all, no progress.”

Several thoughts crossed his mind, but unable to read his superior’s intentions, Ji Ho held his tongue.

“As you know, the losses from the poor fund alone are 1.5 trillion won. We need to indict somehow.”

Ji Ho chose silence instead of answering. Unless they were doing a show investigation, there must be some problem.

“Several companies sold it, but only Myeongjin Securities that got out quickly made a profit.”

“…”

“Then we need to put someone who can properly investigate Myeongjin.”

The Deputy Chief Prosecutor explained the special prosecution situation at length while staring at Ji Ho’s face.

“You also have experience investigating Myeongjin Group Chairman Kim Ki Tae. It was when you were a rookie prosecutor, right?”

“Yes, Deputy Chief.”

“You pushed through to the end and contributed to his arrest.”

It was all true, but how much trouble did Myeongjin cause back then?

They not only obstructed search and seizure as a matter of course, but also mysteriously leaked investigation information using people they had planted who knows when. They even followed him like stalkers during his commute times.

Even now, years later, his teeth grind at the sight of the Myeongjin logo, but to do that miserable work again? He stared blankly, finding his superior’s words absurd.

“If Prosecutor Kang just says he’ll do it, I’m thinking of supporting you in any way.”

The Deputy Chief Prosecutor’s persuasion continued at length, as if a sweet future would be guaranteed just by taking on this case.

A free pass to a key position? He had no interest in such things. He was only caught on the word ‘support’. Ji Ho fell into silence for a moment.

“Deputy Chief.”

“Yes, yes. Let’s be comfortable with each other.”

For a moment, Ji Ho’s eyes gleamed darkly.

“Please give me full authority.”

“?”

“To properly investigate Myeongjin Group Executive Director Kim Yu Jun.”