Ziiing, ziiing―.

The vibrations echoing through the floor made Haeun’s eyelids tremble.

“Ha.”

Her head felt like it was splitting open as if she had been binge drinking all night, yet nothing could be recalled. In the moment she tried to wrap her head, still unable to open her eyes, someone’s presence was felt.

The eyelashes, which had been stuck together, fluttered apart, and a pair of sleek luxury shoes entered her blurry sight.

‘Who is that man? Where am I again?’

As she tried to gather her thoughts somehow, the events of the previous night passed by like a fleeting illusion.

―Inspector Kang Jiho sent you home, saying he was sorry.

Approaching Haeun, who had come down to the parking lot, a man in a suit hastily approached.

‘Uh, did I bring the car?’

―Well then, shall I drive you? The inspector is worried about you because of the tailing.

Even if she waved her hands saying it was okay, the man seemed embarrassed and didn’t know what to do. Moreover, with the continuous talk of tailing and scary stories, Haeun nodded her head as if possessed.

The neat man, the man’s worried tone, and continuously refusing Inspector Kang Jiho’s favor all seemed impolite. After much contemplation, Haeun decided.

‘Okay, up to my house. Please take me to the sponsorship company. I have something to return.’

Handing over the car key, after getting into the passenger seat, she couldn’t remember anything else.

“Hey, wake up!”

When her knees were lightly struck with a tapping sound, her hazy view suddenly became clear. An old wooden door with peeling brown paint, and behind an opaque window, a diamond-shaped shadow appeared.

“Oh, Oh… Jonghyuk?”

Wobbling, Haeun managed to sit up.

“Why am I here?”

“Is this madness? You’re speaking informally to the CEO.”

Chewing on this, Jonghyuk’s words made Haeun’s shoulders momentarily tense. But it was only for a moment; the fact that she had already submitted her resignation came to mind.

Even if he were the company’s CEO, this was clearly a crime. Was there any need for a criminal to cower? With a natural thought, Haeun’s eyes brightly lit up.

“Shall I prepare formalities for the person who kidnapped me? Explain everything to him?”

“If you criticize him like that, you’ll be in big trouble. It’s not just me here.”

“Who else is… here?”

Quickly looking around, there were only Jonghyuk and her in the room. Nevertheless, just in case, Haeun swiftly changed her stance. It wasn’t such a bad idea to act a little frightened in front of Jonghyuk.

“Did you secretly arrange this with Rajin? Stabbing me in the back?”

“No.”

“I know everything and am asking you. You joined as a coordinator with Rajin.”

A ridiculous scenario burst into laughter.

In fact, Rajin had discouraged her, saying that being a coordinator was difficult and even suggested she open a small store.

She had refused outright because even if it was her younger brother’s surgery, it was too shameless. Besides, around Rajin, there were only people making things difficult for her, not her.
“Low salary, and all I do is suffer. Do you know how much my sister stopped me?”

“Hey, what do you mean by low salary? We offer the highest level in the industry.”

“While you don’t even know how much the entry-level employees are paid, you’re calling it extravagance with the money my sister earned so hard.”

With a subtle fact attack, Ojonghyuk openly poured out harsh words. Feeling like he might have provoked him with unnecessary words, Haeun rounded her back.

However, listening to the abusive language in silence was too much.

‘Wait, is there any reason to go out with that posture in front of the guy who hasn’t been arrested yet?’

The story that Inspector Kang Jiho was still keeping an eye on Ojonghyuk came to mind. If that were the case, she even felt a strange conviction that he couldn’t harm her.

“Learning only bad things from Rajin. A betrayer who is not enough even if you lie flat.”

“I’m not a betrayer. So please explain.”

Saying that a betrayer said he wasn’t a betrayer, Ojonghyuk raged for a long time. Does he have anger management issues? Why is he like that?

“Think about it sensibly. How could the youngest coordinator know about the president’s work?”

She hadn’t even entered the president’s office, and it was unfair that he expressed his grievances about knowing the safe’s location.

“Then who else if not you?”

“Isn’t it Taehyung-sik? He was shouting about being the right arm of the president all the time.”

“It’s not Taehyung-sik. Park Rajin was the bad one.”

“My sister doesn’t even go out, let alone to the president’s house. Taehyung-sik is always by the president’s side. Isn’t that right?”

Lately, Haeun subtly mentioned that Taehyung-sik was rumored to buy luxury watches.

At first, Ojonghyuk said it was nonsense and gave a sarcastic remark, but later he started to grin.

“In any case, today is the first time you’ve mixed words with the president.”

So, she begged again and politely asked. Rather than jumping around like Ojonghyuk, it seemed better to coax gently.

“Wait.”

“Who are you waiting for?”