With a calm tone, Ji Ho dropped a polite bomb without even flinching.

If given a proper knife handle, gladly, but if it’s just for show, why bother?

Joining late as a special prosecutor, to catch a big fish like Myung Jin, he wanted authority befitting that.

“Full authority?”

The sharp-eyed deputy chief prosecutor filled the glass.

“If my role is to properly investigate Myung Jin.”

The deputy chief prosecutor, lips tightly pressed, poured alcohol into Ji Ho’s glass as well.

“I think it’s right for me to be in charge of Executive Director Kim Yu Jun, Myung Jin’s real power.”

“What if it’s difficult?”

Words to coldly face reality rose to his throat. But Ji Ho smiled brightly. It was a moment requiring a decision from higher-ups, not a time for detailed appeals.

“I’m scheduled for training in the U.S. this fall.”

“Ha, already?”

“Shouldn’t I catch up on my delayed English studies?”

It wasn’t a mere excuse. He really had U.S. training scheduled in a few months. If nothing was guaranteed, there was no need, nor time, to get involved in a troublesome case.

“Prosecutor Kang. No, Ji Ho.”

“Yes, Deputy Chief.”

“I understand what you’re thinking. I get it for now. Let’s just think about the amount of damages.”

The deputy chief prosecutor leaned forward and said.

“Where do you think all that money came from? In any case, it’s all the people’s hard-earned money.”

Who doesn’t know that?

From when this case first surfaced, I had predicted the connection with Myung Jin. So shouldn’t we start by blocking all their escape routes to be fair?

Ji Ho downed the soju in one gulp.

“After Executive Director Kim Yu Jun took real power, Myung Jin’s chain of command changed.”

A capable next-generation successor.

How uniformly the employees must have moved to ride the new line guaranteeing the future. Then they could hide evidence in double and triple layers, and compete in loyalty even before uncovering the truth.

“Given that we’re dealing with Kim Yu Jun, this case needs even tighter security.”

The deputy chief prosecutor nodded and gazed at Ho Jin.

“That’s why I called Prosecutor Yeo Ho Jin together. To let people who work well together give it a try.”

“I request the addition of prosecutors and investigators I want, including Prosecutor Yeo.”

It was an unavoidable condition to block Myung Jin’s interference with the investigation and information leaks. They might have gotten away with it once, but not twice.

“Then, will you do it?”

If you’re this sincere…

Ji Ho placed both hands on his thighs.

“Isn’t catching bad guys a prosecutor’s duty?”

“Right, duty. I’ll have to coordinate with higher-ups too. For now, let me know the specific number and list of people.”

“Yes, Deputy Chief.”

The deputy chief prosecutor, who had been staring intently through his glasses, raised his glass first.

Given the situation, there were no flowery pledges. With a deep breath, he downed the lukewarm alcohol in one go. As the tingling alcohol spread, Ji Ho’s phone vibrated.

It was a call from an investigator in the same room. What problem could there be at this hour?

“I’ll go take this call.”

After excusing himself, Ji Ho hurriedly left the room.

The phone kept ringing, but given the many sensitive issues, he first looked for a place without people. Ji Ho passed through the long corridor and headed straight for the restaurant entrance.

Just as he was about to redial the dropped call while standing next to a large flowerpot.

[Deputy Chief Prosecutor Shim Sang Hoon is still dining. Yes. He stepped out to take a call earlier.]

Ji Ho’s temple twitched.

[The food was served about an hour ago. They’re on their second bottle of alcohol.]

Who’s making this kind of report? And to whom exactly?

Fiddling with his phone, he scanned the man’s appearance.

[I couldn’t see his companions as they went in first. What? Ah! Then I’ll wait until the Executive Director arrives.]

Executive Director?

There are many companies, and surely more than one or two executive directors, but to specifically recognize the deputy chief of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, not even the Prosecutor General. Plus, waiting until the Executive Director arrives…

Ji Ho recalled cases related to conglomerates.

There were many minor complaints filed by company, but none as big as Myung Jin recently.

‘Could Kim Yu Jun be coming here?’

Whether it was needless suspicion or not, having overheard a suspicious conversation, it was right to wrap things up. A prosecutor meeting an unidentified executive would look inappropriate to anyone. The main discussion was likely over anyway, he could just call Ho Jin and leave.

Ji Ho waited until the man who finished the call went inside the restaurant before moving.

Coming down the stairs and just entering the lobby, Ji Ho’s head turned involuntarily.

The top star surrounded by burly men appeared again. Her name was Park Ra Jin, wasn’t it?

‘!’

Whatever this scene was, the second time he encountered her, she was with Myung Jin Group’s Executive Director Kim Yu Jun.

[This is the timeline separator]

“What? The deputy chief of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office is at the Japanese restaurant?”

Yu Jun asked in response to his secretary’s whisper.

“Yes. Secretary Kim went down to handle protocol team work and apparently recognized the deputy chief prosecutor.”

While listening to the two men’s conversation, Ra Jin only cut into her beef steak.

With each movement of the silver knife, the red juices seeping out made her lose her appetite. No, more precisely, her stomach had been churning since the moment she faced Kim Yu Jun.

“Ra Jin, try some of this lobster.”

Kim Yu Jun, even while conversing with his secretary, would flash a bright smile whenever he made eye contact with Ra Jin. As if that wasn’t enough, he cut a piece of his lobster and placed it on Ra Jin’s plate. Just like an affectionate boyfriend.

A white plate with red juices seeping from the edges, and a plump piece of lobster placed on it.

Ra Jin couldn’t bring herself to reach for it.

Then suddenly, she remembered the day she refused the shrimp dish he offered.

That day, Kim Yu Jun fired the Chinese restaurant’s chef. Quite openly. Of course, the subpar cooking skills were the reason, but it was no different from a warning to Ra Jin.

An example that anything could happen if even a small favor was refused. Ra Jin felt dizzy at Kim Yu Jun’s actions, able to give or take away someone’s job based on his mood.

“Ra Jin.”

Seeing him gesture toward the plate, she could no longer delay. Instead of bringing down lightning on an unknown chef, she put the damned lobster in her mouth.

“How is it?”

“It melts in my mouth.”

Ra Jin swallowed the barely chewed lobster in one gulp. It seemed to get stuck somewhere in her esophagus, choking her.

“Want more?”

“It’s enough. Would you like some of this, Executive Director?”

She cut a piece of the steak she didn’t want to eat anyway and placed it on his plate.

What are we doing when we could just eat on our own? Does he want to roleplay as lovers? She almost burst out laughing at the ridiculousness of his behavior.

“Director Hyun.”

Yu Jun said as he put the steak Ra Jin gave him in his mouth.

“Yes, Executive Director.”

“I’ve been wanting to set up a meeting with the deputy chief of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. Let’s at least make our faces known.”

Ra Jin’s heart pounded at what seemed like a signal that this sudden meeting could end soon.

‘If I play my cards right, I might be able to leave early.’

Why was Myung Jin Group’s Executive Director Kim Yu Jun, who supposedly schedules his day down to the minute, wasting time here? Who even wants this?

He always set appointments unilaterally, moving regardless of Ra Jin’s schedule.

On top of that, he would choose menus she didn’t want to eat, and they couldn’t leave until everything was finished. That was what he wanted, and it had somehow become an unchanging rule.

‘How long are you going to be dragged around like this?’

She questioned herself strongly, but couldn’t easily answer.

Many things tied up under the grand name of business, from her agency on the small scale to drama investments on the large scale. Kim Yu Jun’s purse strings were tied around Ra Jin like an invisible leash.

“I’ll tell Secretary Kim to standby.”

While letting the two men’s boring conversation drift by, Ra Jin gently swirled her crystal glass. The heavy grape aroma briefly tickled her nose.

“Executive Director. Would 15 minutes from now be alright?”

Yu Jun nodded at his secretary’s question. Then he turned his gaze to Ra Jin.

“Ra Jin.”

Ra Jin’s eyes widened at his gentle voice.

“Want to wait and have dessert? It won’t take long.”

The word ‘No’ almost burst out.

It was already terrible having to make eye contact like this, and now he wanted her to stay longer. If she didn’t cut it off here, she would undoubtedly end up having dessert and even accompanying him home. Anxiety grew as she thought she had to stop this somehow.

“You’re busy. Please take care of your work comfortably.”

She raised the corners of her mouth smoothly, hiding her trembling heart.

“We finally met after a long time. We haven’t even finished eating.”

He gently rubbed Ra Jin’s smooth fingernails. Unlike his soft hand movements, his gaze grew even more intense. Is this how it feels when a bug crawls up your leg?

Ra Jin crinkled her eyes into half-moons, trying not to reveal her negative emotions.

“I ate the lobster you gave me earlier, Executive Director. That’s enough.”

The more she emphasized how delicious it was, the more her legs trembled. But she continued speaking with a smiling face.

“Your plate looks untouched though.”

“…I’m full.”

“This won’t do. Have some cake you like. Director Hyun.”

As Yu Jun raised his hand, Ra Jin hurriedly spoke.

“I, I have a photoshoot tomorrow.”

“Photoshoot?”

“Yes. For a cosmetics print ad.”

A schedule she had let slip by suddenly came to mind. It was the most suitable excuse for now.

“What time?”

“In the morning.”

His head tilted slightly. Ra Jin unconsciously swallowed dry saliva at his face that had instantly wiped away its smile.

“That’s at 2 PM. Ra Jin.”

“…”

“Is there a reason you’re making such poor excuses?”

Since when did he start keeping track of her schedule?

If he knew and was just pretending to be fooled, was it a trap to catch an even bigger lie? An vague sense of unease swept over her, making her heart pound.

“Don’t tell me you dislike being with me?”

The word ‘correct’ lingered, but there was nothing to gain by provoking him.

“That’s not it. I need to get a skin treatment for the cosmetics ad.”

“Again?”

“It’s a close-up shoot, so there’s more to prepare for than other ads.”

“Enough to ignore my request to wait?”

Instead of asking if it was important, he furrowed his brow.

A strong warning, a signal that today’s meeting might not end if she didn’t give a satisfactory answer.

It had been 8 years since she got to know him.

The data accumulated during that time always missed the mark.

He was clearly smiling, but when she turned her head, sparks flew from his eyes. It was impossible to pinpoint exactly where his mood had soured, or how that anger would be resolved. Just like now.

“Park Ra Jin.”

“It’s not ignoring, I just didn’t want to interfere.”

He tilted his head as if telling her to continue. Ra Jin racked her disorganized brain.

“If your work goes well, you’ll gain recognition from the Chairman…”

Breaking the tense atmosphere, he chuckled.

Did the word ‘oppa’ work…? Then a little more?

Trying somehow to wrap up the meeting, Ra Jin whispered words she didn’t mean. Mixing a bit of sweet exaggeration with objective facts. And whenever their eyes met, she crinkled hers into half-moons.

What on earth was she doing? Self-loathing washed over her.

“Oppa is Myung Jin’s real…”

“Ra Jin.”

“Yes?”

“Shall we go up to the suite room?”