“If you’re going to be at the hospital today, I’ll adjust your schedule.”

If Yoojun needed to be at the hospital, something serious must have happened.

“‘Harriet,’ you mean?”

Cryptic words followed, like a code.

“I’ll sort it out as ‘Spirit.’ Yes, Executive Director.”

Director Hyun’s voice stopped abruptly, and then Lajin’s phone beeped.

Yoojun, who could have just called through Director Hyun, chose to send a message instead. A unilateral appointment and an offhand apology.

Sunlight partially covered the living room sofa.

Lajin, still in her clothes, was scribbling uncomfortably.

If Director Hyun hadn’t accompanied her, she would have taken out her phone and noted things down immediately. She didn’t dare show it in front of someone so perceptive.

Lajin, huddled on the sofa, clasped her head.

“Ah, what was it?”

She had written down several names and descriptions, marking some with a star for confusion. It wasn’t perfect, but she tried to recall at least one more person. Then she jotted down what she had seen in Chairman’s study.

Details she hadn’t noticed during her New Year’s visit, even the small change like the door leading to the inner room. Lajin didn’t miss a thing.

Then she looked at the row of food containers lined up at the entrance like a train.

‘How much do they think I eat to send so much?’

There was enough food for a month. Lajin looked at the feast of silk wrappings and shook her head.

“I wrote down familiar-looking Mr. Wonsangseop! The documents on Myungjin Securities’ legal response! Oh, Harriet, and organizing Spirit…”

What else was there?

She planned to gather even the smallest details to report, not exactly report, to Prosecutor Kang.

Lajin smiled, noting her achievements, drawing stars, and extravagantly packaging it. She wanted to hear him say she did well, worked hard, and thanked her.

“Is this enough?”

Having roughly sorted everything out, it was time to contact him.

“What better, more legitimate reason could there be?”

They were a team with a common goal, Kim Yoojun. It was only natural to share information quickly and discuss strategies.
Lajin searched for her hidden phone and headed to her bedroom. With each step up the stairs, her heart pounded wildly, and her breath came out ragged.

“O Jonghyuk is on a business trip to America, and the manager won’t worry since it’s not about meeting Kim Yoojun.”

Since Yoojun was going to the hospital, he wouldn’t be looking for her tonight.

A rare moment of freedom.

Today, of all days, she had to meet Prosecutor Kang Jiho without any worries.

“This is really an opportunity. An opportunity.”

Lajin muttered as if she had made a significant decision.

By telling everything as she saw it and heard it, she could help him understand better and expedite the process. There was no need to hesitate anymore.

Taking a deep breath, Lajin hurried into her bedroom. She took out her phone from the drawer where she had carefully stored it and dialed his only contact number.

The ringing of the call seemed to stretch on.

Should she wait for him to answer, or hang up and wait for his call back? Lajin repeatedly attached and detached the phone from her ear.

“Are you, busy?”

[No, I’m not.]

“!”

It seemed the call connected while she briefly detached the phone.

Lajin’s eyes widened in surprise like a startled rabbit.

[Are you alright?]

His voice sounded nonchalant, yet it made her heart skip a beat.

A sense of relief that she was now safe, pride in having brought potentially helpful information, and a strange wish for him to show more concern. Lajin rubbed her forehead, trying to steady her shaky breath.

[Are you at home?]

Whether he was worried about her silence, or just adjusting his grip on the phone, his breathing sounded a bit closer.

“Yes, I’m at home.”

[You came home earlier than expected.]

“I was kicked out after an hour today.”

[What happened?]

“Kim Yoojun fought with the Chairman.”

At the absurd reason, he let out a low sigh.

[So, you’re not hurt, right?]

“No, I’m fine. I came straight home.”

Lajin unwittingly checked for Prosecutor Kang’s reaction.

Should she ask to meet again? What if he was too busy to answer her call? Fear of his rejection made Lajin hesitate for a moment.

[It’s a relief that you’re safe.]

His reassuring words instantly boosted her courage.

“Prosecutor Kang!”

[Yes, tell me.]

Even though he wasn’t giving any hints, her mouth felt dry. Lajin swallowed hard.

“I’ve found out some things. And, well…”

[…….]

“I really want to ask you something in person.”

[Where should we meet?]

His direct approach to ask where to meet, without any hesitation. Lajin chuckled at his straightforwardness.

Everything seemed so easy when she was in front of him. No matter how much she stumbled over her words or blurted out something silly, he always understood what Lajin wanted. Would it be the same this time?

Lajin cautiously broached the subject.

“Can you dodge a tail?”

[A tail?]

His voice dropped a tone at the mention of being tailed.

“I was wondering if you could shake off any tail and come. Of course, you can refuse if it’s inconvenient.”

[Is it a strange place?]

Her already small heart shrank further.

“I have a learner’s permit, so driving is out, and I don’t want to bother Haeun who’s gone home.”

“?”

“And I can’t take a taxi either. Kim Yoojun is at the hospital, so now’s my chance.”

She repeated the word ‘opportunity’ numerous times. The longer she spoke, the more tangled the context became, and the situation was beyond salvaging.

Lajin internally repeated ‘I’ve blown it’ and closed her eyes tightly. Then she blurted out the intended question.

“Would you come to my house?”

[…….]

“Yes, please come. I really hope you will.”