Je Guk arrived at his business trip destination and was spending time with a representative who flew in from overseas, touring the site.

The foreign company’s representative trusted only Je Guk and invested in Cheonha Group.

Not only was there a personal friendship with the representative, but since it was such a large project, Je Guk and all the employees poured their hearts into it.

Nevertheless, Je Guk’s entire attention was focused on Ha In.

He felt uneasy about having to leave Seoul during a sensitive period due to Cheonha Group’s legal risks.

On the other hand, to prevent Cheonha Group’s legal risks from affecting this project, Je Guk had to put in more effort.

Today’s last schedule was a dinner banquet prepared by Cheonha Group with special meaning.

From the food to the dishes, everything contained a message.

During a short break, Je Guk called the person in charge to confirm the banquet schedule and detailed contents. But the wine was a bit concerning.

It was chosen based on Je Guk’s taste, but the full-bodied wine was a concern.

When Je Guk and the foreign company’s representative share the wine and raise a toast, the banquet begins.

“Is it possible to switch from wine to champagne? With the lowest alcohol content, please.”

It was a decision made because he felt he shouldn’t get even slightly drunk.

“Yes, Director. I will do that.”

Je Guk sent a text message to Ha In during a short break after completing the banquet preparations.

– Ha In, I miss you so much already, it’s a big problem.

Without even having time to wait for a reply, the banquet event began. Now, raising the toast signaled the start of the event.

Changing from wine to champagne seemed to make the atmosphere more refreshing. But Je Guk briefly fell into contemplation, looking at the glass in front of him.

No matter how low the alcohol content, if he drinks, he can’t drive. If an urgent call comes from Seoul, he might have to drive.

He stared at the glass for a moment like that.

But it felt like some cloudy powder was settling below the glass.

Je Guk doubted his eyes, thinking it might be because of the bubbles. But the white powder was distinct.

Je Guk hesitated and examined the foreign company representative’s glass. Fortunately, there was no sediment in that glass.

The foreign company’s representative showed Je Guk his glass with a very satisfied expression.

He shouted “Bravo,” saying that the entire process today was perfect and satisfactory.

Je Guk also changed his expression, smiled lightly, and raised his glass.

As the two people’s glasses clinked, the bubbles in the glass rose dynamically.

Je Guk turned his head and tilted the glass, but only wet his lips without swallowing it.

Starting with the toast, splendid fireworks began exploding outside. Je Guk guided the representative towards the window and turned to come inside.

And he was vigilant of his surroundings.

He was anxious about who on earth would do such a thing.

Je Guk gestured with his eyes for the secretary chief to come closer.

“Yes, Director.”

Je Guk showed him the glass. The secretary chief was startled to see the white powder settled at the bottom of the glass.

“What is this… Our security team verified the identities of everyone who entered the inside. How could this happen.”

Even people whose identities were verified couldn’t all be trusted.

“Since the event is ongoing, we can’t make a scene. Find out what the substance is. It would be best if you could also find out who touched the glass.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Je Guk took out a handkerchief from his inner pocket, wrapped the cup, and handed it to the secretary chief.

The secretary chief, who took the cup, moved swiftly.

It was late, but there was no notification that Ha In had passed through the village entrance. She must not have left work yet.

Despite the unpleasant incident that happened to him, Je Guk was entirely worried about Ha In.

* * *

Ha In lifted her head, rotating her stiff neck. Fatigue and dizziness tangled together, pulling the back of her neck.

Gang Jun had already been pulling all-nighters for several days. Ha In also only went home, but she had such a packed schedule that it was strange if she slept more than three hours a day.

“Sunbae, it seems to be roughly aligned, right?”

Ha In nodded.

Ha In and Gang Jun checked the contents they had organized so far to see if anything was missing.

“The statements of those involved have come out to some extent. It seems Hyun Baek Hap and the chief secretary, the closest aide, hold all the keys.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The main outline of the stock price manipulation case was grasped. The problem was the secret of Cheonha Medical Foundation.

“It seems Director Song took a lot from Hyun Baek Hap. Even looking at this ledger, it’s clear.”

Gang Jun spoke while examining the organized data.

“This ledger won’t be the end of it. This will be just the tip of the iceberg.”

Gang Jun also nodded at those words.

“What kind of work did he receive so much money for?”

Both Ha In and Gang Jun made guesses, but it was a very cautious part.

That part needed to be investigated in more detail as the investigation progressed.

“We’ll have to stop here for today.”

It was already late at night. Gang Jun had been living at the prosecutor’s office for several days, handling meals and lodging there. He was living in such poor conditions that he barely managed to shave.

“Let’s go home and rest a bit.”

Gang Jun nodded with half-closed eyes.

Ha In quickly got up from her seat. Except for the fact that she went home, Ha In’s life was not much different from Gang Jun’s.

Ha In got in the car and took out her cell phone.

She was so busy all day that she could only check her messages now. Putting aside everything else, she checked the messages from Je Guk first.

“Ah, right. The director is on a business trip today.”

He had told her in advance, but she had forgotten, using the excuse of being busy. Ha In felt needlessly sorry. So she quickly replied.

– Director, I’m leaving work now. Have a safe trip. I’ll be fine. I miss you so much too.

After leaving a more affectionate text than usual, Ha In drove with exhaustion.

The moment she realized she wouldn’t see Je Guk for 2 nights and 3 days, her energy drained.

At a street where the red light turned on, Ha In suddenly turned her eyes to the surroundings.

The darkness had become so deep that it seemed like the right time to use the expression “pitch-black.”

As the days got shorter, the nights got deeper. Because of that, she missed Je Guk even more.

It wasn’t a big deal not seeing him for 2 nights and 3 days, but she missed him because he was far away.

Habits were truly scary.

“The flowers will probably be blooming by then too.”

She thought that when Je Guk returned, they should have tea together in the rooftop garden, looking at the fully bloomed marigolds.

Ha In cautiously allowed herself that modest level of happiness.

At that moment, Ha In came to her senses at the sound of a horn honking “beep” from behind.

The village was just a little further ahead.

Ha In increased her speed a bit because she was tired.

The village entrance opened only after checking Ha In’s car, as always.

But then, the security guard knocked on Ha In’s window.

– Madam, I apologize for the inconvenience. Could you please get out for a moment?

Ha In was startled by the words telling her to get out. So she only lowered the window.

“What’s the matter?”

Ha In asked with a very wary expression.

“Ah, the road leading to your house is currently under construction due to road subsidence. You can’t take your car in right now.”

“Road subsidence?”

Ha In tilted her head and asked again about the part she couldn’t understand.

“Ah, you’re a visiting vehicle. A text was sent to the head of the household.”

It was an understandable story. The security and notification system here was thorough enough that Je Guk would know when Ha In passed through this entrance.

It was natural that Ha In, a visitor, wouldn’t receive a text even if Je Guk, the homeowner, did.

“The crane that went in to replace the street lamps on the way to your house completely ruined the road, you see. As you can see, the lights are all off too. I’m terribly sorry.”

The security guard apologized very politely, repeatedly.

It was a tricky situation, but since he said the car couldn’t be taken in due to road conditions, there was no other way.

Ha In had no choice but to walk in.

“I’ll assist with valet parking and park your car in front of your house tomorrow morning.”

He was the kindest person in recent times. It was strange to resist further when he was offering this much service.

Ha In got out of the car.

She had never walked to the penthouse before. It was a location that required going deep inside.

Ha In looked at the path leading to the penthouse. With even the street lamps under construction, the road ahead seemed daunting to Ha In.

“Ha, I should just work.”

With Je Guk not home today either, she thought it would be better to just work at the prosecutor’s office and turned back.

At that moment, Ha In was startled and almost screamed.

“Keep going where you were going, why are you turning around.”

She made eye contact with that security guard from earlier.

That kind security guard was watching Ha In with a chilling expression, nowhere to be seen.

Ha In’s spine tingled at his change in attitude. She felt that something was very wrong.

The security guard approached Ha In.

Ha In, frightened, stepped back one step at a time. But running away backward wasn’t a solution.

It seemed that if she ran towards the penthouse with the street lamps off, something terrible would happen.

“Who are you. Who sent you.”

The security guard said nothing.

He was holding something shiny in his hand. If Ha In’s guess was correct, it was a weapon.

In a brief moment, Ha In had tens of thousands of thoughts. But there wasn’t a single wise method.

Could she run past the security guard in front of her and rush forward?

Even if she ran towards the penthouse, the result wouldn’t be much different if she couldn’t run faster than the well-built security guard.

But she couldn’t give up like this either.

Before Ha In could ponder where they came from, unknown people began approaching Ha In from behind.

Ha In was engulfed in such great fear that she couldn’t even say she was scared.

Now there was no choice.

Ha In slightly closed her eyes and ran straight ahead.

Ha In felt a superhuman strength emanating from her body.

It also meant that she was feeling a threat to her life right now.