Kyung Ae’s eyes widened in terror.

There was no sign of will in her weakened limbs.

Alive, yet no different from being dead.

Despite not yet having a trial, Do Jun had already passed a death sentence on Kyung Ae.

“No, it’s not true. Hae Joo will… save me…”

“Hae Joo is my wife, not your daughter.”

“Please, I beg of you. Get me out of here.”

Kyung Ae’s face resembled that of someone who had sold their soul to the devil, trembling as if she could be sucked into hell any moment.

“The one obsessed with money is you, not me.”

“…Uhhuh.”

Do Jun’s cold gaze slashed at Kyung Ae.

He coldly turned away and walked off.

At that moment, Kyung Ae finally grasped her grim future and burst into loud sobs, eventually fainting.

Sometime later, Do Jun, escorted by Dong Jin, hurriedly headed to the airport.

“Feeling relieved now?”

“There’s still a lot to handle back in Korea.”

“The eldest daughter of that family was arrested for fraud, right?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve been through a lot. Bring your family for a trip here later.”

“I will.”

Before boarding the plane, Do Jun called Hae Joo, who had not been answering.

“Director Song.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“Now it’s just happiness with Hae Joo left, right?”

“It’s still early to let down the guard.”

“Because of Choi In Ho?”

“That’s right.”

Do Jun had leverage over Choi In Ho, but he was still uneasy.

“Keep a close watch on both Choi In Ho and Director Yoo Jin Han.”

“Understood.”

Do Jun, aboard the plane, fell asleep first. Exhausted from the tight schedule after leaving Korea, he was completely worn out.

By the time he arrived in Korea, it was past midnight.

Director Song dissuaded him from immediately booking a flight to Jeju.

“Mr. President, you need to rest.”

Resigned, Do Jun went home and shed his clothes.

Sitting in the bathtub where he had shared moments with Hae Joo, he tried to relax, eventually dozing off.

After waking up and finishing his shower, he went to Hae Joo’s room.

“Huh? She must have come by.”

There were signs the bed had been used.

Do Jun had given the housekeeper a holiday, so no one else should have been there.

Lying on the bed, he was enveloped by a faint baby powder scent.

Thinking Hae Joo had visited, he called her.

Finally, a sleepy Hae Joo answered.

[Dash] Do Jun.

Her languid voice was pleasant to hear.

It felt as if she was right beside him, tickling his ears.

[Dash] I fell asleep right after getting to the accommodation without even showering.

“I’ve come back to Korea.”

[Dash] Really? What happened?

Hae Joo’s voice rose in tone.
[Dash] Really? What happened?

Hae Joo’s voice tone rose.

Feeling as if he had unnecessarily woken her, Do Jun stroked his face.

“Just listen without panicking.”

He detailed what had happened in the Philippines, trying to stick to the facts without loading it with emotion.

Hae Joo took several deep breaths over the phone, sounding almost like she was crying, which tensed Do Jun.

[Dash] What did Mom say?

“She still believes you’re going to help her.”

[Dash] That’s impossible.

“The crimes committed in the Philippines are serious. Even if she’s extradited to Korea, it won’t be easy.”

Hae Joo sobbed over the phone.

Do Jun’s heart clenched with pain at her tearful voice.

“Now we just need to be happy.”

[Dash] Thank you, really… thank you.

“Don’t cry.”

[Dash] I couldn’t have done it alone… It’s unbelievable.

“I miss you, Hae Joo.”

[Dash] I miss you too, Do Jun.

“Should I go to Jeju right now?”

Hae Joo, who had been crying, suddenly laughed at Do Jun’s words.

[Dash] Don’t push yourself.

“I can smell your scent on the bed. I might fall for you all over again.”

[Dash] I should have stayed one more day.

“Do you have any days off this week?”

[Dash] No. I moved my days off because of the police investigation.

For a while, Do Jun wouldn’t have to go abroad.

Hae Joo, too, was eagerly waiting to stay home once her Jeju shooting was over.

“Help me fall asleep.”

[Dash] How can I help?

“Just breathe like that.”

Holding the phone, both of them eventually fell asleep in turn.

Waking up early in the morning, Do Jun ended up getting sick.

The meetings scheduled for the day were postponed one after another, and after visiting the hospital, he spent the day lying at home.

Choi In Ho was sick of alcohol.

He had a hard time pleasing Detective Kim until past midnight.

He was disgusted by how much he had to drink, and the detective’s behavior made his skin crawl.

“Disgusting jerk.”

What annoyed him was that Detective Kim had not disclosed the promised information, keeping his mouth shut.

He had met him for fun, but talking about work was a mood killer, apparently.

Because of this, Choi In Ho had a harsh exchange with the editor over the phone just a while ago.

“The more I think about it, the more annoying it gets.”

He called Detective Kim.

Kim, also suffering from a hangover, cut the call short, suggesting they talk when sober.

The next afternoon, Choi In Ho finally got up and gulped down some beef soup.