Being alone like this, it feels like it’s been a while. Though mentally and physically exhausted, Jung-hwa, realizing the significance of this opportune moment, couldn’t afford to let it slip away. She pulled herself a step forward, getting closer to Seo-jun.

“Well, this works out well. I had something to say.”

“Go ahead.”

His unique scent stimulated Jung-hwa’s senses. With the thought that this might be her last chance, she abruptly denied her actions.

“It wasn’t me.”

“Then who was it?”

“How would I know that? Don’t tell me, Mr. Seo-jun suspects me too?”

“That’s unlikely. I’m not suspicious; I’m sure.”

“Why does Mr. Seo-jun believe only So-yeon’s words? I was also a victim of Oh Min-jung!”

“Don’t believe me? I’m not doubting; I’m sure.”

Attractive and somewhat mysterious, a smile gradually spread across his eyes. However, Jung-hwa knew well that this expression did not carry a positive meaning.

“What else is there not to believe? Do you think I wanted to kill So-yeon? It’s absurd! Why would I get blood on my hands for someone like her? What am I lacking? Really, it’s because of Oh Min-jung!”

“No, it’s not. It’s you. Oh Min-jung, trapped in the room, unable to move, I rescued her. Among the people left there, only you, Yoo Jung-hwa. How would you explain that?”

“That, that…!”

Momentarily blinded, Jung-hwa stuttered in her speech. The sharp question was so sudden that she couldn’t think of a word to respond.

“Anyway, it wasn’t me! Oh Min-jung set fire to that building, and I arrived at the meeting place late. When I got there, everything had already happened!”

“Really? The detective who inspected the scene said otherwise. Fingerprints from both of you were found on the doorknob of Oh Min-jung’s room, the only room that didn’t catch fire. One was mine, and the other… who could it be?”

Seo-jun’s statement shattered Jung-hwa’s mental strength beyond repair. Her lips, now adorned with confusion, produced a voice that was equally distorted.

“How would I know that?”

Whether she said it or not, Seo-jun, turning around leisurely, glanced around the quiet surroundings and smiled wryly.

“Is this place good?”

“…”

Jung-hwa’s silent response was not particularly interesting to Seo-jun. Behind his smile, a chilling disdain passed. For the first time, the thought crossed his mind that he might be able to kill a person. It was even more evident since the target was right in front of him.

“Not great.”

Pulling a pen from the pocket of his shirt, Seo-jun, making a low voice once again, continued. Indicating a lack of interest in her answer, Seo-jun played with the pen in his hand, making a clicking sound.

“Well, not great!”

Uttering her reply with a tense voice, Jung-hwa’s gaze shifted to the pen Seo-jun held. The sound of the pointed end going in and out strangely intensified the uneasiness.

“What to do. You should like it.”

“?”

“Shouldn’t you go somewhere worse than here?”

“What are you talking about! Are you joking right now? What exactly are you trying to do?”

“Ms. Yoo Jung-hwa, what do you want to do?”

Thud!

Breaking the pen with one hand, Seo-jun sharply thrust the sharp end into the flower bed.
“How is it? Does it hurt? But I’ve stuck it in the wrong place. This sharp end was supposed to be aimed at your tongue, which tells lies like eating rice.”

Seo-jun’s low voice resembled that of a fierce beast.

“!”

Jung-hwa’s forehead twitched at the sight of the pen deeply stuck in the soil.

“Even if Seo-jun deceived me, it wouldn’t have come to this if it weren’t for me!”

Jung-hwa wasn’t about to stay still. With a rustling sound, she rushed at Seo-jun. However, she soon fell to the ground. Her body wavered due to the alcohol she had consumed at Han Seung-jae’s apartment.

“It looks like you’ve had a drink; sober up and listen!”

Seo-jun, without even getting up from the ground, cast a cold gaze at the trembling Jung-hwa.

“Yoo Jung-hwa, who always pretended to be submissive in front of me. Did I not know that you were wearing another man’s cologne when I wasn’t around? I let it slide, but you were the kind of woman I could easily cut off whenever I wanted. But now, you don’t even look like a human.”

Seo-jun’s words were a contemptible spit that wasn’t worth considering.

“Bad child…”

Jung-hwa, unable to contain her anger, closed her eyes tightly. When she opened them again, her eyes were filled with bright red bloodshot veins.

“Human beings have innate instincts. Those who are not destined to die, no matter how difficult, are not the end. People who cross the line for their desires, without guilt but blaming others. But now, you’re just garbage.”

Seo-jun precisely revealed for the first and last time the reason for cutting off a woman like Yoo Jung-hwa, exposing her true self, not even worthy of taking a breath.

“You came.”

“What are you saying…”

Jung-hwa’s head turned automatically toward where Seo-jun was looking. Two black police cars were approaching with a prosecutor’s car visible from afar.