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Psst! We're moving!
Dongjin clicked his tongue repeatedly, holding the photo on his phone right up to his nose. Dojun exchanged glances with Secretary Song and waited patiently.
“First, let’s get in the car.”
The airport was crowded. The three of them got into the car driven by Dongjin’s chauffeur and left the airport.
“So, that woman’s real name was Park Gyeong-ae.”
“Do you know her?”
“Of course, I do. Though I only just learned her real name was Park Gyeong-ae.”
“What?”
“She was at my house until recently.”
“...!”
Sometimes the darkest place is under the lamppost. Dojun hadn’t even made plans to return to Korea, unaware of this. Thinking it was for the best, he asked casually,
“What happened?”
“This woman first worked as a housekeeper for an American couple.”
“...!”
“I’m the head of the Korean association in this area, you see. I don’t know how she found out, but she called my house in the early morning.”
“And then?”
“She was wailing as if she couldn’t breathe, begging for help.”
Exotic scenery unfolded outside the car window. But Dojun’s attention was solely focused on Dongjin’s story.
“I told her to report it to the police, but she asked if I couldn’t even help a fellow Korean, so I went out with my bodyguards.”
“What happened?”
“When we got there, she had been beaten by the American female owner.”
“Hmm.”
“Apparently, this woman had been caught several times stealing small items or food from the owner’s house.”
“I see.”
“In the end, she even stole money, but there was no evidence, and the homeowner was going crazy.”
Recalling that day, Dongjin rubbed his face tiredly.
“The American woman told her to take her and leave, so she ended up coming to our house.”
“Why didn’t you just hand her over to the police?”
“There was no damn evidence. She cried so much, claiming to be innocent, that I softened.”
“Phew.”
“I also needed a housekeeper, so I had her work at my house.”
As he listened, the car entered the village where Dongjin lived. The area was quite large, more so than he had imagined.
“I lost my wife two years ago, so I live alone. My youngest is now in her last year of high school.”
“I see.”
“But this woman was pretending to be my fiancée outside, going around like that?”
A leaking bucket inside leaks outside too. It seemed Gyeong-ae had meticulously calculated contacting Dongjin so early in the morning.
“That’s not all.”
“Then what?”
“She even borrowed money from people in the neighborhood using my name. That money totals over 200 million Korean won.”
“...!”
“I’ve already reported it to the Philippine police, and I think she’ll be caught soon. Otherwise, she might get shot.”
It was no joke. Rumors circulated that someone whom Gyeong-ae had defrauded had hired a killer.
“She told me her name was Park Miae…”
“Didn’t you check her passport?”
“She kept putting it off, saying she lost it and would show it to me after getting a re-issuance.”
The car had already entered Dongjin’s home garden. At a glance, the house and garden boasted an extraordinary scale.
“Your father said I should come if he got sick, so I thought we could live together.”
“My father sometimes mentions you when he’s lucid.”
“Really?”
A new live-in housekeeper had joined the household. In the cool living room, with the air conditioning blowing, Dongjin listened to stories about Gyeong-ae that he hadn’t known. He also revealed the bad blood between her and Haejoo, who had become Dojun’s wife.
“How could such things happen? It’s astounding.”
“Indeed.”
“The woman I knew before said she particularly didn’t feel much affection for her eldest daughter.”
“...”
“Anyway, don’t bother with a hotel, just stay here.”
“Will it take long?”
“My estimate is three days at most.”
Philippine prisons were notoriously poor. In that regard, it wasn’t a bad idea for Gyeong-ae to fully pay for her crimes in a Philippine prison before being repatriated to Korea. Dojun’s circumstances didn’t allow him to stay in the Philippines indefinitely. Dongjin was seething with anger, so they planned to return to Korea in three days.
________________________________________
Haejoo received a call from the police, stating that a victim’s investigation was necessary. She sought understanding from Director Kwak and her fellow actors, then filmed her parts intensively over two days. She boarded the plane with Hyunseong, barely having slept. Haejoo’s pale face showed her condition was at rock bottom.
“I feel like throwing up.”
“Shall we go to the restroom now?”
“I’ll try to hold it in.”
While she was exhausted and dozing, the plane landed safely. When she tried to stand from her seat, her body felt incredibly heavy, and it was difficult to take a step. In the end, she went straight to the restroom and vomited. Hyunseong, having no choice, contacted the police, explained Haejoo’s condition, and postponed the investigation until the next day.
“Noona, I’ll take you home first.”
Another manager from the agency came to pick them up, and they headed straight home. Only then did Haejoo regain some strength and head straight for her bed. Hyunseong brought a blanket and covered her as she lay down weakly. Then, with something to say, he hesitated.
“Why?”
“Noona, since you’re in Seoul, should we go to the hospital?”
“I’m not sick.”
“Just for various check-ups.”
“There’s no time. If filming is delayed because of me, that’s also a nuisance.”
“Understood. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning.”
After Hyunseong left, Haejoo fell into a deep sleep. Lately, 24 hours a day felt too short, so she didn’t even notice the changing seasons. Dojun had called late at night. She had answered in her sleep, so she couldn’t remember what they had talked about. By the time she finally regained her strength, it was time to leave. Haejoo complained to Hyunseong for no reason.
“I don’t want to go to the police station.”
“I’ll be right by your side.”
“Thank you.”
At the police station, the lawyer handling Haejoo’s case was already waiting. With him, Haejoo met the detective in charge. For a long time, she had to face a past she didn’t want to recall, and the pain washed over her. Dojun had prepared a lot of evidence, but the abuse she suffered as a child was past the statute of limitations. However, for the abuse she endured until she left home, they could expect punishment. In particular, Yura had attempted to sell Haejoo to men for money. This part, the crime of abduction and enticement of a minor, was still within the statute of limitations, making it possible to file a complaint. Then Haejoo pulled out an old phone she used to have and gave it to the police officer. It contained many photos and secretly recorded videos documenting Gyeong-ae’s abuse.
Leaving the police station, she felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. The media was still quiet, and she hoped it would pass without incident.
“Hyunseong, we still have time before our flight, right?”
“Yes.”
“Since we’re here, let’s go see the director.”
“Understood.”
Since she was in Seoul, she decided to visit Jinhan. Regardless of anything else, it was true that he had helped her become an actress, so she hadn’t forgotten the kindness she had received. After a long time, Haejoo visited her agency. She intentionally didn’t call him, just knocked on Jinhan’s office door, and gave him a bright smile.
“Director.”
He was on a call, but seeing Haejoo, he stood up in surprise, awkwardly. Jinhan quickly finished his call, holding the receiver.
“Anyway, please hurry. I’ll wait for your call.”
He walked out from behind his desk. Her sudden appearance made his heart pound, making his efforts to move on seem laughable.
“Haejoo, did you just come suddenly?”
“The police asked me to come for a victim’s investigation. I just finished and I’m on my way out.”
“And filming?”
“I just filmed all my parts intensively and came. I have to go back down right away.”
“You’re leaving without even eating?”
“Yes. I just wanted to say hello since I was here.”
Jinhan, seeing Haejoo had lost weight since he last saw her, narrowed his eyes.
“You look sick.”
“Lately, it’s been a continuous forced march without any days off.”
“I’ll call Director Kwak.”
“There’s no need. I want to finish quickly and go home.”
“Alright, and the police just called.”
“What else?”
“About the rumors of your marriage scandal. That needs to be resolved too.”
“Yes, well… Understood.”
“Sit down for a moment.”
Haejoo and Hyunseong sat side by side on the sofa. Then, she noticed a piece of mail on the table. The familiar handwriting was Yura’s.
“Did my sister send a letter?”
“Don’t worry about it. That’s her fourth letter.”
Haejoo tore open the envelope and checked the letter. Jinhan, who was making coffee, started to stop her but then just ran his hand through his hair. The content of the letter was beyond shameless. On the surface, she was begging for forgiveness, but her intention to reduce her own punishment was clearly visible.
“This is absurd.”
“Don’t look. Give it to me.”
“No. I’ll throw it away when I go downstairs.”
They chatted briefly, then stood up due to their flight time. Leaving Jinhan, who seemed disappointed, Haejoo walked out. Her hand tightened on the letter. She crumpled it instantly and threw it into the trash can next to the security office.
“Hyunseong, shall we go?”
“Yes!”
After Haejoo’s car left, the security guard subtly looked at the trash can. As he went to pick up the discarded letter and unfold it, someone rushed over and snatched it.
“You startled me!”
“This is the one Lee Haejoo threw away just now, right?”
“Oh my, I wouldn’t know.”
The person who snatched Yura’s letter was Choi Inho. Recently, things hadn’t been going his way. He heard that Haejoo had come to the police station and had been following her around. Just when he thought it would end without any significant gain again, he landed something big.
“It’s Yura’s letter.”
The letter contained Yura’s lengthy excuses, stating that this was her fourth letter. While hoping for Haejoo’s forgiveness, it was full of excuses. Choi Inho’s lips twisted into an unsightly grin as he finished reading the letter.
“Seongyu, tomorrow I need to go meet Yura.”
Choi Inho, having thought of a good plan, put the crumpled letter back into the envelope. Just when he felt lucky, his detective friend called. Since he wasn’t a particularly righteous guy, Choi Inho immediately changed his tone.
“Detective Kim actually called.”
He was handling one of the cases related to Haejoo. Choi Inho had visited him, hoping to get something useful since they were classmates, but he had returned disappointed. He wasn’t particularly glad to hear from him, but he couldn’t afford to be on his bad side, so he feigned cheerfulness.
“You’ve been quiet lately?”
“Park Dojun is so thorough, it’s hard to get through to him.”
“I’m holding onto something good, and I haven’t told the other side yet.”
“What is it?”
“It’s hard without something in return. I’ve been starving lately.”
The world was clearly rotten. That’s why leeches like Choi Inho and Detective Kim could still thrive.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Just prepare three sheets. And perhaps a drink as well.”
“Isn’t that too blatant?”
“My insides are always red, you see.”
“I’ll contact Madam Hong. Come out.”
“Oh, that place is expensive?”
“I’ll provide excellent service, so let’s help each other out.”
“Okay.”
Choi Inho hummed a tune after ending the call. He laughed to himself, then turned serious and instructed Seongyu, who was driving.
“When we get to the office, sort through all the Lee Haejoo materials we’ve collected and draft an article.”
“Are you going to release everything at once?”
“No. Before that, we need to make another ally. We’re not in a hurry.”
Choi Inho went to the office and spoke to the editor-in-chief, secretly receiving funds. He changed into neat clothes and prepared for the night’s festivities.
________________________________________
A middle-aged woman, looking haggard, entered a shabby motel in the Philippines. She was clearly not a local.
“One room, please.”
Despite her clumsy English, the motel owner handed her a key. The woman, constantly looking behind her as if someone was chasing her, went up to the second floor where her room was. When the door closed, the motel owner opened his desk drawer. Inside were photos of wanted criminals.
“Name unknown, Korean woman… Yes, that’s her.”
Reporting her could earn a decent reward. Without hesitation, he called the police, and uniformed officers quickly arrived. The motel owner eagerly pointed to the room the woman had entered.
“That’s the room.”
The police broke down the locked door and entered. As they pointed their guns, the woman whimpered and slumped to the floor.
“P-Please save me!”
“This is the police. What’s your name?”
“P-Park Gyeong-ae…”
“Are you Korean?”
“Yes.”
Gyeong-ae, who had fled from Dongjin’s house, was half out of her mind. She had narrowly escaped death several times because someone she had defrauded had hired a killer. Gyeong-ae trembled all over as she got into the police car. The police exchanged messages on their radios and then detained Gyeong-ae at the police station. This news was also relayed to Dongjin. He brought Dojun, who was leaving the Philippines that night, to the police station.
“Where should I go?”
“Over there.”
Dojun informed the Philippine investigator that Gyeong-ae was also involved in a lawsuit in Korea. Then, he finally met her, sitting on the cold, unforgiving floor. Beyond the bars, Gyeong-ae’s appearance was terrible. Her face was disfigured with injuries, and she was dark-skinned from not eating properly.
“Do you remember me?”
“...Huh?”
Gyeong-ae raised her trembling head and with difficulty looked at Dojun. She scrunched her wrinkled eyes, then screamed and turned her back.
“Aargh, hiccup!”
“You recognize me.”
“It’s not me. It’s not me!”
“Consider it karma. You will never escape this prison, even in death.”
“Just save me once. You’re President Park’s son, aren’t you? You are.”
“If Haejoo were here, she would have told you this.”
“Huh?”
Dojun walked closer to the bars. Gyeong-ae squeezed her eyes shut at the chilling aura of hellfire emanating from him.
“Get lost, ...she would have said.”
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