Chapter 278: Get Lost
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 278: Get Lost
I had been at the main house until just a moment ago, but I’ve since checked into a nearby hotel.
My mom, Jin-ah, and even my second sister-in-law were all at the house. My second sister-in-law is currently pregnant, so we’ve been keeping her phone away from her to ensure she doesn't get stressed.
When I saw the videos Fact Killer posted earlier, he was spewing some bullshit about my little hyung and Yun-ji being in an affair. I was so livid I almost threw my phone.
I knew she wouldn't believe it, but if my sister-in-law saw something like that, it could affect the baby. That was why my little hyung was spending the entire day by her side. Watching them act all lovey-dovey was occasionally nauseating, but it was a good sight nonetheless.
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the door.
I moved to open it, but Senior Ju-hee beat me to it. She was the only bodyguard I’d brought along. Despite everything that had happened between us, she was still the person I trusted most.
"Why’d you pick a hotel room this high up?"
James walked inside.
Following him were men in black suits, and in their midst was a woman who looked utterly haggard. She stood before me, fidgeting and glancing around nervously. I addressed her.
"You're Jin Mi-ae, right?"
"Ye-yes! That’s me!"
Right. This woman was Jin Mi-ae. In other words, she was Oh Cheong-min’s mistress.
Oh Cheong-min had been waiting all this time because he believed Yun-ji was this woman’s daughter. This woman was likely the "mother" he claimed had been sending him outside food.
Simply put, Yun-ji’s real mother had never once visited Oh Cheong-min in prison.
Just how much had they scared her for her to be trembling like this?
I glanced at James, and he shrugged in response.
"She’s like that because she’s drunk. She was knocking back soju in the middle of the day. We didn't even touch her."
"Phew. Ms. Jin Mi-ae. You know Oh Cheong-min, don't you?"
"Huh? Ch-Cheong-min?"
"You know him. The culprit of the Deungbaesan Serial Murder Case. And the man who was your lover."
"……."
"Aren't you going to answer?"
"Ye-yes! That’s right!"
People like her only talk when you put the pressure on.
"Oh Cheong-min’s first victims were a married couple. He lured them out for a hike and murdered them. The reason was that he’d been a victim of investment fraud."
"……."
After that, the serial killings continued as Oh Cheong-min moved from mountain to mountain, pushing hikers or murdering them just to get something to eat.
"But something’s strange. When I visited Oh Cheong-min recently, he was cursing at the victims, saying they hadn't paid the balance."
"What? You... you went to see that man?"
Jin Mi-ae stole a glance at me. It was a probing look, as if she were trying to figure out how much I knew. I couldn't help but let out a dry chuckle.
"Ah, I’m not a cop or a detective. I don't know anything for certain."
James and Senior Ju-hee both stared at me. It seemed they’d thought I actually knew something, only to realize I was just bluffing.
"But that’s why I brought you here, Ms. Jin Mi-ae. Oh Cheong-min believes you were the one who withdrew the money."
And he’d mentioned that contact had suddenly been cut off.
"I suppose we should assume you took the money and disappeared? Though I have no idea where that money came from."
I was only guessing; I didn't know the truth. That was why I’d brought Jin Mi-ae here.
"Tell me."
"Eek!"
"Tell me everything that happened between you two. All of it."
In this world, the fist is closer than the law. And what summons the fist is money.
A brilliant mind? Outstanding deductive skills? Animalistic intuition?
Unfortunately, I had none of those. So, I had no choice but to play the great detective by using the resources I did have.
And honestly, isn't this way much easier?
"I-I-I... you see..."
Surrounded by several burly men glaring at her, the alcoholic woman, whose mind was already frayed, began to tremble as she unraveled a dusty, long-buried story.
* * *
"……."
The next day.
It was past dinner time when I arrived at a quiet rural village in Gangwon-do. Even though I’d come in a cheap car to avoid drawing attention, the local elders were giving me sharp looks, clearly identifying me as an outsider.
"We’re here, Young Master."
Senior Ju-hee had acted as my driver again today. Since the other day, her demeanor had been beyond chilly—it was practically frozen. However, I knew it wasn't because she hated me; she was simply separating her professional life from her private one.
"I’m sorry, Senior. It’s already past your clock-out time."
When I apologized while looking out at the sunset over the countryside, Senior Ju-hee let out a small smirk.
"I have to do what needs to be done."
"Thank you. You’ve been helping with the Bamboo Forest management lately too, right?"
"I only did a little. From what I saw, Ah-rin is being really strict with it. Even though it’s winter break, since it’s a story about someone from our school, the rumors are still flying."
"I suppose so."
It wasn't just limited to the Bamboo Forest. Most online communities were currently talking about Yun-ji. Should I consider it a relief that she hadn't woken up yet?
Everyone, without exception, was defending Fact Killer, praising him as a hero and the true face of justice for this era. Meanwhile, they were calling Yun-ji a shameless woman, dragging her company, the broadcasters under her, and even our corporation through the mud.
It was so absurd it made me sigh, but it also showed just how provocative public opinion could be and how cruel it was toward those perceived as guilty. I was experiencing firsthand what my father meant by modern-day "guilt by association."
"Go on. I’ll be waiting."
With those words, Senior Ju-hee put a cigarette in her mouth. Since it was past working hours, I suppose we were back to being senior and junior.
Vibrate! Vibrate! Vibrate!
Just as I was about to head in, my phone rang.
— Lee Seo-ah -
"Yeah, I-seo."
I knew I-seo was currently in Yun-ji’s hospital room to look after her. I wondered if Yun-ji had woken up, but that didn't seem to be the case.
— Did you arrive?
"Yeah, I’m about to meet her now."
The reason I’d come here was to pick up Yun-ji’s mother. She should have come to see Yun-ji long ago, but for some reason, she hadn't shown up.
— Yun-ji’s mother has her own pain too. Speak to her gently.
"I figured as much."
The fact that she hadn't come even though her daughter was hospitalized suggested there was a story there.
— Hang in there. It’ll all be over soon.
"Thanks."
Talking to I-seo made me feel comforted. Even though I wasn't the one who needed comforting, it still felt that way.
— I’m the one who’s thankful.
"Please take good care of Yun-ji."
— Yeah, I’ll text you the moment she wakes up.
Phew.
After hanging up, I stared at the call log for a moment. Honestly, there was something I wanted to ask I-seo.
Why was she helping Yun-ji so much?
I wasn't just talking about the current situation. I-seo had even told Yun-ji about her father’s atrocities. It was as if she wanted Yun-ji and me to work things out.
'There’s no way I-seo would do that.'
Wasn't Lee Seo-ah the one who looked most unfavorably upon me being around multiple women? Yet, her current actions almost made it seem like she wanted me to take Yun-ji back.
'She’s not planning on giving up herself, is she?'
Giving herself up for Yun-ji’s sake?
The thought suddenly terrified me. I immediately sent her a text.
The reply came back instantly.
"Ahem."
So it wasn't that? Was I overthinking it?
"What the..."
I couldn't help but smile. I felt a bit lighthearted, but I still had a job to do. I braced myself and walked forward.
It was a house that was quite spacious for one person, the kind that would be considered a wealthy home in the countryside. I rang the doorbell and waited a moment before the mother, who had been notified of my arrival, came out.
"Hello, ma'am. My name is Kim Woo-jin."
"Yes... you said you were from Uju Group. I am Shin Yoon-ah, Yun-ji’s mother."
"I’ve come to take you with me. Yun-ji is very ill right now. I think it would be best if you were by her side."
At my words, her face darkened visibly.
"I... I don't have the right to see that child."
"Ma'am."
"There’s nothing I can do for her. To that child, a parent is... someone she’d be better off without."
I hesitated for a moment before approaching the subject from a different angle.
"Ma'am, you know Jin Mi-ae, don't you?"
"……Yes."
She was the mistress, so of course she knew.
"Yesterday, our side filed a lawsuit against Oh Cheong-min and Jin Mi-ae."
"A lawsuit?"
"We contacted the victims' side separately. they understood and agreed to it."
Things were moving quickly. Because that was what I wanted.
"Are you talking about the bereaved families?"
"No, not the families from the Deungbaesan Serial Murder Case."
Oh Cheong-min was the culprit of the Deungbaesan Serial Murder Case. His motive for the first murder was resentment toward the couple who had defrauded him, but...
"The victims of the Garam Investment Fraud, which occurred around the same time, have indicted the two of them as accomplices."
The story I’d heard from Jin Mi-ae was a bit different. From the start, Oh Cheong-min and Jin Mi-ae had acted as shills and accomplices in the investment fraud. However, when the couple running the scam tried to cut them out, Oh Cheong-min snapped and acted first.
"Oh Cheong-min took the fall alone so that Jin Mi-ae could make off with the money the scammers had hidden. But once Jin Mi-ae got the money, she abandoned Oh Cheong-min in prison."
Jin Mi-ae said she had squandered all that money a long time ago. Between drinking and calling men, it had vanished in an instant.
"Those people are truly..."
The mother squeezed her eyes shut, unable to believe it. There were many other things to explain, but that wasn't what was important right now.
"Ma'am, please stay by Yun-ji’s side, even if it’s only now."
"……."
"Your daughter is suffering because of an idiot who can't even recognize his own child and thinks his mistress is his wife."
"Sob."
"Just go and be there for her. That alone will be a huge source of strength for Yun-ji."
Vibrate!
I-seo’s text came at the perfect time.
"I just heard that Yun-ji woke up. Let’s go together and at least hold her hand. It’s almost over now."
"I... I understand."
The mother nodded, her voice trembling.
"I don't want to be lumped together as a parent with that pathetic man anymore."
"Thank you."
As I led her toward the car, she suddenly asked me a question, seemingly out of curiosity.
"But... will filing a lawsuit really change anything?"
"Pardon?"
"Even if Jin Mi-ae is taken away, Oh Cheong-min is already on death row."
"That’s true. In fact, the statute of limitations for the fraud has already passed."
"What? Then isn't an indictment impossible?"
"It might not even make it to trial. Jin Mi-ae told us because she knows that. But that’s not what’s important."
"……."
"I’m not trying to judge those two. I just want to make it known that Yun-ji has no connection to Oh Cheong-min."
When she looked at me, confused, I simply smiled and told her she’d find out soon enough.
* * *
"Hehe."
While she was texting Kim Woo-jin, a smile had unconsciously formed on Lee Seo-ah’s lips. It felt like it had been a while since she’d shared a conversation like this with him, and it made her feel warm inside.
"You're laughing?"
A voice came from the hospital bed. Oh Yun-ji had opened her eyes.
"Yun-ji! Are you okay?!"
"I’m fine... Haa, my head hurts from lying down for so long."
"I’ll go get the doctor!"
"Who were you texting to make you smile so prettily like that?"
"Ahem, I’ll be right back."
"You cold-hearted girl."
Pretending not to hear, I-seo stepped out of the room. Since reporters were gathered nearby, she informed them cautiously. The doctor actually came by secretly to examine her, but...
One of the nurses must have tipped off the reporters, because before long, the hallway outside the room was swarming with them.
"Ms. Oh Yun-ji! Did you really just wake up?!"
"Some are saying you're just playing the victim! What do you have to say to that?!"
"Do you know the source of the massive funds Oh Cheong-min is said to possess?!"
"Are the scandals with Uju Group’s Kim Un true?!"
Hearing the voices from outside, Oh Yun-ji stared blankly at the ceiling. I-seo had called for the nurses, but with so many reporters, it seemed it would take some time.
"I-seo, you were texting Woo-jin earlier, weren't you?"
"……Yeah."
"He must be really busy trying to fix this mess right now."
"He went to pick up your mother."
"Phew, I see. I miss my mom."
Oh Yun-ji let out a long sigh.
"I-seo, go out there and tell them something for me."
"Huh? Tell them what?"
* * *
Clack.
Lee Seo-ah opened the door and stepped out of the hospital room.
'Sigh, they really are alike.'
Yun-ji had said this was punishment for smiling while texting Kim Woo-jin in front of her while she was collapsed, but I-seo felt it was a bit harsh.
"You're Ms. Oh Yun-ji’s friend, right?"
"What is her current condition?!"
"What is her stance regarding the Neutuber Fact Killer?!"
"There are rumors that the funds used to establish her company came from Oh Cheong-min. Is that true?!"
"Um, Yun-ji..."
Fidgeting awkwardly, I-seo delivered Yun-ji’s message.
"She said, can't you tell by the fact that she’s in a hospital room and not a prison?"
"……."
"She says... to get lost."