The Predator's Web
That evening, a mysterious letter was delivered to Lee Han. It was an anonymous note, with only a few numbers scribbled across it. As he stared at the letter in confusion, he suddenly remembered the computer installed in the surveillance room.
His intuition whispered to him. Rushing to the office, Lee Han turned on the computer and entered the numbers from the letter as the password. The screen flickered to life, revealing the desktop. A single, unfamiliar folder caught his eye.
Driven by curiosity, he clicked the folder, and a series of cruel videos began to play. They showed men violating women, one after another. While the faces of the individuals varied, the composition—terrified women and the men who reveled in their hellish agony—was disturbingly similar.
Lee Han checked the videos one by one with trembling hands, but when he reached the final clip, he jumped in shock. Several news articles had been pulled up on the screen out of nowhere. They were reports about the very men he had just seen in the videos.
'Disappearances, murders...? Did all those men meet such miserable ends?'
As he closed the videos, Lee Han’s mind was in total chaos. Who on earth had shown him these things, and why?
A thought suddenly flashed through his mind. What if those men had been the previous apartment managers? They must have acted recklessly without caution, only to have their crimes discovered and face a gruesome fate. If he didn't want to end up like them, he couldn't just rush into things with Han Sujin.
If all of this was a kind of warning from Chairman Park, the underlying meaning was clear: approach slowly and cautiously. It meant he should be careful not to get exposed all at once. He had to use her shameful weakness to subtly ensnare her.
Gritting his teeth, he turned off the computer. A strange thrill, coupled with a fierce resolve, filled him. Mistakes would not be tolerated. He had to learn. He had to take the lesson and move forward, one step at a time.
With patience, step by step. That was how he would slowly approach his prey, Han Sujin. Never rushing, never getting caught. That was how he would thoroughly trap her.
Lee Han skipped a day before contacting Han Sujin and calling her to the office. When she arrived, her face was heavy with fatigue, as if she hadn't slept. Yet, even in her haggard state, her beauty still shone through.
Lee Han swallowed hard as he looked at her and spoke carefully.
"First of all, I haven't told the Chairman about your kleptomania yet. Fortunately, since you didn't actually take the items, I think I can handle this on my own."
At those words, Han Sujin's stiff expression seemed to soften slightly. But his next words made her complexion darken again.
"However, it feels a bit suspicious to just cover everything up like this."
"Are you... asking for money?"
Han Sujin asked in a trembling voice, unable to hide her anxiety. But Lee Han just smiled and shook his head.
"No, don't misunderstand. My proposal is that perhaps you could help out with some of the apartment management work."
Han Sujin looked bewildered by the unexpected suggestion. Lee Han leaned in closer and continued.
"Since you almost caused trouble for the apartment, you can think of it as community service. Because the Chairman manages it directly, there's no residents' association, so we're quite short-handed. I would appreciate it if you could take on a few light tasks. By the way, do you have any other work you're doing?"
In truth, Lee Han already knew she was a full-time housewife. He was just baiting her into the conversation with trivial questions.
Lost in thought, Han Sujin caught her breath for a moment before expressing her gratitude and promising to help.
"Can you start now? I'll show you around the complex and explain what needs to be done."
At Lee Han's smiling suggestion, Han Sujin nodded. The two headed straight for the apartment complex.
As they walked, Lee Han asked her light, natural questions. When asked if she had a job, she replied that she was a housewife. She was a full-time homemaker living on her husband's income.
"I see. What does your husband do?"
"He works at a small-to-medium-sized company. He's very hardworking, so he's often home late."
"You seem to cherish your husband very much. He must be a man worth respecting."
At Lee Han's praise, Han Sujin's face flushed slightly.
"Yes, he's a man who always does his best for me. I'm very grateful to him."
Affection for her husband seeped through her tone. Lee Han smirked inwardly. There was room to slowly dig into her vulnerabilities.
They continued their conversation as they toured the complex. He began to peer into her life, asking and answering questions about her home atmosphere and her hobbies.
Whenever Han Sujin showed signs of wariness, Lee Han quickly changed the subject. He would also subtly threaten her by mentioning the theft incident. The more he did, the more she withered.
As time passed, Han Sujin spoke more and more. Family relationships, lifestyle, worries—Lee Han listened patiently. Sometimes, he even offered kind advice.
The sun was already beginning to set.
"It's already this late. Han Sujin, thank you so much for today."
"Oh, no, it's the least I could do."
Han Sujin gave a bitter smile. She hadn't opened up completely, but a certain level of intimacy had been built.
"I'll be asking for your help often, so please continue to take care of me."
"Understood. I'll do my best within my capabilities."
After saying their goodbyes, Lee Han watched her leave. Her back, with a shy smile still lingering, looked strangely poignant.
'Soon, you will be obedient to my every word.'
A chilling smile spread across Lee Han's lips. Han Sujin was slowly opening her heart to his clever scheme. He would dig into every corner of her life, seize her weaknesses, and tame her.
In the darkness, a terrifying madness flickered in Lee Han's eyes. It was the gaze of a predator burning with desire. Concealing his sinister intentions, he returned to the office. The hunt had just begun, and he intended to enjoy it at his leisure.
Lee Han often called Han Sujin to help with patrols and management tasks. In the process, he learned about her piece by piece.
The meeting between Han Sujin and Park Taeyoung was particularly interesting. It was impressive that Park Taeyoung had fallen for the appearance of Han Sujin, who was working part-time at a convenience store, pursued her aggressively, and pushed for marriage quickly.
However, Park Taeyoung's family was different. They had strongly opposed the marriage, citing Han Sujin's poor background and low educational attainment, claiming she had nothing to offer but her looks.
'In the end, Park Taeyoung is her only lifeline.'
Lee Han smirked. If the evidence of the theft he held were to reach her husband, Han Sujin would likely be consumed by the fear of losing even that.
Back in the office, Lee Han sat deep in his chair and began to organize the information he had collected. His next plan of action was already forming in his mind.
He cast his gaze toward the calendar on the wall. The deadline Chairman Park had initially set was two months. He had to have Han Sujin in his hands by then. There seemed to be enough time. He decided to plan slowly and carefully, without being impatient.
Suddenly, he remembered Han Sujin's theft incident from a month ago. Could he capture such traces of her again? Anticipation swelled within him.
Lee Han stood up. He was going to monitor her every move. There had to be a flaw somewhere. Hiding the terrifying desire flashing in the darkness, he sat down in front of the computer and began monitoring.
Lee Han smiled with satisfaction as he watched the scene on the monitor. It clearly captured Han Sujin committing theft again without realizing it. It even showed the moment she snapped back to reality and returned the stolen item to its place.
Lee Han quickly printed the scene and placed it on his desk. That single photo was enough to put Han Sujin in his grasp. He pondered carefully how he would deliver the threat.
The next day, when Han Sujin was called in and sat in the office, Lee Han deliberately let out a heavy sigh. Her face filled with worry and anxiety at his demeanor. Her hands, resting on her lap, fidgeted.
After stalling for time, Lee Han carefully handed her a photo. At that moment, Han Sujin's lips clamped shut. It was as if she knew she had no excuses.
"This looks like... a disease."
Lee Han spoke up.
"It seems you need treatment. Should I tell your husband?"
"Please... don't!"
Han Sujin grabbed Lee Han's arm and begged. Tears welled up in her eyes.
Cold on the outside, but actually soft-hearted. Her seemingly firm attitude was just a shell to protect herself. Lee Han had already seen through her inner self through their conversations. If he squeezed her weakness, she would crumble easily.
"Then I'm worried about how to handle this."
Lee Han muttered, pretending to be indifferent. He was laughing on the inside. It would be nice if Han Sujin suggested a solution herself, but that was unlikely. He felt he needed to cast some bait.
"Please forgive me... please."
Han Sujin sobbed, her shoulders shaking. Lee Han stood up, approached her, and said as if to comfort her.
"Don't worry too much. I'll find a way to handle it somehow."
Han Sujin looked up at him with eyes mixed with surprise and gratitude. Lee Han swallowed hard once more.
"But in return..."
The moment he trailed off, Han Sujin's body stiffened. It was as if she realized what he would demand.
"No... isn't there another way?"
Han Sujin asked in a trembling voice. But Lee Han's gaze was firm. He pointed to the photo on the table, applying silent pressure.
Terrified, Han Sujin looked at the photo, finally closed her eyes, and opened her mouth.
"What do I have to do?"
A triumphant smile spread across Lee Han's lips. He had succeeded in putting Han Sujin in his grasp. A thrill of malice washed over his entire body.
