Chapter 215
Sudden blackout plunged the venue into pitch darkness. Nothing was visible.
The blaring fire alarm didn't necessarily mean there was a blaze—sometimes it was just a prank or an accidental trigger. But this time, with the power out too, no one could afford to relax.
"Is it a fire?"
The murmurs of unrest swelled. If it were a false alarm, the siren should have stopped by now, and the lights come back on. Yet the alarm kept wailing, and the darkness persisted.
Then one person pulled out their phone and shone its light around. That sparked the rest to follow suit, fumbling for their own devices. Even so, the hall remained dimly lit at best.
In the abrupt gloom, people scrambled to find their companions. Some bolted up to evacuate, only to trip over tables and chairs. A stack of champagne glasses even toppled from a table, soaking the carpet.
"What's that smell?"
One voice cut through the relentless alarm, echoing across the hall. Everyone started sniffing the air. It was the acrid stench of burning. Fire. A real fire raging outside.
"Fire!"
On cue, frantic shouts erupted from beyond the hall, accompanied by pounding footsteps racing down the corridor.
"Fire?"
"There's a fire?"
Those who had clung to their seats in denial now screamed in terror.
"Smoke! There's smoke!"
Someone else yelled from the darkness. Phone screens caught glimpses of hazy tendrils creeping into the room.
From that moment, everyone surged to their feet, stampeding toward the exits in blind panic.
"Evacuate in an orderly line! You'll only make it worse crowding like this!"
Foundation staff handling the event guidance shouted at the swarm pouring toward the doors. They were right—the narrow entrance turned into pandemonium as people shoved to escape first.
"Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeves! Keep your heads down and form a line!"
As the staff tried to regain control amid the chaos, voices reached Lee Jeong-chan, who was frozen in bewilderment.
"Director! Director Lee Jeong-chan!"
His aides were sweeping phone lights around in search of him. One shoved through overturned chairs and grabbed his arm.
But Lee Jeong-chan's gaze was fixed on the stage. Even as everyone fled, he steadied himself on trembling legs against a table, shining his phone light that way.
His aides finally reached him and seized his arms.
"Have you found Se-hyung? Where's Se-hyung?!"
"Director, we need to evacuate first!"
"Where's Se-hyung? Find him too! He needs to get out!"
Lee Jeong-chan yelled as they dragged him away.
"I'll look for him! Just go, sir!"
"Se-hyung... find Se-hyung, please!"
"I'll bring him out. You evacuate now, Director!"
One aide shouted that, then dashed toward the stage. He fumbled for the steps in the dark but eventually clambered up.
"Welfare Officer Lee Se-hyung!"
He swept his phone light across the vast stage. Smoke thickened by the second, obscuring vision even with the glow. The burning smell grew heavier. If they didn't hurry, flames might reach them.
The aide glanced around. Phone lights had dotted the hall moments ago, but now it was deserted—most had fled.
"Welfare Officer Lee Se-hyung!"
"Over here!"
Her voice came from straight ahead. He covered his nose and mouth with his sleeve and peered forward. There she was on stage, flustered and indecisive.
"We have to evacuate now!"
He grabbed her arm. She had been dithering too, lifting her hips off the wheelchair only to settle back, unsure.
No heat yet, so the fire was distant. But evacuating in the wheelchair seemed risky. Walking out on her own legs, though, would draw eyes.
"Get up and grab my hand!"
"F-fuck, what about the wheelchair?!"
Lee Se-hyung stammered, voice shaking. She knew it too—this wasn't the time to fuss over the chair. They could burn alive. Why now, of all times? Why this disaster?
"This isn't the time for your paralysis act! It's getting dangerous. I'll take you out the back way where no one will see—just hurry!"
The aide yelled again. Lee Se-hyung squeezed her eyes shut and shot to her feet.
"Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve, stay low, and follow me!"
She hunched over at his words. The stench intensified. Gulping dryly, she clutched his wrist and trailed his heels, eyes on his feet.
After what felt like ages, faint light glimmered ahead.
"Huff... huff... no people around, right?"
"You wouldn't know, but we always scout escape routes like this for events, just in case. Once outside, we'll cover you with a blanket and get you into the wheelchair we prepped."
"F-fine. Fuck, why the hell is this happening?!"
Relief washed over her as surroundings brightened—no injuries, successful escape. Smoke thinned, fresh air rushed in. The building's exterior came into view beyond his legs.
"This way!"
The aide yanked her wrist and bolted outside. She matched his pace, legs pumping furiously.
Smoke cleared completely now, streetlights flooding the area in brilliant white. Lee Se-hyung slowly straightened.
"Everyone, Lee Se-hyung is walking out on her own two feet!"
Someone shouted. Her heart plummeted; she clutched her chest, scanning wildly. But blinding lights poured down, forcing her eyes shut. Reflexively, she shielded her face with an arm.
"What...?"
"Didn't she have paralysis in her lower body?"
"She was in a wheelchair just now."
Murmurs battered her ears. Sight blocked, but hearing sharp. They'd seen it—her standing on two legs. Her heart raced wildly.
Should she collapse now? Her mind reeled. No courage to lower her arm and face the truth.
Standing frozen would expose her to more eyes, though. Trembling, she cautiously lowered her arm and looked around.
"......"
A man stood inches away, camera trained on her. LED lights blazed relentlessly, pre-positioned. They'd promised a secluded evacuation route, but the entire event crowd was here, staring in shock at her upright form.
"Lee Se-hyung-ssi. Choi Jonghyeon, reporter. Your walk on two legs is captured on camera. Care to explain? Wasn't it public knowledge that you have lower-body paralysis?"
Choi Jonghyeon thrust a broadcast mic forward, questions flying.
Lee Se-hyung panicked utterly. She still stood firm on both legs—shaky, but no one would mistake it for paralysis.
Desperately, she searched for the aide who'd led her here. Gone.
"Lee Se-hyung-ssi! Witnesses from the event say you were in a wheelchair inside. How are you walking out now?"
"......"
"Answer me!"
Choi Jonghyeon pressed closer, mic nearly touching. Onlookers watched expectantly from afar.
"......"
She locked eyes with the camera lens capturing her. Then, black-suited men charged from somewhere, lunging at Choi Jonghyeon.
"Who the hell are you?!"
They snatched his camera and smashed it on the ground. They subdued him, binding his arms behind his back.
Another aide rushed to Lee Se-hyung, threw a blanket over her head, and hustled her into the shadows.
"Ow, ow! Hey, you're assaulting a reporter! Heh, doesn't matter. It was live-streamed. Everyone who's anyone has seen Lee Se-hyung walking out on two legs by now."
Choi Jonghyeon laughed through gritted teeth at the man pinning him.
"Even if it wasn't live, word's out. Right, folks?!"
He shouted to the evacuated crowd. No replies, but the buzz persisted.
"Let go, you bastard! Before I call my lawyer! Know how much that camera cost?!"
Choi Jonghyeon barked at his captor. The camera lay shattered, but he didn't care.
"Y-yes, sir. Understood."
The aide muttered into his earpiece, receiving a transmission. He glared at Choi Jonghyeon, then hurled him to the ground with all his might.
"Oof."
Choi Jonghyeon tumbled but grinned still. Dusting off, he blended into the crowd and spotted the scheme's architect. He flashed a thumbs-up.
"......"
Cha Juhan, catching the signal, allowed a faint smile.