10 AM, December 2023, Hongdae
A throng of reporters surged toward the Phoenix Tower, the flagship headquarters of the Phoenix Group of Industries. The towering twenty-story edifice loomed majestically in Hongdae, an area not known for commercial properties, rendering the Phoenix Tower the subject of discussion for three decades in the business world. From its inception in healthcare to its expansion into entertainment, Phoenix had become a lucrative venture for shareholders, all thanks to the indomitable spirit of one woman: Jeong Suhyeon, the co-founder, alongside her late husband, Lee Gangsoo. Despite the early tragedy of Gangsoo's passing, Suhyeon's resolve remained unshaken as she propelled her career forward, assuming the mantle of chairwoman single-handedly. She raised her son, Lee Daehwan, grooming him to become the CEO, with aspirations to further elevate the company's success. However, her world was shattered by the untimely demise of her son and the startling revelation that her own grandson, Lee Hangyul—the future heir to the Phoenix empire—was implicated as his alleged murderer. Though aware of Hangyul's fragile mental state, Suhyeon took charge, appointing her daughter-in-law, Park Heejin, as interim CEO until her retirement, while clandestinely sheltering her grandson within a mental asylum, shielding him from the machinations of business rivals until Dr. Danny Park could find a remedy for his debilitating panic attacks. Little did she foresee that this decision would precipitate yet another tragic event—the sudden death of Park Heejin. Jeong Suhyeon endured a harsh existence, building an empire from the ashes, weathering the loss of loved ones, grappling with her grandson's resentment for confining him to the depths of a hellish asylum, and living a solitary life in Jinhae, concealing her true identity for a decade. Now, she rests in peace, liberated from the struggles of mortal existence.
"Will you be the chief mourner?" Kim Haneul inquired of his childhood friend, who stood clad in a somber black suit.
"Yes. Who else could it be?" Hangyul responded, adjusting the strands of hair cascading over his forehead.
"And are you prepared to stake your claim to the inheritance? The funeral will draw a significant gathering of shareholders," Haneul informed him, sensing Hangyul's apprehension about confronting a multitude.
"In the absence of Grandma, who is managing the business?" Hangyul inquired, scrutinizing his reflection in the mirror.
"The esteemed Mr. Noh Sangwon, Jeong Suhyeon's trusted personal assistant and the current CEO of the Phoenix empire. Your grandmother has covertly been the principal decision-maker all these years, with Sangwon serving as the public face of her directives, overseeing the diverse industries within the Phoenix conglomerate. Hangyul, the road ahead will be arduous once you assume the inheritance..." Haneul cautioned, offering a reassuring pat on his friend's shoulder.
Hangyul grasped his friend's hand, seeking solace in that moment of uncertainty. "It's alright... for now, let's focus on uncovering the murderer... I can scarcely recall the intricacies of this business... but if Grandma deems me worthy of inheriting, then I shall strive to vindicate her trust."
He offered a faint smile to his friend before departing the dressing room, embarking on his maiden voyage as the sole heir of the Phoenix Group of Industries.
The funeral proceedings unfolded within the cavernous confines of the Phoenix Tower's auditorium. Jeong Suhyeon's lifeless body lay within the wooden casket, eliciting tears from old employees who mourned the passing of their esteemed chairwoman. Newcomers listened solemnly to anecdotes shared by their elders, the memory of Suhyeon enduringly radiant in their hearts. She had nurtured an entire generation of employees, providing sustenance for their families and fortifying the nation's economy, elevating the Lee family and the Phoenix Group to the echelons of South Korea's top ten chaebols.
Lee Hangyul made his entrance into the hushed auditorium, prompting a collective curiosity from all present. Who was this enigmatic figure emerging after a decade of obscurity? Was he the rightful scion of this illustrious family? Did he possess the acumen to helm such a vast enterprise? Could he carve out his own identity under the imposing shadows of his grandmother and parents? Was he truly deserving of ascending to the pinnacle of the corporate tower?
Hangyul was well aware of the numerous questions raised in the eyes of hundreds of employees standing there. But he had to yet witness the most venomous pair of eyes, Noh Sangwon, who waited for him to join the funeral procession.
Kim Haneul, who entered the hall with his detective team along with a police force, dressed in his official uniform, stood straight in front of the altar. He took a glance at Hangyul, as their eyes met, he looked at him with utmost trust that he believed in his friend.
Lee Hangyul sat beside the middle aged man in his forties, with a tint of grey hair, dressed in black suit with a pair of white lilies in his hand.
"Hello, I'm-", Hangyul tried to break the ice with the old man.
"Lee Hangyul. No need for the formal introduction, I've seen you since your teenage years.", the man replied back coldly as he turned his sharp eyes towards Hangyul.
"Oh… I thought…"
"Don't think much, Hangyul-ssi. It's my job to think and work for Phoenix", Noh Sangwon said arrogantly.
"Well… I have my utmost respect for you, Sangwon-nim… But let's not talk about business at my grandmother's funeral… We can always discuss who gets to think and decide for the company after today. See you in my director cabin tomorrow.", Hangyul replied back savagely polite to the old man.
The funeral procession began, with two chief mourners in the front. Cops accompanied the procession maintaining the security of a large crowd gathered in Hongdae town.
While incinerating Jeong Suhyeon's body, her grandson went near the casket, lowering his head he whispered, "Forgive me for hating you and mom for all these years, I'll find your murderer, grandma. So, please, leave all your worries here, and rest in peace."
The body was pushed inside the incinerating machine, and the flames raised higher, reflecting it's glow on Hangyul's face, as he stared at the burning body of his grandmother.
...
1 PM, CBS broadcasting station.
Within the confines of the CBS broadcasting station, an eerie hush enveloped the desk area. Today, all reporters observed a day of mourning for their principal shareholder, abstaining from outdoor reporting until evening. The director, particularly stricken by the murder of the individual who had aided in establishing the news agency and had mentored him during his formative years, instructed his staff to maintain solemn silence throughout the day.
Yoon Seong-ah, seated at her desk with a pen between her teeth and her hair knotted in a bun, peered through her spectacles as she diligently worked on the report detailing Jeong Suhyeon's tragic demise.
"Bomin!!! Hey Jung Bomin!!!" she called out urgently for her cameraman, frustration evident in her tone.
Her colleagues, wary of attracting the attention of their director, attempted to hush her, urging her to maintain decorum.
"Could we please cease this absurdity? Why must we confine ourselves indoors? Mourning can be expressed in myriad ways! Why compel our field reporters to forsake their duties for an entire day?" Seong-ah exclaimed, casting a glare toward the director's office.
In the midst of her outburst, Bomin appeared in the desk area, clutching a cup of coffee. He hurried toward Seong-ah, observing her agitated state. "Noona! Please refrain from shouting," he implored.
"You want me to stop shouting? Then grab your camera and follow me! I refuse to squander my time idly," she declared, seizing her junior's jacket and leading him out of the office.
"God damn, you really fear no one, do you? Aren't you scared of losing your job?" Bomin exclaimed, hustling to keep up with his senior, camera bag in tow.
"I've moved beyond those fears. Any news on Hong Siwoo? I haven't seen him for weeks. What's he up to?" Seong-ah inquired, settling into the cab's backseat.
"Well, actually, he's been absent from BlueChip Investment since Jeong Suhyeon's murder. After some digging, I've noticed a pattern in his behavior."
"What kind of pattern?"
"He vanishes for a whole week every other month... No one knows his whereabouts during these periods... and about the thing you mentioned a few days ago, regarding the bold font in his office… He has poor night vision… seems like he struggles to read clearly without it… maybe that's the reason behind the bold capital letters…"
"The deeper we dig, the more we uncover about Hong Siwoo's enigmatic nature. One thing I'm certain of is that his alliance with Kang Chaewon isn't driven merely by money or power… He's harboring hidden motives…"
"So, what's our plan today? Where does our investigation lead us?"
"To my mother's orphanage," Seong-ah declared, rifling through the documents in her hand, leaving Bomin bewildered on their journey to Damyang.
...
7 PM, Damyang
"You could have just called us, Mr. Hong. Why did you drive all the way from Seoul?" asked the caretaker of Myeongdo Orphanage, her tone a mix of surprise and concern.
"It's fine. I wanted to see the children, too," Hong Siwoo replied, his tone surprisingly gentle.
It had been almost a week since he had been living in Damyang, seeking refuge from the bustling city life of Seoul. After a startling encounter with Park Heejin in his office, he had delegated his important meetings to his assistant and left immediately.
A sudden commotion outside the caretaker's office cut through their conversation.
"Give my toy back!" a ten-year-old girl's cry pierced the air.
The caretaker and Siwoo rushed outside at the sound, finding a little girl sitting on the floor, her hair disheveled, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Jiah! How many times must I tell you not to play with these sharp objects? They are not toys!" the caretaker scolded, noticing the knife in the girl's hand.
"Wait… don't scold her like that… Jiah-ssi, do you know what this 'toy' is called?" Siwoo interjected, gently moving the caretaker aside. He knelt down, leveling himself with the girl.
"I was- I was… I just wanted… to play with my friend… but he knocked this 'toy' from my hand…" Jiah sobbed, her eyes meeting Siwoo's.
Hong Siwoo offered her a smile and patted her head, "Perhaps for him, it's not a toy… but something dangerous…"
"How could this shiny object be dangerous?"
"Like this," Siwoo explained, drawing a shallow cut across his palm with the knife, blood beading on his pale skin. The caretaker gasped, while Jiah looked at the handsome young man with awe.
"So, let's agree not to play with this 'toy' anymore, okay?"
"Stop it, Hong Siwoo! Don't traumatize the children with your psychopathic demonstrations!" a voice echoed from the corridor's end.
Yoon Seong-ah approached them, her face a portrait of irritation, glaring at Siwoo with fiery eyes. She snatched the knife from his hand, handing it back to the caretaker.
"Take Jiah to her room," she ordered coldly.
The caretaker helped Jiah to her feet and led her downstairs, leaving the scene.
"You seem quite informed about psychopathic behaviors," Siwoo remarked, a sinister smile playing on his lips as he stepped closer to Seong-ah, who met his advance with a glare.
"Yes, I need to be. You can't counter your rival without understanding their actions," Seong-ah retorted, their proximity charged with tension.
"Uhm- Uhm-" An awkward cough broke their standoff. Jung Bomin appeared in the corridor, a camera in hand.
"Uh, noona, should we interview the caretaker first?" he suggested, waving the questionnaire.
Caught off guard by Bomin's presence, Seong-ah stepped back from Siwoo, who continued to watch her with an inscrutable gaze.
"Turn off the camera. I don't want to expose any personal information of the orphanage staff," the senior reporter instructed her assistant.
"Oh, are you here to probe into Kang Chaewon's relationship with your mother, Kim Hana?" Siwoo teased, eyeing the questionnaire.
"Damn... I didn't even know your mother's name," Bomin exclaimed, his eyes wide in shock.
"You seem to know a lot about my personal life," Seong-ah remarked, her annoyance evident as she rolled her eyes.
"You can't support your ally unless you understand their background," Siwoo chuckled, his blue suit making him stand out in the dimly lit corridor.
"I'm not your ally," Seong-ah declared, walking away with her characteristic confidence.
Siwoo leaned against the wall, his gaze following her departure. His eyes briefly met Bomin's, who looked back at him with a mix of curiosity and unease.
Yoon Seong-ah entered the caretaker's room and sat down in front of her, still visibly shaken by Siwoo's earlier actions.
"It's fine, aunty… He was just playing around with Jiah…" Seong-ah reassured, gently tapping her shoulder.
"Seona...", that's what they called her since childhood.
"I've seen those eyes before… I've witnessed that behavior before…" the old lady trembled with fear.
"What do you mean?" Curiosity surged within the journalist.
"A man who came to meet your mother, Hana unni… He bore the same expression…"
"Who—who was that?"
"I don't know his name, but I'll never forget his cold demeanor and those eyes… even Hana seemed frightened after their meeting…"
"Didn't you ever inquire about him with her?"
"I meant to… but then she suddenly ceased her visits to the orphanage… and then, one dreadful day, we received the news… your parents had been murdered…" The caretaker sobbed quietly.
Seong-ah offered a soft pat on her hands, providing a sense of firm reassurance, "I understand how deeply the murder of your dear friend has affected you. Could you assist me in this investigation? I'm trying to uncover the murderer."
The old lady, already quivering with fear, looked at Seong-ah frantically, "Stop it, Seona, don't make the same mistakes… Your mother lost her life seeking the truth…"
"What truth?"
"She discovered Kang Chaewon's illegal activities. Realizing that she was the major donor to Myeongdo's funds, Hana was even more horrified."
"So, are you suggesting… her murder was…"
"I can't be certain, as I've never met Kang Chaewon personally. She never visited the orphanage. However, the timing—Hana uncovering her drug operations and then being killed within a month—seemed suspicious to me."
"Then why didn't you share this information with the police during their investigation? Kang Chaewon would have been the prime suspect!"
"I was terrified… I feared for my life, Seona-yah… I had seen the consequences of knowing too much…"
"Okay… tell me everything my mom knew about Kang Chaewon."
"You might find more in her diary, where she documented every detail of their lives."
"Diary? Which diary? Where can I find it?"
"I fear that diary is lost forever… it would have been in your house… which was burnt down…" the old lady sighed heavily.
Seong-ah recoiled, struck by a wave of shock, anger, and disappointment at this revelation. It was something her mother had never shared with her, a secret taken to the grave. She bowed to the caretaker, expressing gratitude for the information shared. Wandering through the corridor, she pondered,
Why didn't my mother share the diary with me? Could it really have been destroyed in the fire? Or was the fire set deliberately to erase it? No, I must investigate this myself…
Yoon Seong-ah clasped her forehead, overwhelmed by stress. This investigation was exacting a heavy toll on her well-being. She acknowledged her frailty but refused to succumb to rest; she couldn't bear the thought of this case consuming her life, her youth already overshadowed by the weight of regret and vengeance. She longed for resolution, to close this chapter and embrace a tranquil existence beyond the shadows of her investigation.
Seong-ah stepped into her charred home, where everything had crumbled into ashes. The walls, now cloaked in black, bore the scars of the fire; furniture lay scattered, most reduced to remnants, while a few metal pieces lay twisted out of shape. Amidst this ruin, their family portrait still clung to the wall, veiled in soot. Seong-ah lifted it gently, wiping away the layers of ash with tender strokes.
How had it survived the fire?
Venturing into her parents' bedroom, she aimed for her mother's wardrobe. Just as her hand reached for the handle, the eerie sound of footsteps echoed through the burnt structure. Startled, Seong-ah darted behind the wardrobe, her heart racing as the steps drew nearer, accompanied by a chilling laughter.
"Stop hiding, come out Miss Seong-ah," Hong Siwoo called out, his voice creeping closer to her hiding spot.
Realizing the futility of concealment, Seong-ah stepped into view.
"Stalking me?" she accused.
"Believe what you wish."
"Do you think I'm unaware of who destroyed my home?"
"Ahh...so you know it was me," Siwoo confessed with a manic grin, pointing to himself. "Then why haven't you reported me to the authorities, Miss Senior Reporter?"
Seong-ah remained silent, prompting Siwoo to continue, "Because your parents never truly owned this house. It was gifted to them, through illicit means. But alas, you're only scratching the surface of the truth," he chuckled, watching her avert her gaze in confusion.
"That was my guess... but you really are clueless about the full extent, aren't you? Interesting... Did you know it was gifted by Kang Minseok?"
The mention of that name sent Seong-ah reeling, her entire being shaken by the revelation.
"How...how do you know that? Why should I trust the words of a maniac?" she stammered, Siwoo's excitement peaking at her dismay.
"Page number 38... July 27th... Ah, what year was it... 2013," he mused, feigning forgetfulness while eying the disconcerted woman before him.
"You stole my mother's diary?" Seong-ah accused, her voice filled with shock and anger.
"I saved it."
In a burst of fury, Seong-ah lunged at him, seizing his collar, "Why are you interfering in this case? What right do you have to destroy my home? How are you even a part of my life?"
"10 PM, 625, Hannam-dong," was all he said.
"..."
Her hands slackened, confusion painting her features.
"I don't hand out information freely."
"Fucking asshole!!! How dare you!" she exploded. "What gives you the right?"
"This offer expires in two nights... After midnight, that diary—and all its secrets—will be gone for good."
Hong Siwoo left with a devilish smirk, savoring the turmoil he'd instilled in the journalist who had always prided herself on her integrity. Alone, Seong-ah stood amidst the ruins, her resolve shaken by the encounter.
...
Two days later, 11:30 PM, Hannam Dong
Nightfall draped over the opulent villa, nestled in the most prestigious area of Seoul. It was a haven for elites from various walks of life, where actors and artists often slipped through secluded lanes, secretly rendezvousing with their paramours. Such locales were a paparazzi's delight, concealed in shadows, exposing the darker underbelly of the entertainment industry. A young female journalist in her early twenties crept out of the abode of a popular actor, who was currently entangled in a scandal with a minor.
"What a jerk man... Onscreen personas are so deceiving," she muttered to herself, scrolling through the images she had secretly captured from the lawn. However, her attention was soon drawn to a familiar slender figure sauntering slowly in the distance.
"Is that—woah—Yoon Seong-ah? The senior reporter? Since when did she start tailing celebrities? Isn't she supposed to cover crime?" The young journalist, concealed behind a face mask, trailed her senior discreetly. The path they tread did not lead to any celebrity residences, leaving the young journalist to ponder Seong-ah's intentions.
"11:54... Come on, Seong-ah... Don't spoil the fun now," Siwoo sighed, reclining on the plush velvet sofa, his gaze fixed on the wall clock. Kim Hana's personal diary lay beside him, beckoning him to delve into its secrets. A glass of whiskey accompanied his solitary reading session, the cool liquid soothing his senses. His damp hair, still wet from a recent shower, clung to his forehead as he awaited his anticipated visitor, stretching out his limbs in anticipation of rest.
"Ah...just two more minutes...and then I'll be off to bed. You've missed your chance, Seong-ah—"
The doorbell chimed, signaling Siwoo's triumph over the notoriously headstrong journalist he had known for years. Rising from his seat, he sauntered towards the door, relishing in the incessant ringing that mirrored the satisfaction of his twisted mind.
"Who's there?" he inquired through the intercom, peering at Seong-ah's face displayed on the screen.
"..."
Seong-ah remained silent, her visage flushed with barely contained fury.
"Hmm... Did you make an appointment?" he taunted, testing the limits of her patience. Her crimson countenance betrayed her growing agitation as he swung the door open, allowing Yoon Seong-ah entry into the palatial abode of the prominent businessman, Hong Siwoo.
"Oh, how unfortunate... but your time has elapsed. It's past midnight now," he remarked, his tone laced with smugness.
"Just tell me what you want... Name your price for my mother's diary," Seong-ah demanded, her voice tinged with urgency.
"Oh, but why the rush? We have all night ahead of us," he grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Shut up. I know you're not doing this merely for a one-night sex, so cut the act and tell me what you're after," Seong-ah retorted sharply.
"What if I told you... that's exactly what I want from you, Yoon Seong-ah..."
"You know I would never agree to that."
"Tsk tsk... I suppose you'll never learn the truth about your mother's tragic past... such a pity, dear daughter..."
Siwoo pointed towards his wooden cabinet, where a book lay atop the burning charcoal. Seong-ah dashed towards the cabinet, desperate to retrieve the book. But as she held it in her hands, she realized it was just a plain blank notebook. Anger surged within her as she turned to face the maniacal laughter of Siwoo, who held the original diary inverted in his hand.
"HONG SIWOO!"
"Stop yelling, sweetheart... You look adorable with that flushed face," he chuckled.
Seong-ah, weary of his antics, began to walk away from the living room, ignoring his bizarre behavior.
"Leaving so soon? It's not even midnight yet," Siwoo quipped, reaching out to grab her arm.
Seong-ah recoiled and pushed his hand away. "Listen carefully, if you ever touch me without my consent again, I will kill you."
Siwoo laughed at her threat. "Ah, as expected from the senior reporter Yoon Seong-ah. I'd love to spend a passionate night with a strong woman like you... But perhaps another time. As for your diary, you have to visit my office every morning at 10 AM sharp, and you can read it until 10:15... The original stays with me until you finish reading..."
Seong-ah stood there, flabbergasted by his audacity.
"Then why did you call me here?"
"I was bored. I wanted some entertainment and to make your boyfriend jealous."
Seong-ah remained silent, processing his words. As she exited, she realized she was being followed. Her phone buzzed with KakaoTalk messages from an unknown number, showing pictures of Siwoo grabbing her hand.
"So, this was his plan all along? To call me here?" she mused, unfazed by the images.
Entering a cab, unaware of the incoming troubles, Seong-ah remained oblivious to the fact that her parents' murderer slept soundly within the same house she had just left. Little did she know, delving into Kim Hana's diary would lead to a hiatus in the game of truth and shadows. The doom loomed in the distance, her gaze fixed on the passing cab. Lowering her camera, she muttered, "I've caught you red-handed, Seong-ah sunbaenim."