In Hyuk sat at the table with the food delivered earlier, ready to have dinner while turning on the TV.
A female reporter stated, "Students from Taeyang National Police University have been protesting for three days, seeking proper punishment for the offender of Blossom Care Centre victim. They've submitted a petition for reinvestigation, with thousands of signatures."
In Hyuk turned off the TV, muttering, "If they had punished her, a murderer wouldn't be on probation. You're just too innocent to understand this world."
In Hyuk donned a green hoodie, hopped into his car, and drove for hours until he reached a desolate area.
Amid the emptiness, only a single building resembling an animal farm stood. In Hyuk headed inside. He entered a small room made of sturdy iron, emanating a strength capable of confining even a beast . Where Seo Eunji, the adoptive mother of the Blossom Care Centre victim, appeared exhausted and emaciated.
"You look better than I expected," In Hyuk remarked, "Shall we play 'answer the question'?" he suggested.
"Who are you? Minji's birth dad? I'll repent for neglecting Minji. Please let me go! Let me—" Eunji's hushed plea trailed off due to her lack of energy.
"Is it painful?" In Hyuk inquired.
"Yes, it is," she began to cry slowly, silent soon after as her energy waned.
"If you answer honestly, I'll consider letting you go," In Hyuk stated. "Did you know Minji was alone at home?" he asked.
"No, I didn't know," she answered.
In Hyuk's face abruptly changed, and he questioned, "Why deny it when you did it on purpose?" She shook her head in denial.
"But how could you do that just because she was from such a background?" In Hyuk asked tearfully. "It wasn't her choice to be born to such parents."
Eunji's eyes widened, wondering how he knew.
In Hyuk stood up and said, "But do you know what's funny? You starved Minji to death because she was an illegitimate child of a woman working in a bar. I found out you were an illegitimate child too."
He sat back in front of her, gritting his teeth. "Your mom worked at the motel before marrying your father—a heart-touching love story. If you were disgusted by her, you should have felt disgusted by yourself. Just because you had money and she didn't don't make any difference "
As he stood to leave, he paused, turned around, and added, "Are you curious how I found out? The answer is your cell phone—the one the police didn't check. They believed you only had one cell phone. You even recorded videos of Minji on it," he smirked.
He emerged and secured the door. Eunji tried to reach it, but it was too late; she couldn't budge.
In Hyuk, in pajamas, watched the news on the sofa.
The report stated, "Finally, the government has considered public opinion and ordered a reinvestigation into the Blossom Care Centre case ____."
The door burst open with a loud thud. Raehyun rushed to In Hyuk and demanded, "Where is she?"
"Hmmm?" In Hyuk replied, puzzled.
Raehyun grabbed In Hyuk's collar, forcing him to stand. "Where is she?" he asked angrily.
In Hyuk pushed Raehyun back. "What are you talking about?" He adjusted his dressing and calmly added, "Stop spouting nonsense and make sense of your words."
"Did you do something?" Raehyun asked again.
In Hyuk looked at him dumbfounded and stayed silent.
"The Blossom Care Centre victim's mother," Raehyun yelled.
"She must be enjoying her life. The court let her go because they couldn't find any evidence," In Hyuk replied through gritted teeth.
Raehyun covered his face with his hands, sighed, and said, "In Hyuk, please don't be like that. Can't we just live by the law? I'm doing my best to bring the victim to justice___."
"I don't understand why you don't trust me. I don't know anything about anyone. Isn't the police working with you on the case? She must have run away because of the reinvestigation," In Hyuk replied.
Raehyun knew In Hyuk wouldn't talk if he was involved.
He quickly left the house, thinking, "It's better to search for her with the police than asking him." He started his car to head back to the police station.
Raehyun entered the station and spotted Officer Kang Haru, in charge of the case, heading out.
He stopped the officer, saying, "Judging by her home's condition, I don't believe she ran away. What if someone attacked her in anger? It's been over two weeks since her traces disappeared. Focus on finding her; she could be in danger."
Officer Haru considered it, asking, "How do you know about her house?"
"Ah, that's because," Raehyun thought of an excuse, "because I am assisting with this case. I'm a Taeyang National Police University student who submitted a petition for reinvestigation."
Haru inquired, "Do you have official papers for assisting the case?"
"No," replied Raehyun awkwardly, lowering his head.
"Then you invaded the house without permission," Officer Haru stated, heading to his car, ignoring Raehyun.
Raehyun followed, insisting, "You should look for her whereabouts, you understand, right?"
The officer, opening the car door, asked, "Are you my superior? Why are you ordering me around?" He then sat in the car and drove off.
Officer Haru entered Seo Eunji's house, scanning the surroundings once more. He checked the shelves; her passport and important documents were present.
"That's strange. If she was running away, why leave her documents?" he pondered.
Retrieving his cell phone, he called the number saved as Chul Woo junior.
"Yes, senior," the recipient answered.
"Did you get her cell phone's last location?" Haru inquired.
Chul Woo replied, "Yes, but it's just an empty, deserted area near the river."
Concerned, Officer Haru instructed, "Ms. Eunji could be in danger. Search with this possibility in mind."
Chul Woo questioned, "Why do you think that way?"
Haru explained, "All her documents and passport are at home. The windows were open too."
"Ahhh, is that so? We'll do our best. I'll send you the location, senior. Come here," Chul Woo assured.
"Okay, I will." Officer Haru hung up and headed outside.