"I've been with you for forty years, and I never knew you were this kind of person. Aren't you afraid that boy's spirit will come looking for you in the middle of the night?"
"Divorce! I'm definitely divorcing you! Let's see if you'll ever be able to sleep peacefully again!"
He had been scolded and even hit, but the old man still felt a lump in his throat, unable to let go of his frustration. I can't get angry, he told himself.
After what her husband had done, the entire neighbourhood knew. She felt utterly ashamed—not to mention their son. People were pointing and whispering.
"I can't live like this anymore!"
Thinking of this, sadness welled up inside her, and she could no longer hold back her tears.
"Do-Hwan… I was truly blind back then…"
Lee Do-Hwan heard his name and felt a surge of irritation. He grabbed her arm instinctively, causing her to stumble.
"Enough! Are you ever going to stop?!"
Seeing this, Ara stepped forward quickly. "Be quiet."
Do-Hwan immediately nodded and bowed. "Yes, yes, officer… um, can I go home now?"
The strange looks from the surrounding crowd were becoming too much for him.
It was just a small mistake, he thought bitterly. He was overbearing and arrogant—I had long been fed up with him.
Besides… it was just a recording. I didn't intend to do anything. I didn't even use the footage… I only…
What if someone gets into trouble? What bad luck…
Do-Hwan kept these thoughts to himself, not daring to show them on his face.
Just as he was about to speak, Seo-Jin approached from behind and patted him on the shoulder.
Their eyes met. Ara gave a slight nod before turning away.
With a polite smile, Seo-Jin said, "Mr Lee, it's not that we're unwilling to let you go, but there are still some matters that require your cooperation."
Do-Hwan had no choice but to suppress his anxiety and agree.
"Of course, of course… but I've already said everything I know. What else do you need me to do?"
He was still smiling, but the expression didn't reach his eyes.
"Because you are suspected of violating others' privacy and possible assault," Seo-Jin continued calmly, "please come back with us to give a formal statement."
Do-Hwan's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively stepped back, trying to maintain composure.
"But… the person is already dead. Isn't it said that the dead can't prove anything?"
From the stairwell entrance, Jae-Hyun, who had been watching the entire scene, rolled his eyes and walked out.
It was noon when they returned to the station. The four officers who had just left the scene had no time to rest.
At this moment, Min-Joon finally met the other two key members of the team—Yoon Tae-Wook and Choi Jin-Seok.
Jae-Hyun briefly introduced everyone before calling a meeting to discuss the case.
Sitting in his seat, Jae-Hyun tapped the table lightly with his pen.
"Let's tentatively call this the 'May 18th Rental House Murder Case.' Could someone summarise the case?"
A photo of the deceased appeared on the large screen. According to the landlord, the victim's name was Kim Woo-Jin. He had rented the apartment at the beginning of last year.
The photo showed a 28-year-old man from Daesung Village in Obsidian City.
"According to our investigation," an officer continued, "Woo-Jin attended university in Seongrim District and stayed in the city after graduation. About a year ago, he changed jobs and joined his current company—The Longevity Seal Culture Transmission Limited Liability Company."
"His parents are alive, and he has a younger brother currently in high school."
"Our colleagues have already notified the family. They are on their way."
After a brief pause, photos from the crime scene appeared.
"The forensic team is still conducting their examination. Based on the video provided by the landlord, the victim was attacked shortly after returning home last night."
"Let's watch the surveillance footage."
Ara pressed the remote, and the video began playing.
"This was recorded at 9:48 PM."
The screen remained blank. Only audio could be heard.
After several seconds, two sentences rang out—the victim's voice.
"What are you doing?!"
"Help—ugh…!"
After that, only sounds of struggle and violence filled the room. The killer never spoke.
The room fell silent.
The footage provided very little usable information.
"The victim was attacked immediately upon entering the room," the report continued. "We found no signs of theft. None of his belongings were missing."
"And the victim suffered significantly before death."
"Given the nature of the injuries, I'm inclined to believe this was a revenge killing."
Ara nodded. "I agree. Although there are many shoe prints, they're too chaotic."
"In the end, we could only isolate one—left foot. Based on analysis, the suspect's height is approximately 176 cm."
"The perpetrator didn't attempt to destroy evidence. There were shoe prints outside the door, but they've been disturbed by residents."
After the discussion, Jae-Hyun began assigning tasks.
"Conduct neighbourhood interviews. See if anyone saw the suspect around the time of the incident."
"Ara, search the surrounding area with a few officers."
"Tae-Wook and Jin-Seok, check surveillance footage from nearby streets and shops. If the suspect followed the victim, there should be traces."
Finally, Jae-Hyun's gaze landed on Min-Joon.
"You're coming with me. Let's visit the company."
Min-Joon followed Jae-Hyun into the car as they headed to The Longevity Seal Culture.
The company wasn't far from the crime scene—it would take about 20 minutes to walk there.
As soon as they entered, the receptionist greeted them with a professional smile.
"Are you police officers? Woo-Jin's department head is already downstairs. Please have a seat."
Not long after, a middle-aged man approached them quickly.
"Hello, I'm Woo-Jin's supervisor—my surname is Jung."
Jae-Hyun smiled faintly. "Manager Jung is quite efficient. You knew we were coming the moment we arrived."
Manager Jung quickly explained, "One of your colleagues called earlier to ask about Woo-Jin. I assumed you'd arrive soon, so I informed the front desk in advance."
Jae-Hyun raised an eyebrow slightly. The explanation was logical.
He didn't press further and instead glanced at Min-Joon.
Min-Joon understood the signal and began questioning.
"Woo-Jin didn't come to work today, and no one followed up. Is that correct?"
Manager Jung hesitated slightly.
"He… has never been absent before. No lateness, no early leave. This morning, we tried calling him, but he didn't answer."
"I assumed he was sick and still asleep. Considering his usual performance, I asked HR to mark it as leave instead of absence."
He sighed. "Who would have thought… this would happen."
"Did he have conflicts with anyone at work?"
Manager Jung thought for a moment.
"He was well-liked. Good appearance, good relationships—rarely argued with anyone."
"However… a few days ago, he had a minor disagreement with a colleague, Seo Kang-Min, over a project proposal. But that's normal workplace conflict—I don't think it was serious."
Min-Joon noted this down.
"Would it be possible for us to speak with this Kang-Min?"
Manager Jung nodded slightly.
"He took sick leave this morning. He didn't come to work."