Chapter 17

〈Episode 18〉 If we take medicine, will we die…??

To cut a long story short, Chul-soo got hauled off by the police as a caught-in-the-act criminal.

“Of course! Of course you’re amazing! This brilliant scheme blew my mind! I didn’t see it coming even though I was standing right next to you!”

Biseo Park exclaimed in awe towards Yu-jin.

He had just returned from handing over Chul-soo to the police station for the crime committed on the spot.

‘This person really has no blood or tears!’

Sure, even if they had caught him red-handed at the scene, making it stick as a conviction wouldn’t be easy.

Considering the victim’s testimony and the circumstances, there would be plenty of room for leniency.

But the power of Hwagcheon can make the impossible possible.

‘And to trap him with the crime of attacking the woman he loves…’

What an evil plan is this?

Not many men could hold onto their sanity after going through something like that.

It’s not just about other people’s opinions or issues with relationships with women.

Chul-soo would undoubtedly never forgive himself.

Even if it was semi-forced due to drugs and the situation, the result doesn’t change.

And Chul-soo walked right into it.

Meeting Young-hee for the first time, bringing her to the hotel, luring Chul-soo in—it was all part of one grand plan!

Biseo Park was chilled to the bone by Yu-jin’s abilities.

Of course, that was all a delusion born out of ignorance since none of it was planned; it was all a crazy chain of coincidences.

“Hmm, when I thought about it carefully, it seemed like it worked.”

– The fact that you need to think hard to realize that is insanely surprising.

Yu-jin, who looked serious on the outside, was restless inside.

How could he have known that the mysterious drink in the fridge was spiked?

I mean, what kind of crazy hotel puts that kind of stuff in the fridge?

Without knowing, I even offered it to Chul-soo.

So technically, Chul-soo only attacked Young-hee because of me.

Ughhh! It’s all my fault in the end!

Sure, Chul-soo liked Young-hee, but without the drug, there’s no way he would’ve done something so crazy.

You should at least hear everyone’s stories before doing anything.

But now Chul-soo’s already been dragged off by the cops.

“Uh… I’m sorry! I had no idea such circumstances existed! Our Chul-soo is a good boy who made no mistake!”

Actually, Yu-jin didn’t even get a chance to do anything.

After hearing the situation, Biseo Park took care of everything swiftly.

As a bigwig of Hwagcheon, Biseo definitely had connections within the police department.

His usual competence, which Yu-jin always relied on, had ironically become a problem.

‘Can this somehow be solved with money? Or do I need another solution? Should I go to the police station and beg on my knees, saying it was my mistake?!’

Until now, any issue was resolved with money.

But this time, it might not work.

Anyway, it’s not about being cool or anything right now.

If this continues, my friend-to-be’s life is going to be ruined!

Money, power, connections—bring them all in, SHOOOM!

Just as Yu-jin was about to ask Biseo Park to try something…

“Master, look over there.”

Turning his head at Biseo’s words…

There stood Young-hee with a dazed expression on her face.

Young-hee clearly looked shocked.

Yu-jin quickly approached her.

“Why are you here? I told you to stay inside.”

Before he could finish his sentence, Young-hee hugged him tightly.

“I’m sorry…”

She said with a voice filled with tears.

“I’ll do anything. Anything I can do, I’ll do. Please… please save our Chul-soo…”

Before Yu-jin could respond, Young-hee dropped to her knees.

Ah, damn it.

Why is everyone breaking my heart like this?

****

The police station was darker than expected.

The atmosphere itself wasn’t too bad.

However, the gaze that saw him as a criminal was hard for even the well-trained Chul-soo to endure.

Especially since the charge was about assaulting the girl he loved.

“Keh, you crazy bastard. How dare you touch a girl at your age? And she’s even from the same school.”

“It wasn’t my intention.”

“Yeah, right. We’ve got clear testimonies and evidence right here.”

“All of this is fabricated by those guys, I tell you!”

“Whatever.”

The cop’s word made Chul-soo’s head snap up.

He was currently in the interrogation room.

Interrogation or not, his hands were cuffed, and the oppressive atmosphere was enough to intimidate anyone.

Add to that the policeman’s confident demeanor confirming his guilt.

Even an adult would feel terrified.

In such a situation, Chul-soo realized instantly that he had fallen into a trap.

But does the cop know about it?

‘If so…’

“So what difference does that make?”

“Huh?”

The cop shrugged while looking at Chul-soo.

“Do you know who’s framing you like this? Hwagcheon, man. Even some congressmen shake in their boots when they see their secretary.”

“……”

“Think how far Hwagcheon’s influence goes. You don’t know, but starting from the prosecutor here to the judge, it’s rare to find someone who hasn’t taken Hwagcheon’s money.”

“Then what about you, officer?”

“Me? No need to say more. If I side with you, who knows what’ll happen to my family. Do you think I’m insane enough to help you?”

At those words, Chul-soo couldn’t say anything.

Even he ended up like this because he tangled with Yu-jin.

With the power and capital Hwagcheon holds, firing a police officer or covering something up is nothing.

How many people would risk so much danger?

‘Could they have calculated everything and handed me over to the police?’

If so, it was a thoroughly laid trap.

Honestly, it doesn’t make sense.

Why would they go through all this trouble for someone like me?

Is it just pure villainy?

Or is there some reason behind it?

“If this goes to court, it gets dangerous. If you have a criminal record, you’ll be expelled from the Academy and won’t even qualify as a hero. You’d have to join mercenaries. Do you think Hwagcheon will just let that slide?”

“I’ve already said—I’m not a criminal.”

“Yeah, sure, all this evidence is probably fabricated. Whatever tricks they used, Hwagcheon can pull it off. Everyone who sees this will think the same. But why does that matter if the prosecutor doesn’t care?”

“Wouldn’t it be different if it goes to trial?”

“Did you not hear me? The prosecutor, the judge—they’re all in Hwagcheon’s pocket. Do you think a lawyer will be any different? That guy will probably take Hwagcheon’s money and secretly control you from behind, kid.”

The cop was right.

Hwagcheon’s power could cover the entire sky.

On the other hand, Chul-soo had nothing.

All he could do was pitifully struggle.

“What should I do then?”

Chul-soo’s fists were trembling.

“You’re telling me I can’t even properly resist?”

That bastard touched Young-hee.

He must protect Young-hee.

He lived solely for that purpose.

Now, are they asking him to give up Young-hee?

There’s no way he could do that.

“There is a way out of this situation. Actually, it’s the only way.”

Chul-soo raised his head.

“You go grovel to the guy who set you up. Promise you won’t cause trouble again.”

“That’s impossible…!”

“Shut up, kid. You don’t know anything about Hwagcheon.”

The cop lit a cigarette.

Looking closely, his pinky finger was missing.

“From what I’ve seen about those guys, they don’t do anything unless it benefits them. Otherwise, they ignore you like a butterfly fluttering nearby.”

The cop whispered into his ear like a snake’s tongue.

“So, all you need to do is give them what they want. Then your life will be spared.”

Chul-soo bit his lips until they bled.

Do what the bastard wants.

Meaning, hand over Young-hee and pretend she never existed?

No way.

Young-hee is everything to him.

Life without her is unimaginable, and he couldn’t live like that.

But then, what should he do?

‘Damn it.’

It felt so unfair.

If only he had more strength, if only he were stronger, maybe things would’ve been different.

If only he possessed unmatched power and unbreakable spirit, would it have changed?

Regretting now won’t change anything.

“Excuse me.”

Another cop entered at that moment.

She whispered something into the detective’s ear.

“What? Seriously?”

The detective’s eyes widened as he stared at Chul-soo in surprise.

“Damn it, what the hell is going on?”

“How would we know? We just follow orders.”

“Man, I can’t understand the minds of those higher-ups.”

The detective stared silently at Chul-soo for a while, then nodded slightly.

“Hey, you, get out.”

“Huh?”

“I said, go.”

Chul-soo wore a blank expression.

He couldn’t understand the sudden change in attitude.

I mean, how could this situation resolve so easily?

“And who exactly ordered this?”

Chul-soo’s expression twisted awkwardly as the suspicious-looking detective spoke.

“The heir of Hwagcheon personally requested it. What have you been up to?”

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