Chapter 15
“Come down in ten minutes.”
“What about breakfast?”
“We’ll eat on the way.”
“Yes, understood.”
As if she were merely a keeper, Heeyeon even asked about breakfast. After bowing politely, she returned to the room.
But she hadn’t brought any clothes with her.
Just as she was worrying about that, someone knocked on the door.
“Yes.”
When the door opened, Butler Kim appeared. She held out a shopping bag to Heeyeon.
“You’re supposed to wear this.”
“Ah, thank you.”
When she opened the bag, there was a jumper and a pair of pants inside, both still with their tags attached.
When did he even buy something like this?
Seeing how he even prepared her clothes personally, she felt she had to brace herself mentally. Her throat tightened as if a thorn were stuck in it.
At the same time, she tilted her head in confusion, wondering if there was even an outdoor shop open at this hour.
Well, what does it matter.
She only had to follow him.
Pulling the tags off, she bit her lip.
Whatever happens, don’t be surprised.
Please… Auntie, I hope you and my brother are hiding safely.
She sincerely prayed.
A short while later, when Heeyeon came out after changing clothes, her noticeable outfit immediately drew strange looks from the keepers.
“What’s that?”
“Where is she going? And what’s with that outfit?”
“I heard she’s going out of town with the CEO. Maybe they’re going on a trip.”
“She looks so innocent. But I’m telling you, she’s totally sneaky behind the scenes.”
It was exactly the kind of situation that invited misunderstandings.
Well, since Seokwoo was personally taking her out, it certainly looked that way.
But unlike what they thought, her heart felt heavy.
Under their sharp gazes, she headed down to the garage.
Chief Joo opened the rear car door.
“Um, I should sit in the front—”
“The front seats are for the driver and me.”
“……”
She saw Seokwoo already sitting in the back seat.
That meant they had to sit side by side. Naturally, it felt awkward.
Pushing aside her discomfort, she had no choice but to get in the car.
The moment she got in, a pleasant fragrance filled the car.
It was the scent coming from Seokwoo.
Gradually the scent became intoxicating, stimulating Heeyeon’s nose.
She folded her hands neatly and stared straight ahead.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, sir.”
The garage door opened, and the car quickly sped onto the road.
They were heading somewhere in Gangwon Province. It would probably take at least three hours.
Inside the quiet car, he was looking at a tablet.
He was the CEO of JM Capital.
Surely he had too much work to casually chase after a subordinate employee like this.
Especially with the chairman currently in detention—there must be even more work piled up.
He must be stretched thin…
Yet he was still making time to look for her brother.
What exactly did my brother take from him?
Was it the chairman’s mistress he wanted?
Or the thing they had taken?
For some reason, she felt the latter was more likely.
“Ha…”
A sigh slipped out.
“Are you nervous?”
“Huh?”
“You won’t be caught today.”
“……”
He seemed to have a talent for pushing people’s nerves to the limit.
Heeyeon quickly turned her head toward the window.
Then her gaze drifted to Seokwoo’s reflection in the glass.
Her insides boiled.
No matter where she looked, her eyes seemed to be chasing him.
The suffocating sense of dread made her squeeze her eyes shut.
She didn’t see Seokwoo smiling as he watched her.
* * *
Along the road leading to the villa, pink azaleas bloomed in the valleys as if someone had poured paint across them.
Broad-leaved trees stretched out their large branches, glowing with fresh green light as if welcoming summer.
Just as she was about to admire the magnificent scenery nature had created, the massive gate before her made her lose her breath.
Beeep—
As the gate opened automatically, her eyes widened.
She had thought it would be an ordinary villa.
But in reality, it was far more luxurious.
In fact, it was even grander than the house in Seoul.
He said my brother took something important…
Then… could this be the villa where they store slush funds?
She wasn’t certain, but judging by the strict security, something valuable was definitely kept here.
“The chairman’s woman had a particular fondness for luxury villas,” Seokwoo said.
“She used to stay here most of the time.”
“……”
“The woman who ran away with your brother.”
Just then—
Bark! Bark!
The sound of dogs echoed.
Heeyeon was startled as several men appeared, each holding a large black dog.
The dogs bared their white teeth, making her instinctively step back.
“Pilmo’s clothes.”
One of the men handed a piece of clothing to Seokwoo.
He held it close to the dogs’ noses.
Heeyeon’s mind went blank.
…It’s over.
The dream she had last night was becoming reality.
Though she couldn’t hide her trembling emotions, Seokwoo paid her no attention and continued letting the dogs smell the clothes.
“If you find him well, I’ll give you a reward.”
“If you want a special meal, work hard.”
“Woof!”
A special meal…
Did that mean meat?
Then that meat…
A horrifying thought flashed through her mind.
She shuddered, imagining her brother being torn apart by the dogs.
“Start.”
“Yes!”
Immediately the handlers holding the leashes began running ahead, matching the dogs’ pace.
Meanwhile, Seokwoo leisurely followed them in the car.
Bark! Bark!
A large lake surrounded the villa.
When the scent seemed to disappear near the water, they loaded the dogs into the car and headed to the other side.
“They abandoned the boat here.”
“…!”
On the abandoned boat, dried blood could be seen.
Was that blood Pilmo’s?
Heeyeon felt like she couldn’t breathe.
Pilmo, who had been shot, had climbed the mountain path while being supported by Se-ah.
There they made the dogs smell the scent again.
Bark! Bark!
All the dogs suddenly turned toward one direction.
“Over there.”
“Track him.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go.”
“……”
“If we find him today, you two siblings can have a reunion.”
“Please… spare his life.”
“If he quietly hands over the things he stole from me.”
Heeyeon had no choice but to follow them up the mountain path.
Traces were left everywhere along the way.
Following the dried bloodstains, the dogs persistently continued the chase.
The closer they got to Pilmo, the more anxious Heeyeon became.
Please.
Please.
We have to get through this.
But she had no idea what to do.
Unlike the anxious Heeyeon, Seokwoo climbed the mountain path effortlessly in his suit and dress shoes.
His steps were quick and relaxed, never losing balance.
Meanwhile, Heeyeon felt dizzy.
“Sir, over there. The dogs found the trail that disappeared last time.”
“Where?”
Her heart sank.
When they followed behind, they saw several paths branching out.
“A hiking trail. That means there must be villages nearby.”
“Yes. According to the map, there are several villages around here. He’s probably somewhere nearby.”
“He was bleeding, so he couldn’t have gone far.”
“Search every corner.”
“Yes!”
Strength drained from her body.
The dogs sniffed around, trying to determine which path Pilmo had taken.
What do I do?
What should I do here?
Please… someone help.
Just then—
The clear sky suddenly rumbled.
And rain began pouring down.
Startled, Heeyeon looked up at the sky.
It was as if a hole had opened in the heavens—rain fell in torrents, almost like a downpour.
Ah—
Brother… you’re saved!
She cried out inwardly.
She didn’t care about getting soaked by the waterfall-like rain.
The rain would wash away Pilmo’s scent completely.
The dogs wouldn’t be able to track him anymore.
“Damn it. The weather isn’t on our side.”
Seokwoo cursed quietly.
Boom—!
Rumble—!
Thunder flashed across the sky, startling the dogs.
“Sir! What should we do? If it rains, it’s useless!”
“I know.”
“The dogs can’t calm down because of the thunder!”
“Head down first.”
“Yes!”
The advance team leading the dogs slowly began descending the slope but slipped on the soaked mountain path.
“Everyone, find somewhere to take shelter.”
“Yes, sir.”
They scattered, taking refuge under large trees.
Heeyeon considered moving to another tree, but she felt it might irritate him if she wandered off.
His expression was like the calm before a storm.
“……”
“You look relieved.”
