Chapter : 50
“Open it.”
They said there had been a burglary, yet the front door had a brand-new door lock, and even the windows were fitted with security bars that looked very sturdy.
Look at these.
Does this mean there’s money now?
“Better open it before breaking it, Grandma.”
The chief barked.
The grandmother opened the door using her fingerprint.
“Search the place.”
The subordinates put on their shoes and rushed inside.
“Why the hell are you searching someone else’s house, you damn bastards!”
The grandmother sat on the floor, wailing.
The chief and his men ransacked the house, but they didn’t find anything noteworthy.
“There’s nothing here.”
Choi Mugwang stepped into Lee Seol’s room.
The room smelled of Yoon Iseol.
A sweet, slightly ticklish scent.
It was a neat and orderly room, just like its owner.
Pink curtains hung on the window, and a few soft plush toys lay on the bed.
Mugwang tore through the bookshelves and drawers recklessly.
The room became a mess, reflecting the ferocity of his mood.
Gritting his teeth, Mugwang picked up a box from the desk.
It contained the watch he had gifted her, still unopened.
Choi Mugwang threw the watch.
The window cracked.
Yet, his anger was not appeased.
“What should we do, Chief?”
“What do you mean ‘what should we do’!”
Shouting, Mugwang left the house, ignoring the sobbing grandmother behind him.
The only leverage he had to get Yoon Iseol was gone.
His thoughts twisted with frustration.
He took out a cigarette and lit it.
The chief lit it for him.
“Contact headquarters and find someone who can hack her phone.”
“……”
“Why aren’t you answering?”
Mugwang exhaled a long stream of smoke and gave a displeased look. The chief spoke.
“Why go to such lengths?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why are you obsessed with that teacher when there are plenty of women who cling to you happily? You know she doesn’t match you.”
Mugwang inhaled deeply, letting the smoke fill his lungs, then exhaled slowly.
He remembered the first time Yoon Iseol was dragged into the office two years ago.
Her hair and clothes were disheveled, and her lips were bleeding because his reckless men had roughly pulled her in—but somehow, she was sexy and beautiful.
Being a college student, she smelled fresh and youthful.
Most girls would tremble and be too scared to speak in front of him, but Yoon Iseol, trembling at her slender shoulders, looked him straight in the eyes and spoke.
“When I become a teacher next year, I’ll take out a personal loan to pay off the overdue interest. So please wait until then. I will repay the debt no matter how long it takes, so please don’t trouble me and my grandmother. I’m asking you this.”
Her eyes, holding back tears until the very end, as if one touch could make them spill, were unforgettable.
Even when he held another woman, he remembered those eyes.
It made him feel disgusted, ruining his mood.
The chief interrupted Mugwang’s thoughts.
“If you want her, just take her. What are you waiting for? Just say the word, and I’ll bring her right in front of you.”
Idiots.
Thugs who only know how to punch.
Yoon Iseol is not a woman to be forced.
If that were the plan, they would have done it two years ago.
Would he have rented a restaurant, fed her, and even given her gifts just to win her heart?
“Don’t touch her. I’ll handle it. Got it?”
“Yes, sir!”
The chief’s lips twisted.
He didn’t seem happy with how things were going.
The classroom was noisy.
The four-day midterm exams were over.
The students, whether they had done well or poorly, were ecstatic with relief.
Although the school provided lunch, many skipped it and went home.
Moreover, tomorrow was a discretionary holiday, giving them three days off including the weekend.
The teachers were equally excited.
Some took half-days and left for the island by the 2 PM ferry.
“How did everyone do on the exams?”
As soon as exams were mentioned, the chatter died down, and the students’ voices lacked energy.
“Don’t ask.”
“I failed.”
“The questions were too difficult.”
Seeing the bright faces from a moment ago drained of energy was both cute and pitiful.
“Whether you did well or not, today just relax. Eat something delicious and watch a movie or drama you like.”
“Yes!”
The response was loud and clear.
“You respond well.”
“You said at least respond well.”
“Right, right.”
The students laughed heartily.
Iseol’s gaze briefly shifted to Taeshin.
Since returning from Seoul, she hadn’t had a chance to meet him.
He had been busy studying for exams, and she had been occupied with online training for third-grade homeroom teachers regarding college entrance exams.
Did he do well on the exam?
It wouldn’t have been easy to catch up after being graduated for ten years.
But from Taeshin’s expression alone, it was hard to tell.
“By the way, teacher, you’ve become so pretty lately.”
“You were already pretty, but you’ve become even prettier.”
The female students were sensitive to changes in Iseol’s appearance.
Even a small change in earrings prompted comments.
Today, she was wearing new clothes and earrings she had bought at the department store.
“The new hairstyle suits you perfectly.”
“The outfit is so pretty.”
“Oh, really? Thank you.”
She had gotten a perm at a beauty salon next to her grandmother’s shop.
The stylist was quite skilled, and the curls turned out nicely.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
She had been asked this question a lot recently.
All the male students’ eyes turned toward Iseol.
It was true that she had been careful with her hair and outfit each morning to look good in front of Taeshin.
She spoke carefully, trying not to blush.
“That’s not the case. Have a good weekend, and see you Monday.”
After homeroom, when she returned to the teachers’ office, half the staff had already left.
“Hey, where did you get this outfit? It’s so pretty.”
The Korean teacher asked.
Iseol was wearing an ivory dress with a teal jacket.
‘Iseol teacher, you look pretty today.’
Even Naeun, who never complimented anyone, commented.
“From the department store.”
“The fresh look suits you perfectly. The blouse you wore yesterday was really pretty too.”
“Thank you.”
“You should have dressed like this earlier.”
The art teacher chimed in.
“If I looked like Iseol teacher, I’d have a fashion show every day.”
Iseol laughed and returned to her desk.
Taeshin had sent a message.
[I’ll be in the library, let’s meet briefly.]
Since exams were over and students left early, the library was likely empty.
She had bought a perfume as a gift for him but hadn’t given it due to various circumstances.
Iseol grabbed the perfume and left the teachers’ office.
Unexpectedly, Yushin and Sejin were already in the library.
“Weren’t you going home?”
“Ah, teacher. We wanted to study a bit more. I have some math questions for Yushin.”
Sejin pointed to Yushin.
Typical of Sejin, memorizing English words even in her dreams.
“Did you do well on the exams? You probably aced them both.”
“She probably got perfect scores in all subjects.”
Sejin grumbled, pointing at Yushin.
“You got one wrong, didn’t you?”
“Then you two are first and second in the school. Amazing.”
“Do you want some?”
Yushin offered a bag of snacks.
Books and snacks were spread across the desk.
“Are there this many snacks?”
“They got them as gifts from different places. There are so many I’m helping him manage them.”
Sejin picked up a homemade cookie.
I’d heard Yushin’s desk was always full of gifts from female students.
Yushin took a piece from Sejin’s cookie.
“Hey! Why are you eating mine? There’s another one over there.”
“Even a bean should be shared.”
“Seriously.”
The two seemed unusually close.
Sejin, who usually had few friends, rarely experienced this.
Yushin’s friendly nature probably helped.
“Then, study.”
“Yes.”
Iseol pushed the book cart up to the second floor.
Taeshin hadn’t arrived yet.
Maybe I came too early.
