"That man…"
Yeonjun took a slow breath, his voice heavy.
"We checked everything. His name isn't on the list of reporters. Not even among the digital media names. It's like... he was never there."
Taehyung's brows furrowed sharply. "What…?"
Yeonjun nodded grimly. "We don't have any official records. The full list of attendees is missing. Even our backup digital list is gone. Deleted or never saved no one's sure."
Taehyung, tension radiating from him. "Then check the CCTV cameras around the venue. Every entrance, exit, and surrounding street. Someone must've seen him."
Yeonjun hesitated, then replied carefully, "I already went there. The CCTVs in that area… they're under service maintenance. No live feed available."
Taehyung's jaw clenched. "You're saying there's no footage?"
"There is some," Yeonjun admitted, "but it's… blurred. Like static interference. The tech team says it might be recoverable, but it'll take time."
Taehyung let out a sharp breath and muttered, "Waiting and waiting… how much longer are we supposed to just sit here and wait...."
The air between them was thick with frustration.
Taehyung's eyes darkened, his voice calm but edged with certainty.
" yeonjun, From my view… that man wasn't there on his own.
Someone sent him. Paid him to say those words 'Your father.'"
He paused, gaze steady.
"Something is going on, Yeonjun. We need to stay alert."
Yeonjun nodded firmly. "Yes. I'll keep digging."
Taehyung gave a faint nod, then stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Yeonjun's shoulder.
"We'll see how it goes. For now, go do your work."
Yeonjun bowed respectfully. "Yes, sir."
He turned and quietly exited the office, leaving Taehyung alone once again surrounded by silence, but not peace.
The finance department was unusually quiet when Yeonjun walked in, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. Rows of empty desks greeted him except for one.
There she was.
Hye-jin sat alone, her eyes fixed on the glowing screen, her fingers dancing across the keyboard in rhythm. Without glancing up, she sensed someone approaching.
"Woah, Ms. Neighbour," Yeonjun said with a faint chuckle, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Why is there no one here? Looks like everyone disappeared."
Hye-jin let out a light laugh, still typing. "Everyone's downstairs for coffee. I told them I'd join later."
She finally turned to him with a playful smirk.
"You want something too, Mr. Secretary?"
Yeonjun blinked. "I… uhmm, yeah I came for something."
He paused, eyes narrowing as if trying to remember, though his gaze lingered a little too long on her.
Then, almost in a whisper not meant to be heard.
"I want you."
Hye-jin tilted her head. "Hmm? Did you say something?"
He cleared his throat quickly, straightening up. "Uhmm yes! The financial report. That's what I need."
She arched an eyebrow but said nothing, walking to her desk. "Give me a sec."
As she gathered the stack of documents, one sheet fluttered to the ground, slipping under the edge of her desk. Without hesitation, she bent down to retrieve it.
Yeonjun, almost instinctively, stepped forward and placed his hand over the sharp corner of the desk just before her head brushed past it.
She rose slowly, her eyes catching the position of his hand, her brows lifting just slightly.
"…Thank you," she said softly.
Yeonjun smiled, his voice low.
"It's my pleasure." ^_^
She handed over the report, neatly clipped and organized. "Here you go."
He took it but didn't move. A beat passed.
Hye-jin tilted her head, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "You got what you came for, didn't you?"
Yeonjun didn't respond right away.
"No…" he said, voice quiet.
Her smile faltered, eyes meeting his.
"…You got the report," she added quickly, tone light, teasing trying to steady the mood.
That snapped him out of his daze.
"Right! The report. Yes," he nodded, taking a small step back.
"I should… probably get going."
He turned halfway, then glanced back at her with a soft smile.
"See you later, Ms. Neighbour."
Hye-jin looked at him, lips curling into a small smile of her own.
"Hmm."
When Yeonjun reached the door of the finance department, all the workers who had just come up from their coffee break stood and bowed to him.
Yeonjun returned a polite smile and said, "Good evening," then walked past.
The girls paused, whispering among themselves. One almost stumbled and about to fall said, "Have you seen him? Ohh... How good-looking was that? He said 'Good evening' so smoothly I think I'm going to faint! If he always greeted me like that, I'd never have a bad day."
Hye-jin, watching all this, chuckled quietly to herself.
Yeonjun walked into Taehyung's office, holding the financial report in hand.
But the room was empty.
He glanced around, then checked the time on his watch.
Yeonjun muttered to himself "Looks like Taehyung's already left… and it's already 7:00 PM."
He let out a small sigh and turned to leave.
"I guess I should head home too."
Meanwhile, Taehyung returned home earlier than usual, quietly stepping into the grand Kim Mansion. After washing up, he headed straight to the kitchen and began preparing dinner, chopping vegetables with calm precision, as if trying to silence his thoughts.
From behind, a soft voice called out,
"Taehyung is cooking? Ummm, That usually means something's not right."
END OF CHAPTER.