I’m Obsessed With the Suspect - Chapter 57
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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57
Cheong-a moved carefully between people, suppressing any sound of her presence.
Every time she passed by groups of three to five people engaged in conversation, she kept her ears wide open.
“Do you know how the personnel changes at headquarters are going these days?”
“I’m not sure, but with the new director, I think our team will see some reshuffling too.”
“That’ll be troublesome.”
It was ordinary talk.
As Cheong-a looked around and moved through the interior, an employee with a tray approached her.
“Would you like a drink?”
Cheong-a stared blankly at the employee for a moment.
Only after confirming that he wasn’t the sales representative she had seen at Boksan University Hospital did she ask for a non-alcoholic drink.
“Ah… I only have champagne varieties right now. If you wait, I’ll bring something to this spot for you.”
“Well, yes.”
Cheong-a nodded roughly and turned her gaze away.
She didn’t want to stay in one place for long, but wandering around empty-handed was also somewhat problematic.
After receiving a non-alcoholic cocktail a moment later, Cheong-a continued her exploration, stealthily moving from place to place again.
“Have you heard who’s coming up from that line?”
“It’s completely in the dark. I’m anxious too.”
People were having important conversations among themselves, but there was no useful information.
“Oh my, meeting you here. I’ve been wanting to greet you for a while.”
“I should be the one asking for your favor. Haha.”
There were also places where business cards were exchanged while clinking glasses.
According to what Yeonhui had told her, everyone gathering today should know each other. That meant these people awkwardly exchanging greetings were also excluded from the list of suspects.
Cheong-a swirled her glass slightly while scanning the interior.
‘I heard there are seats on the lower floor too…’
Given the ship’s structure, going down to the lower floor would obviously make the space more cramped. That would mean she’d have no choice but to face people much closer.
Cheong-a took a few steps, then soon turned toward the restroom.
As she opened the restroom door and entered, the noise subsided. The boisterous voices and music were blocked by the thick door.
Cheong-a found a stall, went in, pulled up her skirt, and sat down. Then she took off her heels and massaged her reddened soles.
‘Ah, I got blisters…’
Her feet hurt from wearing unfamiliar heels. The clothes were also incredibly uncomfortable. Every step she took made the skirt ride up, forcing her to take small steps.
“Gasp, is it already this time?”
Cheong-a, who had been checking the time on her phone, was startled and hurriedly got up from her seat.
This wasn’t the time to be slacking off sitting on a toilet.
There wasn’t much time left before the boat would arrive at the pier in Jamsil. She had to finish all her investigation and get off the boat by then. That’s when Hwang Se-ra, the owner of the ticket, was scheduled to board.
Standing in front of the mirror, Cheong-a quickly adjusted her skirt, swept back her hair, and applied more lipstick.
Today too, an unfamiliar face of unknown identity stared back at her from the mirror.
‘I can do this. I can do it. Of course, I can definitely do it.’
Cheong-a let out a big sigh and vigorously opened the restroom door.
At that moment, there was a man in a black suit passing through her field of vision.
‘He’s incredibly tall.’
Cheong-a was quite tall for a woman. So when she wore heels, she rarely saw people who were this much taller than her. Naturally, her gaze followed the man’s back.
“…?”
Tall height and broad shoulders.
A small head for a man and a wide back.
And that neck line that showed handsomeness even from behind…
‘Gasp, I’m screwed!’
The man who had passed by Cheong-a was Min Woo-jin.
‘Why is he here again?!’
Cheong-a spun around toward the opposite direction from where Wujin had gone.
Anxiety surged instantly.
It would be troublesome to catch that bastard’s eye.
She had a mountain of work to do and no time, so why was that bastard here? There was no one like him among the Police Academy alumni!
The nearest staircase going down to the basement was right in front of where Min Woo-jin had walked. But using it seemed difficult. So she would have to keep walking straight and use the staircase at the opposite end.
It would take longer since she’d have to go all the way around, but there was no other choice.
It would be five hundred times better than encountering Min Woo-jin here and ruining the operation.
However.
Just as she was about to turn around and take a step, Cheong-a’s backup plan also crumbled.
Another person she absolutely shouldn’t meet here was striding toward Cheong-a.
The white-haired tiger.
Police Academy department head Ju Shin-hoe.
Even from far away, his trademark white hair could be seen striding closer.
‘Oh no!!’
He was a mentor who had terribly cherished Cheong-a during her Police Academy days, but right now he was someone she absolutely couldn’t meet.
‘If Professor Ju finds out I’m here, he’ll spread rumors all over the police station…?’
Ack!
Min Woo-jin behind her.
Ju Shin-hoe in front.
‘S-someone save me.’
Caught between a rock and a hard place.
Cheong-a pretended to look troubled, hung her head, and clutched her stomach. She had no choice but to back into the restroom again.
She felt something catch on the restroom door handle with a thud, but there was no time to look back at such things.
Gripping the handle tightly, her heart pounded wildly.
What should I do? Wow, what should I really do?
Lady Justice, please grant this poor police officer wisdom and mercy…
Just as she was crying out inwardly, she began to hear people’s conversation from outside.
Cheong-a quickly pressed her ear to the restroom’s metal door and eavesdropped on the sounds outside.
“Hey, why are you standing in front of the women’s restroom?”
It was Ju Shin-hoe’s voice.
“Ah, hello, Professor.”
What followed was Min Woo-jin’s voice. Or was it Min Yoo-shin’s voice? Either way.
“Someone I came with is inside. I’m waiting.”
Someone he came with?
Cheong-a’s brow, pressed against the metal door, furrowed tightly.
‘D-don’t be ridiculous. Why would I be your companion? Get lost right now.’
Hearing that bastard’s voice made it clear that he had already discovered she was here.
“But, you… who were you again.”
“Ah, sorry for the late introduction. I’m Myeong Je-yun, invited by my brother today.”
A moment of silence.
“Wait, Myeong… Myeong Je-yun. By any chance, what’s your father’s name?”
“It’s Myeong Jin-hwan, sir.”
Myeong Jin-hwan.
Wait. Myeong Jin-hwan?
Cheong-a nearly jumped up while gripping the restroom door handle.
Surely that crazy bastard wasn’t talking about Prime Minister Myeong Jin-hwan?
The Prime Minister’s son?!
“Ah, ahh. You’re the second son of that family!”
Ju Shin-hoe’s voice became noticeably softer than before. Of course, Cheong-a’s complexion became even worse.
“My, you’re much more handsome than I heard.”
“Haha, thank you.”
“But who did you say was waiting? I caught a glimpse earlier and it looked like a student I was fond of, but I wasn’t sure.”
A scream erupted in Cheong-a’s mind.
There wasn’t even any color left in her face to turn paler.
Aaah. Professor.
Can’t you just leave? Sob sob. I’ll visit you often from now on and pay my respects, please I’m begging you!
P-please go…!
“No… I don’t think it’s that person. They’re not from the Police Academy. It’s Hwang Se-ra, the daughter of the Suwon South Police Station chief.”
“Ah. It was that friend?”
What Ju Shin-hoe let out was a very short exclamation, but his disappointed tone was quite obvious.
“Ah, well, there’s no way that little rascal would come to an event like this. Don’t mind me. Haha.”
“A student beloved by the professor. They must be a good person.”
“A troublemaker. That’s why I like them though. Anyway, I’ll be going. Let’s meet again when we get the chance. Give my regards to your father.”
“Yes, I’ll see you again.”
After the sound of a shoulder being patted a couple times, the sound of firm dress shoes gradually grew distant. Judging by the unwavering sound, it was definitely Professor Ju Shin-hoe’s footsteps.
When that sound completely disappeared, another set of footsteps followed.
Only then did Cheong-a release her grip on the door handle and lean against the wall.
“…Haah.”
She felt all the strength drain from her body.
And suddenly, the restroom door opened roughly.
“Huh?”
A large shadow fell over Cheong-a’s face.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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