Chapter 93.2

Chapter 93.2

The gap between them was too wide to bridge, leaving him plagued by a cognitive dissonance that throbbed like a headache. Why did something that was merely a target, a mission long since completed, bother him so much?

It was when she relentlessly pushed herself in the search for her missing husband that he finally found the real Han Seoryeong.

Yes, it was a “discovery.” In those moments when she tore through the paper he had read with indifference, when she burst out of the document, every single moment had struck him like a shock.

― “But is the owl really that kind of person? The doctor said she’s indifferent to others’ pain, ignores rules easily, and only sees violence as a tool. She acts selfishly and is hostile to most people.”

“…!”

― “By now, I’m not even sure if she’s searching for Kim Hyun solely out of love!”

“….”

― “Team leader, are you sure you want to stay involved with the owl? Maybe it’s time to pull back? I went through all the data, and I’m really scared of getting on the owl’s bad side.”

“I can’t pull back.”

―“Pardon?”

“It’s too late.”

He didn’t elaborate, merely looking indifferent.

If the real Han Seoryeong had a brutal nature, then it would mean she had been putting on an act in front of her husband.

Suddenly, a slight chuckle escaped him.

Damn, she’s adorable.

The heat that always flared up when he saw her now seemed to be subsiding, as if finally quenched.

In the end, what he had wanted to confirm were these little things, things he had never bothered to figure out in the past.

― “Anyway, my conclusion is this: The deputy edited the data to suit her needs. But it’s unclear what exactly she was trying to hide. Having a nasty personality is common these days, and childhood memories fade as we grow. The only thing that sticks out is that phrase she kept repeating like a parrot.”

Suddenly, a hollow thud echoed from the linen suit as if something had hit it. Lee Wooshin bent over to look inside the shiny metal canister.

His brows furrowed, his sharp gaze turning more expert-like. The aluminum material quivered slightly. The hesitant voice continued.

―“There may have been some classified information hidden in the owl’s lost memories.”

“…!”

― “That’s why I think she was constantly checked and monitored. Of course, it’s just my hypothesis!”

At that moment, a figure passed through the linen suit and landed softly in a pile of towels. It was Deputy Joo Seolheon, who lay unconscious and limp. Lee Wooshin’s face, staring downward, carried a cold expression.

“People are driven by fear, fundamentally.”

― “Pardon?”

“What I mean is, everyone has a door tightly locked somewhere.”

― “…”

“Well done, you’ve brought something useful.”

He ended the call, pressing his fingers against his superior’s neck. His unreadable gaze lingered near her artery.

He then took out the phone from Deputy Joo’s pocket and pressed the power button for a long time. Another heavy thud followed as he dropped her into the large linen cart.

“――!”

The linen pile swayed, and someone’s familiar breath tickled his ear.

Lee Wooshin lowered his mask and extended his hand as if he had been waiting. But Seoryeong, drained from carrying someone up the stairs, simply shook her head wearily.

Without hesitation, he slipped his hands under her armpits and lifted her effortlessly.

“Who told you to go limp in the middle of an operation?”

“…!”

“Put strength in your legs and stand up straight.”

“But…”

“You haven’t even finished the job properly yet.”

Clearly, something deep inside him had gone terribly off course.

  *

The two of them pushed the cart out and finally exited through the underground passage connected to the department store.

Outside, the area was in chaos, with fire trucks and ambulances lined up.

Seoryeong headed straight to the ambulance she had parked in a corner and opened the back door. Lee Wooshin, carrying the deputy on his back, scowled as he watched her.

“You’ll drive,” she said, tossing him the car keys. Seoryeong laid Deputy Joo on the emergency bed in the back and expertly bound her wrists and ankles with Velcro straps.

The inside of the ambulance was filled with familiar medical equipment. A wall with belts, dirty surgical gloves, a peeling portable oxygen tank, and a defibrillator, among other things. But the space felt oddly cold and worn down, sending a chill through his chest, knowing what she planned to do here.

“We’ll leave when the other ambulances pull out,” she said.

“When did you prepare this?” Lee Wooshin asked, turning the ignition with an incredulous look.

“It’s from the nursing home I used to work at. They ran a private ambulance service. I called to check, and they were about to scrap this old one, so I bought it cheap.”

“…!”

“That way, we can keep going without being interrupted.”

She threw off her jacket and rolled up the sleeves of her white blouse. Lee Woo-shin couldn’t help but let out a slight laugh. An ambulance—a tight space where they would never get caught.

Soon, the red emergency lights started flashing, and they merged safely onto the road. With a flick of the blinker to thank the cars making way for them, they sped down the highway.