A Rhapsody in Blue

16. Hit Them Where It Hurts

A moment ago, the Professor has just arrived home and gone straight to the study room. There were so many works that need to be done as she was so tied up with everything these past few days.

Initially, Yejin planned to get her laptop and bring it to the dining room as she eats. You know, writing some reports and marking the student's essays.

But when her right hand was about to grab the laptop from the desk, her whole body froze in the spur of seconds.

2 reflections from the huge window across her.

Even from the corner of her eyes, she could see it.

It was so clear. As if that person didn't even try to hide his presence.

And with rays of evening light, the reflection was getting clearer

Taking out the phone from her pocket with her other hand, Yejin acted as if she picked up a call before walking out as calmly as possible, 'Oh, Soojung-ah? You're here already?'

But just a few steps before she reached the front door, someone from behind stopped her. 'Where do you think you're going, Ms. Son? Please take a seat.'

***

Sitting across from each other in the living room, the person took off his mask, 'Do you have an appointment with someone after this, Ms. Son?'

Yejin was staring openly at him, thinking where she had seen him before, and calmly said, 'Yes.'

'Good then. And did you text Anchor Hyun that you're already home?'

She scoffed at him the moment she realized who he was, 'Why do you even care? Just cut the small talk already and say what you want from me.'

'Oh please. I'd rather avoid violence during our negotiation, Ms. Son.' A playful grin left his face before he leaned forward. And he put his hands which covered in black leather gloves together.

When a bark of laughter finally escaped her lips, she thinks how ridiculous of him for saying that. 'You want me to believe you, an ex-convict who exploits women and children for thousands of deepfake videos? Just so you know...you disgust me!'

He was the prime suspect of the deepfake case, which Bin exposed a few years ago. That was why she has seen his face before.

'Ah, I know this would happen.' He chuckled for a moment before he continued, 'But let me tell you something, I'm here to help you. If you do as I say, I won't even touch a single strand of your hair.'

'What a bunch of nonsense. You need to look at your own face when you said it. And I still don't believe people like you didn't get sentenced to death and get away only with a few years of imprisonment sentence.'

At that time, the investigation of the deepfake case didn't satisfy the public. He insisted that he wasn't the one who create the whole system. Instead, someone gave him some order and he just follows it.

With the whole situation, the case just got away like that. And it got much attention during the last presidential election. One of the pivotal reasons why the late president got elected, was because he promised to take further investigation regarding this case.

Giving her an easy nod, he agreed with Yejin. 'Alright, I agree with you. But if you choose to ignore what I said before, I can't guarantee your safety.'

'Are we talking about safety when you broke into my house?' That was when they heard someone pressing the doorbell a few times. It must be Soojung, she thought.

But he stopped her from doing anything, 'Kim Jae Wook will talk to you after this. Stay in your right mind and say yes to his offer. You need to trust me this time.'