Shadows Of Deception

Chapter 6: The Investigation Deepens

Jungkook sat in his office, formulating a plan. He couldn't rely solely on his gut feelings; what if he was wrong? He needed to keep an eye on everyone connected to Sana. One thing was clear—Sana had been madly in love with Xu Minghao, but his detachment after her death was suspicious. Minghao seemed more focused on denying any involvement and justifying his actions than showing any genuine devastation over losing his girlfriend.

Questions swirled in Jungkook's mind. Did Sana really consider leaving everything behind for Minghao? Why had her parents opposed their relationship so strongly? Jungkook decided to return to the starting point—Sana's parents and friends. He needed to understand more about the dynamics of her relationship with Minghao.

Jungkook visited the Minatozaki household again, this time with more pointed questions. Mr. and Mrs. Minatozaki welcomed him, their eyes filled with sorrow and a glimmer of hope that he might uncover the truth.

"Why did you oppose Sana's relationship with Minghao?" Jungkook asked gently, trying to gauge their reaction.

Mrs. Minatozaki's eyes welled up with tears. "Minghao was not good for her. They fought constantly. He has... anger issues. We could see the toll it was taking on her. She was always crying, always anxious."

Mr. Minatozaki nodded in agreement. "Sana deserved better. We tried to talk to her, to make her see that he wasn't the right person, but she was in love. She couldn't see his true nature."

Jungkook felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He thanked the Minatozakis and left, his mind buzzing with new information. He needed to speak to Sana's friends.

Meeting with her closest friends, Jungkook heard similar stories. "Sana always cried after their fights," one friend said. "She loved him, but he was controlling and had a terrible temper."

Another friend added, "We tried to be there for her, but she kept going back to him. She thought she could change him, but it only got worse."

Jungkook's suspicions about Minghao deepened. It painted a picture of an abusive relationship, one that could have driven Sana to desperation. But was Minghao capable of murder?

Jungkook decided to confront Minghao again, this time armed with the testimonies of Sana's parents and friends. He knew he had to be careful, to push just enough to see if Minghao would crack under the pressure.

Returning to the station, Jungkook found Minghao waiting in the interrogation room. He seemed calm, almost too calm, given the circumstances. Jungkook sat across from him, his eyes locked onto Minghao's.

"I've spoken to Sana's parents and friends," Jungkook began. "They all describe your relationship as abusive. They say you have anger issues."

Minghao's expression darkened. "They don't know what they're talking about. They never liked me."

"But Sana loved you, didn't she?" Jungkook pressed. "She stayed with you despite everything. Why? Was it because she was afraid of you?"

Minghao's calm facade cracked slightly. "I loved her in my own way. She knew that."

Jungkook leaned forward. "Did you love her enough to kill her when she tried to leave?"

Minghao's eyes flashed with anger, but he remained silent. Jungkook knew he had struck a nerve. He would need to continue digging, to find concrete evidence linking Minghao to Sana's death. The truth was within reach, and Jungkook was determined to uncover it.