Unevitable | Ryeji |

Chapter 16: Threads of Suspicion

Yeji's Pov:

As we moved down the corridor, my mind was racing. The encounter with Chaeryeong was unsettling, but we had to stay focused. I pulled out my phone and dialed Seungmin's number again.

"Seungmin, I need you to run a background check on a Dr. Lee Chaeryeong from the emergency department. We need to know if she's legitimate and if there's any connection to our case."

"Understood, Captain. I'll get on it right away," Seungmin replied, the urgency clear in his voice.

After ending the call, I glanced at Minho. "Let's head to the security office. We need to review the footage and see if we can spot anything unusual."

Minho nodded, and we made our way to the hospital's security office. The staff there were already on edge, aware of the heightened security concerns surrounding Yeonjun. We introduced ourselves and requested access to the surveillance footage.

The security chief, a middle-aged man with graying hair, nodded grimly. "We've been keeping a close watch, but nothing's stood out yet. You're welcome to review the tapes yourself."

We settled in front of the monitors, scanning through hours of footage. I focused on the entrances and hallways near Yeonjun's room, looking for any sign of suspicious activity. It was tedious work, but it was necessary.

Nothing.. literally nothing..

As we moved through the hospital corridors, the tension in the air was palpable. Minho and I had just left the security office after reviewing the footage, and something wasn't sitting right with me. Chaeryeong's presence was unsettling, but it wasn't enough to accuse her without more evidence.

My phone buzzed, and I saw Seungmin's name on the screen. "Captain, I checked the hospital records. Dr. Lee Chaeryeong is listed as a legitimate staff member. She's been working here for a few years."

I frowned, absorbing this new information. "Thanks, Seungmin. Keep looking into her background for anything unusual."

Minho and I continued our search, now with the added pressure of ensuring Yeonjun's safety. As we neared his room, a nurse rushed out, her face pale with worry.

"What's going on?" I asked, my heart pounding.

"It's Mr. Choi. He's gone into a coma, and we don't know why. His vitals just plummeted out of nowhere," she explained, her voice trembling.

I exchanged a look with Minho, our earlier suspicions intensifying. We needed answers, and we needed them fast. "Is Dr. Chaeryeong his attending physician?" I asked.

The nurse nodded. "Yes, she's been overseeing his care since he was admitted."

This complicated things. If Chaeryeong was involved in Yeonjun's sudden decline, we needed to handle this delicately. I turned to Minho. "We need to speak with her again, but carefully. We can't let on that we suspect her."

Minho nodded in agreement. "Let's go."

As we made our way to find Chaeryeong, my mind suddenly remembered the message "The lines of fate are tangled. Be careful where you tread."

A chill ran down my spine. This message felt too timely to be a coincidence. I immediately dialed Seungmin. "Seungmin, I need you to track down the number that texted me. The message reads, 'The lines of fate are tangled. Be careful where you tread.' This could be connected to Yeonjun's condition."

"On it, Captain," Seungmin replied, the urgency clear in his voice.

As I ended the call, we spotted Chaeryeong down the hall, speaking with another doctor. I approached her, keeping my tone neutral. "Dr. Chaeryeong, may we have a word?"