BLOSSOMED | SEOKSOO FF ✔️

PART 24

Mingyu, after carefully discussing it with Wonwoo and receiving his reluctant approval, reached out to Jun, a private investigator known for his thoroughness and discretion. Jun was efficient and resourceful, someone Mingyu trusted to uncover the shadows lurking in Seokmin’s past.

A week later, Jun returned with his findings. Mingyu and Wonwoo sat in the hospital office, their expressions tense as Jun laid out the details.

"When Seokmin was thirteen," Jun began, flipping through his notes, "his father and grandfather died on the same day. Both were found poisoned—rat poison in their food, according to the coroner’s report. Officially, it was ruled an accident, as the poison was stored in the house for pest control."

Wonwoo’s sharp eyes narrowed. "An accident? Two adults consuming rat poison by mistake doesn’t sound plausible."

Jun nodded grimly. "It didn’t to me either. But the family at the time insisted it was accidental. The authorities didn’t dig deeper because the family didn’t push for an investigation. They closed the case within a week."

Mingyu frowned, leaning forward in his seat. "Who was in the house at the time?"

"Seokmin, his mother, his grandmother, and a housemaid," Jun replied. "From what I could gather, the deaths left the household in chaos. The grandmother took control of the family business, and the mother became more reclusive. Seokmin... well, the records don’t show much about him after that. It’s like he faded into the background."

Wonwoo leaned back, his hands steepled in thought. "Two suspicious deaths in one day, and no one questioned it? Did you find any evidence suggesting foul play?"

Jun hesitated. "There were whispers among the extended family. Some said the father and grandfather had enemies—business rivals, perhaps. Others speculated that it was an internal dispute, something within the family. But no concrete evidence ever surfaced. And since no one pressed for answers, the case was buried."

Mingyu’s expression darkened. "So we have a teenage boy who loses two key figures in his life under mysterious circumstances. That kind of trauma could shape someone in dangerous ways."

"Exactly," Jun said, nodding. "And given what you’ve told me about Seokmin’s current state, it’s possible those deaths are still haunting him. Maybe he blames himself, or maybe he knows something he’s too scared to admit."

Wonwoo tapped his fingers against the desk, his gaze distant. "We need to approach this delicately. If Seokmin is carrying guilt—or fear—about those deaths, confronting it head-on could push him over the edge."

Mingyu looked to Jun, his tone firm. "Is there any way to reopen the case? Even unofficially?"

Jun shook his head. "Not without more evidence. Right now, it’s all circumstantial. But if you can get Seokmin to talk, to open up about what happened, it might give us something to work with."

Wonwoo exhaled slowly, his composure unshaken. "Thank you, Jun. You’ve given us a starting point."

Jun packed up his notes and stood. "I’ll keep digging, just in case something else turns up. But for now, it’s up to you."

After Jun left, Mingyu turned to Wonwoo, his brow furrowed. "What do we do now? How do we even begin to bring this up with him?"

Wonwoo’s gaze was steady, though his voice was tinged with gravity. "We don’t. Not directly. Seokmin is already on the edge, and pushing him could be catastrophic. For now, we focus on building trust. We need to create an environment where he feels safe enough to talk."

Mingyu nodded, though worry still clouded his features. "And if he never talks?"

Wonwoo’s expression softened, but his resolve was firm. "Then we keep trying. However long it takes."

Mingyu sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just hope we’re not digging into something we’re not ready for."

Wonwoo’s voice was calm, but his words carried weight. "Whatever it is, we have to be ready. For Seokmin’s sake."