ITSN 19

Chapter 19

Shopping really wasn’t something just anyone could do.

After heading straight from the electronics market to the department store, Juhong was dragged around endlessly by Secretary Lee, shopping until she was exhausted.

By the time they returned home, she was already worn out.

But rest wasn’t an option.

After neatly organizing the purchased items, Juhong took a small box she had picked up earlier from the electronics market and went into the bathroom.

When she opened the box, a device slightly smaller than her palm came out.

Its purpose was simple: a portable signal detector to uncover hidden spy cameras or bugs.

Sliding in the batteries, Juhong switched it on and slowly paced around the bathroom.

The green light blinked.

“No anomalies.”

At least she could take a shower with peace of mind.

It felt like overkill, but this much was necessary.

That was the kind of existence Yoo Hae-in was.

As the only witness to the case, both the criminal and the police would have their eyes on Hae-in.

“Especially the culprit. They’ll want to keep her under surveillance. If her memories return, they’ll have to eliminate her right away.”

For all she knew, surveillance might have already begun.

If they were closer than expected, they might even be inside this house.

With that in mind, Juhong stepped out of the bathroom, holding the device.

The green light blinked again.

She scanned every room, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

Placing the detector on the bedside table, Juhong opened her laptop.

Time was short.

Now only 39 days remained. Every second was precious.

Unfolding the schedule she had received from Secretary Lee, Juhong circled the entries that seemed to be parties.

“…Only three in total?”

Good. That meant she just needed to secure the guest lists.

There were three parties.

One of them had even been held here, in this very house.

The host was Yoo Dong-hyuk. Which meant the guest list…

“Secretary Lee would have it.”

But asking for it directly would be too suspicious. That left only one option.

“I’ll have to infiltrate this house first.”

“What did you say she did?”

It was Wednesday evening.

Yoo Dong-hyuk was receiving a report from Secretary Lee.

He had attached her to his younger sister under the guise of protection, but in truth he wanted every detail of Hae-in’s movements.

Still—this?

“She played a game, sir.”

“You’re telling me she really spent her time playing games?”

“Yes.”

He was dumbfounded.

This past Monday, she had suddenly demanded to go shopping. He allowed it, only to hear that she went searching through the electronics market for a Japanese game console.

And that wasn’t enough—she even bought a laptop, just to play games?

The idea of Yoo Hae-in playing computer games was as absurd as a stray dog suddenly performing acrobatics.

“Did you see this yourself?”

Yoo Dong-hyuk’s frown deepened until his eyebrows nearly touched.

“…I didn’t see it directly.”

“Then?”

Unbelievable.

His sister had always been a perfectionist, her obsessive behaviors often leaving people around her stunned. In truth, that had made her easier to control—just a slight push on her compulsions and she would bend quickly.

And now, what? Locking herself in her room all night… just to play games?

“I didn’t see it, but I heard it.”

“Heard what?”

“The clacking of keys, along with her fiery exclamations.”

“Exclamations?”

“Things like—‘Wow, this is insane! You blocked this path? Fine, I’ll break through no matter what!’ That sort of thing.”

Yoo Dong-hyuk leaned back, sorting his thoughts.

So, key presses and cries like that. It really did mean she was gaming…

“Ha!”

She’d gotten into an accident, and now she was acting completely differently.

But… it wasn’t necessarily bad. In fact, it might even be a good thing.

He had worried a lot when she regained her sight—then she lost her memories from the head injury. Not partially either, but entirely. Wiped clean. She had become a blank slate, showing a personality completely opposite from before.

The noble education drilled into her by their parents and boarding school seemed to have been stripped away. She appeared sharper, freer.

She no longer acted like the heiress of Ino Group, no longer challenged him for position or authority, no longer showed ambition for the company.

She even spoke to him politely, as though he were a stranger.

…He liked it.

“What should I do? Should I remind the young lady of her dignity? Tell her that staying up playing games is unseemly, that she ought to rest at night…?”

“Why would you do that?”

Leaning back in his chair, Yoo Dong-hyuk’s lips curled lazily.

“For six years she couldn’t see. Do you know how hard it was for her pride? And yet, even blinded, she never once truly lashed out.”

That was Hae-in.

She refused to show weakness before others. Instead of despairing over her blindness, she quickly took advantage of whatever benefits it gave her.

For example, Seo Tae-jo…

“Just leave her be.”

Who knew when her memories would return and cause her to rage again? The longer this defenseless period lasted, the better.

“Let Hae-in do whatever she wants.”

“But, sir…”

“Secretary Lee. I said, leave her.”

The relaxed curve of his lips sharpened as he lifted his gaze.

“Do you not understand me?”

Their eyes met, and Secretary Lee’s face stiffened.

“No… understood, sir.”

She lowered her gaze, averting her eyes.

Yoo Dong-hyuk silently studied her before reaching out.

“Seung-ae.”

His voice was gentle as he spoke her name. Her pupils trembled as she looked at his hand.

“Come here.”

He crooked a finger, beckoning her like a lure. Slowly, she stepped closer.

Once she was within reach, he grabbed her and pulled her toward him.

Their thighs touched as he rose from his seat.

“Have some pity for Hae-in.”

His hands roamed her body with practiced ease.

“She’s my sister, after all.”

As his hand slipped deep beneath her skirt, Secretary Lee nodded faintly.

“…Yes.”

“Let her do whatever she pleases for now. That way she won’t desire anything else.”

“Hh… yes.”

Hot breaths escaped from her parted lips.

“You just watch her. Report anything unusual. Maybe even consider installing a CCTV in her room for monitoring.”

“Yes…”

Her answer melted between his tongue and hers.

Hmm. Is that so?

Listening in on Yoo Dong-hyuk and Secretary Lee’s conversation through the headset, Juhong pursed her lips.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.

It had taken her three days.

She had breached the mansion’s network firewall and built her own.

Now she could slip in freely, while blocking anyone else from breaking through. A perfect security system.

Which meant every smart device in this house was under her control.

No wonder people said hacking was the scariest power in modern times.

Whether it was Siri or Bixby—once she had the system in her hands, they became her eyes and ears.

Her first attempt had been Secretary Lee’s phone. And she had hooked a massive catch.

The headset was filled with the unmistakable sounds of two people’s breathy moans.

“Wow. This is… a bit too much to listen to.”

Finally cutting the connection, Juhong glanced around her room.

So they wanted to install surveillance cameras here?

Then she’d better be ready to intercept them.

She nodded to herself.

“Yeah, I’ll have to.”

And thankfully, they’d been fooled into thinking she was just obsessed with gaming. How convenient.

While the two of them indulged in their night of desire, Juhong organized her findings.

The guest list from the party held in this house—she had already located it on Secretary Lee’s laptop.

And not just that. The lists for the other parties were also stored there.

Even seating arrangements were neatly marked, indicating exactly where Yoo Hae-in should sit.

There were even notes detailing which guests she should converse with.

Juhong compiled the three separate party guest lists into a single consolidated one.

Thankfully, since the events were all small gatherings, the total number of unique attendees amounted to just thirty-four names.

Once finished, Juhong hit the save button. At that moment, a transparent window glowed into existence.

[Completion of the Mafia Candidate List]

By securing the party guest lists, you have taken a step closer to identifying the Mafia.

Trust no one.

Watch everyone.

Suspicious movements could place your precious self in danger.

※ A quest completion reward is available. Would you like to check it?
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