Chapter 128 - Hann Constructions (V) Neverending Nightmares

Hyun Jung drove over to Hann Constructions's head office. Eli was sitting right next to him, skimming through the questions they were about to ask President Shun.

"The Statute of Limitation on Jung Taewon's death is still active," she informed him. "But the case was ruled as an accident. If only we had a witness who could prove otherwise…"

There is a witness, Hyun Jung thought but did not dare to voice it out. He would have to talk to KJ about this. Even though he had seen the whole incident, standing as a witness at the Court was a whole different thing. Moreover, the Cartel may try to harm KJ if he tries to testify against Ziko. Hyun Jung would rather collect some strong evidence which would not require the presence of a witness.

He parked in front of the building. Stepping out of the car, they headed towards the building's entrance.

A stern looking guard stopped them at the gate.

"ID?" the guard demanded.

"We are from the Police," Hyun Jung stated, holding up his badge. "I am Detective Lee Hyun Jung and this is my partner, Lee Eli. We're here to meet President Shun."

"The President is very busy right now," the guard sneered. "He cannot entertain you right now."

"This is about a possible murder case," Eli said. "Surely, he would oblige to answer some questions?"

"As I said, the President is busy," the guard repeated haughtily. "He is the President of Korea's biggest enterprise. He has no time to spare."

"I'm sure he doesn't," Hyun Jung said coolly. "However, we must talk to him. And if you stop us, then I'm afraid I will have to take you in for the obstruction of justice and also for interfering with an official police investigation."

The last sentence managed to rattle the guard. His haughty demeanor was replaced with a nervous twitch. He had no intention of getting arrested.

"Alright," he grumbled. "You can go in."

"Thank you," Hyun Jung said curtly. Eli did not even bother to acknowledge the rude guard and followed her partner towards the elevator. Upon entering the lift, Hyun Jung pressed the 8 button.

"I heard he is a very dangerous man," Eli said. "He's known for his ruthless business tactics."

"Yes," Hyun Jung said grimly. "He is not someone to be messed with. Shun Oguri commands a significant amount of influence over the running of the country. He is notorious for rigging elections to make his candidate win and his business strategies have caused quite a lot of loss for his rival. We'll have to question him very carefully."

Eli nodded. The lift reached the eighth floor. They got off it and headed for the President's office. Hyun Jung lightly knocked on the door.

"Come in," a voice echoed from behind the door.

They entered the room. President Shun was typing away on his computer when the two detectives came in. He looked up at them, surprised at their sudden appearance.

"Who are you?" he frowned. Hyun Jung held up his badge.

"I am Detective Lee Hyun Jung," he informed. "And this is my partner Lee Eli. We want to ask you some questions regarding a money transaction."

"Transaction?" Shun questioned.

"Yes, sir," Eli chipped in. "A transaction with a suspected member of the Cartel. Mind is we sit down?"

"By all means," President Shun offered them a couple of chairs.Thanking him, they got into business. 

"Sir, we want to know about Jung Taewon," Hyun Jung stated. "I believe he was the previous President who died alongside his wife in an accident."

"Ah… Taewon," Shun commented. A look of sadness dawned on his face. "Yes, he was very popular amongst the employees here. Very kind and caring. He led the company with a charismatic vision. It was sad that he was taken away from us so soon…But why are you asking me about him? That too after so many years?" 

"Sir, we want to know why did you transfer millions of dollars to an account which is connected to the Cartel?" Eli demanded. "That too a day before Jung Taewon's accident? Isn't Hann Constructions a rival of the Cartel?" 

"The Cartel?" Shun scoffed. "You're accusing Hann Constructions, a legal and reputable organization, to be a rival of a criminal gang? Are you implying that we are also diving into illegal businesses?" 

Hyun Jung and Eli looked at each other, feeling at a loss. 

"I assure you," Shun went on. "Our transactions are perfectly legal. I transferred millions of dollars that time to an account which was affiliated with us. Maybe, in all these years, the account holder has changed his loyalty elsewhere. However, at that time, it was owned by an investor of Hann Constructions."

"Why did you transfer that money?" Hyun Jung demanded. 

"We were returning his investment," Shun said in a bored tone. "We had reasons to believe that the account holder was liaising with our competitors and hence did not want to affiliate with them anymore. We returned his money back with interest as well." 

"Now I want to ask a question," Shun leaned forward. "Why are you so interested in this particular transaction? And why did you specifically mention Jung Taewon's accident? Were you implying that his accident may have been a murder and my transaction with that account was linked to it?" 

"Sir, we were simply investigating a suspicious transaction," Eli replied. "We aren't implying-" 

"It is a serious accusation, Detective," Shun cut her off. "I can have the two of you suspended. Does your Supervisor know about this little trip? 

Their silence answered his question.

"Please refrain from making false assumptions based on circumstantial evidence," he said. 

Hyun Jung narrowed his eyes. Shun Oguri had his tracks covered. Even with an investigation, he suspected that Shun had maintained documents which will prove his story. 

He stood up. "Thank you for your time," Hyun Jung bowed slightly. "We will be off." 

Eli was surprised. "Sunbae but-" 

"Let's go, Detective," he said. "We have plenty of work to do." 

Eli shut her mouth and obeyed begrudgingly. She followed him out of the building. 

"Why did you let him go?" she demanded. "He was involved in Jung Taewon's accident! I'm sure of it." 

"But we don't have any proof," Hyun Jung replied. "He is too clever. His tracks are covered." 

Eli let out a frustrated sigh. "How will we prove his involvement with the Cartel?" she questioned. "I'm sure he is one of the top leaders there-" 

"Prove it," Hyun Jung snapped. "The law requires strong evidence in order to punish him. Where is the evidence?" 

Eli pursed her lips. He was right. There was no evidence… 

Suddenly an idea hit her. But she decided not to voice it out loud. 

"Alright sunbae," she said. "I'll look for evidence." 

Hyun Jung nodded. "Good," he approved. Even though he was stern on Eli, he knew she was a very capable and honest detective. He had an inkling that she would investigate the case on her own, but he would not intervene. After all, both of them had a duty towards their professions. 

"Let's head back to the precinct," he suggested. 

Eli nodded and followed him to the car. 

"Sunbae, don't you have to go to that drama shoot today?" she asked, buckling her seat belt. 

"Hm," Hyun Jung answered. 

"Is the lead actress really Somi?" 

"Hm." 

"That's so cool!" she exclaimed. "Sunbae, can you get me her autograph? I'm a huge fan of hers." 

"I'll try," Hyun Jung shrugged. He had tried to avoid meeting Somi as much as possible on the sets. Even if they did encounter each other, they pretended to be strangers. 

But despite the cold treatment from her, Hyun Jung could not help but let his eyes wander towards her. 

He noticed her every detail. Her lips curved into a smile which never reached her eyes. The snappy words coming out of her mouth hid the feelings behind them. The way her face pouts when she is veiling her thoughts. 

She put on many faces in public. Sometimes she was the Nation's True Love, sweet and naive. Other times, she was a rude diva. Yet, none of those were her true nature. Even Hyun Jung had a difficult time figuring out who the real person behind that mask was. 

He knew she was hiding something. And he will find out. 

…. 

Somi threw the glass away. 

"This tastes disgusting," she sputtered. "What did you mix in it? Dirt?" 

She was in the makeup room getting her hair done. The assistant who brought the drink was nearly in tears. It was the fourth time she had prepared latte for Somi but the latter threw away every glass. 

"Don't stand there and cry!" she snapped. "Go and get me another cup!" 

The poor assistant bowed, hiding her glistening eyes. Hyun Jung watched the scene from a distance. 

"Curl my hair," Somi ordered her hair stylist. "Make it wavy. And no hairspray. I hate the smell." 

"Yes ma'am," the stylist replied, picking up the curler. 

Hyun Jung slowly approached her. Somi sensed someone standing next to her. She looked up to see Hyun Jung giving her a hard stare. 

"Take a break," Somi told her stylist. She obeyed and left the two of them alone. 

"Hard to believe you were fighting for your staff's rights a few days back," he commented. 

"I was merely fighting for my rights," she scoffed. "After all, I was very tired." 

Please go away, she prayed inwardly. It was becoming difficult to put on a nonchalant attitude in front of him. 

"Somi, what happened to you?" Hyun Jung demanded. "You weren't like this!" 

"I was always like this," she fired standing up. "Just because you never noticed it, doesn't mean I was a different person!" 

Hyun Jung narrowed his eyes. For the first time, she referred to their past. All he remembered was a naive but fearless girl who spoke her mind. But she was never cruel towards others.

"You've changed," he stated. 

"Good," she said. "You should too. Still that same old uptight and idealistic guy with no ambitions. It's high time you grow up and start thinking of making more money. It's a good thing I dumped you!" 

Her words stabbed his heart like a thousand swords. Gone was the girl who clung on to him with all her heart. Standing in front of him was a woman who had nothing but contempt on her face. But the hatred did not reach her eyes, which were hollow and pained. 

"Somi…" he stepped forward to touch her shoulder but she backed off. 

"Hyun Jung, stop clinging on to the past," she told him bluntly. "The girl you knew has changed. We're done. Now please, leave." 

With that, she dismissed him. Hyun Jung stood there for a minute before dragging himself out of the room. 

As soon as the door closed, her suppressed tears started to flow out. She completely broke down, leaning against the dresser in front of her. 

Her tears were endless as she wailed her heart out. Her chest ached as the moments of their time together flashed in front of her. 

She still remembered his smile every time his eyes fell upon her. Their first kiss under the rain still lingered on her lips while the memory of him in his police uniform played through her head. She cried as she remembered his eyes brimming with love when he had proposed to her…

It was hard for her to forget. The sweet memories felt as if they were stolen from someone else's life. They seemed like a beautiful dream which got tarnished by a nightmare. The never ending nightmare which would not stop. 

"Save me…" she pleaded as her tears fell. "Save me… Hyun."