The Coin

"General Min, you cannot do this to me," Wooyoung almost pleaded, his heart heavy with desperation as he stood before the General.

But the General's expression mirrored defeat, as though he too was trapped in an impossible situation.

The orders had come from above, decreeing that Wooyoung must take charge of the incident in Seoul that had unfolded on the 20th of September.

The weight of those orders pressed down on Wooyoung, threatening to crush his hopes.

He knew that if he were to be tied up in the Seoul case, his relentless pursuit of Y/N and Grace would be indefinitely postponed.

"Please, sir, assign someone else," he implored, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and desperation.

But General Min's response only deepened Wooyoung's despair.

"Wooyoung, we have our orders," the General sighed, his tone troubled, as if he too wished for a different outcome.

"Chairman Seo specifically requested your involvement because the woman involved was his girlfriend."

The revelation landed like a heavy blow, knocking the wind out of Wooyoung's sails. Y/N's case, already hanging by a thread, now seemed to fade further into the background.

"I'm sorry, Wooyoung," General Min murmured, his regret palpable.

"Detective Yunho is the best we have for this task. I know he'll handle your case effectively."

With a heavy heart and a storm of conflicting emotions raging within him, Wooyoung could do nothing but nod.

His face flushed with a mixture of anger and sadness, he rose from his seat, saluted the General, and silently made his exit from the office.

Each step felt like a weight dragging him further from his purpose, further from the chance of finding Y/N and Grace.

In that moment, all Wooyoung could feel was a tight knot of worry twisting in his chest. His heart raced with a mix of determination and fear, all for one reason – Y/N's case.

Every day seemed to stretch on endlessly as he poured over clues, tirelessly searching for any lead that could bring him closer to solving the puzzle of her disappearance. But no matter how hard he tried, the pieces refused to fit together.

And now, as the weight of Chairman Seo's request settled upon him, Wooyoung realized with a sinking feeling that this case was far from simple.

If someone as influential as Chairman Seo was seeking him out specifically, it meant one thing – this wasn't just a routine investigation.

A month had passed since that incident, and yet, the ones responsible remained elusive, their shadows slipping through his fingers like grains of sand.

Yun Hee, just 27 years old, lay in her hospital bed, a fragile figure in the face of adversity.

She hailed from a respected family, owners of a bustling restaurant in the heart of Seoul.

But fate, in its cruel twist, had shattered the tranquility of her life.

On the night of September 20th, the usual bustle of the restaurant had faded into silence.

Her parents, weary from the day's toil, had retired early, leaving Yun Hee alone to tend to the closing chores. Chairman Seo, her betrothed, was absent, consumed by his own obligations.

Alone in the quietude of the restaurant, Yun Hee had sought solace in routine, meticulously ensuring that everything was in order.

But fate, relentless in its machinations, had other plans.

Three shadows emerged from the darkness, shattering the stillness of the night as they barged through the door.

"Sorry, we are closed for today," Yun Hee said with her usual sweet and polite smile. "You can come back tomorrow. I'm truly sorry."

But her words fell on deaf ears as the intruders, driven by motives unknown, locked the door behind them. Panic surged within Yun Hee's heart, her mind racing as she grappled with the terror of the unfolding events.

Yun Hee's heart raced as fear clenched her tight. She screamed, pleading for help, but her voice vanished into the silence of the restaurant. It was designed to keep the tranquility in, but now it trapped her in with her tormentors.

The three men, foreign to her, exuded an air of privilege, their fine clothes a stark contrast to her own humble attire. They advanced, their movements deliberate and menacing, closing in on her like predators stalking their prey.

Desperation surged within Yun Hee as she darted towards the office, hoping to reach the safety of her phone.

But her path was blocked by one of the strangers, cutting off her only escape route.

With trembling hands and a racing mind, she fought back, hurling anything she could find in their direction.

Vases shattered, tables toppled, yet they remained unyielding, as though impervious to her efforts.

She refused to surrender, mustering every ounce of strength and courage within her.

But as they closed in, their presence looming over her like a dark cloud, she realized the harsh reality of her situation – trapped and powerless against forces beyond her control.

As the raindrops began to fall from the heavens, it felt as though even the skies were weeping in sorrow, mirroring the pain and injustice befalling Yun Hee.

She found herself suddenly surrounded by three imposing figures, their presence looming over her like a dark cloud.

Powerless and overwhelmed, she was easily overpowered by their brute strength.

Yun Hee's tear-stained cheeks bore witness to her anguish as the foreigners violated her, one after the other.

Her cries for help echoed in the emptiness around her, but they fell upon deaf ears, drowned out by the cruel intentions of her assailants.

Each touch left its mark upon her body, a painful reminder of the violation she endured.

She felt the sting of their hands, the force of their blows, as they sought to silence her cries.

Not only was she subjected to sexual assault, but she was also subjected to verbal and physical abuse, further shattering her spirit.

As the foreigners callously departed, leaving her broken and exposed, Yun Hee remained alone, her clothes torn and scattered upon the floor.

In the aftermath of such cruelty, she found herself adrift in a sea of pain and despair, struggling to find solace in the midst of her shattered innocence.

Yun Hee was taken to the hospital same night, as she forced herself to make one last effort to save her life and she crawled towards the office to call for help.

The foreigners were nowhere to be found and the Chairman Seo was getting agitated.

Like they disappeared into thin air, but the case was never halted, and now it got transferred to Wooyoung.

The frustration in the room was palpable, thick like fog on a dreary morning.

"These three men just vanished, evaporated into thin air as if they were never here," she lamented, collapsing into her chair with a heavy sigh.

Around the conference table, her team nodded in solemn agreement, sharing in her disbelief and dismay.

"We've rounded up every illegal immigrant we could find, and they're slated for deportation. Likely, many will face jail time in their home countries. But what about these elusive individuals?" she questioned, her voice tinged with frustration and a touch of desperation.

Wooyoung, his eyes burning with a mixture of disgust and determination, absorbed the gravity of the situation.

It sickened him to the core to witness the depths of human depravity, the callousness with which these men had slipped through their fingers.

They belonged behind bars, and he vowed silently to ensure justice was served swiftly.

Throughout the discussion, Wooyoung remained largely silent, his mind churning with thoughts and plans.

He dissected the case meticulously, piecing together every shred of evidence, every lead, determined to uncover the truth.

As the meeting drew to a close, Wooyoung made a decision.

He would visit Yun Hee and Chairman Seo the following day, to delve deeper into the tangled web of deceit and betrayal.

But before he could embark on that mission, he needed to relay a message to Yunho and Mingi.

"Yeah, I got the message. Don't worry, we'll handle things from our end," Mingi reassured through the phone, his tone calm and collected. "The general gave us the heads up," he added, offering a rationale for their actions.

"Thanks, Mingi," Wooyoung replied gratefully before the line fell silent.

Though Mingi didn't say anything further, Wooyoung could almost envision him nodding with a knowing smile. With the call ended, Wooyoung returned his focus to studying the case at hand.

Meanwhile, in Incheon, Mingi and Yunho joined forces, delving deeper into the Lee's case. Their suspicions were confirmed: the disappearance of Y/N and Grace was indeed linked to the Lee's case.

Yunho couldn't help but question, "Why didn't you inform Wooyoung about the small lead we've got?"

Mingi let out a sigh as he pocketed his phone, settling onto the couch opposite Yunho.

"He's knee-deep in a serious case; he can't afford to step back now. I need to confirm things myself before putting ideas out there. If I tell him, he'll waste no time in rushing over here," Mingi explained, his reasoning met with a nod of understanding from Yunho. "Until then, let's go."

It couldn't have been more than a quick 20-minute drive to Ansan, the place where it all began - where they unearthed the first breadcrumb in the enigma of Mr. Lee.

But, oh, how the day had taken a downward spiral from there. Yunho found solace in the company of Mingi, grateful that he had his back.

After all, Mingi was part of the original team that tackled Mr. Lee's case alongside Y/N and Wooyoung.

Behind the wheel, Yunho navigated the road while Mingi pored over the case files, searching desperately for any overlooked detail, any hidden clue within Y/N's case that could shed light on their murky situation.

"I can't wrap my head around why that stray bullet incident wasn't given any attention," Mingi vented, his frustration palpable.

"It happened right before our eyes, yet the higher-ups brushed it off, claiming Mr. Lee's case was closed. No need to delve into it further."

"That just confirms our suspicions that someone within the force is involved," Yunho muttered, his grip on the steering wheel tightening as they neared Ansan. "We're almost there, based on the location you provided."

Bringing the car to a halt in front of a dilapidated house, Yunho and Mingi exchanged uneasy glances. The place appeared deserted, neglected, as though it had been abandoned long ago, leaving behind only echoes of what once was.

As Mingi and Yunho strolled up the path toward the weathered house, the rusty iron gates creaked ominously in the breeze.

A doorbell hung forlornly by the entrance, but its silent stance hinted at years of disuse.

Mingi couldn't resist a hopeful press, but it yielded no response. With a shrug, he knocked on the door twice.

They stood there, the air thick with anticipation, until the faint sounds of movement drifted through the weathered wood.

Soon, the door creaked open, revealing an elderly man whose frailty seemed etched into every line on his weathered face.

Wrinkles wove intricate patterns not only across his features but also down his hands and along his neck.

The man regarded Mingi and Yunho with a mixture of curiosity and weariness, his voice fragile as he inquired about their presence.

"We're acquaintances of Ju Kyung," Yunho answered, his tone gentle yet firm.

The man's eyes widened in surprise, his voice trembling slightly as he echoed their words.

"But Ju Kyung is no longer with us," he murmured, his words heavy with the weight of loss.

Mingi's heart skipped a beat at the confirmation, his mind racing with questions left unanswered.

With a sense of urgency, he interjected, pressing the old man for answers.

"We know," Mingi said, his voice tinged with urgency. "But why was there no complaint filed?" The old man's gaze grew distant, his lip quivering as tears welled in his eyes.

Yunho and Mingi exchanged a nervous glance.

With a silent nod, the old man stepped back, gesturing for them to enter the dimly lit interior of the house. As they crossed the threshold, a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air.

As they stepped into the house, it felt like time had taken its toll on the place.

Broken windows let in chilly drafts, and the walls were adorned with crumpled flyers like sad wallpaper.

With every step, the floorboards groaned beneath their weight, adding to the melancholy atmosphere.

The old man shuffled into the kitchen, the faint clink of teacups signaling his intention to brew some tea.

"Ju Kyung, bless his soul, was a bright spark in our lives. He was my grandson, you know. Lost his parents when he was just a wee lad. So, he found refuge with us."

The kettle began to whistle as water boiled.

"Our little market stall used to be the talk of the town, but times changed. People wanted fancy restaurant grub instead of our humble fare, and our fortunes dwindled. Poor Ju Kyung, he tried so hard to find work, but nobody gave him a chance." The old man poured the tea, setting a cup before each of them and one for himself.

"And then... then he made a decision that changed everything. Money was tight, you see. Someone, some well-off stranger, offered him a deal he couldn't refuse. Said he just had to pretend to be someone, mention a name - Sakura, I think it was - and poof, he'd be paid. But that was the last I saw of him." Tears welled in the old man's eyes as he recounted the painful memory.

"He wasn't a criminal, mind you. But the police branded him one, and now... now our home's a target for vandals."

Mingi leaned forward, his concern evident in his voice. "Who was this person, do you remember?"

The old man shook his head sorrowfully. "I wish I knew. All I remember is they looked wealthy. And then... then he said he'd be back soon, but... he never returned." His voice cracked with emotion, echoing the shattered state of their home.

Mingi and Yunho left with only a few bits of information they had managed to gather.

They felt sorry for the old man, but they couldn't do much to help him besides solving the mystery.

They were now sure that the mysterious person the old man mentioned was Mr. Lee.

However, as they dug deeper, they faced more confusion. They wondered who Sakura was and how they were connected to Mr. Lee's case.

This new puzzle made their situation even more complicated.

The news that Mr. Lee hired Ju Kyung raised more questions. If Mr. Lee hired Ju Kyung, then who was behind his death? Was there a secret enemy involved?

Or was Mr. Lee wrongly accused?

They had so many questions but very few answers. The road ahead seemed uncertain, and they felt overwhelmed by the task of finding the truth.

As they thought about their next steps, they realized there was still a lot to uncover and understand.

"With each passing moment, it feels like more problems are popping up in our cases, making everything even more confusing," sighed Mingi with frustration as Yunho drove them back to Incheon.

Mingi was really mad, you could practically feel it bubbling just below the surface.

Yunho watched him closely, noticing every little thing Mingi did. He saw how urgent Mingi was when they talked to the old man earlier, and now, seeing Mingi struggle to figure out where to start their investigation, it was clear that Mingi was about to lose it, and Yunho couldn't just pretend not to notice.

"Hey, Mingi, can I ask you something?" Yunho inquired as they traversed the winding road, his voice carrying a note of curiosity.

He received a thoughtful hum in response.

"Do you like Y/N?" The question hung in the air, Yunho keeping his gaze steady on the road ahead while awaiting Mingi's reply.

"Team, it is my great pleasure to introduce a dear friend and the newest addition to our case, Song Mingi." Wooyoung's enthusiasm bubbled over as he introduced Mingi, his voice carrying through the room with such fervor that Mingi couldn't help but feel as though the entire building had taken notice.

Nonetheless, he greeted everyone with a tight smile, his adorable dimple peeking out from one cheek.

"Hello, I'm Mingi. It's a pleasure to meet you all," he spoke with a husky voice that seemed to captivate every girl present, except for Y/N, who simply chuckled at their reactions.

As Mingi glanced at her, he felt a flutter in his chest, certain that his heart had skipped a beat.

"Welcome, Mingi," Y/N greeted with a warm smile, her voice resonating authority despite its gentle tone.

"I'm Y/N. I may not wear a badge, but I serve as the guest writer and researcher for this case."

Mingi couldn't help but notice the power in her voice, though he knew he had to suppress any burgeoning emotions.

Just then, Wooyoung approached, standing beside Y/N and casually draping his arm around her shoulder.

"And also my girlfriend," Wooyoung chimed in, prompting a chuckle from her as she whispered that it was perhaps too much information.

Despite Mingi's efforts to push aside his feelings for Y/N, he soon realized that working alongside her would prove more challenging than he anticipated.

With Wooyoung becoming a target in the case, Mingi and Y/N found themselves thrust together at the forefront of the investigation.

As days passed in the relentless pursuit of justice in Mr. Lee's case, the longest and most formidable one yet, she never displayed any indication of reciprocating Mingi's feelings.

Yet, despite her reserved demeanor, Mingi found himself falling harder for Y/N with each passing moment. Perhaps even Wooyoung noticed.

After Wooyoung ended relationship with Y/N, Mingi couldn't help but blame himself.

He wondered if he had been more cautious or if he had withdrawn from the case when the opportunity arose, perhaps this heartbreaking outcome could have been avoided.

Mingi shifted his gaze to Yunho, observing the sincerity in his friend's eyes, and a smile graced his lips before he answered, his voice sincere.

"I do," he confessed, his honesty evident in his tone.

"Ever since we began working together. But she was with Wooyoung, and I respected that boundary, never daring to make a move. Unfortunately, it seems Wooyoung misinterpreted things. He's my friend, and even if I harbored feelings for Y/N, I wouldn't have crossed that line."

Yunho nodded, understanding dawning in his expression.

"I've yet to have the pleasure of meeting Y/N. I hope we find her soon, so I can finally put a face to the one who has captured the hearts of two of my closest friends."

"You'll come to like her too when you meet her," Mingi assured Yunho, a flicker of anticipation dancing in his eyes.

"Then count me in as another silent admirer," Yunho quipped, a chuckle escaping him as they shared a moment of camaraderie and laughter.