Chapter 19 WHISPER'S OF DOUBT

The next morning, Hye Jin sent a text to Seo Jun.

Hye Jin: Let's go to the bakery today at 7 AM.

Seo Jun replied instantly.

Seo Jun: So early? What's the occasion?

Hye Jin: I just feel like it.

Of course, there was more to it than that. She had already anticipated the police discovering her latest "artwork" and wanted to be nearby when it happened. The bakery was close to the crime scene—close enough for her to observe the reactions of the police and the public.

At exactly 7 AM, Seo Jun met her outside the bakery. The sweet scent of freshly baked bread filled the air, but Hye Jin's thoughts were elsewhere.

"Why are we here so early?" Seo Jun asked, eyeing her curiously.

Hye Jin smiled. "Let's get coffee first."

They entered a nearby café, settling into a corner table. She casually sipped her coffee, her eyes flickering toward the street. Right on schedule, a police car sped past. Seo Jun followed her gaze.

"What's going on?" he muttered.

Hye Jin feigned innocence. "Maybe an accident?"

Just then, from behind the police car, two familiar figures emerged—Yeon Woo and Min Jae.

Hye Jin's grip on her coffee cup tightened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

Min Jae's sharp eyes landed on her first, and then on Seo Jun. His brows furrowed. "Hye Jin?"

Yeon Woo stepped forward, looking between the two. "What are you doing here? Who is he?"

Hye Jin barely had a second to respond before Min Jae added, "And where exactly are you going this early in the morning?"

Hye Jin remained calm, her lips curling into a polite smile. "Seo Jun is just a friend."

Min Jae didn't look convinced, but before he could say more, Yeon Woo turned to Hye Jin with an eager expression. "There's been a murder nearby. We're going to check it out. Come with us."

Hye Jin's heart raced for a brief moment. She knew Yeon Woo was suspicious of her.

Min Jae immediately objected, "No. She doesn't need to see that."

But Yeon Woo gave him a sharp look, insistent. "It's not every day something like this happens. Let's go."

Hye Jin exchanged glances with Seo Jun. They both understood what was happening. Yeon Woo doubted her.

With a soft sigh, Hye Jin nodded. "Fine. Let's go."

The Crime Scene

The moment they arrived, the crime scene was swarming with police officers. The flashing red and blue lights cast eerie shadows on the pavement. A forensic team was already examining the area, taking photographs and collecting evidence.

The body was positioned exactly how Hye Jin had arranged it, with the bloodied shoes prominently displayed. The air was thick with the scent of iron.

Yeon Woo gasped, stumbling backward. Her face drained of color, and she nearly collapsed, barely catching herself in time.

Min Jae and Seo Jun stood frozen, their bodies tensed with shock.

Hye Jin, however, had to bite her lip to keep from smiling. Their reactions were perfect.

But Seo Jun noticed.

His sharp eyes caught the slight twitch at the corner of her lips, the subtle amusement dancing in her gaze.

Just as Yeon Woo turned her head—perhaps to look at Hye Jin's expression—Seo Jun acted fast. He grabbed Hye Jin by the shoulders, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"She's shivering with fear," he said dramatically. "How could you make us come here?"

Yeon Woo immediately softened. "Hye Jin, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

Min Jae stepped forward, placing a protective hand on his sister's back. "Let's go. You don't need to see this."

Hye Jin gave a small nod, pretending to tremble. "It's okay," she whispered.

Seo Jun, however, was deep in thought. He was now sure of it—Hye Jin was connected to the murder.

Investigation Begins

As they left, the forensic team continued their analysis.

"This was carefully staged," one of the officers muttered, studying the body's placement. "It's almost… artistic."

Another investigator nodded. "There's no sign of struggle. The victim was subdued before the killing."

The lead detective stepped forward. "This isn't just a random murder. This was planned."

The words sent a thrill down Hye Jin's spine. They were beginning to understand—but they would never catch her.

Yeon Woo, still shaken, forced herself to speak. "A psychopath," she whispered. "A calculated killer."

lee hyun soo , park ji won scoffed. "These psychopaths always think they're untouchable. But they always slip up."

He then turned toward one of the junior officers. "Inform Kim byung hoo's girlfriend. We need to question her."

The officer nodded and walked off.

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Kim byung hoo's Girlfriend

A few hours later, they met Kim Da Som, Jung Soo Hyuk's girlfriend.

She sat in the police station, trembling.

"I… I don't know who would do this," she stammered. "He never mentioned anything dangerous."

Yeon Woo leaned forward. "Did he have any enemies?"

Da Som hesitated. "He… he did have a fight with someone recently."

Seokjin raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

She swallowed hard. "A girl. I don't know her name, but she was… different. She had this eerie smile."

Yeon Woo's heart pounded.

Could it be…?

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Seo Jun's Confirmation

That evening, Seo Jun took Hye Jin to dinner.And he was waiting for a moment to check her things through...

Halfway through their meal, he made an excuse. "I need to make a quick call. Be right back."

Hye Jin nodded, sipping her drink.

As soon as she was out of sight, Seo Jun grabbed her bag.

His hands moved quickly—searching.

And then, he found it.

A sketchbook.

Flipping it open, his breath caught in his throat.

Drawings.

Detailed illustrations of her victims.

She had planned it all.

Seo Jun clenched the book, his mind spinning.

Just then, Hye Jin returned.

Seo Jun quickly placed the book back and forced a calm expression.

But Hye Jin was sharp.

She immediately noticed.

"Something wrong?" she asked, tilting her head.

Seo Jun forced a smirk. "No, just thinking about this morning."

Hye Jin nodded slowly. But deep down, she made a note—Seo Jun was acting strange.

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Seokjin's Online Taunt

 That night, Seokjin posted Kim byung hoo posts on social media.

"A true artist leaves no evidence. But a fool thinks their art is untouchable. Let's see how long you last Without ME."

Hye Jin saw the post.

Her lips curled into a slow, eerie smile.

She liked a challenge.

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 The Viral Post

Meanwhile, Seo Jun made his move.

He posted crime scene photos of Jung Soo Hyuk's murder.

The internet exploded.

"Where did you get these?!"

"Is this real?"

"Why did the killer choose you to post these?"

Seo Jun smirked and replied cryptically:

"He can't live without my HELP or get popular without ME."

People panicked. Some thought he was the murderer. Others believed he was in direct contact with the killer.

Hye Jin, watching the chaos unfold, let out a soft, chilling laugh.

Her art was finally getting the recognition it deserved.

And Seo Jun?

He had made his choice.

No matter what she did—even murder—he would stay by her side.

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