When The Phone Rings

Chapter 7

"Ha... hah...!"@@@@

The glass window, already more than half shattered, quickly fell to the ground.

After relentlessly punching through the remaining pieces, Heeju managed to crawl out.

"Ha... hah...!"

She leaned against the twisted bonnet and laughed hysterically.

The cold raindrops felt strangely refreshing.

"...."

There was still a month until her father-in-law's election campaign. A gentle smile appeared on Heeju's face as her eyes fell on her hands.

I've had enough! Let's leave this miserable situation without any regrets.

There's no way he's going to pay 2 billion won in ransom!

Heeju's gaze hardened as she studied the heavy palm. The kidnapper's modified device was in her possession.

We have to get... divorced.

***

If I want to blackmail an elite spokesperson and sound like the previous kidnapper -

"Ahem..."

She cleared her throat as she ate her leisurely dinner.

How many years have I felt this motivated?

The mere thought of threatening Baek Sa-eon seemed to revitalise her. I smiled as I stirred my rice alone at the table.

My stiff shoulders ached, but my determination outweighed the pain.

『 "We also thank the Argan government and the international community, including friendly countries and international organisations, for their cooperation in the release of the hostages," said Blue House spokesman Baek Sa-eon. 』

Throughout the day, the news showed footage of Sa-eon over and over again.

The revelation of his media-manipulated negotiations with the Argan militants shocked the public.

Heeju quickly turned off the television.

'......!'

A flicker of awareness crossed her face as she looked up. There was a sharp click as the door closed, followed by the soft scraping of slippers.

A feeling of unease washed over Heeju as she strained to hear the man's footsteps.

The workaholic who always leaves work at midnight... Why did he come home so early?

The tall, striking silhouette came around the corner and stopped walking.

Heeju froze, still holding her cutlery.

"......."

"......."

A casual, unconcerned look was exchanged.

It could be called a passing glance. From Sa-eon's reaction, it seemed like there were only furniture and objects in front of him.

'......!'

If I could only get that one word out of Baek Sa-eon's mouth - 'That should be the perfect method.

This should be the perfect method...

A plan was already in motion and Heeju had to hone her blackmailing skills.

"I won't go easy on people who dare to mess with me."

Baek Sa-eon clicked his tongue when he noticed the strange blush on his wife's cheeks.

The silence between them was no longer the same.

***

"What happened to the task I asked you to look into?"

Baek Sa-eon entered a stark, lifeless room without a single living plant. The matte black floor and dark interior gave off an air of dryness and gloom.

- "Sir, well..."

Did she always eat at home? The savoury smell of rice wafting from the house seemed artificial.

The man sat on the edge of the bed and ran his hand over his now irritable face. The tiredness he had been ignoring seemed to flood him all at once.

Baek Sa-eon wiped his warm forehead and closed his eyes with measured calm.

This house, as quiet as the depths of the ocean, was his only sanctuary, free of noise and chaos. Returning to such a place soothed the nerves that had been on edge all day.

"I told you not to stammer when reporting."

- "I'm sorry, sir. It seems we can't trace it...!"

His previously closed eyes opened sharply and a faint wrinkle formed between his eyebrows.

- "Since the call didn't go through a mobile tower, the number alone is untraceable. It's a US area code, and apparently it's a virtual number, so the only option is real-time tracing..."

"Real time?"

The words made him furrow his brow.

- "Yes, but for that we'd need another call."

The perfect lines of his face, so often admired, were now marred by a grimace of pain.

"So you're saying I have to wait for that b*stard to call again?"

Baek Sa-eon sneered as he stood, his voice laced with contempt.

"The one who talks nonsense about killing an official's wife."

- "C- Considering the lengths they've gone to avoid detection, it's unlikely they'll back down so easily. The motives seem quite different".

The timing of the threatening call was too coincidental - almost calculated.

The hostage situation wasn't just a matter of personal safety; it was a matter of national prestige. If Baek Sa-eon or the government failed, there were plenty of parties who would revel in the chaos. It was possible that someone had orchestrated the threat to derail the negotiations.

Even if it was just a voice phishing, the execution was disturbingly methodical.

- The call was made from a US-based number, which allows them to manipulate the caller ID. With that level of effort..."

Baek Sa-eon pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek and smiled inwardly.

"They might call again."

He took long strides towards the towering bookshelf in his study.

The stress of recent events had increased, but in a way he welcomed it. If they dared to use the same lines in another call that very day, Baek Sa-eon would make them his personal punching bag.

- If the call comes through, try to extend the conversation as long as possible. I know you're very good at it, sir, but they're suggesting that you elicit personal details..."

"It's a man."

He tossed the words out carelessly as he paced in front of the bookcase.

- "...Pardon? But the voice was modulated..."

"It's a man. I'm sure of it."

- "Y-yeah... got it!"

"Probably also drugged, high or otherwise out of his mind."