Chapter 33 – The Killer Is (1)
Inside the small box was a USB flash drive.
The USB, the size of a little finger, was old tech nowadays where dropboxes and cloud services where common.
He connected the USB to a computer in the study and opened the files on the monitor.
They were photos of Jiyeon nine years ago when she was a university student.
An innocent girl rather than a woman.
He flicked through the pictures slowly, as if he were admiring each one.
Jiyeon going to school alone, Jiyeon walking on campus, Jiyeon walking in the rain with an umbrella…it was all Jiyeon.
When he reached the last picture of her chatting with her friend and smiling brightly, he closed his eyes.
He felt as if he was struck by something unknown.
The glow of the city filtered through the window and fell on his face, adding to the mysterious atmosphere.
After a few minutes of rest, he opened his eyes again.
He gave a long sigh and stared at Jiyeon's smile on the computer screen.
His mouth opened and cryptic words flowed out.
*
A grand three-story mansion loomed proudly in Hannam-dong, boasting wealth and the finest architecture.
It was the home of Chairman Seo Geon-u, his wife Jang Eun-a, and his young song Seo Ha-neul.
Now that Seo Geon-u was dead, only his widow and her son would live in this vast place.
A family gathering was to be held in the main living room on the first floor.
It was Jang Eun-a who formally called the meeting.
The only other guests were Minho and Minseok.
Ha-neul, still a child, was playing with his nanny on the upper floor.
The first person to arrive was Minseok.
He had returned to his position as head of Eunseong Motors, which he left vacated during the funeral. He still wore a black suit and black tie.
Eun-a greeted him with a smile.
She treated her two other sons with respect even though they were not related by blood, and their ages were not far apart from hers.
Minseok also used title of mother in a polite manner.
Eun-a told the housekeeper, then seated herself on the living room sofa.
Minho came in.
He wore jeans and a t-shirt with a heavy metal logo on it, the opposite of Minseok's formal suit.
Eun-a frowned upon seeing this but hastily replaced her expression with a smile.
Minho bowed to Eun-a and approached the sofa.
Minseok stood up and greeted Minho with a light hug.
The three members of the family were now gathered together.
Two brothers, and a young widow who was not related to either of them.
Minho said, crossing his legs impatiently.
Eun-a gently pushed a cup towards him.
His voice was deceptively calm despite his harsh condemnation.
Eun-a coolly looked straight into Minho's eyes.
They stared each other down.
Minseok cut in.
Minseok nodded thoughtfully.
When Minseok finished Eun-a nodded.
Minho tilted his head.
Eun-a looked incredulously at Minho.
Eun-a was speechless.