Page 219 of Scarbound

Duri kept his eyes on the display. “I did.”

“You left out the part where she moved into one of the most expensive buildings in Seoul.”

“Ji-Woo.”

“And apparently that you inherited enough money to…”

“We’ll talk about it later.”

Ji-Woo fell silent.

Duri looked at him. “I mean it. I’ll tell you everything. Just not now.”

Ji-Woo’s expression softened. “Okay.”

The elevator chimed, and the doors opened directly into the penthouse.

“Duri? Is that you?” a warm female voice called from farther inside. “You didn’t say you were coming. Aren’t you working tonight?”

Duri’s mother appeared a moment later.

Ji-Woo bowed automatically. “Good evening, Mrs. Kang. My name is Jung Ji-Woo. I’m a friend of Duri’s. I’m sorry to come so late.”

She barely had time to respond.

“Eomma.” Duri’s voice shook. “Noeul hyung is in danger.”

Her expression changed instantly. “What happened?”

“We think he’s in the penthouse next door. With the man who lives there.”

“What happened?”

“We don’t know.” Duri swallowed. “But he’s been missing for three days, and we think Lee Chung-Hee may be keeping him there.”

Ji-Woo stepped forward. “We need to get across the garden.”

Duri nodded. “There’s a fence between the two penthouses. Mr. Han is already inside. If he can open the garden door, we can cross over.”

His mother stared at them for half a second.

Then she moved.

“Go.”

Duri blinked. “Eomma…”

“Go. Quickly.” She hurried toward the glass doors. “If your friend is in danger, you don’t need to explain anything else to me.”

She unlocked the door leading to the garden. “Bring him here.” Duri looked at her. “I’ll help however I can.”

That was all he needed. He and Ji-Woo ran outside.

Jun was already inside Chung-Hee’s penthouse. The bedroom door was closed. Chung-Hee stood in the kitchen preparing dinner for two.

Jun noticed that immediately.

Two bowls. Two sets of chopsticks. Two glasses.