Chapter: Crimson Twilight
Before she knew it, a crimson sunset had settled outside the window.
As expected, her brother’s room remained exactly as it had been. Only the hands of the clock moved, ticking on in solitude.
How long had she been crying?
In this room, where time seemed frozen, Jae-in sat quietly, aimlessly touching her brother’s belongings, tears endlessly streaming down her cheeks.
If I keep crying like this, what would Oppa say?
Once again thinking of her brother, she slowly dragged herself to the bathroom.
The face in the mirror looked like a stranger.
Red, swollen eyes. Blotchy cheeks. Disheveled hair.
It was hard to believe that just yesterday, she had completed an important mission as a major in the special forces. She looked utterly broken.
I need to stop crying.
She splashed her face with cold water.
With each droplet that fell, her mind became a little clearer.
The reflection in the mirror began to change.
No matter how much she cried, her brother wasn’t coming back. That truth echoed in her mind.
Which meant—she needed to do what had to be done.
She had to uncover the truth behind her brother’s death.
Returning to the room, Jae-in reached for the box of his personal effects.
Earlier, emotions had clouded her judgment, but this time she would examine everything carefully.
“There’s got to be something. I know it.”
Then, her eyes landed on a laptop inside the box.
With trembling hands, she pressed the power button.
As the screen lit up, a memory from her childhood flashed through her mind.
“Jae-in, should we make a secret folder?”
It must’ve been when she was in middle school. Even then, her brother had been full of knowledge about computers and gadgets.
To young Jae-in, he had seemed like the coolest person in the world.
“A secret folder?”
“Yeah, one that no one else can open. Just for the two of us.”
“How do we make it?”
“Hmm, let’s start with the password. Should we use a birthday? Or today’s date? How about Mom and Dad’s wedding anniversary?”
“That’s their thing. Let’s use something that’s just ours.”
“Then how about the first day we saw the ocean together? That was a good day.”
Jae-in had nodded brightly back then.
“From now on, we’ll collect all our secrets in here. Just for us, and no one else.”
To her, her brother had seemed like someone who could solve any mystery—someone omnipotent and kind, always on her side.
She still didn’t want to admit that he was no longer by her side.
But holding back her emotions, she reached for the keyboard.
She typed in the date they first saw the ocean together—when she was twelve.
As she pressed the enter key, a hidden folder appeared on the screen.
“…!”
Her heart began to pound.
There was only one file in the folder.
“SU_Secret Project”
The moment she read the filename, a bad feeling washed over her.
With a trembling hand, she opened the file—and a series of complex diagrams and calculations appeared. They looked like blueprints for a car engine, but she couldn’t fully understand the content.
Scattered throughout the file were her brother’s handwritten notes:
This is dangerous. I need to investigate further.
If this turns out to be true… what should I do?
She didn’t know exactly what he had found—but one thing was clear:
Her brother had discovered something dangerous. And it had likely led to his death.
Her thoughts spiraled.
What happened at his company?
If this file had pushed her brother to his death…
Quickly pulling out her phone, Jae-in made a call.
“Do-hee, I need a favor.”
Her voice, once choked by tears, was now cold and steady.
If someone really caused my brother’s death… I’ll uncover the truth.
And I’ll make them pay—every ounce of pain he felt, I’ll return it.
No matter what it takes.
The Next Day
On her way to a café, the streets bustled with people heading to work.
The world kept turning, as always. It was only her world that had stopped.
Sitting by the window, Jae-in stared blankly outside.
Office workers grabbing coffee, students walking to school, parents strolling with their kids.
Her brother was gone… yet the world went on, just like before. It still didn’t feel real.
“Jae-in.”
Do-hee’s voice pulled her back.
“Are you doing okay?”
“The documents?”
Jae-in skipped pleasantries. Do-hee simply pulled out a file from her bag, understanding her friend’s need to avoid small talk.
“Here’s what you asked for yesterday. But… is this really related to your brother’s death?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’ll find out.”
Jae-in opened the file and began reading carefully.
A global corporation with 200,000 employees and annual revenue of 100 trillion won.
They had everything from sedans to SUVs to electric vehicles—and were recently in the spotlight for their advancements in autonomous driving.
“I knew they were big… but this is another level.”
The research center where her brother worked was known for its world-class technology.
“On the surface, the company seems flawless—but inside, things are a bit more complicated,” Do-hee added.
Jae-in looked up.
“There were two sons in the chairman’s family. But over a decade ago, the older son died under mysterious circumstances. Since then, the younger son, Han seung-guk, became CEO.”
“Mysterious circumstances?”
That phrase echoed uncomfortably in her mind.
“Not much is known, but people say it was full of unanswered questions.”
Do-hee lowered her voice.
“And now, the chairman is deciding on a successor. It’s between his son, Han Seung-guk, and his grandson, Han Do-hyeok. Word is, the competition’s getting intense.”
Thoughts raced through Jae-in’s mind.
Could her brother’s death be related to this power struggle?
Nothing was certain yet—but she couldn’t afford to overlook anything.
“Jae-in, are you really going to go through with this?”
Do-hee’s eyes were full of worry.
Even during their phone call the night before, she’d sounded hesitant.
“I am. If the police won’t solve this, I’ll have to.”
“What about the military?”
“I’ve already resigned.”
“What?”
“I submitted my discharge papers this morning.”
Do-hee’s face turned pale with shock.
That morning, Jae-in had walked into her military base with heavy steps. When she handed in her resignation, her superior had spoken with regret.
“Major Seo Jae-in, I know this is painful—but you don’t have to go this far. The country needs talented officers like you. Take a leave. Clear your head, and come back.”
She had dreamed of this life since childhood.
After overcoming countless trials to become a major… this decision hadn’t been made lightly.
“I’m sorry. I can’t say when I’ll be okay again.”
She had already made up her mind.
Ever since she learned of her brother’s death—ever since she suspected foul play—her path had become clear.
Turning away from Do-hee’s worried gaze, she spoke firmly:
“I’m the only one who can uncover the truth behind Oppa’s death.”
“And how do you plan to infiltrate Sungwoon Motors?”
“I need to get into a core department.”
“A core department?”
Reading something in Jae-in’s eyes, Do-hee’s mouth slowly opened.
“You don’t mean…”
“The best way is to get close to Executive VP Han Do-hyeok.”
If the chairman wasn’t naming his son as successor and was weighing his grandson instead—it likely meant he was leaning toward the grandson.
Han Do-hyeok was the company’s core.
Getting close to him was key to uncovering the truth.
“But Han Do-hyeok only hires male assistants.”
Do-hee’s voice grew firm, trying to dissuade her friend from a reckless decision.
“Jae-in, I’ll help you in any way I can. But please—think about this again.”
But Jae-in’s expression was resolute. Nothing could stop her now.
“I’m going to approach Han Do-hyeok.”
She took Do-hee’s hand and said calmly:
“Do-hee, I need to get under Han Do-hyeok—he’s the company’s most central figure. That’s the fastest way to uncover the truth about Oppa.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“You’re right. It may be the most dangerous mission I’ve ever done. But it’s the only way. If I don’t do this… my brother’s death will be buried forever.”
“…”
“Do-hee. I have to do this.”
Do-hee opened and closed her mouth several times before letting out a long sigh.
Realizing that nothing would stop Jae-in now, she reluctantly pulled out another file.
“This is Han Do-hyeok, Executive VP of Sungwoon Motors. He’s known as a perfectionist.”
Jae-in studied the materials carefully.
“He’s meticulous, doesn’t tolerate mistakes, and he’s competent enough to be a serious candidate for successor. Even if you approach him, earning his trust won’t be easy.”
It was just as she expected—a difficult target.
Then, her eyes landed on one of the photos.
And in that instant… her breath caught.
This man…
A memory from three years ago—that night—flashed through her mind.
