Masquerader Chapter 10

When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the stark white hospital ceiling. Watching the IV fluid drip from above her head, Seol-ah thought:

 

I guess I didn’t die.

 

As she tried to move her body, the sound of metal clanking accompanied the sharp constriction around her wrist. Looking down, she saw that a handcuff bound her wrist to the hospital bed.

 

What happened?

 

With a mind still sluggish and foggy, she struggled to grasp the situation. Waking up in a hospital meant that she must have been rescued before it was too late after tumbling down the mountain. The handcuff was likely because of Seo Gyo-jin.

 

Did he die?

 

“Let’s talk about the details back at the station. We’re still in the hospital.”

 

Someone spoke as they entered the hospital room. The man’s eyes widened slightly upon making eye contact with Seol-ah. Ending his call hastily, he tucked his phone into the inner pocket of his coat.

 

“You’re awake.”

 

Approaching quickly, the man pressed the call button attached to the bed. Then, he introduced himself as a police officer.

 

“I am Inspector Song Seok-gu from the Yangseo Police Department in Gangwon.”

 

He was the detective in charge of the case that took place in the mountain owned by Seomyeong Group. Since the incident occurred within his jurisdiction, he had no choice but to follow the case to Seoul when both the victim and suspect were transferred to a hospital there. However, he mentioned that the case would soon be handed over to another police department.

 

“The victim, Seo Gyo-jin, regained consciousness after undergoing surgery for a head wound and immediately identified you, Yoon Seol-ah, as the assailant.”

 

Inspector Song had not been able to shave while waiting for Seol-ah to wake from her unconscious state. Only after hearing his words did she realize that three days had passed since she was brought to the hospital.

 

“Do you admit to the crime?”

 

Seo Gyo-jin had been struck squarely on the forehead with a blunt object, resulting in a gash over five centimeters long that required twenty stitches. As Seol-ah listened to the detective’s question, she stared at her cuffed wrist. It seemed absurd to ask her that when she was already restrained.

 

Before she could even part her lips to respond, the hospital room door swung open, and the medical staff poured in. Inspector Song, who had been awaiting her statement, stepped back for the time being.

 

“You fell about four meters down the mountain, so it’s a relief that your injuries weren’t worse.”

 

The doctor spoke while reviewing the chart. Four meters? Seol-ah wished she could read the report herself.

 

She had no memory of what had happened after the ground collapsed beneath her feet, leaving only a void in her mind. What about the man who had wrapped his massive body around her to shield her from the impact?

 

He had enveloped her completely, absorbing all the shock so she wouldn’t hit anything. Had that really happened? Was it a dream? A memory error? Or just a delusion of a fractured mind?

 

As she recalled those ash-gray eyes fixed on her even as they fell, her entire head throbbed painfully.

 

“Other than bruises all over your body, there are no fractures, though your ligaments and muscles were strained. You won’t need a long hospitalization. However, since your unconscious state lasted unusually long without any clear cause, we need to monitor you closely for potential aftereffects.”

 

After giving instructions to the medical staff, the doctor examined her ear.

 

“You have a perforated eardrum—an injury to the membrane—so we applied treatment. We placed a thin patch over the damaged area, but eardrums generally heal on their own. Unless you experience secondary infection, such as bleeding or pus, there’s nothing to worry about. How does my voice sound?”

 

“Aside from a slight echo, it’s fine.”

 

“That should improve over a few days. Let’s monitor your progress. What about headaches?”

 

“I feel dizzy. My head feels foggy.”

 

“That’s from the painkillers. Now that you’re conscious, we’ll adjust the dosage accordingly. The most serious injury is to your eardrum, but your knees and ankles also need stabilization for now, so we’ve applied splints. If you feel discomfort, let us know. As for the other injuries…”

 

The doctor lifted his gaze from the chart, meeting Seol-ah’s eyes with a cautious expression.

 

“Considering the fall, your injuries are understandable, but there are some inconsistencies.”

 

“…”

 

“If a doctor encounters suspicious circumstances during an examination, we are obligated to report it to law enforcement. Since an officer is already present, I wanted to ask.”

 

At the doctor’s words, Inspector Song, who had been standing back, cleared his throat awkwardly.

 

“Do you need help? Would you like us to report this on your behalf?”

 

It was a direct question. Seol-ah, who had been calmly looking at the doctor, turned to face Inspector Song.

 

He rubbed his nose, feigning indifference. His reluctance to escalate the matter was obvious. Given Seo Gyo-jin’s powerful connections, it was hardly surprising.

 

If she decided to counter-sue over what had happened in the mountains, it would turn into a prolonged legal battle. With his immense wealth and influence, Seo Gyo-jin would hire top-tier lawyers, making it nearly impossible to prove the truth.

 

But that was her burden to bear. The police, however, were supposed to remain impartial.

 

She should have felt anger and frustration at the detective’s biased stance, but oddly, she felt nothing at all. It was as if she were listening to a story about someone else, entirely detached. Exhaustion weighed her down, making her drowsy.

 

“No.”

 

Seol-ah slowly shook her head.

 

“I will speak with the detective first and, if necessary, report it myself. Thank you for your concern, doctor.”

 

At her words, Inspector Song visibly relaxed. Once the medical staff finished their examination and left the room, he pulled up a chair, took out a notebook from his inner pocket, and spoke.

 

“Now, could you explain in detail what happened on the day of the incident?”

 

“…”

 

“After the hunt began, you and Seo Gyo-jin entered the hunting grounds alone. Please recount everything in order.”

 

“…”

 

“We need to verify your statement against the victim’s and investigate to determine the facts. Depending on the circumstances and intent, the charges may change, so please answer carefully.”

 

“Detective, do my answers determine what charges will be brought against me?”

 

Seol-ah asked in an indifferent tone. Did her statement hold that much significance? Wasn’t this a fight with a predetermined outcome anyway?  

 

The inspector, realizing the meaning behind Seol-ah’s words, scratched the bridge of his nose awkwardly. He knew it too.  

 

A woman so desperate to escape from something that she fell from a height of four meters. A blunt weapon bearing her fingerprints. A third-generation chaebol heir claiming to have been unilaterally assaulted.  

 

Even without hearing all the details, the circumstances alone painted a clear picture of that day’s incident. However, there was no denying that this pitiable woman had shattered the noble forehead of a precious scion from a prestigious family as if cracking a pot. Regardless of any feelings of sympathy, the charges were, in themselves, practically set in stone.  

 

“Of—of course. A lot can change…”  

 

Just as the inspector muttered something he didn’t even believe himself, the hospital room door suddenly burst open. The sound of leather shoes echoed across the floor.  

 

“Wha—what is this?”  

 

The inspector turned toward the person who had barged in without knocking and asked. A man, neatly dressed in a suit, swept his gaze across the hospital room before directly addressing the inspector.  

 

“Inspector Song Seok-gu of the Yangseo Police Department, Gangwon?”  

 

Hearing his exact department and rank, the inspector hesitated and rose awkwardly from his chair.  

 

“Yes, that’s me. And who are you?”  

 

“Haven’t you received the notice, Inspector?”  

 

“What notice?”  

 

“As of today, this case has been transferred to our prosecution office.”  

 

“What?”  

 

The man glanced between the stunned inspector and Seol-ah, who remained motionless on the hospital bed. He then pulled a phone from the inside pocket of his suit and turned the screen toward the inspector.  

 

“And Yoon Seol-ah has been reclassified as the victim in this case.”  

 

“Wha… what?”  

 

The man from the prosecution gave a small nod.  

 

“So, let’s start by removing those handcuffs.”  

 

At his words, both Seol-ah and Inspector Song’s gazes shifted to the same spot. Her wrists, bound by handcuffs, were covered in dark bruises. The dirt that had been smeared all over her was now cleanly wiped away, but beneath her fingernails, blood remained from clawing and tumbling along the mountain path.  

 

The inspector, after verifying the documents on the phone screen, hurriedly removed the handcuffs. The cold metallic grip that had bound her wrists disappeared.  

 

It had been 80 hours since she had fallen alongside the man with ash-gray eyes.