52 Chapter 52

As Joon emerged from Jiyeh's room, he cast a passing glance at Team 2's Leader stationed by the door before striding purposefully towards the exit of the building. His mind buzzed with thoughts swirling around his recent conversation with Jiyeh.

"Who would have thought that Team 1 would consider including me in their plans? Well, given my track record, I suppose it's a logical choice," he mused to himself as he navigated the corridors.

Exiting the building, he was greeted by the sight of the convoy still parked outside, patiently awaiting Jiyeh's next engagement. Consulting his wristwatch, Joon noted that there were still a couple of hours before Jiyeh's next scheduled event. "Plenty of time," he muttered, deciding to seize the opportunity to retrieve his car parked at the SW Building.

Approaching one of his teammates assigned to drive, Joon made his request known. The driver glanced at his wristwatch, noting the ample time remaining before their next assignment. With a nod, he gestured towards the waiting vehicle, and Joon followed suit, taking the front passenger seat. As the engine roared to life, the car smoothly pulled away from the curb, its occupants unaware of the brewing tension.

Meanwhile, Team 2's Leader received an unexpected message notifying him of the unauthorized departure of one of the convoy vehicles. Furrowing his brow in confusion, he demanded an explanation. "Why did the car leave without my authorization?" he questioned incredulously.

The response came swiftly, revealing Joon's decision to utilize the vehicle for his own convenience, prompting a mixture of surprise and irritation from Team 2's Leader. He shook his head in disbelief, never anticipating such audacity from Joon. Mental notes were made for a stern reprimand during their next encounter, a reminder to refrain from similar actions in the future.

Leaning casually against the window, Joon observed the passing scenery with a nonchalant air, seemingly unaffected by the commotion his actions had caused. Unaware of the stir he had incited, he remained lost in thought until the car finally arrived at its destination.

Pulling up to a stop in the SW parking area, Joon exited the vehicle and expressed his gratitude to the driver for the ride. With a nod of acknowledgment, the driver accepted his thanks before driving away, oblivious to the impending confrontation awaiting Joon.

Little did he know, Team 2's Leader would soon reprimand him and the driver for his unilateral decision to depart without seeking permission, setting the stage for a tense exchange upon their next encounter.

As the night settled in, casting a soft glow over the surroundings, Joon made his way to his car with purpose. With swift movements, he retrieved his keys and unlocked the door, slipping into the driver's seat. Just as he was about to start the engine, a muffled sound caught his attention from within his shirt pocket. Sensing the vibration, Joon reached for his phone, his curiosity piqued upon seeing the caller ID displaying Mr. Yu's name.

Accepting the call, Joon raised the phone to his ear, offering a polite greeting to the concerned caller. "Good Evening, Mr. Yu. Is everything alright?" he inquired, his tone reflecting a mixture of surprise and concern.

On the other end of the line, Mr. Yu's voice carried a note of worry as he explained the reason for his unexpected call. "Hello, Joon. I apologize for reaching out at this hour. I called you because I'm worried about Dayun, and I felt compelled to seek your help. With my demanding work schedule, I haven't been able to spend much time with her lately. These few days, she is acting a bit off, but she insists that everything is fine, but I can sense that something is amiss. I believe she might open up more to someone like you rather than to family," he confided, his concern evident in his words.

Sensing an urgency in Mr. Yu's call, Joon made a spontaneous decision to take his day shift off. "Of course, Mr. Yu. I'll talk with Dayun," he assured, his commitment unwavering. With Mr. Yu expressing his gratitude and bidding farewell, Joon swiftly messaged Team 2's Leader to notify him of his unexpected absence. As he sent the message, Joon started the car and embarked on the journey home. The streets were sparsely populated, with only a few souls venturing out into the night. Despite the occasional bustling of food places and scattered cars, the traffic remained light, allowing Joon to navigate the roads with ease.

As he drove, Joon's phone buzzed with a notification from Team 2's Leader. The message granted permission for his day off but came with a stipulation – he would need to make up for the lost time, and a face-to-face discussion was imminent upon his return. Reading the message, a shiver ran down Joon's spine, anticipating the forthcoming conversation with Team 2's Leader. Reflecting on his actions earlier, he braced himself for the inevitable reprimand. "Well, I suppose I'll have to face the music when we meet. Hopefully, it won't be too harsh," he mused, setting aside his phone and focusing on the road ahead.

Within minutes, Joon arrived at the parking area of his apartment complex. Exiting the car, he secured it before making his way to his residence. Once inside, he shed his clothes, changed into more comfortable attire, and retired to bed, bringing an end to the eventful night and awaiting the dawn of a new day.

Before the first light of dawn graced the sky, Joon stirred from his slumber earlier than anticipated. With a sense of purpose driving him, he swiftly prepared for the day ahead, opting for casual attire and nourishing himself with a modest breakfast before setting out. Making his way to the parking space, he embarked on the journey to Mr. Yu's residence. The early morning hours found the streets sparsely populated, a stark contrast to the bustling scene that would soon unfold with the onset of the weekday rush.

Arriving outside Mr. Yu's home, Joon settled into a vigilant wait, his focus singularly directed toward the impending encounter with Dayun. As the minutes passed, a steady stream of students and workers traversed the area, each lost in their own daily routines. However, Joon remained undeterred, his sole objective clear – to unravel the mystery behind Dayun's recent behavior. It wasn't long before Dayun emerged from her home, clad in her school uniform, her movements betraying a hint of unease. Seizing the opportunity, Joon emerged from his car and approached her without hesitation.

Calling out to her, Joon's presence startled Dayun, her initial surprise quickly giving way to a palpable sense of apprehension. With a sudden panic flickering in her eyes, Dayun instinctively attempted to conceal the telltale signs of her distress beneath her clothing. Yet, despite her efforts to mask her anguish, the evidence of her suffering remained concealed just beneath the surface. Sensing her discomfort, Joon approached her with a mixture of gentleness and determination, gently but firmly grasping her wrist to uncover the truth hidden beneath her facade. As the fabric yielded to his touch, revealing the bruises and cuts that marred her skin, Joon's expression hardened with a steely resolve, his gaze narrowing in silent acknowledgment of the pain she had endured.

His gaze fixed on Dayun, Joon sought answers, his expression demanding clarity from her. Yet, as Dayun swiftly withdrew her hand from his grasp, offering a feeble explanation for the bruise, Joon remained unconvinced. Despite her attempt to deflect his scrutiny, avoiding direct eye contact, Joon's discerning gaze persisted. With a keen eye, he scanned Dayun's exterior for any additional signs of injury, finding none visible to the naked eye. Undeterred by the lack of outward evidence, Joon's determination remained unwavering. Resolute in his pursuit of the truth, he knew that further investigation was necessary.

Aware of the sensitivity of the situation, Joon deliberated on the most tactful approach. While he couldn't request Dayun to disrobe in a public or private setting, he was determined to uncover the extent of her injuries. With a measured resolve, Joon made the decision to proceed with a discreet, tactile examination.

Joon cautiously extended his arms towards Dayun's back, his touch gentle yet probing. When Dayun flinched in response, he knew he had found a sensitive spot. Proceeding with care, he searched for any signs of injury but halted when he realized he was only causing her more pain. Shifting his attention to her backside, Joon was taken aback to see blood seeping through her school uniform. Recognizing the severity of the situation, he swiftly took hold of Dayun's wrist and guided her towards his car. "We need to get you to the hospital," he stated firmly, meeting her gaze as he spoke.

Dayun's eyes widened in surprise at his declaration, causing her to halt abruptly. "Why are you refusing treatment?" Joon inquired, his concern evident in his tone. Dayun turned her head away, her voice barely above a whisper as she replied, "I don't want my grandfather to find out." Her words carried a weight of worry, prompting Joon to press further. "But why?" he questioned gently. "If Mr. Yu hadn't expressed his concern for you, you would have continued to suffer. Come with me, and I promise not to inform your grandfather," he reassured her, recognizing the gravity of the situation. Dayun's reluctance stemmed from a fear of burdening her grandfather further, and Joon understood the need to respect her wishes, at least for the time being.