Chapter 70: The One He Went to Save

“Haah… damn.”

His already aching head throbbed even harder.

The police station?
Assault charges?
Seunghyeok hit Cha Kwon-oh?

What was all of this supposed to mean?

Hyunwoo pressed his fingers against his temple with the hand that didn’t have an IV inserted.

“I don’t really know the details either. I just heard you were in the hospital and came right away.”

“So Lee Seunghyeok is really at the police station? All night?”

“Mm… probably?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. The police even called earlier. They said they had something they wanted to ask you… I think that’s what they said.”

“…….”

Hyunwoo waited until his headache settled a little, then glanced at the clock on the wall.

It pointed to 9 a.m.

Judging from the daylight, almost a day must have passed.

“What about school?”

“All my lectures today are replaced with reports, so there’s no exams. I bet it’s the same for Lee Seunghyeok.”

“…Haa. Just pass me my phone.”

“Ah— here.”

Hyunjin quickly found Hyunwoo’s phone and handed it over.

Hyunwoo stared blankly at the black screen for a moment before turning it on.

He intended to call Junghoon first, but the missed calls from him were already piled up.

“Oh, right. They said Seunghyeok brought your phone yesterday.”

“What?”

“He said he went to the hotel to return it because you left it at the company.”

“…….”

Only then did Hyunwoo understand why Seunghyeok had shown up at the hotel that night.

Hyunjin spoke carefully to Hyunwoo, who blinked slowly in a daze.

“But… um… before we go to the police station, shouldn’t you get checked first?”

“Checked?”

“Yeah. They said we can go to the police slowly, so maybe get treated first…”

“I already got an IV. I’m fine.”

“But the doctor said—”

Hyunjin kept talking, but Hyunwoo, whose nerves were already stretched thin, ignored it and called Junghoon.

The call connected almost immediately.

— Yes, Director.

“Send a lawyer to the police station I’m about to name.”

— …A lawyer?

“It’s urgent. Seunghyeok is at the police station right now.”

— …What? Mr. Lee Seunghyeok is?

The more Hyunwoo explained, the more alarmed Junghoon sounded.

But after a moment, he composed himself and said he’d arrange it, then hung up.

One burden lifted, Hyunwoo turned back to Hyunjin.

“What did the doctor say, exactly?”

“Uh… they said once you wake up, you should get a detailed exam. They’re not sure yet, but… they think there might be a problem with your pheromones.”

“Mm…”

It must have been because of Cha Kwon-oh’s pheromone attack.

Hyunwoo already suspected as much.

He already hadn’t been in good health lately due to stress, and he had been exposed to Hyunjin’s heat and Seunghyeok’s rut one after another.

He was planning to get a pheromone check soon anyway.

But right now, getting Seunghyeok out of the police station came first.

And with his parents out of the country, there was no one else who could handle it.

And knowing Seunghyeok, he wouldn’t have asked anyone for help either.

Hyunwoo exhaled.

“I’ll take the examination later. I got the IV, so I should go now.”

“No. Hyung. Get the exam today.”

“Seunghyeok is alone at the police station.”

“…….”

Hyunwoo’s mind was a mess.

Too many things had happened at once, and he was barely thinking straight.

So he could only focus on one problem at a time.

That’s why he didn’t notice Hyunjin’s face darkening.

“…Is Lee Seunghyeok that important? More than your own body?”

“What?”

“You already sent a lawyer. He’ll be released soon. So why do you have to go too?”

“……!”

The cold tone in Hyunjin’s voice made Hyunwoo widen his eyes.

He finally noticed Hyunjin’s expression—cold and upset.

For Hyunjin to speak this harshly about someone being detained unfairly…

Hyunwoo stared at him, stunned.

“Hyunjin, of course I have to go. He hit Cha Kwon-oh because of me.”

“How is that your fault? He just snapped.”

“Hey. Joo Hyunjin.”

“…….”

Hyunjin flinched at Hyunwoo’s low voice.

He knew he’d crossed a line.

Hyunwoo carefully removed the IV and spoke quietly.

“I appreciate that you’re worried about me. But don’t say things like that.”

“…….”

“I’ll go to the police station and then get the exam. Okay?”

“…Okay.”

Hyunjin nodded reluctantly.

Hyunwoo reached out and gently ruffled his hair.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“…….”

Hyunjin didn’t answer.

Hyunwoo only chuckled and stood up, changed clothes, and left the room.

“What brings you here?”

“Well, I…”

Hyunwoo looked around.

Because it was early, the small police station was quiet.

But Seunghyeok was nowhere to be seen.

Had he been released already?
Or locked in the holding cell?

Hyunwoo frowned.

“I witnessed the assault incident at the Bern Grand Hotel last night.”

“Oh, then perhaps…”

“Yes. I’m this person.”

“……!”

The officer’s eyes widened as he read the business card.

“J–just a moment please.”

“…….”

The lawyer hadn’t arrived yet, but that didn’t matter.

He just needed to take Seunghyeok out.

Soon, a higher-ranking officer came out.

“Ah, hello. I’m Lieutenant Oh Sang-jun.”

“Yes. Hello, I’m Joo Hyunwoo.”

Hyunwoo nodded and looked straight at the officer.

“You came earlier than I expected. Please have a seat—should I bring coffee? Or—”

“Before that. Where is Seunghyeok?”

“Uh? Seunghyeok… ah, the suspect?”

“Suspect?”

Hyunwoo’s eyebrows lifted sharply.

The officer panicked and hurried to explain.

“Y-yes, he was detained on site as the assailant… He should be in the holding cell now.”

“You locked him in a holding cell?”

“Y-yes… is there a problem—”

“…….”

Hyunwoo pressed his fingers to his brow.

Cha Kwon-oh.
That bastard.

He didn’t get beaten alone—and he still had the nerve to have Seunghyeok thrown into a cell?

Rage burned through Hyunwoo’s jaw.

“How does this police station operate? You locked up someone innocent without a proper investigation?”

“S-sir, that’s—”

“Assailant? Last night I lost consciousness, yes. But I know for a fact they were fighting each other. That’s mutual assault. So how did it become one-sided?”

“Uh… that…”

He couldn’t answer.

Of course.
He had followed Cha Kwon-oh’s orders.

Hyunwoo stared him down.

“Release him. Now.”

“But—”

“My lawyer will be here soon. Do you want to wait for him? Or should I start contacting higher authorities?”

“J-just a moment!”

The officer disappeared quickly.

Hyunwoo loosened the top button of his shirt and took a breath.

Then—

Someone came out from the direction of the holding cells.

It was Seunghyeok.

“You—!”

“…Hyung.”

“Your face—!”

“…….”

Hyunwoo rushed to him and touched his cheek with trembling hands.

His lip split and dried with blood.
His cheek bruised deep blue.

Hyunwoo’s voice trembled with anger.

“And you still called him the assailant?”

“T-that student didn’t say anything, so we—”

“That justifies locking up someone who did nothing wrong?”

“S-sorry…”

Hyunwoo exhaled sharply, then turned back to Seunghyeok.

His face—his perfect face—was ruined.

Rage stung behind Hyunwoo’s eyes.

“Why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you defend yourself? You should’ve exposed everything he did!”

“…I didn’t think they’d listen.”

“That doesn’t matter! You stupid—!”

“And I knew you’d come.”

“…….”

At that calm reply, Hyunwoo’s voice died.

Seunghyeok stepped closer and pulled him into an embrace.

“That’s enough for me.”

“Haah…”

“Are you feeling okay?”

“…….”

Hyunwoo let out a short, bitter laugh.

Even looking like this—
He was worried about him.

Really.

What was he supposed to do with him?

Hyunwoo steadied his breathing, trying to stop the anger rising again.