(ENG)(BTS/JINCENTRIC) INNOCENCE
Chapter 16
The whole room fell into silence as all eyes were focused on the ultra-thin TV screen. The image showed up clearly, not as blurry as the video that Kim Taehyung gave him a few days ago. The recording was at 23:19 on April 11, nearly 10 minutes different from Kim Taehyung's gift. The angle of the camera was also different as this camera was near room 1204. On the screen, room 1204 was still closed, but about 2 minutes later, a faint figure came from the direction of the internal stairs. That person appeared more clearly as he approached the camera. A man of average build, with a cap on his head, a mask, and a housekeeping uniform. He knocked on the door twice, but nothing happened. Then, he took a key card from his pocket, swiped it, and entered the room. The door closed again. The video was then fast-forwarded to 23:34, the image of Seokjin walking towards room 1202 was recorded, and the incident happened exactly as he had reported to the police before. At 23:44, after knocking on the door a few times without a response from room 1202, he left. The video then continued to 00:04 on April 12, the door of room 1204 opened, and the suspicious man left the 12th floor by internal stairs. The video ended there.
When the video stopped, everyone in the room had a different expression. Still, there were unexpected features except for Chairman Park Taehwan and a man named Hoseok. Park Jimin slightly frowned as he looked at the inspector as if thinking about something. Lady Kim's eyes were red, and her nails dug deeper and deeper into her expensive dress. Park Haejin was surprised but more than worried, looking at his mother. Kim Taehyung stared at Kim Namjoon and then back at Park Jimin with obvious suspicion. The eldest of the Park family slightly lowered her head to hide her expression, but her hand on her thigh was slightly clenched. Kim Seokjin frowned and glanced at the three: Kim Namjoon, Kim Taehyung, and Park Jimin. Then he tried to organize the sequence of events and information that had just been gathered. Kim Namjoon scanned the room one by one, catching suspicious eyes from Kim Seokjin and a few others, but he didn't hesitate to speak up.
-"This video was just restored a few days ago, and our team is investigating the suspicious man in the video. According to the autopsy, this man is the number one suspect in this case. This person is likely an internal employee of L Hotel, so we need the cooperation between the hotel and the special team to quickly arrest the murderer."
-"Huh, isn't here an accomplice of that criminal?" Lady Kim asked Kim Namjoon in a high voice, but her eyes were fixed on Seokjin.
Park Jimin saw that and raised his voice to warn
-"Don't talk nonsense. You can see from the video that Seokjin has nothing to do with this case."
-"So, how do you explain the fingerprints on the weapon? And the fact that he was on the 12th floor when the incident happened?" Park Haejin patted Lady Kim's shoulder to reassure her. He gave Park Jimin a sharp glance and then turned to ask the detective who was leisurely drinking tea.
Kim Namjoon didn't answer right away but glanced at Seokjin, scanning him from top to bottom, then nodded
-"Mrs. Park and CEO Park are right. Mr. Kim is still under suspicion, so I request to keep him under our supervision to prevent any potential interaction between him and the culprit."
-"Hmph, then you should send him to prison and strictly supervise him"- Mrs. Park smiled scornfully at Seokjin.
-"It would be a waste to put him in prison. If he was really an accomplice, he should stay in the hotel to act as fishing bait. It will make our job easier. If not, it is better since I won't get any unnecessary complaint from an innocent citizen."
-"So what's your plan?"- Mrs. Park was annoyed.
-"I will undercover at the hotel as the personal assistant of Director Park Jimin." Kim Namjoon put down his teacup and looked at Park Jimin with a small smile. Park Jimin couldn't help but be surprised by this announcement. He was about to turn to President Park to protest, but his father nodded solemnly as an acceptance to Kim Namjoon's request.
Kim Seokjin frowned while listening to Kim Namjoon talk shits in front of him. His heart was on fire, and he craved to run to tear the detective's arrogant face. Well, if Jin's deduction wasn't wrong, he was just a card for the detective to have a clear and righteous excuse to infiltrate into the l hotel in the first place. The moment he caught Kim Namjoon's eyes on him, Seokjin knew the actual game had begun.
Immediately after the sudden announcement of the director's personal assistant appointment, everyone in the room began to leave with their own thoughts. Park Jimin was about to drive Seokjin home but was held back by President Park. So Kim Namjoon naturally used the reason to investigate the case to drag Seokjin with him.
The air in the car froze from the moment they got on. Kim Seokjin wasn't willing to breathe the same air with this jerk, not even share a car. However, he couldn't keep himself from spitting out sarcasm.
-"You really are too high-handed. Your actual aim was to infiltrate into the L corporation yourself, right? The fact that I was suspected in the first place was your arrangement?"
Kim Namjoon was driving, laughing with delight.
-"I like smart people, but I don't like people who think they're smart."
-"What do you mean?" Seokjin asked, frowning
-"My goal indeed was to infiltrate into the L hotel myself. But the fact that you were suspected, I have nothing to do with it. Just utilize the chance to make a good excuse, that's all. But you should be grateful since I'm protecting you. The person behind all this shit...you will probably find out soon. Who can manage the hotel's Opera system*, delete CCTV records, and delete calls from room 1202? And also, after you left the 12th floor, what happened? Ask yourself those questions and think carefully."
(*Opera system: Property Management System)
Hearing what Kim Namjoon just said, Seokjin fell into deep thought, and suddenly he came to his senses.
-"Couldn't be...."
At that moment, at the Park family's library.
-"Dad, why did you let that detective come to L hotel? What if..." - Park Jimin annoyedly opposed to the chairman who was leisurely sitting on the armchair.
-"Don't worry, he is on the same boat."
-"What do you mean?" Park Jimin asked, frowning
-"He is the youngest son of Defence Minister and this year's presidential candidate, Kim Hanjoo."
-"How...there is no information that Defence Minister has a son named Kim Namjoon?"- Park Jimin was a bit surprised by the identity of the detective.
-"Kim Namjoon is his illegitimate son. Kim Hanjoo was afraid of losing face, so he didn't announce it publicly"- Park Taehwan sneered, "Anyway, If he successfully became the President, it would help our business a lot. You shouldn't forget the importance of this relationship. Don't cause any friction with Kim's side."
-"I understand. What about Park Yerin's case? Last time you clearly said you wouldn't let Seokjin get into that mess again."
-"Foolish. There's no place for your soft feelings at work. I told you to let him go, but you still keep him by your side despite my warning. Then you even dared to tell all the guests that he was your fiance. You really want to test my patience, don't you?" - Park Taehwan angrily raised his voice.
-"You also know that biddy hasn't let go of him yet. I won't let emotion interfere with my work. So, don't try to push him away from me anymore. Or else, I don't know what I'll do"- Park Jimin bravely faced his father.
Chairman Park got up from the armchair, walked towards Park Jimin, and then circled behind him.
The sudden pain in his back caused Park Jimin to collapse. Park Taehwan collected his fancy wooden cane and stepped in front of Park Jimin. He used the tip of the stick, lifting his son's chin up to face his sharp eyes.
-"Don't challenge me, my dear son. I'll give you a chance to prove it, but just one small mistake, and that boy will be gone...forever."
As soon as the last word disappeared, Park Taehwan left, leaving Park Jimin still kneeling on the hard wooden floor.
-"Hope you still have time to notice that mistake."
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