You Have Been Defended [EN]: Chapter 545

After Sung-yoon requested the meeting, the Director became noticeably more lenient.

Originally, he would call Kim Young-ji at every chance, berating her with, ‘How could you have managed the child so poorly that this happened?’ offering no help in resolving the situation. But even when the team searching Gangnam Station based on the IP address returned empty-handed, he didn’t get annoyed.

This was because he was certain that the determined Um Sung-yoon would come to the meeting place, and there was no chance of failing to catch him there.

If Sung-yoon’s only condition had been Sohn Jung-min’s safety, he would have been a little more nervous.

But he still couldn’t let go of the support from the House of Angels.

Then wouldn’t the game be over?

It’s only natural for a thirsty person to dig a well [meaning someone in need will take action to fulfill that need].

“Is this the place?”

“Yes. Shall I order coffee?”

“Sure. I’ll have a caramel macchiato. I wonder what our Sung-yoon likes? Just order something kids like. Our Sung-yoon should have something delicious to eat for the last time.”

And on the appointed day, the Director personally took Kim Young-ji to the cafe in front of Gangnam Station Exit 12.

Of course, it wasn’t just Kim Young-ji.

Several employees supported by Wooshin were sent in advance to look like ordinary cafe customers.

The cafe, the meeting place, had been scouted in advance, and there was only one exit leading to the outside of the building.

The restroom was inside the cafe and had no windows.

Just in case, they checked if there was a separate door for employees to enter and exit, but there wasn’t.

As long as they blocked the exit, Um Sung-yoon was a rat in a trap inside the cafe.

“It’s five minutes away, but he’s not here yet.”

“He’ll show up right on time.”

Kim Young-ji said, looking at the entrance, and the Director replied nonchalantly.

They took a seat inside the cafe.

Sitting close to the exit would make it difficult to respond to unexpected situations, so they deliberately chose a place where other tables could act as obstacles.

“Where’s Sohn Jung-min?”

“He’s waiting in the car right now.”

There was no need to expose Sohn Jung-min to Um Sung-yoon, so they didn’t bring him in.

However, they were unsure what Um Sung-yoon would do if he couldn’t see Sohn Jung-min through the cafe’s large windows, so they had him wait outside just in case.

Whether Um Sung-yoon intended it or not, this cafe allowed a clear view of the inside from the outside.

So he would try to confirm in some way whether they had really brought Sohn Jung-min.

As 6 o’clock approached.

“…….”

A call came from an unsaved phone number.

“Hello.”

─ It’s Sung-yoon.

It was Um Sung-yoon’s voice.

At the same time, the Director showed Kim Young-ji the phone number that had called his phone.

As soon as Kim Young-ji checked the number, she started sending messages somewhere.

It was to find out whose phone it was and where it was currently located.

“It’s 6 o’clock, why aren’t you here yet?”

─ Where’s Jung-min? What did I say? I said if you don’t keep your promise, I’ll go straight to the police station. Then I’ll take it that the Director has refused to negotiate.

“No, Sung-yoon. Jung-min is here.”

─ He’s not. Don’t lie.

“Where are you?”

─ Why do you need to know?

The Director quickly looked around.

Kim Young-ji, who was listening to the call together, also sent a message to the employees waiting outside the cafe.

The message said that Um Sung-yoon seemed to be nearby, so look for him.

“Jung-min went to the convenience store for a moment. He’ll be back.”

─ Tell him to come within 5 minutes.

“Okay, so come in and wait. It’s hot.”

─ Don’t worry about that. If Jung-min isn’t here in 5 minutes, I’m going straight to the police station. And don’t contact me with this number. I borrowed it from someone passing by, and this time, there will be no exceptions after 5 minutes.

He said he would go straight to the police station if he didn’t see Jung-min at 6 o’clock, but giving a 5-minute grace period shows that he’s still a kid.

He’s not firm, and he doesn’t realize that he’s giving the House of Angels time.

The House of Angels employees waiting outside began to search every place where they could see the table where the Director and Kim Young-ji were sitting.

But they couldn’t see where he was hiding.

With about 10 seconds left until 6:04.

There was still no news from the employees that they had seen anything even remotely resembling Um Sung-yoon.

Wishing to buy some more time, the Director called the number again.

─ Hello?

It was a stranger’s voice, as if the claim that he had borrowed the phone wasn’t a lie.

“Ah, yes. I was wondering if you were still with the student who borrowed the phone earlier.”

─ I’ve already passed him.

“Where did you meet that student?”

─ Hey. Who are you? Judging by what that student called you, you seem to be a Director. You’re talking about the police, is there something going on with that student?

Oh dear.

It’s better to stop the conversation before involving an innocent person.

“No, it’s just that the student had a bit of a fight with his friends, and their parents asked me to mediate, so I was going to meet him. Since you’ve already passed him, I’ll hang up now.”

The Director hung up and gestured to Kim Young-ji.

It was a signal to bring Jung-min.

“Are you sure about this?”

The Director nodded at Kim Young-ji’s question.

In fact, there was another reason for having Jung-min wait.

They couldn’t completely rule out the possibility that Um Sung-yoon would give up support from the House of Angels and simply aim to rescue Sohn Jung-min.

To this end, he may have contacted college students and met Cha Joo-han.

If so, Um Sung-yoon might bring college students or Cha Joo-han with him when he comes here.

It was the most undesirable situation, but they couldn’t not prepare for it, so they had a plan for that situation as well.

When the Director gave the signal, Jung-min would run away like a wanted criminal caught by the police.

The House of Angels was the only place that gave drugs without money, and Sohn Jung-min, who knew that fact, was an extremely obedient and good child.

They gave him drugs to make him that way from the beginning, so it was only natural.

Anyway, when he was properly shaken off, they could put him in a waiting car and take him back.

Even if Cha Joo-han took issue with this, the House of Angels could say, ‘The child suddenly showed erratic behavior, and we want to find him too,’ and there was nothing he could do.

Of course, in that case, Um Sung-yoon would have told Cha Joo-han everything, so they would have to endure some commotion…

They would have to think of that as spilled milk [meaning to not dwell on something that can’t be undone] and come up with a plan to deal with it.

“…….”

As soon as Kim Young-ji contacted him, a man entered the cafe with Jung-min.

Unlike Kim Young-ji, the Director was seeing Jung-min’s drug-addicted state for the first time.

He certainly didn’t look very good.

But without prior knowledge, he just looked like he was in a lot of pain.

The Director looked at Jung-min approaching and asked Kim Young-ji.

“Was he in that state when you let him meet Um Sung-yoon last time?”

“It seems similar. We adjusted him to be in the best condition then too.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Jung-min, led by the man, approached the table where the Director and Kim Young-ji were sitting.

Jung-min stared blankly at the two.

“Where’s Sung-yoon hyung [older brother or close male friend]…?”

And asked.

Goodness, it was a great friendship that you couldn’t watch without tears.

“Is, is Sung-yoon hyung going to do this too…? But I’m a little, cough, that’s, it’s good, but, that’s, what is it, the feeling. But, ah, but I think Sung-yoon hyung shouldn’t do this, cough, that’s a better feeling… Cough, this is good, well, it’s not, right?”

I don’t even know what he’s talking about.

The Director sighed and looked out the window.

And then, Sung-yoon appeared in the cafe.

As he had feared, he came alone without bringing anyone else.

Whether it was true that he had been watching from outside, Sung-yoon walked straight towards the table as soon as he entered.

Of course, he looked around to see if there were any suspicious people, but he probably didn’t notice.

They had been instructed to tap on their laptops like ordinary office workers or to mumble in a low voice with their phones to their ears as if they were on a call.

“Sung-yoon, where have you been all this time? Teacher was so worried.”

Kim Young-ji looked up at Sung-yoon standing in front of the table and smiled faintly.

But Sung-yoon ignored her and kept his eyes fixed on Sohn Jung-min.

“You remember the condition. Let me and Jung-min talk alone.”

“You want us to leave you two alone here? Sung-yoon, no matter what you think, we have to protect you as a runaway teenager. So…”

“I’m just going to talk. If you’re worried, block the entrance.”

There are two main unexpected actions that Sung-yoon can take here.

1. Suddenly run to the exit with Jung-min.

2. Contact the police, either with his own phone or by asking a cafe employee.

The exit was blocked, and asking a cafe employee could be stopped before going to the counter.

As for the police, he had already hinted to Go Yoon-soo’s chief of staff, so even if they rushed in due to Sung-yoon’s report, it could be resolved.

Still, it would be better to avoid a commotion.

“Do you have your phone?”

The Director held out his hand to Sung-yoon.

Sung-yoon gritted his teeth and placed his phone on that hand.

The Director and Kim Young-ji each got up and took a seat one table away.

Then Um Sung-yoon glared at them and said.

“If you stay there, you’ll hear everything we say. I said I wanted to talk alone.”

“You’re really doing everything you can.”

The Director and Kim Young-ji got up as if they couldn’t help it and sat down a little further away.

Anyway, a microphone had been attached to Sohn Jung-min’s body, so their conversation could be eavesdropped on even from a distance.

“Jung-min, are you okay?”

Sung-yoon asked carefully.

Then Sohn Jung-min looked around anxiously and nodded wildly.

“Yeah! I’m really okay.”

“You still don’t look too good…”

“Is that so…”

Because he had been instructed to keep his answers as concise as possible, Jung-min spoke briefly.

Then Sung-yoon sighed and took out a palm-sized post-it from his pocket and held it out in front of Jung-min.

“This is my phone number. Contact me here if you need anything.”

There was no phone number on the post-it Sung-yoon handed over.

[Jung-min. An acquaintance of mine does drugs, and I told him about you, and he said there’s a way to get drugs in an easy way even without money. He just needs you to do some errands… I think you’re being held by the House of Angels because of drugs… Shouldn’t you get it from this person? He said he’ll give you money if you do the errands well. Let’s get out of the House of Angels. That person is waiting for you in the bathroom right now.

If you understand, where’s the bathroom?

If you don’t, how have you been?]

Jung-min, who quickly checked the contents, looked at Sung-yoon with trembling eyes.

And after hesitating for a moment, he tore up the post-it and put it in his pocket.

Sung-yoon was momentarily embarrassed by that action.

I guess he doesn’t like it…

“Hyung, where’s the bathroom here? I need to pee.”

At Jung-min’s question, Sung-yoon’s face lit up.

Sung-yoon silently pointed to the bathroom sign nearby.

“I’ll go quickly and come back.”

As Jung-min got up, Kim Young-ji and the Director, who were far away, reacted.

As Kim Young-ji approached, Jung-min looked in the direction of the bathroom and said.

“Bathroom, cough, please.”

Kim Young-ji nodded.

Anyway, employees were sitting right in front of the bathroom.

They had confirmed that there were no windows in the bathroom, but they were also prepared for unexpected actions.

“…….”

Jung-min slowly entered the bathroom.

As soon as the door closed, he slowly approached the sink and turned on the water.

Then a strange man came out from inside the stall.

The man locked the bathroom door and slowly stood in front of the sink next to Jung-min.

Then he took out his phone, typed something, and showed it to Jung-min.

[Are you Sohn Jung-min?]

Jung-min was surprised but slowly nodded.

Then the man wrote something again on his phone and held it out in front of Jung-min.

[What are you looking for? Calf?]

He didn’t know what Calf meant.

He came because he was promised drugs, but what calf are you talking about?

As Jung-min frowned, the man typed the letters again.

[Cocaine]

As soon as he saw the letters, Jung-min nodded wildly.

The man also nodded and wrote a message again to show him.

[The work I ask you to do is simple. Just put down whatever I give you. I’ll give you 10 doses each time. There will be quite a few jobs. If you want money, do as much as you can and sell the rest. Or ask me for money, okay?]

Jung-min nodded like crazy.

The House of Angels only gives one dose at a time.

Besides, they didn’t give it just because you asked, and no matter how much you begged, it was useless, as if they had a set cycle.

But they’re giving 10 doses at once?

There’s no better deal than this.

[First, here’s one dose as an advance.]

The man took out a small ziplock bag containing white powder from his pocket.

Jung-min widened his eyes and snatched the ziplock bag from the man’s hand.

He opened the ziplock bag, took a pinch with his fingertip, tasted it, and looked around with a face as if he had the whole world.

The man silently took out a small piece of paper from his pocket.

Then Jung-min immediately rolled up the paper and tore off a paper towel next to the sink and spread it thickly on the sink.

He poured the powder on top of it, lowered his posture, brought the rolled-up paper to the powder, and matched one nostril to the end of it.

Then he blocked the opposite nostril with his index finger and took a deep breath.

“Ah!”

However, it was before he could even inhale properly.

His arm was suddenly grabbed violently.

Wondering what this was, he looked at the man, but he didn’t hesitate and twisted that arm behind his back, subduing Sohn Jung-min.

“Sohn Jung-min. As of 6:34 PM on July 26, 2012, you are under arrest as a flagrant offender for possession and use of drugs. You have the right to remain silent, you have the right to hire an attorney, and your statements may be used against you in court.”